Throwback Thursday: Pi Day Storm Redux

Meows from Mudpie!

Last year on March 14-15 my little neck of the woods was hit by what has since been dubbed the "Pi Day" storm. We ended up with a record 30" of snow! Yesterday, Pi Day again, we had another big storm but thankfully it stopped at just over a foot this time around. (There's been a lot on the news about the series of nor'easters that have hit New England over the past 2 weeks, but here in northern Vermont we've been pretty much unscathed until this one.)

Back to last year - while digging out we made a shocking discovery in our yard. It still cracks us up every time we see it so we just had to share it again!

(Mostly) Wordless Wednesday: Maneki Neko In Training

We're obsessed with our new Maneki Nekos, but Mudpie needs a little practice in proper paw placement!

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The Rescued Interviews: Ashton

Meows from Mudpie!

Back in 2015 Angel Truffles started interviewing the cats featured in Rescued: The Stories of 12 Cats, Through Their Eyes, an anthology of rescue cat stories compiled by Janiss Garza, who writes the Sparkle Cat blog. She was unable to see it to completion but I was more than honored to continue the series once I settled into my forever home and took full reins of our blog. Now Rescued Volume 2 is on store shelves and it was my goal to interview as many of the kitties as possible once again! (If you missed our review, it can be found here.) I came very close, and it's hard to believe we've reached the final interview with the cats of Rescued!

Each author featured in the book has nominated a cat rescue and was assigned a month to promote the book, with a third of the profits from that month going to their rescue. March's spotlight is Ashton, one of the 4 cats that star in the blog Cats Herd You. Not only is Ashton Rescued Volume 2's beautiful cover girl, she's also currently offering a special prize package on her blog featuring a mug and tote with her signature saying, "Humans are scary." The question is...following her rescue, does Ashton still think humans are scary?

Welcome Ashton! Thank you so much for taking time to chat with me today. Could you start by introducing yourself to us and telling us what made your story such a good fit for the Rescued anthology?

Thanks for having me, Mudpie! I'm a one-eyed rescue cat living the good life with my human and our family in Florida. I guess I had a dramatic rescue. This volume of Rescued stories is about how cats can help humans heal. I love my human enough that when she was really sad, I worked through some of my biggest fears for her. My human and I are good for each other.

As the title of your story in Rescued states, your real-life rescue was "A Scary Situation". What do you remember about that day and how did you learn to trust the human that saved you?

The day my human rescued me was all a blur. By the time she found me, I was already in a lot of pain, and I couldn't walk. Otherwise I would have run away from her, because I was really scared of her. Humans are scary. My mother taught me that, and it's true!

I really remember my human's hands grabbing me and her looking almost as scared as I felt when she picked me up. Humans aren't as tough as they look, you know.

I might never have learned to trust my human, but she figured out my favorite thing in the world is food. I wasn't a baby and didn't need bottle feeding or anything, but my human made sure I didn't get meals unless I ate them directly from her. After a while, I didn't just associate her with grabbing hands and giving me medicine. I associated her with food, too. That helped me learn to trust her.

What's the story behind your name?

My human had a really hard time thinking of a name for me. She wasn't planning on adopting a cat when we met, so she hadn't spent any time thinking about it ahead of time. But there I was, and I needed a name! She couldn't just call me "the kitten" for very long.

Three days before I adopted was a famous court verdict very close to where I was found, and it was still all the humans were talking about. Aunt O, my human's sister, suggested that she name me Ashton after the then-famous lawyer Jeff Ashton. That's right, I was named after a boy! But my human tells me she has always liked that name since she saw a southern belle character with that name on the North and South miniseries on TV. So even though I'm named after a boy, it's not just a boy's name.

How have you adjusted to life minus one eye? Has it slowed you down in any way?

I have had only one eye since I was pretty small, so I have had lots of time to practice without it. I'm not the bravest cat you have ever met, so there are things I don't try because they're a little harder for me. I don't get up on the kitchen counter, even when there are things that smell really good up there, because it's hard to tell how high to jump.

I also don't usually play with the wand toy when the feathers are flying through the air. I can't tell how far away they are, so I miss them when I swat them. Or worse, they smack me in the face because I didn't realize they were getting too close. It's okay, because my human drags the feathers along the floor, and I can use the texture of the tile or wood to tell me how far away they are. Then I can pounce right on them!

What is life like for you today, especially now that a new addition to your family means you're no longer the baby?

Since I am a timid cat, I like my routines, and I am very set in them. I have a cushion on the back of the sofa where I nap during the day that is smashed down just right to make a perfect Ashton-sized nest. At night, I sleep between my human and the edge of the bed. Breakfast and dinner need to be on time, or else!

No longer being the baby can be hard because I don't get quite as much of my human's attention. Don't get me wrong, I can get her to pet me any time. All I have to do is wave my paw and she melts. But I don't usually try to get her attention when the black and white brat is with her, because that kitten tries to play with me, and I don't want to play back. I like to play on my own, when I feel safe.

What shelter have you chosen to receive your proceeds from the book this month and why?

I chose Candy's Cats in Orlando, Florida to receive my proceeds this month. They do so much great work for cats here in my community and adopt hundreds and hundreds of cats a year into loving homes. This past year, they had several special blind and half-blind cats go through their adoption program, and I really want to support an organization who takes such care in finding them perfect homes. Right now, Candy's Cats is putting the finishing touches on an adoption center that will be the first all-cat adoption center in the greater Orlando area. I'm excited that this will help more cats find forever homes.

What do you hope people learn from your story and what would you like your lasting legacy to be?

I hope people learn that cats who appear to be broken or don't look perfect still have lots and lots of love to give. They can be wonderful members of your family and will purr and cuddle with you just like any other cat. And cats like me who are missing an eye don't require any extra medical care, either. We're perfect just as we are!

Photos Used With Permission: Julie McAlee

Tortie Shorties on Mystery Monday

Welcome to this week's edition of Tortie Shorties on Mystery Monday, featuring the latest releases from two of our favorite cat cozy series!

The Mythmakers (Miss Cuddlywumps Investigates Book 5) by Roby Sweet

From the publisher: Lately, things have been quiet in the tiny, historic village of Brooksford, Maryland. The residents got through Halloween with no “shenanigans,” as the mayor would say, and now they’re headed into a peaceful Thanksgiving season. But Rory Roberts knows better. She knows something is off from the moment the first amateur filmmakers arrive at the edge of town, and her feelings prove true when their “documentary” leads to a violent death in Rory’s backyard, with Rory herself as an early suspect.

Now, Rory and her classically educated calico cat, Miss C, with help from their friends, must work through their limited list of suspects to determine who the real killer is. They may find clues in an online horror movie showing the moments leading up to the crime, but that video also causes more trouble for Brooksford when it quickly goes viral, drawing crowds of unwanted tourists into town, and straight to Rory’s normally quiet cottage. Will Miss C’s classical education be up to the challenge of deciphering the 21st-century clues in this crime, or will her and Rory’s meddling only push the killer to strike again?

Tortie Shorties Review: The very first scene of this 5th Miss Cuddlywumps adventure shows Rory handcuffed in the back seat of a police car, wearing pajamas and L.L. Bean boots, desperate to find someone to take care of her beloved Miss C before being hauled off to jail. If that doesn't draw you in, nothing will! From that point on we learn what has led to Rory's current situation, which all begins when amateur filmmakers descend on the town to produce a documentary on Brooksford's mysterious Woldwomper creature (introduced in book 4, Night of the Furies). Before you know it Rory is scuffling with one of the filmmakers when they trespass in her yard late one night, he ends up dead, and in spite of her relationship with Sheriff Mike all eyes look to Rory as the killer.

As in previous books, the divine Miss C watches over her domain from her two-story cat condo in the living room and her cozy little bed on Rory's desk. Her favorite part of the day is getting a stroller ride around town to conduct her own investigations. She uses her knowledge of Greek mythology, learned from her previous owner Professor Eleanor, to reach educated conclusions about those she comes into contact with. In spite of a limited number of suspects this case is a real puzzle though, and even beyond the murder Rory and Miss C's lives are about to change in some very big ways, both in their very own home and thanks to their cat-hating neighbor Mrs. Crabtree (otherwise known as Medusa). Oooh...this is gonna be fun!!!

The Fast and the Furriest (Second Chance Cat Mystery) by Sofie Ryan

From the publisher: Sarah Grayson owns Second Chance, a shop that sells lovingly refurbished items, in the charming town of North Harbor, Maine. But she couldn't run the store without the help of her right-hand man, Mac--or her dashing rescue cat, Elvis.

Mac's life before North Harbor has always been a little bit mysterious, but it becomes a lot more intriguing when a woman from his past shows up in town, and then turns up dead. Suspicion falls on Mac, but Sarah--and Elvis--know he can't be the killer, and they hope they can prove his innocence quick as a whisker.

Tortie Shorties Review: This is one of my very favorite cat cozy series thanks to it's cast of characters (especially Charlotte's Angels), Maine setting, repurpose store angle, and of course, Elvis the cat. In The Fast and the Furriest readers *finally* get to learn more about Second Chance's mysterious handyman Mac in very dramatic fashion when a woman from his past arrives at the shop looking for him, and then is found dead after being spotted arguing with Mac by none other than Sarah's "boyfriend" Nick. This obviously makes life quite difficult for Sarah, but with Elvis by her side the true culprit doesn't stand a chance of getting away with murder!

Truth be told, my least favorite part of the cozies I read is the protagonist's romantic entanglements. I understand that it matters because it's a part of their life story, it's just an aspect of the books that I put little to no emotional investment in. That being said, I've been rooting for Sarah and Mac since his character was introduced in the series, most likely because his character's past has been such a mystery and Sarah has seemed confused by her feelings for him. Plus there is absolutely no chemistry between her and Nick, who she seems to feel obligated to because he's the son of one of her dear friends. Now that Mac's story is out in the open, the end of The Fast and the Furriest has me waiting with baited breath to find out what's next in their relationship!

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of The Fast and the Furriest from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. I purchased my copy of The Mythmakers. As members of the Amazon Associates affiliate program, if you click on our links and buy something Mudpie gets a little money for her piggy bank!

In Profile #SundaySelfie

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

Think Spring #CaturdayArt

(Created with Photo Lab & PicMonkey)

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

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

Mudpie's answers:

1. Before you settle in for a nap, you need to take a bath.

2. After you wake up, you must give yourself a few more slurps to make sure all your furs are in place.

Mommy's answers:

3. Winter has treated us pretty well this year. We had a couple super cold weeks in January but have pretty much missed the big nor'easters that have struck New England (so far...)

4. Spring means mud season in Vermont. My Mudpie was named after the dessert, not the mud pies you can make in our backyard.

Fun Feline Finds: MeowLoverClub Pet Portrait Jewelry

I'm an unashamedly proud cat mom who loves nothing more than to wear a piece of personalized clothing or jewelry that allows me to show off my beautiful girl. It brings me such joy to receive a compliment on it, and when I tell the person that it's an image of my own fur baby it invariably starts a discussion about my favorite subject - cats!

When I received an email last month from MeowLoverClub asking us to review their sterling silver personalized pet portrait art jewelry, one visit to their site was all I needed to quickly respond with a resounding yes. My only dilemma was which cat would I immortalize in a necklace - Mudpie or Angel Truffles? That problem solved itself when MeowLoverClub's sweet owner Capri offered to create a pendant for both!

From there I only needed to send a selection of photos of both Mudpie and Truffles, and in just a few days I received a mock up in my email of what the finished product would look like for my approval. (If you're curious about how the process works and would like to view a completely free mock up of your own pet portrait necklace, visit here.)

Completely coincidentally, the package containing my jewelry arrived on Valentine's Day! What more could a cat lady ask for on such a special day as a message of love from your own furry valentines? Of course it goes without saying that the finished product brought tears to my eyes. Presented in beautiful gift boxes, the necklaces themselves were engraved with the cat's names (which is optional and completely free), and in Truffles' case, the date she became an angel. The image is 100% personalized based on the photo you submit, and the detail is incredible. Your one-of-a-kind design comes with a matching silver link chain (18" long), but if you prefer something other than a necklace MeowLoverClub can also create a sterling silver keychain or bracelet.

If you're looking for a piece of jewelry that will help keep a beloved pet close to your heart at all times, whether they are still with you or residing at the Rainbow Bridge, I can't recommend MeowLoverClub pet portrait jewelry highly enough. The necklaces I received will be cherished forever, just like the beloved cats immortalized on the pendants.

About MeowLoverClub

Shop owner Capri is owned by a 3 year old British Shorthair named Snowie. Capri creates memorial pet jewelry for her clients, either for themselves, or for a friend who just said goodbye to a beloved pet, in hopes it will bring some comfort to them as a daily reminder of their precious time together.

Discount Code

Use coupon code "MELISSA10" for 10% off your entire order at MeowLoverClub!

Giveaway

MeowLoverClub is also generously allowing us to offer one lucky reader a personalized necklace/keychain/bracelet, the winner chooses the style! To enter, simply fill out the Rafflecopter below. Good luck everyone!

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Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by MeowLoverClub. I am being compensated for featuring this content but we only share information we feel is relevant to our readers. This post also contains Etsy affiliate links.