The Magic White Tortie Whisker #SundaySelfie

Meows from Mudpie!

Do you see it? Do you see it? Hang on, I'll turn my head a bit so you can see it better.

That white whisker over my left eye appeared just a couple weeks ago (all my other whiskers are black) and I'm quite proud of it! Mommy says Angel Truffles used to have one too and she called it a little horn when Truffles was being naughty.

Silly Mommy...it's a magic white tortie whisker!!!

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

Feelin' Frosty #CaturdayArt

(Created in PhotoLab)

Visit more artsy kitties in Athena's Caturday Art blog hop!

And now our weekly answers for the Friendly Fill-Ins challenge, hosted by 15andmeowing and McGuffy's Reader...

Mommy's answers:

1. My guiding word for 2018 is acceptance. I've finally allowed myself to accept the fact that there are many, many things I have no control over. I still need a reminder every now and then, but my goal is to focus my energy on the things I do have the power the change.

2. A house is not a home without CATS! (What else did you think I would say???)

Mudpie's answers:

3. I look forward to spring window whiffies this year. I've been longingly gazing out the window lately and Mommy refuses to open it for me!

4. I really need to get more exercise, because it's been too darn cold to move!

Book Review: Fantastic Feline Heroes Multi-Author Bundle

Who doesn't love cats? And what cat doesn't have a great cat story of their heroism, even if it's only saving their owner from a spider?

From honorable feline assassins to compassionate feline dreamwalkers, these cats are saving the world--at least for someone. This multi-author bundle pays tribute to every cat who has ever played hero, from little things to big.

In Fantastic Feline Heroes you'll find stories about loyal feline workers, cats who save the day, those who walk through dreams to save the dreamer, and many more.

Fantastic Feline Heroes is a multi-genre bundle that featuring heroic felines that's perfect for the cat lover in your life, especially if that's you.

While I'm not much of a fantasy reader and most of the stories in this bundle lean in that direction, I'm so happy to say that I ended up enjoying this collection so much! Each story features a kitty who plays hero to the humans in her life, so what's not to love? With 11 unique stories there's something for every reader's taste, so for this review I decided to touch on 4 of my favorites, and it's a rather eclectic bunch!

Cecil is an "enhanced" feline in this steampunk story set in Victorian London. His mistress is busy preparing to display her inventions at The Great Exhibition of London when a request comes in from Queen Victoria herself offering the pair a challenge Cecil is uniquely equipped to handle! 

In this paranormal story also set in the Victorian age,  Marley plays feline familiar to witch Emmaline McMurtree who falls victim to another witch's cruel curse. He bravely faces a race against time to save her.

Gilroy the cat also belongs to a witch, and while she's away he has the whole house to himself and a day of peace and quiet ahead of him...until Breda's 8-year-old grandniece Delaney shows up and lets herself in the house. Things go from bad to worse when the little troublemaker triggers a spell that turns her into a kitten! How could Gilroy's purrfect day go so wrong???

Morningstar the cat is a dream spinner who spends his days and nights comforting the elderly residents of St. Joseph’s Care Facility. Late one night he's drawn to a particular room where a woman is having a horrific nightmare, and Morningstar is dragged along on a terrifying adventure from which escape is not guaranteed.

This is just a random selection of a few of my favorites, but there are so many more great stories in this fun collection! Fantastic Feline Heroes is currently available for pre-order from all your favorite e-retailers for only $2.99. The official release date is Monday, January 8th, and if you wait to order on that date directly from Bundle Rabbit, you will have the choice of donating 10% of the profit to either The Blind Cat Rescue or Milo's Sanctuary.

GIVEAWAY

This bundle was compiled by author Bonnie Elizabeth, who has generously offered one lucky reader their choice of one of her cat-related ebooks: Familiar Trouble, Moving with Cats, or Whisper Bound. To enter, simply leave a comment below, and don't forget your email address! A winner will be chosen by Random.org at noon eastern on Friday, January 12th.

Guest Post: Movies Every Cat Lover Must Watch in 2018

The new year is finally upon us! Now that 2018 has arrived, it's time to start making new lists and setting fresh goals. If you're a cat lover, why not try watching some of the best movies about cats ever made? These outstanding films will not only entertain you and warm your heart, they'll also help you celebrate your love of your furry feline friends. Here are four of the best cat movies for cat lovers to watch in the year to come.

1. Kedi 

One of the best documentaries released for cat lovers is "Kedi," a film focused on the cats that roam the streets of Istanbul freely. The movie showcases how the cats of Istanbul are beloved by the people who live there but not domesticated, creating a sort of hybrid cat that's certainly wild but also very happy to interact with humans. This documentary is interesting because it explores the roles of cats in Turkish society, and it's also extremely cute, featuring thousands of adorable cats and kittens.

2. The Secret Life of Pets

Do you ever wonder what your furry friend gets into while you're away at work? Then watch "The Secret Life of Pets," a hit animated movie that was released in 2016 and explores the lives of several animals that have outlandish adventures once their owners leave home. This is a great movie to watch with kids, since it's geared toward a young audience. You can also watch it with the dog lovers in your life -- since there are lots of main canine characters as well. "The Secret Life of Pets" will make you laugh, make you cry and keep you on the edge of your seat, no matter how old you are.

3. A Street Cat Named Bob 

Fall in love with a beloved main character when you watch "A Street Cat Named Bob." This 2016 movie is based on a book and chronicles the story of a street musician who finds and befriends a stray cat. There's no question about it: "A Street Cat Named Bob" is heartwarming until the very end. It's a great movie to watch if you want to celebrate the

love that can exist between cat and human -- and to see just how powerful and restorative the relationship between pet and human can really be.

4. Angus, Thongs & Perfect Snogging 

"Angus, Thongs & Perfect Snogging" is a British coming-of-age movie about British teenagers who are looking to understand sex and relationships. The lead character of the movie, Georgia, is attempting to land her first boyfriend in high school -- and she goes through all her trial and tribulations with her cat, Angus, by her side. Georgia dresses Angus up in hilarious and outlandish outfits, and it's a fun movie to watch if you love to bring your cat along with you on your daily adventures or if you love to dress up your feline friend in fashionable outfits.

If you're in the mood to relax and take in some great entertainment in the new year, grab your cat and fire up your television. To make sure your cat is healthy and in great shape to snuggle on your couch, make sure she's treated with a regular flea treatment, such as Comfortis - chewable tablets that can ward off fleas. Get more info here on where to obtain these tablets and more.

What's your favorite cat movie?

This is a sponsored guest post by Lannie N. on behalf of Allivet. Allivet provides affordable pet supplies and pet medications, all of which can be purchased online.

This post contains affiliate links.

Mudpie's New Gig: Personal Trainer

(Note from Mommy: True story! My feet were in those shoes while she was holding them down with her cute little paws!!!)

10 Favorite Cat Books of 2017

'Tis the season for a wide variety of "best of" posts, so in the spirit of the season we've put together a list of our 10 favorite cat books of the year.

This list easily could have been twice it's length and paring it down to 10 was very difficult. For clarification, we only chose books that were released in 2017 except for 2 honorable mentions at the very end that we couldn't go without including.

10. Rescued Volume 2: The Healing Stories of 12 Cats, Through Their Eyes. Whenever you pick up an anthology there's bound to be a few duds mixed in with the gems, but that's just not the case with Rescued Volume 2, a collection of true stories written from a cat's point of view. With each story I read I found myself thinking "this one is my favorite" but then I'd go on to the next one and end up thinking the same thing! Anyone who knows the power of an adopted cat's love needs to add this book to their library. Every story will leave you wanting to hug your own rescue cat just a little bit tighter.

9. Bookstore Cats by Brandon Schultz. Cats and books...they just go together! So when you add a feline mascot to a cozy bookshop it's like heaven on earth for literary aurilophiles. This curated collection featuring stories and photos of cats living their little lives in a bookstore made me purr with delight while itching to plan a road trip to visit each and every one of these adorable cats!

8. The Persian Always Meows Twice by Eileen Watkins. This is the debut of a new series that cat lovers will be unable to resist, introducing a cast of characters that already feel like old friends. When a professional cat groomer and cattery owner stumbles upon a client's dead body while out on a house call, she has no idea that his beloved Persian Harpo holds the answer to the crime.

7. Escape Claws by Linda Reilly. You have to love it when the character list in the beginning of a book is all the feline characters, not the human ones! So many of the cats involved in the story have unique purrsonalities of their own, and there's even a ghost cat! This mystery is the epitome of cozy and the premise of the series is pure purrfection.

6. The Astonishing Thing by Sandi Ward. I don't read a lot of women's fiction, but when a story is told from the unique perspective of the family cat, count me in. The Astonishing Thing takes readers inside the mind of Boo, a young cat whose perfect, peaceful existence crumbles when her human mother leaves home and doesn't come back. Boo is pure innocence yet wise beyond her years, and as the story progressed I only grew to love her more.

5. The Doll Cat by Shanthi Thiruppathi. This children's book and it's sequel, The Doll Cat Goes to Paris, are so beautiful they actually brought tears to my eyes. The story contains an important message for kids about your heart's desire sometimes coming to you in completely unexpected ways, and the exquisite illustrations are breathtaking. Oh, and did I mention that the real Doll Cat is a tortie?!?!?!

4. Sammie Ray! by Frank Romaunt. When I started reading this book I expected a sweet story told from a cat's point of view about his rescue from a harsh life on the streets. And that is the gist of the story, but it's told in such an incredibly creative way that I found myself completely entranced by Sammie Ray. Written in interview format we learn Sammie Ray's life story as the reporter does, and it's unforgettable.

3. The Mysteries of Max by Nic Saint. 5 books and 3 short stories have been released in this series throughout the year, and I've lapped each one up like a bowl of cream! Max, Harriet and Dooley, a feline version of the Three Musketeers, have pretty sweet lives communicating with their humans (a grandmother, mother and daughter who can all communicate with them). No one understands how local reporter Odelia Poole gets the scoop on local happenings long before anyone else, not knowing that her sources have fur and four legs. Each book is like a mini kitty soap opera as these cats go about their daily lives!

2. Miss Cuddlywumps Investigates by Roby Sweet. The fifth book in this series was released last month, but I'm including the series as a whole in my top 10 list because I love it so very much. From the bond she forms with her "Rory person" to memories of her beloved first owner, Professor Eleanor, to her feud with neighbor Mrs. Crabtree who she likens to Medusa, Miss C steals the show between her keen insight and adorable observations about the world around her. She's a treasure in feline fiction and I just can't get enough of her.

1. Strays: A Lost Cat, a Homeless Man, and Their Journey Across America by Britt Collins. Imagine the pain of a beloved cat going missing, and for months you have no idea what’s happened to her. Imagine finding what you think is a stray cat, completely losing your heart to her as she changes your life, then discovering she has an owner desperate to be reunited with her. Both are nightmare scenarios for any cat lover, yet it’s the unthinkable situation that two very different men and one amazing cat find themselves facing in one of the best cat books you’ll ever read. This is a book that is destined to be a movie. It’s an amazing story celebrating the power of love and the impact that one little cat can have on so many lives.

Honorable mentions...

The Comeback Cat: Cleo's incredible journey through feline diabetes to remission by Heather Peden. This was released late in 2016 and I didn't read it in time to be included in last year's top 10 list. It chronicles the story of Cleo, a 9 year old cat recently diagnosed with feline diabetes, and her owner who throws herself into research and learns all she can about the disease but no matter what she does Cleo's condition worsens. Anyone with a diabetic cat should have this book on their bookshelf to show them that they're not alone when overwhelming feelings of hopelessness arise. Even if you aren't caring for a sugar kitty, The Comeback Cat is a powerful testament to the bond that cats and their humans share, which grows even stronger when faced with adversity.

Queen Paisley the Magnificent by Sarah Andrews. This was released 3 years ago but I read it over the summer and simply must include it. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book that has left me grinning from ear to ear the entire time I was reading it like this one did. It is without a doubt one of the most adorable and entertaining cat stories I have ever had the pleasure of reading. What happens to a fur family when they believe their beloved human is never coming home? One clever little tortie named Paisley believes she has everything under control…or does she?

What was YOUR favorite cat book of 2017?

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Mudpie's New Year's Wish: A Poem

A new year before us, there's so much to do

I wish for good health and a new toy or two

Sun puddles, warm blankets when each day is through

But more than anything else, to spend it with you!