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Cat Behavior & Care

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“Cat-mas” Gift Book: Christmas Cat Legend

“Cat-mas” Gift Book: Christmas Cat Legend

by | Nov 28, 2025

Several years ago, an editor friend urged me to turn this story into a children’s book. But (as those who read my thrillers understand) I don’t write for kids! Children are, IMO, the toughest audience of all.

But I do love the story. My friend passed away not long after I’d worked with her on another of her terrific pet-theme anthologies.

People, and ideas, come to us for a reason and so I followed the suggestion. Better late than never, right? This gift book, not specifically a “kids book,” I offer as a story for people of ALL ages who love Christmas…and cats.

Share the joy of the season with a heartwarming, original telling of the very first Christmas in this gorgeous full-color gift book for cat lovers of all ages!

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Counting Thanksgiving Blessings, the Pet Writer Way in 2025

Counting Thanksgiving Blessings, the Pet Writer Way in 2025

by | Nov 27, 2025

Time for my annual Count My Blessings post. The past year has meant change, change, and more change, and that’s good and also challenging. But some things never change…I’m thankful to you—yes, those who read this blog, the cat book lovers, and the dog book lovers, and folks who have “adopted” my thriller series. And those who offered awesome applause and support any of the other venues mentioned…

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How to Create A Cat Safe Christmas Tree

How to Create A Cat Safe Christmas Tree

by | Nov 26, 2025

Cat safe Christmas tree? Is there any other kind? I post this blog every year and — with Shadow-Pup & Trinity-Kitten now in the house, I’ve decided to forgo the Christmas tree this year. Sometimes you have to choose your battles. Here’s how to do it, though–and I may give in and give it a try after all!

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Amy Shojai’s Thriller TRICK OR TREAT RELEASED!

Amy Shojai’s Thriller TRICK OR TREAT RELEASED!

by | Nov 23, 2025

“Love, loyalty, and a supremely smart service dog make TRICK OR TREAT a definite treat for thriller readers. Come for the wonderful Shadow and be drawn in by a can’t-miss plot that plays all the tricks.” – Clea Simon, author of The Cat’s Eye Charm, a Witch Cats of Cambridge cozy mystery

Here are the links to get your latest September & Shadow adventure!

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

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

by | Nov 21, 2025

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

Holiday celebrations include visiting family and friends. 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. Hitting the road also raises stress levels, so unless your pets adore car travel, prepare with advice in this article. Here are some tips for reducing the angst once you arrive, so that everyone enjoys family pet holiday visits.

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10 People Foods for Cats

10 People Foods for Cats

by | Nov 20, 2025

My Seren-Kitty never met a meal she didn’t like—including my own. Once she even tasted the hot mustard dip from my plate. Have you ever seen a cat LEVITATE?! Kitty foaming at the mouth is no laughing matter except the little squirt came back for seconds!

In her last year, I created a monster because at age 21, I figured Seren should get to eat ANYTHING she wanted. And then Karma-Kat thought HE should do the same. Yikes! (BAD Amy…)

The first week we had Karma, he conducted a snatch-and-grab, swiped a kabob from my husband’s plate, and took off with it. (10-second rule…hubby chased him down and “rescued” the kabob.) These days, Karma-Kat and Shadow-Pup still get the occasional healthy treat from the table.

The key, of course, is the word “healthy.”

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10 People Food Treats Dogs Can Eat

10 People Food Treats Dogs Can Eat

by | Nov 19, 2025

Oh, those puppy dog eyes begging for people food…It doesn’t have to be a holiday for us to want to give treats to our dogs. We love to indulge ourselves—and them—with safe people food and holiday dog treats…

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Recent Posts

Old Dog Senility: Reversing Canine Cognitive Dysfunction

I’ve been blessed to share my life with two senior dogs, but only Magical-Dawg showed signs of dog senility, also known as canine cognitive dysfunction. Yes, both dogs and cats can suffer from a form of dementia, that some might described as a type of canine Alzheimer’s disease. There’s no cure–but you can reverse the signs or slow them down for at time with these tips…

Why Do Cats Fight After Vet Visits? How to Stop Cat Bashing

Congratulations! Your hard work has paid off, and Kitty no longer fears the carrier and handles the car ride with almost no signs of fear, anxiety or stress. Kitty purrs and cheek-bonks the veterinary technicians, and barely notices the doctor’s exam through all the petting and tasty treats. But as soon as you get home, Kitty’s former feline friends snub him, or worse. Why do cats fight after vet visits? What’s up with all the cat bashing?

Do Dogs Love Car Rides? 8 Dog Car Rides Training Tips

Do dogs love car rides? Are car rides good for dogs? My first dog HATED car rides and would shiver, shake and cry the entire time inside the vehicle. That’s probably because he got car sick during his first-ever ride, and then later he began to associate the ride with vet visits and being left behind at a boarding kennel. No wonder he turned into a basket case! That was more than 40 years ago, and I’ve learned a LOT since then. Here are 8 tips to help…

Protect Pets from Cold Weather

Cold weather pet protection becomes more in winter weather. Here in North Texas we’re bracing for temps to drop. Forecasts predict dangerously cold weather all over the country. Wind chill makes it even more uncomfortable or even dangerous for our dogs and cats.

Outside animals, like feral cats or stray dogs, suffer greatly from hypothermia or frostbite. House pets used to warm indoor temps need extra help, too. It seemed like a good time to remind everyone about cold weather pet protection.

5 Blizzard Tips from the ASPCA to Save Your Pets Life!

In the past I’ve blogged about cold weather dangers for pets and the past weeks North Texas has enjoyed some sunny, warm days. But in other parts of the country–yet another blizzard threatens.

Bizzard tips for pets help you prepare and keep cats and dogs safe during the worst weather. Thank you to the ASPCA for sending this important and insightful infographic designed to keep your dogs and cats safe!

The Crazy Good Cat Food My Cats Gobble–Our CatCrazy Review

My Karma-Kat and Trinity-Kitty love food. They beg for people food, they snarf up kibble that Shadow-Pup drops, and they RACE to the food bowl any time we head that direction. You see, I feed my cats multiple times a day with a variety of food types (kibble, canned, fresh foods) to fit the way cats eat. So I reached out to CatCrazy to review their new food…and here’s what happened.

6 Easy Fresh Breath Tips & How to Brush Doggy & Kitty Teeth (Without Getting Bit!)

Do you brush dog teeth? How about brushing cat teeth? The AVMA sponsors National Pet Dental Health Month every February to help prevent pet dental problems.

According to the American Veterinary Dental Society, 80% of dogs and 70% of cats show signs of oral disease by age 3.

But it’s never too late (or too soon) to get your pets’ pearly whites checked out by your veterinarian. Often the doctor has some great tips for keeping cat teeth clean and dog breath at bay, including how to brush doggy teeth.

Does the thought of brushing dog teeth make you cringe, roll your eyes, whimper, slink away–and feel guilty? You’re not alone. But once that puppy-sweet breath morphs into curl-your-eyebrows stench, it’s long past the time to address that stink-icity.

Pet Grooming At Home: 8 Tips for At-Home Dog Grooming

Caring for and grooming your dog or cat grooming can be daunting. This is especially true if you have a Poodle that needs specialized grooming, a Persian that easily matts, or a pet who objects to hair care attention.

Every dog and cat has different grooming needs. Here are 8 tips to help you keep your fur-kids in top fur condition.

Here’s How To Bathe Cats

Bathe cats, are you INSANE?! Well…not really. Besides, I found that picture and just had to share. But just because the cat says, “No way!” doesn’t mean it’s not possible. And you don’t need a special kitten bath tub to properly groom cats. Here’s how to give a cat a bath….

Thoughty Thursday: Do-Over…Would You?

With the new year starting, and the kiddos heading back to school soon, that conjures up a mixed bag of memories. Have you ever reinvented yourself? Or staged a do-over? What does that “door” mean–a lost opportunity, or does it open into new possibilities? I’m revisiting an older post with some new thoughty-thoughts.

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Amy Shojai CACB is an award winning author.  You can find all her publications and book her to speak via her website. 

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Awards

CWA Muse Medallion Award

CWA Muse Medallion Award

Dog Writers Association of America Maxwell Award

Dog Writers Association of America Maxwell Award

Fear Free Certified

Fear Free Certified

CWA Muse Medallion Award

CWA Muse Medallion Award

Cat Writers Muse Medallion Awards

Cat Writers Muse Medallion Awards

Memberships