Dear Besties,

Hi, y’all and welcome to September, host month to the first day of fall, on September 22!

I love some cooler weather because that means more stroller rides in the fresh air, and more time lounging around in the solarium.  There are so many fun places I like to lounge around in the solarium, including cat beds, baskets, and the blanketed shelves.  But my very favorite is the “igloo.”  I enjoy hiding in the igloo best because I can enjoy my big catnip banana without my pal Boom stealing it.  Boom has also been known to “borrow” things from visitors’ bags, and catnip nanas from Rose!  I am very protective of my “nana,” kind of like a mama cat protecting her youngins.  When I wake up every morning, before I enjoy breakfast, I open my eyes and run to the solarium to spot the leaves that turned my favorite color of red.  They are not there yet but will be soon enough.  I do not need a watch to tell me when fall is in the neighborhood—it gets dark sooner!

We have had some tragic natural disasters recently.  The hurricane, flash floods, tornados, and fires have really taken their toll on so many people and pets.  I pray that you, your pets, friends, and family are safe.  We often do not hear of a happy tale during a disaster, but I have one to share with y’all.  When the flash floods from Ida reached the area near Tabby’s Place in Ringoes, NJ,  several staff members could not find safe passage driving on flooded roads, so they had a cat slumber party.  Were the cats happy?  Yes!  Was the staff happy?  Yes

Do y’all remember last winter when we had a winter storm and staff stayed to be sure that medications and breakfast feedings were done?  Well, as we all “hunkered” down into the safety of the sanctuary, a person approached in the distance.  This person was a driver who was stranded because of the flash floods.  He was welcomed with open arms and paws into Tabby’s Place by staff and kitties.  He was given dry towels, scrubs to wear, blankets, and plenty of snacks and drinks to fill his belly.  He wrote about his adventure on his Facebook page and really enjoyed meeting the cats in the lobby because it made him feel safe.  He was not the only human to find refuge that night at Tabby’s Place, and our Development Director, Angela, wrote a blog about this overnight adventure, called Strays.  My li’l heart gets so happy when I hear such a happy “cat tale.”  The man was so fortunate to find Tabby’s Place, and I have been more than blessed to have you find me to sponsor.  Thank you for sharing my adventures and for always being there.  My mama always said that good things happen to good cats!

I have some special BREAKING NEWS to share with y’all.  Tabby’s Place is now accepting scheduled appointments for guided tours and sponsor visits.  My black-and-white furry body did a backflip when my correspondent told me the good news.  My correspondent enjoys bringing her tours to the solarium to meet me (and all my Suite A pals).  I clean my fur every day when I wake up so that I make a good impression on the visitors.  The vet staff gives us regular dental exams, so my teeth always look pearly white and healthy.  I am extra excited at the thought of having you, my special Sponsor, come to visit li’l ol’ Rose.  Please follow this link to read the rules and sign up for a visit:  https://www.tabbysplace.org/book-tour

I am very pleased with my health update this month.  I do believe that the glass is more than half full this month.   I am honored at the care and attention the staff gives me and to my health.  They are continually checking me for urinary tract infections because of my medical history.  Currently, they are giving my system a break from the various antibiotics.  I do declare, fewer medications are always appreciated.  Mind you, they say that I do not fuss with taking medications.  You might ask, how do I stay so spanking clean?  Well, I receive daily bottom baths.  I love lots of diaper-free time in both the solarium and Suite A.  I do believe that my diaper-free days have been extended past summer.

Remember in the old days when kitten season was in the spring?  I think it spans all seasons now.  Lordy, I have never seen so many kittens at Tabby’s Place in my life, and more kittens are being socialized in volunteer foster care.  I have sent my correspondent on a top-secret mission to find a kitten that looks like yours truly.  I will let you know the status of “Mini Rose” in the next update.

Enjoy the cooler fall air, and I am sending you some very special red leaf whisker kisses.

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