Dear Supporters of Bacon,

It’s hard to know what to do and how to react when someone won’t do what you want them to do. And if you’re convinced that that thing—whatever it is—is actually a good thing and that they should do it, well, that makes it even harder to swallow.

I am, of course, referring to Bacon and the last time I went to visit. As usual, I arrived with all kinds of expectations as to what our time together would be like. I made sure to get there early. I wanted as much time as I could get alone with this sweetie pie. I felt bad that I’d missed seeing him last month. I’d gone to California on vacation and hadn’t had the chance to do more than stick my head in a couple of times and say, ‘hi.’ Therefore, I wanted a nice, long chat. I wanted to find out what he’d been up to.

Marcia was her usual self—half friendly, half suspicious—when I stepped into the room. I explained I wanted to let Bacon out and give him a chance to roam around in the room. She rolled her eyes, as only Marcia can, but she dutifully went back into her house to take a snooze.

I crossed the room, excitement building, and unzipped Bacon’s house. I peered in.

 

“Well, buddy,” I said, “How are you doing? Come on out.”

 Now usually Bacon doesn’t need much provocation to come bouncing out of his house. Within seconds he’s usually out and about. Sniffing and being his usual curious self.

 He just sat there.

 What?

 “Hey, c’mon.”

 Nothing.

I felt bad. After a few more words of encouragement and more nothing from Bacon, I knew I needed a plan. I glanced around the room. Sure enough, hanging on one of the file cabinets was a bird toy. A vague memory from a few months before . . . where Bacon chased after a toy that looked very much like this one . . . popped into my brain. Yes!!

I crouched down and flipped Mr. Bird into his house. I caught his attention. I began to swing Mr. Bird back and forth. He followed every movement. Slowly I swung Mr. Bird closer.

I was desperate for any kind of reaction. He put out his paw to catch Mr. Bird. Then (I figured I had Bacon now) I began to pull Mr. Bird along the bottom of Bacon’s house, slowly, slowly. Surely Bacon would follow. Surely . . .

Nothing.

 

Mr. Bird flopped on the floor. Bacon remained serenely seated in his house.

Plan B. I needed a better toy. Mr. Bird went back to the filing cabinet. This time I secured a mouse. Attached to a thin wire. That actually squeaked when he moved. Bacon actually sat up a little straighter when Mr. Mouse appeared. I flipped Mr. Mouse into the cage. Right in front of Bacon. So close that Bacon could reach out and touch him. Bacon did. And the usual cat-and-mouse interaction ensued, but when I pulled Mr. Mouse slowly out of his house, Bacon watched him retreat and made no move to follow.

 

In a last desperate attempt to get some kind of reaction from Bacon, I flipped Mr. Mouse into Bacon’s food bowl, but all Bacon did was lean over and begin eating.

What??

I almost gave up. I found one more soft, colorful toy that I half-heartedly tried to use as a lure, but I could see that Bacon was more than content to stay where he was.

 “I guess you don’t want to come out and play today,” I said.

  He shrugged.

“It’s one of those days?” I asked him.

He sighed.

“Well, there’s always tomorrow.”

“I suppose.” No, he didn’t actually say that. But the way he looked at me said it all.

Poor kid. When I read his update for this past month, I saw that he had his usual amount of seizures, which can be trying on anybody or any cat. He also suffered from some bowel issues—some loose stools—and sometimes those two things happened together—not a fun thing for cat or staff. So, yeah, sometimes you just need to stay home and take it easy.

Bacon and I want you to know, however, how much we appreciate your continued generosity. The Capital Campaign to support the new expansion at Tabby’s Place was a huge success. Everyone here—both staff and volunteers and, of course, the kitties—anxiously await the time when we can move into Quinn’s Corner.

Until next month, we hope you enjoy the beautiful fall weather.

Your correspondent,

Kate