Dearest Friend,

As a dear friend of Tux, you are well aware of his many wonderful gifts and qualities. This month, I witnessed first hand the calming presence of Tux and his amazing impact on others.

One of Tux’s long-time feline friends in the Community Room is Aries. Aries has endured a list of unfortunate and rare medical conditions, the likes of which we have not dealt with before. When his symptoms flare, Aries can be very uncomfortable. To help with his comfort, he gets medication two times a day, and Aries really dislikes getting his meds. For the staff, this means a daily routine of “keep away” as Aries attempts to avoid getting his medications. We typically have to grab a teammate to help catch him.

I am quite familiar with the process as I help to medicate our cats every week. But this one Sunday evening was different. There are a number of medications given in the Community Room in the evenings, and both Tux and Aries get medicated as the last two in the room. During the entire time that I was tending to the various Community Room cats, Tux and Aries were curled up together on Ginny’s desk chair. I knew they were there and kept thinking Aries was going to run the next time I looked his way. But this particular evening, he didn’t run.

When his turn came around, he was still on the chair with Tux. I prepped his medications and approached while talking to Tux. When I reached for Aries, he didn’t run, and he barely flinched. He calmly took his pills along with some water to wash them down. Only then did Aries get up and leave.

I was shocked. It was the easiest medication episode I had ever had with Aries.

Another staff member was working at the conference table in the room at the time. When I announced that I had just had the best medicating experience with Aries ever, they were surprised and asked, “Wait, did you just medicate him?”

There was no drama. The only explanation I had was the calming presence of our favorite gentleman cat, Tux.

This season, Tux wants nothing more than to share his sense of calm and peace with you, dearest friend. He knows that he is loved and cherished (even while receiving medications), and wants to thank you for providing your loving calm that can weather any storm.

Tux and I send warm wishes for a beautiful and peaceful season.

Your Correspondent,
Lisa