We have published seven Klepto Cat Mysteries this year—in January, April, May, June, July, August and September. That’s books 41 through 47. I was sick during most of February, and was not producing during that period.
So what’s happening this week? Book 48 is probably just days from returning from the editor. I’ll do the final proofing/editing, then I’ll turn it over to the formatters. Expect to have the print book in your hands at least by Thanksgiving and the Kindle book shortly after. And yes, I’ve started Book 49 while waiting for the editor to work her magic on Book 48. I’m guessing you’ll be able to read Book 49—a rip-roaring story with an out-west flavor—right around the first of the new year.
Moving right along. Watch for “A Whisker of Doubt” and “PURRsuit of the Unknown.”
Does your cat often watch you? Do you see her staring at you as you read, putter in the kitchen, dust, comb your hair, sleep…? Cats stare. That’s what they do. But are they really interested in what you’re doing and how you do it? Some experts say that cats can mimic us—that they may have the same abilities as dolphins, parrots, apes, and killer whales when it comes to observing and duplicating our actions.
would they learn to even try that unless it’s because they saw a person doing it? Our tabby, Lily, would eat anything I ate. Obviously I didn’t allow her to have the things I knew weren’t good for her, but I also had fun experimenting with her to see if she would shun anything she saw me eating. Never. Was she imitating me or did she just have a huge appetite?
I love the video on FaceBook of the kitten imitating her look-alike mother as she took a lick bath. But would a cat also mimic her human in a similar way? Well, they can be taught to give a high five, slap a bell to get a treat, and numerous other things—what about the simple act of opening a door. Have you ever closed the 
bathroom door with your cat inside with you and notice her staring at or trying to reach the knob? How does she know that the knob is the key to getting out of the room? Because she’s watched you use it to open the door numerous times, perhaps.
The advent of the Internet has certainly brought us closer to understanding and appreciating cats. Some of us, however, have always been nutty about cats. And we certainly adore seeing all of the sweet and humorous videos and photos of cats shared across the Internet every day. It’s my go-to for relaxation after a day of writing.
Grumpy Cat, for example, Are you also familiar with Cole and Marmalade, Hamilton the Hipster Cat, Sam, the cat with very distinctive eye brows?
In honor of National Senior Pet Month, I’d like to share a little about the veterinarian’s role throughout this pandemic. I notice when I visit our veterinarian, there are signs out front referring to them as heroes. They are in the trenches and working even harder this year to take care of our pets’ needs. My hat’s off to them–all of them.
year-old cat, Lily’s kidney disease flared and we lost her. So despite the inconvenience and restrictions and rules of the pandemic, we’ve had to visit our veterinarian fairly often over the past nine months or so. With sixteen-year-old Sophie’s serious stress issues when Lily died, and getting the new kitten on the right health track, we’ve visited our regular veterinarian and two emergency vets probably seven or eight times this year. And I can tell you it isn’t the experience we’re accustomed to.
No matter the weather, you wait outside with your pet—preferably in your car with the air or the heat on. Everyone is required to wear a mask! Once a receptionist acknowledges you, there’s often a long wait period. We were at our veterinarian for two hours this week waiting for Sophie to be seen for an ear infection. Several weeks ago Sophie started failing and we saw our vet on
a Friday. Sophie wasn’t responding to treatment, so Saturday afternoon we tried to find an emergency vet who would see her. After waiting at one clinic for an hour, we learned it would be at least another three-hour wait. We opted to try another emergency vet. Also a three-hour wait. We finally found a veterinarian who could take her immediately and we were back on the road home after an hour with all of the meds and advice we needed to get her back on the right track.
I’m astounded by the number of animals coming and going at these clinics and the number of staff running in and out of the building to handle the various tasks. I’ve heard that more pets are dying this year and I personally know of eight, but are more of them getting sick, too? Or is this rise in veterinary visits because we’re home more and we notice more quickly when something’s wrong with our cat or dog?
checked in outside the office door and waited with your pet in the car or under a tree? The veterinarian will take your case in turn. There were eight patients ahead of us on our last visit and two veterinarians on duty. Finally the veterinarian came to our car, asked us questions, then whisked Sophie away, bringing her back with a report, a recommendation, solution for her ear, and instructions.
When we took Sophie to the emergency vet a few months ago, we saw one vet tech twice—when she took Sophie from us and when she brought her back. Otherwise, all consultations, decisions, and payment were done by phone from our car. It’s a different world out there when we’re talking about veterinary care, but we’re fortunate that our veterinarians are considered essential and that they’ve been working for us throughout the entire pandemic.
We’re close to election day and candidates and their teams have been planning and campaigning and stressing for months. The candidates having the most fun, however, are those that wear fur. I introduced you to Juno, the klepto cat who is running for mayor of the small town of Carpinteria, California. Here’s the latest on her campaign. 
Will you be dressing your cat this Halloween? I’m sure you’ve seen some hilarious costumes on cats and dogs and even children on Facebook and Instagram this year. I saw a picture of a greyhound dog dressed like a greyhound bus.
dangers for pets on Halloween: 
Sure the past seven months have been rough—more than 8 months for us since I was sick almost the entire month of February. But who’s counting? Probably all of us, and we wonder when will it end? We’re eager to get back to normal and so are our cats.
history has turned our pets’ world upside down too. Cats feel your pain. The harder it is on you, the harder it is on them. For people like me and many of you, who typically stay home a lot—work from home and so forth, not much has changed. However, if you’re like me, you’ve visited a gas station for a fill up maybe once during this pandemic and you’re having your groceries delivered 
and you’re not having people in. If you’re like me, you’re home a whole lot more than usual. So even though it may seem to you as though everything’s the same, it may not appear that way to your cats. And as most of you know, cats don’t always adapt well to 
change.
Cats are sensitive to change and super sensitive to your moods and reactions. But there is help. Check out Jackson Galaxy’s site for tips for recognizing and resolving issues with your cat. 
It’s that time of year, when your cat is more apt to join you in your favorite chair or cuddle with you on the sofa. They might even opt to curl up in their own cozy beds instead of the tile floors as the weather turns cooler.
and 63 inside. First time I’ve flipped on the heater. It scared Olivia–the noise and the scent of the first-burn dust… She’ll grow to love the warmth, though.
Is your cat ready for winter? Is his bed washed and placed conveniently away from drafts and close to a heat source—if that’s the way she likes it? Maybe you want to place his cozy bed in an out of the way place, but he prefers lying in front of the fireplace or heater vent or under the covers in your bed. Follow his lead. He knows where he’s most comfortable.
October has been a good month for fan mail. This happens occasionally. I get an email from a reader telling me how much they enjoy reading about Rags, how they wish I would write faster as they are so intrigued by my stories that they devour my books. They also often tell me that they love my characters and would like to know them—you know, sit down with them for coffee, take a stroll with them and chat.
values apparent in my stories—human values shared such as kindness and respect. And I especially love hearing from readers who say they have learned something from reading the Klepto Cat Mysteries. One fan said that a tip in one of my books showed her how to clear up the mysterious chin acne both of her cats suffered with. She was also interested in the whisker stress issue that is a problem for some cats when they’re eating.
