Happy November, Olive lovers!

It’s time for another update on the Tabby’s Place unofficial greeter. There’s more medical news than I’d like this month, but it’s not all bad. Olive developed a small sore on one hind hock. We are not sure if that was due to pressure or something else, but it was treated and has healed nicely.

Of more concern are Olive’s bowel movements. Multiple members of the staff felt that defecating was requiring increased effort for both Olive and the people expressing her, so she is receiving medication to help with that every evening. If you have been a supporter of Olive’s for any length of time, you know her track record for diaper changes and being expressed, so you tell me how easy it would be to medicate her. That’s right; it can be a rodeo.

Now, we thought we had the problem solved. Olive is very treat-motivated, so hiding her pill in a pill pocket seemed like an ideal resolution. And it was—for a short time—until our little black-and-white smarty pants caught on to what was happening and learned to eat the pill pocket and leave the pill behind. The result? A luckless staff member has to pill Olive every evening. Sigh.

Socially, some things have been a little odd for Olive over the past month. Fellow lobby resident Anka seems to take great pleasure in watching Olive get expressed, which is a little peculiar, considering the angry noises she makes at that time. He has been observed trying to lure her over to his enclosure, which would be a very bad idea, as the two cats just don’t get along. Fortunately, Olive takes no notice of his efforts at all.

Olive continues to be the first to check out visitors or anything new in our lobby; she is truly without fear.

Thanksgiving is rapidly approaching, and I am giving thanks for your wonderfully generous support of our feisty girl. May your holidays be happy, and may you be surrounded by loved ones.

Your correspondent,
Stephanie