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

The other day, I was… well, I don’t think they call it “surfing the web” anymore, I believe now it’s “going down rabbit holes.” However I got there, I had found my way online to a 103-year-old popular magazine, salvaged and digitized from a college’s collection. In between pages of the story I was reading, there was an advertisement that began, “You may recall what Josh Billings had to say about cats.” I didn’t, but when someone says “cats” they have my undivided attention.

I learned that Josh Billings (1818-1885) was a humorist, and in his time, he was second in renown only to Mark Twain. He wrote smart things, but in the dialect of an uneducated man, so to make things easier, I’ll translate to 21st-century English.  “The hardest thing in everyday life is to pick out a good cat, not because they are so scarce, but because they are so plentiful.”

It’s as true today as it was 150 years ago. Tabby’s Place is chock-full of good cats, as well as the good-cats-in-training under the care of the Kitten Fund, which you help support through your generosity. Everyone at Tabby’s Place thanks you for thinking of the smallest cats.

Sometimes the smallest cats are also the absolute neediest cats, and that’s what the Linda Fund is for. (That link is doing double duty; it’s also where our Development Director, Angela, recaps the prior month’s comings and goings.  And as long as I’m talking about adoptions, here’s a link to the Instagram page that shows them.)

Now, time to catch you up on a few of the kittens you are supporting: Corduroy (shown enjoying cuddle time in a photo by volunteer Ruth) experienced several seizures, and his medication dosage was adjusted by his neurologist. As if that wasn’t enough, he’s being treated with antibiotics for an upper respiratory infection. However, they tell me he’s happy in the Lobby and loves to play with Berry or, for that matter, any cat who is willing…

Tulio had a virtual check-up with his specialist, who is very pleased with his healing progress. The little black cat is much more regular and is comfortable and happy in the Kitten Room.

Polka (pictured above) is a male feline-leukemia-positive black kitten who is a “total lovebug and VERY vocal,” says foster mom Jill. She notes he will be destined for Quinn’s Corner after his quarantine period is over.

Angelica had surgery to amputate a front leg and had a pin placed in a fractured hind leg. She is in a splint and bandage during the healing process and has to limit activity. She is doing well, though, and has the sweetest disposition, according to foster mom Karina.

You were introduced to orange Bode last month, and recently, Angela featured her in a post.

Speaking of Bode, one afternoon I was talking with volunteer Kitty LeFey in the hallway outside the Suite A solarium, comparing notes on recent interactions with one particular cat. We turned our attention to an approaching visitor and saw that he had Bode in his arms. He explained that when he and a female visitor opened the door to exit the Kitten Suite, Bode slipped out too. (She must have decided she wasn’t done with their company.) And as you see on this screen, Bode also enjoys playing with a visitor’s shoelaces.

So you’re forewarned about Bode’s proclivities in case you visit Tabby’s Place.  I hope you can!

Until next month, I wish you good cats and all good things.

Your correspondent,
John