Dear Team Steven,

Please allow me to introduce myself.  My name is Tina and, for the past several years, I represented Tabby’s Place’s lovely Luna as a donor correspondent.  It was with great pleasure that I reported monthly on our “wonderful little lab technician” and all her exciting adventures to her sponsors.  As you may know, Luna arrived at Tabby’s Place a terribly ill kitty. She was allergic to absolutely everything, including some of the flavorings made to make allergy meds more palatable!  Her case was daunting and, for a time, caring for her was both extremely expensive and relatively unsuccessful.  The good news is that, very slowly, the medical staff brought Luna back to excellent health. A lovely couple, capable of taking care of all her special needs, has taken her into their lives and Luna now has a wonderful, permanent new home!

With my duties as Luna’s official representative complete, I was left a bit lonely and at loose ends.  Who could I write to now and continue to share the miracles of Tabby’s Place? Luckily, Lisa stepped right in and suggested I become Steven’s publicist, as Sue (Steven’s former correspondent) is super busy being the Tabby’s Place Board of Trustees chair and involved in many Tabby’s Place committees, along with her full-time job teaching. What a marvelous idea! I’ve known Steven since I moved from California to the East Coast in 2018 and became a Tabby’s Place volunteer. I can tell you this about Steven: He is a Tabby’s Place stalwart. Quiet and unassuming, our big boy is quite the dependable kitty.  He is as reliable as clockwork when it comes to greeting volunteers and visitors, and there really isn’t anyone he doesn’t like. Steven is one great big ball of fluff, who could give lessons on how to get along with others—human and feline alike.  Ever steady and mature, Steven is definitely one of the keystones of Tabby’s Place. He’s one cat you can count on!

Steven has been in good health.  He welcomed Cassie and Rusty to his suite this month with his indomitable charm.  Rusty is a buff tabby like Steven but is currently shaved down because he came in terribly sick and very matted.  He and Steven both enjoy the cat tree in their suite and don’t seem to mind sharing the space. Actually, we think Steven could give lessons on how to share to some of our more territorial cats.  He’s simply so good at it that he has it down pat!

The only concern of medical note this month is that Steven has been identified as a “heavy drinker” (of water—not mixed drinks— silly) and a frequent urinator. In medical lingo, this is known as polydipsia (PD) and polyuria (PU). It is often associated with felines who are diabetic or have renal disease. In Steven’s case, there is no medical reason for his excessive water consumption. He’s one cat we don’t have to remind to drink up or carry a water bottle during warm weather stroller rides.  Nonetheless, we are keeping an eye on his hydration levels and will alert you should any changes arise.

Steven and I want to thank you for your continued support, and I hope you’ll enjoy hearing from us as the months roll forward.  It is my pleasure and my honor to serve both you and this magnificent Tabby’s Place cat!

Your correspondent,
Tina