Happy hello, and sunny spring wishes to you!
I can tell spring is in the air, even before I feel the warm weather seeping in the lobby doors.
How do I know? Easy: the kitty stroller brigade is in full spring swing!
Those of us who enjoy this activity are treated by the volunteers to leisurely stroller rides around Cherny’s Garden. Personally, I prefer some quality time relaxing and sunbathing in a protected play yard.
Overall, I had a really good month since we last chatted. My urinary tract infection has cleared up, and while I might still be picking at my fur a bit, we are not going to dwell on that. I rule the lobby with my iron paws and enthusiastically greet all who enter. Life is good, and I am happy and certainly well cared for.
This past month, we celebrated two very important dates!
The first, April 30th, was National Tabby Cat Day. There are lots of tabby cats around here, such as Princess Prescott. They all seemed to think they are extra special, having a day set aside just for them. So yeah, they made us all join in celebrating them.
We also took a few moments to honor and remember Tabby, our Executive Director’s very first cat. Jonathan’s deep love for Tabby inspired him to create Tabby’s Place. Thanks to this special feline and man (and his wife, too, of course), thousands of kitties with nowhere else to turn, like me, have received a warm environment full of love and care.
So to Tabby, we all raised our tails and said, “Thank you!”
On May 3rd, we celebrated National Specially-Abled Pets Day. This day is in recognition of felines like me, who have very special abilities. There was a time when some people might have called me disabled, because I might walk around a little differently than other cats. (I know that image of me looking like a turkey just flashed through your mind.)
But you see, we are not at all disabled. While some of us actually look a little different, and some of us need a little extra help in our daily lives, regardless, we truly are specially-abled.
I can sail all the way across the lobby floor before the doors close behind a visitor. Colonel Peabody can climb the tallest cat tree faster than you can blink. Berry and Willow can play, climb, and wrestle as fast as any young kitten (and annoy me just the same in the process).
We all purr, live, and love just like every other kitty in Tabby’s Place.
So on this special national holiday, after everyone went home, we threw ourselves a little party in honor of all that we can do. We appreciate the life we have here. Tabby’s Place, with the support of so many wonderful sponsors (like you!), makes us Specially-Abled.
And a great bonus to being a Tabby’s Place cat is all the love of our amazing staff and volunteers. They spend lots of time with us, talking to us and socializing with us. In case you did not know, cats are excellent listeners! So many people share their love stories with us, their highs in life, and even their lows. We hear what worries them, and what makes them happiest. We listen to all their secrets with an open heart, never judging, just listening and loving unconditionally. Sometimes they even sing to us—a very special treat!
So now, I am going to share one of my secrets with you … I am in love with a rock star!
Hey—no laughing—I am serious!
It is absolutely true, I love an honest-to-goodness rock star! Whenever I see him, I get stars in my beautiful green eyes, and my heart goes to mush, completely overflowing with joy. He is one of the very special people in my life, and I treasure each and every visit with him. I think of him when we are apart and see him in my dreams.
So rock star, if you happen to read this, please know I totally adore you, and I am always looking forward to seeing you, when your busy concert schedule permits!
The last thing I have to share with you, which is certainly not a secret, is my appreciation and love for you, my sweet friend and sponsor. Whenever you are in the area, please stop in and see me. I totally love all my visitors (not just my rock star!).
I adore and appreciate you and wish you warm and wonderful days ahead. Because of you and your support, all my days here at Tabby’s Place are like a dream come true. I am always grateful to the original Tabby, and, most importantly, to you, for making this life possible for me.
All my love,
Star-struck Queen Olive
(with help from my correspondent, Elizabeth)