36 Comments

As an inveterate cat hound, lol, proud parent to Lion (New Hampshire born, 1982); Lucy and sister Nelly (Washington, D.C. born 1996) and currently Yolanda (Harlem born feral, 2008), I can say this photo montage you’ve put together is a Winner. Thanks for giving us a well-earned break from the world of sucky humans.

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wait for it, TC. Two Fun Facts. #1 Back in my youth (mid to late twenties) this reader of Another Fine Mess failed FLAT National Geographic's copyediting test to write captions. Captions! Failed the test not once, but twice, and gloriously.

Then, perhaps as a reminder that it could have been worse many, many years later, when I published my first book, I had a final copy editor who--seriously--went straight through my manuscript and changed every single semi-colon to a dash. This is a true story.

I am either ashamed or terribly proud to report, knowing that it would go from there directly to the printer, I went right back through and changed them all back.

You, sir, are a marvel. Your book sounds exciting and, having read enough here to be aware of your skills in the comfortable handling of language and ideas, I will look forward to reading it.

What a parade of cats. Thank God they can read; it does broaden one's horizon.

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So short this FABULOUS FELINE story, too short for Smokey and for me. Eighteen years with you and Jurate... okay, I won't complain anymore. You know how I feel. One question: Will Smokey return?

PS Great news regarding your book about the fighter pilots Eighth Air Force. What's the last surviving Eighth Air Force fighter ace, 101-year old Brigadier General (Ret) Clarence “Bud” Anderson. to do about your request for a Forward -- his duty -- what else?

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I want to hear more about Smokey too, such a sad face, I’m sure you brought joy into her life

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Tom, you must have kitty magnetism, I love hearing about your rescues!

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She's beautiful. My little calico Patch owned me for just 10 days shy of 20 years ❤️

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It’s no wonder that cats invented the internet. They do not want to be forgotten❤️❤️❤️.

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Cats!! Sammy Sanchez the Ringtailed Red Cat just emerged from the bookshelf in which was sleeping to request his chow at the Dirty Shirt Mess. He will return to napping until he appears again for Mid Rats around 2300. I do not want to ponder life without him.

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That right there is an interesting cat.

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You are one skillful writer. Cats and their sweet lives so nicely told. Then you do altogether different writing as I’m discovering 120 pages into The Cactus Airforce. What a remarkable story; gives me chills, fills with gratitude for the devotion and sacrifice of young lives. Book itself is physically beautiful. Top quality binding, printing, photos. Am wearing out the maps which I hugely need. Osprey Press; ordered via Amazon. Thank you TC for sharing your many gifts with the world.

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Shes beautiful, TC. Eighteen plus years is really good run for any cat. I'm making headway with Tonia, at least until I shoot antibiotic into her mouth am & pm. One more shot tonight & two tomorrow - am & pm. And we will be done with the 7 days. She spent 2 nights & 2 days at the vets with a 104 degree fever - came home Wednesday. Shes a real sweet girl - talks quite a little & appears not to hate Axel - which is a plus (for him & me). However, the good times truly start AFTER her last dose of Amoxicillin tomorrow night. Even with all the syringes of meds - shes just as sweet as can be.

"

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You are lucky, one of mine became a terror when pill time came around. Had to beg vet for shots. Good times ahead…

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Jeri, she is such a sweet girl - but last night was the end of meds - technically she should have had 2 today - but I figured she likely had a large dose on Monday (vets) & I've gotten pretty much all of each dose the 3 days since I brought her home. Shes eating & wandering around more, and right now, sitting in "her" room likely waiting for me to attack with another syringe of really awful stuff. But I'm done. She got a full six days of it. I'm going to go with that.

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DORITOS???!!!

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Our dilute tortie Artemis loves Doritos and nutritional yeast. She’s a thinker, an observer, and the most intelligent cat I’ve ever known.

I’ve been owned by tabby barn cats Copernicus and Socrates 18 and and 20 years respectively) foster mom to Rama (Bengal who only lasted a year before she found home at a coworker’s cattery) and Oreo (black and white Scottish fold who was with us for 8 years) after their previous owner suicided, Wonka (flame point Siamese born on my wife’s family farm in 2004, and came to live with us when her sister moved to Germany in 2012); he was my heart cat and deck buddy. He left in 2018, and we got Artemis and Apollo (litter mates from my eldest niece’s barn cat in 2020).

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I had a couple of kitties who LOVED chips of any kind--yes, Doritos, too. Is it the salt? I don't know but if I had a chip bag open and either Gizmo or Fozzy was awake, I needed to guard my stash or I'd def lose them.

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My black alley cat and white boxer looooooved chips. Simply with the sound of the bag coming out of the cabinet, no matter how quiet I tried to be, eight legs and a string of drool would be under my feet in no time flat. Of course, I shared.

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My dog, Axel, becomes an absolute magnet when I peel the plastic from a cheese stick. He can be sound asleep 2 rooms away & by the time I've pulled the cover back hes as close to me as he can be. Of course we share!

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In years past my daughter had a beautiful all black cat; we called Smudge. She would dance up on her back legs for part of a sting cheese.

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Tonia is completely black - with huge big black eyes. Her name when she came into the shelter was Tonia - may change it as I get to know her better. Its some different having a 3 year old cat from my old girl who was 15. Right now shes very fascinated with my bird - a Cedar Waxwing. I think she & Axel will get along - doubt shes been around a dog before from the way she acts. Now to keep Pookie (bird) safe!!!

Smudge must have been a real sweetheart.

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Mine are too picky, spoiled from first day.

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My then fiancé and I got an orange male kitten that would attempt eating most human food. I once dropped a spicy Dorito on the floor and he ate it. I gave him another, and he woofed it right down. Pico lives with us for the next 16 years, and until a couple of months before congestive heart failure took him from us we had to keep an eye on human snack foods around him.

Smokey is adorable. Your description of the fur reminds me of the fur of a Devon Rex we were given back in 2005.

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What a beautiful girl! I’m glad she found you.

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Another beautiful kitty! Best of luck with your publisher and the book.

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How beautiful! Glad you had another chance to correct what is often overseen. And that the other writing you were hoping for arrived! Hallelujah!

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The head in the Doritos bag is everything.

What a beautiful cat.

😻🗽

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