What is Tom's duty? It is one he has assumed out of his desire to contribute to my household.
The first thing he is so thoughtful to do when he first enters the house -- before he eats his breakfast--
he leads the way to the garage light switch for the yard light. Long ago it was put on a timer which
has since worn out; however, the switch works manually. Tom hears the little clack sound and knows
the task is accomplished, and so he leads the way back into the house. He then jumps up on the
dryer to partake of his morning nourishment, while I supply fresh water for the day. The food is placed there to keep ants away from it. Outside, I place it on a table where Tom can finish any food left over at night. By morning it is gone.
He has stopped defying me when it gets dark and time to go out. So when he deems it is dark enough in our changing season, he sits down patiently in front of the door leading into the back yard. If he sits down there to view the wildlife and remain inside, he soon moves to the watch position to the side of the opening door.
Cleaning up the yard for winter when I do not work in the cold, I found a good-sized swatch of fur
that had lain aside for some time. I could not tell if it was from Tom or his victim. Even the most
timid of domestic animals can turn out to be determined fighters.
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