A Sad Day for Jay

People came in droves to unite with pets during Adopt a Pet at the Park day, and the park has been Jay’s front yard for months. Happy faces and waggly tails were inspiring each other’s existence, but Jay was lamenting the selfless decision he’d made just two weeks prior–to give up his furry friend to someone who could take better care of her. He keeps her chew toy, brush, and leash nearby. Jay’s nicotine addiction was hitting on all cylinders Saturday. He wanted a cigarette–no, a cigar–so badly, he actually asked for one. He’s never asked me for anything but a small screw to fix his rechargeable razor, and apparently that wasn’t the problem because he looks like he hasn’t shaved since… well… before he asked me to find him a screw.

I’ve visited with Jay several times over the past couple of months. It’s hard not to notice his indifference toward the flies that constantly land on his face and arms while we spoke last. I noticed his bicycle was gone, too, but I didn’t ask about it.

Jay used to be pretty handy around the ranch where he worked before the stroke, and he enjoys tinkering, so I brought him some hand tools, gloves, and some twine to concoct something brilliant. I gave him an old axe handle to carve into something as well–that lit him up for a moment, and I knew he’d like the metal file I stuck in the tool bag. I’m a woodworker as well, and I knew he’d put that to good use in his walking stick carvings. He’s still not ready to go to a shelter yet, but I think he’s getting close. Not having a pet in tow will make his life a lot easier when he decides to take me up on the ride to the shelter. For now, I need to find him something to help with the flies–that’s no way to live. I may pick up an AirTag for him, too, in case he disappears someday. Man, I wish I’d given one to Non-Raiderfan Dave. He’s still MIA. Thanks again for your continued support. BTW, Jay’s name isn’t really Jay. He asked for a degree of anonymity, along with no frontal pics, so this is what you get.

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