An Evening with Rita Mae Brown
Presented by Red Rock Hounds
Some people are just
born to write , and rescue cats, and write, and ride horses, and write, and rescue dogs, and write, and then write some more. That's Rita Mae Brown.
She got her first library card at age five and today has authored 14 stand-alone novels, co-authored with Sneaky Pie Brown the soon to be 16 books in the Mrs. Murphy Mystery series, and now launches The Tell-Tale Horse, the sixth of The "Sister" Jane Foxhunting Mystery series.
Lynn Lloyd's Red Rock Hounds and Red Rock Equestrian Center has invited Brown to Reno on October 5, at 7:00pm, for a fundraising cocktail and hors d'oeuvres book-signing event to launch The Tell-Tale Horse.
All proceeds from the event will go to the Masters of Foxhounds Association of North America (MFHA) Foundation in celebration of 2007 marking the centennial of organized foxhunting in the United States.
The Mrs. Murphy Mysteries
Brown came across her co-author and feline partner-in-crime-detection, Sneaky Pie Brown, a spicy tiger cat born somewhere in Albemarle County, Virginia, at her local SPCA. Their first collaboration, Wish You Were Here, was released in 1990 and the pair has been the perfect duo to unite suspense and thrill in the whodunit series.
The book covers carry the words, "It takes a cat to write the purr-fect mystery," and that must be true because more than 3.2 million copies of the first 14 of the beloved Mrs. Murphy Mystery books are in print and Puss 'n Cahoots is as yet another that has reached the New York Times' bestseller list.
In Puss 'n Cahoots, Rita Mae and Sneaky Pie blend animal antics and cozy suspense perfect for both animal lovers and mystery fans alike when:
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"Mrs. Murphy (a tabby cat) and her beloved owner, Mary "Harry" Haristeen, on a new adventure when they leave the comforts of their farm and travel to Shelbyville, Kentucky, to visit the famous Saddlebred horse show. Their friends and hosts are robbed the first day they arrive and the stakes only get higher when a show-prize mare is stolen in broad daylight and the groom is found murdered. Mrs. Murphy teams up with Pewter (a fat gray kitty), Tucker (a Welsh corgi), and a slew of new animal friends to help Harry find the stolen mare, save the horse show, and hopefully find the murderer before someone else falls victim!" |
The "Sister" Jane Foxhunting Mysteries
Outfoxed, Brown's first book of this series, earned the rave review from the San Jose Mercury News: "A rich, atmospheric murder mystery - rife with love, scandal, redemption, greed, and nobility."
And Rita Mae did it again as she spun the plots of the subsequent books of the series in Hotspur, Full Cry, The Hunt Ball, and The Hounds and the Fury to reach the New York Times' bestseller list.
The "Sister" Jane Foxhunting Mysteries are set in the South and filled with Southern manners and traditions. Sister Jane is an active and strong woman with a sharp mind and kind heart. When asked if the character was based on someone Brown knows, she said, "Sister Jane is based on many women I know and I thank the good Lord for knowing them, too!"
Instead of chasing foxes into their dens, The Tell-Tale Horse weaves suspense when the locals must track down a killer and save the life of one of the most beloved folks in town:
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"It's prime foxhunting season for the members of Virginia's Jefferson Hunt Club. The girls at Custis Hall, an exclusive girl's school in Virginia that has gloried in its good name for nearly 200 years, are finishing their last semester before heading off to college. The entrepreneurially shrewd Crawford Howard is still smarting from last year's breech in hound etiquette, and the Casanova Hunt Club is hosting their annual ball. New neighbors bring new friendships and romance is in the air.
Then a shocking event tears through the community. A woman is found brutally murdered, stripped naked and meticulously placed atop a horse statue outside the local tack shop. The theft of a treasured foxhunting prize inside the store may be linked to the grizzly scene, setting riders on edge.
With little clues to go on, "Sister" Jane Arnold, master of the Jefferson Hunt Club, uses her fine-tuned horse sense to try and solve the mystery of this "Lady Godiva" murder. The septuagenarian still has a strong spring in her step and her wits about her, but that may not be enough. As Sister gets closer to the truth, she could become the killer's next victim..." |
Join Red Rock Hounds and Emmy-nominated screenwriter, poet, and author Rita Mae Brown for an evening you will be sure to remember.
Contact Red Rock Hounds at 775-969-3243, or by e-mail at angela@redrockhounds.com for tickets.
Read the full Rita Mae Brown Article in the printed version of the PetFolio Magazine. You can pick one up free at many places in Northern Nevada. Can't find one? Give PetFolio a call at 775 324 7824.
To learn more about Rita Mae Brown and her books, visit her Web site at www.ritamaebrown.com, or to order her books, log onto www.randomhouse.com.
A Tale of Two Kitties
Felis and Catus
By John Tuomala, Reno, NV
I recently observed a
bumper sticker, which read, "Animals are little people in fur coats." While some might disagree with such a sentiment, it immediately brings to my mind my two newest feline companions.
I had just taken a new job that required me to relocate. My feline companion, Stranger, couldn't seem to adjust to his new surroundings. Despite being only a mile or so away from his old stomping grounds, his nostalgia soon got the better of him. He kept sneaking off to the old homestead, and I soon tired of fetching him back to my new digs. Knowing that cats are loyal to places, rather than people, I arranged to leave Stranger in the care of my former neighbors. This, of course, put me in the market for fresh feline companionship.
It wasn't long before I happened upon someone looking for a good home for their cat's recent litter of kittens. I took two of them, both males. Coming up with names for them was at first somewhat difficult. Eventually it occurred to me that the Latin name for the domestic cat is felis catus. These seemed the perfect names for near-identical litter-mates. Both are white, with blue eyes and flame-point tails, indicating Siamese ancestry. The only way one can tell them apart is by the color of their ears: Felis having flame-point ears; and Catus plain white ears. Talk about a package deal!
Their different personalities are readily evident to anyone. Felis is the bold, aggressive one, ever at the ready to pounce upon his brother, or climb on top of everything. "Fearless Felis" I nicknamed him. Felis often refuses to eat cat food, vocally informing me of his desire for people food. Although he threw up in my closet after the first few times that I fed him people food, he still seems to prefer it to cat food. Catus is the more mellow of the two. He loves to wait until I'm asleep, and then cuddle in bed next to me. This at first presented a problem, inasmuch as he had an annoying habit of piddling on my bed, sometimes when I was in it. Only after I banned him from my bedroom for awhile did he become fully housebroken. This also earned him the nickname of "Piddlepuss."
One afternoon I let both little fellows out to play. Later, when it was time for them to come back inside, Catus was nowhere to be found. I wandered around, calling for him, shouting, "Piddlepuss! Piddlepuss!" It was then that I felt the unnerving feeling that I was being watched. Sure enough, I was being watched by two Reno Police Department motorcycle officers. They were parked along the curb staring at me as though they were thinking, "Yeah, 1096 no doubt," (that's a 5150 for you Californians). Quite embarrassing, of course.
These two adorable little perpetual-motion machines were only a few weeks old when I first got them. They're now juvenile cats who delight in such forms of mischief as pulling down towels from their racks, and unrolling toilet paper, to say nothing of constantly ambushing each other. Needless to say, I can hardly wait until they're adult cats, and not such a pain in the gluteus maximus.
The only other cat around is an old black tomcat, who often comes by to bum a meal. I have to keep Felis and Catus inside when he shows up or they'll run and pounce on him, meowing as if to say, "Come on Gramps, play with us!" The first time they did that the black cat cuffed them aside and growled in a manner of, "Not while I'm eating, you little punks!" He now tolerates them as long as they don't venture too close.
Being littermates, Felis and Catus keep each other company while I'm away at work. I usually come home to find them napping in their favorite spots - Felis on the couch, and Catus in an old bottled-water box. It's not long after I go to bed at night that they find their way onto my bed, curling up next to me and turning into purring machines. "Sweet dreams, favorite human," they almost seem to be saying.
John Tuomala is a former U.S. Army soldier and Reserve officer with no previous writing experience. A hard-core cat lover, he lives and works here in Reno, NV.
Feline Chronic Renal Failure
Longer lives bring special problems
By By Victoria Ceretto-Slotto, Reno, NV
Increased owner awareness to the health status of their pets and increased availability of medical care has led our feline companions to enjoy significantly longer life spans. Sadly, longevity brings inevitable geriatric health problems, such as chronic kidney disease. All breeds are affected, but several breeds (i.e., Abyssinian and Persian cats) appear to have an increased predilection in certain family lines. The mean age of chronic renal failure (CRF) in cats is nine years or older, but can occur at any age. The risks of developing CRF in felines include higher age, increased blood calcium levels, increased blood pressure, chronic urinary tract infections, and pre-existing diabetes mellitus.
CRF is defined as azotemia (increased nitrogen waste in the bloodstream) and poor urine concentration, resulting from primary kidney disease that has been present for months to years. The damage present is irreversible and tends to worsen over months to years.
Kidney disease affects not only the urinary system, but can also harm the nervous, gastrointestinal, and musculoskeletal systems; also sites of blood cell synthesis (bone marrow). Cats with mild CRF may be asymptomatic for a prolonged period, and a previously stabilized animal can decline into an acute crisis at any time.
Signs to watch for include increased thirst and urination, poor to no appetite, lethargy, vomiting, weight loss, diarrhea, acute blindness (due to increased blood pressure), seizures or coma (in late phase disease), drooling, and muscle weakness with hanging head posture. An exam may note small, irregular kidneys, dehydration, severe muscle wasting, pale mucous membranes, oral ulcers, uremic breath odor, constipation, retinal lesions secondary to increased blood pressure, and sometimes calcified lesions in kidneys on radiographic exams.
Diagnostic changes often include anemia, increased serum BUN and creatinine (kidney enzymes and nitrogenous waste products), phosphorus, potassium, and increased or decreased calcium levels. Decreased urine concentration, small kidneys on radiographs (or sometimes enlarged secondary to cystic or cancerous renal diseases), significant changes on ultrasound, increased blood pressure, or kidney tissue destruction/scarring seen on renal biopsies.
Treatment involves correcting dehydration and electrolyte imbalances with in-hospital IV therapy with acute crises, but is normally continued as an outpatient procedure once stabilized. Special diets to reduce protein, phosphorus, and sodium ingestion; adding fatty acid supplements may be helpful. Access to fresh water at all times is also important. Medications for nausea, increasing red blood cell production, lowering blood pressure, and appetite stimulants may be prescribed. Once CRF is present, continued vigilance and treatment is required for the rest of the pet's life, for months to years depending on age, severity of the condition, and response to therapy.
Sources: The 5-Minute Veterinary Consult, 3rd Ed.; Veterinary Merck Manual; Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
Dr. Patti McCormack is a 1990 UC-Davis graduate. Kreature Komforts Animal Hospital offers complete care for dogs, cats, birds, ferrets, exotics, and pocket pets at 2205 Glendale Avenue in Sparks, NV. She loves her work, her family, including husband, four kids, four kats, four tortoises, one turtle, one dog, and eight co-workers! Call her at 775-356-5524.
Varjak Paw
Prepare to Be Amazed
Varjak Paw by S. F. Said
Reviewed by Gary Meyer, Reno, NV
Once upon a time, the great hero Jalal, a purebred Mesopotamian Blue, came to end his storied days at the Contessa's house. His descendents reside there still, pampered housepets whose world ends at the towering garden wall. Young Varjak Paw glories in the Jalal tales told by his aging grandfather Elder Paw, but within his clan he is shunned for his off-color eyes and his restless yearning to know the Outside for himself, to hunt, to truly live as Jalal lived.
One day, a black-clad Gentleman visits the house and when he leaves, the Contessa is gone. His two spectral black cats corner Elder Paw and Varjak in the garden. At a heavy price, Elder Paw diverts the black cats so Varjak can escape over the wall into the unknown on a quest to bring back that fearsome, mythical creature called Dog. For only Dog can help Varjak reclaim his ancestral home and save his family.
So begins S. F. Said's masterful Varjak Paw saga, a classic bildungsroman, a coming-of-age journey from naiveté to knowledge, from adolescence to maturity, from travail to triumph. Said's supremely satisfying story combines the dark foreboding of Watership Down, the timeless allure of a fairy tale, and a thrilling martial arts adventure - alley cats are, first and foremost, warriors.
Yet there's more, much more. Humor is plentiful, as in Varjak's attempts to describe his pedigree to his two new female alleycat companions. "Messuppa what?" they ask. Not to mention his near-tragic misidentification of what a dog is, as he's never even seen one. Said is highly skilled at cat's-eye-view description: "A claw of white light slashed the belly of the sky." There are hints of predestination, as in Harry Potter. Jalal himself visits Varjak in his dreams, imparting spiritual combat training, and Varjak shows astonishing precocity in learning fighting skills. Could he be The One? And still more: the brutal cat gangs, the dread Vanishings which are decimating the urban cat population, the mercurial moods of feline nature, and a very catty caricature of canines: "Cars are fun. Cludge chase cars!" All capped off by a climactic return to redeem Varjak's clan from deceit, corruption, and a terrible fate.
This is Beirut-born journalist S. F. Said's first published book. His goal was to "give it the depth of a timeless, classic myth." He has succeeded brilliantly. His prose's power verges on magical, embellished with allusions to the work of many other great fantasists. (Did you catch the one to Joss Whedon above?) It is ostensibly a children's book, and ideal for reading aloud while displaying the abundant evocative illustrations by famous graphic novel artist Dave McKean. However, adults will find that Said's writing seems to somehow bypass the thought process and explode directly in the visual cortex. That's how vivid it is.
Varjak Paw immediately claims a place of honor not only among the great cat tales, but among great tales period. Even better news: there's a sequel The Outlaw Varjak Paw. Pick them up soon and prepare to be amazed.
Roving critic and freelance editor Gary Meyer is retired from an information technology career. Gary lives in Reno, NV, with his wife and three cats. If you know of a book that deserves the attention of PetFolio readers, please send your suggestion to petfolio@775.net.
Get "In Touch" with Your Cat
A hands-on approach to health
By Jill Klein, Truckee, CA
Everyone has heard
that stroking a pet offers health benefits like lowering blood pressure. Petting and stroking - getting in touch with your cat can benefit his health, too.
Cats are masters at disguising health problems. It is their nature and essential for survival. When they are hurting or sick they just find a quiet hiding place to bear it out, whether a house cat, or a feral.
We can do a lot to catch some of the things that go wrong in the early stages and help our cats stay healthy through a hands-on approach.
Here Kitty, Kitty
Find a time of day when you are still, like watching TV, and when your cat is relaxed and agreeable, or may even be seeking your attention. This is an excellent time to begin handling your kitty and getting him used to you touching him all over.
Start slowly and in a massage-like manner work your way all over and around his whole body. Focus on what you feel underneath the fur - his backbone, ribcage, legs, tail, and muscles. Feel for lumps, bumps, sores, tender spots, and anything else that just doesn't feel right. Find your cat's pulse points, watch his relaxed breathing, and note his nose - is it dry or wet, cold or hot? Get a sense for his body temperature.
Your cat may not like this right off, but with repeated sessions will enjoy these health massages. If he gets irritated, don't despair, come back to it another day. The key is to be regular, and to learn what is right with your cat to give you the heads-up when something is wrong.
These massages can reveal wounds or injuries you might never have seen, or alert you early to lumps or tumors because now you know what isn't supposed to be there. They can point out poor fitting collars or the need for a deep brushing to minimize hairballs when you come out with handfuls of fur. You can even monitor weight by how much or how little ribcage you can feel. It can give you an overall sense of your cat's level of wellness.
Your Cat's Feet
A cat's feet are its weapons, and they are pretty sensitive about them. Many cats won't let you handle their feet, but it is of value that they get used to it. Too many cats end up in shelters for clawing the furniture because trimming their toenails is a nightmare.
A kitty foot massage can yield nice results when your cat will allow you to handle his feet. Rub the pads and his toes, rub between his toes and extend the claw. Once he knows that you're not going to damage his weapons - you can begin to handle his feet for pedicures.
The Mouth
Getting your cat accustomed to you looking at his teeth and in his mouth can alert you to abscessed, broken or chipped, even missing teeth, foul breath, or the need for a cleaning. Once a month is a good schedule, and again, start slowly, and be gentle. If he resists, come back another time.
The Eyes
Focus on your cat's eyes. Are they clear and bright and wide open with no squinting? Are the eyelids clear and clean, with no drainage or tearing? Are the pupils balanced? Is the inner eyelid visible? Learn what his eyes look like when he is healthy, so you can recognize when something is wrong.
This is not the end of maintaining your cat's health. Cats benefit from regular vet check-ups, and it can help your veterinarian when you cat is sick to have seen him when he was well.
Jill lives in Truckee, CA, with her four cats and recently saved her cat from a cancerous tumor through her habit of regular handling, and wanted to share her experience with our readers. Thank you, Jill!
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