There’s always something happening in the Calico Cat Mystery factory. This month we’ve taken advantage of, yet, another service offered by Amazon and we’ve created our first Calico Cat Mystery audio book. It’s available here, now. https://www.amazon.com/Oh-Olivia-Calico-Cat-Mystery-ebook/dp/B095BV39KQ/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Oh%21+olivia&qid=1705840977&sr=8-1
Which book in the series did we choose to record? The first one, of course: Oh! Olivia. For those of you who haven’t read this book because you prefer listening, Oh! Olivia was the first in the Calico Cat series—the introduction into the series. Here’s the description for that book:
“Olivia, the sweet and sassy calico, struts her stuff in this story. She locates a lost toddler and ends up getting herself arrested. She isn’t about to take this insult lying down, however. She escapes from custody and trashes the police station. Olivia alerts her person, Parker, to trouble when they visit her aunt’s home and find that the woman has detained a burglar in a most unusual way. Olivia also finds major clues in a convoluted cat colony mystery, one that promises a glimmer of hope for a long-grieving parent.”
Order your print, kindle, or audio book here: https://www.amazon.com/Oh-Olivia-Calico-Cat-Mystery-ebook/dp/B095BV39KQ/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Oh%21+olivia&qid=1705840977&sr=8-1
We all wonder what our cat is thinking and sometimes we don’t really want to know. Some people believe that cats might actually have questions of their own and because of that, a day has been set aside for us to ponder that concept.
would be Olivia’s question and complaint.)
privileges they believe they deserve as king/queen of the household. It’s certainly a fun premise to consider
years ago this month by Edward Lowe who was in the sand and gravel business. But it was actually a woman who instigated the concept of using clay instead of sand in the litter box. This unnamed woman came to Mr. Lowe asking for something better than sand to use in her cat’s litter box. He sent her home with a bag of clay granules and the rest is history.
Olivia auditions for a part in a movie and ends up getting the cat-lead. At the same time she and Parker become involved in helping a commune of homeless people to manage a colony of homeless cats. Tensions run high and danger lurks near when someone sabotages their efforts to help the feral cats. Behind the scenes, Olivia rescues two helpless animals from a house fire and she disarms a gunman intent on killing Jag. Olivia is catnapped and she’s targeted by a sniper, but the show must go on and it does. This story has a surprise ending and Olivia has her paw in making it happen.
Have you ever stopped to wonder why humans are attracted to cats (or dogs or iguanas)? Is it a certain personality who falls in love with cats? There are those who believe our housecats remind us of wild cats—tigers, lions and cheetahs—and that’s the allure for some.
learned from the experts: There can be a very strong bond between highly emotional people and cats. So maybe that’s part of what brings some people together with cats. Think about it.
unpredictability of the cat—don’t you think so?
respond to us. Those of us who love our cats, certainly adore that part of having cats around. They give us head-butts, those long stares, comforting sounds, and cuddles.
Cats make us smile and feel good. You’ve probably read where there are actually health benefits to hanging around with cats.
40% more likely to die of a heart attack.
You missed it. Dress Your Pet Day was yesterday, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do it if you want to. But does your pet want to be dressed? Have you ever had a cat you could put a bonnet on or a shirt or a sun suit? Did you dress your cats as a child?
people who did and who took advantage of it. Why? I’m not sure, but I guess for fun. I have friends who dress their dogs and it is kind of cute. People but vests and pet coats on their animals in winter. And people strap harnesses and life jackets around their cats and dogs for safety while traveling or adventuring. I sat at a dinner table one year at the Cat 
Writers Association Conference across from a white rat on a harness and leash. That was one well-behaved tablemate.
Most avid cat people have had a ginger (marmalade, orange tabby, red) cat in their lives. I know several ginger cats, and I’d sure kiss anyone of them, except for a small orange tabby named Rocket who used to live next door.
calm cats, but Rocket was a menace in our neighborhood, even to the point that he’d find his way into homes through windows and attack the cats inside. He’d lure you close to pet him—acting all sweet and friendly—then bite you HARD.
Morris in the commercials. Do you remember Spot from Star Trek and Crookshanks from Harry Potter? Here’s a site listing 17 famous ginger cats. 
Have you ever adopted or found a cat at just the right time in your life—a time when you needed the companionship or even physical or emotional healing? It has happened to me more than once. Maybe when we are most needy we are more aware of the neediness in a sweet animal—cat, dog, parakeet, tortoise, horse…you name it.
Often, a cat or kitten will make important differences in the way you feel or see the world, just by existing. Whether you bring the cat into your home fresh, or you’ve had your cat for a long time, you might find yourself being comforted by that cat when you least expect it and most need it.
subtle differences in my world either immediately or eventually. And I’ve noticed that a cat I’ve had for a long time—enjoyed, played with, cuddled with, laughed with over many years, might one day become more than a delightful companion, but also a healer.
time in our recliner chair. One early morning when I was particularly uncomfortable—on-the-verge-of-tears uncomfortable—Olivia jumped up into the chair with me, climbed onto the back of the chair, then slid down so that she was draped across the area of pain. She had never been in that chair. Dennis sits in that chair and she has not chosen to sit on his lap yet, just mine. But that early morning as I tried to deal with the pain, she came to my rescue in the most
intentional way.
Again I am juggling three manuscripts at once—Book 18 in the Calico Cat Mystery series is on its way to be formatted for publication as we speak. Watch for this lively story to appear for download and purchase around the middle of this month.
some horse action in this story. We should be able to bring this book out some time in February.
Not only is January 2nd Happy Mew Year, it is also National Pet Travel Safety Day. If you plan to travel with your cat this year—you’re moving to a new location with your cat, you’re taking her on an extended visit with friends or family, or you want to go adventuring with your cat, learn about travel safety measures (for your car) and regulations (for public transportation).
when traveling with her by car—there are car seats, travel carriers, restraints for cats, etc.
new places and being around unfamiliar people, you might want to start preparing her—leash-train her. Visit willing neighbors with your cat and make it a pleasant experience, low-key, quiet, and maybe involving treats and toys.
