World Spay Day

THE ADVENTURES OF PERIWINKLE & STINKY: PART CLXXVI

Train Trip

Stinky is anxious for Periwinkle’s arrival so they can get started on today’s adventure. They will be making a whistle-stop tour around Stinky’s home state of Virginia. When he hears the familiar whoosh from the teleportation tunnel he is waiting with open paws to intercept Periwinkle. After some whisker kissing and paw hugs, Stinky takes Periwinkle’s paw and leads her back into the tunnel for a a very quick trip to the train station in downtown Roanoke. 

When they arrive at the station and Periwinkle sees what Stinky has planned, she claps her paws together & exclaims, “Oh goody, a train trip. This is so exciting.”

“I hope our friends will think so,” says Stinky.

“Why wouldn’t they?” asks Periwinkle.

 

Two cartoon tabby cats dressed in warm coats and hats at the Amtrak Station in Roanoke, VA.

 

USA/World Spay Day

“Well, because they aren’t coming along. You know, Periwinkle, those who adventure with us are well aware of how important it is to spay and neuter their pets and companion animals as well as feral cats living in colonies. And last year, over on your blog, we did a special PSA for USA/World Spay Day. In fact, if our followers want to read more about it, they can click on the link to that post.  So, while we are busy spreading the word around my state, we are going to give our readers the opportunity to revisit some of our favorite past adventures from my blog.”

“I like the idea that I get to spend the day with you riding on a train, so I hope our readers won’t mind that they won’t actually be joining us today,” replies Periwinkle.

“Periwinkle why don’t you select a favorite adventure first,” says Stinky.

Tea Party

“That’s easy. I loved the Tea Party you had for me on June 8, 2020!”

(To visit any of the past adventures, click on the photos.)

 

A ground hog, rabbit, squirrel and robin at a tea party with two cartoon tabby cats.

 

“That was a great adventure, Periwinkle. I got to invite some of the woodland creatures who hang out in our yard.”

“I loved meeting all of them. They were so kind to me.”

Double Date with Tyebe and Cooper Murphy

“I really enjoyed our trip to Sandstone Falls in West Virginia on March 30, 2021, when we went hiking, fishing and picnicking with Cooper Murphy and his girlfriend Tyebe.”

“That was great. It’s fun to include friends in our adventures occasionally; though, I do prefer when it is just the two of us,” Periwinkle tells Stinky.

 

A white cat, and orange tabby cat with two cartoon tabby cats (all wearing hats and holding fishing poles) at Sandstone Falls in West Virginia.

 

Tortola, BVI

“Stinky, visiting your parents favorite vacation spot on Tortola in the British Virgin Islands on May 10, 2022, was one of the most exciting and romantic adventures ever! I’d like to visit there again.”

“It really is beautiful there, Periwinkle. We can definitely go back sometime,” Stinky tells her.

 

Two cartoon tabby cats sitting on a roof over looking Long Bay in Tortola, BVI.

 

Eagles

“Our trip on the James River on April 27, 2021, to visit the Eagles was one of my all time favorites,” Stinky tells Periwinkle.

“Oh, Stinky, me too. We were so lucky they liked us and didn’t try to eat us for their lunch!”

 

Two cartoon tabby cats, wearing hats, and sitting on a branch with two eagles.

 

Preparing for Thanksgiving

“My turn again, Stinky. I had so much fun when we went to Mau’s Bake Shop on November 26, 2019, and he helped us make Thanksgiving pies, and we made you a Gotcha Day Cake.”

“That was a great one, as Mau was still with us then. And I really liked my cake,” replies Stinky.

 

A collage of two tabby cats wearing chef's hats and a tuxedo cat in an apron and chef's hat in front of a bakery and with a cat face cake.

 

“Those really were great adventures, Periwinkle. I hope our friends had fun revisiting them.”

“I sure know I did, Stinky. We have had so many great adventures…176 to be exact! And I am happy we were able to remind everyone how important it is to spay and neuter their pets.”

“It looks like it’s time to return to my house for a snack and a visit with all my fursibs.”

“Sounds good to me, Stinky,” replies Periwinkle.

After a snack, visit and quick nap, it is time for Periwinkle to return home. She and Stinky spend several minutes whisker kissing and paw hugging. With a final wave, Periwinkle hops into the teleportation tunnel for the trip home.

Stinky heads to the bedroom for a nap already thinking about seeing Periwinkle next Tuesday.

The End

Periwinkle and Stinky will be joining the Happy Tuesday blog top at Comedy Plus. Click on the badge below to do the same.

 

CATS ON THE JOB REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

Most cats can probably be labeled as bird-TV-watching couch potatoes. I know the ones who live with me can best be described in this way.

cats on the job

Photo by Toru Yamanaka

Lisa Rogak, in her book, Cats on the Job, introduces us to 50 real cats from around the world who have jobs on a larger scale than just keeping their humans warm at night. Many of the cats are employed as mousers to keep rodent populations under control. These cats work in a variety of locales and industries. Most of us have either met or heard about cats who “work” in churches, libraries or shops. Though Rogak includes these cats in her book, she also introduces us to others with both unusual and unique jobs.

cats on the job

Photo by Monti Franckowiak

First up is Sable, the crossing guard cat from West Richland, Washington. This was one of my favorite stories.

You’ll meet musical cats, the well-known Amazing Acro-Cats, a mayor, a train stationmaster, a dog trainer, a teaching assistant, a foster mother to Rottweiler puppies, actors, models and so many more. Even mega-star Grumpy Cat is included.

cats on the job

Photo by REX/USA/Richard Austin/Rex

The book has at least one full-color photo of each cat, many wearing the garb associated with their position, as you can see from the book cover and the photo of Sable.

Another of my favorites was Chesney, the baby-sitting kitten, who takes the younger, orphan kitten, Joey, under his paw.

You’ll also meet Towser, a Scottish distillery cat, who has the distinction of being included in The Guinness Book of World Records for dispatching 28,899 mice during his time on the job.

One of the subjects, Doorkins Magnificent, of Southwark Cathedral in London, slept through head scritches from Queen Elizabeth.

This is a feel good book that will keep you smiling from beginning to end and just might elicit several “squeees” from you along the way. The writing is excellent with well-reaserched bios of each cat.

Photo by Ben Gately Williams

Lisa Rogak has been writing professionally since 1981. She’s written more than 40 books on a wide range of topics including biographies of Barack Obama, Jon Stewart and Dan Brown, to name a few. Just as this book is a must read for all those who love or are fascinated by cats, so is Rogak’s bio, which you can find on her website, www.lisarogak.com.

To enter the giveaway for a copy of Cats on the Job, leave a comment on this post prior to Sunday, February 28, at 5 p.m. ET. The winner will be selected using Random.org.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of Cats on the Job from the author in exchange for my fair and honest review. I also was promised a copy to give away to one of my readers. The opinions expressed in this review are mine alone.

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