I guess I’ve been thinking about this a lot. I’ve heard Mom talking about it a lot lately, so I guess that’s what got me to pondering.

I heard her talking one night about all the stray cats in Israel, wherever that is. They are like my sister Cowgirl Kitty in a way. They are the same kind of animal, but there the similarity ends. Cowgirl Kitty lives in the sewing room, she has a bed, and Mom gives her stuff in a fancy red filigree food holder, and she has her own dish of water. I’ve watched Mom fill it. She gets something special on top of her food every morning, and Mom picks her up and holds her and cuddles her. Sometimes when they think I’m asleep she jumps out of her sewing room and comes and sits on Mom’s lap while she’s working on her computer. They think I don’t know. I’m a Anatolian, I know. Mom says in Israel those cats don’t have a home, they roam the streets looking for food and someplace warm! Sometimes they get sick and die, sometimes they get run over and sometimes mean people hurt them. I don’t understand. I want to chase my kitty sister, especially if she will run, but I don’t understand people like that. Mom says it’s because they haven’t been tutored, or something that sounds like that. I guess what it means is nobody loves those kitties enough to make sure they don’t bring more kitties that don’t have homes into the world.

It happens in America as well, but here more people seem to take their “fur children” to the doctor. I went to a doctor before I came to live with my Mom. I don’t remember anything. I was sore for a day or so, but after that, nope. It did seem as time went on jumping the fence and running off wasn’t as much fun. Well, and that time my collar started vibrating like crazy as I jumped the fence. I really hated that. It quit just as I came back in the yard. Weird, it never happens when I’m in the yard. Oh well, one of life’s mysteries.

But back to partners. Mom told me about a picture she saw,

After battle

Obviously very brave, and obviously had been in a fight. At least one little sheep seemed to know the dog had put it’s life on the line to protect them. Mom says if anti-gun people have their way they would pull the dogs teeth. I’m not sure, maybe she’s kidding because that would be so stupid! How could a sheepdog protect the sheep without it’s teeth. But, Mom says there are a lot of stupid people.

יש הרבה אנשים טיפשים

אני מדבר גם עברית

I also speak Hebrew.

She also wondered where the dogs partner was. It seems Livestock Guardian dogs work as pairs. Either there should be another Livestock Guardian dog nearby, or a herding dog. When there is a threat, the herding dog rounds up the sheep so they are easier to protect, the the guardian dog has less territory to cover. The picture doesn’t show the partner. Mom was sad, she wondered it this is the only one that survived.

Mom says partners are a very special and rare thing. I looked up at her with all the love I could put in my eyes and put my hand on her leg. She leaned over and put her head on mine and told me I am an awesome partner. She said we do lots together and that I am wonderful company. That made me feel good. She’s not a perfect Mom. She’s gets twisted about weird stuff, like chewing that tantalizing white paper that’s all on a roll and ready to go. I don’t know what the deal is, it’s great for decorating, but she gets twisted, so I’ve quit doing it. She’s weird that way. She doesn’t like it when I try to share her dinner, but she’s right when she says she doesn’t do that to me.

So, here’s what I do know. There are millions of people like me and my sister Cowgirl Kitty, or maybe even my horse brothers that don’t have warm homes and anything to eat. I’m going to pray they get homes. Even if they have weird Mom’s like mine, maybe especially for them to have weird Moms like mine. I have a purple coat she puts on me when it’s wicked cold. At first I thought I was being punished for something. But she seems so happy and says how handsome I am. I have noticed it’s not as cold when I wear it, so who knows. Maybe Mom know something I don’t?

A most handsome boy in his coat

This partner thing must be elusive. But she tells me all kinds of stuff and knows I won’t tell anyone, I promised her. When she’s sad I cuddle up to her, and when she’s happy we do stuff. I’ve taught her to throw a ball and a frisbee ring! She is smart! I’ve taught her to always put the lid down on the toilet too. Sometimes we just sit on the front porch and cuddle, I like that a lot. And if I think she’s worked on the computer too long, sometimes I get up off my bed and sleep in her office till we’re ready for a bath. I like how she got a soft fluffy bath mat for me to lay on. I don’t get the fascination with bathing, mercifully she only does it to me once in a while, but if it makes her happy, I just guard the door. So I hope I’m being a good partner, because I really think she is trying to be a partner and a good Mom to me. We sure do have some fun. I hope we go to the feed store soon, because that always gets me treats!

So I’ve been thinking about that brave Anatolian fighter. This is how I sleep when I’m at home with Mom and Cowgirl kitty.

Sleeping soundly

Yes, I’ve chewed up one of my beds. Yes, it was fun! But here’s the thing, I can sleep like this because I’ve got my Mom, and she’s got my back. I can love her with all my heart, but this is about trust, not love. I know she loves me, but I also think it’s safe to sleep with my tummy up.

A cold day!

It was below zero today! I was cold and Mom made me wear my purple coat when I went outside. When I came back in, it felt so good to curl up in front of the stove and have a little nap. And now I’m thinking about all those poor fur children that don’t have Moms and homes because people didn’t love the parents enough to tutor them. Mom says it’s worse than that. Some people leave their children outside on a night this cold! They say they have a coat. That’s horrid. I have a lovely Anatolian coat, and my purple coat. And I was still so happy my Mom has me and Cowgirl kitty inside. We have water, food, warmth and love. I feel so bad for those that don’t. But not enough to change places with them.

Well, that’s how I see things, anyway.