Super Sized Pet Blogger Summer Giveaway

Hey everybody, Truffles at the keyboard!

With the official arrival of Summer later this week, we feel like it's the purr-fect time to shake things up around here with a super sized giveaway! We're partnering with some of your favorite pet bloggers to give you a chance to win one of 3 amazing prizes!

Take a look:

Grand Prize: a $400 Visa Gift Card

2nd Prize: an Italian Leather Collar & Leash set (winner's choice) from dogIDs

3rd Prize: a Cubby Bowl from Pawnosh

WOW!!! Aren't those pawsome prizes??? (Mommy!!! I know we're co-hosting this giveaway, but can we enter too??? NO? Rats...)

We're going to make it super easy for you to enter; just follow the easy peasy steps in the Rafflecopter widget below! There's one mandatory entry and 3 optional entries, and don't forget: the more you enter, the better your chances of winning one of these great prizes!

But wait, there's more! You can really super size your chances of winning when you visit each of the participating blogs (listed below) and enter on their sites, too! A finalist will be chosen from each blog, and then that person's name will go into a virtual hat with the finalists from the other blogs, and the 3 winners will be drawn from there. You need only enter on one blog to qualify for the prize but be sure to enter on every participating pet blog for the most chances to win.

There are 23 of us altogether, so that means you've got 23 chances to win!

Pawsitively Pets

http://mypawsitivelypets.com

Christy Paws
http://www.christypaws.com

Daily Dog Tag
http://www.dailydogtag.com/

Fidose of Reality
http://www.fidoseofreality.com

Cascadian Nomads
http://www.cascadiannomads.com

The Lazy Pit Bull
http://www.thelazypitbull.com

Oh My Shih Tzu

http://www.ohmyshihtzu.com

Pet Product Review
http://petproductreview.net

Kitty Cat Chronicles
http://www.kittycatchronicles.com

Animal Bliss
http://www.animalbliss.com

Beagles & Bargains
http://www.beaglesandbargains.com

You Did What With Your Wiener
http://www.YouDidWhatWithYourWiener.com

Kol's Notes
http://www.kolchakpuggle.com

Kama Loves Agility
http://www.kamalovesagility.com

It's Dog or Nothing

http://www.itsdogornothing.com

Confessions of a Rescue Mom
http://www.confessionsofarescuemom.com

CindyLu's Muse
http://cindylusmuse.com

Mochas, Mysteries and Meows
http://www.mochasmysteriesmeows.com

My Rotten Dogs
http://www.myrottendogs.com

Bones and Fishes
http://www.bonesandfishes.com

Dolly the Doxie

http://www.dollythedoxie.com

Tails Are Wagging
http://www.tails-r-wagging.com

well minded pets
http://www.wellmindedpets.com

Lots of really super pet blogs, right? I hope you'll visit them all - I promise, you'll love them!

Go ahead and get entered below, and be sure to do it by next Sunday night, June 21 at 11:59pm EST. On Monday morning the 3 super lucky winners will be randomly selected and announced on our Facebook page - make sure you're following us there so you don't miss out! GOOD LUCK - I hope you win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the giveaway: No purchase necessary. Giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents only, except where prohibited by law. Giveaway will run from June 15 through June 21, 2015 at 11:59pm EST. Three (3) winners will be randomly selected and notified via email. Winners will have 48 hours to claim their prizes; failure to do so will result in forfeiture of the prize. Facebook and Twitter do not sponsor, administer, or endorse this promotion. Participants must read and agree to Rafflecopter’s Privacy Policy before entering and participating in this promotion.

Adopt a Shelter Cat #SundaySelfies

Hey everybody, Truffles at the keyboard! June is Adopt a Shelter Cat Month, so for our Sunday Selfies this week I asked some of my friends still waiting for their forever homes at Franklin County Animal Rescue in St. Albans, VT to send me a selfie to share here today. Aren't they cute???

We sure wish more people would make adoption their first option when they're looking for a new feline companion. No matter what breed or color kitty you want, you can find them at your local shelter, and nothing would make them happier than to go home with YOU!

Make sure you come back tomorrow for a HUGE giveaway!!!

Caturday Art: Wanted Poster

Hey everybody, it's Truffles! If you've watched any news at all this week I'm sure you've heard about the 2 escaped killers from Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora, New York. This is directly across Lake Champlain from us (we've attached a map below; we're in Burlington) so the whole situation is a little too close for comfort. Our little neck of the woods doesn't usually see such a huge news event!

Vermont State Police are conducting searches along the Lake Champlain border, checking on seasonal residences and summer camps. It's kind of scary because two years ago at this time I was picked up as a stray at a summer camp on the Champlain Islands! I sure am glad I'm in a safe and loving home now.

For this week's Caturday Art project I decided to create a Wanted posted featuring little ol' me. Does it sound accurate to you?

We're also entering Ruckus the Eskie's Sepia Saturday blog hop.

Guest Post: Why Are Cat Books So Popular? by Vanessa Morgan (w/Avalon Review & Giveaway)

Why are cat books so popular?

A Guest Post by Vanessa Morgan

People are obsessed with cat pictures on the Internet. Over fifteen percent of the web is cat-related content. That's a lot.

Cats are now taking over the literary world as well. No matter what genre you look at – horror, mystery, Christmas, romance, memoir – it's easy to spot books in which cats are an important part of the story.

While researching my book Avalon: a Heartwarming True Cat Story, I read a lot of pet books to have an idea of what works and what doesn't. Just like so many other people, I quickly found myself addicted to those stories. I came up with three theories on why cat books are so popular.

Cats make us feel good

Did you have a bad day? If you delve into a good cat book, you can't help but smile and feel positive again. Cat books remind us of the good things in life: loyalty, true love, and friendship. And, of course, any cat's behavior will have you crack up with laughter in no time. By picking up a cat book, you are guaranteed to be confronted with lots of positive vibes and emotions. This can be addictive. Because once you know how easy it is to smile when you feel down, the more you'll seek out those feelings.

It's in our genes

Humans are hardwired to love on anything that is cute and cuddly.Whether it be babies or pets, most people want to make them happy. Therefore, we tend to recognize ourselves in and identify with the characters portrayed in cat books. We all want to belong and feel understood, and reading cat books is a good way to remind us that we do.

Cat people are introverts

Research shows that cat people are more introverted than dog people. Instead of going for long walks, they prefer to stay inside and read a book, preferably with a warm cat curled up on their laps. And if that book helps them to feel better about themselves and the world, then so much the better.

So, there you have three possible reasons why cat books are popular. Do you agree or disagree? Can you think of other reasons why readers love cat books? Let me know in the comments or on Twitter using @eeriestories.

Can't wait to experience all the good feelings a good cat book has to offer? Start with Avalon: a Heartwarming True Cat Story ;-)

*******************

Blurb: Some cats need nine lives to make a difference. Avalon only needed one.

From Amazon bestselling author Vanessa Morgan, Avalon is the heartwarming and once-in-a-lifetime love story of a girl and her neurotic Turkish Van cat.

With humor, the author details how Avalon made other creatures cringe in distress whenever he was around, how he threw her dates out by means of special techniques, and how he rendered it almost impossible for her to leave the house. Avalon was so incorrigible that even her landlord ordered her to get rid of him. But beneath Avalon's demonic boisterousness, Vanessa recognized her own flaws and insecurities, and she understood that abandoning Avalon would be the worst she could do to him. Thanks to her unswerving loyalty, Avalon transformed into a tender feline, and even landed a major role in a horror movie. In turn, Avalon made it his mission to be there for his human companion.

By turns jubilant and deeply moving, Avalon is a memoir for anyone who has ever been obsessively in love with a pet.

When I read the blurb for this book I was immediately captured by the line: "Avalon is a memoir for anyone who has ever been obsessively in love with a pet." I know that line fits me to a tee...every single cat I have shared my life with I have been obsessively in love with. My cats have shown me a love that I have never experienced with a human, and given the choice I would choose to spend time with them over any human companion.

This incredible meow memoir introduces us to Turkish Van cat Avalon and his human, author/screenwriter Vanessa Morgan. Their love story rivals anything you will read between humans and I found myself completely engrossed in the intensity of their bond. From the moment they meet it's apparent that they were destined to be together, and their love continues to grow with every moment that they spend together until they both find it nearly impossible to be away from each other.

After finishing the book I sought out Avalon's blog and spent a great deal of time going through so many gorgeous pictures. It was then that I realized Avalon passed away just 13 days after my angel Tara did, and also of heart disease. One quote written on the night he died struck me to my core, because I felt the exact same way after losing Tara: "How I am supposed to live the rest of my life without him, I really don't know. With Avalon I lost my soulmate, my purpose, my inspiration, the one great love of my life. Our love was the kind that transcended time and, I'm sure, will even transcend death. I will love you forever, Avalon."

I adored every moment of this amazing book that celebrates a love story that I won't soon forget.

***************************

Purchase links:

Amazon US // Amazon UK // Amazon FR

  
Author bio: Vanessa Morgan is an author, screenwriter, and blogger. Two of her works, The Strangers Outside and A Good Man, have been turned into films. Her short film script Next to Her is currently in pre-production. When she's not working on her latest book, you can find her reading, watching horror movies, digging through flea markets, or photographing felines for her blog Traveling Cats (http://travelling-cats.blogspot.com). Avalon has appeared in several of her books and films.

Social media links:

Facebook // Twitter // Pinterest // Google+ // Bloglovin // Amazon // GoodReads // Blog

Win a $25 Amazon gift card, a signed paperback copy of Avalon, a cat collar, and a pack of cat toys!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Truffles Interviews: Noe-Noe from Elaine Faber's Black Cat Mystery Series (w/Review & Giveaway)

Hey everybody, it's Truffles! Today I am very excited to be interviewing Noe-Noe, the lady love of Thumper from Elaine Faber's Black Cat mystery series. Last summer I interviewed Thumper and reviewed the first book in the series, Black Cat's Legacy. Following today's interview we'll be reviewing book 3, the just released Black Cat & the Accidental Angel.

Please leave a comment below with your email address for the chance to win an ebook copy of book 2, Black Cat & the Lethal Lawyer, the book where Noe-Noe first meets Thumper. (Ends at noon eastern on Wednesday, June 17th.)




Truffles: Welcome, Noe-Noe. Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with me today. Could you start by telling us a little about yourself and how you came to meet your great love, Thumper?

Noe-Noe: Thumper was already paw-deep in solving mysteries and getting to the bottom of cold case murders in Black Cat’s Legacy. But, that was long before we met. Then destiny brought him and his family to Grandmother’s Texas horse ranch where I lived. When we met, he was completely smitten by my “eyes the color of mustard and stripes the color of marigolds.” It was love at first bite…er...sight! And, what a whirlwind romance it was… (Sigh)

You can read all about it in Black Cat and the Lethal Lawyer. The title refers to Wilbur, Grandmother’s attorney. Grandmother gave him boo-koo money for his charitable Children’s Society. Turns out, Thumper’s person, Kimberlee, discovered that Wilbur’s charity was a big scam! That’s when Wilbur decided he had to kill Grandmother before she disinherited the charity and left her estate to her granddaughter. Thumper and I joined forces against a killer to protect Grandma.

Does your name Noe-Noe have any special meaning? It's very unusual.

Grandmother named me Noe-Noe because I was always getting into things I shouldn’t and she’d yell, “No! No!” Guess the name just stuck and she decided to pretty it up a little by adding an ‘E’ on the end. She told Kimberlee about me while sharing how her stable master, Harold, came to the ranch. Seems that Kimberlee felt all day-ja-vooey when she first saw him. She thought he might be the man suspected of killing her father twenty-five years ago. Could he be living there on Grandma’s ranch under an assumed identity? Something to worry about! More important thing to worry about…Thumper was leaving Texas in a few days. I might never see my Ro-Meow again.

  Amber and Boots, the inspiration for Thumper & Noe-Noe

In your new book, Black Cat & the Accidental Angel, you are known as Angel...why is that?

On the way home from Texas, our persons had an MVA. Our carrier was left behind and we were on our own. Thumper was hurt and had amnesia, and I…well, I had my reasons for calling myself Angel. Thumper couldn’t understand why I wouldn’t tell him his real name or share our past, but as the story progressed, it became clear.

You and Thumper have quite the adventure in this book, and you in particular go through a great deal. Anything you would like to tease readers with about what they'll find when they start reading?

We were taken in by John and his daughter, Cindy, who changed Thumper’s name to Black Cat. (Go figure...) Increasingly dangerous pranks endangered Cindy’s safety. Even though we became quit fond of John and Cindy, Thumper wanted to go home but I felt we should, protect Cindy and help John solve his problems. I was only there here to help Thumper regain his memory and then… Well, suffice it to say that it’s a real page-turner as Black Cat encounters thrill after thrill on our latest adventure.

Any clues as to what's next for you and Thumper?

Black Cat and the Accidental Angel is our last adventure. Mom Elaine is working on a new series with a new character, elderly, eccentric Mrs. Odboddy, set during WWII. Never fear, our cat-lover friends will still get their kitty-fix with Ling-Ling, her cross-eyed Siamese cat. As for another Black Cat book? Mom has another story in her head, but no immediate plans to write it. She’s waiting to see how the first three books fare.

About the author: Elaine Faber’s short stories are published in magazines and multiple anthologies. She is an active member of Sisters in Crime, Inspire Christian Writers and Cat Writers Association.

Elaine authors the Black Cat Mysteries involving Thumper, the cat who solves mysteries with the aid of his ancestors’ memories: Black Cat’s Legacy, Black Cat and the Lethal Lawyer, and Black Cat and the Accidental Angel.

Elaine lives in Elk Grove with her husband of 53 years. (That’s a marriage of 53 years, not a husband of 53 years). They share their home with four house cats, the inspiration for her Black Cat Mysteries. A portion of book sales goes to animal rescue programs.

About Black Cat and the Accidental Angel: When the family SUV flips and Kimberlee is rushed to the hospital, Black Cat (Thumper) and his soul-mate are left behind. Black Cat loses all memory of his former life and the identity of the lovely feline companion by his side. “Call me Angel. I’m here to take care of you.” Her words set them on a long journey toward home, and life brings them face to face with episodes of joy and sorrow.

The two cats are taken in by John and his young daughter, Cindy, facing foreclosure of the family vineyard and emu farm. In addition, someone is playing increasingly dangerous pranks that threaten Cindy’s safety. Angel makes it her mission to help their new family. John’s prayers are answered in unexpected ways, but not until Angel puts her life at risk to protect the child, and Black Cat finds there are more important things in life than knowing your real name.

Even though I’ve been a cat lady since the day I was born, as a little girl one of my favorite television shows was The Littlest Hobo. Do you remember the stray German Shepherd who roamed from town to town befriending and helping people in need?

Each family would attempt to adopt him, but at the end of every episode he hit the road again for his next adventure. My mother has often reminded me how I was left in tears every single week when he ended up on his own once again (apparently I didn’t quite understand the concept of the show). Then there was Lassie…something was always happening that would separate her from Timmy, and oh the adventures she would find with the people she met on her way home to him.

I recently read a wonderful mystery that reminded me of these special shows from my childhood: Black Cat and the Accidental Angel by Elaine Faber, the third book in her delightful Black Cat mystery series.

Told mainly from the cats’ point of view, I found myself caring deeply about the humans in the story too, and my heart was touched by the bond that Black Cat, Angel, John and Cindy formed in such a short period of time. More than once I teared up at the thought that by the end of the book they would have to say good-bye, but it was done in a way that left me with happy tears at the turn of the last page.

Even if you haven’t read the first two books in the series, this one stands on its own as a very special story with important life lessons, a beautiful feline romance, and a cast of characters that you will find hard to forget.

Links and Purchase sites:

Elaine.Faber@mindcandymysteries email

www.mindcandymysteries.com Website

http://facebook.elainefaber2 Facebook

http://tinyurl.com/lrvevgm Black Cat’s Legacy - Amazon

http://tinyurl.com/lg7yvgq Black Cat and the Lethal Lawyer - Amazon

http://tinyurl.com/nczzkd6 Black Cat and the Accidental Angel - Amazon

Reveling in History

For many years now I've said the only 2 sports achievements I needed to see in my lifetime were Kevin Harvick winning the Sprint Cup Championship and a Triple Crown. The first took 14 years, the second took 37 years, but amazingly I got to witness both within the span of 6 short months.

I collected Sunday's newspapers with articles on American Pharoah's Triple Crown win, and decided to gather them together on the bed with the hopes that Truffles would pose with them. She had other ideas...she instantly climbed on top of the papers and started rolling around on them.

I guess my little girl is reveling in history just as much as I am!

In case you missed it...I will *never* tire of watching this!!!

Meezer Colors Day: Legend of the Tortoiseshell Cat

Hey everybody, Truffles at the keyboard! Today is Meezer Colors Day, a day for all kitties to flaunt their colors with pride. I had planned to share some fun myths and legends about torties but in helping me with my research, Mommy stumbled upon something she had never seen before (even though she has read *a lot* about torties!)

Tortoiseshell cats are known as gatas carey in Spanish, and they have a very special legend about how we got our unique colors. Many thanks to Yadiri's Crafty Adventures for the loose translation of the Spanish version.

Leyenda de las Gatas Carey

Legend of the Tortoiseshell Cat

Legend says that many centuries ago the Sun begged the Moon to cover him for a while so that he could have the chance to leave the heavens and wander freely around Earth. The Sun no longer wanted to be the center of the universe and wanted to be able to go unnoticed among all the living creatures.

The Sun insisted so much that on a bright June morning the Moon slowly started moving towards him until she covered its light. The movement was slow, so that the creatures below wouldn't be surprised by the sudden darkness.

As soon as the Sun could step down from its place, it headed towards Earth. To avoid calling attention to itself, the Sun took the body of the fastest and most discreet creature around; a black cat.

The Moon quickly grew tired of covering for the Sun and, without warning, started to recede. When the sun realized this, he ran to the skies so fast that he left behind a part of him in his temporary host, hundreds of sunbeams inside the black cat.

To this day, the cats we call tortoiseshell are the descendants of that black cat that long ago hosted the sun during its visit to Earth. Today we can still see hints of the sun in the patches of red, yellow and orange that cover their coats. The split face on some of these cats is further evidence of their dual nature; half cat, half heavenly star.

Some folks say that their solar origin grants these special cats magical properties, they are said to bring good luck and attract positive energy. Also, these cats are very loved and appreciated in Oriental countries; it's common knowledge that whoever possesses one should cherish and treasure her.