I supervise the farm and nibble toes with pride,
Then scissor-walk through legs with Katniss by my side.
I roll in the dirt, then arch my back just right,
And turn into a howler monkey when it’s time for goodnight!
My name is Pete, but I answer to Bushwoolie and Pete’s Za when the mood strikes. I used to live next door. I had a whole household over there, dogs and cats and horses, and I decided early on that I preferred the company here. So I started walking over in the mornings and staying most of the day. Nobody invited me exactly. I simply showed up until it was understood. When my family had to move, they knew my heart had already picked a place, and they made sure I could stay in it. That is how good cats end up where they belong.
I am the only outdoor cat at Lotsa Heart Animal Sanctuary, which means the whole operation falls to me. I start with a patrol of the fence lines, wearing my tracking collar so my people always know where I am. Some of my rounds are spent with Katniss the pig. She is my very best friend, and we walk and lay together from time to time.
Afternoons I take to my secret garden, and in the evenings it’s up onto the roof of the shed. The view is better from up there and the supervising is easier when you can see everything at once.
Late at night I come inside to stay safe and rest up. I play for a bit then stretch out along the couch and sleep hard, because tomorrow the farm isn’t going to look after itself.