Purrrrsss!!!! Hamlet is Back to Talk to Me about Read Humane!

Meow! Meow!!!!!!  And snuggly purrs Hamlet!  It is so good to chat with you again! Especially since we’re going to talk about something very near and dear to my little kitty heart—adopting kitties and other animals so they have wonderful forever homes.  In case my fans don’t remember, Hamlet is the star of Ali Brandon’s Black Cat Mystery series.  His person, Darla Pettistone helps him solve crimes and he has a new book coming out called WORDS WITH FIENDS that has a great story line on rescues!

I think you know my brother, Bogie, came from a feral colony and they have special needs.

 

Mom picked up some fresh catnip for our chat today so help yourself and check out the new scratch box she got me and my brothers. You know two of my brothers, Mel and Bogie, are feral rescues and my other brother Fred came to live with us a foster kitty and when his human died my mom adopted him.  I think more people need to think about adopting pets like us so I’m hoping this chat with you will help them see how great we can be.

I know from your author’s past books you are very brave but were you scared before you were rescued?

Hello Missy, and thanks for the catnip, and hello to your brothers. It’s very nice to chat with you again. I was born in an alley, so I never knew what it was like to live in a home. My mother was a beautiful Siamese who was tossed away by her human caretakers just before my siblings and I were born. They were not nice humans…hisssss! Mama tried to be brave for us, but she was always scared. All she ever wanted to do was sit in some human’s lap. Luckily, right about the time we were ready to be weaned, someone from what you call Rescue found us. I overheard them say they were going to take us to a place called “Foster” and then find nice inside homes for all of us.

Mama was happy, but I had already decided that I’d rather be on my own. So while the Rescue people went to get a cage to put us in, I gave Mama and my brothers a lick good-bye. Then I ran and hid so they wouldn’t take me, too. Someday, I’ll tell you the rest of the story of how I found my human caretaker on my own, but I am happy to say that Mama and the boys also found good homes with fine humans.

What did you think when you were asked to be part of this wonderful Read Humane project that Penguin books is doing?

            I was very happy to help. All felines (and canines, too) deserve a home—purrr!—and not to have humans be cruel to them…growl!

Can you tell our fans a little bit about it?

            Ali Brandon told me that Penguin Group (USA) Inc., who is our publisher, has reprinted six of their animal-themed novels with a special Read Humane® logo to bring awareness to The Humane Society of the United States® and their work. My book, DOUBLE BOOKED FOR DEATH, is one of those six. Participating authors besides Ali Brandon include our Read Humane spokesperson, Jill Shalvis, as well as Linda O. Johnston, Miranda James, Leann Sweeney, and Judi McCoy.

            The books will be released April 30 and be available for the month of May at participating booksellers. And, even better, Penguin is giving a $25,000 donation to benefit The HSUS’s® Animal Rescue Team® that helps save animals from hurricanes and floods and other bad things. Penguin will give that money no matter how many of the special books are sold. Me-OWWW! You can learn more about The HSUS® here:  http://www.humanesociety.org

Can you give us some advice on what do you think people should know most about rescue animals?

            Rescue animals are very fine felines and canines. Many of them came from homes—some are even purebred animals—and so they may already be trained and know how to act with humans. But most of them are scared, and so the humans must give them time to settle into their new surroundings.

What advice in general would you give to someone who is looking to adopt a rescue animal?  

            I know that most humans find puppies and kittens more appealing, but they should remember that mature canines and felines, like me, make excellent companions. It is very sad that some older canines and felines stay in foster homes for months, and even years!

Is it different for a feral?

            I, of course, am an exception, but it depends upon how the feral feline comes to you. Ali Brandon and her husband adopted Butch and Sundance, two orange tabby brothers, when they were kittens. They had been found by a Rescue human before their eyes weren’t even open, and they were bottle-fed since their mother did not survive. This made them very friendly felines who have always liked humans. Some feral felines will accept the food and drink you provide, but they do not wish to be companions. Of course, some of them do eventually change their minds and become house cats.

What do you think the greatest need for animals?

            It is very sad that some humans do not understand that if they agree to be a caretaker to an animal, that it is a lifetime commitment. You cannot leave us in the street if you get tired of caring for us, as most of us will soon die if no other human takes us in. Humans must learn that they should treat canines and felines as they would themselves. Oh, and they must learn that all pets should be neutered and spayed. If the humans cannot do these things, perhaps they should limit their pets to stuffed animals, instead.

Is there anything else you’d like to tell us?

            Most humans already know that they should not obtain a companion animal, especially a canine, from a store. Those unfortunate animals are most likely the product of what humans call a puppy mill. That is another cause for The Humane Society of the United States®, which works to shut down these terrible places. But to end on a more pleasant note, I will remind humans that a rescue animal will love you no matter who you are. So please consider adopting a canine or feline that needs a home. Perhaps you will adopt two. Me-OWWW!

Thanks so much coming by and spreading the word about adopting rescue animals and Read Humane!

            Thank you, Missy. It is always a pleasure to be interviewed by you.

 

Meet My New Hero -- Hamlet from the Black Cat Mystery Series!!!!!!

Meow Hamlet!  Thank you for taking the time from your busy schedule of important cat stuff to chat with me.  And lest my readers think all you do is slumber among some excellent reads like Ali Brandon’s Black Cat Mystery series, eat an occasional snack and choose your human’s next big read, let me tell them, you are also quite the sleuth. 

Let me start with an easy one—what is it like living above and having access to a fabulous book store?

           

And meow to you, Missy. Actually, it is a busy life. Between naps, I spend my time making sure that the humans who work at Pettistone’s Fine Books are doing their jobs. They need much supervision, particularly Darla, who also happens to be my caretaker. But the bookstore is nice. Most of the time it is quiet—book buyers are mostly polite humans—and it is nice to be able to choose a different shelf each day for lounging.

How long have you been investigating crimes?

            You would think I had been doing it all of my lives, since I am so accomplished at pointing the paw at criminals! But, it is only since Darla took over the bookstore a few months ago that I have been involved in murder. For some reason, she seems to find herself involved in more unsavory situations than the average human.

What inspired you to start looking into those dastardly deeds some humans commit?

            Since Darla is my human family, and we felines are loyal animals, I have no choice but to assist her. I would prefer to nap, of course, but a cat must do what a cat must do. Besides, when Darla and her friends try to solve murders on their own, it is very disruptive to my nap schedule!

You have a great way of getting your human, Darla Pettistone, to do her part of the who-done-it.  How do you know which books to pick?

            As you know, felines are well-versed in human languages, but very few humans speak fluent cat. So I am forced to communicate in the only way that she can understand. Luckily, there are many books in our store, so I can almost always find exactly the title to express myself. It is not my fault if Darla is not always clever enough to figure out what I am trying to say.

Most people envision a cat’s life as being really pretty easy. What’s your take on this?

            Only a human would think our lives are easy! A feline’s life is actually very complicated. We must nap on a regular basis, and it difficult to stay asleep when humans are always interfering with our routines. And a cat cannot sleep just anywhere. The first step is to find every sunny spot in one’s home, and then rotate among them throughout the day. Laundry fresh out of the dryer will work in a pinch, but for some reason humans seem distressed when we take advantage of this convenience. I don’t understand that reaction, at all! I have also found a warm computer to be rather cozy if not as soft.

What is the most important thing a human should know about adopting a cat?

            We may pretend to be aloof, but felines require much love and attention from humans. I was a feral kitten, myself, and I was very lucky that Darla’s Great-Aunt Dee took me in before something bad happened to me on the streets. Some humans think we can survive on our own eating mice, but we are domesticated animals and must have proper food and water. Oh, and one other important thing. Dee made quite sure that I would be taken care of after she was gone (strange how humans have only one life). That is something that not all caretakers think to do for their felines!

Do you think you’d like a girl kitty to work with you?

            Perhaps, but she would have to be a very clever girl kitty, purrrrrrrrr.

What is the most glamorous thing you’ve done as crime solver?

            I fear that solving crimes is not as glamorous as it looks on television. I’ve had to get my paws dirty more than once to bring a human criminal to justice. But I believe that I have made an appearance on what humans call YouTube. (Shouldn’t it be called MeTube?)

Some humans think we black cats can be bad news.  I think we’re smarter than the average cat.  What is your take on that?

            All felines are smart but, yes, even mice know that black cats are the most brilliant and humble of all!

Which great human detective would you like to meet and solve a crime with?

            Mr. Sherlock Holmes would probably be clever enough to assist me. I have read his stories, and he is very cat-like. Though I am not sure I would like his pipe.

Looking over the past year, what has been the best moment for you in your sleuthing career?

            I cannot say too much in case there are humans who have not already read my stories, but I did save Darla’s life at great risk to my own.

Darla and Ali have gotten the call, a Hollywood producer is going to bring your series to the big screen.  Who do you want to speak your part for you?  You know, to share your thoughts as you solve each new crime?

            Hmm, that is an interesting question. There are many actors who might aspire to voice me, but I think that Robert Downey, Jr. would be the most appropriate choice. I am certain he would win an A-Cat-emy Award for that.

What are you working on now? Can you tell us a little about it?

            Ali Brandon has just finished recording my latest adventure which is titled FIGHTING WORDS. Someone at the dojo where Darla and Robert are taking karate lessons comes to a very unfortunate end. But, even more distressing, I find myself teamed up with a canine for part of the story!

Is there anything you’d like to add?

            I want to thank all the intelligent humans who read my mysteries. I hope you will “like” me on my Facebook page www.facebook.com/blackcatbookshopmysteries where I post my most clever observations. Ali Brandon is there sometimes, too.

Thank you for taking some time with us today!

            Thank you, Missy. Me-OOW!

You can learn more about my new hero, Hamlet, here!!!!!