Many
Charity Sundays, I’m on fire to do something about all the crises
facing our world. War, injustice, poverty, disasters – the problems
are daunting but we can’t afford to give up.
Sometimes,
though, I recognize that small gestures close to home also play a role in
increasing peace and joy on earth. I haven’t picked an
animal-related charity in a really long time, even though my pets are
central to my life. So for today’s Charity Sunday, I’m supporting
Buddy Dog Humane Society, in Sudbury, Massachusetts.
I
haven’t lived in Massachusetts for two decades, but Buddy Dog was
the source for one of our most beloved cats, Leticia. She was the
kitten of a feral mother, and was absolutely terrified of humans. I
remember the way she shrank into the corner of her cage when we first
visited to meet her. She was so gorgeous, though, a solid black
half-Siamese with fur like velvet, that we took on the challenge of
raising her. And it was a challenge, believe me. It was years before
she was sufficiently socialized to be comfortable interacting with
us. At that time, we were commuting back and forth each week between
our rural home and an apartment in the city, taking our cats with us.
Frequently when we were ready to leave, Leticia would hide under the
bed, making a timely departure a difficult task.
Eventually
she became a smart, self-assured and bossy adult female (like many black
female cats). When we moved to Asia, she came with us, and lived here
to the ripe age of seventeen (along with our other rescue cat
Ferdinand).
Anyway,
one thing I recall about Buddy Dog was how serious they were about
establishing our credentials as responsible cat owners. They required us to
fill in a questionnaire and submit all sorts of documents, including proof of income! I had to
laugh, given all the felines we’d raised, but I appreciated their
commitment. From their website, it looks as though they haven’t
changed.
Anyway,
today I will donate two dollars to Buddy Dog Humane Society for every
comment I receive. As for my excerpt, I have a snippet from my new
novel Fangs, Fur and the Single Girl, which features an ailurophile
psychic. Enjoy!
Blurb
A
tragically attractive vampire, a hunky wolf-man and a skeptical but
susceptible career gal. What could possibly go wrong?
The
city is full of fanatics who believe vampires are real. Bianca knows
that’s a fantasy. Then a blond, blue-eyed blood drinker walks into
her office and turns her universe upside down. Trying to escape from
the vampire’s seductive influence, she collides with a wolf shifter
whose mere presence inspires irresistible lust. How can Bianca
resolve her feelings for her two mutually hostile lovers?
Excerpt
Unencumbered
by her suitcase, Bianca could move more freely. It took her less than
forty-five minutes by subway to reach St. Mark’s Place. A vegan
restaurant occupied the ground floor of the address on Mirielle
Dupont’s card. A steep flight led up to the second floor entrance
of the building proper. There was no sign, but peering up from street
level, Bianca noted that the window to the right of the entrance
contained a plump calico cat, tightly curled on a black cushion.
The
door opened before she knocked.
“Bianca,
my dear! I’ve been expecting you.”
A
white tunic draped the psychic’s hefty, broad-shouldered figure,
worn over sky-blue silk pantaloons. Atop her artificial golden curls
perched a turban of multi-colored paisley satin. Elaborate silver
earrings dangled from her chalk-white earlobes. Kohl outlined her
eyes and her lips were painted a bright red. Despite the season, her
feet were bare, the toenails bright with blue polish. Another feline,
silvery gray, wove its sinuous body around her ankles.
Bianca
allowed herself to be pulled into the cozy, cluttered room.
Bookshelves packed with tumbled volumes lined most of the walls.
Indonesian batik covered any empty spots. With a sofa, two puffy
armchairs with matching ottomans, an enameled curio cabinet, and a
round table flanked by wrought iron chairs, the room held far too
much furniture. The window sill had been extended to form a broad
shelf that supported two cat beds, one of which, as she’d noted
from below, was occupied. The calico did not stir, but a
tiger-striped creature who was stretched out along the back of the
sofa raised its head to survey the new arrival, then raked its claws
across the upholstery. A fourth feline, solid black and large as a
toy poodle, sat in the middle of table, watching her with unblinking
yellow eyes.
A
gorgeous Oriental carpet covered the floor. Bianca toed off her boots
before Mirielle could comment, not wanting to track in dirt from the
street.
“Thank
you, thank you kindly. Won’t you sit down?” Mirielle gestured
toward the table. “I’ll make us some tea.”
Before
Bianca could object, the psychic had disappeared through a curtained
door toward the back of the apartment. Not knowing what else to do,
she took the offered seat, which put her just level with the black
cat. He regarded her gravely, his expression suggesting far more
wisdom than he could possibly possess.
Why
was she here? Did she really believe the eccentric transvestite had
some sort of mystical power? The crowded space did not seem to
contain any occult objects – no pyramids, crystal balls, Ouija
boards or Tarot decks.
Still,
Mirielle had immediately identified Bianca at the club and had not
seemed the least bit surprised by her appearance today. Without being
told, she clearly had some understanding of Bianca’s dilemma. And
despite her liveliness, the self-proclaimed clairvoyant struck Bianca
as someone who’d been around for a very long time. If anyone had
answers to Bianca’s questions, it might be Mirielle Dupont.
Her
stout, turbaned figure reappeared through the draperies carrying a
tray. “Here we are. My special soothing blend, rose hips and orange
peel, with a touch of mint. Off with you, Bruno. We need your space.”
The
black feline regarded Mirielle for a moment, as if deciding whether
to obey. Then he rose to all fours, arched into a leisurely stretch,
and leaped from the table to the sofa, where he settled himself just
below the tiger.
You
can find buy links for FFSG on my website:
https://www.lisabetsarai.com/fangsfurbook.html
Please
do leave a comment. Every one can help a needy dog or cat find a
home.