Dear Friend of Tux,

The love and understanding that friends share is a truly special thing. No matter how much time might pass between conversations or hugs, good friends share bonds that transcend time and space.

Tux understands how friendship works and feels. He knows that you love him and will always be there for him, whether or not you can share a pet or a purr.

As a good friend of Tux, you know all about his relationship with dear Patches. Well, Tux and I have some very special news to share with you this month…

Our dear friend Patches was adopted as a forever foster!

I’m sure you have a million questions, starting with a necessary explanation. What exactly is a forever foster?

Forever Fosters are Tabby’s Place cats that, for one reason or another,  would be difficult to place in an adoptive home, but that we believe would benefit from living in a home environment. Patches was passed up for adoption on multiple occasions because of her asthma, but now that she is undergoing cancer treatments, we felt that the best outcome for her would be to live out her life in a loving home while Tabby’s Place continued to provide and monitor her medical care.

Patches has settled in and greatly appreciates her new home, and everyone is happy for her, but we all miss her company. Tux is taking the separation in stride, but is tuning in extra closely to the comings and goings of his other close friends.

Tux’s good friend, Ginny, was away on vacation for a week at the end of July. Tux is never one to complain, but the Community Room was notably quiet and the cats were dispersed in their napping spots.

Upon Ginny’s return, Tux quietly moved to her side and remained there for the majority of their day together. His purr of pleasure was audible throughout the room.

It was my first day back at Tabby’s Place after an unexpected and emotionally taxing trip out of town. I entered the Community Room and sat down at the conference table for our afternoon meeting with the veterinary team. Someone spoke to me and I responded. I then happened to look across the room to Tux, who was curled up, taking a nap on top of a fabric crate. Upon hearing my voice, he lifted his head and looked directly into my heart. His peaceful, calm, loving expression spoke all that I needed to hear…

It will be okay, I love you, and I’m happy you are home.

While the image of his loving face is forever imprinted in my memory, I didn’t catch it on camera.

The following day, I visited the Community Room again, specifically to visit Tux. He was napping on Ginny’s chair. When I said hello, he lifted his head, smiled, sat up, began to purr, and leaned in for pets. He had the remnants of lunch on his nose, but didn’t seem to care. This time, I got a photo.

Tux is a true friend, and he wants you to know that his love will always be here for you, his dear friend.

Your Correspondent,
Lisa