Dear Team Regina,
After a scorching summer here in Ringoes, New Jersey, fall seems to have arrived a bit early. Temperatures have dropped, and it’s a pleasure to spend time outside.
Stroller rides around Tabby’s Place are the order of the day, and cats—young and old—are enjoying the final flitters of bees and butterflies as summer ends. Leaves swirling and eddying in the fall breeze delight, and cats busily store memories of this lush autumn weather for the days when winter comes.
Personally, I live for the fall, when leaves turn such beautiful colors and the aromas from great tailgate parties at college football games fill the air. As a proud Penn State University (PSU) alum, I have been indoctrinating our junior jock, Regina, with all things Nittany Lion… and, no, I don’t care if both Tabby’s Place and Rutgers University are in New Jersey!
It simply makes much more sense for a cat to root for a Nittany Lion than a Scarlet Knight. Besides, who is amongst the top teams in the collegiate football rankings anyway? Regina has perfected her “Roar, Lions, Roar” cheer, and she’s right there with the Nittany Lion mascot as he does pushups for every point the team scores.
Penn State alums are ardent fans: We have the largest alumni association of any college or university in the entire world (so there, Michigan and Ohio State!)
Regina, who always sticks with the winners, just loves singing, “Hail to the Lion,” and has asked that I order her a pair of pom poms of her very own. You better believe that Nittany Lion Blue and White are the colors Regina wants to wear this season!
And, if I can get permission from the powers that be here at Tabby’s Place, she’s already packed and ready to go on a road trip to Happy Valley for the “White Out” game (of course, not really). The game against Oregon will be televised, so keep your eyes peeled for Regina rooting and cat-calling in the stands with more than 100,000 loyal Lion friends!
Changing topics for a moment, let’s talk health updates. Regina showed some signs of urinary tract infection this month, but the urinalysis proved negative.
Kitty Purry and Leonardo Di Catrio, both doing well with their FIP treatment, have rejoined her in their shared suite. No longer on daily temperature checks, they are much more playful again. Regina really enjoys scooting around with her teenage friends, and active play is an understatement. When these three get together, there is just no stopping them!
Of course, it wouldn’t be Fall here at Tabby’s Place without the annual Linda Fund Matching Challenge. All donations to this fund are DOUBLED by some very generous benefactors to ensure we are financially able to support the most desperate cases: those cats requiring expensive life-saving care.
Your generosity to Regina’s sponsorship and care already makes a HUGE difference in the quality of her life, and we are more than grateful. Any additional assistance is a “big ask,” we know, but if you are considering making a new donation, this is the time to maximize your impact. Spreading the news to your friends about this awesome challenge is most appreciated. Or, as Regina has now learned to cheer, “Go, Team, Go!”
Your correspondent,
Tina
P.S. — In the spirit of collegiate rivalry and friendly competition, Regina and I encourage our fellow Nittany Lions to lead the way in helping the “littlest lions” amongst us. If you matriculated at another school, no matter what your mascot is, we also invite you to join us in making a gift to the Linda Fund. You can even note your school or favorite team’s name when sending in your donation! For example, Kitty Purry and Leonardo Di Catrio went to film school at USC and are very clearly Trojan fans. So declare and share: There’s nothing quite like a contest between rival alums to ensure a win for our cats!