Zip did not appreciate being lured into a cat container and hauled to the vet. But I did. It was a routine visit—worm pills and a rabies shot—and I asked a whole bunch of questions about taking care of a cat, knowing what to look for, and understanding some of their behaviors.

Bud’s got an A plus.

He weighs ten pounds, has a complete set of teeth, and looks great (he might have had a gum swollen a bit in one of his assaults). His coat was great. She said he was very well cared for.

The diagnosis was, “He looks just great.” keep on doing what you are doing.”

The vet said Zip had a wonderful disposition, appeared exceptionally intelligent, and had all the traits and marks of a great barn cat.

The vets in the country know about barn cats and do not believe it is cruel to let them sleep in barns or heated cat houses and feast on rodents and moles.

She shook her head. “He’s a barn cat,” she said.

The vets ask that the barn cats be vaccinated and checked once or twice a year or whenever they can be caught. We have been tossing treats into the cat carrier for weeks, and Zip runs in without hesitation.

He was not happy when we closed the little gate.

Zip wanted nothing to do with me for an hour or so, but he showed up at the regularly scheduled time of our daily meeting. All was forgiven. We hugged like soldiers home from the wars.

I told the vet that I wanted to make sure that some of the dumb diagnoses I received in my mail were BS and that I was doing right by Zip. No, she said, you didn’t miss anything. Zip is a healthy cat and is obviously very well cared for.

There is absolutely no problem, she said, that I can see.

I told her that Zip was the first cat I was this attached to this much, and I wanted to do it right.

“Nice,” she said, “You are doing it right.” Good to hear.

When we got into the examing room,  Zip hid in a corner. It did no good.

I need the correct spelling for our clinic’s lovely and competent new vet. Once I can spell it right, I’ll put it up. Zip’s attitude is shown on the scale.  His heart is strong.

All is forgiven; Zip arrived on time for our daily 4 p.m. meeting outside. There are no hard feelings. I took another selfie. He was tired, so he curled up and went to sleep. Vaccination shots also make dogs sleepy.