Hello, my dearest friends,

There is a bit of mystery afoot this month, a mystery concerning my bum. One day, as they fed me my yummy breakfast, the people here at Tabby’s Place noticed that I had a bit of a scrape above my tail. “‘Tis but a flesh wound,” I protested, but to no avail. A thorough clipping, cleaning, and round of antibiotics later…and I still have a grody spot above my tail.

The people don’t know where I picked it up, and I’m not telling. Was it a disgruntled roommate, paying back my aggressions in kind? A sore spot from scratching my tail on the bottom of a chair? My lips are sealed. I know I’ve got them guessing – the other day, the vet said it looked like a chemical burn in the way that it’s healing. You tell me, where in the lobby would a good boy like me pick up a chemical burn? On my bum? I didn’t say anything in reply…better to maintain my aura of mystery.

(Have no fear, though, friends, it does seem to be healing – no more oozing, for one thing. Yuck! I also had my regular echocardiogram this month, and my heart is still fabulously stable. That’s always good news, sore bum or no!)

On unfortunate byproduct of my hind end’s affliction is that I’ve been forced to wear an e-collar so that I won’t aggravate the wound. An even unfortunater byproduct is that the e-collar in question is blue…trimmed in hot pink! What self-possessing cat would be willing to sport such a fashion crime? It is a touch humiliating.

I was feeling particularly sorry for myself the other day; there was no song in my heart, even for you, my dearest friends. I couldn’t even bear to put a rhyme together. But then I remembered – we’re still in holiday season! That’s right, coming up in just a few days it will be National Cat Day! I’m sure I’ll feel a bit better about pink-trimmed e-collars on a day that celebrates me and my fellow felines (even the one that may or may not have wounded my rear)! I was checking out the suggested celebratory activities for the holiday, and one Official Suggestion is to bake tuna cookies for me. No, really! Sounds like a stellar idea to me.

They also suggest that people give their darling cat a relaxing massage, and I’m all about that suggestion, too. My correspondent came to visit just the other day, and I gave her the opportunity to give me a massage…bliss! Maybe it was the e-collar playing on my senses, maybe it was that my tummy was full of turkey. At any rate, I could hardly do more than haul my top half into her lap and let her scritch away. I was positively transported.

Mark your calendars now, my friends. October 29. That’s the day to really spoil your kitties – all the food, treats, toys, and snuggles they could ask for. And if you find yourself in need of a cat to indulge that day, well, you know I am always here for you. Anytime you are in need of a furry friend to pamper, I am your cat. Happy National Cat Day!

Much love,
Your Boots