Adopting and Adapting (Toby, part I)

Toby I. Adopting and Adapting I brought the handsome animal home, sparing him the shelter's syringe; watched the old cat acclimate to a place that wasn't a cage, his worry-glossed eyes wide, peeking meekly from the open carrier, the massive frame of him trembling, his nervous nose twitching, sniffing the well-worn gray carpet while creeping forward into the light - curiously, cautiously touring my apartment - exploring the rooms of new life.