It’s rare when Zip, our remarkable barn cat, doesn’t surprise me. Yesterday he really surprised me.

We were out in the pasture, sitting with Suzy. I was astonished to turn around and see Zip lying on his back and letting the sheep sniff his paws.

He lay like that the longest time when one of the ewes – Constance – got rattled and tried to butt him. He ran out and hid underneath the wheelbarrow, then popped out and did it again.

Zip is fearless, except for the road. He never goes near it.

This is new to me. None of our other barn cats ever showed their bellies to a sheep or donkey. Zip is Zip. He surprises us every day and has given the farm a big lift.

I moved quickly and got the picture; it must be seen to be believed.

He and I are great pals now, and he loves being on the farm. I’ve never had a barn cat like him. Our plan for next year is to get a Styrofoam container and stuff it with straw.

Expert cat lovers have told us this is the best way for farmers and real cat lovers to warm a barn cat in winter.

There are many other ways,  like our heated cat house, but we both like this one.

Thanks for recommending it. I ordered the straw today.

In case you were wondering, Zip will not be in the house at night next winter either. He is where he should be. He fits the farm like a glove.