Happy New Year, Team Pepita!

Though our gentle girl doesn’t know for sure that the calendar has turned to a new year, she does know that the weather has turned colder and so she was spending more time indoors. That is, indoors was the preference until the external plastic shields were put up in the solarium on the side of the solarium that has the wire fencing. This helps shield the kitties from the cold wind while still allowing fresh air in around the edges of the plastic shield.

So Pepita is back to enjoying her solarium once again, which makes her very happy! The heated pads under thin blankets on the hammocks make for a cozy and warm experience while the fresh air flows in. And the heated water bowl holders ensure the water doesn’t freeze. The staff keeps a close watch on the temperatures and will close off the solarium if it dips too low. Even our bravest and bulkiest of kitties need to be protected at times from their lack of common sense when their desires to be outdoors compete with the realities of winter.

Pepita has been in good health this month. She had been on an antibiotic for a urinary tract infection but got the all-clear just in time for the new year. I love to bring news of good health to you!

One of our ace volunteers, Heidi, who also serves with me on the Tabby’s Place Board of Trustees, spent time with our sweet girl one Sunday afternoon and had these stories to share.

Heidi first caught Pepita sleeping soundly on top of a cube in the inside suite. She was visible from the hallway window, so Heidi was able to capture the perfect photo without disturbing her.

Later, Heidi saw our princess with her tail hanging out of the cube. As Heidi settled onto the floor, Pepita roused herself for a lap visit.  Many purrs were forthcoming and kisses on her ‘keppie.’ Heidi said that when Pepita got up for some water, she went nose to nose with Moo-Moo, and rewarded Moo-Moo with a smack, sort of like roughing the passer if you are into football.

Following that, she made a beeline up the ramp and into the tube…which was being prepped for cleaning. Next thing Heidi knew, another volunteer was unceremoniously depositing Pepita back into the room. Our adventuresome kitty immediately ran back up the ramp to see about slipping into the tube again, but was once again barred. ‘Oh, darn,” she must have been thinking!

With suspicious looks at Sushi, an all-black newcomer to the suite, Pepita considered settling in the bed on the flat part, midway up the ramp. She allowed Heidi a few more pets but then set up a vigil by the door. Once there, she was more than happy to pose prettily.

From these stories, you can see that  Pepita gets an abundance of love and attention, not just from Heidi, but from so many volunteers and staff members. She remains a favorite of so many!

Your love for her and devotion to ensuring she has a good life at Tabby’s Place is the deepest kind of love. As we move into 2024, take Pepita’s philosophy with you, as wisely stated by Michael Josephson: “Approach the new year with resolve to find hidden opportunities in each new day.” Pepita does that and knows that her opportunities for joy each day are in large part due to your ongoing kindness and generosity. Thank you for all you do for Pepita and Tabby’s Place.

Your correspondent,
Sheila

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

S

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the pics, the red flannel is my shirt. The closeups are selfies too. The rest should be explained by the order of events.