I have to admit I took a time out this summer. It’s been a long time coming. I spent four glorious days with my three daughters at a beach house in Pismo, the following week we took a road trip to Texas and hired cat sitters for our fur-girls for 10 days. This was an adjustment for all of us.
Meanwhile, while we were gone, the editor worked on Book 58 of the Klepto Cat Mysteries. I returned, spent a couple of weeks putting the finishing touches on this book and it is with the formatter as we speak. The cover is also being designed. So watch for the debut of Book 58 soon.
Of course Book 9 of the Calico Cat Mysteries is in the works. I predict you’ll have that book in your hands sometime in late September.
I’ve been posting here for 13 years and I’ve shared thousands of posts on a variety of topics related to cats—cat art, feeding cats, caring for cats, cat psychology, cat DNA, cat stories, cat books, cat personalities, indoor-versus-outdoor cats, purebred cats, cat rescue, celebrities and cats, research related to cats, cat products, cat ailments, and so much more. I’ve shared true stories of the uplifting kind as well as those 
none of us like to read unless there’s a happy ending for the cat. I’ve introduced you to specific cats of all species including wild varieties. We’ve talked about plays and movies featuring cats and with a cat theme, and cats performing unusual and important tasks.
Here, you’ve met cats with unusual friends such as a horse, a dog, or a bird and famous cats from the past.
Certainly when we want specific information or perspective related to cats we do an internet search, but I found a site this week that carries stories on just about any cat-related topic you can imagine—medical, safety, events, news, rescue, statistics—this site seem to have it all. If you’re as curious as your cat is, and if you have a question or two about some aspect of your cat or cats in general or issues related to cats, visit this site and see what you can find.
While waiting to see our veterinarian this week I observed a large dog lying at his owner’s feet—a stuffed toy nearby. I talk to dogs and cats, you see—and birds, so I greeted the dog as I walked by, saying, “Oh, how cute. You brought your toy with you.”
pay any attention to it until we get home. He doesn’t want anyone to see him playing with his toy. He does that in private.” She said, “He’s totally ignoring the toy.”
unless they’re in the mood. Our sweet torbie, Lily, loved small stuffed toys and she had quite a collection. We kept them in a basket and every morning, she’d pick out a toy and bring it to me. She didn’t want me to toss it or anything, she just wanted to present me with a gift. Some mornings I received a pile of gifts from Lily, but there were a couple of definite favorites among them. Lily often picked out her stuffed baby possum, her stuffed turtle, and a tiny raggedy bear.
box once and she unpacked a stuffed toy that to her last days was her favorite. She would lay with it, roll around with it, and bat it across the floor. When Sophie was younger, she loved tossing stuffed mice by the tail and pouncing on them.
taken out of the basket for her–usually small balls, furry mice, and just about anything that she can chase over our wood floors.
We are among the large number of cat owners who have dealt with or are dealing with cats suffering kidney disease. Many of you are treating your cats with fluids and feeding special food to give the cat a longer and more comfortable rest of its life.
over a year to offer her a beautiful rest of her life—weekly for a while, then more often.
Kidney disease seems to be so prevalent in cats. Why? Is it the food we feed them or just the way cats are wired? I’d like to come across information/research with some sort of lifelong care we can provide for our cats to help keep the kidneys functioning. Maybe someday.
cats living in Europe that scientists began researching it. Staggering Disease causes a cat to lose control of its limbs, suffer with tremors, seizures and there is no known cure. This disease has been known for half century, previously associated with encephalitis. While it’s a disease affecting mostly domestic cats, it is also seen in a variety of wild animals.
Research teams have finally isolated the virus that causes the disease—now to find a cure. Here’s that story: 
The Highlander—a cross between the Desert Lynx and the Jungle Cat. Evidently this new cat is still in the experimental stage, but basically it will mature to weigh 10 to 20 pounds, it’s polydactyl, has curly ears, and these cats love being in the water.
You might have heard of the Cheetoh and the Ojos Azules (Blue Eyes), but what about the tiniest cats—the Minskin, weighing only 4 to 6 pounds and the ToyBob, another very small breed.
Tennessee Rex, which is a natural mutation. This cat has a curly, satin-like coat. There’s a picture of him at this website, as well.
As I mentioned Monday we had cat sitters for a recent ten-day trip. Kathy is a seasoned cat lover. Valerie prefers dogs and people, but was willing to spend time with Sophie and Olivia to help us out.
others—that maybe she will be more trusting when our family and friends visit.
If you have indoor cats you most likely have damage somewhere in your home. Even some outdoor cats, like my mother’s cat, Smokey, had favorite places where he clawed. Just look at this box he claimed as his own and decorated to suit him. Mama just let him have at it since it was in the garage and it wasn’t a chair or a sofa.
do. Once they move in with you they find something that suits their fancy and they make it theirs. In our house with Olivia it is the sweet small recliner chair we bought at a yard sale some years ago. I’ve used tin foil on it, sticky plastic, commands (No, Olivia! No! No!). But as you can see 
she has managed to leave her mark. Does she consider this her art form?
who came in twice a day to take care of their needs and to play with them each morning and evening. We were 
pleased to receive reports and pictures of the cats interacting with the caretakers as we traveled. We even returned to a clean house and well-fed and relaxed cats, but where was our greeting?
Olivia and Sophie, they preferred a game of hide and seek. They wanted no part of us. In fact we felt as though we’d been given a time-out. Does this happen at your house? Do your cats ignore you—shun you, after you’ve been gone?
lovely welcome home I’d hoped for. It was sweet. She was so affectionate and loving, and she has been ever since. I’m loving it, but it’s difficult to get anything done, as you can imagine. Olivia wants all of my time.
