Welcome to July, my beloved sponsors!

I was just sunning myself in our solarium, and thinking about you. I guess most folks would think that I’d be too hot with all of my fluffy grey fur to spend time outside in July, but I love every minute of it! I just held thoughts of you in my mind and sent all the love that I could muster out into the universe and whooshed it your way. I hope you felt it!

It is such a difficult time for so many humans for so many different reasons, and I want you to know that my heart is with you. We kitties are sad only because we are still not able to see many of our volunteer friends, and we miss every single one of them!

But Tabby’s Place is slowly reopening, with very strict rules, of course. I have been so relieved to see at least a few more friendly human faces around these days, but I know that the staff folks are still working their behinds off trying to take care of everything that volunteers usually do.

Speaking of behinds, mine continues to leave its “mark” everywhere I go. I wish there was something that I could do about it, but it’s just how my fabulous feline body works. I thank my lucky stars that the humans at Tabby’s Place continue to care for me and love me exactly as I am, in spite of my messy behind. I know that cleaning up after me in our suite and solarium is a never-ending task for our faithful volunteers, and I could never put into words how grateful I am that they adore me anyway.

I continue to stay on the list for daily butt baths, and our staff makes sure that I am as clean and dry as possible. They always tell me how much they appreciate how patient I am with the whole process, but how could I be anything but profoundly thankful for everything they do for me? I get lots of hugs and pets while my butt is taken care of, so I’d say my life is pretty darn spectacular.

And the humans never let my messy backside get in the way of old-school, down-on-the-floor snuggle sessions…  they have all learned to simply put a towel across their laps for those moments of cuddling. Additional laundry is a small price to pay. Wouldn’t you agree?

So I have been enjoying relatively good health overall this month, along with a bit more outside time as we slowly start a new “curbside” volunteering program. A volunteer can sign up for a timeslot to take a kitty on a walk outside in a stroller. How brilliant is that?! I am lucky enough to be on the list of kitties who are eligible for this new program, and I am hoping to see a few more of my volunteer friends again. Even though we can’t really snuggle as we do inside, we can at least chat while we stroll and we can both enjoy the outdoors.  In case you have never visited Tabby’s Place in person, we are in a lovely rural setting with beautiful grounds to wander.

And just this week, we had a special in-person visit from one of our most dedicated volunteers.  She didn’t have enough hands to pet me and all of my buddies who came running for their share of the love. I immediately wandered out of my cubby nest and onto the floor to get as close to her as possible. I couldn’t get enough of her attention, and soon after I sat on her lap (on a towel of course) my bestie Angelo started stalking her as well. He insisted that she pet him too! Plus another one of my roomies, Steven, also jumped into a kitty tower next to her and tried to be a part of the situation. She just laughed and tried her best to pet us all as we fawned all over her. She was kind enough to send the pictures you see here to my correspondent so we could include them in this month’s update. We hope you enjoy them!  And I’m sure you will notice that I am the one who is actually IN her lap… thank you very much!

Even though my correspondent and I keep in touch, I just miss her and everyone that I haven’t seen in a while. I am guessing that you may be having the same kinds of feelings about your loved ones and that you understand completely. Hang in there, my favorite humans… we will get through this!

And I want to remind you that because of you, I have the absolute best care that I could ever hope for.  Because of you, I am the happiest kitty with a messy butt in all the whole wide world!!

It sadly may still be a while before the world heals into a new normal, but remember that I am here thinking of you and thanking you and sending you lots of furry grey love! Until next month, be kind to one another.

Love,
Mary
(With help from your correspondent, Florie)