Dear Pepita Fans,
We’re fast approaching summer, yet it feels as though the weather gods didn’t get the memo!
Here in Ringoes, N.J., we’ve had numerous rainy or cloudy days, and the temps have been on the mild side. Typically, we might have had a few days in the 90s by now, but not this year. I hope that wherever you live, you are enjoying bright blooms, lush green grass, and the joys of almost-summer.
As I noted last month, Pepita has had a few ups and downs when it comes to her perkiness. The staff and medical team continue to keep a close eye on her (as do all the volunteers who love her), and the good news is that her weight and blood tests remain stable.
Of course, nothing keeps our sweet girl from the joy of solarium time! One staff member witnessed Pepita scratching on her post in the solarium before happily hopping around, then settling down to watch the staff have lunch at the picnic table behind the solariums. When I visit with her, Pepita is always jumping up and down on the shelves, chairs, and benches, staying quite active.
Many new cats have been introduced to Pepita’s suite in the last month or two. The mix of colors in their fur coats, and variations in their personalities, make for a beautiful kitty collage.
There is a pretty, shy black kitty named Apricot, with crumpled ears that give her a Scottish Fold appearance, although she is not of that breed. Sassy, a lovely calico, is more shy than saucy, despite her name, and loves a calm, quiet environment.
Young Chloe is grey and white, playful and cuddly, and a lover of humans (including kids) and cats alike. Rounding out our crew of solid black kitties in Pepita’s suite are handsome Gopher (‘caution’) and Vinnie (‘go slow’).
Finally, we have another low-key, senior tuxedo to match Pepita: Merrill. These are not all the suitemates Pepita has right now, but some of the newer ones. I find it fascinating to see the interactions when new kitties are introduced into a suite. Our Pepita generally welcomes the newcomers by simply ignoring them and going about her daily routine!
Our Kitten Shower last month saw about 60 visitors come through. We had kittens and young adult cats for them to visit, as well as a self-guided tour, a scavenger hunt for kids, and a coloring table. All of the kittens we had there have been adopted, as well as two of the young adult cats.
The kittens continue to roll in and meet up with the loving care for which Tabby’s Place is known. Some are so tiny that they require tube feeding. Our amazing foster team has built up and trained about 35 foster families who help with many kittens as they come in, enabling those tiny tots to live in a home in their early life, learning how to be with humans and exhibit appropriate behavior with their littermates.
Did you know that the largest litter of domestic cats ever recorded is 19?! Yikes!
The way you hold Pepita in your heart and love and support her makes me think of two wonderful quotes:
“Nobody has ever measured, even poets, how much a heart can hold.” –Zelda Fitzgerald
and
“There is no charm equal to tenderness of the heart.”—Jane Austen
Pepita and all of us at Tabby’s Place wish you a love-filled summer season and thank you for everything you do to keep our beautiful girl happy and healthy.
Your correspondent,
Sheila