People often tell they are a “dog person” or a “cat person,” or a person who “loves all animals” or a “horse person,” and often they will apply a label to me, but I think none of those labels fits me (which is good, because I don’t really like any labels much). When I think about it, I think I am a Creature Person, I am drawn to people and animals that are loving, independent, accepting and genuine. I do not love all people or animals equally, I have to say.

I love donkeys, but I love Simon especially. I do not love any sheep, but I admire Zelda, Queen Of The Pasture. I love all my dogs – at night, my heart is drawn to Lenore, almost all of the day and night, Red is my companion and shadow, sometimes Frieda looks at me with her big soulful eyes and I get lost in them. I love people who are like my wife, who are caring and creative and filled with warmth. And I love Flo, the cat who finally got to me. Flo was hiding under our woodshed when we moved in, she is about three years old, says the vet and we had never really seen her until a snowstorm last year when she wisely revealed herself to Maria, got fed,and worked her way into our lives.

When Minnie lost her leg, Flo got pushed aside somewhat, but she is reasserting herself, appearing when I am out gathering wood, going to the barn, taking pictures outside, I think she has decided to explore the house and our lives there. She has glowing green eyes, and she is smart and patient. My kind of animal. I certainly prefer the company of dogs to cats in general, cats are amazing but mysterious to me. I am learning about them.

Several times a day, I pick Flo up and we talk and cuddle. Maria picked up my camera and decided to capture it, she did a good job. Flo is my kind of creature. I guess at that moment I was a Flo person.