Hello My New Friend,

I was so excited to hear I have sponsors! Thank you for choosing me. ❤️ I can’t wait to connect with you every month and share my adventures with you. I hope you can come to visit me at Tabby’s Place so I can thank you in person.

I was named after a Spanish explorer and conquistador. Like my namesake, I love exploring my surroundings at Tabby’s Place. I hear there’s a new territory, called Quinn’s Corner, to explore soon.

Quinn’s Corner was built for cats like me with FeLV, or feline leukemia, which is an immunosuppressive virus… whatever that means. I’m not big on labels, such as FeLV, FIV or ‘older fella,’ all of which apparently apply to me. I’ve been told I am a big love, and that’s a label I can get behind. I’m sweet and gentle and love a warm lap to curl up in.

Now that I have sponsors, I was assigned a correspondent to help me get these updates to you. The first time she came to see me, I jumped into her lap and purred loudly while she doted on me and interviewed me for this first update. She asked me all about my roommates, who are also FeLV-positive. Two of them—Miriel and Durin —met her at the door, seeking immediate attention. The other, Oram, is a bit more cautious at first. He wears an orange collar, which I think means ‘proceed with caution’ (he’s fun and a tad feisty).

We’re a pretty mellow crew and generally get along, though Miriel and I had a fight recently. Don’t all roommates get on each other’s nerves sometimes?

This will be my first holiday at Tabby’s Place and the kind people here are making the holidays feel special and festive. I’m deeply grateful for your incredible generosity and your friendship, and I hope your holidays are filled with joy and love.

Love,
Ponce de Leon
(With help from your correspondent, Mary)