33 Comments
User's avatar
Lois Thomson Bowersock's avatar

Critters, this is Julie Rae from the Hounds and Cats of Hound Hollow. I'm a tuxedo... I'm afraid I'll get turned into an orange cat. Orange cats are very nice... it's just that I'm a tuxedo and I'm not orange. Please solve this one... the cats at Hound Hollow are counting on you. Our hound brothers, William and Travis the Pup, are going to take turns guarding us until this mystery gets solved. Emily wants JoJo and all the Critters to stay safe. Jasper, we are praying for you!

Expand full comment
Heidi Zawelevsky's avatar

Thank you, Julie Rae and all of the Hounds and Cats of Hound Hollow. The J Kitten, Sleuth & Purveyor of Bright Shiny Objects Detective Agency is at your service. We understand how being a Tuxedo would cause a certain level of concern after reading this chapter. We promise to get this issue solved once and for all!

Expand full comment
James Freitas's avatar

Excellent chapter, Heidi! As always: Bravo.

Expand full comment
Heidi Zawelevsky's avatar

Thank you so much, James! Much appreciated as always. Have a happy 4th of July weekend.

Expand full comment
Diana van Eyk's avatar

Liberation -- but will they become their normal colours again? And what about Jasper Kitten? I guess we'll find out next Tuesday...

Expand full comment
Heidi Zawelevsky's avatar

Thank you, Diana! You always ask such good questions! The action is really poised to jump.:)

Expand full comment
Diana van Eyk's avatar

I can't help to suspect a pun in there...

Expand full comment
Heidi Zawelevsky's avatar

It's a clue, my friend!

Expand full comment
Diana van Eyk's avatar

Aha!

Expand full comment
Kristin Swan's avatar

Heidi this was both shocking and super informative! Well done.

Expand full comment
Heidi Zawelevsky's avatar

Thank you, Kristin! Cats are known for being different.:)

Expand full comment
Kristin Swan's avatar

Oh I hadn’t noticed!! HAHA

Expand full comment
Heidi Zawelevsky's avatar

They ain't from around here as the saying goes...

Expand full comment
Trudi Nicola's avatar

Oh no! Poor Jasper! What’s happened?! 😟

Expand full comment
Heidi Zawelevsky's avatar

Thank you for the question, Trudi! Please, stay tuned for the next exciting episode from the laboratory!

Expand full comment
Trudi Nicola's avatar

I will! 🤗🌟

Expand full comment
Negar Kamali's avatar

Oh, Heidi, what a sciencey-themed case you've created! Can't wait to read the next Chapter😍😍

Expand full comment
Heidi Zawelevsky's avatar

Thank you, Negar! We'll find out in the next chapter how quick of a study Jasper Kitten is in the laboratory! Thank you for staying tuned.:)

Expand full comment
Negar Kamali's avatar

You're welcome, Heidi. Yes, let's find that out in the next chapter😉😍

Expand full comment
Mary B's avatar

An orderly purring pack of Rufuses - what a mental picture! Loved this, Heidi! I love how your Critters are at the ready to help another critter. P.S. Thanks for the orange cat genetic info, too. I've often wondered about calicos and solid orange stripe-y cats. I love them.

Expand full comment
Heidi Zawelevsky's avatar

Thank you, Mary! The Critters are at your service.:) Cat coat color genetics are quite unusual. So wonderful.

Expand full comment
Mary B's avatar

Majorly wonderful.

Expand full comment
Heidi Zawelevsky's avatar

Is the Orange kitty still hanging around the pool?

Expand full comment
Mary B's avatar

Hi, Heidi, no sitings today. I hope Orange kitty is safe and sound, especially with the torrential rains we had today. As I type this, the fireworks have started going off. I hope Orange kitty isn’t afraid of them!

Expand full comment
Heidi Zawelevsky's avatar

Thanks for the update, Mary. I suspect that Orange kitty has returned to their home and is safe and sound. I also hope that all is well with you in Austin as the rains sound really troublesome.

Expand full comment
Mary B's avatar

Hi, Heidi, I rode down to the amoeba pool where I last saw Orange Kitty, but didn't see him. The first time I saw him he was sleeping on the cool concrete under some steps of a building that's across the sidewalk from the pool. I hope he lives there! I'll keep you posted on any sitings.

Expand full comment
Heidi Zawelevsky's avatar

Thanks for the update on Orange Kitty! He very well could live in that building. I will stay tuned.:)

Expand full comment
Heidi Zawelevsky's avatar

Is the Orange kitty still hanging around the pool?

Expand full comment
Mary B's avatar

I'm not sure, as I don't go down there during the week. I'll ask Jim, as he rides his bike near the pool when he drops off our recycling. I hope it's safe and sound!

Expand full comment
Perry J. Greenbaum 🇨🇦 🦜's avatar

Arya and I loved the genetics lesson in this chapter. Now we know how rare it is to see an orange female feline.

Expand full comment
Heidi Zawelevsky's avatar

Thank you Perry & Arya! Orange cats really are special and their genetics help prove it. The specific gene and the associated mutation were only worked out over the past year, although the X-link has been known for a long time. Fascinating stuff.

Expand full comment
Neil Barker's avatar

A most interesting chapter, Heidi. I like the explanation of gene "Arhgap36" and how it is shown in cats. I found that intersesting and how the odds are quite rare for a female domestic cat to be orange as well. Thanks for sharing and looking forward to chapter 5.

Expand full comment
Heidi Zawelevsky's avatar

Thank you, Neil! Much appreciated! I’ve been fascinated by cat coat genetics since college biology class and it’s really interesting that only in the past year have they identified the actual gene and associated mutation. I’ve seen one male calico in my life. That means the kitty had an extra X chromosome. How cool is that!

Expand full comment