Dear Friend of Tux,

Happy New Year to you!

Tux has much to celebrate as we launch 2025, and his celebratory spirit is all because of your love and devotion to keeping him healthy and happy. Thank you for loving him so much!

Aside from a few days with a bit of nausea after breakfast, Tux has been in good health this month.

We know that festivities are not really on the program for elderly cats, but Tux ushered in the new year wearing his finest fur tuxedo, ready for anything. I got to wish him a Happy New Year first thing on New Year’s morning. He greeted me with sleepy eyes full of warmth and love. I assured him that you wished him a joyful year too!

There is no doubt that winter has come to Ringoes, NJ! We ended up enjoying a white Christmas and have watched several snow falls already this month. For all the perks of having access to a solarium, Tux is perfectly content to enjoy his draft-free window view, without worry.

On the coldest and windiest days, we usher all the cats indoors and keep the solarium cat doors locked. While this keeps the cats out of the frigid weather, a bit of the cold air inevitably sneaks in and can make the neighboring suite rather chilly. To keep the cats toasty warm, we have set up extra heated beds in both the solariums and in some of the suites. The staff are always looking out for our older and more delicate kitties.

For several months, Tux has been meaning to share some secrets of his friendship with Patches. As a friend of Tux, I know you have heard of Patches before. She is a lovely dilute calico lady who likes to snuggle with other cats in warm beds and windows. Patches has asthma and receives daily medication to manage her condition. She’s considered a senior cat, but she’s a spring kitten compared to Tux.

It is not at all uncommon to find Tux and Patches sharing a sunbeam or a fluffy blanket. Sometimes they are even found in what we can only imagine are deep and philosophical conversations. But what Tux, always the gentleman, has been reluctant to share is that Patches doesn’t always respect his personal space and gets a little too cozy.

In the human world, Tux would have many reasons to file a formal complaint with human resources, but Tux rarely complains about anything and tolerates Patches’s excessive snuggling, kneading, and suckling. Yes, Patches enjoys laying beside or on top of poor Tux while kneading and suckling on him like a nursing kitten with its mother. She has tried this with other cats in the Community Room, but they have all rejected her quite clearly.

I’ve known cats who interacted similarly with their human companions, wool sweaters, or plush blankets, but never another adult cat. Tux never seems to enjoy these moments, but he also never puts up a fuss. Patches is his friend and he would never want to hurt her feelings. Perhaps the time has come to provide Patches with a security blanket or plush friend.

As you cozy up with a warm blanket and toast to a new year with those you love, know that Tux is toasting you!

Your correspondent,
Lisa