Every morning, I go out and sit next to Zip in a chair; I talk and reach in and do some scratching.

Today, I opened the crate gate, reached in, and found two sweet spots where he loves to be touched and scratched – the back of his head and the spine just before the tail.

I can see myself sitting on the grass with my camera and having Zinnia and Zip draped around my legs. These two are already friends.

We are pals. He sleeps in the far right corner of the crate but comes right out to see us when Maria or I show up. I think we’re about one week away from freedom for him.

I love catching this eye photograph. Zip has a fierce look but a soft heart. I’ve got to get ready to get my camera equipment together for Maria’s belly dancing (with her dancing group) at the Mansion this morning.