Happy May to you, my sponsor friends.

For those of you who are mothers to children, cats, and/or other animals… I hope you had a wonderful Mother’s Day!

There’s a lot to tell you.

Things started out like any other day, a few weeks ago. The nice medical humans were here with my morning medicine. I tried my usual strategy of staying high up on my favorite perch, hoping to be out of pill popper reach. I wasn’t.

I attempted to make myself an immovable hundred-pound cat. Didn’t work. I don’t know why I bother doing this. They care too much about my well-being to be put off by my ineffective avoidance techniques. As usual, I gave in to the inevitable and took my medicine like a good sport. Kind words and attention followed.

Then I heard something that made my ears pop. “I think we need to check Chester for fungi.”

What? Was this a result of my newfound status as a resident rock star? Was I going to get a pat-down instead of pets? Did she think I somehow brought in an illegal substance? I heard about “magic mushrooms” when I was living on the streets. They say those fungi are even more mood-enhancing than catnip…

I wondered who among us could procure mushrooms. My best guess would be Emperatriz. She’s a good friend to us, but she’s a tough cookie around humans. She’s pretty street-wise, too. She might have some “contacts” on the outside.

On the other paw, there’s Faith. In a crime case, how often does it turn out that the one they least suspected is the one who perpetrated the crime? Who would ever suspect sweet, diminutive Faith? All I can say is that she keeps that stuffed fish very close. Hmmm.

Immediately, my mind went to choosing appropriate party music. We should definitely start off with The 5th Dimension song Aquarius/Let The Sun Shine In. We all love a good sun spot, and it’s cosmic and optimistic, too. You know that one:

When the mew is in the seventh house
And Mercury aligns with Mars (This happened in March!)
Then peas will guide the planets
And love will steer the stars

What a great song. Cats are all about love. It’s what we’re here for. But in my opinion, there’s no way legumes should be guiding anything, let alone the planets. I think that should be left to cats. We’re excellent at guiding round objects.

Just when I was having fun party planning, I was whisked off to medical. I had lost a little weight, so they were already monitoring me. Now I had a lump on my head. Testing showed there was bacteria present. Darn. I needed an antibiotic again.

When more bumps appeared, the medical team became concerned. I was taken to see a veterinary dermatologist. A nice human drove me. I did very well. I’ve come a long way with trust. She said I was an excellent passenger.

During the visit, it was determined that I had contracted an unusual type of ringworm. Oh no! It wasn’t mushroom-type fungi they were talking about. It was a fungal infection that was manifesting with blistering spots.

Apparently, I’m an ideal “host” for this type of fungi that thrives on dry, broken skin in immunocompromised animals. The medical team, in consultation with the specialty dermatologist, devised a solid plan for treatment. But now, instead of hosting a rock star party in Suite D… I was heading for mandatory isolation.

The Tabby’s Place staff and volunteers went into full precaution mode. They know exactly what to do to protect all the cats and humans. Extra cleaning with a special product, visiting restrictions, foot baths, gloves, every cat checked—the works. Suite D would have the tightest protocols. It would be cleaned, really cleaned, and really most sincerely cleaned. My friends will be checked often.

Ringworm happens sometimes. It’s very easily spread. The spores are long-lived and can even be carried in on shoes. Who knows how I got it. It just stinks when it happens.

At least there’s some good news. My type of ringworm, called trichophyton, is the least contagious type. I would feel bad if I infected my friends, especially my girlfriend, Sage. She often cleans the back of my head and neck for me. She’s so loving. I’m a smitten kitten.

The other good news is that the medical team, as always, is taking good care of me. In addition to allergy medication and eye lubrication, I’m getting anti-fungal pills now. They also use a spray oil rub anti-fungal on my skin. It feels good when they massage it in. Everyone is being extra nice to me, too. I think they feel bad that I have to be alone.

I’m required to be in the isolation room, one of the four holding rooms, for at least 3 weeks. This is where all cats with ringworm go for treatment, so they can’t expose anyone else. Sanctuary associates are medicating and treating me. They continually monitor my progress.

I hope my isolation doesn’t go on too long. I really miss my girl, Sage. I hope she doesn’t think I’m gone forever. And I hope she doesn’t get my ringworm, because then she’d have to go into isolation too. It would be even longer before I see her again.

So, I’ve changed my tune. There’s not much to do in isolation. At least I have songs in my head and can sing them. My personal anthem these days is Roy Orbison’s Only The Lonely. This guy really understood what it’s like to go through rough times. You can listen to it in the video below. Besides it being a masterpiece of early rock-and-roll, it really speaks to me about how I feel at this time and place. It’s a great song. Enjoy.

I’m not surrounded with the awesome level of talent Roy Orbison had with him in his Black and White Night performance back at that time. But there’s a new resident named Taco, also in isolation in a completely separate cage, who was happy to sing backup for me the other night. It passed the time. I’m pretty sure I heard some rounds of “apaws” in the distance.

Dearest sponsor, I’m so grateful for your generosity. I know I am a cat with unusual medical needs. You help me to get the specialized treatment I need.

Please know that my itchy head is filled with thoughts of appreciating having you in my life. I don’t know what I would do without you.

Love,
Chester
(With help from your correspondent, Nancy)