Member-only story
Almost Home
Right place, wrong time
The local radio station has a weekly segment that I have grown fond of. The host features a dog or cat (or other small animal) that is available for adoption at the city’s main shelter.
During the most recent spotlight, they mention that the shelter has more than 100 cats in need of homes! I look at the website. Indeed, over 100 cat profiles. I scroll down the page and pause to read many of them. Some of the accompanying pictures are funny. Some are a little sad — the cats look scared.
Mid-afternoon on the following Saturday, I head to the shelter. I’ve donated to it in the past but have not visited it before. In the process of finding a new cat, I am going to new places and meeting new people.
I know the neighborhood where it’s located, but it takes me a little while to actually find it. After turning off from the main intersection, I drive down the street a few blocks and go through another intersection. The road curves, and looking ahead, I see the driveway for the shelter. I feel a spark of excitement! There are several cars in the parking lot. I turn in and find an open parking space.
I’m not sure what to expect. This shelter is a new building. The exterior is painted white with purple accents. It has a large catio across a section of the front. As I approach the entrance, I…
