It’s been my experience that cats come with some interesting and sometimes annoying, but usually cute quirks. Where do these things come from? Why does one cat adore a tummy rub and others will threatened to scratch your eyes out if you touch the tummy? What makes some cats crave greens (lettuce, kale, etc.) or be attracted to the scent of perfume or feet? Why does Olivia drop to the floor when scolded or confronted by something she’s not familiar with? She was the runt of the litter. Was that her defense mechanism with her bigger brothers? We also wonder why she lives on the edge. She’s a percher. She perches on the edge of things and she sprawls so that part of her is hanging off. Where do these traits and habits come from? 
Wouldn’t it be fun to know? Here’s a site that lists some interesting cat behavior with explanations. https://www.cuteness.com/13713215/why-does-my-cat-do-that-20-puzzling-cat-behaviors-explained
Do you want to know why your cat likes paper, follows you to the bathroom, spends more time at the neighbor’s house than at yours, for example? Then you’ll enjoy this article. There are cute photos, too.
Here’s another site featuring additional quirky cat behaviors. Does your cat beg for grass? (Ours do.) Does he ALWAYS knock things off the tabletop? (Olivia knocks a small flashlight off a shelf every single night—I guess it just doesn’t belong there.) Does she often lay down on the project you’re working on—reading, writing, sewing, gluing, cleaning? If so and if you’ve ever wondered why your cat does these things, you’re going to get a kick this article. https://www.thedrakecenter.com/services/cats/blog/15-strange-cat-behaviors-explained
Those of you who loves cats and who follows cats in the news will be pleased to learn that there will be a first cat again come January. The Bidens have two large German Shepherds and they’re eager to introduce a cat to the family. I hope they know what they’re doing. There are many sweet photographs on the web showing cat and dog buddies snuggling or playing, but it’s not an easy task to introduce a cat into a family with dogs who have never experienced a cat. Crossing fingers for the cat they choose.
I want to thank those of you who take time out of your busy days, whether you’re isolating or you’re an essential worker, for leaving kind reviews at the Klepto Cat Mystery pages at Amazon. Here’s one we received recently for Book 47, Meowing in the Moonlight
from the editor soon and I’m half-way through the first draft of Book 50 in the series. And to top it off, sales were up in November. I guess people are doing a lot of reading while in isolation and the Klepto Cat Mysteries offer a wonderful escape. If you haven’t read any of these books, pick one up or download it onto your reading device and enjoy a couple of hours of sweet kitty-cat humor, intrigue, and mystery.
I’ve done some reading this year—we’ve all had time to read, haven’t we? And it appears that isn’t going to change anytime soon. This week I found the sweetest book in the advent basket my daughters filled for me. It’s Spirit of Animals by Sylvia Browne and Chris Dufresne. I actually sat in on one of Sylvia Browne’s programs in LA many years ago, so was pleased to receive this. It’s a wonderful hardcover gift book that gives insight into the afterlife where our precious pets are concerned. It answers the question, “Will I see my beloved pet again once she has passed.” True or not, it is a comforting book with beautiful photos. Very well 
done.
Then there’s The Cat The Changed America. This is the story of the cougars living in Griffith Park with nowhere to go since the building of two major and majorly dangerous freeways between their home and where they used to roam. Too many of these beautiful creatures have been killed trying to cross the freeways and there is a plan in motion to raise enough funds to build a bridge for them. This book is part of a large fundraiser effort toward making that bridge a reality.
recommend it because I haven’t read it yet.
Anyone who allows a cat into their life—especially now, when the world is in such turmoil—knows the comfort a cat can bring. You’ve probably noticed that when you’re sad or upset, your cat will stay close. I recall my Himalayan, Katy, who was n0t a lap-sitter, lying as close to me as she could one day when I was especially distraught. Katy often sat near me always touching me with one paw. She’d put me to bed at night and lay on my pillow for a few moments before leaving to do whatever cats do alone in the darkness.
We talked about the crazy cat lady last week. Today I’d like to honor the crazy things cats do. Admit it, your cat has at least a couple of quirks—she goes crazy for ice cubes, would rather play with your office supplies (pens, paper clips, the phone cord, etc.) than her own toys. Maybe she snuggles under the covers on your bed to nap or she begs to watch cartoons on the TV. Some cats like to hang out in the kitchen when their human is preparing a meal or they run to the fax machine or printer when they hear it whirring and steal the paper 
to shred.
Olivia takes her toys to the non-carpeted areas to play with so the toys will skid and so does she. She won’t eat her dried chicken treat until she’s played with it for a while. It’s as if in her mind it’s a mouse that needs killing before she can devour it.
and tell us when her water fountain needed water—it makes a noise when it runs low—or if it was unplugged. Olivia simply dismantles the fountain if we leave it unplugged for too long. Sophie is fairly calm and hasn’t really developed many unusual traits, except that she likes to drool on my hair. Ick!
Here’s a hilarious site listing 25 of the oddest things cats do. See if your cat’s peculiarity is listed. I’m pretty sure you’ll be happy that you have the cat you have once you see what some cats do to drive their humans crazy. 
You may have heard of Sterling Davis by now—the rapper who took a side job in a cat shelter to earn a little extra money and to hang out with some of his favorite “people”—cats. When he realized the need in the field—when he realized how many cats were actually fending for themselves—he got involved in TNR (Trap/Neuter/Release). Now he’s a full time worker and advocate for cats. Known as the TrapKing, he also educates children and adults in the need for and the process of TNR. In order to delight his audience, he often travels with his own three rescued cats, Bowie, Damita Jo, and Alanis Mewisette.
I finished Book 49 of the Klepto Cat Mystery series yesterday—and yes, number 50 is in the works. The latest completed story (49) is currently with the editor. I should get it back in a few weeks, then we put the finishing touches on it, format it, and publish it. The bad news is I don’t expect to release it by Christmas. But the good news is that it will surely be available for your reading pleasure shortly after the first of the year.
at home for another several months—and if I don’t get sick like I did in February of this year (keeping me from the computer for a month), I should be able to kick out another eight or maybe nine books in 2021. This is one of probably many blessings you can count during the pandemic—you’ve had a new Klepto Cat Mystery to read just about every six weeks this year. Another blessing is the comfort your cat brings. (Which we’ll discuss in more depth on Thursday.)
Meanwhile, there are some interesting stories and topics coming up for discussion in this blog during the week. Tomorrow I’ll share the story of a rapper who became a trapper (to save cats). It’s quite a heartwarming story. Wednesday, we’ll talk crazy cats. It is “Sometimes Crazy Wednesday” after all, and who doesn’t have a cat with some quirks? Friday I want to share with you my impressions of a few books I’ve read or scanned recently. So if you’re looking for an interesting or sweet or intriguing book to give along with some of the Klepto Cat Mysteries this holiday season, this might help.
That heading got your attention didn’t it? When I read that title my heart races a little. And I have to say, ABSOLUTELY!!
That heading got your attention didn’t it? When I read that title my heart races a little. And I have to respond to that question, ABSOLUTELY!!
