Long before the festive bells adorned his neck, the world was a vast, slippery wooden expanse. He was small then, a tiny adventurer with soft paws and oversized ears. The corner of the room felt like a dense rainforest, with the towering green leaves of a snake plant stretching high above his head.
Back then, the target was a flash of emerald feathers. It moved fast, mocking his wobbly balance. He would stand on his hind legs, eyes wide with a mixture of confusion and determination, trying to predict the erratic flight of the elusive prize. Every catch was a victory, every miss a lesson in gravity. The air smelled of potting soil and the excitement of the chase.
Seasons turned, and the tiny adventurer grew into a majestic hunter. The slippery wood gave way to the grip of soft, grey carpeted stairs a new mountain to claim. His coat became sleek, the orange patches vivid against the white, and his balance became unshakeable. He wears a collar of holly and berries now, a mark of the holidays and a sign of his comfortable reign over the household.
The green feathers are gone, replaced by a rustic, braided rope that twists and turns in the air. But watch him closely. He sits with the stillness of a statue, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. The size has changed, and the surroundings are different, but the spirit remains untouched. The wide eyed wonder of the kitten lives on in the intense gaze of the adult cat, proving that while the years may pass, the thrill of the hunt never truly fades.
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.
