Dear Team Steven:

As we gratefully make our way from New Jersey’s scorching summer heat into milder fall weather, Tabby’s Place is bustling with activity.  This has been a particularly busy year for kittens, and we expect more “little ones” joining us late into the fall season. We also have an unusually large number of “bottle babies” to feed, so we are busy training volunteers to meet this critical need. In the middle of all the hubbub, Steven reigns supreme, keeping a watchful eye on all of Tabby’s Place progeny. Some days, he just sits and watches kittens as they get their med checks, always with a satisfied grin that we humans seem to know our jobs.

Ahh, yes! I’ve failed to tell you that Steven finds himself in the thick of all things medical, because he has been moved into the Tabby’s Place medical suite. Now, don’t worry—Steven is in good health and great spirits!  The decision was made to keep a closer eye on Steven’s eating habits to see if some weight loss might help him with his arthritis. A bit of a mooch when it comes to food, Steven and his diet were impossible to monitor when he was in a suite with so many other cats. His suite mate, Betty, just couldn’t gain weight with Steven skulking around her food dish!

Right now, we are trying new treatments for Steven’s arthritis one at a time to see what works best. Steven’s reactions to these medications can be more readily observed ensuite with the veterinary staff. Moving to the med suite also is a more amiable arrangement for him vis-a-vis his challenging relationship with Gator. We frankly despaired of the two of them ever really making friends, and the crew in our little hospital really like having Steven around. His calm, philosophical demeanor and stately presence can be very reassuring during medical procedures—for the kittens, cats, and staff alike.

As always, Steven and I are deeply touched by your love and concern for him. Please keep sending good vibes his way. He’s not sure what he would do without you! Oh, and if you don’t mind, please say a little prayer that the case of poison ivy I’ve picked up stops itching.  It’s quite challenging to write a letter when you can’t stop scratching, and I am having real difficulty convincing Steven that I don’t have fleas! He seems a bit perturbed that I’ve “failed to practice better hygiene” and has sincerely requested I keep my distance. As his personal assistant, it’s been quite a disheartening comeuppance for me.

Until next month …

Your correspondent,
Tina