Mollie Hunt's Blog, page 51

Lynley Cannon’s FRIDAY FELINE FACTS & FANCIES, Home Alone

 

Lynley Cannon, star of the Crazy Cat Lady cozy mystery series, is often referred to as a crazy cat lady herself, but when it comes to the feline species, this sixty-something cat shelter volunteer knows her stuff. Check here each Friday for instructive and intriguing information on our favorite subject: cats!

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The feline ability to sense you are going on vacation before you’ve even brought the suitcase out of the closet is well-documented. To minimize their angst while you’re gone, leave a piece of your clothing on the bed. Finding a compassionate and knowledgeable cat sitter is paramount.

~Cat’s Paw, chapter 2

Check out more of Lynley’s kitty tips, tricks, and facts preceding each chapter in CATS’ EYES, COPY CATS, CAT’S PAW, and CAT CALL.

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CAT SHOW

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Last week at this time, I was selling my books at the TICA International Cat Show here in Portland Oregon. It was a three-day show, and I ended up with a cold that kept me away from writing most of the week. I decided old news was better than no news, so I’ll give a quick rundown of what went on in the fur world.

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As many if you know, I’m more into shelter cats than breed cats, but since I love all cats, I’ve been trying to learn about the pedigreed side of the family. I found many truly compassionate people who care not only for their show cats but for all cats. TICA has categories for house cats, and prizes also went to cats from shelters such as Patty the deaf white kitty who won the People’s Choice award. I saw a few breeders who seemed to treat their cats like a commodity as opposed to the living, breathing, wonderful beings they are, but I’m glad to say they were a vast minority.

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I really enjoyed sharing a table with Ramona Marek again. We are both members of the Cat Writer’s Association, she with “Cats for the Genius“, the definitive how-to of everything cat, and me with my cat mysteries. We were placed next to the West Columbia Gorge Humane Society booth which ties in so well with my series that stars a cat shelter volunteer. The WCGHS adopted out several cats during the show, and it took real restraint on my part not to adopt Pluto, the hunky black 7-year-old boy they had there.

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I got a chance to talk to many people and add a few pictures to my Cat Man collection. (Crazy Cat Lady mystery #7 will feature the male side of the crazy cat lady world) These are only a few examples of guys showing their love and respect for cats.  The man on the right is the Cat Daddy of the successful Facebook page “My Life as Quincy” and a steadfast PAWS volunteer.

I also met up with award winning cat blogger Kerry Barbero (Noir Kitty Mews, Mewsings of Valentine the Persian Cat) who I hadn’t seen since BlogPaws in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina even though we both live here in Oregon. I was excited when she asked if Valentine could review my latest book, “Cat Call.” Valentine is also going to review Ramona’s book. That kitty’s got some real reading ahead of him!

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There is so much more to cat shows than I could have ever imagined, and a lot of it has to do with the welfare of cats. I found the attendees to be friendly and amicable, as were most of the presenters. It was easy to stop by a booth or a kennel and strike a conversation. I’m not sure when the next show will be, but chances are you will find me there.

 

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Buy the books.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lynley Cannon’s FRIDAY FELINE FACTS & FANCIES, Lick

 

Lynley Cannon, star of the Crazy Cat Lady cozy mystery series, is often referred to as a crazy cat lady herself, but when it comes to the feline species, this sixty-something cat shelter volunteer knows her stuff. Check here each Friday for instructive and intriguing information on our favorite subject: cats!

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For a cat, licking is not only a rite of cleanliness but also social exchange and an indication that she feels totally safe in your presence. You are truly a member of her family, and she reinforces that by cleaning you like her mother cleaned her when she was a kitten.

~Cat’s Paw, chapter 19

Check out more of Lynley’s kitty tips, tricks, and facts preceding each chapter in CATS’ EYES, COPY CATS, CAT’S PAW, and CAT CALL.

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Lynley Cannon’s FRIDAY FELINE FACTS & FANCIES, Hydration

 

Lynley Cannon, star of the Crazy Cat Lady cozy mystery series, is often referred to as a crazy cat lady herself, but when it comes to the feline species, this sixty-something cat shelter volunteer knows her stuff. Check here each Friday for instructive and intriguing information on our favorite subject: cats!

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Hydration is a key element of cat health. Have water bowls in multiple places throughout the house instead of only at the feeding station. Cats may be distracted by the food and neglect the water.

~Copy Cats, chapter 21

Check out more of Lynley’s kitty tips, tricks, and facts preceding each chapter in CATS’ EYES, COPY CATS, CAT’S PAW, and CAT CALL.

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THANKFUL THURSDAY THE FIRST

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Little: Everyone is doing a Thankful Thursday blogpost. Why doesn’t our cohabitor do one?

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Tyler: Thankful Thursday? What’s that?

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Little: It’s where you tell people what you’re thankful for, like good health or a nice place to live.

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Tyler: Oh, like food in our food bowls at the propper hour?

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Little: Sure, Tyler. That’s something you are especially thankful for after all those years on the street.

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Thanks!

Lynley Cannon’s FRIDAY FELINE FACTS & FANCIES, Foster

 

Lynley Cannon, star of the Crazy Cat Lady cozy mystery series, is often referred to as a crazy cat lady herself, but when it comes to the feline species, this sixty-something cat shelter volunteer knows her stuff. Check here each Friday for instructive and intriguing information on our favorite subject: cats!

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As a cat foster parent, I bring new kitties home on a regular basis. Are my cats happy about it? Not really, but with careful introduction, they adjust. I start the new cat in his own separate space, then let him familiarize with my cats by exchange of scent (cat-bed towels work well). When both cats seem ready to meet, I allow short moments of sight accompanied by treats. It usually takes about 2 weeks.

~Cat’s Paw, chapter 17

Check out more of Lynley’s kitty tips, tricks, and facts preceding each chapter in CATS’ EYES, COPY CATS, CAT’S PAW, and CAT CALL.

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CAT ADVOCATE, a poem

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There is a fine line

between life and death

in the cat world.

Homeless or rescue,

feral or lost or found.

It all has to do with

having an advocate,

someone who speaks for you.

Someone who doesn’t speak in meows.

 

We are those. (them, they?)

We rise each morning to save cats.

We volunteer at shelters;

trap, neuter, and return;

search disaster zones.

We foster and heal,

love and comfort and clean.

We do it,

not because we are kind

(though we are kind),

not because we are paid

(we are often the ones who pay).

Not because we are better than anyone else,

but because

cats need us.

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Dedicated to all those who volunteer for cats, no matter what the capacity. Together we make the world better, one cat at a time.

Lynley Cannon’s FRIDAY FELINE FACTS & FANCIES, Maine Coon

Lynley Cannon, star of the Crazy Cat Lady cozy mystery series, is often referred to as a crazy cat lady herself, but when it comes to the feline species, this sixty-something cat shelter volunteer knows her stuff. Check here each Friday for instructive and intriguing information on our favorite subject: cats!

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The Maine Coon is one of the largest and oldest cat breeds in North America. Known as “gentle giants” because of their sweet personalities, they possess above-average intelligence which makes them relatively easy to train.

  ~Cat Call, chapter 4

Check out more of Lynley’s kitty tips, tricks, and facts preceding each chapter in CATS’ EYES, COPY CATS, CAT’S PAW, and CAT CALL.

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COMING SOON! the Fantastic Feline Heroes Bundle, Heroic tales for cat lovers everywhere

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Author Bonnie Elizabeth decided to take a chance on a multi-author multi-genre bundle of cat stories, and the result looks to be fantastic! The 11 tales included in the Fantastic Feline Heroes bundle feature cats in their hero guise as they leap, slink, and purr through fantasy and fiction.

Cats, knowing themselves to be magnificent, have inspired many an author, and these 11 authors are no different. I was certainly inspired when I wrote the Dream Spinner, about Morningstar, a nursing home cat with special powers. Morningstar was based on my own therapy cat, Tinkerbelle, who brought life and light to patients in assisted living and hospice.

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Morningstar is a cat with a special gift. He is a Dream Spinner, one who can weave the fabric of people’s dreams as they sleep. Morningstar’s talent is welcomed by the elderly residents of St. Joseph’s Care Facility until he is unwittingly swept into the nightmare world of a troubled woman. The distraught mind is a treacherous place; will Morningstar’s feline cunning get him out alive?

You can read a nice review of  Fantastic Feline Heroes on Melissa’s Mochas, Mysteries and Meows Tortie Shorties. Melissa is the first of several cat bloggers who have promised us a review. In it, she chooses a few stories to highlight, including, I am honored to say, the Dream Spinner. So glad she liked it!

The official release date for Fantastic Feline Heroes is Monday, January 8th, and the price is only $2.99 for all 11 stories. Fantastic Feline Heroes is currently available for pre-order from all your favorite e-retailers, but if you order directly from Bundle Rabbit, you will have the choice of donating 10% of the profit to either The Blind Cat Rescue or Milo’s Sanctuary. Thank you, Bonnie, for caring for cats!

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Check out all the Fantastic Feline Heroes stories and authors here.

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THE ENIGMA OF THE DIABETIC CAT

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You finally found the perfect cat! Sweet, tolerant, friendly, loving, impeccable litterbox habits, doesn’t scratch the furniture or jump on counters. Then you read the note on the front of the kennel: This cat is diabetic. Medical conference required.

What does that mean, diabetic cat? Is he in pain? Does he require medication? Will there be expensive vet bills? Will he die?

What is feline diabetes mellitus?

Like human diabetes, feline diabetes is the inability to produce enough insulin to balance blood sugar or glucose levels . Symptoms begin with increased thirst, increased urination, and sometimes a ravenous appetite. It is often found in obese cats, another reason to keep your cat at a healthy weight. Left untreated, diabetes can lead to weight loss, loss of appetite, vomiting , dehydration, severe depression, problems with motor function, coma, and even death.

How do I treat feline diabetes?

Though it’s unlikely to ever go away, feline diabetes can be managed through diet and medication. It can go into remission where only the special diet is necessary. Feline diabetes requires monitoring, so a close relationship with a vet who is current with the disease is essential. The most common drug used to treat it is insulin. To ensure kitty is getting his perfect dose, he will need tests and examinations every three to four months. Luckily you don’t need to test every day as with humans.

Insulin is given in injection form at regular intervals, usually twice a day, twelve hours apart. This means that you need to be ready for your life to revolve around this schedule. A diabetic cat is a lifelong, daily commitment. For some people, it’s not a problem; for others, it may be impossible. If you can’t commit absolutely to the regimen but want to adopt a special needs cat, there are plenty of others who require a less rigid agenda.

As to the shots, themselves, most cats are extremely easy to inject. The needle is small and they often don’t seem to feel it at all. Giving an injection to a cat is much easier than giving a pill or even eye medication.

How much does it cost to treat feline diabetes?

Both veterinarian and medication costs vary widely, for no good reason, so a little research will go a long way toward getting the most effective deal on diabetes treatment. I always suggest building a relationship with a single doctor or a small clinic as opposed to large chain clinics where you get a different doctor every time. You wouldn’t want a stranger treating you at each new appointment and neither does your cat. As to medication, search around. Some meds can be purchased much more inexpensively from another country, one without all the taxes we have in the USA. But if you go that direction, check a review site such a eDrugsearch.com or Pharmacychecker.com to make sure you are dealing with a reputable company that will give you high quality medication. Most vets will be familiar with this process.

Will my cat die?

The prognosis for a diabetic cat hinges on how well their disease is controlled. The better the care, the less likelihood of an emergency situation. Infections,  peripheral nerve disorders, and other problems are possible, but again, better care produces a stronger cat. Many older diabetic cats live into their late teens.

For more information:

I am not a doctor, nor do I have training in cat medical health. This blogpost is intended merely as a jumping-off point when considering adopting a diabetic cat. There are many diabetic cats in the shelter system, and I’m hoping if more people learn what these cats need, it will be easier for the cats to find their forever homes.

* It’s always a good plan to consult your vet before adopting a special needs cat.

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Following are a few diabetic cats we have here in Portland at the Oregon Humane Society right now. I know these cats personally, and they are all absolutely wonderful!

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Buttons

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10 years 7 months

Meet Buttons! He is a sweet and loving boy who can’t wait to find his new best friend in life. Buttons is diabetic so he will need regular vet visits, a special diet and daily insulin. This little man is looking for a place to call his own and a companion to spend lots of time with. His handsome face and endearing personality will capture your heart and make you ask yourself how you ever lived without him. Is Button’s the feline friend you have been searching for?

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Joey

9 years 1 month

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Looking for a playful and affectionate feline? Joey is the friend for you! He loves receiving attention and gives head butts galore! He is diabetic so he will need to be indoors only with regular vet visits, on a special diet and insulin twice a day. You can’t go wrong with this sweet boy. He’s looking forward to some playtime, snuggles, and being showered with love in his new home. Get to know this handsome guy and you’ll soon be falling in love!

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Charlie

9 years 1 month

Did you stop in your tracks as you saw Charlie? Makes sense, as he is a handsome, distinguished, intelligent lad. Charlie is an independent boy looking for a good home and family to start his new life. He is diabetic so he will need regular vet visits, insulin and a special diet. He’s not a fan of being fussed with. He will do best in an adult only home. If you are willing to give him the time to become familiar with you and your routines, we think you will be more than happy with the outcome! He came to OHS through the Second Chance program from Benton Franklin Humane Society.