Pet sales in pet stores is a thing of the past in many states. In fact, more and more states are passing laws to prevent breeders from selling animals through pet stores.
How many of you have bought a cat or a dog from a pet store? I have. I bought my registered Himalayan cat as a kitten from a pet store over thirty years ago. But that is no longer an option in many states—breeders have been banned from selling their purebred cats and dogs and some other animals through pet stores.
You may still see cats in pens at your local pet store,
but those are generally rescued cats and kittens that are up for adoption. I know of pet stores in our area that showcase cats and kittens for rescue shelters.
Which states honor the ban? California became the first to initiate the ban in 2017. New York is the latest, but there are a lot of states in between that have passed the law to prohibit the sale of dogs and cats and, in some case, rabbits in order to prevent the operation of kitten, puppy, and bunny mills.
While the ban is state-wide in some states, others are only partially participating in the ban. Here’s a list of states showing their level of participation in this ban. https://bestfriends.org/advocacy/ending-puppy-mills/states-humane-pet-sales-laws
As most of you know, I published my 13th book of the year this month. It’s a Calico Cat Mystery called, PURRfectly Olivia. So far it is getting great reviews.
importance of sharing at a time when so many are struggling.”
I’m not talking actual cats here, but cat motif, art, images—you know, collectibles. Do you collect cat things? Do people give you cat figurines, card collections with cats, books about cats, socks with cat’s on them? Do you have one or more leopard-print 
blouses, hats, shoes? Do you own a cat-ear headpiece? Do you smile when someone calls you a crazy cat lady (gent)?
I can say yes to all of this. While I have just one real cat—Olivia, my house is full of cat things. My great-grandchildren love to come over and count the cats in my house. I have cat stationery, calendars, photos, blankets, pillows, toys, emery boards, coffee cups, even a trash can with a majestic cat figure on it.
Some of my more unique items include a cat screen cleaner, a framed poster featuring dozens of vintage advertisement using cats—Old Tom Safety Matches, for example, and an advertisement for sewing thread. It’s awesome.
discovered. Didn’t it meow while on the way to the airport in the car? Didn’t anyone hear it? Wouldn’t you like to know the rest of this story?
curious cat, you might want to read this article (link below) featuring some of the household dangers to cats. There might be things on this list you 
never thought of. For example, we had a cat that secretly ate ribbon, string, metallic bows. When we found out we had to give up any fancy gift-wrapping around our house. I also had a cat once that swallowed a needle. True and sad story. She survived, and I learned a lesson. A neighbor’s cat was banned from the house because of her 
passion for chewing electrical wires.
Cats are interesting pets. They are somewhat unpredictable, but also set in their ways. They’re also wonderful teachers. Every day with a cat is a new and interesting experience. Cats seem to excel at keeping their people on our toes.
And have you noticed how sensitive your cat is to your changes? She either embraces them with enthusiasm or rejects them with total disdain.
But they can also hold a grudge. The thing is, cats don’t understand the difference between an accident and an intentional happenstance. How long can a cat maintain total resentment after you accidentally stepped on her tail or tripped over her or splashed water on her or after she slipped and fell into your bath water on her own. It seems that anything that happens to a cat when you’re around is your fault. You get the blame and the 
stink eye and the cold shoulder.
I spent Saturday decorating for the holidays for the first time since 2019, which means it’s the first time that Olivia has seen Christmas decorations. She isn’t all that impressed, but she does seem a tad confused by it all. Cats, it seems, have a love-hate relationship with things changing in their space. They enjoy exploring new things and 
old things in new places, but some cats seem to resent big changes like someone bringing an entire tree into the house or putting so much stuff on a ledge or table that the cat can no longer perch on it.
danger in the simplest of decorations. I’ve had many cats that never bothered Christmas gifts (unless it had kitty treats in it, perhaps). Then Sophie, the string-and-ribbon-eater, came along and I had to give up using ribbon or bows or string when wrapping gifts.
how many plants are toxic to cats, including poinsettias and lilies.
your favorite nativity scene on the floor in pieces, you might reconsider placing it where your cat can’t reach it. She probably won’t tolerate having it suddenly appear where she likes to nap in the afternoon. 
If she’s like most cats, she will do her best to reclaim her place.
There are days when Olivia is the perfect writer’s cat. She hangs out with me part of the day—lounging on my desk, cuddling in my lap, batting toys around my office. Later, she might, go off and takes a nap. After working hours we meet up on the living room and we cuddle, we play, and she entertains us with her antics. Other days,
like one day this week, she does everything she can to get me out of my office. She lures me into some of her favorite games. If I don’t do things her way she becomes very vocal. Who can work with a cat yammering in your ear? Yup, she usually gets her way.
something other than the cat? There are things we can do to keep our cats mentally and physically sharp and also busy. Here are a few:
them. Create games you can play together using some of your cat’s favorite toys and way of playing. Olivia loves to chase her chew sticks and other things that slide up and down the uncarpeted hallway.
doors. Build a window perch or purchase one.
Create an outdoor run or pen for the indoor cat. There are a lot of DIY ideas and also readymade models you can purchase.
that secures lids on certain products.
whatever it is in cats and here are a few concepts I’ve come across. For one thing, it is thought that this trait is most common among the Maine coon breed. I had Olivia’s DNA chart done and she is, indeed, part Maine coon. I know other calicos that habitually cross their 
paws when they lie down. Olivia is a calico. But is that the whole story? What is it about the Maine coon and maybe some calicos that cause them to cross their paws?
demonstrating friendship-trust.
