Dear Team Steven,

I could chat you up about the horrible heat and daily thunderstorms we’re having at Tabby’s Place here in New Jersey, but the weather is pretty challenging everywhere these days. As Steven says, “There’s really no point complaining.“ And, with sponsors like you, there’s always much more room for happiness and gratitude.

There is so much news to share about our wonderful orange fella, I’ll get right to the point!

Let’s begin with a new procedure recently instituted at Tabby’s Place.  “Population Rounds” has opened the door for more direct staff observations and reports on Steven and his suitemate, Baby’s, well-being and behavior.  It takes a lot of people to be certain that these two get all their needs met. I thought you might enjoy hearing from some of the folks your wonderful sponsorship supports in supporting them.

According to Medical Director, Denise, Steven showed signs of itchy ears this month, pawing at them and rubbing them against any available surface until medication quickly cleared up an infection. She also reports that Steven is very vocal and has many demands and stories to share all day, every day.

Our senior “statescat” is really quite the talker: He even makes an announcement EVERY TIME he pees. It’s a good thing, too, because it is a rare occasion when he actually hits the litter box. “Steven is very content to squat litter box-adjacent,” says Development Coordinator Lisa. At least when he vocalizes, the staff is aware, as we say, that  “Cleanup may be needed on Aisle 7.”

Nonetheless, everyone seems to take this annoying little peccadillo of Steven’s in stride. And, sometimes, there are little victories: When a staff member is present and observes Steven actually using the litter box, he gets a big (but not too loud) round of applause. We like to acknowledge and congratulate him on good behavior,  but we never want to startle him.

Unfortunately, Baby has also taken to peeing on any bed, blanket, or towel placed on the floor of the surgery suite, which happens to be his territory. Staff member Carolyn reports that she placed a brand-new clean blanket on the floor for Baby when she thought he needed a bed. He immediately crossed the room, stepped on it, and peed. So Steven isn’t the only one to engage in this behavior. Sometimes, it just seems to go with the territory.

And speaking of territorial things, Steven has developed an annoying habit when it comes to Baby. After being the brunt of bullying by other cats for so many years himself, Steven provokes Baby by going up behind him and nipping at his butt. He isn’t harmfully aggressive, but it is just enough to disturb Baby and get him to move away from Steven.

Frankly, this behavior has left some of us a little speechless. Without missing a beat, Steven just winks and says, “Whatsa matter? Cat got your tongue?”

Sorry, I just couldn’t help it, and Steven thinks it’s hysterical!

Your correspondent,
Tina