Happy September, Friends of Faye!

I don’t know where you stand on this debate, friends—whether you are a purist who believes that fall doesn’t “officially” start until the autumnal equinox on September 23rd, or if (like yours truly) you get giddy as soon as the evening temperature dips down into the 60s. One way or another, it’s (almost) time. Cue the apple-picking, cranberry-bread baking, pumpkin-decorating, sleep-with-the-windows-open, definitely-bring-a-sweater weather. Faye could not care less.

Faye, by nature, is a beach girl—or she would be if she had beach access. Since oceanfront property is hard to come by in Ringoes, NJ, Faye spends the majority of her time catching as many rays as possible in her suite’s adjacent solarium. In fact, as the temperatures start to get a bit chillier, we typically observe that most of our resident kitties opt for the indoor climate-control of their suites. But not Faye. Faye will spend as much time basking in whatever glorious—or tiniest—beam of sunlight she can find.

I’ve often wondered why this is—why Faye, if given the choice, would rather spend her time with fresh air blowing in her fur, even if that air is brisk or humid or really, really hot. Maybe she’s aloof and would rather have some quiet space away from her suitemates? Maybe it has something to do with her life-before-Tabby’s-Place? Maybe she’s an environmentalist? Or, maybe it just simply makes her happy.

I’m wondering if we should consider this a “teachable moment,” courtesy of our friend Faye. When was the last time you did something—not out of obligation, responsibility, guilt, etc.—that just simply made you happy? After writing this update earlier today, I made a command decision to go home and spend whatever time it took to finish reading the last few chapters of a wonderful book I’ve been reading. I curled up with some tea and a blanket and spent two blissful hours simply being happy.

The beauty of being Faye—or any shelter cat for that matter—is that her life is lived in the present, as an ongoing series of moments. And with each of those moments, Faye chooses how to spend her time: high atop the ramps in her special princess bed, eating her yummy food, interacting with her furry friends, sitting on the lap of a kind volunteer, snoozing in a sliver of sunlight. And she is happy. Always. This is Faye’s message to you this month. It’s simple: Be happy, however you can.

In other news, Faye has had a wonderful month, health-wise, as well! She regained some of the weight she had lost during her recent episode of ongoing diarrhea. While she is still on medication to help regulate her output, she is greatly improved. We also decided to stop crating her overnight because we were concerned that maybe it was increasing her stress and contributing to her “problems.”

Faye sends you love and kisses and thanks you, with her whole heart, for being her best friend and sponsor. We hope you find many moments of happiness this September and that when you have your moments, you will think of Faye. We’ll talk again soon, friends.

Your correspondent,
Beth