Sportster thanks the US Military.

I cannot let this day go by without a word to all the men and women who have made it possible for a cat like me to live the good life. Not a day goes by that I don't send a message out to the universe,  stating my pride for my country  and my humble gratitude for all that I enjoy.

My life is charmed. I am a lucky cat that I don't live in a country who would not hesitate to list me as an ingredient in their dinner recipe.  Or, in a country who who would use my pelt to warm them on cold winter nights, never mind that I live in California. Or, in a country where my teeth  would be harvested for a king's necklace.

I am grateful I live in a country where I have freedom to express myself.

I have the freedom worship the cat Gods, if I so choose.

I can  dance in the street.

Our children are free to imagine.

I have the right to hunt and bear arms.

Please give thanks for the life we live and  to those men and  women who sacrificed their lives to protect our freedom to live ours..

God Bless the United States   Military.

I hope I have done my part to honor our veterans. I have spent many hours assisting Judy  this past year and a half, as a co-author, researcher, interviewer, editor and publisher in order  to bring Judy's latest book, MASADA'S MARINE,  to the public's eye.

MASADA'S MARINE

It is our hope the book's message will create a viral movement  to bring attention and  support to our veterans who are suffering.

Every hour a veteran commits suicide.

Please tell a friend and carry the message.

MASADA'S MARINE

Play date and Oceanside, Ca.

The  folks at Canine Companions For Independence explained that the training of a service dog isn’t all about obedience.  Playing is important, especially for a nine week old puppy. My mom's friend, Julie April and her new puppy, Dahlia, have  begun their first week of Dahlia's adventure to become a service dog for the organization that raises dogs for veterans and people with disabilities. I participated in Dahlia's first play date.

We touched noses and butts and I proceeded to review the Cat 101 Rules of Play as I had demonstrated  the first time we had met. Dahlia, not yet ten weeks weeks old,  had forgotten all my instructions from our first session. Again, I repeated the guidelines, but as I did, she wondered off to investigate a piece of lint on the floor and … “Oh! Is that a bug?” She pounced on  what I could have told her was nothing.  Her tail wags back and forth like an inane creature without a care in the world. She shows no caution. How do dogs survive at all? 

 

 
 
 

I finally attracted her attention, I bopped her on the head.

She liked it and barked but barking is not acceptable and I retreated to the back of the couch. Dahlia, realizing I was out of reach,wandered off to explore the edge of a throw rug, grabbed it and began to shake it. Judy and Julie chimed in with their “don’ts” and “no-nos” while I observed.  Maybe I misunderstood, is the dog's name Dahlia, or Don’t?

I jumped down from my safe place and approached her once more. She wiggled with delight, but before she could clamp those needle sharp puppy teeth onto my tail,  I raced away, around the room, flying over the couch, the recliners and disappeared under the coffee table. I peered out to monitor how far she had gotten in the chase. Dahlia  still stood in the same spot, swiveling  her head, first one way  and then the other, looking for me. Dogs are so clueless. I called an end to the play date. I have no patience with inferiority.

Now we are camping in our motorhome in Oceanside, California. Dahlia went to her puppy class at CCI on Saturday and I hope it helps because I am losing patience fast. She is just too silly for my mature tastes, although here is a shot of her   in my motorhome acting like a grown up dog for five whole minutes.

 

After Julie and Dahlia went home to their fifth wheel. I explored  the campsite.


 

 The walk to the beach was teasing with ducks and squirrels. The weather perfect.

Life is good  at the beach.

 Stay tuned for more adventures. And don't forget....
MASADA'S MARINE   will be on Amazon's shelves  soon! Watch for it!

 

 

 

 

A Cat's Perspective on the Training of a Service Dog

Meet my mom’s friend Julie April and her new puppy, Dahlia. Julie has become one of Canine Companions For Independence‘s newest puppy raisers. The non-profit organization is one of the largest providers of service dogs. Dahlia, is an eight week old golden retriever puppy whom Julie has made the monumental commitment to raise and train. For the next eighteen months I hope you join us as we cheer for Julie’s puppy on its journey to become a service dog, just like Masada, the main dog character in our newest book, MASADA’S MARINE.

 

 

 

The journey began weeks ago when Julie and Judy attended an open house at the Canine Companions For Independence Open house in Oceanside, California. Mom had visited for research purposes for our book, MASADA’S MARINE, unaware Julie had taken an application to become a puppy raiser. After weeks of interviews and waiting,Julie was approved and the day came to pick up Dahlia. I’ll have to admit I was as excited as everyone. I am a sucker for puppies.

Judy and Julie sat through two hours of orientation as the folks at CCI reviewed the intricate care and training rules for this special puppy, bred from a line of ancestors who were already serving veterans with disabilities.

 

After Dahlia's bath, she was ready to go home with Julie and begin her new adventure. But first!! A stop over to meet me. I couldn't wait!

I explained to Dahlia the "Cat Rules of Play" I required she memorize if our relationship was going to successful and, as you can see, I was delighted. She listened to every word.

 

 
 
 

I inspected her  for any unusual critters and smells. I especially like her puppy breath.  We played only a few minutes, as everyone was tired from the excitement of "The First Training Day Of A Service Dog."

I can't wait until my first playdate with Dahlia. I'll let you know how it goes. Next weekend we are going camping at the beach.

 

 

Sportster's Short Story -Part Two

THE NIGHT THE LIGHTS WENT OUT FOR TOP CAT

PART TWO

By

 Sportster Howard

 

He threw himself at the screen patio door. The rattle in the night traveled down the hall, only my ears turned toward the bedroom. Judy did not stir. She would be safe from my uncontrolled rage. Once I released it no one would be safe.
 Top Cat hung on the screen unlike a lizard on the wall, he glared like El Toro in the bull ring.  I longed to be partnered up with my friend Kona. As much as that standard poodle drove me to distraction with her irritating doggie habits, she had proved to be a quick and cunning hunter. She hunted rabbits and her kills were many. Not smart enough to know the damage Top Cat was capable of inflicting on her pretty black nose,she would attack fearlessly. But she was not here tonight.
Top Cat’s razor nails pierced the only barrier between us as they flashed like knives gleaming in the moonlight. I had been crouched beneath the kitchen table waiting for hours, for weeks. My opponent was nothing to hiss at, but I knew things he did not. Growing up with no claws, I had to learn to fight with my wits and my teeth. And that was what I did.

I sprang against the door while he still hung on the screen. With his weight and now mine, the door lifted from its tracks and crashed onto the tiled patio pinning Top Cat beneath it. No time to check on Judy, I sprang to the edge, and waited for top Cat to escape the crushing weight of the door. Confused, he  no longer focused on taking me down. The door became a large element he had never encountered and he was running scared. I attacked my foe in his race to escape. My teeth sank into his neck and his screech echoed in the night like the cry of a warrior when he realizes he’s going to die.
He twisted then onto his back, nails extended ready to fight to his death. I, too, twisted in anticipation of his defensive move. The scent of Top Cat’s fear triggered my brain to send adrenaline pulsing through my body. My ears lay flat and my tail pointed to the stars. The thrill of impending victory emerged from my throat in my own warrior’s call. Top Cat was going down. No survivors!!
My teeth still buried in his neck, I flung him, knowing the force could break his neck. He flew up the air and slammed to the tile floor. I panted as his still body lay limp, not moving. Every muscle primed I poised ready to pounce. His head lifted, he was dazed. He stood and turned his head in my direction. He did not make eye contact as I stared my eyes still fired with rage but now with victory as well.
He turned away and slinked toward the fence. Every muscle twitched wanting to go again, finish him off, but I kept my position. He would not be back. I had won the battle but I did not want to lose the war. He would carry the message to his wild cat comrades, “Sportster is a true warrior. Let him be.”
I went inside, back down the hall, and finished the night curled up with my mom.

 

SPORTSTER'S SHORT STORY - PART ONE

THE NIGHT THE LIGHTS WENT OUT FOR TOP CAT.

PART ONE
by
Sportster Howard

 

Me being a cat, you would assume I rejoiced when Judy hit those last keystrokes on the computer, THE END, as she finished the last chapter of our newest book, MASADA’S MARINE. Except the cover and design (which is going to be awesome) and writing the acknowledgements (which is long), my job as co-author is complete.

Most folks figure I will return to what cats love to do most, nap, sleep, and purr. Not true. I have not reached the top of the tree of life by sitting on the fence post, like Top Cat, the mangy orange who roams our neighborhood.  This lean, dirty feline reminds me of a persistent predator always hunting as he prowls through heat, rain, and high winds. On too many occasions he had shadowed my door in the dark of the night.

Our showdown was ugly. It played out just like a scene from Gunsmoke, or my favorite old TV western with Steve McQueen, Wanted Dead or Alive.

I love you Steve McQene

 

 

Like my buddy Steve, Top Cat had driven me, with his threatening visits, to my limits of tolerance. I had to mow him down, dead or alive.

That night when he came to taunt me was like every other of his nightly visits. He talked smack to me through the screen, “I’m gonna to take everything you have, soft kitty - that rhinestone necklace around your fat neck, your store bought food and I’ll even sleep with your mama.” He sneered.  I’m gonna grab that scrawny tail of your’n and whip you around til you  see  stars swimming in your head, then dump you with the fishies in the Pacific.” I

The comment about sleeping with my Mom is what pushed me over the edge. I may have been the underdog, with no claws and living the good life but there was only going to be one Top Cat in this town. Like Gunsmoke’s, James Arness, I monitored the trouble maker’s movements from my various lookouts -the kitchen patio door, the front door, and the bedroom window sill. I learned his routine and his ways. Sure I was drawn to envy him and his life as a drifter. Top Cat’s a bounty hunter who makes it his business to investigate any and every bush, rock and tree –all the places of refuge for rabbits, lizards and birds. Imagining his lifestyle sent a titillating thrill through me that twitched my tail, even from my perch inside on the window sill.

I call him Top Cat because he slinks through town filled with the notion he rules the neighborhood. He has put the fear in many of my friends, like Danny Cat, who lives a few doors down and whose only aspiration is to become a Hollywood star. I decided his reign of terror and taunting had to end, Top Cat had to go down.

 That fateful night of the showdown the buzzard cat had pushed me into a rage.  I became the screaming mountain lion ready to pounce on its prey and risked everything to take him down. That night changed my life. Top Cat stormed the front door and I screeched with an anger that took possession of me.  My eyes reflected a red fire of fight.  I only saw my enemy. I slammed my body against the iron security screen door in an attempt to reach him. The metal banged and I saw movement coming up behind me from the living room. I turned and attacked with no hesitation and no regret. I was not going down. Like a veteran home from Iraq in a flashback. “Take no prisoners!”

I have no memory of that night, but the next day Judy showed me several deep punctures lined up and down her legs.  “You did this,” she told me.

 How could it have been me? I would know if I had harmed her, and why would I? For over a week, I felt the gap in our relationship. Judy convinced I had attacked her and me in denial of what I had done. I was confused, but I did understand, for the first time, my position in our relationship was on shaky grounds. She accused me of something I never thought I was capable of doing, and I had no way of proving my innocence.

It was exactly one week later, another Saturday night, when cats are feeling their catnip and are prodded by the crickets chirping   their invisible chorus. Top Cat arrived later than usual. Judy was in bed. If she had been my victim  during the last squirmish, I was relieved tonight she was out of the way and only hoped Top Cat would be on the receiving  end of my wrath..

 He came to the patio screen door. I saw his white flea collar glow in a moonbeam.  He was stealthy, but I had been waiting all week. I hadn’t slept. This was the night it would end. Top Cat was going down, dead or alive. If I survived.

Gotta take a nap!! Stay tuned!

 

 

 

Oorah!

I have been away from home since Thursday. Before I left  for Tuscon, Arizona I worked  long hours at the Canine Beauty Salon, my mom's pet grooming salon. You might wonder about my position there, and my duties, after all,  the name does not refer to the feline species.

 I am a silent partner. The public  is not aware of my importance to the operation.

Many of the clients think I am  only a fluffy kitten but it is not the case.

My most important function is to greet the clients in the reception area. I have distracted many a nervous pooch who came in shivering at the thought of his  bath. Granted, I don't like my bath either, but a slinking cat slinking  is enough to take the dog's  mind off the inevitable  event and hope perhaps he   might  enjoy one more  cat chasing thrill.

You would be surprised. It is the owners who need the diversion more than their pets. I do not  understood the separation issue. Of course, I play the  lonely card very well when Judy returns home after  she has left me alone all day. I meow alot and rub up against her leg her computer, her chair, everything.She believes I missed her, and that is all that matters.

I have trained the staff  in the awareness of my irreplaceable position so they are diligent, keeping me satisfied with treats  throughout my shift.

 

 

You can imagine with such a high powered job I was eager to hit the road.  We spent our first night on BLM land outside of Quartzite, Az.  and watched the sun go down.

 

 

Most of the desert surrounding Quartzite, Az. is unimproved  land   managed by the government allowing free camping. As we  passed by Hasslers RV Park on Main St. Judy wondered if the owner had created any new sculptures since we had been there in January. Remember these?

I heard Judy tell someone how much she likes her solar panels and the money she's saved already. She explained  the money  was going into a kitty? She'd better not be thinking what I'm thinking!! There will only one cat in this motor home!

 

 

We arrived at the Pima Fairgrounds in Tuscon  early enough to stroll around  the campsite a bit after Judyvisited another author friend staying at the campgrounds, Nick Russell of The Gypsy RV Journal . When the sun went down we cuddled up in bed with a good book by B. K Gore, A Matter of Honor by Brian Gore. Judy had a big day ahead of her.

 

I spent the next two days  in the parking lot at The Tucson Festival Of Books while Judy  participated as a volunteer the first day, and  did a book signing the following afternoon.  Check out Judy's Blog, The Writings Of A Wandering Widow, to catch up on her adventures...too many for me.

 

 

The weekend is finished and we are now enjoying some down time at the Rovers Roost and Escapee Park in Casa Grande, Az

Don't let anything stand in your way. Nothing is impossible. I wonder what is on the other side of this block wall. It goes on forever.

Hmmmm?

 








I think I can do it.I know I can do it.



Oohrah! I did it!

THE WRITINGS OF A WANDERING WIDOW: TOMORROW! TOMORROW! FREE TO MY READERS!

THE WRITINGS OF A WANDERING WIDOW: TOMORROW! TOMORROW! FREE TO MY READERS!: In anticipation of   the release   of my new book,   MASADA’S MARINE,   The journey of   a service dog and her Marine ,   I am offering a ...

MY DUMMY VALENTINE

HOME SECURITY, THE C.N.A. AND THE MARINE CORPS

Hello fans. Some of you are growling that you haven’t heard from me lately. I know Judy posts these photos that depict that I am like all my other cat cousins.  

 

 

Yes that’s me after a long day on the road.

 

 And yes, I know. That was after a long day at the computer.

 

 

 

 

 Judy monitors my mail and finds these photos my friends send to me. I know none of these show how my feline friends are hard working, I want to explain and  defend my friends.

 I met Tallahassee Tabby  when her mom PEGGY KASSEES attended the 2013 Santa Barbara Writers Conference. T.T., that’s what I call Tallahassee Tabby, Sent me this photo after she and Peggy returned to Tallahassee, Florida from that hectic conference in California. T.T. told me her mom, who is president of the Tallahassee Writers Association, was busy that day writing an article for the club.

 

 

 

This is my friend  from New Orleans, Louisiana. This is a selfie he took on Bourbon Street after last year’s Mardi gras.  The only explanation I  have: He says he  NEVER overdoes it like he did last year.

I’m trying to  explain to you, my fans, that  pictures are deceiving. Take a look at the following  photos and I'm sure you'll be convinced, I am not a lazy cat.

I've had to wear many hats lately. The first hat, my CNA Nursing  Association hat. Judy was sick for almost three days. . Nothing serious, just a very bad cold. Remember  when Judy was sick in the emergency room in Deming, New Mexico? The nurses there gave me  honorary membership for taking such great care of my mom.

First she was hot then she was cold, then she was hot and then she was cold. When I was snuggled up in the covers to keep her warm, she kicked them and me off the bed. "I'm hot." she complained,  When I wanted to entertain her, she pulled the bedsheets over her head and ignored me I'm sure if she had played peek-a-boo with me she would have felt better.  Mom always complains I sleep too much, but now I understand  how boring that can be.

 On the second day,  due to my excellent care,  she began feeling better. I found  old movies on AMC, "Passage  To India" and "Dr. Zhivago" and the day passed pleasantly.

 

 I periodically had to take off  my nursing hat and replace it with  my chef's hat.  Although opening a can of Chicken Noodle soup is in no way  a demonstration of  my culinary abilities, that was all she requested.  I  made sure she drank lots of water too.

 

 Last week, before Judy fell sick, we both had  been freaked out because a friend Judy walks with, who lives four houses down, was a victim of a home invasion robbery. Luckily the two men only knocked the woman to the floor while they stole her jewelry. I’m sorry if you disagree, but if I had been on duty, they'd be calling the coroner, not 911.  

Lucky for us, Judy had already signed up for firearms training at Front sight Firearms Training Institute in Pahrump, Nevada.Unfortunately, I had to cancel Judy’s first class until she felt better. So now I have put on my beanie hat and taken over home security. 

Spread the word. Until Judy sharpens up on her firearm skills, I'm on duty. I can be a bad ass cat.

 Before Judy took to bed  with her horrific cold, I had also been busy with her editor. INVISIBLE HEROES is nearing its final stages and we all have been working long hours.

With the book near completion, Judy is looking  at cover designs as well as, what we call in the book business, beta readers. Beta readers read the manuscript not just for grammar accuracy, which of course is important, but also to examine the structure and believability of the story. INVISIBLE HEROES   is about a puppy growing up to become a service dog for an Marine veteran coming home from Iraq who struggles with post traumatic stress disorder. 

In this case, a Marine who served in Iraq would be an excellent beta reader as well as some one who trains dogs for service work. Judy and I are processing applications, so if you know of someone, please reply in the comment section.

 The  two guys  pictured above mentioned an interest but, really? I know they're the mascots for  The Marine Corps but ...really?

Judy's feeling much better thanks to my excellent care taking.  Be sure to click on the link below  to reach  her blog  for updates to her  schedule.

 THE WRITINGS OF A WANDERING WIDOW

 

 

JUDY HOWARD'S AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

 

THE WRITINGS OF A WANDERING WIDOW: STARTING OUT WITH A BANG

THE WRITINGS OF A WANDERING WIDOW: STARTING OUT WITH A BANG: January’s   down – eleven months   to go. The new year   started out fast and furious   similar to   Sportster when   his frisky moo...

OMG! I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO DIE!

OMG! I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO DIE!

Last night I lost one of my nine lives. My day had gone so well. We left Emerald Cove in Parker, Arizona for some solitary time boon docking in the desert in Quartzite, Az. Judy was torn between spending time with her friends Julie and her cousin Chris and the challenge of boon docking. “After all,” she told me, “I paid good money for the solar panels.”  The choice for me was not as difficult. Saying good bye to Kona and Rocky was a little sad but now they have two more Pomeranian friends. Really? Four dogs? I’ll take the desert in July.

The farewell  wasn’t a “I won’t see you for a long time good bye.” No, no, no. The parting  was "I’ll see you in a couple of days" at Hasslers RV Park in beautiful downtown Quartzite. The campground is one of Judy's favorite parks in the little town with over a thousand to choose from because of the sculptures through out the property.. Check out some of the sculptures.

 

We  picked an empty spot in the desert. We aren’t alone but the closest RVs are far enough apart to experience the solitude. Judy showed me the full moon before the sun went down and then I took my favorite place on the dash to watch the night creatures move in the moonlight.

I must have stepped wrong when I thought I saw a coyote creeping past our rig. I've over heard the stories.  I moved fast,  but the wrong way, and went crashing past the steering wheel to the floor. Only my back feet landed. I hung suspended by my harness on a lever sticking out from the steering wheel.

I hung there awhile and decided if I twisted this way and that I could get free. My actions only tightened the harness around my neck. Now it was getting difficult to breathe.

I managed a small meow although Judy was already searching for me because she had heard me fall. I squeaked out another meow and she found me.

“Oh dear” she said. “I’ll get you loose you silly cat” I felt her fingers release the clasp but nothing happened. I panicked and started to squirm but now I was choking!

“Hold on Sportster!” I heard it in her voice. She was  crying as her fingers fumbled trying to get the harness unwrapped from the lever. I gagged again.

“Hold still. I’ll get the scissors!” She left me hanging. "I’m choking!" Thank the cat gods we don’t have a forty foot motor home.

I felt her hands trembling. I was dizzy.  I didn’t care if she accidently cut me too. I felt the sweet release as the scissors sliced through the nylon tight around my throat and  I jumped into her arms.

“Oh, you poor little guy!” She kissed me all over and rubbed my neck that felt numb. ”You’re okay now.” I wasn’t putting on any airs this time. I soaked it all up until I stopped shaking.

We lay on the bed together. I purred and she petted me until she stopped shaking too.

I love my Mom. She’s my hero.

 

ONE WEEK, TWO SEMINARS AND THREE FRIENDS?

The first week of the New Year  has vanished, not that time is of any importance to me. Judy has eaten her way through the holiday parties  and every morning she announces, “Today is the day we get into shape, Sportster.” That’s my clue to roll over on my tummy,

nestle into the bed covers and give her my loudest purring routine.  She  turns off the alarm wiggles deeper into the  down pillow top and rubs my belly.  After fifteen minutes  of that exercise , she stretches and I play pounce on the undercover toes.

This consumes another fifteen minutes and before we know it, the exercise routine I designed  is completed and  our day can begin.

I  began each day , first, by listening to Judy groan as she stepped onto the scale, second, by sniffing the aroma of brewed coffee, and last, by  checking my dish to insure  my cat kibble is in the shape of a  perfect mound. The food in  my dish must be heaping -  that is my neurosis. It  is born from my American roots. My comforts must appear  blatantly abundant. Thus, throughout the day, the week,  between naps, I beg for treats in order to prevent eating a dent into the teaming  hill in my food dish.

Judy ‘s schedule is filling up and taking form  for the new year - one week down and two seminars  completed. After her first, at the Ovitt Library, Judy is considering an  invitation to come back  in June to do another.

Thursday I slept in, enjoying the warmth inside the motorhome as the desert sun rose and the solar meter  responded signaling a full charge. We are connected to electric but it is always comforting to know -  if there is no electricity - well, you know, it’s like the  blatantly abundant thing.

While I slept in, Judy  completed her second seminar   here at the FMCA RV Rally  in Indio, Ca. With fifty in attendance, it was Judy’s largest audience at a seminar to date. I believe  they came to meet me, but her presentation was  informative and entertaining  enough that no one complained I didn’t  make an appearance. I like to keep a low profile.

With the seminars  behind her, Judy spent  the morning  browsing the many vendor booths and  the afternoon  sitting  outside, enjoying  seventy-four degree desert sunshine.

 

Judy read  a book from  Brenda Hill’s boxed set ,And Justice For Her,  a series of mystery, suspense, and romance thrillers while I rolled and stretched until the sunshine made me sleepy…again.

Kona

Saturday will be a full day of writing before  we head to Emerald Cove  in Parker, Arizona  on Sunday. I'm not excited about meeting  up with Judy's friend's Julie and her two dogs, Kona and Rocky.

 

 

Rocky

Don't misunderstand. I like Julie and I like alot of dogs, but only if they they know their place.

 When Kona bounces up to me displaying an over exuberance and  dancing her poodle jig, what  is a sophisticated cat supposed to do? When they want to  intrude into my "stick" castle or my castle on wheels, invade my privacy,what can I say?.

Rocky and Kona have forced me to express my distaste for their bad manners and,still, they don't listen. I am humiliated.I  have my limits.


I am not excited. I'll keep you posted.

Be sure to click on the link below Nick Russel has  a free drawing this week as he does every week.  This week he is giving away a free audio book of GOING HOME WITH A CAT AND A GHOST.
The Gypsy Journal RV Travel Newspaper
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