![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/catscapades\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Oliviawaving-225x300.jpg\")
You\u2019ve read at least some of the Calico Cat Mysteries and you\u2019ve fallen in love with Olivia. You know that the fictional Olivia is based on the real Olivia, who lives right here with me. But I\u2019m sure you wonder how closely I\u2019ve patterned the fictional Olivia after the real Olivia. How similar are they? Let me count the ways:<\/p>\n
The two Olivia\u2019s look exactly alike. Yes, we use Olivia\u2019s actual image on the book covers. Beautiful, isn\u2019t she?![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/catscapades\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/oliviabook1-225x300.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Like the fictional Olivia, our Olivia loves to snuggle, but can be aloof. She\u2019s curious, fascinated by what goes on outdoors, but isn\u2019t allowed to go outdoors. She’s smart. She usually comes running when you call her name and we have some routines that she happily participates in. She\u2019s ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/catscapades\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/OliviacrossedNew-225x300.jpg\")
not a great eater, but, like the fictional Olivia maintains a weight of 10 pounds. She actually does leap high against a wall occasionally. Maybe practicing to fly\u2014who knows? She has her routines and she insists that we be a part of them–like everyone is to meet-up in the living room at 3 pm ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/catscapades\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Oliviawindowmouth-225x300.jpg\")
sharp. If you lag, she comes to get you.<\/p>\n
Olivia talks to me. We have some lingering conversations that neither of us knows what they\u2019re about, but Olivia\u2019s not all that vocal, just when she wants to get our attention or has something to say.<\/p>\n
The differences between the two Olivia\u2019s are numerous: ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/catscapades\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Oliviawindowfluff-225x300.jpg\")
Our Olivia does not wear a harness and doesn\u2019t walk on a leash. She\u2019s afraid of a lot of things, including a car ride. She won\u2019t sleep in a cat bed. I\u2019ve offered several. She wants to be on my bed or under it. She\u2019s not a social cat. Born and adopted in 2020, she was not ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/catscapades\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Oliviasnuggle-e1603797952294-225x300.jpg\")
socialized outside of with us. We tried to introduce her to people through the window, but that didn\u2019t go well. So obviously our Olivia is not friendly with others. Neither is she a traveler or an adventurer.<\/p>\n
A lot of what I write about Olivia is strictly fiction and, in some cases, wishful thinking. But she\u2019s not quite four-years-old, so maybe there\u2019s hope that she will become social with more people. She does like her cat sitters and she’s becoming accustomed to our house cleaners, but it breaks my heart to see her fearful. Her latest fear is rain. I believe that came about after a huge clap of thunder during a rain not too long ago. Now any rain worries her.<\/p>\n
So there you have it. The fictional Olivia is our Olivia on steroids and I have to say I love them both.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
You\u2019ve read at least some of the Calico Cat Mysteries and you\u2019ve fallen in love with Olivia. You know that the fictional Olivia is based on the real Olivia, who lives right here with me. But I\u2019m sure you wonder … Continue reading