Bittersweet...

Well, on Thurs., took Sam the stray in to have him checked for v-chip, bad diseases, op. scar, shots, etc. Turns out, he was v-chipped, but @ a different vet clinic...poor thing had to stay in his pet carrier all day, until his vet's office had called our vet's office and located his owner's number thru the chip... Well, we took Sam home and fed him and let him run around...with misgivings, I called the owner who seemed nice (but cat-clueless) and arranged for him to take Sam home (he failed to bring a cat carrier of course, even tho he reassured me that he had one and would bring it...).  Sam escaped once, fr. the car, so together--of course--we had to re-catch him and get him aboard...I watched them drive off w/very depressed and mixed feelings...had I done the right thing?  Legally, Sam did belong to this gentleman...but, would he be ok?   Turns out, Sam lived way north of town...how did he get this far south to our house, this last March?  Poor thing...when I think of his infected, bitten tail and how he cried outside of our windows for food and companionship, when it was so cold, outside...and the little house-tent I made for him, out of Mom's outdoor chair and our old blankets and quilts... And, Sam had a million dollar personality....so sweet, like a cuddly bear.. It's not like we don't have enough cats around our place already (obviously)...but, Sam was a being w/his own personality...did I do the right thing?  Even now, I feel uneasy...