Dear Rose sponsors,
I am a lil’ black and white southern kitty who really enjoys a routine. When I wake up in the morning I walk outside of my crate, do a full body stretch, and then a big yawn. I need to be prepared for the arrival of my tasty breakfast. I do declare that a good breakfast sets the tone for a good day. Mind you, I have been spotted running as fast as a cheetah (they are the fastest running land mammals, clocked at 70 mph) across the lobby to flag down the volunteer who is handling our meals. When it comes to food, I am a big cat in a lil’ cat body. After breakfast I scurry to the front door of the lobby to check the progress of the red and orange leaves on the trees. There is so much beauty outside for me to watch: birds fly by, squirrels scamper past, and Tabby’s Place has the greenest giant lawn. Sometimes I daydream about how much fun it would be to run across the lawn, without my diapie!
The biggest mystery around Tabby’s Place these days seems to be, “where is Rose?” The past 3+ times that my correspondent has come to visit me she was in a panic because she could not find me in my usual spots: in the lobby, in a cat tree, napping on a chair, or even hidden in my crate under the blanket. She quickly runs to find a staff member and is told that I am at one of the senior living centers in Tabby’s Place Aged to Purrfection program. I do declare, I just love me some senior citizens! I am not sure if they are happier to see me, or me to see them! Carrot, a handsome orange-and-white cat, has been my program partner, and we often go to the center together. We are both so proud to be “certified therapy animals” making a positive difference for others. Hope you enjoy my pictures with my new senior friend and riding in my stroller, sporting my pretty pink therapy cat scarf. My correspondent says she wishes that the senior living centers her grandparents lived in had such a program. The program is working so well that Tabby’s Place is expanding it to include other centers! My correspondent looked so relieved when she saw me riding into the lobby in my cool stroller, and I was happy to tell her all about my amazing afternoon with the seniors.
I continue to be a good helper to the staff and leave my diapie on the chair next to me so that staff does not have to go on a diapie expedition. My correspondent is confident that I have lost weight, even if the scale says otherwise. She has deemed me “perfect.” When my weight shifts, my diapies shift. I do enjoy getting a bottom bath in the afternoon because I get to air dry my bottom, diapie-free! I also help with leftover lunches, leaving one less thing for a volunteer to pick up.
I hope that you have a chance to enjoy the fall, maybe by apple picking or going on a haunted hayride. I heard a few volunteers mention that they love to eat caramel apples. Is there such a thing as a caramel apple tree? I realize how lucky I am to have you as my sponsor and thank you for being there for me. You make every day a happy day!
I get so excited in October because it is Chip or Treat event time at Tabby’s Place, on October 26. I do chuckle at the jokes that I am already dressed as a lil’ cow for Halloween. There is a set of tiny cat toys in the lobby, and one looks just like me! (See the photo collage.) My correspondent is dressing as a black and white tuxedo cat for Chip or Treat. The lobby is 98% black and white cats, so she will fit right in! Part of the event is free microchipping for cats and dogs! Since the dogs will be walking through the lobby, we lobby cats will be moved to another area. I am excited because it’s like going on a vacation for a day. My correspondent will be checking on us throughout the afternoon. I wish I could try a cup of spiced cider — it always smells so good, and I am sure tastes even better! Oh, did I tell you that volunteers will be planting colorful mums outside of Tabby’s Place? I am so excited that I get to watch the progress from the lobby door.
The staff is happy to report that I have been in excellent health this month. I am doing a happy cat dance! It would be great if you could visit in the fall; I’ll be waiting for you!
I think the lobby is its own miniature world. For the most part, we all get along like brothers and sisters. Sometimes we are cranky, and sometimes we chase one another around. Yes, I cannot tell a lie, I hassled Dani (as did Olive) last week. But it was all in jest, and we are waiting for Dani’s paybacks.
Here’s hoping your Halloween is filled with lots of sweet treats and whisker kisses!
Love,
Rose
(With help from your correspondent, Ilene)