October Greetings to You, and to All Olive’s Friends!

At baseball playoff time, this month I’m pinch-hitting for Stephanie. I appreciate the opportunity to fill in and write a little something for the cat I think of as Li’l Salty Olive. I’ve been told she’s in good health, last month’s episodes of loose stool having, um, passed, and I was looking forward to spending time with her.

The most recent time I visited Tabby’s Place, one of the first things I did was to look for Olive and, remembering her penchant for greeting all visitors, I went to the front door. It was a bit of a surprise not to find her there this time. You could always count on meeting her there as she checked out everyone who passed through the door or intently watched something just beyond the glass.

So where could that little sweetheart be? Under a chair? Nope, not there. In a cubby, perhaps? Good guess, but no.

I found her in front of the door to the Executive Director’s office, and she wasn’t alone. On one side of the combined gate and lattice was Olive, crouched low and her ears back. On the other side was Zelda, eyeballing Olive with all the intensity she could muster through the visual obstacle course.

As is often the case, the kitty face-off ended short of physical manifestation. Zelda arose slowly from her crouch and turned her head away, and peace prevailed. Knowing Olive, it’s likely she mentally declared victory while striding off without a trace of submissive behavior.

Good ol’ little salty Olive.  Not the kind that goes in a martini, but the black-and-white queen of all she surveys.

That dominion came under literal attack in the past month. Stephanie wrote in September that Frankie had become a resident of the lobby, and ol’ Blue Eyes had challenged Olive more than once since then. But in a piece of good news for everyone, Frankie (Mister “My Way” or the highway) found his forever home. They tell me all the lobby cats celebrated the adoption, perhaps rejoicing at Frankie’s good fortune, and maybe just a little bit because he wouldn’t bug them anymore.

Olive has something else to be happy about, as she is being allowed to go outside. Like Anka, she is placed in a safe enclosure to enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells, and that’s perfect for a hyper-curious cat like her. The first few times out, Olive was a little overwhelmed by the unfamiliar wide open spaces and decided to retreat a little, watching everything from a portable cubby. However, on her most recent adventure, she left the cubby and scooted around in the grass, even sampling some.

So you can tell that life is indeed good for Olive. She’s fortunate that Tabby’s Place was there to welcome her when she needed help, and Tabby’s Place is fortunate that you care so much and give so generously to help her.

Wishing you all good things,
Your guest corresponent,
John