In the mornings one of my cats, Mitzy (born ‘Mitzy-Anne’) insists upon joining the morning walk and the canine-crew.

Before I am dressed and ready to exit my bedroom she is there, stomping around. Little feet with a solid step to them.

She sits at the door that leads to the deck. Stares at the door handle. Willing it to turn so that she can go outside. Obligingly it is turned. Her feline-mind trick works every time.

We wander down the hill following the track that I have mowed into the tall grass: four dogs, Mitzy and me.

She frequently meows. I answer back sometimes.

Maybe it is simply a reminder of her tiny presence within the group (although she will never be left far behind!).

Maybe it is joy at being out and about. Sunshine and grass and fresh air.

Maybe it is a morning chat between friends as we stroll along? They say that cats only meow as a way of engaging with their humans.

Occasionally I pick her up, especially when the horses are too close or when her little legs get tired or when the grass is too wet. She prefers to walk herself though and wriggles and squirms to be free.

Last week on one such morning the dogs started running around barking. Barking like crazy.

I looked up and noticed a hawk circling above and slightly behind me. It was low down and interested in something.

I realised then that sweet Mitzy was the target of the hawk’s interest.

I ran over and picked her up. Safe now.

The hawk continued to circle.

Dogs also circling…at ground level. Dogs going crazy. Trying to get at the bird flying above them.

At this point a magpie arrived on the scene. Joined in the fray. The hawk had come too close to the magpie’s nesting trees.

Swooping and fluttering and the hawk is driven away by the little magpie.

Problem solved.

On we go. Same as every other morning. Chooks and horses still need to be fed.

I throw out the grain for the stampeding chooks.

Dogs sniff around for rabbits. Mitzy inspects the garden.

Then they all sit quietly near the horse yards. Mitzy is with the dogs - all waiting whilst the work is done. At a distance from me as I feed the horses.

And then we wind our way back up the hill: four dogs, Mitzy and me.