Dear Friend of Tux,

There are certain advantages to getting older. Yes, there are disadvantages too, but since Tux is forever the optimist, he focuses on the perks of being an elderly cat and prefers to gloss over the inconveniences (like being prescribed daily medication for nausea and reflux). This month we wanted to highlight some of these perks with you, our dear friend. 

1. Frequent naps.

When you reach an advanced age as a cat, the humans in your life don’t question how many hours of the day you spend at rest. In fact, they seem hesitant to disturb you from slumber and really only do so with good intentions in mind. 

Tux is frequently in some state of rest when I visit him in the Community Room, and I almost always try to avoid waking him. Of course, the one exception is when I have to give a dose of daily medication. But even then, if I can postpone the disturbance, I will do so.

Since I’ve come to expect Tux to be napping when I enter the room, it is always a pleasant and noteworthy surprise to find him awake and active. Just recently, I entered the Community Room, and Tux was directly across from me, pausing at the water fountain. I recall him looking at me with his cute smirk as I thought to myself, “Oh, Tux is awake and enjoying a drink.” There was absolutely nothing remarkable about the scene, but when you are old like Tux, such simple moments are worthy of reflection, at least in the eyes of your human friends.

2. Accommodating friends.

When you are an elderly gentleman cat, it is not just your human friends that respect your needs. Tux is fortunate to have a younger and accommodating feline friend in Gulliver. You know Gulliver, as he and Tux have shared a multi-year friendship. The two recently shared a prolonged afternoon snuggle that prompted a series of photos from multiple staff members. 

The first photo (see above) showed the pair curled up head to head in a loosely heart-shaped pattern. The second one showed them positioned head to tail in what one staff member called a yin/yang formation. Both scenes were sweet to behold.

It wasn’t until later, when I looked at the photos side by side, that I could see, based on positioning, that Tux was the first one on the cozy chair positioned in the prime location. Gulliver, who is nearly double the size of Tux, is practically falling off the edge of the chair. At some point, Tux must have stood and repositioned himself. Gulliver, being the respectful friend that he is, did not encroach on Tux’s space. When I realized how much room Tux had and how Gulliver could have easily rolled right off the chair, I couldn’t help but chuckle. 

3. Tasty snacks

Tux is not a food-motivated cat. He enjoys his kibble in moderation and is rather particular about his wet food. I frequently find Tux completely ignoring his meal tray, even though it was lovingly placed right in front of him. [At our annual Volunteer Appreciation Picnic, our executive director, Jonathan, actually commented on how it always makes him smile that our cats are so well loved by our volunteers that our cats barely need to move to enjoy their next meal, because each cat will be sought out and personally served no matter where they are.]

Tux’s friend, Ginny, keeps a special stock of Tux’s favorite treats so that he always has extra choices if a particular meal doesn’t tickle his fancy. During a recent staff lunch-and-learn workshop, we assembled in the Community Room and were treated to a special meal. Ginny’s lunch came with a side of fries, and something in the air caught Tux’s interest. 

Rest assured that we are very careful about providing only appropriate and approved foods to our dear felines, but perhaps the best perk of being a cat of advanced age is the tendency for your human friends to permit the occasional indulgence. As you can see in the video below, Tux strongly approves of this particular perk. No one would dream of offering a french fry to young Gulliver, but Tux has certainly earned the rare treat. 

Thank you for loving Tux and savoring all the perks that come with age, right by his side.

Your Correspondent,
Lisa