Dear Friends of Tux,

I hope this update finds you and your loved ones safe and healthy.

Tux has continued to experience good health this month. I believe that he is one of the cats for whom the world has not gone topsy turvy. His daily rhythm of food, fun, and rest has barely skipped a beat, thanks to your continued sponsorship. When I find myself feeling flustered, thinking of Tux brings a sort of zen my way.

I understand that we cannot all just be like Tux. He has the privilege of secure shelter, a reliable food source, and access to top-notch medical care. He has securities that so many people in our country do not have. But I think Tux has some useful bits of advice to share with all of us in these challenging times.

Don’t dwell on the unpleasantries. It’s okay to voice discontent as this is the first step to acknowledging and changing problems, but try to avoid casting blame. Tux does not enjoy being medicated twice a day, but he never holds a grudge. He might run away and find a new place to rest, but, the next time he sees you, he will purr just as loudly as before.

Be kind to yourself and rest when you need to. Change can be overwhelming and we are all a bit more tired than usual these days, even if it seems like we are doing less. Be present and aware of your personal needs and take time to self-care.

Take time to enjoy the fun of the younger generation. While Tux is not the most senior kitty in our Community Room (Impy holds that honor), he is very much the fun grandfather. I guess that makes Impy the wise grandmother. It is true that Tux spends most of his day relaxing, but he gets the zoomies just like the younger ones do. When Tux gets the tingle to play, he is all in. He may not be one of the crowd when the most beloved dragonfly wand toy comes out, but give Tux a box, and his creative and feisty juices flow. Just recently, I found him playing with Periwinkle with a cardboard box. Someone had chewed a small hole in the corner of the box—just large enough for spying and projecting a paw. The video doesn’t fully capture the cuteness, but it gives you an idea.

Under our COVID-19 operations schedule, I do not get to spend as much time with Tux and my Community Room friends. My desk is only visited briefly during the two days that I am working on site. The rest of my week is spent working from home. But I can assure you that Tux and all of the residents of Tabby’s Place are getting lots of attention from the staff while we feed, clean, and socialize each day. I encourage you to explore the other videos of the Tabby’s Place cats on our YouTube channel and our Facebook page. Since we can’t have visitors, we are trying our best to provide entertainment and outreach.

Your Correspondent,
Lisa