Contemplation: Dog Contemplates Approaching Ox

My daughter Sarah and family's dog came to stay for several days. In the video Scout the Ox was grazing in the yard. I was laying on my back, resting in the shade of the woodpile. Scout's bells told me he was getting nearer and nearer as he grazed. Suddenly, Oliver, who is a Standard Poodle. was standing on my chest facing off with the ox.

I presume he had in mind to protect me. (Otherwise, he would have just kept a safe distance from the ox.)  But, alas, as he contemplated the situation his courage failed.

He's just a pup! Give him a year and he may make a formidable guard dog.   .