Dear Pepita Devotee,
At this halfway point in 2025, we wish you great joy in every month that follows!
On my last visit with Ms. Sweetness, one of her Comfort Buddies was visiting. Cats are personally assigned one or more of these special volunteers to sit with them, pet them, read to them, play with them, and just spend time with them.
While I was there, this particular Comfort Buddy sat down in the chair in the solarium. Pepita jumped right into his lap, and then started accepting—or perhaps demanding—his petting. It was wonderful to see our Pepita share her love and know how much she is loved in return.
One of the regular volunteers who visits Pepita told me that, during a recent visit in the solarium, Pepita emerged from the igloo when she called, “Where’s Pepita, my sweeta?” They had a nice time on the bench, enjoying the cooler weather that day, a bit of respite from the heat. She certainly is a popular girl!
One of the volunteers who feeds the cats has discovered that Pepita really enjoys a specific Tiki Cat Mousse and shared the news with all the volunteers, just in case other feeders were looking for something suitable on any given day. Sometimes Pepita can be particular about what she is fed (show me a cat who isn’t finicky at times!), so volunteers delight in finding things that make her happy.
Isn’t it wonderful to know how the staff and volunteers treat each of our resident felines as individuals and look for ways to ensure their happy and healthy lives at Tabby’s Place?
We have a central communication tool where volunteers and staff can post concerns for the staff to check out, favorite foods, behavior observations, and other things their keen eyes see when working with the cats, cleaning the suites, or feeding the fur babies. Everyone is working toward the same goal!
On the health front, Pepita began leaking urine this month and was diagnosed with another urinary tract infection. She is being checked, and her bladder is being expressed by the staff three times a day for the time being. She also had a little sore on her cute nose, and that is healing. It was thought it might be an abrasion to the rostral nasal planum (front hairless part of a cat’s nose).
I am guessing you are well aware of our special wing at Tabby’s Place—Quinn’s Corner—where we care for cats diagnosed with feline leukemia virus. Did you know that July 15 this year is Feline Leukemia Day, celebrating all cats with FeLV? This annual event raises awareness of this greatly misunderstood disease, and teaches people how it can be prevented. Each of our FeLV+ kitties is amazing, and it always astounds me how many get adopted into loving homes.
The way that you stand by dear Pepita and by Tabby’s Place fills our hearts with joy. Thank you for making Pepita’s life such a beautiful journey of love, side-by-side with you.
Your correspondent,
Sheila