Hello, Dear Fans of Anka!
My name is Kim, and I am a long-time volunteer and cat correspondent at Tabby’s Place. When asked to be a guest writer for Anka this month, I jumped at the chance! He is one of my favorite cats!
I am happy to report that Anka remains a healthy and happy fellow. His needs remain “status quo.” Here at Tabby’s Place, we consider that a good thing!
I like to think that this is in part due to his participation in The Stroller Program. I know that your regular correspondent has made you aware of his participation in this program. But I am not sure you are aware of just HOW MUCH he enjoys it!
I am honored to be in charge of this program for Tabby’s Place. It allows for cats that would not otherwise get to enjoy the great out-of-doors to do so. Each cat that our wonderful veterinary staff feels would benefit from the program is then put through special tests for comfort, ease of management, and contentment. Safety in the pet strollers is always our number one concern. Some of the candidates are disabled (like Anka), some are ill, and others just have no access to solaria in their residential suites. It is also my team’s job to help keep the cats that visit the nursing homes in our area acclimated to being pushed and comfortable in a stroller.
Anka is our #1 rider!
It is really amazing to watch his reaction when he sees me pull up with the stroller to his suite from the window. He smiles a big cat smile and begins to pull himself with his strong front legs across the floor to get to the door of his suite. He starts pawing at the door as if he cannot get to me quickly enough. I smile back, nod, and tell him I am ready for him. I barely get his door open before he tries to scoot out, ready to be picked up and placed in the stroller. Anka is ready to roll!
Once we are outside, Anka loves to watch the birds and the butterflies that visit the gardens behind Tabby’s Place. He does not mind on which surface he is being pushed. The stroller cats DO know if they prefer a smooth sidewalk surface, are okay with a grassy surface that can be a bit bumpy and can handle a bit of road noise if walked in the front of the building rather than the back. Anka can handle it all, but his favorite part is parking the stroller in the shade by the garden, so he can watch his little-bit-of-heaven. He also enjoys listening to music and the conversations of our team members, which (of course) must include him.
Anka will often lunch outside with the staff in a stroller when they break for a mid-day snack. Volunteers will often stop by Tabby’s Place JUST to walk him. Anyone who does so must be an approved stroller team driver, aware of the need for any safety or medical concerns that could occur while a given cat is outdoors.
Anka is happy to see anyone that will give him a ride around the grounds.
I have included photos from various occasions, so you can see a pet stroller, understand how he can comfortably support himself in it, and his vast attention to everything he sees when strolling.
I personally stroll with him on Tuesday and Friday afternoons and plan to continue this schedule throughout the next few months. If you are ever in the area on a beautiful fall day, please stop by the sanctuary Anka is blessed to call “home.” If he has not met you, he would love to do so. If he HAS, then the more people he knows, the merrier! He would love to “walk” with you.
For a cat like Anka that cannot walk, I am his “legs” when we stroll. He has a feeling of motion, strength, and endurance that he gets from no other activity. It is really extraordinary to witness his confidence, and I value this very special time I spend with him.
One last thing…I’d like to formally invite you to the Grand Opening of Quinn’s Corner on Saturday 10/7! From 12-4pm, we’ll be celebrating Tabby’s Place’s expansion for FeLV+ cats, and we’d sure love to have you with us. We’ll have tours, speeches, activities for all ages, and of course visits with our sensational cats! We’ll be emailing you further details soon, but please mark your calendars for this fabulous moment in feline history.”
I thank you all for the joy it has brought me this month to be Anka’s guest correspondent.
Your correspondent,
Kim