Confucius Cat

Cat Treat Monday: Norah Wilson, Bandy and Chloe

2012-01-23T06:43:00.001-05:00

What a fantastic cat treat I have for you today: Author Norah Wilson and her dogs Bandy and Chloe. I bet you'll be inspired by the story of these sweet dogs and their very special owner. Now, without further ado, here's Norah.

Big paw prints to fill

"I got Bandy immediately after my yellow lab Zack died. My kids’ young hearts were broken. Knowing the only remedy was to bring a new dog into our lives, we headed to the local SPCA. Going into this adoption, I already felt sorry for the new dog. How could it ever measure up to Zack, the most good-tempered, gentle, friendly dog in the world?

Well, we got to the SPCA and there were cute little dogs. There were handsome big dogs. And there was one very odd-looking mid-sized model. It had the height and some characteristics of a Sheltie, but it was quite … um, rotund. Short-legged, it had a glorious, multi-colored hair coat that brushed the floor. He was missing several front teeth, probably from having been kicked (he’d been seized from his former owner) and staff estimated his age at 5 years. It was love at first sight for my daughter, if not for me. We leashed him and took him outside. The first thing he did was cock his leg and piddle on something, which my kids found delightful. (Zack, despite being a male, always squatted politely; clearly, he’d had no male role models in his puppyhood!) Then this funny little dog bounded up onto a picnic table. That sealed it, since that was something Zack loved to do.

So, home we went with this dog, which the kids named Bandicoot (or Bandy for short). As the dog’s foibles became known to us, all I could do was shake my head and say, “He’s no Zack.” If I tried to jog, he bit my ankles. If the kids went sliding, he barrelled down the hill and bowled them off the toboggan. If the kids engaged in any kind of horseplay, he leapt in to break it up (usually biting the one that was shrieking the loudest, i.e., the victim). If my husband touched me, Bandy would go for his ankles. And he really didn’t like people with canes. I suspect he’d probably been beaten with something similar. (Whatever the source of his hostility, I’m here to tell you it’s embarrassing when your dog menaces octogenarians.)

But slowly, Bandy grew on us. While he was very close to my kids and fretted over their safety, he bonded primarily with me, the one who saw to his needs. Soon he became my shadow. I couldn’t move from one room to another without him padding after me. I wrote most of my books with him lying at my feet. And he was so incredibly loyal and protective. Even at the end, at the age of 16 – virtually toothless, nearly deaf and almost totally blind, his glorious hair coat reduced to mere wisps – he would have defended me to the death against any threat. When I finally had to euthanize him, it wrecked me. That was over four years ago, but I’m crying as I write this. Much as I’d loved Zack, Bandy was my heart.

Of course, in the midst of our grief, we went to the SPCA again. This time, we came away with a hulking adult female Rotti-Lab cross named Chloe. Of course, I was soon muttering, “She’s no Bandy.“ Unlike my fearless Bandy, Chloe is terrified of her shadow. At the first sign of a threat, she slips her collar and runs home! Of course, I realize that she, as another rescued animal, has had her own troubled history that made her so fearful. She’s also funny, goofy and no matter how old she gets, she’ll always be a puppy at heart. I expect when I get my next dog, I’ll be saying, “She’s no Chloe.”

Bandy may be gone, but he’ll never be forgotten. I ensured that by inserting him into my Golden Heart finalling GUARDING SUZANNAH. All his idiosyncrasies are on display and are not embellished in the least. That’s one of the reasons that book will always be a favorite of mine.

Norah Wilson lives in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada with her husband and two adult children, Chloe, and numerous rats (the pet kind). She has been writing romance a long while, and has finalled multiple times in the Romance Writers of America's Golden Heart contest. She also won Dorchester Publishing's New Voice in Romance contest in 2003. Norah also writes paranormal YA stories with writing partner Heather Doherty, under the name Wilson Doherty. She and Heather also write the hilarious Dix Dodd mysteries under the name N.L. Wilson.

I knew Norah was an awesome multi-published author but now I know she's a wonderful and compassionate human to open her home to these sweet animals. Bravo.

Guarding Suzannah is available at all the usual outlets including Amazon.com Permalink: http://amzn.com/B003ZK5KS4

Criminal defense attorney Suzannah Phelps is the bane of the Fredericton police department (they call her She-Rex for her habit of shredding cops in the witness box). She is currently being stalked, but is reluctant to report it to the police, whom she half suspects of being the perpetrators. But when Detective John (Quigg) Quigley learns of it, he's determined to protect her, at considerable risk to his career. They've struck sparks off each other in the courtroom, and he's burning to do the same in the bedroom. When the danger escalates, he has the perfect excuse to pose as her boyfriend, but the closer they get, the more the lines between pretense and reality blur.
I hope you'll look for Guarding Suzannah and Norah's other titles. You can connect with Norah on Twitter (@Norah_Wilson) and on Goodreads
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1361508.Norah_Wilson

Cat Treat: Christy Hayes, Snickers and Hershey

2012-01-16T06:32:00.001-05:00

I'm so happy to have another cat treat for you today: Christy Hayes and her sweet dogs Hershey and Snickers. Aren't they gorgeous! Here is Christy:

"Hershey and Snickers Hayes are three-year-old mutt sisters adopted by Christy Hayes andfamily. When our elderly dog passed away, we went to a dog adoption just to “look” at the dogs. We came home with dark brown Hershey. Less than an hour later, we were back at the pet store for a crate and some supplies when we realized her sister was still available (she had been cuddling with prospective adoptive parents the entire time we were in the store). Hershey and Snickers were so happy to see each other again, we just had to adopt Snickers, too. And thank goodness we did!

Hershey and Snickers absolutely love one another. They sleep together, play together, beg for food together—they do everything together. Hershey is more of a loner than Snickers. Snickers always wants to be where her people are. Hershey likes to hang out under the dining room table and in front of the window so she can protect the homestead. Snickers loves to play and often attacks Hershey whenever she can. She loves tennis balls, chew bones, and an occasional stuffed animal or two.

Hershey and Snickers love to lay outside in the sunshine. When not playing with each other or napping, they adore their twice-daily walks through the neighborhood. Hershey and Snickers love to swim, chase squirrels, and go to the dog park. The Hayes family wouldn’t be complete without these two adorable mutts!

My twitter handle is @SeaHayes. My website is www.christyhayes.com and my blog iswww.womenunplugged.wordpress.com."

Christy has written a new romance:

Heart of Glass: When magazine writer Kate Donovan is assigned to profile the building and architectural firm of her first and only love, she heads back to the South Carolina Low Country to face the demons she left behind. Nothing about Danny Flannery’s life is what Kate thought it would be, and as the truth is revealed she longs for a big fat do-over.

Danny’s made a success of his building firm but is hesitant to participate in a flashy magazine spread. He’s dead-set against it when he realizes the journalist sent to interview him is the only woman he’s ever loved and lost. Under pressure from his business partner, Danny agrees to sit down for an interview with the girl he once knew as Kat Fordham and realizes her name isn’t the only thing that’s changed. Everything he thought was true about the past is a lie.

When Danny discovers Kate still wears the heart shaped sea glass necklace he made for her years ago, they clear the air and their passion reignites. But Kate’s still keeping secrets to protect their fragile new relationship. With her family estranged and her career on the line, will she come clean before Danny finds out the truth, and can Danny risk his heart again for the only woman he’s ever loved?

(*Gorgeous cover! I'm definitely going to check it out and I hope you will to)

You can buy Heart of Glass at your favorite outlets. Available at Amazon:
http://amzn.com/B0054576HG

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/heart-of-glass-christy-hayes/1102967683?ean=2940012922113&itm=4&usri=christy+hayes&workid=1031405981

Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/63962

Cat Treat Monday: Jennifer Lynne & Cleo

2012-01-09T07:15:00.000-05:00

Today's cat treat comes to us all the way from Australia:

Romance author, Jennifer Lynne, and her feline friend, Cleo

I hope you'll enjoy meeting these two interesting friends.

"Thanks so much for having us here today at Confucius Cat.

Writing wouldn't be the same without Cleo by my side. As I write this post, she sits in her usual spot on the desk beside my laptop, purring and staring at me. It's really disconcerting, at times, but I wouldn't be without her. Every so often she tries to climb onto the keyboard, just to get some attention, I think, and at other times, especially if I'm on the computer first thing in the morning before breakfast, she just keeps tapping me on the shoulder with one of her paws – over and over – until I get up and feed her.

Cleo is a seven year old ginger cat, and as a female I believe she is quite rare. Apparently only one in 100 gingers are girls, or so I've been told by our vet. So she was special from the moment she was born, and of course, she knows it!

Cleo doesn't like to be held, but she loves company and no matter where we are in the house or garden, she'll be there, too. She loves sitting on our laps, but it has to be her choice to get up there and down rather than being lifted there by any of us. Independent little miss. This may have to do with her having had a double knee reconstruction when she was three and being a bit tetchy about being squished in someone's loving arms.

Yep, I did say a double reconstruction! Recuperation was not fun, to put it mildly, as she was not allowed to jump in any way for at least three months. The only room in the house without a surface to jump on was my walk-in wardrobe. So she lived in there for several weeks. Awful, but we didn't have a choice. Her knees kept dislocating all the time and it got to the point where it was do the reconstruction or…yep. We won't voice the other choice aloud. That decision was a no brainer! Unfortunately that operation damaged her kidneys, so she is now on a special kidney diet (dry food only), and in our house, if you have a glass of water and put it down for more than a few seconds, better watch out. She'll be there to drink it.

We know she may not be with us for the full range of years that she might have been without the kidney disease, but for now she is well, very happy and extremely spoilt! We love her to bits."

Jennifer Lynne is multi-published in the erotic romance genre, including her latest release, Platinum Passion (Gods of Love #1), focusing on a long term relationship that has gone off track and needs a helping hand from Pothos, one of the ancient Greek gods of desire.

Here's the book summary for Platinum Passion (M/M/F erotic paranormal romance):

Three people. One erotic fantasy. And a twentieth wedding anniversary like no other.

Jeannie yearns for the return of passion in her marriage. Jake wants new excitement in the form of another man, in a way that won't upset the balance of his relationship with his wife. Pothos is one of the erotes and an aspect of Eros, the Olympian god of desire. This couple's distinctive yearning has called to him, and by the power of the erotes he intends to rekindle the flame of Jeannie and Jake's passion in a night of desire that could be the ultimate platinum anniversary gift.

And when the gods of love decide your marriage needs a boost, they never do it by halves.

Mummy's Review: Hot with Heart. This story is hot....did I mention hot? It's hot. But though this story involves some very spicy threesome action, the author does an artful job of establishing a believable and heartfelt romance between Jeannie and Jack. And throw in the intriguing paranormal premise that sets the story in motion and I was hooked. A thoroughly enjoyable erotic romance. If you like your romance hot, you gotta check this one out.

Find out more at Jennifer's website/blog http://www.jenniferlynne.com.au/blog or friend her (she needs more friends!) at Twitter: http://twitter.com/JenniLynnAuthor or Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jennifer-Lynne-Romance-Author/297504180262670

Buy Links for Platinum Passion:

Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/114249

All Romance ebooks: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-platinumpassion-652347-144.html

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Platinum-Passion-Gods-Love-ebook/dp/B006LUHIDK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1323862259&sr=8-1

Purrs 4 Peace - January 2012 - Thank You

2012-01-08T15:10:00.001-05:00

Today, the first Purrs 4 Peace of 2012, I wanted to say a very special thank you to some wonderful friends. Aimee Vinciguerra and her five furbabies have been devoted purr warriors and supporters of Purrs 4 Peace as well as being sweet and supporting friends to me and mummy. So we wanted to give YOU a chance to get to know this great group. Take it away Aimee.

"This is Karma. He will be 21 in March. He has lived with me since he was 3 months old. A friend of mine was convinced he belonged with me and every day came to my work to say that he needed me. She was right, he did. I needed him right back! He's been there for many moves and raised a number of kittens and cats for me. I've lost five other cats after he joined my house and added 4 more in the last three years and he still keeps on going and loving everyone.

*Confucius Cat says: this must be one of the sweetest cat in the world. Smooooches to Karma.

This is Kismet. She joined us in August 2009 after I lost my little girl Psyche just shy of 6 years old (she had cancer). I went into our local shelter and she was watching me through the window from the cat condo. She looked so much like my Psyche that at first I said I couldn't bring her home. After going through all the cat rooms, I went back to her room and as I opened the door she reached over and licked my hand. She hopped off the cat condo, twined around my feet, grabbed a bite of food, and came back to me, three times. She won. Her name had been Chubbs, I promptly renamed her Kismet as she was “fated” to be with us.

**CC says: Awwww. What a lucky and adorable tuxedo cat.

This is Sadari. She joined us last June 2010. I thought we were about to lose Karma and I didn't want Kismet to be as lost as Karma had been when he became the only cat so I went to the shelter I had gotten Kismet from and looked around. None of the cats I saw had that “spark” the one that says.. “yup.. we belong together.” I was about to give up when one of the volunteers called me over to meet this little lady. She twined around my ankles purring up a storm. I was petting her, talking to the volunteers and she nipped me. The poor volunteers were beside themselves. I started laughing. I had one JUST like her named Pixie that I had lost when she was 15 years old. Sadari saw that they were putting a cat carrier together and she hopped right in, looked at me, looked at the volunteer and said as plain as day. “let's go home” So we did! She's my little sheriff, keeping everyone in line! (Sadari loosely translates as a blessing of positive energy)

***CC says: What a gorgeous name....for a gorgeous cat. And you KNOW I love the black cats!

On the left is Independence (Indy) on the right is Liberty (Libby). September 2010 my neighbors moved out. I didn't know them by name but knew they had cats. They moved out. The cats stayed. Libby was pregnant and gave birth two weeks after they moved out. I brought her in, found homes for the two kittens that survived, and after the kittens went to their new homes brought Indy in. They were both neutered and spayed just before Christmas last year. The plan was to find them a home but they had their own plans.. they WERE home. So I am a Foster Fail and here they stay. Both are incredibly sweet and I'm very glad they joined my family.

*****CC says: Two little darlings. They are obviously intelligent... taking over the bed.

I've had cats as part of my life for as long as I can remember. My first was Velvet Ann. I was six when I got her. Cats bring me so much love, and joy. Coming home to their sweet faces as they run from all parts of the house when I come home makes my day. Curling up in bed with the two that will, Kismet and Libby, makes my night. My life wouldn't be complete without my purrchildren."

What a wonderfully compassionate and loving human to open her home to 5 furbabies. Aimee is an example of what every human should strive to be.

Thank you Aimee, Karma, Kismet, Sadari, Indy and Libby. You are much appreciated and loved. Big Confucius Cat kitty kisses and four paws hugging.

Bravo and thank you to all the purrticipants in this month's Purrs 4 Peace. I appreciate and love you all. You are mighty purr warriors. I know the positive energy you all put into the universe has to be yielding results. And in a world where the need for the positive is so great, you are a vital force for good.

Cat Treat Monday: Marie Higgins and Jack

2012-01-02T07:07:00.001-05:00

Happy New Year! The first Cat Treat of the year is a wonderful author, Marie Higgins and and her adorable fur baby called Jack. Here's Marie:

"There wasn't a time in my life that I can't remember having a pet. When I was young, my parents got a cat. Within a few months we realized I'm allergic to their hair. Not long after that, we adopted a dog. They are so much fun for kids, in my opinion. When I grew up, married, and had my own family, we always had a pet. The dogs we had that lasted longer than the others were: Cocker Spaniel (my favorite), and Teacup Poodle. Cindy - our Cocker, must have had some kind of brain tumor and she died in our house. That was so sad. And Buddy - our Poodle - had seizures since he was small, but he still lasted for many years until he went blind and could hardly walk. We had him put down, and that was very hard on the family, too.

By this time, my kids were growing up and moving out. My husband and I worked full time and we didn't have time to raise another pup - so we thought. We went two years before my husband said he just HAD to get another dog. I let him pick one out, so he did. A Miniature Schnauzer he called Jack. (don't know why he named him that...)

Jack was such a cute puppy, it was hard not to love him. My grandchildren fell madly in love with him and cuddled him every time they came over. Now Jack is very protective of them, and doesn't like them to have friends over because Jack is worried they will get hurt. Jack is also very protective of my husband - and yes, even me. When I play and act like I'm growling at my husband, Jack gets upset and barks at me. lol

Jack was such an easy dog to train, too. He doesn't dig in the yard, he goes to the bathroom outside, and he rarely every chews on my shoes. :) I taught him how to sit up and roll over. I wanted to teach him how to bark for a treat, but he does enough barking as it is when company comes over so I didn't want him barking anymore.

Although he's a great dog, we still have to stick him in the bedroom when company comes to visit. I'm afraid he'll bite them. If anyone could tell me what I can do to train him not to attack visitors, I'd greatly appreciate it!

In my newest release, "Secrets After Dark" I've written about a dog. Well...a werewolf, actually, but I made him different than other werewolves I've read about. Here is a little excerpt of the story -"

Hannah clasped her hands to the material around her neck, bringing the garment closer together to ward off the coldness seeping in through her skin. With every step, she searched through the fog and strained to hear what was going on around her. Close by, bushes rustled and twigs snapped.

She glanced at the trees, wondering if she should climb one to get out of the path of the wild animal. Hannah gulped. Another twig snapped, and the growl of an animal rumbled through the air. She froze in fear, afraid to even breathe.

Through the fog, yellow eyes floated toward her, and within seconds the outline of the wolf appeared. He bared his teeth as he stared at her, stalking closer.

Hannah whimpered. “Please, don’t.”

The animal stopped and tilted his head, no longer threatening her with his nasty snarl. His eyes blinked. Against her ribs her heartbeat thundered, shaking her body even worse. Would he pounce on her and kill her immediately?

This was definitely the calm before the storm.

Even through her fear, she realized she’d never seen a more beautiful animal. Pure white fur covered the animal, and perfect ears stood straight on top his head. The long, bushy tail did not move at the animal stared at her.

Several minutes passed. She dared not move for fear of provoking the animal further. If the rapid speed of her heart didn’t kill her, the wolf certainly would. Silently, she prayed Morgan would save her as he did the last time. But as each minute passed, her hopes sank lower.

Finally the white wolf moved, taking a step closer to her. Clutching her shaking hands against her chest, Hannah squeezed her eyes closed and whimpered. The heat of his breath fanned her cold hands. She waited for his sharp teeth to sink into her skin, but instead she felt soft fur rubbing gently against her hand.

She peeked at the wolf, keeping as still as she could. He looked up at her, his large, yellow eyes staring wondrously into her eyes for a moment. Then he whined and nudged her with his nose before rubbing his head on her hand again.

The beast seemed friendly, but how could that be? Hadn’t he already killed women, including Sarah, the Thorntons’ servant?

The wolf sat in front of her and lifted his paw. Letting out a whine, he rested his paw on Hannah’s leg. Her heart leapt in terror. She had heard once that some animals play with their victims before they kill them, and perhaps this was the case now.

Keeping his eyes on her, the wolf touched her again. He let out a soft whine and tilted his head at her.

Hannah licked her lips. “Wh–what do you want?” she whispered.

The wolf rose to all fours and stepped in front of her as if he was leaving. He took a couple of steps then turned and looked back at her. He whined once more before turning and taking a few more steps, then stopping again to peer back at her, his eyes glowing.

Perhaps all the rumors of the white wolf had been false. Obviously, the animal wasn’t trying to hurt her, but help her. Hannah clasped her cold, shaky hands and walked toward him on quaky limbs. She kept a few steps behind him as he led her through the trees. Every so often, he turned and looked at her as if to make certain she followed.

Soon, the lights from the manor shone through the night like a beacon in the fog. Tears gathered in her eyes. At last she was safe!

Check out book trailers for "Secrets After Dark" -

http://youtu.be/w_XZYbKQ8VU

http://youtu.be/rel71riDBnE

You can find the links to buy the book at: http://mariehiggins84302.blogspot.com

Marie Higgins is a multi-published author of romance; from refined bad-boy heroes who makes your heart melt to the feisty heroines who somehow manage to love them regardless of their faults. Visit her website / blog to discover more about her – http://mariehiggins84302.blogspot.com

You can also find out more about her at her Amazon author page: http://www.amazon.com/Marie-Higgins/e/B004O3WYQ2/ref=sr_tc_ep?qid=1325505921

Cat Treat Monday: Elysa Hendricks and Kyle

2011-12-26T07:21:00.004-05:00

I'm very excited today to introduce you to a lovely author, Elysa Hendricks and her sweet fur baby. Elysa is sharing a short story she wrote about meeting Kyle.

HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

Christmas Eve my life changed.

The day started out about the same as the rest of the days during the last month.

Harsh fluorescent lights sputtered reluctantly to life; revealing stark cinder block walls, bare cement floors and steel bars. Plaintive cries echoed down long, empty halls. The acrid smell of urine mingled unpleasantly with the strong odor of pine disinfectant. My bones protested as I stretched out the kinks caused by sleeping on the hard metal ledge provided in place of a proper bed.

As far as prisons go, this one wasn't as bad as some and it was better than most: warm and dry, with three square, if bland meals a day. After spending most of the month of December on the streets of Chicago, my toes a mere half-degree away from frostbite, I almost jumped into the officer's wagon.

Almost. Life on the inside can be iffy. Two others, who came in with me that day hadn't been seen since.

Shortly after lunch, the cellblock door opened. I heard a brief snatch of the song I’ll Be Home For Christmas before the door clanged shut again. It had been a long time since I’d had a home, for Christmas or otherwise. Two strangers, a middle-aged woman and a teen-aged boy, walked into the room. In every cell the inmates sat up. They crowded against the bars, each crying his own sad song. One by one, the people checked them out.

Then they were there. Right in front of me.

This was my chance. Eagerly I arched my back and pressed my nose through the bars. I set my motor going. My whole body thrummed with the effort to be heard above the others, to be noticed. Excitement locked my vocal cords. All that came out was a strangled squeak.

"How 'bout this one?" the woman asked.

The boy peered at me. "He's kind of skinny," he said.

I held my breath. The cell door swung open. His hands gripped me behind my front legs and pulled me against his chest. "You want to come home with me, Kitty?" he asked.

Before he could change his mind I wrapped my paws around his neck and licked his chin. He grinned and nodded at the woman.

I was going home for Christmas.

Thank you Elysa. I wish all people would consider adopting a homeless cat and bringing more love into their life. Elysa's book looks like a heartfelt romance

Book Description:

Race Reed doesn’t want a wife, but to save his ranch he needs a baby. To gain custody of her stepsister, Claire Jensen needs a husband, but she wants love. Wants and needs are bound to clash when they run The Baby Race.

I hope you'll check it out and give it a try:

http://tinyurl.com/thebabyrace

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/77032

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-baby-race-elysa-hendricks/1104729049

You should also visit Elysa at her website: http://www.elysahendricks.com

Cat Treat Monday: Cathleen Ross and Chicken

2011-12-19T07:38:00.003-05:00

We have a fantastic cat treat this holiday week. Mum and I are pleased to introduce author, Cathleen Ross and her unusual pet. Without further ado, here's Cathleen.

I adore animals and have had plenty. This is my pet chicken named CHICKEN. I've had her since she was a pullet and she's getting used to being patted by me. I found her in a pet shop in the country with lots of other pullets. The other pullets ignored me when I squatted to look at them but she begged me to buy her by jumping up and down and looking me in the eye, so I bought her. She's very spoiled and jealous in nature. If I walk my dog she tries to attack her by flying onto the dog's head and pecking out her eyes. She gave up laying over a year ago and now just rules the front garden. She sits outside my bedroom window and wakes me up with her constant calls for food and as you can see she is getting very fat as i buy her fresh corn on the cob. I think she gets lonely sometimes as she sits by the front door and watches me write. Once I left the front door open and found her sitting at my desk waiting for me.

What a darling Chicken! I never knew they could have such personality. Thank you so much Cathleen for sharing your story.

Cathleen 's recent release is called Highlander.

About the book: Highlander is the second of the Forbidden Fantasy stories by best-selling erotic writer, Cathleen Ross. It is a 10,000 word erotic romance set in Scotland. When Sir James Bruce conquers enemy territory, his reward is the hand of beautiful virgin, Lady Isobel McLaird. Although Isobel has no intention of marrying Sir James, he intends to change her mind by taming her to his touch. Only James has the power to save her imprisoned brother and the stubborn tenacity to win her heart.

Mum's review: I'm a sucker for stories of gorgeous Scots in kilts, so I found Highlander a greatly enjoyable read. Highlander has a dash of the period politics of Braveheart and a sassy heroine reminiscent of the Taming of the Shrew. Add in the flair of a contemporary voice along with a HOT romance and you have entertaining fun.

You can follow Cathleen on Twitter @CathleenRoss . You can also sample Cathleen's work on Wattpad http://www.wattpad.com/user/CathleenRoss

Cat Treat Monday: Author Edie Ramer, Belle, Rose and Sky

2011-12-12T08:37:00.000-05:00

We are very pleased to introduce you to our guests today. Mummy just finished Edie Ramer's book Cattitude and she loved it. She said she would like to give it more than five stars on Amazon but they only allow five.

Cattitude blurb: It's all in the Cattitude...

After Belle the cat switches bodies with a psychic on the run from a murderer, she wants her perfect cat body back instead of this furless human one. But she doesn't count on falling in love with her former owner. Or that a CEO and a beauty queen want to use up her nine lives. Now is her chance to prove anything a human can do, a cat can do better.

Edie has some adorable babies to tell you about so I'll just turn it over to her with no further ado.

CC said to write a few paragraphs about my fur babies. I could write a book about them, but I’ll restrain myself. The English setter came first. We’d lost Lulu, our beloved English springer spaniel a few months before, and I couldn’t stand being without another dog. We decided to go with a different breed this time to avoid comparing our new dog to Lulu. (Which didn’t work.)

After reading a half dozen books on dog breeds, we decided on an English setter. We got Sky from a rescue association. She was just under a year old. Beautiful. Super high energy. In great health. She even came with her original papers, including her vet information. (Which we really appreciated.) We knew she’d be energetic, but what we didn’t pay so much attention to was the part in her breed description that said “stubborn.” The books should say “super stubborn.” Or “makes a mule look malleable.”

But she’s a sweetheart. Great with children. Loves to be petted. Hates to be alone. Which is where the cat came in...

My husband refused to get another dog, and I’d heard that cats had a calming effect on a dog. Sky had been dropped off with all her papers at a cat kennel, so we thought she must be used to cats. We got Belle from our local humane society. The minute I brought her home, Lulu sniffed the carrier and I could just tell what she was thinking.

“Lunch!”

It took a couple of months before Belle got used to us. I quickly fell in love with her. I’d thought I was a dog person, but now I know I’m a cat person, too. It’s because of her that I wrote Cattitude. While on a break at a previous workplace, eight of us talked about what kind of animal we’d like to be if we could have our choice. The majority of my co-workers wanted to be a cat. That conversation stayed in my head and one day when Belle was purring on my lap, I wondered What if the opposite happened? What if a cat turned into a woman?

That’s when I knew I was going to write a book about a cat who changes bodies with a woman and keeps her cat attitude. I tried to give the cat in the book a different name—because she really isn’t my cat—but none fit as well as Belle.

We inherited Rose the beagle when my father-in-law died. She was 17; now she’s 19. Very old. It’s amazing because when we got her, she was obese. She could barely drag herself up the stairs. (She follows me everywhere.) Now she’s trimmed up nicely and she scampers, and I take her and Sky for long walks. Though she has arthritis and limps, she doesn’t let that stop her. My only regret is that we didn’t have her much sooner.

I’ve exceeded my few paragraphs. It’s a pleasure to be here and I’m grateful to Confucius Cat and Patricia for letting me talk about my fur babies.

Mum's Cattitude Review - Five Stars

I LOVED this book. As a cat lover, I was drawn to the tagline: Anything a human can do a cat can do better. How perfect! That's a sentiment I see my cat thinking every day. *Confucius Cat says: darn right! * In her heroine, Belle, Edie Ramer has managed to capture the feline thought process and translate it into a humorous and endearing character who charmed me from the first page. The book is often laugh out loud funny, as when Belle is considering living life as a woman instead of a cat and decides she'd rather have a hairball in her throat. Or the passages on Belle's Harry Potter obsession. I could definitely relate to those and at one point had to take a drink of water, I was laughing so hard. The hero, Max, is loveable and relatable as well. He's so attractive and wonderful, ...well you'll have to read the book to know more. Ramer has also done a fantastic job with the relationship between Sorcha (who becomes a cat) and the little girl she grows to love. Cattitude is a must read for cat lovers...and everyone else.

You can follow Edie Ramer on Twitter @Edie Ramer and check out her other books at http://www.EdieRamer.com

Cat Treat Monday: Minna and Author Maree Anderson

2011-12-05T07:56:00.000-05:00

Today, I am so excited to introduce a fascinating cat and her owner. I don't think I've ever met an Ocicat before. What a beauty. Take it away Minna:

Name: Minna (short for Minnaloushe, after the cat in a poem by William Butler Yeats.) I’m a purebred ocicat *buffs her claws on her Owner’s best couch cushion*

Favorite Pastime: Sleeping. Eating. Hunting for yummy things to eat that have been left out on the kitchen counter, like margarine containers (excellent to lick), cheese buns (crunchy cheesy toppings--yum), and muffins that have just come out of the oven (my favorite are banana choc-chip). Smooching my Feeder and acting all purry and adorable so my Feeder will feed me. Eating. Forgetting I’ve been fed 10 minutes after I ate. Eating. Sleeping.

Favorite Human: My Feeder. Though I must say, she is a very frustrating creature at times. I’m doing my best to train her to my exacting standards, but oh, it’s such a chore. Sometimes I have to resort to jumping on her pillow and yowling in her ear while she’s sleeping before she’ll get up and feed me. Or even scraping my claws down her bedroom windowpane if I happen to be stuck outside. Goodness. I feel tired just thinking about it. *yawns* Must have a nap....

Most embarrassing moment: When my Feeder’s sibling chose to write all about me for his school speech. I was flattered at first, until I realized it wasn’t a speech about my star-studded past as a feline cover-model and heroine of the bestselling book The Nine Emotional Lives Of Cats. No, it was a tell-all expose! All my little foibles—like the time I went hunting and brought home a delicious piece of stale Madeira cake from the neighbor’s front lawn—were revealed to a bunch of evil children. I was a laughing stock! To add insult to injury, he got a very good mark for delivering such an amusing speech. Oh, the shame.....

BTW: Since my Owner cooks all my food specially for me so I don’t get all itchy and scratchy and lick my fur off, I guess it would be nice to give her a mention. She has published a book called The Crystal Warrior. It’s not anywhere near as fascinating as “my” book, but it’s won a writing award, and I’ve heard people say it’s not half bad. (And just between you and me, one day my Owner hopes to be famous as I am!)

Here’s a bit about my Owner’s book:

The Crystal Warrior by Maree Anderson

She’s a dancer, and the most important thing in her life right now is the success of her new dance studio. He’s an alien Crystal Warrior with one big-ass curse hanging over him. In a moment of weakness she lets him seduce her. Now they’re magically bonded and his life is in her hands. (Winner of the Romance Writers of New Zealand Clendon Award for full-length romantic manuscript.)

Chalcedony (Chalcey) has given up on men. Who’s got time for all that angsty dating crap when she’s got a new dance studio to run? Then she’s given a piece of wulfenite crystal and Lord Wulfenite, Keeper of the Shifting Sands fief, literally pops out of the crystal and plants one on her. Wulf is the man of her dreams… or at least, dressed like an ad for We Love Leather, with killer abs and delectable pectorals, he sure looks like the man of her dreams. But if there’s one thing Chalcey’s learned: If it looks too good to be true, then it sure as heck probably is too good to be true! And Wulf proves to be no exception.

Wulf doesn’t stop to wonder why he’s so attracted to Chalcedony. All he knows is he’s finally escaped from a centuries-long hell and he wants this woman – more than anything he’s wanted in his entire life. Chalcey doesn’t stand a chance. Before she realizes what’s at stake, she’s bonded with him and his life is in her hands. She knows she should walk away and leave him to his fate. No way is she planning on getting stuck with a guy who used to steal women for breeding stock! But the more she learns about Wulf and his past, the more conflicted she becomes.

Only when the Crystal Guardian’s curse threatens everything Chalcey’s worked so hard for, does she finally realize what’s truly important. But even if she can figure out how to save Wulf from his fate, it might be too late.

Confucius Cat's mummy read The Crystal Warrior and gave it five stars. The sexy alpha male hero had us hooked from the beginning and we loved the sassy heroine who tamed him (just enough). The plot unfolded at a fast page-turner pace. Can't wait for the next book in the series.

As an aside, we just started the Nine Emotional Lives of Cats. I'm not sure I want my mummy knowing so much about what I'm thinking and feeling. ..(MOL) But she's loving it.

The Crystal Warrior by Maree Anderson available now at:

· Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/80048

· Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/The-Crystal-Warrior-ebook/dp/B005H6Y60M/

· Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-crystal-warrior-maree-anderson/1105098939

· iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-crystal-warrior/id458552017?mt=11

For more information, please check out Maree’s website: http://www.mareeanderson.com or: http://www.thecrystalwarrior.com You can also follow on Twitter @MareeAnderson

Purrs 4 Peace - December 2011 - Thank You

2011-12-04T14:39:00.000-05:00

This month I am soooo proud and happy to present a sweet, adorable canine who has not only been a wonderful and supportive Twitter friend to Confucius Cat but also is an inspiration for helping others in this crazy would. As a side note, my sister Zelda who just passed OTRB was a ShithTzu and they are the sweetest most upbeat and happy dogs you can adopt. Anyway, here she is: Mattie.

My name is Mattie, some of you may know me as I tweet on Twitter as @MattieDog. I'm a sweet little, golden Shih Tzu who brings joy and love to everyone I meet. My momma and dadz believe I am a reincarnated buddha because I help them recognize the truly important things in life. I know it is my mission to see the positive in all aspects of life..sweet life, it is such a blessing. I came in to this world a little sideways - I was found wandering around the city, approximately a year old, without a care in the world. My parents found me in an animal shelter, and it's been a joyous journey since then. If you'd like to read the full story of my adoption you can do so here. My days are filled with a peaceable existence where I share my family's love with my furry sister and brothers - a menagerie of adopted, mostly special needs Shih Tzu's and one crazy little Chihuahua; and once a week my momma takes me to visit children who are receiving cancer treatments. I am very grateful for my time with the little ones, they have taught me that the spirit is a powerful thing.

That's me...MattieDog, a little dog making a big impact in this world!

What a cutie pie! Thank you so much Mattie for sharing your story and for being you. And thank you to your human parents who's generosity and compassion are to be admired.

And my appreciation and thanks to all the cats and honorary cats around the world who Purr 4 Peace. You add the vital positive energy of love to the universe. Bravo. I bow to you all. Purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

More Cat Treat: Author LJ Charles and Oliver Biscuit

2011-11-28T08:04:00.001-05:00

I'm very pleased with today's CAT TREAT: LJ Charles and her handsome cat Oliver Biscuit. You all know how partial I am to black cats and this one is clearly special. I love the little bell. Take it away my friends.

Oliver Biscuit came into our lives one snowy day in March. The air was crisp and filled with a gentle dusting of feathery flakes that melted as they touched the ground.

The Hubby and I shrugged into winter coats, scarves, and gloves for the trip to the humane society. We often dropped off newspapers and plastic bags so the personnel knew us and let us wander about searching through Kitty City for the perfect addition to our family, and playing with the kittens. It wasn’t until we were ready to leave that my husband peeked into the quarantine area—where they isolate newcomers until they’ve been vetted healthy.

He spotted Oliver and marched right up to kennel. After spending a few minutes petting him through the openings in the door, we inquired about his history. He’d been deserted at the Air Base. Often we have military personnel who try and find homes for their animals before they’re shipped overseas, but occasionally the shelter is too full and there’s no one on base who can take in another animal. There’s nothing they can do be leave the animal to fend for itself. I believe the Base security personnel try to collect these animals and bring them to the humane society whenever they can.

He’d been in isolation for six days so they let us spend some time with him in the adoption room. He curled up on our laps, it didn’t matter which of us held him, and purred like a truck with holes in the muffler. We immediately wanted to rescue this sweet, sweet boy, so what could we do but apply for adoption?

The Biscuit Kitty is black with green eyes, and two secret white spots on his belly—just wisps of white, barely visible, like big, fluffy snowflakes had landed on his tummy. I glanced out the window and smiled. There was no question the Fates had stepped in with the perfect kitty for us.

Oliver Biscuit has been immortalized in my Lifethread series—a Young Adult trilogy. Lifethread was my first published novel and the box Oliver Biscuit is sitting in—my first shipment of the print edition.

What a lucky kitty to have found such a loving forever home after being abandoned....And he's a star! I do think his role in Lifethread is even bigger than my cameo in one of mummy's novels. I'm going to have to speak to her about that.

LJ has released two books you should check out. Lifethread and Creation.

Lifethread Description:

McKenna Fin is armed, dangerous, and in love for the first time. She'll do anything to earn her humanity... except the one thing the Fate's require.

Stuck in her senior year of high school until she earns her humanity, McKenna Fin is responsible for cutting the lifethread of demons, and protecting teens from being possessed. To celebrate her fiftieth year of apprenticeship to the Fate Atropos, McKenna is given a new responsibility, and possibly a quick way to earn her humanity—severing the lifethread of deserving humans. Her first assignment: Nathan Quinn.

When Nathan becomes a primary demon target and gets sucked into Tartania, McKenna’s duty as a Fated priestess demands she follow. McKenna can rescue him, no problem, but then she’d have to cut his lifethread. And he’s the one and only guy she’s been attracted to since forever.

The demons consider Nathan one of their own and fight to keep him. The time limit on Nathan's life is about to run out, and McKenna has to make the decision: sever his lifethread, or battle demons, defy the Fates, and keep him for her own.

Amazon: http://amzn.com/B004SV2NDO

B & N: http://goo.gl/oWfXv

I recently finished Lifethread and it was fabulous with an intriguing premise that was engagingly executed. It's not a standard paranormal. The mythology behind the plot was unique and the characters were multi-dimensional. Mum gave it FIVE STARS, and I gave it five paws. All in all, Lifethread was engagingly executed. I can't wait to read the next book in the trilogy. In fact I've just started Creation and I'm hooked by the story already.

Creation Description: A life-threatening secret.

Possession by an uninvited entity.

And the Perfect Guy has a shapeshifting demon in his family tree.

What’s a priestess to do?

Amazon: http://amzn.com/B00630XAFS

B & N: http://goo.gl/PXJX8

I hope you'll all check out these two great books, but first leave some lovely comments for the handsome Oliver Biscuit. You can follow LJ Charles on Twitter @LucieJCharles.

Cat Treat Monday: Author Tori Scott and Blue

2011-11-21T06:14:00.005-05:00

It's Monday morning! If you're anything like me, you need a treat. Our cat treat today is a gorgeous canine and his Mom. Take it away, my friends.

Hi! My name is Blue, and I'm a Blue Heeler owned by Tori Scott. My mom found me at a flea market when I was only four weeks old. She was so appalled that someone would try to sell a four week old puppy that she bought me and took me home with her. I've repaid her kindness many times over by protecting her and the rest of her pack, by getting so excited when she comes home that I fall all over myself trying to knock her down so I can lick her face, and by crowding her feet so I can lay under her desk when she writes (you never know when that computer might try to get her.)

Confucius Cat note: I think the same thing about my mummy's computer. My protection method is laying on top of the keyboard. Give it a try.

I'm almost 13 years old now, but I still let strangers know they aren't welcome until Mom says they are, and I'm protecting a new generation of pups she calls grandkids. I very nearly gave my life once to protect her two youngest kids, so I'm treated like royalty and allowed to sleep by Mom's bed at night, and I follow her everywhere she goes. And best of all, she wrote a book about me that will be released in a month or so, called Blame it
on Texas. Okay, it may not be about me, exactly, but I'm in it and so is my heroic protection story; fictionalized, of course.

While you're waiting for that one to come out, be sure to read Lone Star Justice which is set in our little country town in East Texas.

Lone Star Justice

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/93281

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Lone-Star-Justice/Tori-Scott/e/2940013241879

Description of Lone Justice: Judge Madelyn Cooper never shows signs of weakness, but when a killer threatens her daughter's life, Maddie does what any mother would do.
Run to the place where her daughter will be safe. That place is Greendale, Texas. Maddie left Greendale fourteen years earlier, pregnant, broke, and without saying a word to Rand McCade. What could she say after her father killed his parents?

Rand McCade is determined to keep Greendale safe. As Sheriff, he
promised there would be no repeat of the horrible day when his parents
were murdered. Now Maddie is back, bringing trouble with
her once again. And this time, she has a daughter. His daughter.

As a psychopath sets his sights on Maddie, Rand and Maddie must figure
out who is after her, and why, before someone else ends up dead.

I'm definitely going to be on looking for you in Blame it on Texas and Lone Star Justice sounds exciting. Thanks so much my friends for sharing your story.

You can follow Tori on Twitter @ToriScott2 and visit her blog at http://toriscott.blogspot.com

Confucius Cat says...

2011-11-17T15:30:00.000-05:00

One good lick deserves another.

Cat Treat: Author Trisha Wilson and her fur baby Snickers.

2011-11-14T07:15:00.003-05:00

Confucius Cat's treat for today: Two guests - Author Trisha Wilson and her ADORABLE fur baby. Give a warm *four paws clapping* welcome to them both.

"My baby, Snickers, is a 2 year old Chihuahua and spoiled rotten! I have had him since he was 2 months old, and I wouldn't trade him for anything in this world! He absolutely loves chicken, his favorite food. He also enjoys playing catch with his various balls, and he gets upset with me if I throw it too high where he can't catch it. So upset, in fact, that he will pout for a while before he brings it back to me, going so far as turning his back to me and laying down, holding the ball in his mouth.

If I have been typing away at the computer for a long time, he will watch me, waiting. As soon as he sees me take my hands off the keyboard for a single second, he jumps up in my lap, usually bumping his head on the keyboard drawer on his way up, but that never seems to faze him. Once he gets in my lap, he curls up in such a way so he can lay his head on my shoulder, wanting to "cuddle". When he does that, I realize I've ignored him for too long so I take a break from writing and play with him for a bit.

Snickers always cracks me up over something... no matter how small it is. For instance, just the other day, he was going for a ride with us. My mom was sitting in the passenger seat holding him in her lap, and he got into a sneezing fit. He tried his best to get over in my lap, holding his nose up in my face, wanting me to "look up his nostrils" to find out what was causing it. He continued doing this until I finally got to a stop sign and was able to do as he wanted. Even though, I couldn't see anything, it still made him happy and he stayed on the passenger side the rest of the trip, enjoying the scenery. A few other times, when the television would be on and a Snickers candy bar commercial happened to come on. No matter what he would be doing, he would stop, walk over to the TV, cock his head to one side and stare at it. It seemed to me like he was trying to say, "I'm right here! What do you want?" He definitely knows his name, ha!

Snickers is also very protective of us, especially me. When we have company, no matter who it is, I always pick him up and hold him until they get in the door. After he calms down from the excitement, I put him down. However, a few times, if the visitor comes up to me like they're going to hug me... that's a no-no - Snickers won't have any part of that. I think in his mind, he believes they're going to hurt me. He'll start growling at them, and if they don't take the hint he'll try to snap at them. He's not going to let anyone hurt his "mommy"! :) Or, a couple of times I have been sick, and he'll go to my mom, wherever she is, and bark at her until she comes to see about me. One instance of him being protective of my mom: she can't do much but she enjoys walking to the mailbox every day & always takes him with her. One particular day, she wasn't feeling too well but she still went. She fell coming back to the house and dropped Snickers' leash. She told me that she had been afraid he would run off--it hadn't been long since we'd moved here. But, he didn't. He stayed right by her side, watching her, and trying to "help" her get up. After I found this out, I told Snickers that next time if something like that happened, he needed to come to the door and bark at me, so I can go help. He licked my nose, like he understood. Luckily though, that hasn't happened again.

That's a little about my baby. Did I mention he's spoiled rotten? :-D"

Confucius Cat says: That Snickers is an adorable bundle of personality...even if he is a canine.

Trisha's first book release is "An Unforgettable Christmas", which is a (clean) contemporary romance. Chelsea Roberts is facing her first Christmas alone. She has her best friends, but it still isn't the same. Will an unexpected family connection bring a smile to her face again?

Nick Collins is facing the challenges of being an unexpected single father to a newborn. He has a big family, but is still lonely.
Can Chelsea let someone get close enough to love her through her sadness? Will Nick be able to trust someone enough to get close to himself and Jasmine?
Through a lot of tears and laughter, with the help of close friends and family, take the journey with Chelsea and Nick as they experience an unforgettable Christmas.

You can follow Trisha on Twitter @Trish73179

Trisha is also on Wattpad which is a great place to sample fiction: http://www.wattpad.com/user/TrishaWilson

It looks like a great book, especially fun in this holiday season. I hope all of Confucius Cat's friends will support the work of such a sweet animal lover.

Confucius Cat says

2011-11-12T10:53:00.004-05:00

The cat grass is always greener on the other cat’s windowsill.

*This is our new cousin E. Gordon Kitty. He has a great new home so he doesn't have to envy my "catgrass" anymore.

Purrs 4 Peace - November 2011 - Thank You

2011-11-06T14:49:00.000-05:00

This month I would like to offer heartfelt purrs of thanks and gratitude to my wonderful friends @LilyLuWhoT and family. These sweet and compassionate friends helped keep purrs 4 peace alive for many months while my family and I were dealing with issues that took us away from the internet. Their support for the purrs project and for mummy and me as friends has meant the world to us...more than we could possibly express. Thank you, thank you, thank you. *Hugging with all four paws and smothering friends with kitty kisses*

Lily and family have graciously allowed me to share some information with you. The following is in Lily's own meowed words:

"My sisfur Luna and I were adopted on Aug 9, 2007 from the MSPCA shelter in Springfield, MA. Our sisfur Cozzie had gone OTRB in June of that year and Mom & Dad were missing having a kitteh in the house. Cozzie had been an only kitteh and Mom thought this time she should adopt a pair so we'd always have company. My cage was below Luna's and Mom was drawn to both of us right away! It was love at first sight!

I was approximately 8 weeks old and Luna was approximately 5 months old when we were adopted. I love my sisfur a LOT but she is a bit of a hissy diva. Mom thinks Luna must have had a hard life on the streets before she went to the shelter so I try to be patient with her. Even if she hisses at me when I try to play with her I don't let it bother me-I always give her kisses and snuggle with her when she lets me. Luna is a beautiful black panther, don't you think? Luna and I are so lucky to have a wonderful forever home - wish every anipal was as blessed as we are.

The last thing I need to share with you is my love of the Boston Red Sox. As you can see I even have a Sox pillow I snuggle with! Between Luna being a diva and the Red Sox collapse this season I've needed my share of nip! But I'll never stop loving either of them no matter what!!!"

Lily is the gorgeous tabby and Luna is the beautious black panther. What sweet and loving sisifurs they are! And obviously they have amazing and special human parents. Their parents are purrrrfect examples of what all humans should aspire to be.

I hope you will all follow my fabulous friend on twitter @LilyLuWhoT.

Also many thanks to all the fabulous twitter and facebook friends who have participated in the purrs. You know who you are....and mummy will catch up with adding the names here very soon. *Forgive us this week as she is getting over the flu*

A Pretty Purr........

2011-10-24T21:37:00.001-04:00

CONFUCIUS CAT SAYS:

A pretty purr.... is like a melody. And I feel an opera coming on!

Getting ready for the next Purrs 4 Peace on November 6th.

WOOHOO!: My Twitter and FB friends are STARS!

2011-10-17T07:00:00.001-04:00

ConfuciusCat says: friendship is like sunshine...so go bask in some friendship today.

What a fantastic weekend. So many twitter friends helped mummy raise money for a fabulous animal shelter through the sales of her new novel ENTANGLEMENTS. She sold 57 ebooks at 99 cents each. That comes to $19.95 in author proceeds and with the match and mummy rounding up, she's donating $40 to the pawpawty charity. WOOHOO!

On top of that, many friends said they had started the book and were enjoying it. Yay! Mum always loves to hear her work is worthwhile. Hopefully, the word will spread and even more people will enjoy the book. Then when she does a charity fundraiser with the next book, she'll be able to give even more.

THANK YOU ALL! My friends are the best, most generous and compassionate in the world. *four paws hugging along with slobbery kitty kisses.*

One More Day - To Give Away More Money

2011-10-16T05:20:00.001-04:00

We had lots of wonderful people buying mum's book yesterday, and we're up to 45...which with the match is about $32 dollars to donate to the #pawpawty charity. But mum wants to give more. So we're going to extend the event by 24 hours. So if you haven't already done so, get a good book for just 99 cents and help mum give to charity.

The Amazon link is:

The Barnes and Noble link is: BN Entanglements

YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE AN E READER TO PARTICIPATE. Amazon.com has an applications that can be downloaded to PC, Mac and Smartphones. This is the link: Download In addition, you can read a kindle book, without downloading anything, through your browser by choosing "cloud" once you purchase the book.

Thank you everyone for your support. *Four Paws Hugging*

TODAY IS THE DAY - Mum wants to give a lot of money to charity.

2011-10-15T06:50:00.002-04:00

TODAY IS THE DAY!

Mummy wants to give lots of money to charity. I hope you will all help if you can. She is donating all her author proceeds for any sales of her YA Urban Fantasy ebook called ENTANGLEMENTS to a worthy animal shelter charity. And she'll match all those proceeds up to $100.

The Amazon link is:

The Barnes and Noble link is: BN Entanglements

The ebook is only 99 cents.

You don't need an ereader to participate: See below. Come on over to twitter and talk @ConfuciusCat as we try to reach our goal. We can do it!

Mum's giving money away. Please help!

2011-10-12T10:24:00.001-04:00

My sister, Zuzu seems pretty comfortable in the center of the cat condo.

As many of you know, Mummy's novel ENTANGLEMENTS, was just released as an ebook and is available at Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com for just $0.99. The low price is intended to allow all kinds of readers to give her work a try.

The novel is about a teen who must enter a dangerous alternate dimension's world to save her stepsister. It just got a fantastic review from @MaggieTKat in the Anipal Times. http://www.anipaltimes.com/2011/10/entanglements-multiverse/ Thank you dear Maggie!

Because Mummy really loves animals she's decided to donate all her author proceeds on purchases of Entanglements made in the 24 hours of October 15, 2011. AND SHE WILL MATCH ALL AUTHOR PROCEEDS UP TO $100.00. That means she just needs to sell 300 books on October 15, 2011 to make the maximum donation. This is were you come in. Please buy Entanglements on October 15th.

The Amazon link is:

The Barnes and Noble link is: BN Entanglements

Please note that Amazon gives you the option to gift Entanglements to someone else by inputing their email address. If you want to gift the book to someone that would be wonderful. But for the sale to count the person gifted has to accept the gift on the 15th or Amazon won't reflect it as a sale and Mummy won't know about it.

The cause she will donate to is the charity supported by the next #pawpawty on Twitter hosted by our friend @Frugaldougal. From the www.pawpawty.com website is the following description of the Animal shelter benefitted this month.

"This month’s PawPawty is being held to assist Camp Cocker which is located In Sherman Oaks California.

Their primary mission is to rescue dogs from high kill shelters in the Los Angeles region. There are more than thirty high kill shelters that are within a 125 mile radius of Los Angeles County. The amount of dogs in shelters are overwhelming. On any given day there can be between two and seven cockers PER shelter! We have a "worry list" that can have up to sixty cockers on it. These are the dogs in immediate danger of being put to sleep.

About the Founder

Founder Cathy Stanley had dabbled in animal rescue for over ten years – usually just one dog at a time. There was the dog that was tied up to a tree and left by its owner. There was the pair of dogs whose elderly owner passed away and the relatives were bringing them to the pound to be euthanized. These dogs would either somehow find Cathy or she would find them."

This sounds like a fantastic shelter. There is nothing closer to mummy's heart than saving homeless fur babies. So she wants to give away as much money as she can.

I'll be posting updates all day on the 15 on this blog and on Twitter to let you know how we're doing.

Woohoo! I can't wait.

Purrs 4 Peace - October 2011 - Thank You

2011-10-02T15:09:00.001-04:00

My deepest thanks and appreciation go to my lovely friends, Lori Jacobus, her cats Chloe and Toby as well as her entire family. Lori and her cats who tweet on Twitter as @ChloeToby have been a godsend to the purrs. They continued on with purrs 4 peace while my family and I were away from twitter for some months. The kindness of their hearts and their generosity of spirit are an example to all. They have added a surge of love and peace into the universe that our world sorely needs.

Lori says that Chloe (The beauty in the bottom photo) came into our family at a stressful time, when they were losing their first cat, of 17 years, Kaz, to cancer. Chloe is very gentle and settled into the household by friending everyone. Chloe was about 6 months old by the time she found her forever home. Lori says that Chloe even brought happiness to Kaz bringing "some life to the old guy" for the six months before he passed away.

Toby (the handsome black cat in the top photo) is 3rd in the family's "brood of four". Lori says he came into the family as noisily as Chloe did gently. He, at about five weeks old, was up for adoption at a local Petsmart. They weren't looking for a kitten, until they got there on adoption day and heard Toby yelling and yelling. Lori says "I started looking at kittens. I saw him, he was tiny, being held in a washcloth. We kept looking around, but when he yelled, you could hear it through the whole store. And that was it. I wanted a cat that would talk, and he was yelling!"

A big thank you nosebump and lotsa kitty kisses to Lori and family. You are all very much appreciated.

Bravo and thank you to all the Purrs 4 Peace purrrrrticipants who include:

@Chloetoby; Rumpy T. Drummond ; Chunks Mather ; Ariel Bosley; Will Appleby; Jenny Threet ; Julie Gallup Yakes ; Arsène Le Pépère; Katherine Owens Bosley; Louis Cat ; Betsy Gunderson ; Mara Beštija;  Georgie Laidler-Brown; Patrizia Anzani; Jitka Vavreckova ; Caroline Ashall ; Sue Hamilton ; Sir-Darth Meow Mow ; Sasha Goldsmith ; Serena Toxicat ; Aimee Vinciguerra ; Christine Harris; Jennifer Bolgar ; Zoe Lindquist; Róisín Ní Shé; Jerry Lynn ; Diana Højstrup Andersen;      Brian Frum ; Vicki Patino ;  Hale Feruzoglu; Katie Starr ; Wendy Morland ; Nina Mander ; Leslie Ann Ellis ; Beth Hellings ; JC Conradsen; Polly Winch ; Betty Pouncey ; Melanie Kaufman ; Bill Koukmenides; Traesa Santori-santori; Ella N Leo; Jobi Harris ; One-Eye Hynes ; Elvis Fleksnes ; Simone Purrington ; Ollie Nomwell Meowir; Da Puttytats G ; Rocky Chester; Daniele Moore ; Ayda Meisami ; Susan Bush ; Kincess Ces ; Trizia Norris ; Sally King ; Boomer Burk ; Feria Chan ; Bob DeTomaat; Cesar Dennis ; Mandy Kitkatandbabycat-Melo Ristow ; Spunky Man Laidler ; Sirikit Purr; Mario Roever ;

@Hubothecat @catloversonly @Dogstoyevsky @SeattleP @JinJinDoggy @PrincessGwenie @BigWidu @TigerBoyTheCat @555Smokey @salvatoredacat @justanothertrd @danapixie @ChloeToby @MissZoeLuna @Boomiethecat @diamondbertie @biblecat @greycatlady @LilyLuWhoT @smallcatbigdog @TinyPearlCat @MrTibbsatAP

Make Purrs Not War- Part II - Purrs 4 Peace

2011-09-28T14:33:00.002-04:00

Confucius Cat says: Make Purrs Not War

2011-09-27T16:07:00.001-04:00

Cute Little Shiva

2010-12-13T07:00:00.002-05:00

I have heard from many about my post thanking Shiva and Jaya....but they have one complaint: NO PICTURE OF CUTE LITTLE SHIVA. So I am rectifying that unforgivable oversight. This is a photo of a yoga session....very limber. Thanks again friends. Purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Don't forget to visit them and see more cute photos at www.shivaandjaya.wordpress.com

Purrs 4 Peace - Year Two - Month 5 - Thank you

2010-12-12T12:51:00.005-05:00

This week I am pleased to highlight some very special and sweet friends from Twitter. Shiva and Jaya and their family are enthusiastic supporters of the Purrs 4 Peace project and have been very supportive friends to Confucius Cat. Jaya is pictured above- What a cutie! I hope they know how much their loving compassion is appreciated. Thank you my darling friends. Shiva and Jaya have an adorable and entertaining blog at www.shivaandjaya.wordpress.com and can be found on Twitter @ShivaandJaya. Now I am pleased to turn this post over to Shiva and Jaya so that you can meet these wonderful furry friends and their family.

We’re Purrime Ministerette Shiva and Purrime Ministerette Jaya. Outside the Houses of Purrliament we like to hang out on the couch, do yoga in our black and white yoga hammock on the heater. Our favorite TV shows include The Sopranos, CSI and The Wire and we’re huge fans of Queen and Mariah Carey.

As Purrime Ministerettes we fully support the Purrs 4 Peace initiative. There is so much misery on Planet Purrth and with purring for peace, we believe we can at least try to take some of all the suffering away. Suffering, ConfuciusCat, we know all about it. In September of 2007 we were found dumped in a glass recycling bin. We don’t know who left us there, but finally we ended up in a warm home (see http://shivaandjaya.wordpress.com/2010/06/25/the-road-to-love). The rest is history…

No, we won’t meow any politics with you. We believe it’s very important to change Planet Purrth for the better, but we would never be able to do that without the support of our beloved furry family members! First we would like to introduce Auntie L.! She’s our one and only canine Auntie and praised for her age and wisdom. You probably won’t believe it, but she’s turning 14 soon. We love her to bits and wouldn’t want to live without her. Auntie L. lives with our grandpurrents. She had a sister who went OTRB in 2008. Auntie L. says she doesn’t miss her sister at all. She just likes to relax and be old and wise. She’s one of our best furriends.

Then we have Auntie T. She’s recently turned 4 and has been through a lot in her young life (see http://shivaandjaya.wordpress.com/2010/07/10/remembering-s). Auntie T. is a very shy kitty and would never approach anyone but the grandpurrents and us. We can kinda relate to that because we are very much like that ourselves. Auntie T. is the strong, silent type of our furry family. She gets along with Auntie L. very well. In her spare time, Auntie T. likes to steal goods from airports and is therefore known as The Wisegirl. She even made a movie about her mobstress activities (see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDbcWPwo1qo)! OMC!

What can we say about the Notorious B.? No, it’s not that gangsta rapper dude! We mean our Uncle B. who is, as a matter fact, a gangsta dude, but he’s just, well, you know… Once he was a cute little cub. Then he started to grow and change into a big giant lion that not only thinks all ladycats fall from him, but he also believes he’s The Catfather (see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQcD4N3b8yc). Uncle B. is the youngest brother of Auntie L. and Auntie T. He turned 2 last August. He expects Auntie L. to share her food bowl with him, which she does. If she doesn’t, he just goes away. Not really a though guy.

Our furry family brings us lots of peace and joy. We’re thankful for all of them. Next time when we purr for peace, we will purr some special honorable purrs for Auntie L., Auntie T. and Uncle B. Feel free to join us!

Bravo and thank you to all the Purrs 4 Peace purrrrrticipants who include:

@BettinaWagner; @PawPurrry; @SnowyWestie; @MedusaJ; @Pookandgrace; @CyberBonn; @JoannaVroom; @SmudgeBestCat; @Brutusthedane; @Pawsnreflect; @diddlebus; @HollieCatRocks; @Dogstoyevsky; @BunnyJeanCook; Brian Frum; @Mariodacat; Marg; K9friend; Crazykittykat1; Neyland D. Cat; Sweet Praline; Megs; Da fambly kitties; Harry Spotter; Smokey Pino (@Smokey8); Star Purrfik; Susan Ellington; Betsy Gunderson; Beaver Cat Ochoa; Bastet Sab; Marie Cat; Kate Viscardi; Cokie Cat; Chabichou Malabar du Roupillon; Mog Lickorish; Eveykitten Chezum; George Mulkerins; Jennifer Bolger; Mara Bestija; Pookey Lou; Sheila Odom; Mary La Ferlita; Lexington Thompson; Lisa Adams Monzon; Draco Marika Leonardi; Tyson Lockyer; Charlie Homer; Will Appleby; Chiara Leonardi; Thistle Fur Angel Johnson; Jasmine Johnson; Twinkle Johnson; Anja Hattenrath; Smudgie Hb Matthews; Patrizia Anzani; Angelina Leung; IcyCat Whitefur; Emily Cat; Chunks Mather; Louis Cat; Heba Cat Rady; Linda Louise; Elvis Fleksnes; Helen Melon Redshaw; Shazzer Anna; Rebecca Forrest-Pawprints; Atkinson Bubby Rose; Janet Carleton; Basil Blencowe; Ginger Meghalaya; Michelle Webster; Pretty Princess Orca; Ogden Thomas; Kelly Dugas Coveney; Krystal Grohman; Katherine Wiggins; Melody Woodall-Smith; Caroline Ashall; Terri Craig; Mandy LeKitkat Ristow; Sandra Jackson Alawine; Amanda Konzelman; Lisa Butler; Susan G. Bush; Morrigan Benton-Floyd; Kate Viscardi; Kelley Goodman; Jane Worwood; Brenda Kerr; Lisbeth West; Christelle Hoffstetter; William Davis Burke; Gato El Gris Zoff; Bianca Caviglioli; WillowFisher; Jmuhj Acat; Mojito R. Corgan; Goliath Jacawaca; Romeo Gatti; Barfi Watson; Kippy Johnson; Max Buckle; Carlzy Hutchings; Leslie Ann Ellis; Jan Meeuwsen; Willi R. Mccluney; Christine Harris; Mandy may McEntyre; Faythe Roberson Goldsmith; Frank Lampcat; Candis Catfixer; Laura Mcmillan; Sasha Koen; Snow P Brown; Arsène Le Pépère; Cats Meow; Diana Edens; Louis Cat; Michelle Stringer; Baguera jean Bigeant Haskoucet; Briar Ishooman; Bob TheTomato; Muffin Bergeron; Feria Chan; Toby Poppy ‘n’ Finn; Julz Lee; Woody Edens; Mousie Kitteh; Evelyn Murphy; Abednego Herr; Patches Meow Cat; Socks hermes Overend-tunnicliffe; Herbie Cat; Ercole Gatto; Puffin Webster; Milo Catface; Jean Gizzi Boobonivich; George Crow; Dan Scott; Cyndy Mccluney; Foggy Cato; Paula Santos; Henry Thomas Stockman; Tippi Rathke; Meghan Lamb; Annie Lucas; Charlie C. Faunch; Sam Iam; Julie Anne Stephens; Ciaran Moylan; Vancat Onlion; Minuit Et Lumiere; Georgie Laidler; Widget Cat; Alasandra Alawine; Ginger Meghalaya; Rumpy T. Drummond; Hobbes TheWonder Cat; Oscar N George Fee- Linez; Birman Bond; Katie Bourke; Cathy Keisha; One-Eye Hynes; Spookie Diosa Gris; Tuppy Glossop; Jenny Buttons TheHippo; Claire Bear Baker; Zoe Lindquist; Ami Lutkus; Chichi Persiancat; Skylar Fruffybottoms; Felisha Van kedisi; Morgan Lear Jones; Milly Fluffybum Tamblyn; Missy Rattitude; Joni Gallo; Jackee Daily; Suzi Amelia Meyers; Choco Where’zmahkittehcatnipz Marquez; Judge Thread; Alex Nancy Cowens; Fiona Jackson;Jayne Ashmore; Brenda Griffin; Kathreeya Atthakor; Annika Malino; Leah Turner; Cassandra Bull; Jennifer Marie Zeares; Yi-Jiun Chen; Mari Peippo; Lisa Beals; Kerry Blanc; Ann-Karin Vinje; Mai Liss Haugland; Tracy Manson; Irma Murray Brieve; Fiona Lickorish; Jill Buss; Robyn Dadson; Alicia ‘Kitty Meanstreak’ Lestat; Nikki Rose Waldeck; Karla Moore; Amanda M. Ciluffo; Felix Gill; Lorraine Rice; Joey Salazar-Jimbo; Wendy Morland; Ann Jenkins Jack Wagon; Helen Kallipe Smith; Sophie Hudson; Wendy House; Vicki Stringfellow Cook; Pa Hulja; Andrea Hall; Tamy Perrault; Maria-Paz San Martin; Jane Bolash Gump; Sandy Rakowitz; Melody Lie; Penni Osinski; Cat Wolf; Annemarie Devine; Raven Elise Hernandez; Robyn Miller; Deborah Ailman; Eleonora Matsumoto; Jenny Threet; Cris Marr Carey; Renee McMullen; Cathy Rabe Bass; Sugar Dial; Abady Alshamari; Lenor Elena Sabal Damun Vidoz; Bunni Gevuld; Daniele Morre; Abe Buntz; Jo Macro; Chandra Flores; Dawn Stergin; Rachel Lbrockton; Patricia Perrings; Diana Jojstrup Andersen; Handsom Wilmot; Carma Mia Carey; Tara Tia Tarantino; Chibi Nakamura; Straw Beary Stanley; Oscar Peek; Trinity Noel Gilfillan; Pawing Charity; Bonnie Gaines; Karene Brewis; Billy Justakittygambly; Jessie Brewer; Berit Synnove Dale Vardal; Sophi Mewsalot; Gata Cuca Laruca; David Adrian Charles; Starsky N Simba Catnip; Isis Villayes; Mica Maca; Jasper Green Judy Clark; Joseph Jewell; Aimee Vinciguerra; Carolyn Sanders; Tamar Arslanian; Sarah Vitez Vranic; @Louinga; @EarthLifeShop; @Tweetypie54; @Hubothecat; @Miaoow; @Danapixie; @Cool_Cat_;@callie57; @JudyGreeno; @ElizabethKoning; @BoBubbles; @inquarters14; @Shaynacat; @mssuzcatsilver; @Mulder_Cat; @flicka47; Kitty Token; @Tradertoms:produc12mas1; Rumpy T. Drummond; Sirikit Purr; Louis Cat; Horatio Canine; Britt P. Johnson; Senniug Rees; Pookey Lou; Briar Ishooman; Wes-Main Coon; @callie57; @JudyGreeno; @ElizabethKoning; @BoBubbles; @inquarters14; @Shaynacat; @mssuzcatsilver; @Mulder_Cat; @flicka47; @Tradertoms; Ingred Beaudelblinken; produc12mas1; Rumpy T. Drummond; Sirikit Purr; Louis Cat; Sharon Keenan Spiegelhalter; Horatio Canine; Britt P. Johnson; Senniug Rees; Pookey Lou; Briar Ishooman; Wes-Main Coon; @Oneevilcat; Scully_cat; @LilyLuWhoT; @greycatlady; @supernatural808; @KittyKassieCat; @ChloeToby; @Ads60nyc; @Crazykittykat1: @tabbyteztweets; @salamicat; @JustAnotherTrnd; @tiddlesfry; @Wildboutbirds; @MadLabM; @MavTheTiger; @BigWidu; @Pandafur; @GinaTheMinPin; @CheshireK; Mindy Apellaniz-Blunt; @EllaBellaKitty; @JassieKitty; @KealohaKitty; @Spike_cat; @JinJinDoggy; @PixelDoggy; @Hemmingwayscat;slywy @Karolka @ellnhank @RonSupportsYou @Pookandgrace @lisbethwest @MariahsVisions @L0veSA; Jitka Vavreckova; Peter Askin; Rebecca Spath; Sandy Fox; Mwroc Cat; Meowwie Cat; Biddie Cat; Shannon BlackCat; Sharon Patton; Robin Jaske; Leena Savenius; Marie-Louise Holmdahl and Kissen; Daisy Hawkins; Sultan Kivanc; Martha Vitez; Laurie Moore and her 19 cats; Pickle Cat; Lori Williams and Baby Cat; Maureen Birch; Maria Litra; Lily Sassymeow; Simone Purrington; Kath Henry; Alfie Sanders; Howard Worndle; Josiane Brademann; Amy Forst; Handsom Wilmot; Carole Blackwell; Lesley Shannan; Sue Hamilton; Nicole Downey Curra; Trizia Norris; Lisa Beth Hutson; Lise Beals; Katherine Owens Bosley; Chris Bush; Letisha Dior; Susan Price-James; Specer Pierre; Lenore Elena Sabal; Kimberly Lefever; April Ancliffe Crawford; Sherry Hensley Black; Debra Bean; Diana Hojstrup Andersen; Oscar Peek; Ariel Bosley; @Kyann_Zorain; @Louinga; @MarmiteMC; @Quadpawd; @ChatteMuse;  @maxwellvintage ; @tweetypie54; @LastChanceMI; @MELIBABY333; @gegaard; @sabrina0008; @purrfik; @scottydsntkno; @JessieJaney; @pandafur; @martisunshine; @MaggieTKat; @ParkerSKat;    @Mulder_Cat; @toughteddybear; @pawsnreflect; @CRITTERATI; @Tradertoms; @LindaPoVergara; @grrlysquirrel; @IQXS; @MiauLaGata; @MuffinTheCat1; @mssuzcatsilver; @NutmegTorby; @joeybeancat; @iamtammycat;    @Pumpkinpuddy; @alxrocksh ; @StellalunaKat;    @Kyann_Zorain;@Brian106sc @Hubothecat @EllaBellaKitty @JassieKitty @Kealoha_Kitty @JinJinDoggy@PixelDoggy @Quadpawd @inquarters14 @SnotfaceCritter @ElizabethKoning @ShaynaCat@CathyKeisha @Smokey8 @HollieCatRocks @grrlysquirrel @LilyLuWhoT @purrfik@henryandfriends @tweetypie54 @perrythebirman @Boomiethecat @HollieCatRocks@CathyKeisha @BuzzLucas @no_crybaby_doGs @mariodacat @JennyRosePetal@SmudgeBestCat @Boomiethecat @ChloeToby @perrythebirman @southbaygirl @konahead@greycatlady

Purrs 4 Peace - Year Two - Month 5: Peace and Health are INTERTWINED

2010-12-12T12:49:00.005-05:00

"In health there is freedom. Health is the first of all liberties."  -- Henri-Frederic Amiel

Mummy is busy running around trying to find me, make certain I’m feeling okay, make sure I’m resting, and checking my litter box….just a few of her activities in caring for me while I’m not feeling quite myself…. Certainly, mummy has not felt peaceful for the last 12 days (since my recurrence of UTI). Therefore, we are reprising a Purrs 4 Peace posting from last year:

HEALTH and PEACE are intertwined...inseparable. We know this on an individual scale because each of us knows that when we are injured or ill, calm and inner peace are virtually impossible. When we feel fit and well, we at least have the ability to choose a peaceful existence. Similarly, I believe health issues effect peace and are effected by peace on a global scale. Many physicians have posited that health issues are both a consequence and a CAUSE of war. In fact the World Health Organization has a program which seeks to promote peace by providing health care. And not just war. We have seen with the earthquake in Haiti, that bringing health care to the sick and injured after a natural disaster is vital to restoring calm where there is chaos.

Therefore, this week we purr for health and healing for minds, for bodies, and for spirits. There can be no Peace without Health.

2:59 p.m. Get ready to Purrrrrrrr.

SET.

3:00 p.m.

Confucius Cat say: GO!

Feel your purrs as white light of love, compassion. A great healing energy within you. #purrs4peace

Purrrrr...See that healing energy expand to envelope you and then spread into the world. #purrs4peace

Purrrrrrrrrrrrr.... See that light extending outside you, touching others. See it healing minds, healing bodies, healing spirits as it spreads. #purrs4peace

Purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr....... Imagine the powerful white light of your purrs touching areas of strife and chaos. #purrs4peace

Imagine bringing comfort, love, compassion, and healing to each human and animal. #purrs4peace

Purrrr...Imagine despair replaced by hope; sickness replaced with health; injury replaced by vitality. #purrs4peace

Peace * Paix * Frieden * Vrede * Pace * Fred* Paz * Shalom * Salaam * Om Shanti * Heddwch * Síochán * 和平 #purrs4peace

Purrs of Love bringing PEACE to the world. #purrs4peace

3:03 p.m. You can stop purring now. Bravo!!!!!!!!!!!

Purrs 4 Peace - Year Two - Month 4 - Thank you

2010-11-14T13:56:00.004-05:00

One of my first friends on twitter and an inspiration for my interest in world peace is my wonderful friend @zbluemoon (Bebe). I am so very grateful for the enormous support of #purrs4peace and the generosity of spirit exhibited in her tweets. She very kindly agreed to allow me to share a bit of her story with you and so I now turn this post over to this very sweet friend.

“Our house is full of former lost souls who have found love and happiness with us in the coastal Santa Monica Mountains in Southern California. We share everything with many cool cats, sweet dogs, lizards, and birds. Most of our fur babies are from various animal shelters and pet rescues. Two kitties were rescued from a television studio where I use to work and we found homes for most of the stray cats on the back lot at the studio.

Emma the pug is a wish come true for our youngest son who has Asperger syndrome and Bipolar disorder. Our other dog, Lemony Snickett, was shuffled from shelter to shelter all over southern California until we found him. It took just one look into his beautiful deep brown eyes and we were in love! Lemony always kisses everybody so we nicknamed him, Snicky Licky.

While camping in the red desert of Navajo Indian lands in Monument Valley, which is located in northern Arizona and southern Utah, a stray doggy suddenly appeared during a midnight full moon. Josie is a very smart and sweet old soul, who gets along wonderfully with all beings.

Last spring we rescued four tiny squirrel babies from our huge pine trees when their Mommy suddenly disappeared one day. Those babies live nearby and have made their own families in some tall pine trees. We are always on standby to assist our local squirrel rescue group.

Many trees surround our property filled with a variety of wild birds such as seagulls, blue jays, hummingbirds, sparrows, robins, doves, mockingbirds, woodpeckers, titmouse (plural = titmice?) finches, swallows, crows, red-tailed hawks, owls, and more. Every spring a pair of mallard ducks come for a stay and share their newborn babies with us. The cats especially enjoy watching them!

About nine years ago, I cared for a tiny five-week old baby boy Persian and British Blue mix kitty, which I nicknamed Itty Bitty. We bonded so tight that when it was time to return him, I wrote a letter expressing our deep mutual love, offered to purchase him and to find another kitty just like him as a replacement, since the new owner had never even met Itty Bitty. It was a longgg night waiting for an answer, however, the next morning Itty Bitty was given to us! The new owner refused any money and shared Itty Bitty’s story with us.

Itty Bitty was born in Berlin, Germany and traveled to San Francisco, California with his owner, a young woman who was the girlfriend of one of Neil Young’s guitarists. Since they were performing in a three-day concert, their friend drove the kitty seven hours south to our home so I could take care for him. One week turned into two because Neil and his band, Crazy Horse, were producing a new song about 9/11. When the guitarist (I’m protecting his identity) returned home he was excited to see his new baby kitty. This very kind man understood Itty Bitty and my bonding, so he very generously gave him to us. I was so touched at his selflessness and cried for hours.

Itty Bitty sired one litter with his love, Bella, and they had three baby kitties. Since these are the only kitties we’ve had since we were children and the fact that we had both parents, we decided to keep the entire family! One baby was named Bono (think U2) and he is my avatar on Twitter. (See the above photo). Bono is a white flame point Persian with very large, lengthy whiskers. His paws are huge and he’s a very longgg, muscular, heavy cat. When I whisper his name, his light sea blue eyes get soft and his demeanor becomes tender and gentle… otherwise, he’s very strong and determined, although he always obeys his daddy, Itty Bitty. Bono’s little sisters are both incredibly sweet, inquisitive, and very affectionate.

All of our other precious kitties are strays or rescues and get along real well with each other and they are all very, very loving. All our cats and dogs are spayed or neutered.

Our oldest kitty is Coral (@CoralKittyCat) and it took us a few weeks to rescue her from UCLA. She’s fasssst! We will celebrate Coral’s 19^th birthday on Thanksgiving this year! Although she’s an old lady, she’s still pretty fast and always wants things her way… J

I hope someday you’ll join us and the world can live as one.

~ John Lennon IMAGINE"

Thank you my friend Bebe. You are a source of inspiration and enlightenment. Much appreciation and applause (*four paws clapping*).

Bravo and thank you to all the Purrs 4 Peace purrrrrticipants who include:

@BettinaWagner; @PawPurrry; @SnowyWestie; @MedusaJ; @Pookandgrace; @CyberBonn; @JoannaVroom; @SmudgeBestCat; @Brutusthedane; @Pawsnreflect; @diddlebus; @HollieCatRocks; @Dogstoyevsky; @BunnyJeanCook; Brian Frum; @Mariodacat; Marg; K9friend; Crazykittykat1; Neyland D. Cat; Sweet Praline; Megs; Da fambly kitties; Harry Spotter; Smokey Pino (@Smokey8); Star Purrfik; Susan Ellington; Betsy Gunderson; Beaver Cat Ochoa; Bastet Sab; Marie Cat; Kate Viscardi; Cokie Cat; Chabichou Malabar du Roupillon; Mog Lickorish; Eveykitten Chezum; George Mulkerins; Jennifer Bolger; Mara Bestija; Pookey Lou; Sheila Odom; Mary La Ferlita; Lexington Thompson; Lisa Adams Monzon; Draco Marika Leonardi; Tyson Lockyer; Charlie Homer; Will Appleby; Chiara Leonardi; Thistle Fur Angel Johnson; Jasmine Johnson; Twinkle Johnson; Anja Hattenrath; Smudgie Hb Matthews; Patrizia Anzani; Angelina Leung; IcyCat Whitefur; Emily Cat; Chunks Mather; Louis Cat; Heba Cat Rady; Linda Louise; Elvis Fleksnes; Helen Melon Redshaw; Shazzer Anna; Rebecca Forrest-Pawprints; Atkinson Bubby Rose; Janet Carleton; Basil Blencowe; Ginger Meghalaya; Michelle Webster; Pretty Princess Orca; Ogden Thomas; Kelly Dugas Coveney; Krystal Grohman; Katherine Wiggins; Melody Woodall-Smith; Caroline Ashall; Terri Craig; Mandy LeKitkat Ristow; Sandra Jackson Alawine; Amanda Konzelman; Lisa Butler; Susan G. Bush; Morrigan Benton-Floyd; Kate Viscardi; Kelley Goodman; Jane Worwood; Brenda Kerr; Lisbeth West; Christelle Hoffstetter; William Davis Burke; Gato El Gris Zoff; Bianca Caviglioli; WillowFisher; Jmuhj Acat; Mojito R. Corgan; Goliath Jacawaca; Romeo Gatti; Barfi Watson; Kippy Johnson; Max Buckle; Carlzy Hutchings; Leslie Ann Ellis; Jan Meeuwsen; Willi R. Mccluney; Christine Harris; Mandy may McEntyre; Faythe Roberson Goldsmith; Frank Lampcat; Candis Catfixer; Laura Mcmillan; Sasha Koen; Snow P Brown; Arsène Le Pépère; Cats Meow; Diana Edens; Louis Cat; Michelle Stringer; Baguera jean Bigeant Haskoucet; Briar Ishooman; Bob TheTomato; Muffin Bergeron; Feria Chan; Toby Poppy ‘n’ Finn; Julz Lee; Woody Edens; Mousie Kitteh; Evelyn Murphy; Abednego Herr; Patches Meow Cat; Socks hermes Overend-tunnicliffe; Herbie Cat; Ercole Gatto; Puffin Webster; Milo Catface; Jean Gizzi Boobonivich; George Crow; Dan Scott; Cyndy Mccluney; Foggy Cato; Paula Santos; Henry Thomas Stockman; Tippi Rathke; Meghan Lamb; Annie Lucas; Charlie C. Faunch; Sam Iam; Julie Anne Stephens; Ciaran Moylan; Vancat Onlion; Minuit Et Lumiere; Georgie Laidler; Widget Cat; Alasandra Alawine; Ginger Meghalaya; Rumpy T. Drummond; Hobbes TheWonder Cat; Oscar N George Fee- Linez; Birman Bond; Katie Bourke; Cathy Keisha; One-Eye Hynes; Spookie Diosa Gris; Tuppy Glossop; Jenny Buttons TheHippo; Claire Bear Baker; Zoe Lindquist; Ami Lutkus; Chichi Persiancat; Skylar Fruffybottoms; Felisha Van kedisi; Morgan Lear Jones; Milly Fluffybum Tamblyn; Missy Rattitude; Joni Gallo; Jackee Daily; Suzi Amelia Meyers; Choco Where’zmahkittehcatnipz Marquez; Judge Thread; Alex Nancy Cowens; Fiona Jackson;Jayne Ashmore; Brenda Griffin; Kathreeya Atthakor; Annika Malino; Leah Turner; Cassandra Bull; Jennifer Marie Zeares; Yi-Jiun Chen; Mari Peippo; Lisa Beals; Kerry Blanc; Ann-Karin Vinje; Mai Liss Haugland; Tracy Manson; Irma Murray Brieve; Fiona Lickorish; Jill Buss; Robyn Dadson; Alicia ‘Kitty Meanstreak’ Lestat; Nikki Rose Waldeck; Karla Moore; Amanda M. Ciluffo; Felix Gill; Lorraine Rice; Joey Salazar-Jimbo; Wendy Morland; Ann Jenkins Jack Wagon; Helen Kallipe Smith; Sophie Hudson; Wendy House; Vicki Stringfellow Cook; Pa Hulja; Andrea Hall; Tamy Perrault; Maria-Paz San Martin; Jane Bolash Gump; Sandy Rakowitz; Melody Lie; Penni Osinski; Cat Wolf; Annemarie Devine; Raven Elise Hernandez; Robyn Miller; Deborah Ailman; Eleonora Matsumoto; Jenny Threet; Cris Marr Carey; Renee McMullen; Cathy Rabe Bass; Sugar Dial; Abady Alshamari; Lenor Elena Sabal Damun Vidoz; Bunni Gevuld; Daniele Morre; Abe Buntz; Jo Macro; Chandra Flores; Dawn Stergin; Rachel Lbrockton; Patricia Perrings; Diana Jojstrup Andersen; Handsom Wilmot; Carma Mia Carey; Tara Tia Tarantino; Chibi Nakamura; Straw Beary Stanley; Oscar Peek; Trinity Noel Gilfillan; Pawing Charity; Bonnie Gaines; Karene Brewis; Billy Justakittygambly; Jessie Brewer; Berit Synnove Dale Vardal; Sophi Mewsalot; Gata Cuca Laruca; David Adrian Charles; Starsky N Simba Catnip; Isis Villayes; Mica Maca; Jasper Green Judy Clark; Joseph Jewell; Aimee Vinciguerra; Carolyn Sanders; Tamar Arslanian; Sarah Vitez Vranic; @Louinga; @EarthLifeShop; @Tweetypie54; @Hubothecat; @Miaoow; @Danapixie; @Cool_Cat_;@callie57; @JudyGreeno; @ElizabethKoning; @BoBubbles; @inquarters14; @Shaynacat; @mssuzcatsilver; @Mulder_Cat; @flicka47; Kitty Token; @Tradertoms:produc12mas1; Rumpy T. Drummond; Sirikit Purr; Louis Cat; Horatio Canine; Britt P. Johnson; Senniug Rees; Pookey Lou; Briar Ishooman; Wes-Main Coon; @callie57; @JudyGreeno; @ElizabethKoning; @BoBubbles; @inquarters14; @Shaynacat; @mssuzcatsilver; @Mulder_Cat; @flicka47; @Tradertoms; Ingred Beaudelblinken; produc12mas1; Rumpy T. Drummond; Sirikit Purr; Louis Cat; Sharon Keenan Spiegelhalter; Horatio Canine; Britt P. Johnson; Senniug Rees; Pookey Lou; Briar Ishooman; Wes-Main Coon; @Oneevilcat; Scully_cat; @LilyLuWhoT; @greycatlady; @supernatural808; @KittyKassieCat; @ChloeToby; @Ads60nyc; @Crazykittykat1: @tabbyteztweets; @salamicat; @JustAnotherTrnd; @tiddlesfry; @Wildboutbirds; @MadLabM; @MavTheTiger; @BigWidu; @Pandafur; @GinaTheMinPin; @CheshireK; Mindy Apellaniz-Blunt; @EllaBellaKitty; @JassieKitty; @KealohaKitty; @Spike_cat; @JinJinDoggy; @PixelDoggy; @Hemmingwayscat; slywy @Karolka @ellnhank @RonSupportsYou @Pookandgrace @lisbethwest @MariahsVisions @L0veSA; Jitka Vavreckova; Peter Askin; Rebecca Spath; Sandy Fox; Mwroc Cat; Meowwie Cat; Biddie Cat; Shannon BlackCat; Sharon Patton; Robin Jaske; Leena Savenius; Marie-Louise Holmdahl and Kissen; Daisy Hawkins; Sultan Kivanc; Martha Vitez; Laurie Moore and her 19 cats; Pickle Cat; Lori Williams and Baby Cat; Maureen Birch; Maria Litra; Lily Sassymeow; Simone Purrington; Kath Henry; Alfie Sanders; Howard Worndle; Josiane Brademann; Amy Forst; Handsom Wilmot; Carole Blackwell; Lesley Shannan; Sue Hamilton; Nicole Downey Curra; Trizia Norris; Lisa Beth Hutson; Lise Beals; Katherine Owens Bosley; Chris Bush; Letisha Dior; Susan Price-James; Specer Pierre; Lenore Elena Sabal; Kimberly Lefever; April Ancliffe Crawford; Sherry Hensley Black; Debra Bean; Diana Hojstrup Andersen; Oscar Peek; Ariel Bosley; @Kyann_Zorain; @Louinga; @MarmiteMC; @Quadpawd; @ChatteMuse;  @maxwellvintage ; @tweetypie54; @LastChanceMI; @MELIBABY333; @gegaard; @sabrina0008; @purrfik; @scottydsntkno; @JessieJaney; @pandafur; @martisunshine; @MaggieTKat; @ParkerSKat;    @Mulder_Cat; @toughteddybear; @pawsnreflect; @CRITTERATI; @Tradertoms; @LindaPoVergara; @grrlysquirrel; @IQXS; @MiauLaGata; @MuffinTheCat1; @mssuzcatsilver; @NutmegTorby; @joeybeancat; @iamtammycat;    @Pumpkinpuddy; @alxrocksh ; @StellalunaKat;    @Kyann_Zorain; @Brian106sc @Hubothecat @EllaBellaKitty @JassieKitty @Kealoha_Kitty @JinJinDoggy @PixelDoggy @Quadpawd @inquarters14 @SnotfaceCritter @ElizabethKoning @ShaynaCat @CathyKeisha @Smokey8 @HollieCatRocks @grrlysquirrel @LilyLuWhoT @purrfik @henryandfriends @tweetypie54 @perrythebirman @Boomiethecat @HollieCatRocks @CathyKeisha @BuzzLucas @no_crybaby_doGs @mariodacat @JennyRosePetal @SmudgeBestCat @Boomiethecat @ChloeToby @perrythebirman @southbaygirl @konahead @greycatlady

Purrs 4 Peace - Year Two - Month 4: Calling all Superheros

2010-11-14T12:19:00.003-05:00

"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." ~Immanuel Kant

YOU can be a superhero. It’s true! Everyone has the power to be a superhero in the life of a cat or dog, puppy or kitten, who needs to be rescued.

This weekend (November 12-14^th) PetSmart is conducting a National Adoption Weekend in hopes of finding lifelong homes for more than 18,000 animals nationwide. Adoption is the way to reduce the number (over 4 million each year) euthanized in U.S. shelters. Even more perish on the streets. To every animal adopted, his or her mummy/daddy is a hero – a superhero- a human of extraordinary abilities and nobility who has vanquished evil and through whom their life has been saved.

My mummy is just such a superhero. She saved me 5 years ago and she’s done it again. Meet my new sister Zuzu pictured above. About 6 weeks ago mummy was walking in a nearby park and a tiny black cat appeared out of the bushes. Although the kitty approached mummy and seemed to want her attention, she would not allow mummy to touch her. Mummy offered her part of a muffin and the kitty hungrily gobbled it up. Mummy began to bring real cat food to the park on a daily basis. Mummy was frantic with worry for the kitty due to a hawk hunting in the park picking off squirrels and pigeons. She also feared for the kitty due to the traffic on the nearby street and humans who might not be so kind. Soon the kitty came to the sound of mummy’s voice. But it took almost a month before the kitty let mummy touch her and then another week before mummy could pick her up.

Zuzu did not immediately appreciate her rescue. She was quite scared and managed to pry up a grate and escape air vent. Soon however she was lured out. Now, although she is still a bit skittish and scared of other people, with mummy she purrs on sight and craves cuddles and kisses. She stares up at mummy with adoration and insists on licking mummy’s face. Zuzu has gained about a pound (but still weighs only 6 pounds.)and so is not quite so skinny. The vet thinks she is about 7 months old despite her tiny stature.

I’m not quite sure how I feel about her…I have been mostly staring at her from afar with a few close encounters…but mummy believes we will be good friends soon.

So this month lets purrrrrrrrr for all those other superheros out there and for the ones in the making….all those humans who not only save the lives of animals but provide them a safe and loving home on a daily basis.

GET READY

2:59 GET SET

3:00 GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Purrrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrrr Purr with love and compassion. #purrs4peace

Purrrrr, purrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, Purring.... Imagine every human heart inspired by kindness and generosity toward animals. #purrs4peace

Purrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Imagine every abandoned animal comforted, their fears soothed, their hungry stomachs filled. #purrs4peace

Purrrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, ........... Imagine every all animals in need led to the rescuing arms of a human and living in a safe home.#purrs4peace

Purrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrr,

Purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Empathy replaces ambivalence, compassion replaces greed, peace replaces chaos. Purrrrrrr #purrs4peace.

Peace * Paix * Frieden * Vrede * Pace * Fred* Paz * Shalom * Salaam * Om Shanti * Heddwch * Síochán * 和平 #purrs4peace

Purrs 4 Peace - Year Two - Month 3 - Thank you

2010-10-10T12:22:00.005-04:00

This month my special thanks and appreciation go to a very special canine supporter of Purrs 4 Peace: Lexie Dogstoyevsky who purrwoofs from Essex in the United Kingdom. Lexie, who tweets on twitter @Dogstoyevsky and has an excellent blog at www.dogstoyevsky.blogspot.com, is an extremely cute border terrier who is six years old. Lexie likes swimming and spends time on boats (ooooh what a lucky dog!) Lexie says she is the only “furry one in da family unless you count dad if he dussnt have a shave”. (Heeeheee). She is pictured above and I ask you who could resist such an adorable face?

Apparently, not her Mum and Dad who rescued her at 8 months old from her previous owner who planned to have her put down. I won’t repeat it all here but from reading Lexie’s blog I must say her mum and dad have such loving and compassionate hearts, are full of courage and are very smart…all of these talents which they had to use to get her away from her previous neglectful and abusive owner. You can read the whole story at the following links. But I warn you to have some tissues ready. Mummy had to use lots for the tears (including many tears of happiness) she had at reading this touching story. http://dogstoyevsky.blogspot.com/2010/03/reasons-to-be-cheerful-part-4.html

http://dogstoyevsky.blogspot.com/2010/03/dogfather-made-him-offered-he-couldnt.html

Lexie says her Mum was heartbroken about losing her beloved cat of 19 years and swore she’d never have another pet….but then she me Lexie “and da rest be histry.”

Lexie is a very thoughtful friend on Twitter and Facebook and often serves as DJ at the pawpawties….with wonderful taste in music if I might add.

Thank you my dear friends for your support of the Purrs 4 Peace Project. I am proud to call such wonderful humans and such a courageous doggy my friends. Purrrrrs of love to you all.

Bravo and thank you to all the Purrs 4 Peace purrrrrticipants who include:

@BettinaWagner; @PawPurrry; @SnowyWestie; @MedusaJ; @Pookandgrace; @CyberBonn; @JoannaVroom; @SmudgeBestCat; @Brutusthedane; @Pawsnreflect; @diddlebus; @HollieCatRocks; @Dogstoyevsky; @BunnyJeanCook; Brian Frum; @Mariodacat; Marg; K9friend; Crazykittykat1; Neyland D. Cat; Sweet Praline; Megs; Da fambly kitties; Harry Spotter; Smokey Pino (@Smokey8); Star Purrfik; Susan Ellington; Betsy Gunderson; Beaver Cat Ochoa; Bastet Sab; Marie Cat; Kate Viscardi; Cokie Cat; Chabichou Malabar du Roupillon; Mog Lickorish; Eveykitten Chezum; George Mulkerins; Jennifer Bolger; Mara Bestija; Pookey Lou; Sheila Odom; Mary La Ferlita; Lexington Thompson; Lisa Adams Monzon; Draco Marika Leonardi; Tyson Lockyer; Charlie Homer; Will Appleby; Chiara Leonardi; Thistle Fur Angel Johnson; Jasmine Johnson; Twinkle Johnson; Anja Hattenrath; Smudgie Hb Matthews; Patrizia Anzani; Angelina Leung; IcyCat Whitefur; Emily Cat; Chunks Mather; Louis Cat; Heba Cat Rady; Linda Louise; Elvis Fleksnes; Helen Melon Redshaw; Shazzer Anna; Rebecca Forrest-Pawprints; Atkinson Bubby Rose; Janet Carleton; Basil Blencowe; Ginger Meghalaya; Michelle Webster; Pretty Princess Orca; Ogden Thomas; Kelly Dugas Coveney; Krystal Grohman; Katherine Wiggins; Melody Woodall-Smith; Caroline Ashall; Terri Craig; Mandy LeKitkat Ristow; Sandra Jackson Alawine; Amanda Konzelman; Lisa Butler; Susan G. Bush; Morrigan Benton-Floyd; Kate Viscardi; Kelley Goodman; Jane Worwood; Brenda Kerr; Lisbeth West; Christelle Hoffstetter; William Davis Burke; Gato El Gris Zoff; Bianca Caviglioli; WillowFisher; Jmuhj Acat; Mojito R. Corgan; Goliath Jacawaca; Romeo Gatti; Barfi Watson; Kippy Johnson; Max Buckle; Carlzy Hutchings; Leslie Ann Ellis; Jan Meeuwsen; Willi R. Mccluney; Christine Harris; Mandy may McEntyre; Faythe Roberson Goldsmith; Frank Lampcat; Candis Catfixer; Laura Mcmillan; Sasha Koen; Snow P Brown; Arsène Le Pépère; Cats Meow; Diana Edens; Louis Cat; Michelle Stringer; Baguera jean Bigeant Haskoucet; Briar Ishooman; Bob TheTomato; Muffin Bergeron; Feria Chan; Toby Poppy ‘n’ Finn; Julz Lee; Woody Edens; Mousie Kitteh; Evelyn Murphy; Abednego Herr; Patches Meow Cat; Socks hermes Overend-tunnicliffe; Herbie Cat; Ercole Gatto; Puffin Webster; Milo Catface; Jean Gizzi Boobonivich; George Crow; Dan Scott; Cyndy Mccluney; Foggy Cato; Paula Santos; Henry Thomas Stockman; Tippi Rathke; Meghan Lamb; Annie Lucas; Charlie C. Faunch; Sam Iam; Julie Anne Stephens; Ciaran Moylan; Vancat Onlion; Minuit Et Lumiere; Georgie Laidler; Widget Cat; Alasandra Alawine; Ginger Meghalaya; Rumpy T. Drummond; Hobbes TheWonder Cat; Oscar N George Fee- Linez; Birman Bond; Katie Bourke; Cathy Keisha; One-Eye Hynes; Spookie Diosa Gris; Tuppy Glossop; Jenny Buttons TheHippo; Claire Bear Baker; Zoe Lindquist; Ami Lutkus; Chichi Persiancat; Skylar Fruffybottoms; Felisha Van kedisi; Morgan Lear Jones; Milly Fluffybum Tamblyn; Missy Rattitude; Joni Gallo; Jackee Daily; Suzi Amelia Meyers; Choco Where’zmahkittehcatnipz Marquez; Judge Thread; Alex Nancy Cowens; Fiona Jackson;Jayne Ashmore; Brenda Griffin; Kathreeya Atthakor; Annika Malino; Leah Turner; Cassandra Bull; Jennifer Marie Zeares; Yi-Jiun Chen; Mari Peippo; Lisa Beals; Kerry Blanc; Ann-Karin Vinje; Mai Liss Haugland; Tracy Manson; Irma Murray Brieve; Fiona Lickorish; Jill Buss; Robyn Dadson; Alicia ‘Kitty Meanstreak’ Lestat; Nikki Rose Waldeck; Karla Moore; Amanda M. Ciluffo; Felix Gill; Lorraine Rice; Joey Salazar-Jimbo; Wendy Morland; Ann Jenkins Jack Wagon; Helen Kallipe Smith; Sophie Hudson; Wendy House; Vicki Stringfellow Cook; Pa Hulja; Andrea Hall; Tamy Perrault; Maria-Paz San Martin; Jane Bolash Gump; Sandy Rakowitz; Melody Lie; Penni Osinski; Cat Wolf; Annemarie Devine; Raven Elise Hernandez; Robyn Miller; Deborah Ailman; Eleonora Matsumoto; Jenny Threet; Cris Marr Carey; Renee McMullen; Cathy Rabe Bass; Abady Alshamari; Lenor Elena Sabal Damun Vidoz; Bunni Gevuld; Daniele Morre; Abe Buntz; Jo Macro; Chandra Flores; Dawn Stergin; Patricia Perrings; Diana Jojstrup Andersen; Handsom Wilmot; Carma Mia Carey; Tara Tia Tarantino; Chibi Nakamura; Straw Beary Stanley; Oscar Peek; Trinity Noel Gilfillan; Pawing Charity; Bonnie Gaines; Karene Brewis; Billy Justakittygambly; Jessie Brewer; Berit Synnove Dale Vardal; Sophi Mewsalot; Gata Cuca Laruca; David Adrian Charles; Starsky N Simba Catnip; Isis Villayes; Mica Maca; Jasper Green Judy Clark; Joseph Jewell; Aimee Vinciguerra; Carolyn Sanders; Tamar Arslanian; Sarah Vitez Vranic; @Louinga; @EarthLifeShop; @Tweetypie54; @Hubothecat; @Miaoow; @Danapixie; @Cool_Cat_;@callie57; @JudyGreeno; @ElizabethKoning; @BoBubbles; @inquarters14; @Shaynacat; @mssuzcatsilver; @Mulder_Cat; @flicka47; Kitty Token; @Tradertoms:produc12mas1; Rumpy T. Drummond; Sirikit Purr; Louis Cat; Horatio Canine; Britt P. Johnson; Senniug Rees; Pookey Lou; Briar Ishooman; Wes-Main Coon; @callie57; @JudyGreeno; @ElizabethKoning; @BoBubbles; @inquarters14; @Shaynacat; @mssuzcatsilver; @Mulder_Cat; @flicka47; @Tradertoms; Ingred Beaudelblinken; produc12mas1; Rumpy T. Drummond; Sirikit Purr; Louis Cat; Sharon Keenan Spiegelhalter; Horatio Canine; Britt P. Johnson; Senniug Rees; Pookey Lou; Briar Ishooman; Wes-Main Coon; @Oneevilcat; Scully_cat; @LilyLuWhoT; @greycatlady; @supernatural808; @KittyKassieCat; @ChloeToby; @Ads60nyc; @Crazykittykat1: @tabbyteztweets; @salamicat; @JustAnotherTrnd; @tiddlesfry; @Wildboutbirds; @MadLabM; @MavTheTiger; @BigWidu; @Pandafur; @GinaTheMinPin; @CheshireK; Mindy Apellaniz-Blunt; @EllaBellaKitty; @JassieKitty; @KealohaKitty; @Spike_cat; @JinJinDoggy; @PixelDoggy; @Hemmingwayscat; slywy @Karolka @ellnhank @RonSupportsYou @Pookandgrace @lisbethwest @MariahsVisions @L0veSA; Jitka Vavreckova; Peter Askin; Rebecca Spath; Sandy Fox; Mwroc Cat; Meowwie Cat; Biddie Cat; Shannon BlackCat; Sharon Patton; Robin Jaske; Leena Savenius; Marie-Louise Holmdahl and Kissen; Daisy Hawkins; Sultan Kivanc; Martha Vitez; Laurie Moore and her 19 cats; Pickle Cat; Lori Williams and Baby Cat; Maureen Birch; Maria Litra; Lily Sassymeow; Simone Purrington; Kath Henry; Alfie Sanders; Howard Worndle; Josiane Brademann; Amy Forst; Handsom Wilmot; Carole Blackwell; Lesley Shannan; Sue Hamilton; Nicole Downey Curra; Trizia Norris; Lisa Beth Hutson; Lise Beals; Katherine Owens Bosley; Chris Bush; Letisha Dior; Susan Price-James; Specer Pierre; Lenore Elena Sabal; Kimberly Lefever; April Ancliffe Crawford; Sherry Hensley Black; Debra Bean; Diana Hojstrup Andersen; Oscar Peek; Ariel Bosley; @Kyann_Zorain; @Louinga; @MarmiteMC; @Quadpawd; @ChatteMuse;  @maxwellvintage ; @tweetypie54; @LastChanceMI; @MELIBABY333; @gegaard; @sabrina0008; @purrfik; @scottydsntkno; @JessieJaney; @pandafur; @martisunshine

Purrs 4 Peace - Year Two - Month 3- Adopting Older Animals is what all the cool people do.

2010-10-10T12:20:00.004-04:00

All who would win joy, must share it; happiness was born a twin. – Lord Byron

Happiness to me means sharing love…sharing love with humans and sharing love with animals. Adopting older animals is a great option for anyone wanting to share the love. So many older animals are being abandoned, especially these days of difficult economy. Older dogs and cats have great advantages:

1. Convenience. Puppy’s and kittens need training. An older dog is more likely to be housebroken and an older cat knows how to use the litter box. Most of the time, older animals don’t need to be fed as often as a younger one.

2. Temperment. An older dog or cat can have a better temperment for older people. They are not as energetic or active. They don’t need constant supervision. They are less likely to be injured by children or damage your property.

3. You get what you see. An older dog or cat is already grown and wo you know what you’re getting in terms of size, appearance, health and temperment.

4. Gratitude. Older animals who have lost a home know what the gift of love you are giving them. They are often terrified, confused, heartbroken at being abandoned. So they know and are grateful for a second chance.

Animals…all animals…deserve and have a right to happiness. So this weeks lets purr on the love, purr on the happiness, purr on the peace.

GET READY

2:59 GET SET

3:00 GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Purrrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrrr Purr out the love, compassion and happiness inside you into the universe. #purrs4peace

Purrrrr, purrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, Purring.... See respect for the lives and happiness of animals growing in every mind and heart. #purrs4peace

Purrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Imagine your purrs as a balm bringing peace and comfort to every abandoned animal. #purrs4peace

Purrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrr,

Purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Imagine every cat and dog living in a loving, safe and nurturing home. #purrs4peace

Imagine extra purrs of peace and compassion going out to older animals guiding them to their new homes filled with love.

Purrrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, ........... purr compassion, purr protection, purr safety, purr adoption, purr belonging, purr love, purr peace. #purrs4peace

Purr love to replace selfishness, Purr compassion to replace ambivalence, Purr Peace to replace fear. #purrs4peace

Peace * Paix * Frieden * Vrede * Pace * Fred* Paz * Shalom * Salaam * Om Shanti * Heddwch * Síochán * 和平 #purrs4peace

Purrs 4 Peace - Year Two - Month 3 Announcement: Right to Happiness includes Older Animals

2010-10-07T18:23:00.003-04:00

Knowledge of what is possible is the beginning of happiness.

- George Santayana

One of the recognized human rights is the right to happiness…or at least the pursuit of happiness. I maintain that animals are equally entitled to this right. ALL ANIMALS! That is why this month the cause of adoption of older animals is being highlighted. So many animals are euthanized each year when homes cannot be found…millions in fact. Puppies and kittens are most often the first adopted. Older dogs and cats languish and often die. But older dogs and cats have a right to happiness too. And they have a right for the chance to bring GREAT happiness to the humans who adopt them.

Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.

- Buddha

In looking for a fantastic example of the joys of adopting older pets I had no further to look than my beloved friends from Australia Pepismartdog (pictured on top) and his mum Michele. Although Pepi passed over the rainbow bridge in September of 2009, his loving, compassionate and fun loving spirit tweets regularly on twitter (@Pepismartdog) and has a fabulously uplifting blog at www.anipalrainbowbridge.blogspot.com/

Fortunately, Pepi generously agreed to an interview.

Hello dear friend. How did you get involved with this cause (adoption of older pets)?

Rescuing animals comes naturally for Mum. She has spent her life "bringing animals home". She is currently the 'go-to' person for injured wildlife in her area. This includes working with many kangaroos, koalas, a huge variety of birdlife, lizards, bats, etc. However, throughout all this, Mum has always had a soft spot for Golden Oldies, of all breeds. For most of her adult life, mum has been a Professional Animal Trainer.

When did you start ?

When Mum went to @AWLQld, Animal Welfare League Queensland, to look for a dog, she was looking for the right doggie, that spoke to her heart.. Then she saw a sign "Golden Oldie Pet of the Week" "Pepi" $50.00. As soon as she saw me, she fell in-love! I had spent 12 years with an elderly couple who moved into a Nursing Home. I was very skinny, very depressed, but when I looked at Mum (to be), my eyes drilled into her soul and pleaded with her, to take me with her. Woot! Woot! She did! Next thing I was being fitted out with a new collar, harness and lead.

I was completely mute for the first 6 months, and had bad nightmares for the first 2 months, (maybe because I had to be neutered, at 12 years old!). But then I turned the corner and our lives were never the same! I started running 6 miles a day with Mum. I was 1/2 Fox Terrier & 1/2 Daschund, so my legs were short. To save me getting too puffed, Mum got me a Pram/Stroller! I LOVED my Pram! This was a long time before Pet Pram/Strollers became cool. We made Pet Strollers famous, and then we made them cool! I had my own SkateBoard, and loved riding in the wheelbarrow too. I was crowned @AWLQld 's Official Poster Boy. Next I became a global Multi-Media Celebrity, appearing regularly in newspapers, magazines and TV. Then I joined Twitter; now I have 2 Blogs and am a Journalist for The Anipal Times, where I regularly write 3 columns, plus Book Reviews.

Do you still work in this cause?

I am thrilled to say YES! Mum and I still work closely with @AWLQld on a weekly basis. As Advocates for Golden Oldies, we promote awareness of the “benefits” of owning a Golden Oldie! We work to bring awareness to AWLQld because we know that they, like many good shelters, do a lot of work that goes unseen and spoken of, hence completely overlooked and taken for granted.*

We are currently working on up-date media articles with newspapers and magazines I had previously featured in. The focus of these articles is to remind people what great pets Golden Oldies are!

*(When Mum rescues kangaroos, she takes them to @AWLQld first, for their Vets to examine, and then the roos are transferred to “Wildcare Australia”. Soon I will be publishing an article about Mum's Kangaroo Rescues.)

What are the "pros" of older animals?

Golden Oldies have already completed their higher education. No silly digging up the garden, or ripping the washing or chewing the carpet! Golden Oldies already have their degrees in language; they know what you are saying. They have already graduated with Honors from Manners and Deportment training classes! Golden Oldies understand YOUR medical needs = YOUR need to pat them, as they bring YOUR blood pressure down! Use a shower timer to make sure YOUR 4 minute sessions are not cut short.

All Golden Oldies are Vet checked very closely and any ailments are declared, before being made eligible for re-homing. I was 12 years old and had early stage cataracts. I was 18 years old when I had an unexpected reaction to a medicine, that set off a chain of events that caused me to be PTS and cross OTRB. While in ICU Hospital, Canine Specialists said I still ha another good 5 years left; they said I had the CardioVascular and Heart of an 8 to 10 year old dog. I had NO arthritis at all. I was fitter and more active than most other dogs a fraction of my age.

I would definitely recommend everyone consider a Golden Oldie for their "Forever Pet". I gave Mum the most wonderful 6 years imaginable! I was not the most handsome dog ever, but I was all personality. My age never held me back! I pulled rank at the Dog Park; I was the Elder Statesman! BOL! I often gave free training lessons to younger doggies, teaching them the importance of manners and decorum. I commanded respect everywhere I went.

Kittehs

After I went OTRB Mum decided she had to let time pass before getting another doggie; I "set the bar too high"! BOL! She went to @AWLQld and looked for Golden Oldies kittehs, but there weren’t any at that time. However, she did get some kittehs who had been branded “Not suitable for re-homing”; they were unable to be housed in the Shelter and had failed miserably in the Fostering system. They were going to have to be PTS. It turns out they were sisfurs, Suki & Tahni, (middle photo) who had somehow been separated during fostering. Both of them had proved to be completely unsociable with people and other cats. Mum had just paid for “Apple”(bottom photo) and was walking out the door when she overheard Suki & Tahni’s fate being sealed. Instead of one, she now had three !

It took Suki & Tahni a couple of weeks to accept each other again and now they spend everyday tightly wrapped around each other! They will never be separated again. Apple weighs 29 LB and spices their life up by playing tricks on them! (Apple is not fat, just huge!) Suki & Tahni have settled in and become the most loving and smoochy sweet kittehs imaginable! We love all 3 kittehs!

Apple, Suki & Tahni are now all @AWLQld Ambassadors to help other Shelter Pals find their own “Forever Home” too. Mum bought a special Kitty Stroller and Apple even enjoys riding around wearing my Dinner Suit! It actually fits him! BOL! They all love the Kitty Stroller; Suki & Tahni ride in it together.

Promoting Golden Oldies will continue to be our passion. I celebrated my first Memorial Anniversary OTRB on September 16th. At the exact Memorial minute I passed away, Mum received a tweet from @AWLQld saying:

@AWLQld @PepiSmartDog Hi Pepi! We've found lots of homes for our Golden Oldies thanks to you.

@PepiSmartDog well we know Pepi is still watching over us, helping whenever he can.

Thank you sweet Pepi. You and your wonderful mum are an inspiration to all of us. *Smooches and nosebumps* This month you are an inspiration for our purrrrrrrrrrrrrrs

The appointed time is Sunday October 10, 2010 at 3 p.m. Eastern (United States time) which is 8 p.m. in the U.K.

Participants should purr for three minutes.

The cat’s human staff should assist their cats with the project by stroking, nuzzling and generally catering to their cat.

Please post purrs if possible online on twitter (@ConfuciusCat), or on Facebook (as your status or on the wall of Ally Mason). You may also post purrs here or on the wall of the Facebook event page created by the Acolytes of Confucius Cat group. Please include the name of the cat and the country in which you purr.

Spread the meow to all your cat friends. One year of simultaneous purring. Surely if we give it our all we can achieve Peace in the world through the greatness of Cat.

Peace * Paix * Frieden * Vrede * Pace * Fred* Paz * Shalom * Salaam * Om Shanti * Heddwch * Síochán * 和平

Purrs 4 Peace - Year Two - Month 2: Thank You

2010-09-19T14:10:00.007-04:00

This month I would like to express my great appreciation and thanks to a good facebook friend and longtime Purrs 4 Peace supporters Charlie Homer and family. Charlie is a beautiful Newfie girl (i.e., a Newfoundland breed of canine) with a gorgeous black shiny coat. Charlie’s FB page says that her political views include supporting anyone who provides treats…I’m not one to like politics but that is one political position I can get behind!

Charlie lives with her mummy and daddy in a small cottage in Cheshire in the U.K. Charlie’s Mummy is giving up work after Christmas and her Daddy is a pilot. Ooooh being a pilot sounds exciting…and gives Charlie’s Daddy some time to be with his sweet dog while Charlie’s Mummy is working.

Their family included lovely cat named Ellie who had been adopted from an area sanctuary. Ellie had been so badly beaten that the vet at the sanctuary had to amputate one of her legs. Charlie’s Mummy and Daddy adopted her just a week later when they came to the facility and asked for a cat who would not easily find a home. *Four paws applauding such a wonderfully compassionate couple. *Unfortunately, only 18 months later Ellie passed over the Rainbow Bridge due to massive heart failure. Charlie says, “We love all animals of all sorts and left to Mummy we would have a million cats and dogs.” What a wonderful Mummy!

A big thank you nosebump and kitty kiss to Charlie and her family for their for the compassionate and loving example and for their generous friendship and support for Purrs4Peace. You are all appreciated.

Bravo and thank you to all the Purrs 4 Peace purrrrrticipants who include:

@callie57; @JudyGreeno; @ElizabethKoning; @BoBubbles; @inquarters14; @Shaynacat; @mssuzcatsilver; @Mulder_Cat; @flicka47; @Tradertoms:produc12mas1; Rumpy T. Drummond; Sirikit Purr; Louis Cat; Sharon Keenan Spiegelhalter; Horatio Canine; Britt P. Johnson; Senniug Rees; Pookey Lou; Briar Ishooman; Wes-Main Coon; @Oneevilcat; Scully_cat; @LilyLuWhoT; @greycatlady; @supernatural808; @KittyKassieCat; @ChloeToby; @Ads60nyc; @Crazykittykat1: @tabbyteztweets; @salamicat; @JustAnotherTrnd; @tiddlesfry; @Wildboutbirds; @MadLabM; @MavTheTiger; @BigWidu; @Pandafur; @GinaTheMinPin; @CheshireK; @EllaBellaKitty; @JassieKitty; @KealohaKitty; @Spike_cat; @JinJinDoggy; @PixelDoggy; @Hemmingwayscat; slywy @Karolka @ellnhank @RonSupportsYou @Pookandgrace @lisbethwest @MariahsVisions @L0veSA

Purrs 4 Peace - Year Two - Month 2: Blood donation is the ultimate gift

2010-09-19T14:07:00.002-04:00

Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not. ~Dr. Seuss

Giving blood is the giving life. It is the ultimate generosity. In doing some modest research for the purrs this week I discovered that the requirements for most locations that accept animal (Cat or Dog) blood donations are roughly the same:

· An animal that is friendly and likes to be around people.

· A dog must weigh over 50 pounds and a cat must weigh over 9.

· Must be current on vaccinations and not taking any medications except for heartworm preventative or flea/tick treatment.

· Cats must be indoor only and negative for feline leukemia and FIV.

· No heart murmur.

· Cats should be between 2 and 6 years; Dogs between 1 and 6 years of age.

· Never received a blood transfusion.

· Never been pregnant.

Please contact the donation facility near you for specifics as to their donor requirements.

You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give. ~Kahlil Gibran

We celebrate the generous, compassionate, and loving people and animals who give the gift of life-giving blood to others. Let’s purr.

2: 59 p.m. Get ready to Purrrrrrrr.

SET.

3:00 p.m.

Confucius Cat say: GO!

Purrrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrr,. Purrrrr,purrrrrr.....

Imagine your purrs as a powerful love growing inside you and then pouring out into the world.

See your purrs bringing blessings to all those – animal and human- who donate blood.

See all those touched by your purrs inspired to donate blood.

Purrrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrrr, ppurrrrinnnnnnnggggggg.

See love spread, inspiring other acts of compassion, generosity and faith.

Imagine aggression, hostility and misunderstanding replaced by patience, thoughtfulness, and understanding.

Purrrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrrr, ppurrrrinnnnnnnggggggg. See love turning prejudice to tolerance, ignorance to enlightenment, narcissism to empathy, apathy to altruism, selfishness to self-sacrifice.

Purrrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrrr, ppurrrrinnnnnnnggggggg. Love bringing PEACE to the world.

Peace * Paix * Frieden * Vrede * Pace * Paz * Shalom * Salaam * Om Shanti * Heddwch * Síochán