Paws Up for Wednesday – Cats and Our Environment

Today I’d like to touch on a serious topic—how cats are affecting our environment. I don’t mean our home and our neighborhood, but our very environment—the ecology—the ecosystem—the natural balance of things.

Cats (especially feral cats) are being blamed for a serious decline in the wild bird population. There are groups wanting to poison and otherwise destroy the local feral cats—which could trickle down to our household pets—those that roam.

In Book 5 of the Calico Cat Mysteries, a character in the story offers this: “Some people blame cats for being hard on the environment, but it’s we humans that cause them to become destructive. We let them breed indiscriminately, and we encourage over breeding by buying purebred cats and by not having our cats spayed/neutered. We get tired of a cat and we turn it loose or dump it somewhere to fend for itself. All of this adds to a huge increase in the feral cat population, which greatly affects the balance of nature.”

If people buy cats instead of rescuing them, this encourages more breeding, and a lot of cats go without homes. Even some of the people who buy purebred cats will leave the cats behind when they move or they don’t keep their cats inside. They don’t have their cats neutered and those cats continue to breed. If there’s no one around to manage the cats, they take advantage of our livestock, they kill the birds we invite to our backyard feeders, and they have more kittens that no one wants. We humans have caused the overpopulation of unwanted cats, and we need to take responsibility for those cats and the damage they do by creating a better world for the cats themselves.

Posted in About Cats, Cat Care, Feral Cats | 2 Comments

Meowy Monday –Who Doesn’t Love the Main Coon Cat?

I don’t think I’ve ever heard anything negative about the only natural cat breed created in the US—the Maine Coon cat. They’re sweet, friendly, beautiful, and they come in just about any color. Known as the gentle giant of cats, a Maine Coon can take up the space of two or three regular domestic cats—and some of them grow to be larger and heavier than a good-sized toddler.

I had Olivia’s DNA tested and she is one of many domestic cats to carry the Maine Coon gene. In fact the block of breeds the Maine Coon is included in—for DNA testing purposes—is the largest, so I imagine a great number of cats tested have a Maine Coon background.

If you’ve ever known a Maine Coon or a part Maine Coon with a lot of the typical features, you probably adored this cat for many reasons including their beautiful temperament and beautiful coat.

I find “throw-back” Maine Coon cats interesting—those that come from a litter comprised of all short-hair kittens with no Maine Coon features—like Molly and Annie—pictured.

My first encounter with a Maine Coon-type cat was when one approached my folks asking for a place to stay. Thankfully they took the cat in and he was a wonderful pet for the next ten years or so. In talking to people who had a Maine Coon or a Maine Coon-type, these cats are among the most unforgettable cats they’ve ever known. Who doesn’t adore a gentle giant?

If you’re a fan or are interested in the Maine Coon, here’s a site you might enjoy.

https://mainecoonhawaii.com/large-maine-coon/

Here are tons of pictures of the wide variety you’ll see in the Maine Coon. https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=pictures+maine+coon&qpvt=pictures+maine+coon&form=IGRE&first=1&tsc=ImageBasicHover You’re welcome.

Posted in About Cats | Leave a comment

Feline Friday Fun – A Cat’s Place

Where does your cat like to hang out—in the middle of everything so she’s always underfoot or in the dark crevices under a bed or in a closet? Some cats like to curl up in baskets—CUTENESS, empty boxes, under the couch with the dust bunnies, on the highest perch in the house, in the linen closet, or in a cool bathtub on a hot day.

I had two cats who loved to snuggle under the covers of my bed, especially when children came to visit. They were sure no one knew where they were when they hid under the covers. Olivia sometimes naps in a particular closet, so I always leave that one open just enough for her to go in—and especially to find her way out.

On the internet we’ve seen cats in small bird cages, curled up with a potted plant, or sprawled out on a computer or a piano keyboard.

I’ve seen cats hiding out in suitcases, tote bags, grocery bags, filing cabinets, desktop storage trays, sleeping in the back of a lazy Susan cabinet, curled up in a pony’s tail on a cold day, and even, occasionally, in a cat bed. Where’s the most unusual place you’ve found a cat?

Posted in About Cats, Living With Cats | Leave a comment

Paws Up for Wednesday – CATastrophes and CATscapades

I woke up to a bathroom faucet running at full capacity one day last week. At first I thought I must have left it running after brushing my teeth the night before. I was so angry with myself. We’re in a drought here, you know.

Then I got to thinking. It was the cold water faucet that was running. I habitually use the hot water faucet and I turn it off after each rinse. It takes forever to get hot water to that bathroom, so I don’t end up brushing my teeth with hot water, but sometimes the hot water comes in time for me to wash my face. Sometimes. No, I could not have left that faucet running. So what happened?

On closer examination, I discovered a few strands of hair on the sink. CAT HAIR. Dum-de-dum-dum. Olivia!!!! Yes, I believe she got up on the sink to chase a bug or just to explore things in the middle of the night. She might have been interested in the nightlight, which changes color over and over and while checking it out, she brushed against the faucet handle. Mystery solved. Cats are certainly curious and adventuresome. But it could have been worse.

I read that in one town in Korea there have been 100 house fires in the last 3 years all caused by cats messing with ah electric stove. There’s a worldwide plea to cat owners who use an electric stove, to remove the knobs or cover the stove top to prevent what is evidently easy for a cat to do—turn the thing on.

What else can cause a curious cat or your belongings trouble—candles (use battery-operated candles around cats), electric cords (for cats that adore chewing on plastic), blind cords, open windows (screens can fail), table clothes dangling from a table top, chocolate left unattended, hot coffee or tea left unattended, the

wheels on your office chair, and more. You can probably add to this list.

By the way, if you have a cat that chews on electric cords and cables, take your cat to a veterinarian for a thorough check. It could be that she has a mineral deficiency or a dental problem. That would be an easy fix. Some people have been successful with wide tape. Tape the cords to the walls and the floors.

Cats can cause trouble and worry, but if you take the time and do the research, you’re bound to find the remedy to whatever potential danger is tempting the curious cat.

Posted in About Cats, Living With Cats | 2 Comments

Meowy Monday – When Are You Too Old to Adopt a Cat?

A fan of the Klepto Cat and Calico Cat Mysteries brought up a good point last week. She lost a precious cat and she’s concerned about adopting another one at her age. She thought maybe she’d adopt a needy senior cat, which could be a good solution—good for the cat and for the senior citizen. Regardless of whether you are young or older and adopt a senior cat or a kitten, I recommend also choose  a godparent for your kitties. We should all have a godparent or a team of godparents for our cats.

I became a godparent to four treasured cats once. I laughed when my friend and neighbor, Johanna, asked me to take on this position—just in case something were to happen to her. I laughed because she was younger than I was and in great health, but I agreed.

Johanna set up a bank account for the cats in my name—in case I couldn’t find homes for them and

needed to turn them over to a shelter. This would provide a generous donation to the organization. Or it could be used for veterinary care should one of the cats need it.

Well, it wasn’t long after I agreed to

become a cat-godparent that Johanna, at 56, had a stroke and passed away.

I took care of the cats at her home while contacting everyone who knew Johanna, following leads, and so forth to find the best homes for her beautiful cats.

As it turned out, a coworker at the hospital where she worked adopted Lilly. Her brother took home Charlie. A friend of mine embraced Goldie. And her fiancé cared for Nikki for the rest of her life.

Certainly our age should be a consideration when thinking about adopting another cat. But no matter what age your cat is or what age you are, it’s always good insurance for the innocent cat if you’d also find a relative or a friend who will take on the responsibility as god parent in case you are no longer able to care for the cat.

Posted in Cat Care, Living With Cats | 2 Comments

Feline Friday Fun – The Art of Naming Your Fictional Characters

Do you ever have issue with the names of characters in the books or series you read? Have you ever put yourself in the author’s seat and questioned why they choose the names they do? It bothers me when an author uses names for characters that are similar—Annie and Angie or Robin and Raven or Bill and Will. How about Averal and Arial? I sometimes get confused when this happens in a story I’m reading.

Since I began writing fiction I realize it isn’t always easy to name a character. I’ll fairly often change a name in midstream. After writing several scenes with the name I realize it isn’t working for me. If I stumble over the name, maybe others will too.

I try to fit the name to the age of the person—what names were being used in the era this person was born? And I try my best to keep names of people who are going to interact together different enough so as to not confuse readers. I miss sometimes, though. Pamela is Parker’s long lost cousin, who I thought would be a cameo character. Turns out Pamela keeps showing up in the stories and hangs out with Parker, so and I sometimes regret using that name. But, hey, I can change it anytime I want. How about if Pamela (who is a bit quirky) decides she wants to go by her middle name? Woo-la! I can make up a new name for her.

Sometimes I use names of my family members and I do that honorably. Adam, Michael’s son who comes into the story as a surprise even for Michael early in the Klepto Cat Mystery series, is named for my first great-grandson. We raised a foal from my mare years ago and trained her for show. She was a wonderful mare named Peaches, so of course that’s the name I gave Savannah’s horse. Where Savannah’s name came from, I haven’t a clue, which is the case for many of the character names.

I name pets according to the type of person in the story who is naming the cat or bird or whatever. A quirky character would name a pet differently than one who is a bit straight-laced. A child has different ideas for names than an adult. Sometimes the animal’s name is descriptive and sometimes sort of out there. Like Rhonda the chicken. I named the Iveys’ calico cat Glori after someone I met recently. I adored the name and used it for a precious cat. Glori was thrilled and I gave her a copy of the book where Glori is rescued. I’m careful not give a villain the name of someone I know or I’m related to—just in case they take it personal.

That’s also why I often invent place names where the stories take place. I thought if I used my city and the landmarks I’m familiar with it would be too easy for someone to take offense and accuse me of defaming their business (by having an employee robbed at gunpoint or something). I could envision someone deciding I was writing about them in an episode, and I felt I should invent a place where it would be safe to make up stories and avoid stepping on toes.

That’s a peek into my thought processes and reasoning when originally planning and now writing the two cozy mystery series. If you have curiosities and questions, I’d be glad to address them in this blog. You can contact me at PLFry620@yahoo.com

Posted in Cat Books, Writing about cats | Leave a comment

Paws Up For Wednesday – The Calico Cat Mysteries

Yesterday we talked about one of the cats that inspired the Klepto Cat Mysteries. While writing that series these past ten years, I’ve included a lot of new characters along the way—both human and cat. Oh yes, and equine. Some of the characters made cameo appearances and others have remained as integral to the series. One of those was Olivia, the calico cat I introduced in Book 51 of the Klepto Cat Mysteries, Calico Calamities.

As many of you know I patterned the calico in that story after Olivia, a calico I adopted in 2020. I liked the cat character and early in 2021,I launched Olivia’s own series, the Calico Cat Mysteries.

I finished my final edit on Book 5 of this series last week, and it’s now with the editor. Folks, I predict that you’ll have a new book to read in a matter of weeks.

If you’re not familiar with the Calico Cat Mysteries, check them out at Amazon or at https://CalicoCatMysteries.com. So far we have Oh! Olivia, Where’s Olivia?, Then Came Olivia, and Olivia’s Folly. All of these are receiving great reviews and I’m having a wonderful time writing them.

Rags’s fans express concern that I will stop writing the Klepto Cat Mysteries now that I’ve created the Calico Cat Mysteries. I have no plans to do that. I’m writing the series’ in tandem. This year I came out with 9 books—four Calico Cat Mysteries and five Klepto Cat Mysteries. I’m not trying to break any records, I just can’t not write. It’s what I do and what I will do for as long as it brings joy to me and others and for as long as I’m able.

Posted in Announcement, Cat Books | Leave a comment

Meowy Monday – What’s Your History With Cats?

Is your family made up of cat people or dog people or anti-pet people? What about your friends? Obviously, you’re a cat person. Are your friends? Do you find yourself navigating toward other cat people? How often have you met someone that you resonate with and later find out—yup, they have a cat or two in their home.

I come from a family of only some cat people. My favorite grandmother always had a cat—usually a Siamese. She also had a couple of cute little dogs over the years—you know, the cat-like type small, fluffy ones. And she gave me some of my favorite cats—one was a Siamese type kitten born at a local nursery.

A step-grandmother rescued cats and probably confiscated neighbor’s cats she found roaming free. People dumped cats on her doorstep because they knew she’d take them in. She was ridiculed and called “That crazy cat lady.” She always had cats in the house, but also in a large cage in the yard. None of her cats ran free, and she had them all spayed and neutered. She was a cat woman before her time in many ways.

Mama wasn’t much for animals when I was growing up. We had a cat or two and a dog or two over the years. When I was grown and on my own, Mama used to snicker at me for the way I coddled my cats and when I sometimes had what she felt were too many cats. She and Daddy never chose to have another pet once my sister, brother, and I moved out—until… Yes, until a sweet calico showed up in their backyard one day.

The cat seemed not to belong anywhere, but my folks didn’t want a cat, even though they were retired by then and had plenty of time for one. Mama told Daddy, “Don’t feed it.” And he told her the same. However, come to find out both of them were feeding the cat without the other knowing. Of course the calico stayed and became known as Spooky.

When Spooky passed away, a Maine coon type male showed up and they began “NOT” feeding him. After a reasonable attempt to find where he belonged, Smokey became theirs and they adored that cat. He was a wonderful pet for about ten years when he became very ill and they had to let him go.

“No more cats,” Daddy said. Mama said the same, but my brother had different ideas. He’d seen how much Smokey meant to the folks. My brother’s cat had kittens in Idaho and one day a niece and her family visited them from California and came back with a kitten for Mama. Daddy had passed by then. Mama fell in love, and she named the little guy Shady. Only the name didn’t stick. She kept calling him Smokey. So he became Smokey 2 and he became an absolutely wonderful pet for her—loyal, loving, funny, entertaining…

Ladies and Gentlemen, this Smokey is one of the cats that inspired the Klepto Cat Mysteries. I incorporated Smokey’s personality and appearance into this cat character along with my cat, Lily’s thieving habits to develop Rags, the klepto cat.

When Mama passed in 2019, Smokey was 9 years old. He continues living the good life with my niece surrounded by some of the furniture he grew up with in Mama’s house, furniture that seems to remind him of his kittenhood and growing-up years with my mom. One is a dining room table that has been in the family for generations. The minute that table arrived in his new home he rubbed on it for a while, then jumped on top of it for a nap. As I understand it, he takes all of his naps on that table, enjoying a connection to his earliest memories, perhaps?

As for me, I’ve never gone longer than a few weeks without a cat to love and usually there are at least two in my home at any given time. So did I pass on the cat-loving gene? My daughters have all had cats, but prefer dogs (one has several horses). My grown grandchildren all have dogs (one also has horses) except for one. He and his wife adore cats and have two beloved indoor cats. Some of my great grandchildren are showing partiality toward cats and I’m fostering that budding love.

Posted in About Cats, Living With Cats | 1 Comment

Feline Friday Fun – Furry CATmas Everyone

Enjoy the day with family, friends—at church, volunteering, or on a quiet beach or mountain top. And if you have some downtime you might want to revisit the three Christmas Klepto Cat Mysteries: Read them for the first time or for the 13th time: A Picture-Purrfect Christmas, A Christmas to Purr About, and A Very  Meowy Christmas.

From my cat clowder to yours.

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Paws Up For Wednesday – Can a Cat Return Across the Rainbow Bridge?

In Monday’s post I hinted at the possibility that a cat we adopt might come with instructions from a cat we lost—or similarities of that cat. How often has a new cat in your home behaved in a way similar to one gone, but still in your heart? People often comment that a wonderful new cat or kitten must have been sent to you by a beloved cat who recently passed. We imagine the two cats passing in the ethers—one on its way to wait for you in a field of flowers and one to keep you company here on earth.

We see likenesses in the new cat in the way she rests with one paw on you, puts you to bed at night, sleeps next to your right leg, knocks a particular knick knack off a shelf almost every day, loves playing with a certain cat toy or one of your things—the straw in your iced tea, your pen… Oh how Olivia loves to knock my pen off my desk just like Lily used to do. And like Lily, Olivia prefers curling up on my lap when I’m at my computer and wearing my robe, but never when I’m dressed and relaxing on the sofa. Then she lies near me, but not in my lap.

Olivia sometimes brings me toys to throw for her. Lily used to bring me her stuffed toys, but more as a gift. These are the only two cats I’ve had that carried things around in their mouth. Yes, there are similarities, but also differences. Olivia is the only cat I recall out of maybe 20 cats over many years, that crosses her paws when she rests. She’s probably the only one that was unimpressed with Christmas too.

How many similarities (and blatant differences) can you list about your former cats and current cat? It’s kind of a fun exercise. One thing you’ll realize—something that won’t change—is that you love all of your special cats oh so much. You miss the ones that are gone and with each loss more tightly embrace the new special cats that paw themselves into your heart.

Posted in About Cats | Leave a comment