Dear Team Luna,

I’m afraid that just when Covid seemed like it might be waning, the latest variant of the virus hit Hunterdon County with a vengeance. The local area is now in a high transmission category, and Tabby’s Place staffers are back to wearing masks again. Drop-off donations are once again being left at the front door, and adoptions are being done by video and appointment only.

To say that Luna finds this a wee bit discouraging, as we all do, is an understatement—just when our little feline friend was getting used to seeing all our smiling faces again!

Nevertheless, we continue to forge onward and upward with Luna steady at the helm. Our expansion continues to near completion—land ho! The end of construction is in sight. Our freshly resurfaced parking lot has plenty of new spaces for our expanding crew of volunteers.  And, in the middle of the worldwide heat spell, many of our new plantings were put in. This seemed a bit crazy to Luna, and she keenly observed all the landscaping activity with quizzical looks and a shake of her head, as if to say, “What? Are these humans crazy?” It turns out that, despite the soaring temperatures, when plants are ready you must plant them. Yes, there’s been a bit of wilting around the edges here and there, but it looks nice to have some greenery outside to counter the many, many months of dirt piles.  We’re not entirely sure Luna thinks this is all going to work but, for now at least, she is sparing us any critical opinions.

That does not mean that everything is hunky dory in Luna’s world. When one of the dryers recently broke and laundry began piling up at a phenomenal rate—think “ tsunami”—she was not the happy captain of this ship. Of course, we do our best to keep Luna very busy in the hospital and the lab to distract her when things aren’t going “just right.” You know, she really does run a very orderly vessel here at Tabby’s Place. She’s truly only comfortable when things are tidy, running on time and there’s not a hair (or, in this case, a wet towel) out of place. You can imagine that, with all the many changes going on these days, Luna really must want to throw her paws up in consternation!

Overall, Luna has been in excellent health this month, despite all her agitation with our human foibles.  She has lost a small amount of weight, but nothing of any real concern. As you can certainly see, Luna is a model of feline fitness and an excellent role model for any cat or kitten who arrives at Tabby’s Place “under the weather” or just a bit bedraggled. There is simply no better bedside attendant—at least, on most occasions.

Please allow me to elaborate: The big news in Luna’s world is the new timeshare visitor in the Medical Center. His name is Charm and he has a dislocated rear leg. We were not able to fully diagnose his injury until he cleared the holding rooms, moved into the hospital, and was given some time to stretch his legs. At first, Charm was kept apart from Angelo and Luna and he enjoyed his freedom. Then he seemed to be really interested in meeting his neighbors. However, when Luna snuck out of the surgery room and into the examination area where Charm was, a rather unpleasant quarrel ensued. No one was injured, but many unkind words were exchanged. Let’s face it: Luna considers the hospital and the lab to be singularly her territory.

Angelo, who has learned from experience not to question Luna’s authority, watched cautiously from the sidelines. Ever the wise old tomcat, he stayed out of their little brouhaha. So much for a third roomie!  Charm, we’re certain, will now give Luna both her due and a wider berth as he awaits specialty surgery to correct his hip issue. For Luna, apparently, three’s a crowd!   We expect Charm will move on to more congenial accommodations as soon as he has healed.

Unless, of course, Luna has a change of heart at his bedside after surgery! You just never know with our girl.

Once again, thanks for your generous donations and support on Luna’s behalf. We all love you for it.

Your correspondent,
Tina