Update for Boots

Update for Boots

Hi fans of Boots,

My name is Rosanna and I will be writing you monthly to update you on Boots. Our Boots is a strikingly handsome cat. Dramatic white whiskers and green eyes in a black face make him very photogenic, as you can see from his photo.

Unfortunately, Boots has been very naughty lately!

Back before Boots took up residence in the Lobby, the staff always thought that it was his brother Pause who started the brawls between the two cats. Now that Pause has been adopted, it seems they may have convicted an innocent cat, because this month “gentle Boots” is showing his ferocious side.

In fact, Boots has unleashed a siege of unprovoked, unpredictable attacks against his neighbors in the lobby (Jenny, Harley, Chance, and even little Persephone). At first, everyone thought it would be enough just to confine Boots in a large crate overnight, so as to keep his neighbors safe when no one’s around to supervise. However, the daytime attacks became so frequent and so vicious that the staff had to take another step: behavioral medication.

Yes, our sweet Boots is on Prozac. Fortunately, this has resulted in a much calmer, happier lobby for all involved (until today, that is!), and Boots is doing beautifully otherwise. He’s gained ½ pound, and caught only a very minor case of the upper respiratory infection that’s made the rounds of community room cats. The staff treated him for this with essential amino acid sprinkled into his food.

When I arrived today, I couldn’t find Boots at first, until I spotted him in a cage in the corner of the lobby. Ouch! Boots was doing “time out” after having attacked little Persephone, a kitten who also lives in the lobby. Boots was munching on food while warily peering out at the passing cats in the lobby. I asked for, and received, permission to liberate Boots, and then tried to interest him in playing, but Boots was intent on keeping track of his neighbors.

While trying to interest Boots, I dangled a string toy in his vicinity. From out of the nearby armchair a white paw whipped out and grabbed the string and I found myself playing with Bellis, who is blind!

Somehow she had located and tracked the string by its bell, and we had a merry old time, with Bellis chasing the string toy totally by sound. I have never spent time with a blind cat and was so impressed with Bellis (pictured at left)! It is easy to see now why she is such a favorite at Tabby’s Place: what spirit and zest!

Meanwhile, the staff hope that in a few weeks, after the low dose of behavioral medication has kicked in, Boots will be able to live in peace with his neighbors.

Thank you so much for caring for Boots and the many other very lucky cats who live at Tabby’s Place.