Grand Central Station in New York City is a pretty busy place. So is Tabby’s Place!
As evidenced by the presence of Kenzo, Suite B is challenging the train terminals for busiest of known spaces. The level of recent turnarounds in the suite have been many (Maybe the suite needs a turnstile instead of a door.). Happily, the pace of pass-throughs is all due to the success of the amazing Adoptions Team.
Under the guidance of terrific team lead Carolyn, several recent arrivals to the suite are also on the list of recent departures. These travelers include Sebastian and Lita, Linus, and Kai. Every single one of these wondercats (Aren’t they all?) was introduced to promising potential adopters. Every single one of these wondercats caught homebound rides with their forever families. That’s why there was ample room for Kenzo’s introduction to the suite. That’s also why Kenzo was able to make a literal grab for my attention through the crate bars during a visit just before his full integration into the room.
Kenzo is a well-traveled Tabby’s Place resident. His arrival required an airplane and a car. His passport provided clearance to enter the country. Originally from Lebanon, this vision in black and white was treated for a severe eye infection. He also has bilateral microphthalmia, which does not seem to bother him in the least. It isn’t clear that much bothers Kenzo. Anyone can see that he is playful and unconcerned with anything except being a cat. What is less easily seen is whether or not Kenzo can see. Not that sight matters. Kenzo has cat-empathy and can see things far beyond the capacity of humans. And, since completely blind residents like Rashida, Polly, and Boa are well-adapted and happy, there is no reason to expect anything less for Kenzo.
Getting back on track (Did you see that metaphor coming down the rail?), what is most important is that Kenzo is a great cat. He is very adorable and very sweet. He truly does not need to grab with his little paws in order to grab attention. And, since the recent wave of departures (ADOPTIONS!!! WOOHOO!!), there is plenty of room for Kenzo to settle in and get to know his suitemates.
But, it’s not clear if Kenzo should bother to unpack his bags.
Through outreach efforts, adoption applications are flying in. The Adoptions Team’s calendar is filled with meetings. The front door of the sanctuary is in need of a set of turnstiles for the number of empty carriers that are brought in and are then carried out with cats or kittens on their way to their forever destinations. Volunteers have been enlisted to support the staff that make up the core of the Adoptions Team, receptionists are helping with adoption contracts, and cats we’ve just begun to love are waving their tails in swishy farewells.
Whether Kenzo will be part of the next wave to move out of Suite B and on to forever faster than a cat’s heartbeat is yet to be known. Maybe he’ll stick around for a while, and we’ll get to know him even better. If he stays, it will be because he didn’t make his connection…yet. That’s okay. Carolyn, Rey, and Tiff – that amazing Adoptions Team – will line up the right meetings with the right people. When the paperwork is complete and the time and people are right, Kenzo will catch a carrier to his forever home. There will be mixed sadness and joy at his departure, and then we’ll prepare ourselves for the next arrival.
Oh, wait…this just in: the newest arrival is here. She’s a dark grey tabby named Ursula.
Umm…no…correction: Timothy is the newest arrival.
Nope, Timothy has already gone to his forever home.
Okay, so, the newest arrivals in Suite B are two young, stunning males named Cashmere and Suede.
PHEW!!
Oh, wait, there’s gossip! Overheard (okay, it was said really loudly and excitedly), another cat in suite B went on hold for adoption. I can neither confirm nor deny that it is Kenzo. If all goes to plan, the lucky kitty will soon be off to a forever home, and that will make room for the next newest arrival.
Seriously, the door should at least be painted to look like a turnstile.