Dear Bacon Sponsors,

There’s more than one way to reach the heart of a cat. I decide as I visit Bacon that I’m going to try one tried and true method I use with my own fur babies at home. If you want their attention. If you want them rubbing against your legs so you can reach out and pet them. If you just want to see their cute faces up close and personal—all you have to do is SNACK THEM.

What? That sounds like a kind of bribe. And you are absolutely right. What cat can resist the rattle of hard treats in a bag, especially when you shake it as if your life depended on it?

That’s my plan when I enter Bacon’s “suite.” He’s been a bit tired lately and not always overjoyed to see me. Well, I figure, that’s going to change. I’ll have him eating out of my hand.

 

My plan is an immediate success. After a few sniffs, the usually shy and recalcitrant Bacon is gobbling up each and every tidbit I put on his blanket. He’s so enthused about the snacks that he somehow manages to grab part of the blanket in his mouth in his eagerness to retrieve the snack.

Yes!! Now mind you these snacks are special. So, even though they’re technically snacks, the packaging says all the right things about supporting urinary health. I don’t feel too guilty showering Bacon with snacks. Especially when I discover that he’s willing to come out of his house if it means he’s getting another snack. And I can pet him—ever so gently—because he knows there’s another snack around the corner.

This is a good visit. He trots over for a drink and that’s when I put part two of the plan into effect. I brought with me a bag of catnip with a few plastic balls. Bacon comes over, curious. He sniffs. He likes it. Or so I think. He grabs one of the plastic balls inside the bag. Catnip goes everywhere on the floor. So far he seems super friendly. He comes over and practically climbs into my lap. Now I’m covered in catnip.

 

With Bacon, there’s a fine line between “having a good time” and “becoming overstimulated.” I’m always careful to move slowly and quietly. A tiny nagging worry that, perhaps, we’ve gone too far prompts me to scoop the catnip off the floor, but before I can, Bacon sits on top of the pile.  Okay.

All’s well that ends well. Eventually, he moves. I clean up. And he plops down on his supersized bed. Next time, yes to snacks. Maybe a “hold it” on the catnip.

In other news, you may remember from last month that the staff had begun putting some CBD oil in Bacon’s food. At first, he loved it, but then not so much. However, by the end of the month, the staff found the winning combination of nutritious food and CBD oil so he could reap the benefits.

Tabby’s Place is also in the middle of its first fundraising for this year with its second annual Cherish the Kittens Fund Drive. Can you ever have enough kittens?

 

As always, Bacon and I thank you for your continued generosity. Enjoy the promise of good weather.

Your correspondent,
Kate