Oliver took his duties seriously, or at least, he liked everyone to believe he did.
The morning began in the posture of high alert. Sitting perfectly straight on the beige cushions, Oliver puffed out his white chest, displaying the green bell on his collar like a medal of honor. His ears swiveled like radar dishes, tracking every sound in the house. The giants were moving about, clattering dishes and searching for keys. Oliver’s wide, green eyes tracked their chaotic movements with stoic judgment. He was the silent guardian, the watcher on the wall, ensuring that breakfast was served on time and that no unauthorized squirrels trespassed on the lawn outside the window.
By early afternoon, the urgency of the morning had faded. The house fell quiet, and the guardian duties could be relaxed. Oliver melted onto the soft upholstery, stretching his grey limbs long and loose. He rested his chin near the edge of a textured throw, his paws dangling with casual elegance. One eye remained half open, monitoring the dust motes dancing in the sunbeams, but his body was pure liquid comfort. This was his territory, and he ruled it with a languid grace, confident that nothing would disturb his peace.
Eventually, the exhausting work of doing absolutely nothing took its toll. As evening set in, Oliver retreated to the softest grey blanket he could find. He curled himself into a tight, fuzzy spiral, tucking his pink nose beneath a paw to block out the light. The stoic sentry and the relaxed prince vanished, replaced by a softly breathing bundle of fur, lost in dreams of chasing endless red dots and overflowing bowls of tuna.
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.
