It is serious business when children read to cats. It is also, very importantly, silly business and one of the most wonderful things in the world. Through the Paws to Read program, kids reading to cats is a regular thing at Tabby’s Place. As a bonus, to celebrate Read Across America Day, Tabby’s Place holds a very special event on a near Saturday.
Karina, our extraordinary Volunteer Director, reaches out to the entire community as well as to active Paws to Read participants to hold a joyous celebration of books, learning, and, of course, cats. With the assistance of Sue, president of the Board of Trustees, long time volunteer, and Paws to Read program lead, and Ilene, volunteer event coordinator and another long time volunteer, the annual event is spectacular!
Loads of other volunteers along with The Cat in The Hat (I wonder why we never see volunteer Kevin at the event. Hmmmmm.) all pitch in to make sure everything runs smoothly and a good time is had by all. Read Across America Day at Tabby’s Place is definitely one of the cats’ favorite days of the year, challenging even Thanksgiving with the Cats, even though they love all that attention and turkey.
This year, the event was held on Saturday, March 7. By appointment and with parents or guardians in tow, children were introduced to cats all over the building. As each wave of readers settled in, magic happened and multiplied. Murdock, for one, was thrilled to have a rotation of little laps that were just exactly the right size for maximum warmth and comfort. For his part, Chester enjoyed surprising everyone with requests for careful pets before getting cozy in a bed to list attentively to various selections (from home or from books on hand in the lobby). Trifecta especially adored Read Across America Day because he received almost as much attention from as many visitors as he could stand. He didn’t even mind sharing with Luke and Francois.
Tired readers had a opportunities to restore themselves with plentiful snacks and drinks provided by staff and volunteers. That readied them for for activities and hourly readings in the community room. This meant that the lobby cats and the community room “Cool Kids” (according to the sign by the door) all had their share of the fun. But, I’m not sure any adult, child, cat, or kitten had as much fun as I did. It was a very active, run-around everywhere kind of day. You know the kind: barely time to stop to breathe or sit down and absolutely no better feeling on earth.
Being every bit as curious as the cats, our young participants asked some of the best questions about Tabby’s Place and specific cats that this tour guide has ever heard. They wanted to know about everything from Ruchi’s diabetes and acromegaly to Willow’s diapers and Hannah’s tail-less tush.
There was so much more that the kids wanted to know! Where did all the cats come from? Can the cats be adopted? So many more questions! Plus, the children shared their thoughts about school, vacations, pets, friends, and even their friends’ pets. And, these joyous young people all wanted to pet, play, cuddle, and read until they…and all of us adults…absolutely plotzed.
Not to say that there were zero snafus, but they were few and of the gentlest and easiest kinds to remedy. Colonel Peabody, for example and despite his greatest wishes, is able to fill only one lap at a time. In selecting one particular lap, our sweet tuxedo completely unwittingly hurt the feelings of a very young boy whose sister’s lap was chosen over his. (Do not tell Colonel Peabody! He would never intentionally hurt any creature, not even the tiniest dust mite having tea with friends upon the tiniest dust mote.). Happily, Deku came to the rescue! Emergency baby mode was employed STAT.
Baby mode has become very much a part of life at Tabby’s Place since Deku has taken up residence . So, with one small boy in a chair in the executive suite, Deku went to work at turning a sad, sad frown upside down. Upon handing Deku over carefully and giving guidance on how to hold the gentle tabby like a baby, magic beyond magic happened. “He makes me happy,” said our young visitor. Our visitor made Deku happy too, along with everyone else in the room. Yet, there was more.
After Deku was handed off to big sister for a short turn, little brother was spotted by Trent. Trent ignored all others and directly approached our young friend to beg him for attention. This was magic beyond and beyond and beyond. Trent is very particular about when he wants to interact and with whom. In fact, Trent spent most of the event hidden away. But, when the event was almost over and the building quieted, Trent was ready to come out and find a friend. His timing could not have been better. His choice of person could not have been better. Thusly, a five year-old child and an eight year-old cat formed an amazing connection.
At the end of the day (literally and figuratively), this is what the Read Across America event was all about. Tabby’s Place connected with the community. Children connected with the cats. Children and cats connected over books. Adults connected over the amazing connections that the kids and cats made as they spent precious time together. (All this connecting, and no wires or cables involved!)
Children’s time is very precious. Scheduling play dates is important for every child. And, providing a non-judgmental space for readers to practice their skills is essential. Participating in regularly offered programs like Paws to Read and special events like Read Across America is invaluable. Socializing with cats rescued from hopeless situations is priceless.
For all of these reasons and more, Tabby’s Place offers the Paws to Read Program. Children as young as 5 years old can volunteer with their parents or guardians to participate. When enrolled children come to read to and play with the cats, enrichment abounds, and so does love. There is simply nothing better than that.