September greetings to you, and to all our kind and caring Kitten Fund sponsors!

I’ve been taking online music lessons lately, and in one of them, the recorded instructor says, “I don’t think of it as ‘I have to practice this instrument. No, I *get* to play this instrument.” It doesn’t make my lessons much easier, but the concept applies to Tabby’s Place very well. When I make the drive to Ringoes, I’m thinking, “I get to visit cats and spend time with kittens!”

With that, here are some observations from a recent afternoon visit. Opening the door to the Kitten Suite, it’s no surprise to see current residents I don’t recognize, and I try to match them to the list of names taped to the door.

The wide-eyed gray kit who just hopped up to the bench beside me:  Is that one of the siblings Parfait, Meringue, or Custard? (Do you remember them from last month?)  Or maybe it’s Banoffee, because he’s also gray? Before I can get a good look, the kitten hops over my lap and from there, down to the floor and off to new fast-moving adventures.

As one kitten leaves, I look off to my right and see a black-and-white kitten make a fearless leap across open space from one surface to another. Minutes later, it makes the return journey, equally as gracefully. Who is that agile little wonder?

The tiny one is black and white, and the only one fitting that description is Mochi. I call his name and reach toward him in hopes that he will come over for some human attention, and he ambles across the floor to my feet. I know he can jump, but I don’t want to wait, so I pick him up and place him on my lap. As he settles down, for an instant, it looks as though Mochi is trying to get in my pocket. For once, though, he’s too big instead of too little.

In contrast with the sociable kittens like Mochi, recent additions Chad, Michael, and Murray (all of whom are pictured nearby) are older kittens who did not have frequent handling by humans in their first weeks of life. Socializing them is challenging, but it can be done, and it’s a great feeling to earn the trust of a young cat who once huddled wide-eyed in a litter box.

Not all the kittens helped by the Kitten Fund are in the Kitten Room. Orange boy Corduroy returned from foster and moved into the Lobby. That’s because he had an epileptic seizure during his foster care, and Tabby’s Place wants to keep a close eye on him. Since then, although he has had further seizures, they passed, and he went right back to playing like any other kitten.

By the time you see this, the Linda Fund Matching Challenge will be in its final two weeks. Those donations are intended for the most needy in the most desperate situations, while the Kitten Fund ensures each kitten will receive all it needs, every day. For all you do to help Tabby’s Place with this part of its mission, thank you.

Please see Angela’s Epilogues that capture the comings and goings in August!  Pictures of the happy adoptees can be seen on Instagram.  (Just make sure you leave yourself enough time to see them all!)

Until next month, I wish you all good things.

Your correspondent,

John

P.S.: In the final week of August, we welcomed Pancake, a very pregnant mom. Within days of moving into her foster home, she gave birth to 6 healthy babies: Waffle, Crepe, Syrup, Maple, Flap, and Jacks. No doubt there’ll be much more to tell you about next month, after I get to visit Tabby’s Place again.