For those of you who have dogs, there’s another pet food recall. This one’s for Evangers Hunk of Beef. Here’s the scoop: http://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/us-world-news/234086968-story
We explored the concept of having more than one cat last week. Today, I’d like to discuss the benefits of having more than one cat. In my world, two is a purrfect number. Here’s why: When you’re gone, the cats have each other, just in case they would be comforted by another being in their space. And when there are two cats, they’re more inclined to get the exercise they need. Our two—Lily and Sophie—play chase, peek-a-boo, and other games almost every evening. And if they don’t seem in the mood, I’ll give them something to get excited about—newspaper sections folded over like little tents, I’ll bring out toys they haven’t seen in a while, or introduce something entirely new.
Sometimes I’ll sit on the floor with them and wriggle a wand toy. If Lily’s in the mood, I’ll 
toss wads of paper for her to leap after and chase. Sophie usually sits that activity out. But she will show off her feline speed by racing up and down the hallway.
Some cats happily cozy up to dogs, hamsters, birds, or other types of animals. In my latest Klepto Cat Mystery story, Rags (the cat) enjoys a special relationship with the family horse, Peaches.
Do you find that your cats are happier with another cat in the house? Certainly some cats don’t get along together. Or they tolerate each other–heaven-forbid they play together, but it could happen when you aren’t looking.
Hey, did you watch the Hallmark Channel Kitten Bowl? They showed some toys I haven’t seen before–one was a kitten ball–like a hamster ball and boy did those kittens have fun rolling around inside there.
How do you show your cat affection? Some cat people just can’t keep their lips off an adorable kitty’s little head. It’s the human way of expressing love for our pet. But does this expression come across to your cat as love? Some behaviorists say that when you attempt to kiss your cat, she might recoil—fearing that you’re going to bite her. And most cats certainly don’t like being held in a bear hug.
sitting across the room or even at your feet staring at you? If you look at her, she may blink. Try blinking slowly at her and see if she returns the show of affection.
I’ve always been a cat-watcher. Well, they’re just so darned cute and interesting. And they have a lot to teach us. Have you ever watched a cat focus? They can flat out concentrate on one small thing forever as if they’re obsessed.
productive when they get regular breaks. (Did they learn that from their household cats?) The “break room” is an integral part of every business large and small, everywhere. Some forward-thinking employers even provide gyms for their workers—or even just a ping pong table, memberships to a local gym and an additional forty-five minutes or hour lunch-break for a workout.
I realize that my back and neck feel better if I take regular breaks—stretch, go for a walk—just move! And my mind works better when it gets breaks. A change in scenery and activity is often just what the doctor ordered.
home—not wanting to lead my cat astray or into danger. I had one cat who didn’t mind wearing a harness and I’d often take her outside on a long leash with me. But I didn’t try to take her out for a walk. Rags, in my Klepto Cat Mystery stories is leash-trained. Well, I must say, he’s not actually trained. He often pulls his mistress, Savannah, in direction she doesn’t want to go—but usually for a very good reason. But he does wear a harness—in fact, he’s usually eager to climb into his harness when it’s presented—and he does go outside for supervised activity.
What will you learn at a well check-up? You may find out that your cat is healthy and you should continue caring for her as you have been. Or the vet might discover that she has anemia, a flea problem, ingrown claws, the beginnings of kidney disease or something else you didn’t expect or notice. Certainly, you don’t want to learn that your cat has a disease, but you also don’t want her to suffer without treatment that could be helping her—a change in diet, for example.
You can’t tell it from his picture, but he’s actually half Ragdoll. His purebred ragdoll mother, Angel, rejected the ragdoll male she was introduced to and found herself outside one chilly night in Idaho being courted by neighborhorhood suitor. The result was a litter of three mismatched kittens. Smokey was the only male and the only shorthair. One female was a ragdoll look-alike and the other a beautiful long-haired calico. The only ragdoll trait Smokey got was his way of sleeping—always all sprawled out.
While he spends most of his time indoors, now (well, overnight, when it’s raining, when the gardeners are there, when it’s windy or when it’s cold), he demands his outdoor recreation anytime the sun’s out and the weather is pleasant. Along with his desire to be outside, he also has his own methods for entertaining my mother. His favorite one is to bring her gifts from the great outdoors—birds, lizards, once a baby gopher. He’s probably puzzled by her reaction. But he sure seems happy when she joins him in chasing after his catch when he turns it loose in the house. What a thoughtful cat.
Smokey also enjoys company. He has his favorites who drop 
by and that includes anyone who will give him treats. He likes riding around the house on Mama’s walker, sprawling in front of her chair in a sunny spot each morning, and sparring with their daily visitor—the neighborhood moocher, Gibbs.
pace and a respite for the brain. First, let’s remember that the author does a lot of sitting. Hours of sitting in the same position is hard on a skeleton. And, while the brain is certainly being exercised, it is being led down the same road, being used in the same way for hours and hours each day. For me, a different creative outlet is vital to the health of my soul and my primary work.
I’d like to officially announce the 21st book in the Klepto Cat Mystery Series. Merriment, Mayhem, and Meows.
scenarios for books featuring cats? It’s a puzzle to me. You might also wonder how I come up with posts for this blog five times a week—now numbering 500 posts. The ideas just come to me. I sit down to write a post or a story, often having no clue as to what I’ll write, and soon I’m deeply involved in fleshing out a theme or a story or a mystery.
