Update for Shifty

Update for Shifty

Hello!

I was happy to get back to my visits with Shifty this month; January was a long month of ill health for me.
Shifty, however, was “status quo.”  Here at Tabby’s Place, we consider “status quo” a good thing.
It is actually a wonderful place to be!

At our most recent visit, I was sure that Shifty would be in the spirit of Cupid, and want to be my Valentine.
NOT!

I had him all set up for a beautiful Valentine’s Day photo.  I had items with hearts on them, all pretty in pink and red.  A nice fluffy blanket would be comfortable for his special “pose.”

Baited with a few treats he loves, I thought this was a magical photo moment in the making.

Well, Shifty was having NONE of it.

Our visit was a pleasant one, filled with purrs and receptive back-arches to my petting.  His coat looked shiny and was quite soft to the touch. Shifty appreciated the affection and was happy to reciprocate.

But when he saw my cell phone? Time for pictures?
He went trotting off.

First, he stopped by the dry food bowl for a mid-afternoon snack.  I think he made that snack last longer than necessary.  Followed by a long drink at the feline water fountain.  Then he went across the room to visit with another cat.  Clearly, he was avoiding me.

I got out the little treats and tried to coax him to me.

Sorry, he said, and went under the sofa.

This is where is special box waits; the one that once held human snack items, and now holds a lumpy blanket that is surely Shifty’s favorite.

I waited.  I baited.  I asked him to please consider his sponsors, and how much they would be looking forward to that special photo of him, just in time for Valentine’s Day.

His lack of cooperation brought back memories of another special needs cat for which I corresponded for many years.  Darling Max.  Also evasive at photo time, Max would play the same game.  A sort of “catch me if you can” kind of game, but with a camera.

But Max always gave in.  In the end, he would sit for what proved to be some really great cat photos, over the years.

But not so with Mr. Shifty.

Maybe it was the rain and gloom outside.  Maybe he was bored.  Maybe he did not want to visit with me any longer.

Maybe he just did not want his picture taken……

Maybe he did not want to be my Valentine….oh, heart, be still!

Sadly, I prepared to leave the Staff/Employee Lounge that Shifty calls “home.”
I looked back at him, to say goodbye before closing the door.

Did I see him wink at me?
I think Cupid shot his arrow through my heart.

Our Shifty can do no wrong.
In good health, status quo, and looking great.

I am happy for whatever makes HIM happy.

He is blessed, indeed, to call Tabby’s Place “home.”
I know he is grateful for your most generous gifts that allow him to be the healthy, handsome, and fun-loving cat he has become.

He just needs a little work with how to be a romantic…..stay tuned!

Your correspondent, Kim