It began in the driver’s seat of a Dodge. He was barely a handful then, a tiny puff of soot and static electricity sitting on the leather upholstery. The sunlight streamed through the windshield, catching his coat and revealing the secret rusty brown undertones that only appeared when he was truly warm. He sat frozen, eyes wide and uncertain, a tiny co pilot wondering where this loud metal beast was taking him.
The uncertainty didn’t last long. He quickly realized that while the car seat was okay, his new companion was much better. He discovered the best vantage point was high up on a shoulder, clinging to a beige Chevy hoodie. This became his mobile watchtower. From up there, pressed against a warm neck, the world seemed less scary and much more interesting.
Once he realized he was safe, the exhaustion of being so small caught up with him. He found the ultimate sleeping spot tucked deep into the crook of a warm arm. He slept deeply, belly exposed to the air, a sign of total and complete trust in his new protector.
As he grew, so did his curiosity. He became an explorer of countertops, his tail held high like a question mark as he investigated strange new smells. He sniffed a bag of Bil Jac treats with the intense concentration of a health inspector, confirming that this new life came with excellent perks.
Days turned into weeks, and the nervous little passenger transformed into the master of the house. He stretched out long and lanky on grey plaid blankets, a connoisseur of sunbeams, soaking up the warmth until he was relaxed and liquid.
He claimed the softest foam cushion in the house as his own, looking up with bright, knowing golden eyes. He stuck just the tip of his pink tongue out in a sassy blep a tiny declaration that he had officially found his forever landing spot, and he intended to rule it.
Shannon Willis can usually be found in the company of furry friends. A passionate animal enthusiast, her work is often inspired by her deep love for cats, dogs, and the animal kingdom as a whole.
