It used to be that the cat’s nature, when compared to that of a dog, was described as aloof (distant, detached, unfriendly, remote, unapproachable, snooty). Does this describe your cat(s)? I didn’t think so. There’s new evidence and beliefs about cats that discount this premise. I don’t know about you, but I’m awfully glad 
to see this. Sure, we’ve all known cats that seem more discerning than others. They’ll take their time to make friends and maybe they won’t greet you each time you come home from work or play. But what about those many times your cat curls up next to 
you or in your lap and gives you that look that says, “I love you more than catnip—you are my everything?”
What about when your cat follows you everywhere you go—into the kitchen, to your office, even the bathroom? That’s not being aloof. Does she sleep on your bed next to you, need to be close—even touching you when you’re relaxing, stare into your eyes and give
you that endearing slow blink? Does she bring you her toys, fall over in front of you as you walk across a room and roll over showing her tummy? Does she head-butt you, lick you, give you whisker-face kisses, invite a belly-rub? Yeah, that’s not aloofness.
Olivia even dances around our feet when we retrieve her catnip or when we’re fixing her supper. I swear she becomes puppy-like at times.
Here’s an interesting and validating article about the myth that cats are aloof. Enjoy:
https://catbehaviorassociates.com/cat-myth-cats-are-aloof-and-independent
Monday we discussed what you can do to protect the feral cats and homeless neighborhood cats. If you aren’t aware of needy cats in your area, and you’d like to help cats, consider reaching out to one or more local cat shelters. These shelters are not typically run by 
someone with unlimited funds, and the expenses for running a shelter can be higher than you might think. Here’s a site that explains how much it can cost to start an animal shelter.
Then there’s the ongoing costs for housing, supplies, food, and let’s not forget medical care. Many of the cats come to the shelter with injuries or other medical challenges. For this reason, most shelters (if not all of them) have staff who promote fund-raisers to help sustain the shelter and take care of expensive surgeries
and other treatments for cats. This is where you and I can come in—Donate to your favorite cat shelter when you can. Adopt from the shelter and encourage others to do the same. Donations can come in the form of volunteering your time, supplies, food, and more. Start your own drive to collect needed items—blankets, food, new toys, litter. Money is always appreciated.
Winter’s not over yet and there are still cats living out of doors without shelter. You may be aware of some in your neighborhood, and you want to help, but how? Build or buy a cat shelter. You can purchase one for 
anywhere from $20 to $140. Some of them come with a heating element. Or you can add straw to help keep the cat warm. In case you know of a cat in your neighborhood that needs shelter, I’ve provided a link to cat shelters rated best of the best for outdoor cats. Check them out. If you know a cat 
that needs one and you can’t afford it, pass the hat. Surely there are others who care about the homeless cats in your neighborhood—cats that are only trying to survive.
Yes, you can make them from storage bins, Styrofoam coolers, or even random pieces of wood. Remember to use straw for extra warmth.
“Purring is lovely meowsic.”
It’s been quiet around here this past week or so as I work on the next Klepto Cat Mystery. I hope you’ve all enjoyed reading the latest one—It’s Meow or Never. In this story Olivia joins Rags on a wild horseback adventure, and Savannah and Parker team up to solve another sticky cat mystery.
Of course there are rumbles backstage that make this one of Olivia’s most action-packed stories. Be sure to order or download Olivia’s Perilous Curtain Call. I think you’ll like it.
cats you particularly like to watch outside your windows? And what about those cats that sort of hang around while you garden or putter in your yard?
This is a first for me—a subscription litter box for your cats. Yes, you join the Kitty Poo Club (at a discount right now, I might add, and receive a leak-free, stink-free, disposable litter box and your choice of litter every 30 days. Oh, and shipping is free.
This is a game my great grandchildren play when they visit me. They look around and say, “Nana, you have a lot of cats.” One thing leads to another and soon they are counting them and marveling at the various types of things I display involving cats. Thimbles, posters, 
plates, pictures, mouse pad, aprons, calendars…I even have a screen cleaner in the shape of a cat, cat jewelry, cat paintings, cat vases, cat figurines, cat stickers, cat socks and slippers, cat phone case, greeting cards with cats, clothes in wildcat print, and cat ears, which I’ve been known to wear.
For many of us traveling or adventuring cats seem like a far-fetched concept meant for fiction only, but there actually are cats that travel and love it. They fly on planes, go hiking, kayaking, horseback riding and more, much like the cats in the stories I write.
and their cat. He wrote a book about their adventures with their beloved cat. Fascinating. The title is “A Year of Sundays,” by Edward D. Webster.
