Dear Supporters of Sammy,

It’s happened before and I should be used to it by now. But I’m not. Because Sammy is such a creature of habit, I expect to walk into the Community Room and immediately spot her.

For the last several months, she’s been a faithful inhabitant of Pixie’s window box. Whether Pixie is in the box or not. Whether it is raining or shining. Whether it is hot or cold outside, you can find Sammy sharing one half of the rather small space that looks out onto the parking lot in front of Tabby’s Place.

This fact alone always amazes me. Sammy came here years ago with a bit of a reputation — she had some anti-social moments in her last place of residence so I was surprised to see how easily she adapted to sitting so near to just about any other kitty in Pixie’s box. Side by side. Practically touching. As if there is an unwritten agreement in the secret lives of cats that fighting and disagreements are not tolerated in window boxes. But I digress.

If Sammy isn’t in Pixie’s window box, she’s in the cat tree to the immediate left when you enter the Community Room, all snuggled and cozy. This is her “go to” place. When I come to visit Sammy, I usually glance first at the window box, then at the cat tree and inevitably will find her there — sleeping or snoozing or cat napping.

The other less obvious place is on one of the chairs around the conference table. Occasionally she hangs out on one of the chairs but that is so rare. It’s happened, and I have to admit, sometimes I even forget to look there, but it is a possible spot.

So what happened last week literally took my breath away, because in I walked to a room with no Sammy. I looked toward the window box. I looked toward the cat tree. I looked under the conference table. And, of course, immediately thought the worst — something’s happened to her. Oh no!

I hate those moments of almost panic. But I was saved by a trusty volunteer who saw my pale face and pointed to another cat tree, situated to the right of the door as you enter.

What? Sammy never sleeps in that cat tree, and yet, sure enough, there she was — all cuddled up and cozy — lost in some cat dream world.

Surprise and relief flooded through me. She was okay. Which goes to show you that cats do what they do for no apparent reason. So now I have four places to check when I come to visit. But that’s okay!

Sammy and I thank you, as always, for your continued generosity. Enjoy the warm or, should we say, hot summer weather we’ve been having, and we’ll see you next month!