After my exfoliative dermatitis flared up, I was relocated from Suite I to the Medical Suite. The veterinary staff decided that I needed extra care and observation.

Although I miss my friend Mandarin, I admit that I don’t mind being in the Medical Suite. I have to be housed in one of the crates because they don’t want to risk my transmitting FIV to the other residents. But it’s very roomy and comfortable, and they put in really soft blankets for me.

In fact, it’s so comfortable that resident Steven often chooses to nap in one of the floor-level crates. They leave a door open for him.  I’m pleased that they gave me an upper-level crate, though. There’s a lot of activity, and I get a good view of the comings and goings!

The veterinary staff has been taking such good care of me. I get special baths with warm, damp compresses to soothe my irritated patches. Daily eye medication feels good, too. The swelling around my eyes causes my eyelashes to curl inward, irritating the eye surface. Now my eyes are more comfortable and lubricated. What a difference!

My ears get extra attention, too. I really like it when veterinary technician Drew gently massages my neck and ears. She does it to loosen the hard patches that form. I can’t believe I went from living on the streets in constant pain to this. I get so relaxed from being massaged that I almost fall asleep. I look like I’m in a spa robe from the Ritz-Carlton when I get bundled in the fluffy white towel during treatments.

Don’t be alarmed that I have red patches on my face and neck. It’s a good thing. It means that the hard crusts are coming off, and the skin is healthy underneath. I’m given a long-acting pain medication to help with discomfort as I heal.

My ear swelling is down too. I’m really happy about that because I like to keep my ears open and listen to what the humans are talking about. I’m learning a lot!

There was a good deal of talk about Super Bowl Sunday and football. The humans were talking about all the foods they would be preparing. Wow, that sounded exciting.

When Sunday arrived, I was kind of disappointed. I thought we would all be getting a special super-sized bowl filled with assorted foods. Chicken wings sounded awesome, and I was also hoping for cheese. Imagine my surprise when we got our usual food. Don’t get me wrong. I’m always grateful for any food I get. I guess I just got my hopes up about trying new foods. I’ll always wonder what a nacho is.

The next day, everyone was talking about how the football game wasn’t very good. What were they expecting? Humans aren’t anywhere near as good at controlling balls as cats are. Even though I’m new to learning things, I could have told them that!

So, “Super Bowl” Sunday was a disappointment on multiple levels….. but the My Feline Valentine event on the 7th was just wonderful. Many people visited us. The Medical Suite wasn’t open to the general public, but sponsor friends were able to come in. I was happy to hear that there was a lot of food and drinks for our guests. And we got some treats too.

I had a visit from correspondent Nancy. She brought squeeze-up treats for the room. I thought I was only getting tuna and salmon. But Corduroy wasn’t happy about having to spend the day in a medical crate instead of the lobby. It was a precaution because of his seizure disorder. He didn’t want to eat his chicken treat. I was more than happy to do my part in cutting down on food waste, and eat his too. There’s nothing wrong with my appetite!

Correspondent Nancy said I was her little Valentine. She seems to think I’m cute, especially when I’m towel-dried and fluffed out. I feel anything but cute with all my bald patches. She said if women only loved men with perfect hair, there would be a lot of men without Valentines!

I haven’t been exposed to much culture before now. My correspondent told me a quote from a famous writer to make me feel better. Some guy named Shakespeare. He said, “Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind.”

I may be getting ahead of myself, but I’m pretty sure he got it wrong. I know that the kind person who rescued me, and everyone here, looked at me with their hearts. Logic would have dictated that it probably wasn’t possible to save a cat as ill as I was. I’m so grateful that there was never a thought in their mind about not trying to help me.

Thank you, my sponsor Valentine, for looking at me with your heart. I love you with all my heart for your kindness.

Love,
Chester
(With help from your correspondent, Nancy)