Why did it have to happen now?

I leave for vacation tomorrow at 7:00 AM. Today I had a doctor's and dentist's appointment. Laundry and packing. I've been busy and I'm tired and 7:00 feels awful early.

It was this evening that I saw him. A big, rather dirty tom. He certainly looked well fed. He was wary of me as I took out the garbage. I interrupted him as he made his way across our property to the neighbor's.

I called out to him and began trying to make friends when it hit me: I can't. I don't have time tomorrow to take him to the vet or the animal shelter to see if he's chipped. I leave for the airport at 7:00 AM.

I want to believe he's not lost and on his way to his own yard and home. Maybe he'll be safe soon enough.

I hope so.

As much as I want to, I can't save them all.

Photo by Jack Blueberry on Unsplash