Hello, My Fans!
Shifty here, putting “pen to paw” to send you my news! My Correspondent, Kim, is sitting here beside me, as we have a tale to tell. We thought we would share it together with you.
Many who love me have asked over the past months: “Why isn’t Shifty included in The Stroller Program?
Strolling, you see, involves being placed in a secure pet carriage designed for indoor/outdoor use. It allows us cats to get a breath of fresh air and to watch the birds and butterflies in the gardens behind the sanctuary we call “home.” We have one-on-one interaction with our human driver, whether it be while walking on the sidewalks around the building or sitting under the trees and observing nature. Kim likes to play music from her device for our listening pleasure and chooses quiet music to make it a peaceful and lovely experience. It is a win-win for the driver as well, as frayed nerves from everyday life are calmed in the beautiful fall weather and light breezes that caress us.
Strolling was started initially to keep the cats in the Aged To Purrfection Program acclimated to stroller rides during Covid. The Aged to Purrfection Program (ATP) cats are certified to visit nursing homes in the area. But once Covid struck, restrictions were put in place at these homes regarding visitation. The cats and their human drivers could no longer visit. To try to keep Team ATP Cats stroller-trained and ready to return to service as soon as safely allowable, Kim was one of the volunteers who helped to keep these cats ready to return to duty. We then started to realize the health benefits to other cats if given a chance to stroll as well. A list of candidates was put together by our wonderful veterinary team. The rest is history—the Stroller Program took off on its own!
I may not have been offered an opportunity right away for two reasons: that same veterinary team was trying to regulate my diabetes and I have a very wonderful view of the outdoors, right from my own windows! I was happy and content with checking out life from those windows, climbing up the cat tree for a better view. Why rock the boat?
But Kim wanted me to have my chance, and I was approved by the veterinary team for walking! My first time “out” was actually with a weekend stroller driver and a big fan of mine, who was excited to take me on a Sunday afternoon stroll.
But I did not do as well as everyone had hoped. I tolerated it.
Try again, with Kim herself. She loves me; I love her. Who better than my faithful correspondent to help to ease the way?
OK, so maybe it was the motion, she thought. It takes a while for some cats to get used to the motion of the stroller. She drove me to a very lovely spot, parked the stroller in the shade, and encouraged me to look out over the gardens.
“For What?” I asked her with my eyes.
Those eyes, always so big and full of sparkle, were looking in her direction with a bit of impatience. “Can we get me out of here?” they seemed to say with a grimace.
She encouraged me to give it a chance and sat outside for what seemed like forever with me. She spoke to me in a soft voice and pointed out things in which she thought I would be interested.
Really? I am a people watcher; there were no people back there.
Why are we out here?
Soon, I was happily back in my own room, and later seen watching the big parking lot full of people from my usual spot: the cat tree!
This past Tuesday, we tried one last time. Kim said it can go either way, just in time for my update to sponsors: either “the third time is the charm,” OR “three strikes and you are out!”
I saw her enter the room with the stroller.
I took off under the couch!
I made sure she could not get to me, and I would not be coaxed.
THAT, my friends, is the end of my stroller story!
As I watched Kim move on to other cats who DO enjoy this activity, I breathed a sigh of relief and resumed my siesta.
She found me as she was leaving; she had come to tell me she would not be making me do that ever again.
There are many cats here who do enjoy strolling, and she was sorry I was not one of them.
Today, Kim must officially “spread the word” that I am not comfortable in the stroller and should no longer be considered a candidate for The Stroller Program. It truly breaks her heart to pass by my window, wave to me sitting inside watching, and go forward with another cat.
“Sayonara.” I said! I am content where I am!
As she dries her tears, I want to thank everyone who cares about me so very much. Your most generous donations go to the care I receive to keep me in tip-top shape. I lost a bit of weight this month; no medical reason was found for this. But I am at a healthier weight and am happy and content.
Just put that stroller away!
Your friend,
Shifty
(With help from your correspondent, Kim)