It’s been a long time since we had a cat who was comfortable in the barnyard.
At Old Bedlam Farm our barn cat Minnie always came around when I went into visit the donkeys and loved rubbing up against Fanny and Lulu’s legs. They seemed to like it too.
But it all stopped when we rescued Simon.
Once our donkey Simon came to live on Bedlam Farm, and he had healed from his ordeal of being neglected by his previous owner, he didn’t have much tolerance for Minnie.
Simon never let me brush his legs. I think they they were sensitive from his experience and maybe painful when touched. He certainly didn’t like Minnie rubbing up against him.
And he let her know by picking Minnie up by her back and dropping her back down again. He didn’t bite her, but pulled out a mouthful of her hair.
Minnie kept away from all the donkeys after that.
But Zip has made his peace with the donkeys and sheep. He roams the barnyard as if it’s as much his as theirs. And he often stops to roll on his back and flirt with whoever might be around.
Zip is the most perfect Bedlam Farm kitty.
He really is just right Wendy.