I shook my head. “I guess I don’t have much choice. He needs to be checked out, I’m sure. Aren’t there tests you need to run?”
Dr. Romano nodded. “We ought to check for feline AIDS and feline leukemia. The tests are relatively easy, and we can check for other problems as well by taking a look at his kidneys and urinary tract. If you don’t mind waiting about twenty minutes, we’ll take the samples we need, and then he can go home with you.”
The cat kept staring at me. Then he began to purr, that deep rumble that reminded me of a diesel engine. The way he looked at me made me feel he knew how lonely I was. My instincts were telling me that I needed to have this cat in my life.
I also thought he might be telling me that he needed me, too.
“Very well,” I said after a deep breath. “Let’s do it. My housekeeper may have a fit, but he needs a home. I’ll ask around and put an ad in the paper. I want to make sure no one else is going to claim him.”
“What about a name?” the vet asked.
I smiled. “Diesel.”
The cat warbled loudly, and Dr. Romano and I both laughed.
I stroked Diesel’s head. “I guess he approves.”
So did I, I suddenly realized. My heart felt lighter, and my depression had lifted, at least for now. I would have sworn Diesel smiled at me just then.
I hoped fervently that no one would come forward to claim him, because I was already quite attached to my new friend.
Luckily for both of us, no one did.
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