Dear friends of Pepita,
True bliss! That feeling of perfect happiness and great joy… yes, that feeling! It came over me in waves as I first sat with Pepita in my lap at the end of June, after such a long time away (since early March!) because of volunteer restrictions due to COVID-19.
And the joy returned each and every Sunday since then as I cuddled and petted her, played with her, brought her paper bags, and portioned out treats for her gobbling pleasure. I’m not sure who was happier to see the other, but it was clear that absence indeed made our hearts grow even fonder. I feel especially lucky to be one of the early volunteers who are back to help the staff with core duties in caring for the cats, as it enables me to tell you first-hand stories of Pepita.
So, what has Pepita been up to? First of all, our sweet girl’s health this month is stellar. Her urinary tract infection (UTI) cleared up quickly and she was taken off antibiotics. The growth of her back fur has been wonderful and filled in nicely, so she is officially off all allergy medication. We will continue to monitor this and adjust at any sign of her pulling at her hair once again. I can attest that she looks great, is full of her usual sweetness and life, and is enjoying the steamy days of July in, of course, her favorite place—the solarium!
Speaking of the solarium, a bit of excitement occurred when one morning the staff discovered a deceased vole there. We don’t know who was responsible, but Adam was in close proximity to the creature. It’s not likely that Adam really was responsible (and who knows where Pepita was!) but his curiosity got the best of him. As you might imagine, numerous mice, birds, and other small animals have mistakenly made their way into the solariums over time. It is always a fun time for the cats, but not so much for the creatures who took a wrong turn!
Last month I mentioned the new Curbside Volunteering program that enables volunteers to take specific cats on stroller rides around the Tabby’s Place property. The way it works is that a volunteer schedules a specific time slot with a specific cat (there are about a dozen who enjoy stroller rides), arrives outside, and a staff member brings them a cat in a stroller. They take the cat for a walk around the property here at Tabby’s Place (outside only), park their stroller in Cherny’s Garden, and let the furry baby sniff the flowers and watch the butterflies while, of course, chatting away with their delighted kitty. This is great, as it gets the cats outside, focuses attention on them, and gives them lots of stimulation. And the volunteers love it, too.
One volunteer wrote to me about the delightful stroller ride she had with Pepita: “Pepita loved her stroller ride, and appreciated ME, too! Every time we rested in the shade to “talk,” Pepita would push her pretty head against my hand through the stroller screen as if reaching for my affection. The flowers were also her biggest fascination, so I backed the stroller in so that I could sit on the lovely marble bench and she could have a better view. I finally felt like I had taken time to “smell the roses” myself, which was something I needed to be doing for MY soul….again, a “win-win” for both the human AND the cats! “
“In veterinary science, they speak about the beauty of “the human-animal bond.” I did not realize that I needed this healing process both emotionally and physically as much as the cats did! I am thankful for the joy of the stroller visits, and the bonding opportunity it offers. To witness the content and happiness of these cats made me “smile with my heart.”
What a wonderful new program for both the cats and the volunteers! Since I get face-to-face time with Pepita each week, for now, I’m leaving the stroller rides to others, as she is lucky to be a popular kitty with the volunteers, so I expect she will get many rides.
While visiting one Sunday I noticed most of the bedding had been removed from the solarium because the overnight rain blew in and soaked it. So I quickly went to get a comfy, cozy kitty bed from the laundry room (it may have still been warm from the dryer) and—in a flash—Pepita jumped right in and started rolling around in delight.
She takes such pleasure in the simple things. We should all take note and do the same, especially in this unusual time when simple things can offer big delights.
We are all especially thankful you choose to continue supporting Pepita and Tabby’s Place now. The fact that in a time that is so worrisome and stressful for everyone, you chose to think about and love the kitties, speaks volumes about who you are. “When one loves, one does not calculate,” noted St. Therese of Lisieux. We are grateful and humbled by your big heart and great love for Pepita.
Take good care of yourself and your loved ones and I’ll be back next month with more news on your special girl.
Your correspondent,
Sheila