+JMJ+ I’m late getting a post written for tonight and it’s nothing fancy shmancy. It’s been dramatic day around here. Started out nice and peaceful but just as I was clearing off the table so I could get out the laptop and write a post and work on the Rosary ebook project, there was a muffled thud kind of sound at the back door. Of all the things I did not expect, I did not expect Major Tom Cat (the semi-feral stray cat I’ve been caring for over the last several months) to knock on the door and ask to be let in. He’s darted in a few times before, but never to stay for long. Miss Lucy Diva Devil (Miniature Dachshund) Dawg usually sees to that. He’s usually content to sleep in the box on the deck, rub against my legs when I feed him, and tolerate it when I pet him, to a point, anyway. 

But today was different because something attacked him or he attacked something or something happened, I don’t know what. But the poor guy has got a great bloody gash on one side of his face, and it’s so cold outside that I really wanted him to stay in and let me take care of him, at least until morning. I gave him some of Miss Lucy Dawg’s favorite calming treats (and gave her a couple of them, too). After the first couple of hours of him relaxing and then loudly crying to get out by turns, with breaks for gulping down his favorite canned cat food and his favorite snacks, the calming treats kicked in, and he settled down on the sofa and went to sleep. All was peaceful at last.

Until I started typing this post. Maybe it was the sound of the keys that woke him up, and though I got him to settle down a few times, ultimately he wanted out for whatever reason and I reluctantly let him out into the night. I hope he’ll only be gone for a short while and then come back, but I don’t know what to expect. I’d hoped to get him relaxed enough to let me clean up his wound or at least get a better look at it. But he’s still too independent for all that. Maybe he’ll come back tonight. Maybe I shouldn’t have let him out. But I want him to trust me. I want him to see that he can come in and relax and that he won’t be trapped, never to see his beloved deck, and yard, and wherever else he goes, again.

Until that day comes when I do have to trap him and take him to the vet. Now that this has happened, that day may arrive very soon. I may need someone to make a house call tomorrow. If he comes back by then.

He often shows up at about 2 a.m. One minute he’s not there, the next, there he is, asleep in his box. Somehow I don’t think I’ll be getting a lot of sleep tonight. It’s a good night for working on the blog or the books. And peering out the back door to see if Major Tom is back on the deck.

Why am I writing about a stray cat on my Catholic blog? Shouldn’t I be writing about more serious things with all that’s happening in the world right now? Maybe. And I do. But I also write about things that happen in my life and tonight I wrote about an animal in need.

Thank you for visiting and reading. Until next time, whoever and wherever you are, please stay safe and well, and virtuous and holy. May the Lord bless and keep you and yours, and may His peace be always with you. +JMJ+

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