Say Hello to Valek :)

I'd like to introduce you to the guy that's been keeping me busy these last four weeks - our newest family member - Valek! He's about 8 months old - a rescue from North Carolina and the sweetest most lovable kitty I've ever met. I wanted to name him Valentine as we picked him up on Valentine's day and he's such a lover boy, but the kids wanted to name him Valek and I was touched (also meant they really did like my books and weren't just saying so to avoid hurting my feelings).




Since he's all black, he blends in the shadows like Valek and is good at sneaking up on us and pouncing! His right ear is a little crinkled so he’s seen some action. ;) Sometimes, like when he's under the bed we can't even see him unless he opens his eyes and looks our way. Those big golden/green eyes just glow at night - it's also hard to take a picture of him if the light isn't really bright. He meets all the standards for the Bombay breed, but since he was found under a bush at 6 weeks old, no one can say for sure.



He likes to keep me company while I'm writing and will eventually settle down in the corner of my desk and help me with spelling (I'm so bad, I need a dictionary to help me do spell check).



As for our dog, Hazelnut (Hazel for short) – we had to put her to sleep this summer due to extreme old age. She was 16 years and 3 months old and that’s ancient for a Labrador Retriever. I was devastated – she was my best friend, following me everywhere and a constant companion. She helped me when I was stuck with my writing by always being willing to go for a walk no matter what the time or weather.

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Losing her really derailed my writing – I was trying to get SPY GLASS done and just had the hardest time. The house was too quiet so I had to start listening to music, which was distracting at first – now I don’t even hear it.

Is it terrible that losing her was more of a blow than losing my 96 year-old grandmother? She passed away three days after Hazel. And while I love my grandmother and miss her, she wasn’t a part of my everyday life. To me, Hazel was our first child and will always be missed. I couldn’t even write this blog before now. As copies of Inside Out hit the shelves, you’ll see not only is it dedicated to my niece, Amy (the one who came to London with me) but it’s also in memory of my grandmother and Hazel.

We adopted a cat because after growing up with a dog and living with a dog for 16 years, I developed an allergy to dogs. I’ve never had a cat – so it should be interesting. I already have the scratches to prove I’m not as savvy – clipping a cat’s claws was one of those surprise tasks I hadn’t been expecting. But I’m liking the litter box – no more hunting the yard for those special gifts from the dog and no more shoes to clean when one of my kids didn’t watch where they were stepping. :)