"All I Want Is A Room Somewhere!!!"...

"All I want is a room somewhere, far away from the cold night air, with one enormous chair, --- Oh, wouldn't it be lovely?!... I'm resting safe on someone's knee, warm and tender as they can be, who takes good care of me, --- Oh, wouldn't it be lovely?!... Oh, so lovely to be sitting absolutely still, I won't even budge till Spring peeks over the windowsill!... Lots of cat food for me to eat, big, warm fire making lots of heat, warm back, warm chest, warm feet, ---Oh, wouldn't it be lovely?!" --- Sort of from "My Fair Lady".

Saber -toothed Cat & Others...

The Boy Who Made A Difference...

Ninja Cats...

Poly Cat!!!...

A Kitten Chose His Cop!...

Black Cat Wins"'Pet Of The Week"...

Owner Peggy Poole told Newsweek she encouraged her husband Bill, a disabled veteran, to adopt a new kitten after his previous cat passed away. He went to the Gardenia E. Janssen Animal Shelter in Texas to look at potential pets, walking out with not one, but two. After falling for a black cat named Ghost, he learned the kitten had bonded with another, Tux, and couldn’t bring himself to separate them. While he may have started life in a shelter, Ghost has grown into a steady, comforting presence at home—taking on far more than the role of a typical pet. He helped guide and care for Tux, stepping naturally into a nurturing role, and for his second job, Ghost keeps a close eye on Poole while she works from home. “I have a slide-out table in my desk, upon which I’ve attached a pillow for him to sit on while I work,” she said. “I have to watch him closely, though, as he has become a bit of a scamp and likes to steal my ink pens and hide them under the living room rug.” As her unofficial “assistant,” he’ll wedge himself into the center of her desk, showing his micromanaging style. But the truth is, he does it when he thinks she has been working too long, offering a clear reminder that it’s time for a break.

An Excerpt From my Romantic Thriller "King of Thieves," --- Semiramis...

"Semiramis walked down the hall, her fluffy gray tail erect and waving gently. She stopped at the closed door of the Crème Rouge room and sat down, looking far above her to the transom, which was fully open to allow as much air into the room as possible. She blinked her golden eyes, then hunkered down a bit, her forelegs flat to the floor, her butt in the air. Semiramis made plenty of jumps as high as the one she was about to make. After all, the transom was only seven feet from the floor. She sprang, her front claws catching the wooden edge of the transom. Semiramis scrambled with her strong little back legs and her strong back claws, stubbornly got a purchase on the edge of the transom and she pulled herself upright. Standing, she balanced on all four feet for a moment on the very narrow edge of the transom, whiskers forward. Then, with her lovely long fur waving in the air momentarily like a gray chiffon scarf, she dropped to the room’s floor, landing gracefully and silently. Of course, her delicate mauve-gray paw pads made no sound on the polished teak floor as she walked across it and across the big Turkey carpet, to sit down, looking up at the bed. She didn’t recognize the woman who was sleeping in it. But, that was alright. Semiramis jumped effortlessly onto the foot of the bed. She pressed her nose to the comforter. She inhaled, deeply. Ah, yes, plenty of Alexandre’s scent! It made Semiramis feel secure. She dearly loved Alexandre. He was one of her favorite humans and for years she’d missed his presence. She was very glad he’d returned. Semiramis kneaded the comforter thoroughly but briefly, then curled into a soft furry ball to rest, napping until she decided to leave to the room, by the transom, as usual. …She was a queen, and a good queen always appreciates her subjects. Semiramis was a very, very good queen." --- Copyright 2026, by Antoinette Beard.

The Cats Of Istanbul...

Istanbul is home to hundreds of thousands of street cats, deeply woven into the city’s culture and daily life. Population and Presence Istanbul hosts an estimated hundreds of thousands to over a million street cats, with around 125,000 stray cats and 200,000 including house cats. Cats are found on nearly every street, in cafes, mosques, parks, and even riding ferries and buses. Locals often view them as communal pets, providing food, water, and small shelters, reflecting a city-wide culture of care. >>> Historical Background Cats have been part of Istanbul since Ottoman times, originally brought by sailors to control rats on ships. Wooden houses and abundant rodents in the city historically made cats essential for pest control. Over centuries, they became integrated into daily life, celebrated in literature, art, and folklore. >>> Cultural Significance Cats in Istanbul are revered and protected, influenced by Islamic traditions that regard them as clean and blessed animals. Feeding and caring for cats is believed to bring good fortune, and many residents actively participate in their welfare. Famous cats like Gli of Hagia Sophia and Tombili, immortalized in a statue, have become cultural icons. >>> Care and Welfare Local organizations and volunteers provide food, medical care, and shelters for street cats. The Turkish government mandates sterilization of stray animals and recognizes them as living beings, with legal protections against cruelty. Cat cafes, adoption centers, and municipal feeding programs further support their wellbeing. >>> Interaction with Humans Cats offer companionship and comfort to residents and tourists alike, often creating a sense of calm and community. Despite occasional health concerns like parasites or viruses, cats rarely transmit rabies to humans, and their presence helps control rodent populations, indirectly benefiting public health. >>> Notable Facts Istanbul is sometimes playfully called “Catstantinople” due to its feline population. The cats are free-roaming but well-cared-for, often recognized by locals and tourists alike. >>> Documentaries like “Kedi” highlight the unique bond between the city and its cats, showcasing their daily lives and interactions. Istanbul’s cats are more than street animals—they are symbols of the city’s history, culture, and communal spirit, making them a beloved and integral part of urban life. --- Wikpedia.