Dear Olive sponsors,

“Olive, what are you doing?”

If you know Olive, that question, put in those words, could be read any number of ways. Hearing it as I walked in the front door of Tabby’s Place one recent Sunday afternoon, it sounded more like a simple inquiry into her whereabouts, rather than, say, finding her eating someone else’s food that she’s not supposed to have, or the suspicious tone of someone watching a well-meaning visitor interpret her interest in you as an invitation to pet her. No, I know Li’l Salty Olive better than that.

I did extend the Hand of Friendship, and she rubbed it with both cheeks, but that’s as far as any display of affection went, from either of us.  You could say we’ve reached an understanding.

Minutes later, what Olive was doing was trying to get away from a well-meaning staff member whose mission was to express her. The lady tuxedo cat failed valiantly, the staffer succeeded unflinchingly, and you may have heard Olive’s indignant screeching where you lived. All in a day’s work at Tabby’s Place and all the good things done for her are helped along by your generous support, for which everyone here thanks you.

Expressed and re-diapered, Olive sped away from the scene of the indignity and returned to her role as the lobby’s official greeter. I got a quick look at her used diaper before it was disposed, and it looked unlike any I had seen before. It turns out that she got a new supply of diapers this past month in some unusual new patterns, such as a galaxy print, a skull and crossbones (the one I saw), and rainbow poop emojis. The replacement she was wearing was a royal purple, appropriate for her majesty, queen of the lobby.

Olive has been in good health this month. She has gotten better about taking her medications, but the word is that it’s still challenging, too. But that shows how smart she is, and how all the loving care she gets keeps her spirit strong and her desire to avoid that kind of care, um, vigorous.

And the next time you visit Tabby’s Place, Olive will be right there to greet you, to take the measure of you, and to make sure you know she’s got her eyes on you.

Wishing you all good things,
Your correspondent,
John

Postscript: In light of the arrival of COVID-19 in New Jersey, Tabby’s Place is currently closed to the public except by appointment. Please click here for our official COVID-19 response.