Zip is becoming a fearless Barn Cat, feeling his oats and standing his ground.
Both dogs (Bud doesn’t run free outside) love to harass Zip. Zinnia charges at him to get him to run or hide, and Fate likes to rattle him by getting close and staring at him as border collies do with sheep.
This week, Zip decided to turn the tables. Zinnia and Fake pretend they are tough sometimes. They aren’t, and Zip is calling them on it.
When Zinnia rushes at him, he doesn’t move; if she gets too close, Zip swats at her nose and runs off. Fate never gets close to him; she pretends she’s tough, as with the sheep.
Zip is not impressed. He stands his ground with both, running Zinnia off, getting close to Fate, and staring back, going where he wants. In the tradition of barn cats, he has seen it all and doesn’t rattle. Flo was like that; the dogs were terrified of her.
Nobody was afraid of Minnie.
Zip is interesting because he is also hyper-alert and cautious. He looks where he is going to make sure he’s safe. Then he goes where he wants.
Maria took this video this morning and captured Zip’s evolution into a tough guy. I’m proud of him. (Zinnia would never hurt him, and he knows it, it’s become a game.) Maria took the video.
P.S. The photo above of Zip in the Chicken Roost is now a magnet for sale in Maria’s Etsy studio. She’s sold over 150 magnets for $7 apiece (free shipping) and has 40 or 50 left. You can see them or purchase them here.
Zip has a moment holding his tail up and his tail quivering. This is cat language for I love you. Not to be confused with spraying. He is beyond happy đź’ś
well….seeing Zip’s body language tells me he is not deterred or afraid of the dogs (or anything) at all! good for Zip! He IS a tough guy!
Susan M
Hey Jon,
Enjoyed the Zip video—thanks to Maria! For some fun, you might like to check out what a cat’s tail position and body language mean—especially Zip’s pose where his back is arched and his tail straight up and vibrating. Not to add to your workload, of course. As a cat (and dog) person for many years, I found out that decoding these feline postures was like learning a new language.
When Zip is shaking his tail almost quivering, He is very happy and showing affection. Notice Zip’s paws thats a give away too!!