Why, yes, August in Carolina is a bit warm ("warm" here is under 100 degrees Fahrenheit, above that is "right warm"...). Hard to realize school will soon be starting, with parents dancing in the streets - after the school bus leaves. Where has the summer gone? Tempus fugit, indeed, even more so as one "matures"...

Our friends at Petwarmers (also Heartwarmers) - where we've found many stories we've reprinted over the years - have suffered a major computer crash. They lost their entire backlog of unpublished stories - not the archive of their published stories, just the unpublished ones. SO, if you've submitted a story to them that has not yet been published, it's gone. They ask that you re-submit it, please. Here are their guidelines: http://heartwarmers.com/wguide.php

I am collecting contributions (between 800 and 1500 words) for an anthology tentatively entitled All Things Furry and Purring: The Cats Who Changed Our Lives and am encouraging everyone and anyone to contribute short stories, musings, reflections, poems - in short, writings which fit into the category described here. Your story submission grants me permission to publish it without compensation to you. Any profits from this first time venture into the world of publishing will be donated to the ASPCA.

Monika Ackerman
San Francisco Bay Area
510-305-2990 (cell)
Email me

The ASPCA applauds the conviction of Cheyenne Cherry, a 17-year-old Bronx, NY, resident who admitted to the heinous act of leaving her ex-roommate’s kitten, Tiger Lily, in an oven to burn to death. On June 3, she was arrested by ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement (HLE) Agents for aggravated animal cruelty, burglary, criminal mischief and arson.

On July 16, in Bronx Supreme Court, Cherry unapologetically pled guilty to charges of animal cruelty and burglary. Waiving her right to appeal, she agreed to serve one year in prison and not keep a pet for the next three years. Currently jailed on a probation violation, her formal sentencing is scheduled for July 31. Cherry’s accomplice, a 14-year-old girl who allegedly placed the kitten in the oven, is facing charges in family court because of her age.

Apparently, the 17-year-old showed no remorse at all. I think she will one day kill a human. Murderers often start with animal abuse - especially serial killers.

The newest member of Fur Unlimited, Lady Mischief, is an absolute delight. She isn't a kitten, she's a comedic acrobat! She has enthusiastically accepted the challenge of living up to her name - every day. The Divine Miss M has also changed the feline dynamics around here very substantially. Be warned: I'm working on an article about it...

Please do us a big favor: Recommend Catnip Chronicles to your family and friends who are cat people. Our motivation is to serve as many folks, and do as much good for the kitties, as we can. We need your help. Many thanks!

In this issue, we'd like to especially recommend the stories, and articles, and essays, and don't miss the photos - actually, don't miss anything! Have a marvelous month, filled with love, laughter, good health, job security, and CATS!

Pax Felinus,