Can you feel it, dear ones?
That tickle on the back of your neck…that smoky sweetness in the air…the sight of kittens growing into gloriously gawky teenagers…
It’s autumn, and it’s almost upon us!
I hope the scent of this sweet new season finds you in good health and good spirits. I’m grateful to report that last month’s littles — the Disney litter — are thriving, growing like Alice after she ate the magic cakes, and already finding their forever homes. Tabby’s Place’s experiment in “virtual adoptions,” in which potential adopters “meet” cats via Zoom, continues to go swimmingly, to the joy of everyone involved.
But a new month means we’re involved in new stories, and this time around, you’ll find us in the Sunflower fields of September. As summer took its final bows, we took in two extraordinary sisters: Sunflower and Olivia.
Alumnae of a TNR colony, these lookalike loves sadly share more than their creamsicle coloring. Both Sunflower and Olivia are facing a fearsome battle. But, I’m getting ahead of myself.
Sunflower first found her way onto our radar when a colony caretaker let us know one of the cats had something very wrong with her nose. We arranged to trap the timid orange-and-white angel. No sooner had we met this bright blossom than we were collectively in love. Although Sunflower wasn’t so certain about us, we were smitten, slain and snockered by her. As gentle as she is adorable, this aging beauty is a gift to all she meets.
But sadly, Sunflower came bearing a very unwanted “gift:” a frightful lesion on her nose. Our worst fears were confirmed when a biopsy revealed squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). This serious form of cancer took the life of Tabby’s Place’s namesake. We were all heartbroken by the diagnosis. But, SCC is by no means a certain death sentence, and Tabby’s Place is no stranger to miracles.
As it turns out, we’re also no stranger to Sunflower’s kin. Shortly after her arrival, we welcomed her sister Olivia. Every inch as beautiful as “Sunnie,” Olivia is equally anxious around humans, equally extraordinary…and, we fear, equally afflicted with SCC. Olivia, too, has a suspicious lesion on her nose. As of this writing, we’re awaiting confirmation that Olivia is battling the same foe as Sunflower.
And as of this writing, we’re focusing on two forms of treatment: medical and…well, mushy.
In addition to cancer, Sunflower and Olivia are facing a lifetime of hesitation about humans. We don’t blame these beautiful girls; they’ve had very limited (albeit positive) interaction with our species, and they’re not quite ready for hugs and kisses. But, given their medical issues, they’re definitely not ready to return outside — and, most likely, they will never do so.
That means it’s up to us to do everything in our power to make Tabby’s Place a field of flowers, peace and blessedness for two brave old girls.
At this point, Olivia and Sunnie spend much of their time hanging out on top of the ramps in their Tabby’s Place suite. They’re comfortable with other cats, but prefer to keep their distance from us. That’s quite alright; it’s our calling to love them exactly as they are, and, day by day, to make sure they know they’re cherished.
Forever.
This time next month, we’ll have a better sense of the best course of treatment for Olivia and Sunflower. We’re working with a world-class oncologist, and I’ll look forward to bringing you that news.
Meantime, I thank you from the depths of my heart. Especially in this strangest of years, you are helping to keep hope blooming at Tabby’s Place, and beyond our doors, in the lives of all the TNR kitties we nurture. Most of the world wouldn’t even notice cats like Sunflower and Olivia. But because you have the kind of hearts you do, there is a kind of heaven on earth for these two creamsicle girls.
Thank you, more than words can ever express. It gives my heart peace knowing there are people like you in this world!
Your correspondent,
Angela