Events and eves, especially events that occur on eves are exhausting, as evidenced by the residents of Tabby’s Place.Being “on” takes everything, and cats need very much rest to maintain their shine, floof, zip, and zoom. But, there’s a very special kind of sleep that happens on the day after an eve, especially an eventful eve. Towards year end, there are several days that pack an extra punch. It begins with Thanksgiving With The Cats, zooms through Giving Tuesday, and catapults us all into the new year.
New Year’s Day, as ever the day after New Year’s Eve, is always a day for restoration and reflection (and for enjoying The Mummers Parade for those of us closely tied to Philadelphia, PA, USA. There’s so much more than steak sandwiches and cream cheese!).
For the cats of Tabby’s Place, New Year’s Day is also the perfect time to catch up on some extra sleep with an abundance of cat naps. Such it is that on the day after such an eve as New Year’s Eve, cats from all over the sanctuary present a united front…and one grand unified yawn.
As the cats stretch out, curl up, and drip liquidly in favored resting spots, we can take a moment or three to reflect on the prior year and look futureward into the coming year.
In 2024, Tabby’s Place became old enough to legally drink alcoholic beverages in the United States. Twenty-one years is, at once, an eon and a brief moment. At the same time, we celebrated the first anniversary of the grand opening of Quinn’s Corner. With another year’s worth of experience, we have learned that, as the fabulous Jess Hand puts it, the more we learn about FeLV, the less we know about it. One thing we do know for sure is that having a FeLV+ designation does not slow Oram down. The only thing that slows him down is absolute exhaustion.
Another thing we learned is that not everything that sounds like laryngeal paralysis is, in fact, laryngeal paralysis. Jack, happily adopted at the beginning of November, played a giant joke on us all. But, Dr. Fantastic (that collective of outstanding specialists and caregivers) confirmed that Jack suffered from an inflammation. Nevertheless, we were grateful for the reminder of lost loves Stanley and Glenn, and we’re thrilled to consider the joy Jack’s forever family feels whenever he, “Nom noms” over his dinner. We are always grateful to Dr. Fantastic, even when what we learn is that a beloved friend like Tucker will leave us before we are ready (We are never ready.).
2024 was, as every year before and each year to come, a mixture of highs and lows. The best days are the most boring days that resemble train tracks rather than rollercoasters. But, we take each day as it comes. And, we are grateful for days like the one when signs appeared on 3 doors announcing that 3 adored residents had officially survived FIP: Juel, Baby Yoda, and Salami (ADOPTED!). The life-saving treatment that became available in the US in June means that Tabby’s Place, thanks to The Linda Fund, will be able to do even more to help save cats in hopeless situations. Wait, adjust that. FIP is no longer a hopeless situation. Yes, FIP is still a threat. Yes, the treatment is long. Yes, it is important to provide a quiet, low-stress recovery environment for the recuperating kitty. But, YES!!! FIP has a treatment protocol, and that is big news for a sanctuary filled with felines…and more felines.
Over the summer, a sea of under-socialized cats joined the rank and file of the residents at Tabby’s Place. Each one has needed extra attention – some medical, all socialization, some both. Waves of care from stunning staff and fantastic volunteers have enabled incredible intakes to result in several adoptions and burgeoning, cross-species friendships.
Sweetie came in on his own because a loving individual wanted to give him the best chance at a quality life despite an FeLV+ diagnosis. Gallium and Chromium came from a house of many cats who relied solely on other cats for their social needs. All three are at different stages of comfort with people. Sweetie no longer runs all the way away all at once. When he runs, he stops and watches. It’s an improvement! Honest! Chromium is learning to appreciate pets (from a very awkward position) and hand-fed chicken. Gallium, now free of a terrible ear infection, has learned that the hands that give chicken also pet freely, and she has become vocal in requesting those pets. These are all steps that promise a cozier, more comfortable 2025.
And, January 1, 2025 is where we are today.
It is a day for remembering.
It is a day for looking forward.
Tomorrow, the reality of the work that is yet to be done will begin to sink in. For today, though – the day after the eve of yesterday – we get to rest along with the cats. We can follow their lead to restore our lustre, shine, zip, and zoom. Tomorrow can wait. Right now, it’s time for a catnap.