Dear Carrot friends,

Carrot has had a fairly normal month: lots of playing, lots of pets and love from all his adoring humans, and, most importantly, lots of good treats.

Carrot’s suite was part of Thanksgiving with the Cats on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. We had over 100 people come to visit that day, and most of them took the tour of Tabby’s Place. All visitors were given a container of turkey to give to the cats on their way around the building, and you can imagine how much the cats loved that! Carrot’s solarium was also a tour stop, so Carrot and friends got lots and lots of turkey that day. Ok, it’s not great for their diets in that room (being the weight management suite), but it’s only once a year, and everyone deserves a treat now and then.

Carrot made sure to greet every single visitor and welcome them to Tabby’s Place, and, of course, ask if they had turkey for him. We had some cats that we had to cut off from turkey as the day went on — mostly the kittens and a few of the seniors in the lobby, because they were eating too much and getting sick.  But most of the cats (Carrot included) unbuckled their belts and ate until they couldn’t move. They truly seemed to get what Thanksgiving was meant to be for them: eat until you just can’t eat any more. All the cats seemed to really enjoy the attention, and all the turkey, and want to know why Thanksgiving isn’t a monthly holiday.

Carrot had a not-so-good visit to one of the senior homes this week, which is not like Carrot. In the book the volunteers fill out after each visit these are typical reports for Carrot:

“Carrot was on top form! Alert, engaging, calm. Sat on laps readily.”

“Carrot did a great job, as always. They love seeing him and he really enjoys all the attention.”

These are the kind of reports I am used to seeing for Carrot, but after the last visit the volunteers told me he had not done so well. The latest report read:

“Carrot was not sociable today. Did not want to leave his stroller. Did enjoy having people pet him, but became anxious when taken out of the stroller. Did not want to sit on laps.”  I’m not sure what was going on with Carrot that day, as it’s not at all like him to be unsociable. He seems fine now and doesn’t seem to have any medical issues or anything going on. I guess we all have the occasional off day.

Carrot is still enjoying his solarium time, but with the weather getting colder I have found him inside the suite more and more lately. Even Sparkly has been inside a few times, although she is usually still outside most of the time. We did pull the clear tarps down now, so the wind and snow won’t blow into the solariums. We also put out the heated water bowls and heated mats in the igloos, so anyone who wants to be out in the solariums can still stay reasonably warm.

Carrot had a brief bought of diarrhea this month, but it quickly resolved and he is doing well again. He does have some chin acne, so we are scrubbing his chin daily to help clear that up.

That’s all the Carrot news for now. Carrot and all the cats wish you all a wonderful holiday and a happy and safe New Year. Because of you 2019 was amazing for Carrot, and I’m sure 2020 will be just as good.

Your correspondent,
Karina