Hi y’all!

As the weather gets warmer, I can vividly recall spending my July days growing up in the south.  I would sit outside on the porch with a big bowl of water.  Sometimes momma would put an ice cube in it, and my furry brothers and sisters would stop by to cool off after playing.  Momma would sneak a bit of tuna to me, I do declare, I think I was her favorite baby cat.  The sounds of the crickets and the smell of the tropical hibiscus flowers will always be a part of my cherished memories.

Tabby’s Place is blossoming like a strong and beautiful red rose bush!  It makes my heart feel good to see the return of our former volunteers along with new volunteers.  Volunteers play such an important role in making Tabby’s Place run smoothly and giving staff the time they need to care for us.  My correspondent is overjoyed to have volunteer assistance with the laundry, which allows her to have extra time to visit with me!  Many humans are so surprised to learn how much laundry gets washed and folded with love in a day.  Add up the number of cats (and kittens) we have times towels, blankets, chair covers, and cat beds = LOTS OF LAUNDRY!  If cats could help with chores, I would pick laundry because the food and treats are stored in the laundry room.  Y’all know where I am going with this!

Can we talk construction?  I was fortunate to witness the groundbreaking ceremony for Quinn’s Corner along with my solarium friends.  Within a week after that, I have never seen so much construction.  The bulldozers and other equipment are huge, and there are so many construction workers in neon green vests.  See the picture I included from the early phase of construction.  This li’l black-and-white southern kitty is so excited to know that we will welcome FeLV cats and care for special li’l ones in a neonatal nursery.  I am so proud of Tabby’s Place for always caring and always helping.

I am also very proud to have you as my sponsor and to know how much you care about me.  Sometimes I do tear up—I am a bit on the sensitive side—and knowing that I have a sponsor who has always been there for me warms my li’l heart and makes the tears flow.  Can y’all believe that it was only 2 years ago that I fell critically ill?  I am so blessed to be here today.  I cannot say thank you enough and tell you how much I love you!

My return to Suite A is like a vacation to a sunny destination with lots of surf and sand (that is me visualizing myself in Cabo San Lucas on the sand—it is a clean litter box, in the solarium).  Coming back into the suite reminds me of a show I heard about called “Cheers,” where in the title song they sing, “where everybody knows your name.”  I have so many happy memories here and friends here and am making new memories and new friends.  I spend 99% of my day in the solarium.  I recently found the “igloo” and it is my 3rd home.  I like it because it is like my own clubhouse, where I can nest.

Please do not tell, this is our secret. I am not overly fond of the G.I. food that is served in Suite A.  When my correspondent is volunteering, she drops by with a Churu cat treat, approved by the staff (I love the Tuna combos!), or even sometimes a little regular food.  Because the other cats are on a strict G.I. diet, she can only bring me treats if she stands there and makes sure no other cats eat my treat.  That makes sense, I would never want any of my friends to get a belly ache.

…and now for “Rose’s Summer Vacation and Health Update”

Based on my UTI (urinary tract infection) challenges, the staff decided that I will spend my summer vacation in Suite A/Solarium.  I am over the moon because this means I am diaper-free all summer!  My bottom and I are very happy!  Previously I had developed some mild urine scalding and staining.  Being diaper-free has helped me, along with frequent bottom washes.  I like these washes because I feel so clean and fresh afterward.  I have had a weight loss and am being given access to a small variety of foods throughout the day, so I do not go hungry.

The staff takes amazing care of me, so I have no worries about ever going hungry.  I continue to have bacteria present in my urine despite targeted antibiotic treatments.  The staff has switched up my antibiotic once more in hopes of some resolution.  Paws crossed!

I hope that you had a fun 4th of July holiday weekend!  My correspondent created a “festive Rose greeting” just for you!  Sending you red, white, and blue whisker kisses!

Love, Rose
(with help from your correspondent, Ilene)