Thursday, October 11, 2012

Cat Thursday: Authors and their cats (16)


Welcome to the weekly meme that celebrates the wonders and sometime hilarity of cats! Join us by posting a favorite LOL cat pic you may have come across, famous cat art or even share with us pics of your own beloved cat(s). It's all for the love of cats! Enjoy! (share your post in the Mr. Linky below)

The second Cat Thursday of each month is Authors and their Cats Thursday.  Each time I will feature an author and their cat(s).

This month I have an extra special author and cat to feature.  I'd like to thank Anna at Herding Cats and Burning Soup for telling us about Miss Mousie and her author owner, Melissa McClone.  Melissa graciously agreed to take time out of her busy writing schedule to share Miss Mousie's story.  Please give them a warm welcome!



Miss Mousie and I want to thank Michelle for having us on Cat Thursday. I'm so happy for the opportunity to tell readers at The True Book Addict about my sweet girl.

Miss Mousie is my 14 year-old foster from the West Columbia Gorge Humane Society (WCGHS) in Washington. Fostering a senior cat was my Valentine's present from my husband. Is that not the best V-day gift for a crazy cat lady/Harlequin Romance writer?

Right away, Miss Mousie claimed her spot on the cat tree, one on the back of the Great Room chair and another on our bed. Nothing bothered her, including our Norwegian Elkhound, three kids or other cats. I was told Miss Mousie was mellow and didn't do much, but she loves to play and chase things, too!

Her favorite person in our house is my husband aka daddy. She watches him work and waits for him to come home when he's away. Miss Mousie ignores me unless I have food or her brush in hand. And when I'm on deadline…Miss Mousie won't leave me alone!

In August, after I returned from the RWA National Conference in Anaheim, I took Miss Mousie to the vet. She'd lost some weight, wasn't eating or acting like herself. She'd always had polyps in her ears (an incurable condition) but the vet told us they had worsened. Miss Mousie also had a severe, painful ear infection.

Her vet said Miss Mousie needed TECA (total ear canal ablation) surgery. If she couldn't have the surgery, the vet said humane euthanization would be his recommendation due to the pain associated with ear issues.

The estimate for the surgery was $5000. Expensive, yes, especially for a senior foster cat, but I couldn't let Miss Mousie go without at least trying to raise the money. I asked the WCGHS if I could fundraise for her. They gave me permission and opened a PayPal account especially for Miss Mousie.


I'd never done anything like this. A group of writer friends brainstormed ideas with me. One suggested asking authors to write about their cats. I thought it was perfect and http://helpmissmousie.blogspot.com was born.

Miss Mousie's blog went live at the end of August. Twenty-four authors from different genres provided posts about their cats. More authors helped us by contacting other writers and asking them to share Miss Mousie's story with their readers. We also received a lower surgery estimate from another clinic. By the end of September we had raised enough money to cover Miss Mousie's TECA! We're just waiting for Miss Mousie to get over a cold so we can schedule her surgery.

So many cat loving authors and readers have helped Miss Mousie. I've been so touched by the outpouring of support, everything from sharing posts and retweets to donating money and writing posts for her blog.

Miss Mousie definitely touched a few hearts out in the Internet the way she touched ours!

What an inspiring story! Thanks again for sharing, Melissa.  Please keep us posted on Miss Mousie's surgery. 


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13 comments:

Thank you for visiting and taking the time to comment. It means so much.

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  1. What a wonderful thing cats helping cats! Purrayers for Miss Mousie!

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  2. Aw yay. I'm so glad you were able to have Miss Mousie on today :) She's such a sweetie. So glad to hear she's getting her surgery! That's wonderful news :)

    ~Anna

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  3. Thank you so much for sharing Miss Mousie's story. I've been following her progress and rooting for her. It's so wonderful to know she'll be helped soon.

    Go Miss Mousie!

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  4. I found out about Miss Mousie from Tartan Ink. It's wonderful there are so many caring people in this world. Lots of prayers coming to Miss Mousie!

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  5. Thanks everyone! Miss Mousie says hi! She's right next to me, all comfy and cozy and ready to nap. She appreciates all the prayers. Please keep them coming especially once we have her scheduled for surgery! I'll be sure to keep Michelle updated on things, too!

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  6. What an amazing story! I hope the surgery goes well!

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  7. I found out about Miss Mousie through Sue-Ellen Welfonder on her blog Tartan Ink and have followed along her journey sending prayers and hoping for great things for her. I am so happy that she is able to get her surgery and be pain free now. Such a beautiful cat and like you said, well loved nationally now too :)

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  8. I'll be saying extra prayers when she goes for her surgery, but with so many people pulling for her, I know she'll be fine. Miss Mousie is the luckiest cat in the world to have found you.

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  9. Melissa, I am so happy Miss Mousie will have her surgery. Many of us at Tartan Ink are animal lovers and Pet Parents. I am late getting on here but will Tweet this link in hopes of sending late night readers this way.

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  10. Thanks again, everyone! Miss Mousie and I appreciate the support!

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  11. I've been a long time reader of Melissa's and knew her big heart would find a way to help Miss Mousie! So glad to know the surgery WILL happen as soon as Miss Mousie recovers!

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