Amy Shojai, CABC

Writer-icity, pet-astic schtuff & bling

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Love Thrillers? Reminder about Emily Kimelman & Sydney Rye Series

I’m head-down in the plotting/writing of my next SEPTEMBER & SHADOW THRILLER #7! Lots of “schtuff” keeps sidetracking me from finishing DARE OR DIE, but hope to get the next story into your hands this spring. Meanwhile, here’s a reminder I’ve lined up some more great books for your reading pleasure. If you love crime and thriller stories with dogs (hey, you’re reading mine, right?) check out…

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Cat Nutrition & Animal Shelter Adoptions

#Cats Nutrition Benefits Adoptions: Manage MultiPet Meals #FoodShelterLove #ad

Karma loves his Perfect Weight food. Image copr. Amy Shojai, CABC This post is sponsored by Hill’s. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about Hill’s® Science Diet® and Food, Shelter & Love™ Program, but BLING, BITCHES & BLOOD BLOG only shares information I feel is relevant to my readers. Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. is not responsible for the content of this article. Image Courtesy…

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Do Readers Care #WhyIWrite

Do readers care why writers write? One time at a writer conference, that question was asked and an overwhelming response was, “I write because I HAVE to write, it’s  compulsion, I must write…” And an agent on the panel responded, “They have medication for that now.” Ba-da-boom. *rimshot* My audience doesn’t read. Well, unless you count Magical-Dawg (and his canine compadres) chewing up or (ahem)…

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Celebrating Pets Adoptions with Birthday and Gotcha Day Love!

A pet adoption day is a special event. Eight years ago, Karma-Kat arrived. on January 31, the day before Seren-Kitty, Bravo-Dawg, and my Mom’s birthday. Yes, all three shared the same birthday. I posted this (with updates) two years ago. It’s time for another update because we’ve lost loved ones–and gained them–over the past years. HAPPY BIRTHDAY SEREN-Angel! When a friend discovered a kitten…

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Feral Cats, Community Cats, TNR & New Research

Feral #Cats, Community Cats, #TNR & New Research from @Morris_Animal

Some of my earliest bylines as a “pet journalist” appeared in Cat Fancy magazine. I got my first book contracts because a NYC editor read and liked a couple of my Cat Fancy articles. But the magazine sold in 2013, and published a final issue in 2015. Much of the content remains important and share-able. The last article I wrote for Cat Fancy (updated below) covered feral cats and TNR. Feral…

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2023 New Year Goals--from the Pets

2023 #NewYear Goals--from the #Pets #cats #dogs

Each year, rather than making New Year resolutions, I plan for goals—and hope that the journey along the way proves equally rewarding. Rather than say, “lose weight” I instead want to strive for good health. This year, I made some changes and they’re starting to pay off. For 2023, I plan to continue that trend, concentrating on what gives me and my family joy, letting go of past angst, and…

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Merry Cat-Mas & Doggy Ho-Ho-Ho! Here's How to Create a Tree for the Pets

Merry Cat-Mas! How to Create A Pet-Safe Howliday #cats #dogs #christmas

Merry Cat-Mas & Doggy Ho-Ho-Ho! Here’s How to Create A Tree for Pets Have you decked the halls yet with your howl-iday decor or a pet safe tree? What do the pets think? Have they joined in the spirit of ho-ho-ho and wreaked havoc? Or do they ignore the festivities? The Christmas tree might as well be an early holiday gift to your cats and dogs. You need indoor Christmas trees safe for pets and…

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13 Pet Holiday Dangers to Avoid: How to Keep Cats & Dogs Safe

13 #Pet Holiday Dangers to Avoid, how to keep #cats & #dogs safe

I write about pet holiday dangers every year. This listicle (and a fun infographic at the bottom) offers more than a dozen problems. I’ve included links to more detailed information for those wanting a deeper dive. 13 Pet Holiday Dangers to Avoid Pet-Proof the Tree. Avoid fragile ornaments. A gate or tinfoil around the tree base may help keep pets away. Anchor the tree to a wall for extra…

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The 2022 Holiday Gift Guide for Cat Lovers

The 2022 Holiday #GiftGuide for #Cat Lovers

‘Tis the season, cat lovers! I already shared this on my dog lovers’ gift guide but it bears repeating. I remember one year when my dad sent me a pastel portrait of my Siamese wannabe Seren (with Magical-Dawg). They’d NEVER get that close in real life! That painting is one of my favorite treasures to this day. Finding the purrfect gift for your cat and cat-obsessed friends and family can be…

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The 2022 Holiday Gift Guide for Dog Lovers

The 2022 Holiday #GiftGuide for #Dog Lovers

Magical-Dawg with Seren-Kitty, pastel by my dad. ‘Tis the season, dog lovers! I remember one year when my dad sent me a pastel portrait of my German Shepherd, Magic (with the cat). They’d NEVER get that close in real life! That painting is one of my favorite treasures to this day. Finding the perfect gift for your dog and dog-obsessed friends and family can be tricky. But it’s so worth it to see…

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10 Tips for Moving With Pets to a New Home: Getting Pets Used to a New Place

10 Tips for Moving With #Pets to a New Home: Getting Pets Used to a New Place #cats #dogs #movingwithpets

Moving With Pets to a New Home: Getting Pets Used to a New Place Moving with pets raises human stress levels and your cats and dogs are no different. While many dogs enjoy adventure and visiting unknown places (and smells!), cats bond closely with their home territory. Any change can put their tail in a twist when moving disrupts routine. An unfamiliar location, smells, and sounds raise levels of…

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Doggy DNA Misconceptions About Nature vs Nurture

Doggy DNA Misconceptions About Nature vs Nurture #dogdna #training #socialization #dogdnatests

Doggy DNA Misconceptions About Nature vs Nurture Dog DNA tests today are popular because it influences both looks and behavior. Some dog breeds are known for specific tendencies. But socialization and training, and even mom-dog’s nurturing influence, also impact dogs. Some dogs have to deal with a “ruff” reputation based entirely on dog dna and what breed they are – or just look like. Pit Bulls…

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7 Tips How to Prepare Cats, Dogs, and People for Holiday Visits

How to Prepare #Cats, #Dogs, and People for #Holiday Visits

How to Prepare Cats, Dogs, and People for Holiday Visits Holiday celebrations include visiting family and friends—those with pets and those without. It also means keeping pets safe during the holidays. Since we consider cats and dogs part of the family, pet holiday visits require special preparations. Changes to routine can increase fear, anxiety, and stress in everyone, and especially our pets.…

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How to Prepare If Pets Outlive You

How to Prepare If #Pets Outlive You #cats #dogs

We adore our aging dogs and cats but often lament the fact that dogs and cats don’t live as long as we do. Sometimes, we get a ghostly visit from a dearly departed pet. But what about the reverse—what if your pets live longer than you do? Are there legal protections you can take in planning for when your pets outlive you? We loved them dearly while alive, and must also care for them when we’re…

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Counting Thanksgiving Blessings, the Pet Writer Way in 2022

Counting #Thanksgiving Blessings, the #Pet Writer Way in 2022 #Thanksgiving #thanksgivingday #thanksgivingfeast #happythanksgiving #thanksgivingdinner #turkey #thankful #grateful #givethanks #familytime #thanksgivingpets #thankfulforpets #thankfulforyou #pumpkinpie #homemade #turkeyday

Soon we’ll celebrate Thanksgiving 2022 so time again to count my furry blessings. The holiday changes each year, with new joys and challenges that somehow (mostly) sooths the pain of our sorrows. Thanksgiving, a time of reflection, helps reset lives that continue to change. I’d love to visit my Dad. He’s navigating life without my Mom, and doing well but–there’s that loss again. I miss my…

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Sweet Pet Poison: Your Guide to Cat & Dog Antifreeze Poisoning

Sweet #Pets Poison: Your Guide to #Cat & #Dogs #Antifreeze #Poisoning

Sweet Pet Poison: Your Guide to Cat & Dog Antifreeze Poisoning Pets often get into poisons by accidentally eating the wrong plant, or other dangerous toxins. With the pending change in the weather and when temperatures fall, cat and dog antifreeze poisoning becomes a danger. You’ll find antifreeze in surprising places, not just in the garage. For instance, the liquid in snow globes can poison…

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November is National Pet Diabetes Month: Learn The Symptoms & Treatment for Diabetic Pets

November is #NationalPetDiabetesMonth Learn about #diabetes and #symptoms in #pets #NationalPetDiabetesMonth #petdiabetesmonth #petdiabetesawareness #petdiabetes #petdiabeteslife #diabeticdog #diabeticcat

Pet diabetes affects many cats and dogs, and this month we celebrate National Pet Diabetes Month. I’ve compiled this information for you from my books because I believe a happier world starts with healthy, joyful pets. So I help scaredy-cat pet lovers wag up their confidence with genius at-home advice—that banishes embarrassment while improving pet relationships with award-winning pet care books…

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