Specter aka "Scrappy Cat"

Specter (Scrappy Cat)

Yesterday, one of our cats, Specter, nicknamed Scrappy Cat, passed away from diabetes.

He started life as a stray who for a couple years hung out with our other two cats, but wouldn't allow my wife and daughters to pet or even approach him. Finally he'd become so ill with multiple issues, they were able to capture and put him in a pet cage to take to the vet.

After some rehab, where he spent several weeks in a dog crate in the basement recovering from injuries to his paws and getting his discovered diabetes under control, he was released back outside, but he'd been transformed.

Needing shots and frequent ear pricks for blood sugar testing, he still came running in the house, for a snack and to be held and petted. He even liked hanging out with our two dogs, in the house and outside in the yard. Our other two cats (Romeo and Swirliams) thought it was a bit daft. Nevertheless, he'd wait for the back or side door to open and come raciing in...whether invited or not. My wife said he was one of the most personable cats she'd ever seen. He'd sit and lean against you on your lap an purr up a storm for hours on end when allowed. Specter would stand patiently to get his shot twice a day, and await his treat. And, while very unhappy when getting his ear pricked for blood, (never an easy task) he would be held, sometimes wrapped in a towel, cuddled up, and not scratch or bite

Specter got his nick name, Scrappy Cat, because unlike his two 'brothers' he would do his best to chase off neighborhood cats, even though he was undersized and often feeling quite rotten, as his blood sugar was difficult to control. There are cats in the neighborhood easily twice his size. That didn't matter to Scrappy Cat. He'd get scratch and slapped around, but he'd give as good as he got--usually.

Anyway, his diabetes had gone untreated for far too long (before anyone could get close, let alone pet as mentioned above), and despite visits to the vet and a few stays, and attempts with multiple types of insulin and varying doses, he eventually lost the fight.

He earned a flashlight funeral, with mosquitoes in strong force. I'm not much of a cat person, but to me, he was more than anyone with a cat for a pet could expect.

This is where I'll be Next Week Saturday (Aug, 15th)

More information, click here: River City Comic Con

Thanks to Remington Hitchcock for creating this advertisement :)

My Interview at Dueling Ogres Podcast

Hey Folks,

If you have some time and interest, check out my interview over at Dueling Ogres, where the discussion ranges from writing and cover art to turtles, RPGs, technology and so much more.

Any interest in 'Geek Culture' and humor (sometimes bordering on a being a bit crude), Dueling Ogres is probably for you.

Plus, if you leave a message on the Dueling Ogre's Main Page, Facebook page, email or even a phone call, you'll get a shout out in the next episode!

Here's the Direct Link: Episode 53: The Importance of Being Viscount
 

Rowdy Roddy Piper: "I have come here to chew bubble gum and kick a$$."

"Rowdy" Roddy Piper passed away yesterday. I remember him in "Big Time Wresting" but this line from They Live has stuck with me far longer than any of his matches:



May he Rest in Peace.

I'll Be a Guest at River City Comic Con in Marietta, Ohio

Just a quick announcement that I'll be a guest at River City Comic Con in Marietta, Ohio.

It's a one day convention (Saturday, August 15th) from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm, located at the:

Quality Inn
700 Pike Street
Marietta, OH

More details will follow, including the panel on which I'll be participating.

Hope to see you there!


 

My Novels on the Shelf

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Figured I'd add a quick shot of my novels on the shelf at Around About Books.

Too bad they're not face out, as I think the cover art is a feature that would draw attention--better than many other novels, but maybe I'm not fully objective on that ;)

Unfortunately, like at every bookstore, shelf space is very limited.

Hiero's Journey by Sterling E. Lanier--getting a replacement copy

Yes, Hiero rides a Moose

Hiero's Journey is a novel that I picked up used way back in the mid 1980s and enjoyed. The second novel (The Unforsaken Hiero) in the series not so much, and Mr. Lanier did not manage to write an anticipated third in the series.

Anyway, Hiero's Journey was out of print when I first came across it, and it still is. My initial copy is suffering from age and use, so when I came across better copy at Around About Books, of course I picked it up...actually I waited several visits to see if anyone else might want it...an odd way of 'sharing' a good book I suppose.

Anyway, if you come across this post apocalyptic fantasy novel (it's available in ebook, but I've heard the formatting is not quite up to snuff), consider giving it a try.

Back of the book description:

Per Hiero Desteen was a priest, a telepath -- and a highly trained killer. Together with his great riding moose and the young bear who was his friend, he was on that seemed beyond even his extraordinary powers.

For this was five thousand years after the holocaust known as The Death, and the world was greatly changed. Now the evil Brotherhood of the Unclean was waging all-out war against the few remnants of normal humanity, determined to wipe out all traces of its emerging civilization.

Hiero's task was to bring back a lost secret of the ancients that might save humans who were ruled by the Abbeys. But his path lay through the very heart of the unknown territory ruled by the Unclean and their hordes of mutated, intelligent, savage beast followers.

And the Unclean were waiting for him!