Dear Friends,

This pandemic seems to have flipped the world upside down. For a long time, we couldn’t have visitors at Tabby’s Place, and even now, it’s still very limited. Volunteers can only visit their favorite kitties once a month and everything is carefully arranged. But the humans are a clever species. They devised a plan months ago to allow volunteers to come and take their favorite kitties for stroller rides outdoors. Volunteers simply schedule a date, knock on the side door when they arrive, and staffers bring the kitty outside in a stroller.

From the solarium, where I used to sit to watch birds and bugs and butterflies, I now see furballs in decked out strollers rolling on by. Sometimes they sit in Cherny’s Garden and their human tells them long stories. I’m not sure how I feel about all this. I’m glad they haven’t stuck me in a stroller and pushed me around … I don’t think that’s my jam, and I’m grateful the staff knows me well enough to leave me be.

From the windows in the FIV+ Suite looking over the lobby, I used to see cats lounging on chairs, looking for treats or chasing toys across the floor. Now I see crazed kitties scrambling to be first in line for an outdoor stroller ride. Cotton spends a great deal of time trying to sneak into the side entry hallway because he knows that’s where the strollers are kept. He’s not only adorable—he is also very smart.

For me, my daily routine stays steady, which pretty much means I alternate between lounging and sleeping. All this lounging and sleeping can wreck your fur. My back got quite matted and I don’t like to be brushed. So this month, during my nail trim, I got a partial shave to remove the matting. The staff discovered some flaky skin patches under my matted hair and are monitoring me for ringwork. So far, no cause for alarm. I remember when there was a ringworm breakout in our suite a couple of years ago and all the infected cats had to get dipped regularly.

I hope the only dip you experience is the creamy or cheesy kind with chips while you watch your favorite football team or Netflix movie on TV. Sending you deep love and gratitude for your continued support and friendship.

XOXO,
Lester
(With help from your correspondent, Mary)