Please note that some posts contains affiliate links & I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links Find out More

Voting Open! Name That Hero Cat!

by | Sep 18, 2025 | Books, Cat Behavior & Care, Contest | 2 comments

Thanks for your patience. Soon I send next thriller TRICK OR TREAT #9 to my editor. As soon as I receive the new cover design, I’ll share that and set up pre-orders soon. Yes, the book again will be available as an Ebook, paperback, hardcover, large print, and (eventually) audiobook.

In the tradition of the previous books, I include HERO ANIMAL CHARACTERS in each story. These are chosen by my newsletter subscribers nominating possibilities, often sharing fun pictures, touching and uplifting stories, experiences, funny quirks and descriptions. Nominees are posted here in an open POLL for the world to see and VOTE for the winning hero pet. This book not only features the regular main characters like Shadow and Macy-cat but also includes three hero pets.

The three winners will have their pet name/character featured in the story as a hero, acknowledgements in the FACT-FICTION-ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS in the back and also receive a paw-tographed print copy of the published book. You can vote as often as you like–and campaign by sharing with all your friends to also vote so YOUR pick wins the coveted title of HERO PET

Vote For Your Hero Pet! DEADLINE SEPT. 28, 2025 AT 10 pm CST

HERO HORSE: Lia’s horse from her youth–as you remember, her grandparents raise horses. This hero horse helps defend Lia when she’s attacked and carries her to help when Lia’s injured. Any breed, any age, any description–but must still be fit enough for Lia (an adult) to ride. (Vote for hero horse here!)

HERO DOG: Any breed, any mix, any age (not a pup but could be adolescent). He was abandoned at Lia’s boarding kennel and temporarily stays with Lia’s grandparents. This dog also has many appearances, loves to dig out of the fenced back yard, and tries to protect Lia (and others) when attacked. (Vote for hero dog here!)

HERO CAT: Any breed or mix adult cat. An escape artist, able to open lever doors, likes hiding in knapsacks, climbing high levels. He or she belongs to Lia, and makes several appearances, including opening Shadow’s kennel door when September’s under attack–and also attacking/defending from the same bad guy at the end of the book. Vote for hero cat below!

Pictures of Hero Cat Nominees

I’ve included pictures that were shared, and placeholders for others.

VOTE FOR YOUR HERO CAT (BELOW) BY SEPT 28!

What’s TRICK OR TREAT About?

THE GHOSTS ARE REAL…

Past injustice haunts the present. To uproot the rot and banish the ghosts, a canine hero must protect his family before a killer destroys their future.

Exhausted from dealing with fallout from her birth father’s crime connections, September Day focuses on healing her soul. She relies on the support of chosen family, friends, and her service dog Shadow and cat Macy.

But when she agrees to track her friend Lia’s missing cat September also discovers a murder victim. And a traumatized child with secrets. Guarding her wellbeing, she keeps her distance and turns over the case to the police.

When the killer strikes again, and Lia named as a suspect, she’s terrified the deaths have something to do with her family’s vicious legacy. Determined to stop the killer from terrorizing more family and friends, September depends on Shadow to keep them all safe.

Can September and Shadow brave the burning truth before everything she loves turns to ash?

I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered? Do you have a new kitten and need answers? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter.

Stay up to date with the latest book giveaways and appearances related to my September Day pet-centric THRILLERS WITH BITE!  Amy Shojai, CABC is a certified cat & dog behavior consultant, a consultant to the pet industry, and the award-winning author of 35+ pet-centric books and Thrillers with Bite! Oh, and she loves bling!

2 Comments

  1. Ellen Laura

    Is there still time to submit a cat hero photo for the contest?

    Reply
    • Amy Shojai

      I’m so sorry but that deadline passed. Be sure to subscribe to the newsletter and you can nominate a candidate for the next book.

      Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Categories:

Recent Posts

National Adopt a Dog Month: Top 6 Popular Puppy Posts

It’s NATIONAL ADOPT A DOG MONTH! How will you spend your celebration? Wait, your dog didn’t tell you? Well, for Shadow, it’s “dog week” every week of the year, but the “official” celebration takes place the 4th week of September every year — and has been celebrated since the first event in 1928. But October celebrates dog adoptions all month long. Check out my most popular dog-centric blogs in this post.

BITE Prevention for Halloween: 9 Ways to Keep Fangs At Bay

Have you thought about dog bite Halloween safety? and I’m not talking about vampires, either. Many dogs enjoy the howl-idays. But dogs biting kids happens more often at this time of year than any other.

This is a timely subject so I try to revisit the information every year. I write about this every year because it’s so darned important. With Halloween in the offing, this is the perfect time to brush up on dog safety issues and protect your kids, too.

To give equal time, there are many kitty-centric Halloween myth-teries you’ll find fascinating, especially about black cats.

While nonstop doorbell rings and visitors showering attention may be doggy bliss for your pet, even friendly laid back pooches get their tails in a twist over the disruption to routine. That can be dangerous for the pet—and for the human. Learn more about dog bites and kid safety here…

Black Cat Appreciation Day & Halloween Black Cats

August 17 is Black Cat Appreciation Day to counter the Halloween black cat negative myths. Of course, those folks who share their lives (and pillows!) with a special black cat know better. Sadly, too many black cats remain in shelters rather than being adopted.

In fact, some evidence supports the notion that black cats (one of the first “mutations” of wild coat color), enhanced what I call the feline friendly factor. Black cats often seem to be much more agreeable and love spending time with their chosen human. Maybe that’s why so many of the so-called witches were associated with black kitties.

People have more difficulty picking cats because they assume all felines are the same. And because usually, cats pick us.

Halloween Pets Safety: Protect Pets from Halloween Goblins

Halloween pet safety is needed every year. Halloween at its best is a night of mystery, fun, and thrills for human children and many adults. It’s important to keep your human kiddoes safe with these tips, but no less important for the pets. I write about Halloween pets safety every year because it can be a nightmare for your furry kids.

Halloween Pet Costumes: How to Dress Dogs in Costumes

Do you enjoy dressing up the house—and yourself—for the holidays? If you want to include Halloween pet costumes, start now to get them used to the notion. Most of the costumes don’t fit Bravo-Dawg, and I’ve not yet tried Shadow-Pup. I’ll share pictures if/when that happens.

Meanwhile, be sure to keep pets safe over Halloween, though. Dogs and cats aren’t always fans of wearing Halloween costumes, but with these tips, you can help pets accept the notion.

Halloween Pet Costumes

Some pets enjoy dressing up, particularly the small dogs already used to wearing coats and sweaters in cool weather. There are many pet costumes available from pet products stores, from fancy to plain. If your outgoing, confident pet is willing, you can have great fun with costumes. But if your pets don’t care for dress up, don’t press it. Many pets may bite over Halloween out of fear of change.

Even reluctant pets may be persuaded to wear a fancy collar or bandana or painted toenails.

Celebrating Old Cats: What Is Old?

Every year, I write about our old cat needs. While Karma-Kat has just reached middle age, cats age at different rates. When do you consider your cat old? Is your old cat a senior kitty by age 8, or 13, or…when? For cats, what is old? Here’s how the experts define ‘old age’ in cats…

Visit Amy's Website

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

On Demand Writer Coaching

AmyShojai.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com http://amazon.com/.

Awards

Memberships