Best Supporting Cat

A few years ago when I wrote The Great Montana Cowboy Auction, I borrowed Kate Walker's cat, Sidney. He is A Cat Of Many Talents and he wanted a supporting role in my book.

Actually he wanted a starring role, but I couldn't convince my editor he'd be able to sweep the heroine off her feet. He said he could knock her off her feet with no trouble at all. I'm sure he could, but that wasn't what she had in mind. So I had to explain the difference to him.

He did a terrific job. He even got fan mail. And so he got another small part in The Cowboy's Pursuit which was about Polly's sister, Celie. I expected that would be the end of it.

I was wrong.

This afternoon he turned up again in Sara's kitchen. He is obviously a peripatetic cat. He's now lived in three different houses in Elmer, Montana -- and before he's finished he may find other abodes. He may even move to Ireland by the end of the book. I will be suggesting to Sara that she check the luggage. There is no telling what he may do next.

That's one of the good things about having animals in books. They tend to be cooperative (most of the time) and they always have good ideas. They occasionally steal scenes, but they also provide the humans someone to talk to so they don't wander around the kitchen delivering soliloquies. Sid has saved several humans from "to be or not to be" moments.

He doesn't only act in books. He also poses for photographs. He's got his own calendar going over on Kate's site. You can see him there with his chocolate easter egg for April. He was entertaining a leprechaun in March. I can hardly wait to see what he'll be getting up to in May. He's a cat of many talents.

So thank you, Sid, for all your help. You're a pleasure to write about (and to write to). And no, you don't get any royalties.