"on his way out the door"

On his way out the door Tony walks back and forth across the house with his car keys in his hand. He checks the stove to make sure it is turned all the way off. He inspects the heater just to make certain it won't switch on by itself and catch something on fire. He puts the toilet seat up so that in case he gets in a car accident, the animals will have water until he can come back home.

Putting on his coat and hat, he does a head count. The four dogs, Ezekiel, Donna, Meringue, and Ramon are sleeping quietly on the bed. They are a mountain of fur and bellies and nipples and paws.

The cats are scattered about the house, tucked into corners, sitting in shadows. Tony wanders from room to room, searching for each cat like he's looking for Easter Eggs. Mr. Peeps, Squeaky, Dwight, Nick, Sweat Pea, Gooseberry, and Pretty. All accounted for. Each cat gives him a wink.

Inside their cage, the gerbils have curled their bodies together, becoming one animal. Leroy the parakeet rocks back and forth in his swing. The rabbits twitch their pink noses and blink.

He loves them all. He loves them, and they trust him. It's hard being responsible for all that life.

Tony checks the stove again, and when he finally walks out the door, he has to pull hard on the handle, just to make sure the door is really locked.