Dear Team Steven,
Everyone at Tabby’s Place — cats, kittens, staff, and volunteers alike — has been so excited about sunshiny days and the advent of spring!
In our enthusiasm to escape cold winter’s grip and dance among the daffodils, we forgot how quickly Mother Nature can turn on her heels and bring on wild, windy, very wet days. Gray skies and disheartening drizzle began to cast a pall over everyone’s spirits. Something had to be done to return smiles to everyone’s faces … and, thus, Tabby’s Place’s own version of March Madness (Meow Madness) was born!
For those unfamiliar with March Madness, the NCAA, or national college basketball championships, please allow me to elucidate just how the Tabby’s Place Meow Madness championship worked.
Sixteen cats, also known as the Sweet Sixteen, were chosen to “compete” for champion status at our fine facility. Voting was open to all our fans on social media to vote for their favorite feline amongst the sixteen, and eight cats were eliminated from the contest. The remaining eight cats again competed as fan faves, and the Final Four were selected.
This is when the competition really became intense, and the field was narrowed down to two cats who would compete one-on-one in the Championship Round. Who would ultimately triumph and emerge victorious as the Tabby’s Place Meow Madness winner?
So many feline favorites were represented — young and old, tux, tabby, tortie, and calico — and your dear, amazing boy Steven was among them! Our handsome boy was a keen competitor, running neck and neck with the other winning cats into the finals.
Olive, our Queen of the Lobby and greeter of all Tabby’s Place visitors, was Steve’s sole competition in the final round. Olive is a favorite with so many that this was truly stiff competition.
And just who was announced as the 2025 Meow Madness champion? Drum roll, please … Steven!
As usual, our most senior competitor and resident took his victory in stride. Waxing poetic and philosophical, Steven was generous and gracious with his praise for his fellow competitors.
And, as is his way, the big orange love muffin reached out to a decidedly crushed Olive with warm words of comfort: “Ahh, dear Olive, you are loved by so many. I am honored to have been in the championship round with you. I envy your role in greeting all visitors and know that you are a winner in the hearts of many. Let’s both celebrate the deep love that we saw throughout this competition.”
With that, Steven left the podium and asked the volunteer closest to Olive to give her a gentle pat or two on the head (we know Olive only tolerates a few pets at a time). His mind was made up that it was time for him to take a good nap and relish his victory.
In other news, Steven got a little stomach bug that had his GI system all out of whack for 48 hours. But, with the care of our stellar vet team, he has recovered and is back to his regular self.
On Saturday, April 26, we are holding a Volunteer Open House from noon to 4 p.m. If you live close enough to visit, Steven would love to see you. There will be tours, information on the many ways volunteers help keep the sanctuary running, and refreshments, too.
Thank you for your deep love and caring for our senior fellow. He is so grateful to know you are looking out for him and ensuring he gets the best care at Tabby’s Place.
Your correspondent,
Tina