we like Mike

Just before our barn shut down for the covid quarantine last March, we welcomed a new resident: Mikey the barn cat!

This was pretty exciting for us all, bc unlike all past barn cats here, Mikey is decidedly not feral. In fact, he'd previously been a house cat (returned for unknown reasons).


Mikey has taken to this new job with gusto, too. He's basically the best barn manager cat ever -- with no task too minor or insignificant to escape his attention. For instance, you can always rely on his help while grooming your horse!


Tacking up, too!! And, bless him, Mikey takes a 'light touch' approach to his supervisory duties -- often staying back and out of the way even as his presence is always felt.


Really, tho, safety is Mikey's biggest concern.


He's a big believer in routine trailer inspections, especially at nighttime when small issues might be easy to miss.


Daytime too - tho! Bc Mikey likes to make sure Charlie and all Charlie's friends are always comfortable and safe for their many adventures <3


Which, while we've been a bit delinquent in writing about adventures here, anybody keeping track with the YouTube sidebar would have seen Charlie's been getting out and about lately. More to come on that soon!


Really, tho, it's so reassuring having Mikey around and checking everything out for us, making sure everything is packed up and secured down!.


"All cleared for takeoff!!" - Mikey, probably


Obviously in-barn duties are his specialties, tho. Like mixing supplements and organizing our tack lockers -- Mikey's always there to lend a helping paw!


Fall is coming on strong in these parts so it's a good time to switch out fly gear for all those winter wardrobe items fresh back from the cleaner's.


The nicest part about having a cat around to help is that he won't let you cut corners or rush through things. No no -- the job isn't done until Mikey says it's done. By which he means, it isn't done until he's finished napping on top of your stuff, thankyouverymuch.


Lately, Mikey's gotten a bit more 'hands-on' too -- his favorite new trick is climbing right up onto your back whenever you might happen to be sitting or crouching in his general vicinity.


It's pretty cute tho, and at least he's good about not scratching while he's treating his minions the boarders like his own personal jungle gym.


And anyway, esp in this year 2020 in which basically every single person I know is feeling exhausted and threadbare in one way or another, you gotta appreciate Mikey's energy and 'go-get-em' type attitude haha!!


Or at least, that's what I try to explain to Charlie whenever he startles at my sudden sprouting of a second head haha.... Bc omg, Charlie's face in this picture cracks me up lol


Mostly, tho, it's just nice having a buddy like Mikey around all the time. With shorter and shorter days, and a barn that remains closed during PM feeding (continuing covid restrictions), I've been doing more midday barn trips. It's great for getting the best of the fall weather, and having Charlie already in his stall (vs having to hike out to catch him). But it means quieter and less social visits.


That's ok, tho. Winter is coming, as is an eventual end to this godforsaken year 2020 (please dear lord). But in the meantime, fall is basically my favorite riding season -- and it's been refreshing to just follow Mikey's lead. We're getting involved with anything that looks fun and interesting, and otherwise just laying low and chilling the F out when the rest of the world gets too noisy or chaotic.

Anyone else out there wishing to be a little more like Mike??