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.
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