Cat Man

A few days ago I met a homeless man.  He was an interesting man.  I was surprised to see that he had a bicycle with a little trailer behind it.

As we talked I asked him a few questions:  was he from here in Lubbock? - does he sleep outside, or stay in a shelter - and a few other things.

During our conversation he mentioned that he was from Oklahoma.  He rode his bike all the way from there.  He said that he had worked for a company for several years, but the owner died and his children closed down the business - causing him to lose his job.  He never was able to find a different job, and ended up homeless.

He asked me if I would like to see his cats.  Of course, I said yes.  So, he opened the door on a pet carrier on the back of his trailer.
 

He said that her name is Miss Kitty.  He took her out of the carrier and lovingly talked to her and rubbed her behind the ears.  She immediately began purring loudly.

He said she sleeps with him in his sleeping bag.  He keeps a leash on her so she won't run away while he is asleep.

After he put her on her leash he opened another carrier and three more cats ran out.  They were all wearing harness type collars.  Two were young kittens, another was an adult cat.

He got out some bowls and put food and water out for them.  As they were eating he put a leash on each one, attatching the leashes to his bike.

As we continued talking he would pick up one of the cats and rub behind it's ears, talking softly to it.  I could tell that he cares a lot about those cats.  They are his companions.  Even homeless people get lonely.

I asked him if taking care of them is difficult since he is homeless.  He said that it is expensive, but that he loves them and they are his family.  He said he found each one at different places and at different times.  He mentioned that the day before he had picked up two of them from the vet after having had them spayed and neutered.  One is not old enough to be spayed yet, but he plans to have it done as soon as she is old enough.

He said he feeds them Alley Cat brand cat food.  He said it is good quality, but not so expensive.  He said the kinds of food they sell at the dollar stores is not good and even though it would be cheaper he does not give it to them.

I wish all pet owners were as conciencious as Cat Man.  He said that's what the other homeless people call him.

It's nice to know that there are those among us who choose to do the right thing even when it isn't easy.  I'm glad that I met this man and hope he won't be homeless for long.  I hope he finds a regular job so he can get a place to live with his kittys.

                  

                       A righteous man knows the soul of his animal - Proverbs 12:10

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                                           Here are some of our family's pets.  We do love our animals!

Blake and Little Foot (taken when they were living with us a couple of years ago)

Daisy is Sara's and Sophie's dog.  I'm terrified of her.  She thinks she is a tiny dog, so she has no idea she can knock me down when she comes to greet me.

Haley and me in our matching life jackets.

Hunley and Sara.  He died a couple of years ago.

Avi and Butch.  Someone dumped him on our porch (Butch, not Avi).  He was part of our family for many years.

Linda's and Kevin's dogs.

Zee's & Tzippy's cat, Bunny

Tzippy and A.H. with Blake's cat, Little Foot.

Hester's cat (I can't remember it's name.)