Dear Friends of Tux,

Tux greeted the New Year much like I welcomed 2021—with hope, relief, and a healthy sense of caution. While it seemed that the holiday season may have brought peace to the Community Room kitties, the new year seemed to bring with it further tensions and discontent.

It is easy to forget that Tux has ongoing medical issues when he goes month-to-month with healthy reports. Tux continues to experience good health but did give us a few days of concern when he began hyper salivating for an unexplained reason. We suspected that he was constipated, but the situation seemed to resolve itself before the medical team could investigate further.

Since this singular episode at the beginning of the month, Tux has been back to routine physical health but is experiencing increased levels of psychological stress surrounding roommate issues. Tensions between Tux and Indiana have returned. There have been mornings where the physical evidence (black fur tufts) indicate overnight scuffles. In order to alleviate overnight tensions and address some of Indiana’s health issues, he is once again being crated overnight while the cats have the building to themselves.

After learning of Tux’s troubles with Indiana, a dear feline friend sent Tux a special holiday gift of a super fluffy pink poof bed. Upon opening, it took Tux all of thirty seconds to decide that this was indeed the best bed ever. He settled right in and was soon joined by his friend Sammy.

Word of the new wonder bed spread quickly. Sammy snuggled up in it a few times while Tux was adventuring elsewhere. Dani discovered it one afternoon and was rather put out that she had to be removed to have her bladder expressed. Indiana was otherwise occupied and oddly ignored the new bed. It seemed the gift had ushered in a new era of truce.

When Myrna discovered the pink poof, there was no turning back. Myrna is old, arthritic, and incontinent with a host of other health issues. We keep her comfortable and content with minimal medications and fluids. Myrna loves her Fancy Feast kibble and spends nearly all of her days napping in warm cozy spots. In spite of her arthritis, she climbs stairs to warm windows. It is unclear precisely when or where Myrna first discovered the pink poof bed, but she was instantly captivated by its snuggly softness. The next thing we knew, Myrna had figured out how to climb onto the office desks just to get to the beloved bed.

Always the gentleman, Tux was happy to share his bed with his friend Sammy and content to let others “try it out.” When Myrna discovered (and claimed) his bed, Tux kindly let her be. Since Myrna leaks urine, the bed is frequently laundered and air-dried to preserve its poof.

Now Tux finds himself with less frequent access to his beloved bed. Meanwhile, Indiana has become less settled (our medical team continues to evaluate his health needs). While I don’t want to project too much, these coinciding factors have left Tux a bit more apprehensive as the winter continues. But Tux is patient and Tux is kind, and Tux is so very grateful for your support (and his pink poof bed) as he greets the New Year.

Your Correspondent,
Lisa