Dear Team Steven,

Happy, happy New Year, and welcome to 2024!  As I sit here watching the first winter snowfall of the year, I am so grateful for all your continued support. With temperatures dropping into the 20s, it is so reassuring to know our residents have a safe, warm place to be this winter and we can accommodate new arrivals in need of food, shelter, and love.  Your ongoing friendship and care for Steven and our community of cats is one of our many blessings. We know that, without your kindness, none of our work would be possible. Steven and I thank you with very full hearts.

Except for a minor irritation in his right eye, Steven has been in good health this month. Of course, the medical staff is watching him closely to make sure there is no need for additional treatment or concern. As always, Steven is very happy to take things one day at a time, keenly observing and enjoying the wonderful world of Tabby’s Place.

Steven’s Suite J home has been a whirlwind of activity lately.  One of Steven’s suitemates, Lawrence, was moved to the Community Room so he could get to know a cat named Yuki.  The two are being adopted by a family that does very well with shy animals. Cassie has filled Lawrence’s spot in Suite J, returning from an adoptive home that was not a good match for her.  She is settling back in and figuring out her relationship with Hazey.

Of course, Steven just stays out of the way and watches as all the hustle and bustle unfolds.  Ahh, what a wonderful ability he has to embrace change so gracefully! He confided in me that that’s what being Tabby’s Place’s resident philosopher is really all about.

Steven and I would also like to give a special shout-out to one of his wonderful sponsors in Michigan (and her two cats) who sent us such a lovely holiday message.  We can’t tell you enough just how much we both appreciated your email. We know we’re simply too far away for you to easily visit, but we were delighted that you shared warm greetings with us and gave us a little window into your world.

We want every one of Steven’s sponsors to know how much we appreciate hearing from you.  After all, letter writing doesn’t have to be a one-way street.  Getting to know each one of you a little better, either by email, snail mail, or in person, is quite enjoyable for us. And even a feline as humble as Steven doesn’t mind being the center of lots and lots of attention.  It is, after all, and as he tells me, one of the required qualifications for being recognized as a grand, old cat!

Your correspondent,
Tina