Yesterday and this morning, Zip, our new and impressive barn cat, decided to leave his safe and cozy refuge and take over Bedlam Farm. He is a great barn cat, for sure, but a farm cat as well.

He is curious, alert, fearless, and very pleased with himself.

Overnight, he drove out the entrenched pigeons, chased Fate across the yard, located a half dozen chipmunk holes, rubbed noses with Zinnia, dozed under the flower beds, explored every garden, and followed me and Zinnia and Maria all over the farm. He also walked out into the pasture, right by the donkeys, among the sheep, and made it clear that the farm was his; we all were mere serfs.

It was an exciting day here on the farm. For the first time in three weeks, I slept in our bed next to Maria, where I belong. It was painful at times and dizzying at others, but I did get some sleep, and the switch to our bed is permanent.

This isn’t over, but it is getting better.

The big news was Zip, already a cat who far exceeds our expectations and delights us with his sweet nature, ferocious hunting skills, and evident love of Bedlam Farm and all who live here (except pigeons.) He makes friends quickly, unnerves enemies, and explores every inch of his new world. We need not worry about his running off; he acts like he was born here and owns the place, knighted somewhere along the way.

Here is a photo journal – 10 images –  of Zip’s coming out day,  signaling the farm community that a new boss had arrived. The photos pretty much speak for themselves. I was beginning to wonder if Zip would come out of the barn. I see that the barn is his dozing headquarters; everything here is his. He’s also amazingly photogenic. Maria is already working on some Zip potholders, there’s a new animal in town.

Like Bud, Zip is small but doesn’t seem to know it. The two are aware of one another but haven’t yet got close.

Fate got cheeky with Zip, and he chased her halfway across the yard. Fate is no warrior. Zip does not back down.

Zip loves the apple tree and it’s mysteries. He’s hot on the trail of the chipmunks and mice who live in its tunnels and holes.

Zip followed Maria and me as we walked across the grounds. He seemed very secure around us, and this seemed to open him up and trigger his exploration of the barn that went on all evening. He just needed a shield to walk behind at first. He’s on his own now.

Zip was fascinated by my raised garden beds; he loves to hide underneath them and wait for mice to appear.

 

He explored every nook and cranny of the apple tree. I imagine he’ll spent a lot of time up there.

The barn is his headquarters. The farm is his kingdom. At dusk, we found him walking out in the pasture, studying the march.

At one point, I think he heard a chipmunk. He froze and waited. No luck. The poor chipmunks, their peaceful time is over.

For the first time, Zip is happy to sit out behind the farmhouse and study his new world.

He is getting to know the donkeys, who are getting to know him. Fate keeps her distance, and Fanny and Luly are becoming friends in their own way at their own pace. With them, everything has to be their idea.

 

He is getting a little more fearless every day.