Dearest Friends,
Welcome to our up-and-down spring season, with temps lower than we’d like and way too many rainy days. At least we are not experiencing any spring snow here in Ringoes. Pepita and I hope that, wherever you are, Mother Nature is treating you well and colorful blooms surround you.
In my last update, I mentioned our Meow Madness competition. It’s similar to the NCAA’s March Madness, but with cats!
Pepita did not make it very far in the competition, mainly because there are oodles and oodles of adorable cats at Tabby’s Place, each with their own special personality and amazing fan base. I was delighted to see that Steven, a long-time resident and wise gentleman, was the ultimate winner, even beating out the Queen of the Lobby, Olive. Steven is a beloved elderly soul who has lived nearly his whole life at Tabby’s Place. Congrats to Steven!
Meanwhile, your sweet girl is appreciative of the fact that she only needs to have her bladder expressed twice a day now. She appreciates fewer interruptions, so she can continue her serious napping and solarium time.
Pepita has, unfortunately, continued to puzzle the vet team with some continued fur loss, so she started another medication to help with her skin sensitivities. As of the end of March, there were no signs of inflammation.
It seems Pepita may have gotten into a tray of food intended for Hazey during a recent claw trimming session in her suite. Our more challenging cats receive a dose of gabapentin before having their claws trimmed, and Hazey left some of her tray uneaten. That evening, Pepita was noted to be wobbly and a bit “out of it.” The staff put two and two together and suspected that Pepita was just a little groggy from the drug-laced pate. Fortunately, this is a very safe medication, and, like other cats, Pepita slept it off and was back to herself the next morning.
Pepita has been very excited for treats recently. Her suite is only allowed prescription treats now, but she doesn’t seem to mind. She gazes up expectantly at a certain treat-giving staff member whenever that person visits.
One day, Pepita was in the solarium (go figure, right?) on the center top shelf. Hazey was on the shelf beneath her, and both were enjoying the magic of a particularly stellar day. There was something special in the vibe all over the building. Both cats were very interested in attention, so it’s good that one of Pepita’s favorite volunteers had two hands and could completely trust Pepita, keeping both eyes on the somewhat unpredictable Hazey. Happily, Pepita doesn’t mind sharing a person, as long as there isn’t another cat too close to her personal space. I think she and Hazey are simpatico in that way.
Speaking of sharing her suite, Pepita has welcomed a few new suitemates. Murdock moved in from the lobby, and Cleopatra also made her debut. Murdock has been a bit of a bear with Cleopatra. Savannah, a long-haired tortie who is mostly sweet but sometimes fickle, also joined the crew.
I’m sure Pepita is especially happy that the temperatures have been comfortable enough outside, with the help of the heating pad and blankets, that she can avoid any fracas and time-outs as the new dynamics work themselves out.
On Saturday, April 26th, we will be holding a Volunteer Open House at Tabby’s Place from noon to 4 p.m. There will be tours, refreshments, and information on the myriad ways volunteers can help, from cleaning and feeding to socializing and completing administrative work. If you know anyone who might be interested in volunteering, please let them know about this open house. And Pepita is always open to your visits, as in her mind it is always an ‘open house’ for her best buddies like you!
And lastly, it is Kitten Season! Though we see kittens rolling in all year long, there is an increase from spring through summer that makes it hard to keep up with the intakes. The tiny fur babies get placed with our fabulous foster families, to get special care and socialization so they will be ready for adoption. It’s also the season of our Cherish the Kitten Fund, to raise life-saving donations for these tiny tots. And because of incredible donors who create a pool of matching funds, we can double donations through May 1. What could be better than that?
We could not do what we do without your steadfast and loving support. Every time I look at Pepita, I think of all the love you send her. Pepita wants you to know that “Cherish is the word we use to describe all the feelings that we have hiding here for you inside” (stolen from the song by The Association).
We’ll be back next month. Meanwhile, know that you are indeed cherished!
Your correspondent,
Sheila
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