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People often ask me how I develop the personalities for the cats in my Klepto Cat Mysteries. Most definitely from cats I\u2019ve known. There are two cats who have contributed to the activities and demeanor of Rags, the main cat character\u2014the klepto cat himself. I\u2019ve talked about Smokey, my mother\u2019s part Ragdoll cat, who looks nothing like a Ragdoll. Smokey is large, confident, and full of shenanigans, like making my 94-year-old mother beg and bargain to get him to come in at night.<\/p>\n
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You may ask, \u201cWhy is he allowed to go outside at all?\u201d Well, it\u2019s a sad story\u2014but even as a kitten, although she dreamed of a lap cat to spend her days with, Smokey insisted on being an indoor\/outdoor cat. And so it is. Did I say he\u2019s also bull-headed and rather cunning?<\/p>\n
The other cat who influences Rags\u2019s character is Miss Lily. She delights in carrying things around in her mouth. She loves her stuffed toys. In fact, she has quite a collection of Folkmanis puppets and other small stuffed critters, including some that were once mine. So yes, she\u2019s a bit of a thief.<\/p>\n
Lily seems to have strong ideas about where her toys should be\u2014she digs her favorites out of her toy basket as soon as the vacuuming is over and places them strategically around the house. At night the toys get moved. I might find one near or floating in a water bowl, several are surrounding the door to my bedroom when I get up every morning and, while I\u2019m working, she brings me toy after toy, dropping them at my feet with a little \u201cprrrrt\u201d sound.![\"LilyToys\"](\"http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/catscapades\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/LilyToys-300x225.jpg\")
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When I decided to write the Klepto Cat Mysteries, I combined some of Smokey\u2019s traits and Lily\u2019s activities and came up with Rags, the klepto cat\u2014who, incidentally, goes way beyond anything Smokey or Lily would do. They only dream of following Rags on some of his adventures.<\/p>\n
Want to be More Well Informed?<\/strong><\/p>\n For those of you not on my mailing list, yet, sign up here PLFry620@yahoo.com<\/a>. Just let me know you\u2019d like to receive announcements about upcoming books in the series and I\u2019ll add you to my growing list. Don\u2019t worry about receiving daily (or hourly) messages from me. I only do a mailing three or four times a year (yes, that\u2019s all). In the meantime, be sure to download the latest Klepto Cat Mystery to your Kindle. That\u2019s Meow for the Money<\/em><\/strong>. http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Meow-Money-Klepto-Mystery-Book-ebook\/dp\/B019X3WA9S\/ref=sr_1_14?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1451478084&sr=1-14&keywords=klepto+cat+mysteries<\/a> For those who read from paper books, 10 of them are currently in print.<\/p>\n Big Announcement<\/strong><\/p>\n The Kindle version of A Picture-Purrfect Christmas<\/em><\/strong> is 99 cents this week. Don\u2019t miss this opportunity: http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Picture-Purrfect-Christmas-Klepto-Cat-Mystery\/dp\/0996673202\/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1451478221&sr=1-2&keywords=klepto+cat+mysteries<\/a><\/p>\n Get Involved<\/strong><\/p>\n Do you have a cat story, warning for cat owners, tips, etc. you\u2019d like to share? Leave a comment here or email me at PLFry620@yahoo.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I\u2019ve reserved Wednesdays here at Catscapades to share something unique and since I use the word \u201cwild,\u201d I\u2019d like to share with you a piece of wild art I purchased yesterday\u2014a little Christmas gift for myself. The resident cats seemed … Continue reading