Hi Hunter. Thanks for sitting down with me today.
Hunter nods graciously.
My research says lynx are generally private, shy animals. Is that true?
Hunter hugs himself tight and covers his face, then peeks out over his paw.
So when you first left the river valley and revealed yourself as an anthropomorphic animal that can communicate non-verbally, were people scared?
Hunter shrugs, then extends his flattened paw and rotates it back and forth.
Were they worried you might attack?
Hunter shakes his head, then points to his jersey.
Yeah, Oiler fans generally don’t attack their own. Where’d you get your jersey, by the way?
Hunter raises one finger to his mouth and shakes his head.
Alright then, keep your secrets. I notice you are not wearing a mask, and it turns out lynx can get COVID. Are you vaccinated?
Hunter gives an enthusiastic two thumbs up.
So how did you get the job as the Oilers’ mascot?
Hunter gets up and struts around his chair, dabs twice, vogues, then puts his left hind paw on his seat and over-crosses his arms. He looks confident and satisfied.
You are a pretty cool lynx, and definitely have the right attitude.
Hunter licks his paw then slicks back the fur on top of his head. At this point I accidentally drop a ball of yarn (knitting is my new pandemic hobby) and Hunter chases it for 45 minutes. He ends up tuckered out on his side near my feet, face on the floor, watching the last of the ball finally unspool just out of reach. I scratch his belly once, and he seems to enjoy it. I scratch again and he closes his eyes. When I scratch a third time, he snaps out of his lull and swats my wrist.
Ow!
I look up, and Hunter’s back in his seat, legs crossed, chin resting on his paw. He leans forward, intently awaiting my next question.
(Wiping a thin blood streak and licking my finger) We’ve seen you in some pretty snazzy outfits over the years, including some that show off your abs. How do you stay in such good shape?
Hunter drops to the floor and does ten really fast sit ups, kicks up to his feet in a squat then raises his arms and flexes his biceps.