In the quiet corner of the room, a silent coup took place. The grey throne, upholstered in soft velvet, had long been a symbol of authority, but today it found a new ruler.
Barnaby, the grey and white feline, ascended to the seat with a specific strategy in mind. He did not curl up into a ball like a commoner. Instead, he executed a maneuver known only to the elite, The Royal Dangle. Settling his body into the bright yellow cushion, he extended his front legs forward until they were rigid, straight, and impossibly long. They hung over the edge of the seat like two fuzzy scepters, barring entry to anyone else. His wide, blue eyes stared into the middle distance, lost in deep contemplation of his own magnificence.
Below him sat Sterling. Relegated to the laminate flooring, Sterling gazed upward with a mixture of awe and bewilderment. He tilted his head back, studying the geometry of the situation. Is this the secret to power? he seemed to wonder. Must one stretch their limbs to such lengths to claim the high ground?
There was no answer from above. Barnaby simply held his pose, his white paws hovering in the air, asserting his status. The floor was for the watchers, but the chair and the glorious freedom to dangle belonged exclusively to the King.
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.
