Staff and volunteers at Tabby’s Place devote themselves to soft labor. This is not exactly the opposite of hard labor (weights & nails, schlepping, cleaning, maintenance, etc.) that have to be done regularly. Rather, this labor has softness at its core…and all over the providers and recipients of these extravagances of love. As with the more challenging efforts, the recipients of the benefits of soft labor are the many cats of Tabby’s Place.

Herculean efforts are necessary to keep our long-haired friends free of mats and beautiful in their glossy, shiny coats. Among those most in need of attention are Bello and Anka, whose long hair is apt to trap anything that would ideally shed off easily. Neither prefers being brushed. Both benefit greatly from persistent attention to such mat-ters.

As recently as mid-September, Bello had rump tangles tangoing in opposite directions. How uncomfortable! Mats like that pull at skin and must be very annoying. To Bello, no such situation warrants the indignities of brushing. This quiet, gentle giant – given time and after serious attention to detail – will actually speak up in defense of his right to remain matted and free from combing. .

There are some pleas that are worth ignoring. Although we brushers are not deaf to Bello’s wants, we prioritize his actual needs. Lucky for us, there is no fear of serious repercussions. Bello lacks teeth, which literally takes the bite out of his rare snaps. Bello also lacks a solitary mean bone in his ample body, which takes the sting out of half-hearted swats. The most challenging part about grooming Bello is how fast and sly he can be about avoiding unwanted attention.

In the end – funny because this is all about Bello’s hind end, just above his tail – resolute persons will do what is necessary to remove mats and keep them gone. For Bello, this recently meant a mild indignity involving two volunteers over a few weeks, one spectacular Drew, and a mat remover. For a short time, one mat dangled in imitation of a second tail. Bello fussed a bit, but he was soon freed from the swinging false appendage. He is also freed from the hope of avoiding further grooming. “No more mats” is both a goal and a challenge! (Said challenge is very much enjoyed by kittens. See the video below!)

This very same challenge has been recurring for Anka ever since he came to Tabby’s Place in 2017. As an advanced needs cat with paraplegia, Anka has sponsors who receive monthly updates about his take on his days as the sole feline member of the Volunteer Department. Trust me when I tell you that many of these updates contain some very serious accusations related to yours truly and my willfulness in disregarding Anka’s defiantly deep dislike of being brushed. But, mats don’t lie (except flat and tangled). Even with certain levels of insensitivity related to the paraplegia, twitches and complaints indicate that Anka has more feeling in his lower portions than one might expect. Keeping those mats at bay can help reduce his discomfort. It can also help staff by saving them from having to provide an unwieldy number of hygienic baths and shaves…although, the lion shave is ADORABLE! The tail!!

To the same ends of helping staff and cats, throughout the building, volunteers approach brushing with varying degrees of tenacity based on need, time, and cat preferences. Judging by the bin where brushes are stored, the used brushes that are left for washing and sanitizing, and the relative lack of mats (exceptions noted, especially with resistant long-haired felines), it is a task that is taken seriously. It is also a task often enjoyed by both human and feline parties. Delightful Dawn and jazzy Juel are two cats who adore a brush and anyone who will take time to apply loving ministrations. Other cats might not be fans of having sensitive hind ends attended to, yet they might still enjoy a chance to rub their faces on a proffered brush or comb. An offer of treats can be just the thing to sweeten the deal for cats who are otherwise ambivalent about brushes.

Ambivalence or pleasure aside, in any way possible, it is important to keep tabs on cats’ coats. Summer is waning, and we are easing into autumn here in the northern hemisphere. The weather is waggishly waffling between warm and cool days. That is one cause of increased shedding that needs to be managed. Another cause is the cats’ own natures. Room must be made for thicker winter fur to come in during the next seasonal transition. Autumn is nearly here, and winter will not be far behind.

Yes, dear friends and family of Tabby’s Place, winter is coming. That means heavier clothes in darker colors and amplitudes more of savoring warm beverages with cats ensconced upon laps. That all adds up to more fur everywhere and all over everything. Best to stay ahead of the developing situation with the application of some serious soft labor.

Ready?
Aim.
BRUSH!

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