Cat's Cafe by Gwen Tarpley for February 01, 2022

I have been worrying about you! Now that I know it was some down time and that you are coming back up, I can breathe easier. Matt, never forget you have your cafe’ patrons to lean on or if you just need anything at all… ask. xxx

So glad you are getting help! I do find that some very smart and creative people, tend to suffer from this. We support you and will gladly wait for you, when you are ready.

I have no doubt, that when we need it most, we’ll smell coffee brewing and you’ll be there.

I am glad you are getting a handle on things. I am sure we are all here for you, even if we will probably never meet in person.

Thank you for the update, and self-care is important

Depression is insidious in its ability to sneak into our lives until we think we’re beyond hope. We’re not. I’m glad you’re getting help. Your creativity is still inside. Take the time to heal and we’ll all still be here. Been there. There’s light at the top of that box.

Yep, depression sucks. I know all about it from my own experience. I love your strip and hope all is well for you soon.

very brave of you to share your story. Glad to hear you are getting what you need. Oh, and love the strip…

Thanks for checking in Matt/Cat. It must be hard to create a lovely, sane and gentle world when your own is not. Getting professional help is a good step, so take the time you need and those who love you and the Cafe world will be happy to be here when you return. Hugs.

We never left. =^..^= Love you.

Thank you for the update Matt. Take care of yourself first. We’ll be here when you get back.

Matt – A good cup of “coffee” needs time to fully develop its flavor. I’ll wait. Take care.

counting on it, patiently. ;)

Oh thank you for the update, Mr. Tarpley! I was really starting to worry that we’d lost you and Cat.

No fear – take the time to get the help you need, find your center once again, and feel creativity brewing in your soul like a cup of Cat’s finest. Depression is an ugly beast, but with time and work, it can be beaten. I wish you health and joy.

“Depression doesn’t take away your talents—it just makes them harder to find.” — Lady Gaga

Look for those tiny points of light in the darkness and follow them back to Cat’s Cafe.

I am eagerly awaiting your return…I have been worried about you.

FINALLY

We never left! We knew you’d been thru some exceedingly rough times & just kept prayin’ you’d come out the other side! Depression is an insidious thing to deal with & it sounds like you’ve gotten a grip on what to do. We’re rootin’ for you!!!!

Thank you for this update. I have been worried about you. Take care of yourself. Your fans here support you and wish you the best.

Always here. Be good and healthy.

glad that you are getting the help that you need.

So glad you are finding help. We’re sending head boops and “pawsitive” thoughts.

Oh thank goodness you are okay, and most importantly taking care of yourself and hanging in there. I dropped a comment just this weekend when I went back and revisited the Christmas strip looking for any news. I finally read it correctly, and realized you might have been having a tough go and we all seemed to have missed it entirely. Dang. Just please know, we’re all here cheering you on in whatever you are doing with no pressure and no selfish expectations you have to entertain us. Just breathe in all the love around you, let it be a soft bandage while you do this important work of healing. We all only need you to feel better again, so let the pot simmer exactly as it needs to. Virtual encouraging smiles, and hugs if you take them.

Thanks for letting us know. Lot of us were starting to worry. Your strips have been here for me so many times, so of course I’m here for you, and so are many other readers. Love. Feel good. :-*

I was so happy and relieved to see this strip updated today! Glad to know you’re getting the help you need, after everything your strip has given us. Be well, and know you have a lot of folks in your corner, eagerly but patiently waiting to rejoice at your recovery.

So glad to see that you are ok and getting the help you need. I struggle with Depression as well and know what it’s like. Take the time you need and like others said, we’re all here for you!

You remind me of Pagliacci the clown. People all over the world turned to him for comfort and relief, and all the while he was depressed and miserable. So many readers look to Cat’s Cafe for comfort and their uplifting messages, while the writer of these uplifting messages is suffering. I’m sorry for your pain and I hope you are able to overcome it.

Depression is a beast. But please know that you have a community of well-wishers here.

You take care of you, Matt! I’ve been there myself, and while it’s not easy, it can be beaten, whatever works for you :)

❤️❤️❤️ Take all the time you need. We will be here when you return! ❤️❤️❤️

I can’t say any more than what has already been said. I agree with everyone here. We love you, we love Cat’s Cafe and we are hoping for a good outcome no matter how long it takes. In your corner!!

Thank you for the update Matt, and I am glad to hear that you are getting the help you need. It is so very important to take care of yourself, especially now. We all understand, and wish you well during your recovery.

Thank you for the update. Having depression is a tough road to hoe (this I know personally), but it doesn’t have to be a permanent roadblock (which I also know personally). It is not a sign of weakness to avail yourself of the resources that are available.

I love your gentle sense of humor and sweet storylines. We’ll all be patiently awaiting the strip’s return, and in the meantime… There’s always a review of the old strips or the book!

I am patiently enjoying my tea and hoping that you feel much better in the near future.

Thanks for the update, it’s been a time of loss and difficulty for so many. Although it may sometimes seem like it, you are not alone. And congratulations on the well deserved Webtoon Canvas Award!

Glad to see you back, Matt – Cat’s Cafe and Georgia Dunn’s Breaking Cat News are my two all-time favourite cartoons, hands down! Please take your time and move at your own pace, and remember a lot of people you’ve never met are thinking of you and wishing you well.

No pressure from us! Love your art and your gentle messages.

So glad to hear from you (and Cat!) and just know that you are not alone. Thankful you are receiving help. Sometimes the hardest step is that first one towards self-care. We will all be waiting patiently for when Cat is ready again to open up the cafe.

I’m so glad you touched base with us. Take the time you need; we’ll be here.

Cat’s Cafe is so helpful to us, I really wish we could host such a place for you!

You have been missed! So glad to see you back and to know how strong you are, even if you did not feel strong for a while. God bless.

Thank you for caring for yourself. That is a truly brave act and I respect and admire you for doing it!

Better living through chemistry…not just a catch phrase.

Hoping for the best for you. Explore your inner self, follow instructions, take meds as prescribed and do NOT stop the routine because you feel better today. Be ever vigilant or it will sneak back in and bite you in the ass.

I get it. I really do. The therapist helped me a lot. Just talking helped.

And, i’ll admit, a little antidepressant helps me now.

Thank you Matt/cat!

Matt, I feel your pain. I fight depression also. You’re in my prayers my friend.

I’m so glad you’re getting help, taking action can be so hard. Stay with it and I’ll be pulling for you.

So very happy to see you are back Matt! I was worried that something was amiss. And so very glad you are getting help! Believe me, there are those of us who understand more deeply than you know. Don’t be afraid to reach out. We’re here.

Hi Cat! (and anyone else who needs to hear – better said BELIEVE!!! – this) You are loved even if you don’t realize it.

Best of luck, Matt. I hope everything goes perfectly for you. We will be watching.

Cat’s Cafe is always worth waiting for. We love you and will wait as long as we have to. A word from you makes life much happier.

Take care of yourself. Please know your work is much appreciated. It’s always a bright spot on any day.

Cat, we’re keeping a place on the sofa warm for you!

I agree with ALL the positive comments that have been (& will be) posted!

I am happy to hear you are seeking help. My prayers for a better future. Now, go have a nice cup of coffee at Cat’s Cafe.

No problems, Matt. Depression is not an easy thing to deal with. I’m just glad you’re healing. Take as long as you need.

I’m finally getting a handle on my depression. Some days I don’t feel like I’m balancing on the sharp edge of a knife blade. I discovered, along with therapy and anti-depressants, that a good walk, no matter how cold or hot it is outside, helps. That and looking up at the sky and everything around me.

So Sorry to hear that you have been suffering. Take care of yourself first, and know that your efforts with Cat’s Cafe are appreciated.

You are in the thoughts and prayers of all of us. Cat’s Cafe is one of the bright spots in this dismal world, but it won’t be if you don’t take care of your pain first. Purrs and hugs going out to you.

The holidays after the loss of loved ones can be especially hard. Getting through Thanksgiving and Christmas is like getting throughScylla and Charybdis. Add in New Year and you’ve got the Bermuda Triangle of seasonal depression.

We’re with you regardless. Strength and hope to YOU my friend.

Please realize your little comic uplifts a lot of people, myself included

Hang in there !There are a lot of us out here dealing with similar things and rooting for you !

Thank you for your honesty, Matt. I fight depression too. It takes courage to get help. Depression is hard to recognise at first.

Ah, great to know that i can have my mind lifted out from naturally-occuring stress with more funny and wholesome strips.

Blessings. Things will be better. Remember to “Give thanks in all circumstances.”

Many hugs.

Glad to see you back on here. Your art is always sweet, and your characters are relatable. I’m a fairly new reader who started reading about the time your father died, so I can understand the depression issues. I’m glad you’re getting some help. See you soon! {{Hugs}}

welcome back :) depression is rough

So glad you are back. Just know that so many people love you, have missed you, and gladyou are getting help.

I too suffer from chronic depression and I can’t imagine how people managed to deal with it when it was untreatable and unmentionable. You do the world an important service by talking about it. You also unleash the support of this amazing group of fans. I wish you all the best.

thank you 11/10

Thanks for the check-in and your reassurances. I am glad you’re getting the help you need. We will be here when you feel up to it. It has been a rough couple of years for so many. Your comic is a soft and bright place to come. THANK YOU!

Matt,

I learned of your strip through people on Breaking Cat News. I tried it out, and I liked it very much. So now you are bookmarked, and I look forward to reading you every time you create something new.

The demons we carry with us are the hardest to handle. We often find it easier to help others through their troubles before we help ourselves. So please rest assured we are here and love your work. If you want to air anything on your mind, all you have to do is post it. We have an Orb full of listeners.

Therefore, chin up, and march on. I look forward to my next cup of coffee at the Cat Cafe.

P.S. I self-medicate with Martinis. How about Cat Cafe & Bar? Just saying… :-)

Please, take good care of yourself, Matt. Be to yourself what Cat is to everyone! It’s going to be okay.

Take your time. Your mental health is much more important. Your strip brings much joy and mirth to your readers and you are a precious gem. Thanks for the update and get well! XOXO!

Glad you have taken time to care for yourself. Prayers and purrs for your continued healing. I love the gentleness of Cat’s Cafe. We’ll always be here whenever you’re ready.

You have the love and support of so many, please take care of yourself first. We care!

Take all the time you need, I know that mental health should go before anything else. Wish you well.

Thanks for the update, Matt. Big hugs and love to you! Come back when you’re ready.

Glad you realized you needed help and went and got it. Stay strong!

Cat always ends on a positive note. We could all learn a lot from him.

Depression sucks!! Good thing you’re getting the help you need. Lots of familiar names here, BTW.

Matt, I thought you might like to know about the new life of the plushie version of Hyena that I bought when you did the fund raiser. I gave him to a little boy who lives on an organic farm and has a beautiful woodland to roam in too. He absolutely adores Hyena. His Mom sent me a photo of the two of them playing on a jungle gym. I also gave them a copy of your book and he loves to ‘read’ it with his Mom. He knows the characters and asks for them by name. The picture warms my heart and reminds me of Pooh with his Christopher Robin. When the second book comes out, I will get that one for my little friend too.

We’ll be here when you’re feeling better. <3

I feel your pain Matt. Be brave. Be strong. Be well. XOX

We are so lucky to have this comic to lift our spirits. However, never forget to prioritize your own well-being. We can wait as long as you need.

Matt, you’ve been missed! I check Cat’s Cafe every few days, but missed this new post until alerted by my fellow BCN fans (there’s some audience crossover between your strip and Georgia’s). Glad you’re feeling better and that you’ve taken steps to get the help you need. We’ll keep checking back and will be thrilled any time we see a new strip. Take care and remember to be kind to yourself.

Bless you cat – we’re always here for you, keeping the coffee warm :-)

I’d like to say that we all miss you, and you are still bringing us joy with your comics, even if they aren’t posted regularly. Please take your time you need, and know that we appreciate you no matter what. It may be a small thing to say, but I will always say. YOU ARE LOVED :)

Monday I went back to the tribute to your fur baby, and had a good cry. I still have “Molly days,” and she has been gone 3 years. I knew something was wrong, and have been hoping we’d hear from you. You bring joy and smiles to a lot of people. Stay positive, stay strong.

My hubby and I both know how depression makes life anemic and pale. I’m glad you’re getting help in these troubled times.

I heard of your comic and recent struggles from someone at Doodle Town. I’m glad they suggested I stop by and I am now following your strip.

I know about my own struggles with depression and wish you a clear path out. Use your support network, and if you don’t have one, build one. A good therapist is a decent start. Maybe medication would help, but only you can determine that…

I’ll be here supporting you Matt, as we all will. Blessing

Thanks for updating! Hope you feel better soon…

Thanks for the update, Matt. Take care of yourself first … that’s #1. We’ll be here when you’re ready to return. Best wishes.

I am so glad to hear that Cat’s Cafe is here to stay! I was worried it had stopped unannounced (or I just missed the announcement, as I seem to do with much of life!) Many of us can relate to the quagmire of depression, and lack of motivation (or inspiration) that goes with it. Please know that we empathize with the dark stretches and are just happy for any creations you share.

We are all glad you are back and we will always be with you.

Behind in my comic reading but wanted to add to all the support and love already expressed here. Many of us have fought this battle and know how hard it can be. Thank you for being brave and telling us what is going on so we know and can send good juju and hugs through the ether. On hard days, or any day, sit and let all that warmth and love wrap around you and breathe in the support and let it fill you with strength.

I love this strip, stay safe!

And stay happy!

You can do this, Matt. We support you. No rush.