On a quiet farm where the dust settles soft on the path and the evenings are crisp, there lives an orange tabby named Oliver. Oliver isn’t a typical house pet, he considers himself the manager of the barnyard, and he takes his job very seriously.
His day usually begins with an inspection of the new recruits the calves in the metal pen. Being a small feline in a big world doesn’t intimidate Oliver. As the afternoon sun warms the barn, he climbs the wire mesh of the pen, his paws gripping tight, just to get a closer look. He wants to make sure the little brown calf knows who is in charge.
The inspection quickly turns into a greeting. Oliver slips past the barrier to walk among them. He finds a brown and white calf who seems particularly friendly. In a moment of pure sweetness, the large calf lowers its head, and Oliver leans in, closing his eyes as he rubs his cheek against the calf’s wet nose. It is a secret language between species a head bunt of respect and friendship amidst the hay and dust.
As the sun dips below the horizon and the farm work ends, Oliver retreats to the wooden deck of the farmhouse. The darkness brings out his playful side. Under the porch light, he hears a rustle in the leaves or spots a moth fluttering above. Suddenly, he is no longer the serious barn manager, he stands tall on his hind legs, balancing perfectly like a prairie dog, batting at the invisible prize in the night air.
Finally, the long day of supervising cows and hunting imaginary bugs takes its toll. Oliver claims his favorite spot, the cushioned chair on the porch. With the farm silent and the cows asleep in the barn, the King of the Farm tucks his paws beneath him, watching the night from his throne, ready to do it all again tomorrow.
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.
