Halloween Tail: A Home for Ichabod

Meows from Mudpie!

It's become sort of a tradition each year for Mommy to write a short story for Halloween. In 2014 her story starred Truffles, last year it starred Angel Truffles and myself, this year it stars all fictional characters (both 2-legged and 4-legged) and we hope it brings a smile to your face.

Eight year old Fiona Hunt woke up at the crack of dawn barely able to contain her excitement...the day she'd been waiting weeks for had finally arrived!!! It was the Saturday before Halloween and the holiday party/adoption event organized by the shelter her Mom volunteered for, Angel Paws Cat Rescue, was being held that very afternoon at the local pet store.

"Hurry up Mom, we're gonna be late," she screamed, rushing downstairs already dressed in the witch costume she'd had hanging on her bedroom door ever since her mom had come home with news about the big party.

Jenna Hunt stood by the stove smiling to herself. It was so good to see her daughter happy about something again. It had been a rough year after their beloved black cat Onyx had passed away in May after a short battle with cancer. Onyx had been Fiona's best friend from the moment Jenna brought her home from the hospital, and that first experience with the death of a loved one had been devastating for the little girl. After initially announcing she never wanted another cat again because they would just leave her too, she had finally started to show interest in her friends' cats again and just the other day told Jenna she might like to go to the shelter with her some afternoon...just to look. Still, Jenna was hoping to wait until after the holidays were over to pick out a new furry family member.

Following a quick breakfast Jenna and Fiona arrived at the pet store to find families enjoying themselves, kids and pets in costume, tables full of treats for both the 2- and 4-legged variety, and the sounds of Monster Mash playing in the background. Fiona saw several of her friends and briefly acknowledged them but quickly made a beeline for the cat cages.

Angel Paws Cat Rescue had wisely set up their adoption event in a far corner of the store away from the hubbub of the Halloween party in full swing. Here Fiona was met by a dozen precious faces waiting for their forever homes...an orange tabby, a tortie, a big Maine Coon, a Siamese mix. Seeing the little girl approach the cages most of the cats came to the front, paws out reaching for her attention. They were all so cute but none touched her heart the way Onyx had. Tears welled up in her eyes as she began to wonder if she'd ever be able to love another animal as much ever again.

"Mew...mew..." A tiny little voice caught Fiona's attention from the very last cage near the wall. Following the sound she found a small black kitten with curiosity in his eyes looking back at her.

"His name is Ichabod." Fiona turned around to see Carol, another volunteer at the rescue and good friend of her mom's. "He was found on the side of the road Memorial Day weekend. His mom had been hit and killed by a car and he was still trying to nurse. It's taken him a long time to come out of his shell but he's doing much better. Do you want to hold him?"

Carol lifted Ichabod from the cage and handed him to Fiona. The little cat instantly nuzzled his face into her hair and fell asleep, the only sound in the room his gentle purr. "I lost my special kitty the same weekend you lost your mommy," Fiona whispered into his fur, and in that moment all the tears she'd held back for so long rained down on the little black cat.

"What you're going through is very normal, but I promise you it gets easier. Losing a beloved pet is one of the most heartbreaking things humans have to live through. The unconditional love they give us can't be found anywhere else, and when they leave us it feels like that empty spot will never be filled. But one day you'll think about Onyx not with an ache in your heart but with all the wonderful memories he left you with. It's okay to be happy again, sweetie. Onyx loved you so much, that's what he'd want for you."

After awhile Carol gently lifted Ichabod from Fiona's arms and put him back in the cage. "The adoption event is about to start. Why don't you go splash some cold water on your face and join your friends out front?"

Throughout the rest of the afternoon Fiona sang, ate and laughed with all the other kids, but always with one eye pointed in the direction of the cat cages. She watched as family after family filled out an application and chose the perfect kitty for their family. A smile was on everyone's face as they anticipated the years of happiness to come with their new pet.

By late in the day festivities had died down and Fiona went to the back where her mom was packing up the makeshift adoption center. All the cats were gone...all except Ichabod. He licked her fingers through the bars of the cage as she whispered, "Good luck, little guy. You're gonna make some family really happy."

Jenna came up behind her, kissed her on top of the head and slipped a $20 bill between her fingers. "What's this for???" Fiona asked.

"I thought you might like to shop around for some new cat toys. Every little witch needs her own black cat, don't you think?"

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If you're a regular reader of cat blogs you may recognize the artwork that accompanies our little story today. The mom behind the Four-Legged Furballs blog is an amazing artist, and earlier this month she posted the two pieces of art that captured my heart and inspired this story. Many, many thanks to The Menagerie Mom for graciously allowing me to use her artwork today!

Day of the Dead Giveaway

My entry in the Sunday Selfies blog hop, hosted by The Cat on My Head!

Meows from Mudpie!

Day of the Dead is a Mexican holiday celebrated throughout Mexico and by people of Mexican ancestry. The multi-day holiday (October 31-November 2) focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. Traditions connected with the holiday include building private altars, honoring the deceased using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed, and visiting graves with these as gifts.

Colorful Day of the Dead statues can be easily found alongside Halloween decorations on store shelves, and earlier this fall Mommy excitedly came home with a festive cat statue to add to our holiday decor! When I gently reminded her what a pawsome giveaway this would make, she went back to the store and bought another one!

To enter, simply fill out the Rafflecopter below! This giveaway is open to everyone worldwide; deadline is midnight Eastern Time, November 6. Good luck!

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Pumpkin Spice #CaturdayArt

Meows from Mudpie!

In a world gone pumpkin spice crazy, I provide the spice to this little pumpkin patch!

We'd also like to thank our sweet friend Nellie for my purr-sonalized pumpkin!

And now I'll turn things over to Mommy provide our answers for the Friendly Fill-Ins challenge, hosted by 15andmeowing and McGuffy's Reader...

1. The first thing I check when I go online is my email, followed by the news.

2. My signature dish is spinach lasagna.

3. My Halloween night is usually spent at home watching something spooky on TV.

4. Trick or treaters are few and far between in my neighborhood.

Getting Cozy for National Cat Day #PersonalCreations

Tomorrow is National Cat Day, a day first celebrated in 2005 "to help galvanize the public to recognize the number of cats that need to be rescued each year and also to encourage cat lovers to celebrate the cat(s) in their life for the unconditional love and companionship they bestow upon us." It's a time to spoil your fur baby a little more, maybe even adopt a new little friend for them!

When I adopted Mudpie last summer I was told she was a lap cat who loved to be cuddled. After bringing her home I didn't find that to be the case. Sure, she enjoyed it when I'd pick her up in my arms but when she wanted down she meant it! And keeping her still long enough to settle down in my lap was a Herculean task!

My little girl has grown up into a lovely young ladycat and she's becoming more and more content to enjoy quiet moments with her Mommy. This fall especially she's coming to my lap more and more, and there's just nothing better than taking a nap, reading a book or watching TV with her warm little body snuggled up to me.

This winter we'll be cozier than ever thanks to our new customized throw blanket from Personal Creations. By simply uploading a favorite photo to their website Personal Creations is able to reproduce your image onto a high quality throw (or ornament, mug, cosmetic bag, treat jar, pillow, doormat, baking pan, keepsake box...the possibilities are endless!) I'm not sure yet if this blanket will stay on the couch for evening cuddling, or on the bed for nighttime cuddling, but I know for sure that it's an item I will cherish forever.

Christmas is right around the corner and everyone loves personalized gifts. Maybe someone you know suffered the loss of a beloved pet this year...I can't think of a gift that would touch their heart more than something with their precious angel's picture on it. Pet-related life events are always foremost in my mind, but if you recently got married or had a new baby, why not commemorate it on a one-of-a-kind item? Free personalization on over 10,000 gifts, and they ship in 1-3 days. It couldn't be easier to order a gift that your loved ones will remember for years to come. (Or to treat yourself to something extra special!)

Spending a cozy Friday night in with my very best girl. #Mudpie #ilovemycat #catsofinstagram #tortiesofinstagram #tortoiseshellcat #cutecat #tortitude #catblogger

A photo posted by Melissa & Mudpie (@mochasmysteriesmeows) on Jun 17, 2016 at 6:02pm PDT

So on Saturday Mudpie and I will be celebrating National Cat Day together...lots of playtime and extra treats for my little girl followed by "Mommy and me" time on the couch, Mudpie on my lap snuggled up with our Mudpie throw blanket. Mudpie squared!

How will you be celebrating with your fur babies?

I received this blanket for spreading the word about Personal Creations but we only share information we feel is relevant to our readers. Personal Creations is not responsible for the content of this article.

Unboxing October's Black Cats #CatLadyBox

The theme of October's CatLadyBox was "Black Cats"...this is what was inside!

Featured Cat Lady Artist Carrie Hawks "TigerPixie": I've been a huge fan of TigerPixie's Fantasy Cat Art on her Etsy shop for awhile now so I was very excited to see her artwork featured in this month's box. 

Glowing Cat Long Sleeve Shirt (CatLadyBox Exclusive): CatLadyBox's very first long-sleeve shirt, purrfect for fall weather! It's just as soft as their t-shirts and simply magical.

Vintage Style Black Cat Bracelet (CatLadyBox Exclusive): In one of my favorite boxes ever, I think this is my favorite piece. I adore the vintage look to the wood-inspired tiles.

Gunmetal Gem Cat Ears (CatLadyBox Exclusive): This is what every stylish cat lady will be wearing on Halloween!

Bonus Black Cat Pen: This little cutie sits on my desk peeping out of a mug.

Cat Lady Purrk: Coupon for $25 off a PetSafe ScoopFree self-cleaning litter box.

Photo: CatLadyBox

Black Cat Buddy Toy (CatLadyBox Exclusive): I confess that I didn't give this toy to Mudpie. I added it to my Halloween decor instead. I'm such a bad cat mom :(

Boo! Knit Ghost by Imperial Cat: This is the little ghostie that I hung from Mudpie's KatKabin. Each day she's been jumping on top and batting it around, until Monday when she hit it hard enough it fell down and she's been killing it ever since ;)

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Not a subscriber yet? Visit CatLadyBox today!

Interested in purchasing individual items from past boxes? You can do that too!

Disclosure: I receive a discount on my CatLadyBox subscription as a thank you for my monthly review. Regardless of compensation received, we only share information we feel is relevant to our readers.

Make America Purr Again

Many thanks to the Cat Sticker Club for sending us this pawsome sticker! We're honorary members!

Don't Let Litter Box Odors Come Between You & Your Family #CLUMPandSEAL

Have you ever had a visitor to your home say they could smell your litter box? I have, and it completely changed how I think about litter box odors.

This post is sponsored by ARM & HAMMER™ and the BlogPaws® Pet Influencer Network™. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about ARM & HAMMER CLUMP & SEAL™ available at PetSmart®, but Mochas, Mysteries and Meows only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Arm & Hammer and PetSmart are not responsible for the content of this article.

I have an aunt who lost her hearing at an early age due to a series of childhood illnesses, and then subsequently lost her sight as a young woman. She has enjoyed a full life thanks to an amazing husband, four great kids...and a deep love of cats. (I come from a loooooooong line of cat ladies on my mom's side of the family.)

Many years ago after losing Sashi I went 15 months without a cat before adopting Tara. I hadn't had a chance to let my aunt know about my new family member before she surprised me with a visit one day. Upon entering the house the very first thing she communicated to me was, "You got a new cat!"

How on earth could she know that?

Her answer horrified me...she could smell the litter box.

Now granted when a person has lost two of their senses, those remaining are going to be enhanced, but I couldn't help but wonder if the odor really was that obvious and I had just become accustomed to it?

Ever since that day I've been obsessive about making sure my cat's litter pan is immaculate, starting with choosing a top-rated cat litter that guarantees an odor-free home. ARM & HAMMER™ CLUMP & SEAL™  odor sealing litter is the biggest advancement in cat litter history. No other litter forms a tight seal around odor and destroys it with unique odor eliminators and baking soda. Many cat moms don't realize that even after you scoop bacterial odor can keep growing. The innovative, new MicroGuard technology seals and destroys immediate odor, plus prevents the growth of future bacterial odor for 7-day odor control, guaranteed.

PetSmart carries the entire line of ARM & HAMMER CLUMP & SEAL cat litter, and there's a choice to fit every lifestyle including:

• ARM & HAMMER CLUMP & SEAL Clumping, Multi-Cat Household
• ARM & HAMMER CLUMP & SEAL MicroGuard Fresh Scent Cat Litter
• ARM & HAMMER CLUMP & SEAL LightWeight (Each box contains the same amount of uses as regular clumping litter, at half the weight.)
• ARM & HAMMER CLUMP & SEAL Naturals (Made with natural wood fibers, plant-based clumping agents, minerals and baking soda)

We all want those we love to be happy, both our two-legged and four-legged family members. Not having to worry about litter box odors means less stress on the entire family. And couldn't we all do with a little less stress in our lives and more quality time to spend with our cats? Anything that manages to do that gets four paws up from Mudpie (and me!)

Arm & Hammer is on social media: Follow them on Facebook and Instagram today! Plus, visit their website for a $2 coupon!

Have you had a chance to try ARM & HAMMER CLUMP & SEAL cat litter yet? 

Tell us your thoughts!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of ARM & HAMMER. The opinions and text are all mine.

Book Review: Death by Pumpkin Spice by Alex Erickson

Death by Pumpkin Spice (A Bookstore Café Mystery) by Alex Erickson

From the publisher: Bookstore café owner Krissy Hancock would rather spend Halloween serving pumpkin goodies than wearing costumes with Pine Hills’ wealthiest at Yarborough mansion, especially when the soiree shapes up to be more trick than treat . . .

As if a run-in with an old flame and a failed marriage proposal weren’t enough to horrify Krissy for one night, a woman is found strangled to death in a room filled with ominous jack-o’-lanterns. All signs suggest a crime of passion—but when the hostess’s jewelry disappears, malevolent intentions seem way more likely . . .

With the estate on lockdown and a killer roaming the halls, Krissy must help Officer Paul Dalton investigate each nook, cranny, and guest for answers—while also confronting a few demons of her own. Someone has lots of skeletons in the closet, and Krissy better tread lightly to expose them . . .

This is the third book in the series but the first that I've read even though the cover of each one has called to me from my bookshelves. While I felt like I was missing quite a bit of Krissy's back story (and found her inability to choose between the men in her life annoying) I didn't have much trouble piecing everything together.

Krissy is invited to a swanky Halloween party at the Yarborough mansion by her doctor friend Will. It's *the* place to be seen each year even though everyone is surprised the party is even taking place since the owner of the mansion recently passed away. A very insecure person, Krissy debates whether she wants to go or not but ultimately decides to accept the invitation. She's completely blown away by the mansion decked from top to bottom in gothic decor, and with a storm raging outside the atmosphere is just perfect. Then a woman dressed as Marilyn Monroe is found murdered after very publicly rejecting a marriage proposal, and with the roads closed everyone is sequestered inside until help can arrive. Krissy's former love interest Officer Paul Dalton asks her for help in questioning the attendees and keeping everyone calm, and in no time she discovers a very twisted web in a very creepy house.

If you're looking for something to put you in the Halloween mood, look no further than Death by Pumpkin Spice. Mostly taking place in the span of a single evening, this locked room mystery is just oozing of thrills and chills!

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Do you have a favorite book that takes place at Halloween or that you look forward to reading every year at this time?

What Kind of November Will It Be #SundaySelfie

Meows from Mudpie!

We just realized this week that we haven't talked about NASCAR in quite awhile. There are only 5 races left this season; we're already halfway through the Chase for the Sprint Cup. Our driver Kevin Harvick has had 3 really bad races but 2 big wins, keeping him in the running for a second championship. There have definitely been some nail-biting races!

Sometimes I wonder which is going to do Mommy in first...NASCAR or the presidential election. I guess what kind of a November we'll be having depends on how her guys do. Purrsonally, I just wish it was all over!

We're joining our friends at The Cat on My Head for the Sunday Selfies blog hop!

Ghostly #CaturdayArt

Meows from Mudpie!

This week I told Mommy we'd better start creating some Halloween art before it's too late, so she stuck me smack dab in the middle of a creepy, fog-filled forest! Is there anything behind me???

While I'm trying to hide from everything that's lurking in the mist, I'll let Mommy provide our answers for the Friendly Fill-Ins challenge, hosted by 15andmeowing and McGuffy's Reader...let me know when it's safe to come out...

1. One Halloween, I dressed as a cow. What else? I'm a Vermonter!

2. My favorite comedian is Larry the Cable Guy.

3. My scariest Halloween was when I was a little girl and would attend various "haunted house" events. I miss going to those.

4. Dove dark chocolate pumpkins are my favourite Halloween treat.

Swapoween Unboxing!

Earlier this year one of our book blogging friends took part in a blogger swap hosted by Chaotic Goddess Swaps. We've been monitoring their events ever since and when Swapoween was announced we hopped right in.

For anyone unfamiliar with what a swap is, you're partnered with another blogger to buy Halloween goodies for, and someone else is doing the same for you. My package came from Tula, a book blogger at Primary School Library Diva and I couldn't be happier with what she sent me. I got a book, a soy candle that smells amazing, a cute Halloween notepad and socks, lip balm...

...and the cutest trio of primitive country kitties I've ever seen! (Will these be put away after Halloween? No way!!!)

Thank you so, so much for the pawsome package Tula...you made my very first Swapoween such a great experience!

Just as an aside, I sent a package to Beth at the Printcess blog, and she posted this picture on her Instagram:

So many amazing #halloween goodies in my #swapoween box, thanks to @mochasmysteriesmeows #cgswaps #blogswap

A photo posted by Beth (@goddessbeth) on Oct 18, 2016 at 10:16pm PDT

I'd also like to thank the ladies at Chaotic Goddess Swaps for hosting this fun event. They have different swaps throughout the year, so check them out! I’m looking forward to participating again.

Spooktacular Giveaway Hop

Welcome to the Spooktacular Giveaway Hop hosted by BookHounds!

To enter fill out the Rafflecopter below for your chance to win this box of mysteries...

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Happy ‘Tocktober!

Meows from Mudpie!

In the cat blogosphere we celebrate 'Tocktober in honor of our dear friend Derby, who loved to flaunt his cute little buns at every opportunity.

I'm more of a modest ladycat and was pawsitively horrified when Mommy showed me the picture she wanted to post today. Thankfully I'm a good sport (and she promised to cover up the naughty bits!)

Kornfield Kounty, Here I Come!

Meows from Mudpie!

We've frequently lamented the fact that Vermont is the only state in the country without a Target, so every time they release one of those pawsome cat scratchers we have to rely on our friends to get one for us. I now have a few different Halloween and Christmas scratchers which we rotate, but the newest one released this fall just might be our favorite one yet!

Mommy loves watching the old Hee Haw shows, and the minute she saw the barn scratcher that's the first thing she thought of. Our sweet friends at As the World Purrs picked one up for us and when Mommy started putting it together I couldn't wait to get inside! I didn't even give her time to secure the tabs before I hopped in (which is why it looks like it might fall apart at any minute!)

We have one more picture to show you from this photo session but we're saving it to celebrate Tock-Tober tomorrow. I can only imagine how embarrassing this is going to be...

Fur Flying? A Review of MIU PET's Deshedding Tool

Grooming is a great way to bond with your pet so I've been brushing Mudpie from the very beginning. It's a good thing I've been diligent about it too because I've been stunned by how much she sheds, especially over the past (horribly hot) summer. Finding bunches of fur on the floor, furniture, and on her back is one thing, but the day I watched her shake herself after waking from a nap and a cloud of loose fur flew up into the air, I knew we had a problem! (As an aside, I found Best Vacuum for Pet Hair: Top 10 Reviews and Buyer Guide to be a great resource when it comes to cleaning up all that Mudpie fur!)

We have a deshedding tool that we've been very happy with, but when MIU PET contacted us this summer about trying theirs we were happy to accept. After using it for a couple months we've been quite impressed.

The deshedder is comfortable to use (for both of us) and I love how easy it is to release the fur using the eject button. The teeth aren't sharp so there's no chance of hurting your pet. My only complaint would be that the blade is very short (at least on the medium-sized tool that we received) so it fills up quickly requiring frequent fur removal. The tool itself is well-made and feels sturdy in your hand. It's built to last and a value for the low price of $8.99! Definitely a tool that we'll be using for many years to come.

Mudpie is SO much softer after being groomed, and the best news is...no more fur flying through the air!

Thanks to MIU Pet we have TWO deshedding tools to give away to TWO lucky winners in the US! Simply fill out the Rafflecopter below and good luck!

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This post is sponsored by MIU PET. I am being compensated for reviewing this product but we only share information we feel is relevant to our readers. MIU PET is not responsible for the content of this article.

Book Review: Paws and Effect (A Magical Cats Mystery) by Sofie Kelly

Kathleen is excited to meet three old pals of her beau, Detective Marcus Gordon, while they visit charming Mayville Heights on business. But the reunion is cut short when one of the friends is killed—and the evidence points toward Marcus as the murderer.

Though it seems she doesn’t know all of Marcus’s secrets, Kathleen is sure he’s no killer. With his suspect status sidelining him from investigating the case, it’s up to Kathleen and her feline partners-in-crime to find whoever is framing Marcus—and make sure the good detective hasn’t found his last clue.

The Magical Cats Mystery series is quite simply, pure magic. Owen and Hercules are back for their 8th adventure in Paws and Effect and more adorable and clever than ever.

The action begins on page one when Kathleen finds yet another dead body...a furry little vole dispatched by her boyfriend's cat Micah who is very proud of his kill, thank you very much! Kathleen and Marcus go to breakfast where they run into two people from Marcus's past who work for an environmental group and are in town to look for evidence to stop a big development project from taking place near the local feral cat colony. The four friends have a complicated relationship dating back to college, and in very short order one of them is dead and evidence at the scene leads directly to Marcus.

This is one of those series that the more time you spend with Kathleen and her magical cats, the more they feel like good friends. With each book her relationships with friends Maggie, Roma, and Rebecca, her co-workers, and Marcus grows and the quaint town of Mayville Heights comes alive in my eyes. This book introduces us to Marcus's father Eliot who has a strained relationship with his son, yet he forms a connection to Kathleen. There's also a big development by the end involving a secondary couple readers have been rooting for.

While this is a book that can be read as a stand-alone, there's a long winter stretching ahead of us and I can think of no better way for cat worshiping bibliophiles to "pampurr" themselves than to read the entire Magical Cats mystery series from start to finish.

Amazon Buy Link

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Mudpie Interviews Former Feral Oona #FeralCatDay

Meows from Mudpie!

This year for National Feral Cat Day we wanted to look at this important issue from a different angle. While brainstorming for a topic we kept coming back to an amazing book we read, To Catch a Cat: How Three Stray Kittens Rescued Me, by Heather Green. I decided to reach out to Oona, the mother of those three kittens, who now lives the good life as a former feral with the wonderful humans who saved her little family.

What's life like for a feral mom on the streets? What made her decide to trust a human and become a pampered house cat, and does she think more kitties could adjust to life "on the inside"? Here's what Oona had to say!

Welcome, Oona! Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with me. Could you start by telling us a little about yourself and how you started life as a feral cat?

Hi Mudpie! It’s so much fun to chat with you! One of the mothers in the colony I hung out with was a Tortie, so I’ve always liked the tortoiseshell crowd. Between you and me, I’m not really sure where I was born. But the place I called home was Manhattan Avenue in Union City, New Jersey. It’s really urban. Row houses, concrete sidewalks, busy streets.

What were your days like back then?

Well, you know how it is for ferals. There are great days, lolling around in the sun, catching mice in the abandoned woods, just kicking back. But mostly, it was tough. I was out there fending for myself, trying to avoid being hit by cars, always on the lookout for food. The winters were the worst. I had a nice warm coat, but it gets cold in New Jersey. The snow is the worst.

At some point you found yourself "with kitten". That must have been terrifying for you. What made you finally decide to let humans help take care of your babies?

It’s hard being a mother on your own, trying to get enough to eat to feed the kittens. So when two meals each started showing up out of nowhere like clockwork morning and night, it didn’t take me long to realize these humans in the house next door to where me and my kittens were living might be ok—as long as they didn’t get too close. 

Then help came for you. How did you initially feel about Heather and Matt's intervention in your life?

It was confusing, let me tell you. I was really protective of my three boys. But I could tell that Matt and Heather cared about us. Still, going from not trusting any humans to suddenly having them feeding us, building us a house, taking pictures all of the time, that was a big jump. And just as I felt like I knew them, bam, suddenly they took my kittens and then the next thing you know there were hauling me into the vet. I totally felt betrayed for a while, but since they kept feeding me and after those dumb tom cats stopped bothering me, things seemed to get better between us. 

You're now known as a "former feral"...what made you decide that letting humans take care of you was a pretty good deal?

We got to know each other bit by bit. After that operation nonsense, they kept feeding me and spending time with me outside in their backyard. During the winters, they’d even put a heating pad in my house. Now that was a nice change from my first couple of winters. I could tell they cared about me and I got to like being petted. And then one day, when it was cold, Heather fed me in her kitchen, the way she liked to do when it got really bitter and then closed the door on me and she wouldn’t let me out. I was pretty upset for a few days. But you know, there’s something nice about not having to worry being outside.

What's life like for you today?

Life is good. Soft beds, good food, my humans. I miss being outside sometimes. I spend a lot of time at the window. A couple of times, I’ve even run out the front door when my humans weren't paying attention. You know how they get so easily distracted! But you know, I got out there and I realize that it’s pretty scary on the streets. So each time, I came back in. They plan to build me an outdoor area where I can roam around in a protected space. I’m excited about that.

 
Do you think more feral cats could learn to adjust to life as a house cat if people would only try? What tips would you give on this process?

Totally! With time and patience, it works. It’s easier if the people don’t have too many other cats. And if they can just give us time for us ferals to trust them. I spent a lot of time under Heather and Matt’s bed at first. Now, thought, I sleep on the bed. It’s softer.

Lastly, what are the most important things you want people to know about feral cats and how we can help them?

Fix us, feed us, love us. After Heather and Matt fixed the adult cats in the colony I was from and found homes for the kittens, the number of cats on our block just plummeted. TNR works.

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Thank you so much, Oona! I'm sure after meeting this lovely lady you're interested in reading her human's book. It's available on Amazon and all your other favorite retailers, and if you missed our review you can find it here!

Since it's Sunday, we're also entering Oona in the Sunday Selfies blog hop hosted by The Cat on My Head.

Helping Cats from My Couch #BtC4A

I think it's normal for animals lovers who are active on social media to feel helpless at times. So many innocent little faces need our help.

I'm fortunate to live in a part of the country where the need isn't as great. We have amazing shelters that aren't forced to euthanize due to lack of space. We're even able to regularly pull animals from southern kill shelters and have been told it's incredible how quickly animals are adopted here.

Thanks to being a cat blogger I receive more food, treats and toys than Mudpie can ever use so I'm able to make regular donations to my local shelters. I send money when I can and spotlight adoptable cats on our blog and social media, but still have been looking for a way to do more.

While I'd love to volunteer to clean cages and socialize cats or open my doors to a foster, that's just not in the cards for me right now, so when this showed up in my Facebook news feed I knew I'd found what I was looking for:



I was already familiar with Anjellicle Cats Rescue because of the amazing work they do pulling cats from the NYC ACC. They quite often pull cats who need extra TLC and medical attention before being ready to find their forever homes; cats that would otherwise never have a chance of making it out of the ACC alive.

Two days later myself and 3 other volunteers started contacting donors to collect the pledges, and within the first 24 hours we had cleared up the backlog raising thousands of dollars for Anjellicle. These are much-needed funds that allow ACR to continue to save the lives of these unfortunate cats who find themselves on death row, and moving forward we'll be able to collect the pledges on a more timely basis for each kitty's piggy bank.

Nothing feels better than helping cats in need and I'm enjoying this volunteer position so much, but what I didn't expect is that by contacting these wonderful donors I'm making new cat loving friends too! I've already had several great conversations, even one with a sweet lady in Germany. It's heartening to know that so many people around the world are working to make life better for cats. My small part just happens to take place from the comfort of my couch!

Want to help Anjellicle Cats Rescue? Click on their website's donation button and visit them on Facebook to follow their life-saving work!