I love this portrait of Zip in his barn, and I have this strange feeling that one of the things we have in common is a fierce commitment to our love, independence, and lives. He is a remarkable animal with intelligence, affection, and certainty about who he is, while strangers rail at him and me because he isn’t what they want or expect. That is the core of independence, what it means – choose your destiny and have the strength to define yourself and not submit to the ranting or interference of others. I’m getting there, and he is already there. From the first, we felt like comrades, a feeling that had only grown. I am so glad I would let Zip have the life he wants and deserves.