WORLD OF ANIMUSCALENDAR 2015

Words: Ken TempleArt: Anja Coppieters

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MEOWHAUSEN & FRIENDS CALENDAR 2015

MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE CHALLENGEDear Friends,

We asked all our characters how to make the world a better place and although their suggestions were as varied as a bowl of alphabet soup, the common denominator we deduced is that change starts with the one affecting it. To bring about positive change, each of us needs to be more creative, optimistic, happy and generally positive. Once we attain that, we can share this energy with others, begin a chain-change reaction and heal the world.

So here’s how to play the EARN YOUR LUCK GAME: the 18th of every month is a special day. If you carry out the positive action, suggested by our illustrious models, you earn luck/karma points awarded to you for the year 2016. If you miss any month, for whatever reason, you can perform an act of random kindness, helping a person outside of your usual circles on December 23 to make up for it.

There is much unhappiness, injustice and greed in the world. Most of this collective suffering is caused by selfishness. Let us join forces and do something proactive and positive about that!

We all know that Newton’s Third Law (in equilibrium, forces exist in equal, simultaneously-opposing pairs) does not apply to the Balance of the Universe. The Universe always rights itself in the end, but balance it knows not. Just desserts WILL be received for deeds of both good and evil, however, more often than not, the feedback is unjustly delayed and not at all immediate. Still, whatever you call the Light in your heart, be kind, generous with your love and use these attributes to illuminate the world! The worst thing that can happen is that you make the world a better place, but are not instantly rewarded. But think about that for a second: is making the world better not a reward in its own right? Besides, good things are worth waiting for, right?

Game rules:Follow the simple instructions without bias or prejudice and strive to be happy! :)Only you will know your exact score and for every person who plays, the best part is: EVERYBODY wins, as the world will become that little bit brighter!

Don’t just say “I am a good person!” BE that good person. So instead of trying to ‘get more than you’re giving’, as the Christmas carol goes: “Be good for Goodness’ sakes!” Go out there, open that heart and BE someone’s Miracle this coming year!

Wishing you a wonderful year!Baron Meowhausen & Friends

See the description of all the days on the next page of this calendar and GOOD LUCK with earning 100%!

MEOWHAUSEN & FRIENDS CALENDAR 2015

MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE CHALLENGESAVE UP LUCK POINTS EVERY 18TH OF THE MONTH

(OR, IF YOU FAIL OR MISS THE CHALLENGE, CATCH UP ON THE 27TH OF THE MONTH)

JANUARY FABIO’S LOOKIN’ FABULOUS CHALLENGEAdmire yourself in the mirror for at least a minute, give yourself three honest compliments, then treat yourself to something yummy. Get through the rest of the day, then week, then month, then year unabashed, without a single negative thought about your looks, weight, age, height, or any other ‘physical disadvantage’ or stigma society would like to saddle you with. Smile and really enjoy being you! Luck increased by 10 points.

FEBRUARY SWIFT GOBBS’ COOK SOMETHING YUMMY DAYMake one complete warm meal by yourself, without using prefabs and when done, gobble it up in less than a third of the time it took to prepare! Luck increased by 5 points.

MARCH MEOWHAUSEN’S GO OUT EXPLORING DAYGet out of the house. Go somewhere, where you’ve never been before in your cul-de-sac or beyond! Do something interesting, out of your routine for at least an hour. Luck increased by 10 points.

APRIL PUSSINI’S SHARE YOUR SMILE DAYOffer a friendly smile to the people you meet and see how many faces you manage to light up! The people that count are those you have nothing to gain from and who expect nothing from you in return (i.e. not employees or other dependents). Luck increased by 1 point with every genuine smile returned up to 10 points.

MAY SNORRO’S ARREST YOURSELF DAY AKA BULLY A BAD HABIT DAYHow can you self-righteously foil crime, if you are a perpetrator of horrible habits yourself?! As the Greek song goes “you’d better shape up, ‘cos I need a fan...” or something like that anyway! Scrutinise your poor behaviour very critically and kick a bad habit’s tail today! No nail-biting! When driving be sure to indicate before turning! Wash your paws! Oh, you already do?! Well, wash them some more!! Don’t cough without covering your snout! Don’t eat with an open yap! Don’t sniff folks in public, even when trying to solve a crime! Don’t eat, drink or sleep and drive! DO read more books! DO learn to play the ukulele! DO wear a cape, in public, with a giant, red letter “S” to show your support!!! Luck increased by 10 points.

JUNE JINX’ ENERGISE WEEKFind an exercise you enjoy doing and perform at least 10 repetitions of it every day before breakfast for one week not skipping a day. If you can go a week, perhaps you can go until the end of the year? Luck increased by 5 points.

JULY SILLYPUSS’ SILVER LINING DAYEveryone you meet, just like you, is struggling with some problem. Consider your problem and try to see it in a positive light. This may be hard or even painful, but do your best to forgive and let go, rather than breed pet hates about how unfair the world is. A positive attitude will help you find the best course of action in any situation! Luck increased by 10 points.

AUGUST M’PUMBU’S DOODLE DAYDraw something nice, as best as you can for someone you care about. Present your creation with a flower or cupcake. Luck increased by 5 points.

SEPTEMBER RAVEN’S FAMILY DAYIf at all possible, spend at least a couple of hours with your parents over board games, movies, or better still, just enjoying each other’s company. If you live far away, be sure to call or at least write a long letter. If your parents are no longer with us, say a prayer for them and look through a family album. Luck increased by 10 points.

OCTOBER MIRIBELLE’S PLANT A TREE DAYIdeally, Miri would like you to go out to the edge of a forest and literally, plant a tree of your choice. If you live in a city, however, she will send you luck if you to get a houseplant, sing your favourite song to it and look after the plant from then on. Luck increased by 5 points.

NOVEMBER PLEK’S DAY OF MIRACLESLook around you, find someone who needs help and help them in their struggle, however you can. BE the Miracle that person has prayed and searched for! Luck increased by 15 points.

DECEMBER ANGEL’S SAY A PRAYER DAYOn Animus, believing in The Light is the first step in a one-step programme to righteousness. Whatever you call the Light of Life inside your being, get in touch with it! Spend at least five minutes of your busy day on a little honest Heart-to-Soul. It will do you worlds of good! Luck increased by 5 points.

JANUARY 2015

THE FURRY PRINCE OF PURRSTRELIA: FABIO

PET CASTING COMPETITION 2014 MAY WINNER

Read his fabulous story in THE LIGHT OF LOVE, the second book in the series Tales of Animus

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He was not naughty by his nature.He avoided confrontation, most folks would wager.But his father was a headcase and a tax-dodging crook,A paranoid Duke, also known as Soondook.

Fabio possessed a fine artistic streak,That Soondook tried to stamp out, calling Fabio weak.Still, he couldn’t get his son to follow his lead—The boy was too kind and not at all driven by greed.

So between mandatory training and charades at the court,Fabio practiced his acting, whether his dad liked it or not.Suddenly, through the fog of self-absorption, broke Destiny’s rays,As the Light of Love guided the young prince to mend his selfish ways.

More than ever, Fabio longed for a life of peace, love and calm,He was happy and did not wish for anyone to come to harm. Still, the Duke poked and pushed to get what he desired,Until, eventually, he found the ‘incentive’ that his son required.

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*

* Every last Caturday (Saturday) of the month. Get cosy with a book and read something by an author you enjoy. Picture books and graphic novels don’t count as reading! :)

** A Bovinian custom, similar to a New Year’s Resolution, albeit much more solemn. Folks write down their flaws in incremental flagrancy. A reason for the flaw is given. A solution for each flaw is proposed. Then the list is eaten, regurgitated and eaten again. We recommend skipping the latter parts of the ritual!

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18Ash Wednesday

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“What doesn’t love you back, yet makes you happy?What lifts your mood, when you feel sad and crappy.Makes you wish for a second set of jaws,And extra fingers on your paws?

What do you hide when you have guests,In case to share you’d get requests? —*Gasp* The horror!

What sits and shivers in your paw?You guessed it!A fat mouse with a soft, chocolate core!”

Unlike his fancy swami cousin,Swift is not a complicated person.The inventor solves his problems with mouse power,And councils those who bring offerings that he can devour.

www.AnimusNews.com

FEBRUARY 2015

I WILL BE MY VALENTINE: SWIFT GOBBS

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Int’l Women’s Day

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St Patrick’s Day

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MARCH 2015

THE DINELORD: BARON MEOWHAUSENRead the start of his fantastic journey in THE FAT ADVENTURES OF BARON MEOWHAUSEN, FIRST COURSE: THE BAKING OF A CHEF, in the series Meowhausen the Cat

A master of gravity and time,Meowhausen was born to cook and dine.With an appetite deep as the sea,He takes his diet seriously.

He’s fought ice giants by a glacial stream,Over a tub of crunchy nut ice cream,And this one time, with naught but a garland of hissing snakes,He scaled a wizard’s tower to steal back his cupcakes.

A master chef and a gourmand,With more taste buds than on a beach lie grains of sand.His motto is: LIVE FAT, DON’T SIT HUNGRY AND CRYING!So between meals he is mostly chopping, baking or frying.

His many adventures are merry and truer than true,For ‘tis a deliciously long road, to the pinnacle of Tongue-Fu!

www.AnimusNews.com*Expand your culinary arsenal by learning a new recipe. Learn by doing!

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2 3Good Friday

4 5Easter Sunday

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Easter Monday

7 8 9 10 11 12Feaster*

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Pet a Kitty Day

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Earth Day

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APRIL2015

THE FAT SWAMI: PUSSINI

In a sanctum mystical and dark,Where incense burns and magic sparks,Mysterious creatures crawl every wall,And a fat swami glares into his crystal ball.

Sitting upon a twirling cloud, that barely keeps him buoyant,He peeks into the future, for he is clairvoyant.He has no time to watch his weight,For his eyes are fixed upon the dice of Fate.

Cats flock hither from far and wide,When on important matters they must decide.Princes, kings and government officials,Come thirsting for foreknowledge, rich and delicious.

But Pussini is not just some petty palmist—he is a great swami,He does not work for warm milk and slices of salami.But for a very hefty fee,He will tell you what he can see.

www.AnimusNews.com* When they arrived in Poozestan, the Earth cats brought this spring holiday with them, but just as many humans think that Easter is about chocolate eggs hidden by a rabbit, the meaning of the holiday got misconstrued, neglected and ultimately forgotten, until it became, primarily, an excuse for snack binge eating!

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World Tuna Day

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World Laughter Day

5Cinco de Mayo-maze*

6 7 8 9 10Mother’s Day

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Pentecost

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Truth-a-thon**

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MAY2015

WHISKERS IN THE WIND: SNORRO

www.AnimusNews.com

He looks like a cross between a broom and a mop,A well-meaning terrier, who’ll fight wrong-doers non-stop.Alas! His logic is also quite ‘close to the floor’—He finds many ‘clues’, but has no idea what for.

So, “fight” is perhaps an exaggeration,He mostly shuffles around and reiterates his frustration.He is very persistent and has much to say,Though more often than not, he just gets in the way.

Complaining is his super power,As he harangues everyone from his bone mill-tower.Grinding the offenders’ nerve endings into dust,He will yap from dawn ‘till dawn, if he feels he must!

Since crime is always afoot and never sleeps,His steely stare super-keen, our caped crusader keeps!Snorro-vision suspects everyone of dark secrets holding,And even if unproven (yet), no one is above a righteous scolding.

He uses his ukulele as a final resort,To sing at the ‘meanies’ about how they soon will be caught.Everyone will eventually confess,With enough relentless persistence, under barking duress!

Though sadly, his methods, inevitably, almost always backfire.Still, his zeal and persistence we’ve got to admire!

* Bow-Wowrian holiday, originating in the region of Chiwaw-Waw, involving a maze, mayonnaise and maize stalks. ** Start of the Tell-the-Truth Marathon: tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth for 72 hours. The smallest

white lie and you’re disqualified!

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Be Kind. Rewind!*

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Father’s Day

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Sing-wúa**

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JUNE2015

THE BLACK KNIGHT: JINX

Luck seemed to be at his beck and call,Next to him other cats looked lame and small.Tongues dripping caustic envy, went on spinning lies,Like psychotic arachnids that thirst for fat flies.

Some said that in the dark, he’d steal your luck…Others claimed he was Nosfercatu—an ancient Murrlock*…But Jinx did not argue or fight his accusers,Diminish his worth and thereby validate losers.

When tragedy struck and the whole town huddled in fear,Only Jinx had the courage to help volunteer!He showed his true colours in the heat of the moment,Using his luck and agility to silence every opponent.

*A Murrlock is a black magic practitioner—lit. a feline warlock.

www.AnimusNews.com*Week of Kindness: every day do something nice for someone, expecting nothing in return.* * Sing-wúa: Ratobian holiday when rodents intoxicated with ‘extremely mature’ Rocquefort cheese sing obnoxiously loud

songs and jump over bonfires, often roasting their fur in the process.

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Fireworks Day

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JULY2015

THE DESERT DREAMER: SILLYPUSS

Between Purrsia and Siam sprawls an enormous sand sea.It’s arid; it’s yellow and hot as can be.If you get lost in delirium here and wrung out by thirst,On your wish list of miracles, what would you put first?

An angel to feed you promises and sate your thirst with hope?That would not be my first choice. I don’t think so. Oh, nope!What you need is directions to get yourself ‘unlost’,A guide, who’s ‘been here before’, someone you can trust.

Stricken by thermic fever, you might think it’s just a mirage—No living cat has eyes quite that large!You might have a hard time believing,That something this sun-burnt still can be breathing!

And yet, facts point and scream at themselves—You are not seeing pink elephants or yodelling elves.Though his ideas may be ‘far-out’ and ‘trippy’,Travellers can all learn much from this scrawny, old hippie.

www.AnimusNews.com

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Day Dream Day*

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AUGUST2015

THE TRUE FRIEND: M’PUMBU

Imagine the fattest cat that you have ever met.Now, double. No, triple, M’Pumbu to get.Come closer than ten feet and you’d need a wide screen.You’d find no “off” switch or button, on this ‘eating machine’.

Anything that could be chewed, he attempted to NOM.Had M’Pumbu been king, he’d have ruled a kingdumb.But he was not always so feeble-minded.By an alien shrink ray his brain had been blinded.

Once upon a time, he had a promising career,And was making ‘fat stacks’, as the first feline chocolateer*.But he had flung himself into danger to save his best pal.Now he is constantly hungry and timid with a shaky morale.

* The ‘chocolate’ made on Animus is very different from what humans call chocolate. The chocolate of Earth is potentially poisonous to cats.

www.AnimusNews.com*Think of your Happy Place. Now dwell there for at least 5 minutes. If your thoughts are interrupted, start over.

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Head Tilt Day

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Everblessed Day*

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SEPTEMBER2015

THE CHAMPION OF FRISBEE: RAVEN GOOD

PET CASTING COMPETITION 2014 JUNE WINNER

Read her adventures in THE ROAD TO SELF-ENLIGHTENMENT, the first book in the series Tales of Animus

A champion at Frisbee and at Tennis Ball,Raven was a sporty doggie doll.But it was not for winning that she competed,Wasn’t spurred on by fears of being defeated.

She fought a battle deep within,And her struggle was alleviated by every win.The world stood still, as she leapt and scored,And for a few brief moments, her worries could be ignored.

Saliva flying everywhere…And the wind rushing through her hair…The crowd held its breath, then relief would explode,As in an ovation tsunami, its appreciation it showed.

But she could not hide forever from her destiny,And eventually was faced with that, which she did not wish to see.She ran away from home, setting off on a quest,That would put every fibre of her being to an arduous test.

www.AnimusNews.com* Bow-Wowrian National Holiday. Canine pilgrims gather at the foot of Mount Everblessed to celebrate the full moon. Those who are unable to make the pilgrimage await moon rise wherever they are and sing a song at the top of their lungs. Join in!

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Magic Day*

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Halloween

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OCTOBER2015

THE CRAFTING OF A WITCH: MIRIBELLE

PET CASTING COMPETITION 2014 WRITER’S CHOICE

Read her adventures in THE ROAD TO SELF-ENLIGHTENMENT, the first book in the series Tales of Animus

Miribelle was a castaway in a strange land,With ways she had refused to understand.Rather than off the pavement a sorry existence to scrape,She risked everything, so she could the city’s clutches escape.

She found sanctuary and for a while lived all alone,In an enchanted forest that quickly became her new home.She learned Nature’s secrets and old Wiccan ways,Taking to magic, like a flower seeks out the sun’s rays.

But trouble struck in Little Diner—a township nearby.Herbal knowledge and healing arts were in dire supply.From the Meowshevik Party arose a potbellied tyrant,Whose rule was rapacious, ruthless and violent.

The plight of the people upon her heart heavily weighed,So she embarked on a quest to seek out divine aid.With her full power unlocked, upon her return,Miri vowed to make every forest dweller’s fate her utmost concern.

www.AnimusNews.com* Find some magic in your life and learn a new magic trick.

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All Saints’ Day

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Napawleon Day*

24 25 26Thanksgiving

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NOVEMBER2015

THE CALICO GAMBIT: PLEK

Before she was born, Plek had volunteered,To hold back the tide of what all others feared.Of course, once born, she did not know,That into a Saint she was destined to grow.

For every blessing, there exists a curse.Such is the order of Balance in this Universe.For The Life Light to shine bright and true,The contrasting Shadow Fate must exist too.

Life does not care how cute you are,Or hear you wish upon a star.

Caprice and whimsy fade away,When you are hounded by hunger every day.

While other kittens emulated cuteness from cuddly creatures,Plek learned survival from hunger and cold—the harshest of teachers.Her life’s pleasures were less than none—No home, no food and her folks were gone.

Though she was young, Plek had the eyes,Of one who’s seen many hard lives.

www.AnimusNews.com* Napawleon Day marks the Victory in the Battle of the Golden Talons and is POOZESTAN’s National Holiday.

She fought with everything she had,But the ‘jaws of life’ bit down real hard.

With her faith worn thin, while hope burned low,Life flickered dim, beneath the falling snow.But then, just for her, the Angels did sing.They took the hurt kitty under their wings.

Though she had just a fraction of one life remaining,In Angelholm she could live forever, without time draining.No one who met her could have ever guessed,That this sad, orphaned kitty by The Light had been blessed.

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Thanks Receiving*

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DECEMBER2015

THE LIGHT-HEARTED CRUSADER:ANGEL

PET CASTING COMPETITION 2014 JULY WINNER

Read her story in THE LIGHT OF LOVE, the second book in the series Tales of Animus

www.AnimusNews.com

Angel was saved by a miracle of kindness,Then brought up under wise and patient guidance.She read a lot and then she taught,About the hazards of fire and what to do when you’re hot.

She found that what the world lacked most was hope—The ‘soothing salve’ that helps folks survive and cope.So after Thanks Receiving*, at every end of year,She found delight in spreading joy and cheer.

At first to her students and then to the townsfolk—Sharing optimism and vim that would lighten their yoke.With every good deed, Angel’s enlightenment grew,Until she had a divine vision and felt born anew.

She was determined to spread the glad tidings she’d received far and wide,Even beyond the Great Valley Gorge divide.

She’d heard that amphibians there lead a sad, swampy life,And said: “That will all change, as soon as I arrive!”

Thus, Angelcakes journeyed into Paddestan,On a righteous crusade with an optimistic plan.

* In Poozestan, friends and relatives treat the fattest cat they know to an all-he/she-can-eat-buffet, to thank them for their dedication and hard work. They cheer, as the treats are consumed to encourage their chubby friend on their unrelenting path to purrfection, thanking them for being such an inspiration to everyone around. Sumo wrestlers are typically in very high spirits around this time.

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2016

THE FURRY PRINCE OF PURRSTRELIA

Fabio starts out as a shallow, vain princeling, who has few interests outside of the looking glass. He is at odds with his father—not because his father is a despotic tyrant, but because he is trying to groom Fabio into a clone of himself. Fabio is interested in refined pursuits such as: arts, acting and fame—not the cruel, machismo-driven whims/obsessions of his father.

Then Fabio falls in love and his entire life changes, albeit, not in a way that meets with his father’s approval.

—Full story published in THE LIGHT OF LOVE, the second book in the series Tales of Animus, available on Amazon Kindle, Smashwords and in print on blurb.com

In a fishercats’ town, at the edge of a far-away desert,Lived a maniacal Duke who terrorised all the peasants.Fabio was this tyrant’s long-awaited, first son—The Duke had nineteen daughters, all of whom were married and gone.

Fabio had been groomed to be a Prince,Brought up on fresh chicken hearts and mince.His life had always been so ‘neat’—He had every toy he could want and all the food he could eat.

The only ‘cloud’ in his pristine, ‘blue sky’,Was his Papa, the Duke—not a kind sort of guy.Not quite the warrior that his father had wanted—Fabio adored his reflection, about which he frequently vaunted.

His cool, azure gaze, could light up a room,Making flustered young ladies sigh, stammer and swoon.He had the looks, he had the wealth,And did not care for anyone other than himself.

Then one day he dropped his looking glass,And his fortunes turned around quite fast.He fell in love and in doing so,Was forced in chivalry to grow.

***

THE LIGHTHEARTED CRUSADER

Having lost her parents at a very early age, Angelcakes grew up at the fire station, in awe of her heroic, adopted father, Jinx. She aspired to one day join the ranks of the Fire Tamers and make him proud. However, as fate would have it, Jinx sent her on a mission of mercy to the corrupt city of Red Dot. While Angel strove to educate and rehabilitate the people there, she had a vision of The Light and saw how the peoples of neighbouring Paddestan suffered, having lost all hope.

Angel embarks on a journey bring hope and love to the people of Paddestan. Alas! Her spontaneous optimism and goodwill land her in trouble, as she did not reckon on the insidious presence of the Fiendish Kabal. The Fiends prefer a business-as-usual status quo and do not take kindly to a cheerful stranger bringing the people a message of kindness and peace.

—Full story published in THE LIGHT OF LOVE, the second book in the series Tales of Animus, available on Amazon Kindle, Smashwords and in print on blurb.com

When she was but a kitten, a tragedy struck,That ripped asunder two lives, like an earthquake shatters rock.A fire had robbed Angelcakes and her brother,Of a beautiful home, a loving father and mother.

With a deafening roar, the inferno had burned,And the malevolent smoke, in an acrid cloud churned.Huddled up in a cupboard, the cubs awaited their fate.But they were sniffed out and rescued, before it was too late.

Though their bodies were saved from the terrible danger,By the grace and heroism of a mysterious stranger,The rest of them needed much longer to heal,And absorb the full impact of their awful ordeal.

After saving the kittens, Jinx saw that they were all alone.So he opened to them his heart and also his home.As his own cubs he raised them, as best as he could,And taught them that the purpose of life is to always do good.

His terror of flames, her brother could not rein in,So he became a fishercat and he learned how to swim.But Angel refused to hide or to run,And worked to conquer her fear from dusk until dawn.

She knew that flames held awesome power—They could bring light, or all devour.To join the Firecats she solemnly vowed,To honour her parents and do her new father proud.

Looking at her ardent, little snout Jinx had gently smiled:“I could not be any more proud of you, my child!If you wish to repay me, for the life which you’ve been given,Never pass by a stranger in need and we’ll call ourselves ‘even’.”

So to help those in need Angel always was eager,However big were their troubles—her heart was always bigger!Then she learned of a land boggy, savage and murky,Where the people were sad and had never had turkey.

She got on a ‘choo-choo’ to the Abunai Station,Where all signs said: “Turn back or you might face mutation!”But she was optimistic and never in doubt,That she could handle any pranks that the toads could dish out.

For her crusade, she had a noble reason—Spreading the spirit of the Holiday Season.So instead of extinguishing physical fire,She set off to kindle dark hearts, for her calling was higher.

Alas! Amphibians should have been the least of her worries,As she set paw, deep into Shadow Fiend territories.But her mind remained clear and her faith stood steadfast,And in her darkest of hours, she received The Light for which she’d asked.

***

THE ROAD TO SELF-ENLIGHTENMENT (RAVEN GOOD)

Hailing from a wealthy family, Raven was plagued by uncertainty. On the one paw—she had everything she could possibly want: the best recreation, education and a guaranteed cushy future and yet… something was amiss.

She found out that she possessed the power to feel the moods of others and even locate folks through their feelings. he reason why, since puppyhood, she could not shake the feeling that something was wrong, was because something WAS very wrong. Her uncle had corrupted her father’s once-noble clockwork toy factory and elevated himself, by trampling on the rights of others.

Having run out of options, but determined to make a change, she sets of on a defiant quest to Angelholm, to bring justice to her home town of Frisbee. She does just that, but not at all in the way that she had expected.

—Full story published in THE ROAD TO SELF-ENLIGHTENMENT, the first book in the series Tales of Animus, available on Amazon Kindle, Smashwords and in print on blurb.com

The daughter of a wealthy merchant,Raven had been born into a fortune.But ever since she was a pup,She felt a chilly vibe that plagued her non-stop.

At first, she had thought this feeling a curse,Alas! Ignoring it, only made the soul-chill much worse.And so she strove for understanding,Challenging stereotypes and her mind expanding.

Eventually, Raven realised,That her uncle was not at all the dog, whom she’d idolised.When she learned of his ill-begotten wealth,Her conscience wouldn’t let her be at peace with herself.

For no amount of shiny stones or gold,Could fill a hollow life, or drive out that cold.Though most of her fur was black as the night,Raven was a creature of The Light.

She found that when she focused hard,She could feel everyone, from Frisbee to Puppydad.And every time she helped someone,Her heart glowed warm, like the summer sun.

The words of a cat artisan, whom Raven saved,Had predicted her fortune and her future had paved.He told her a myth about the Angels of old,Who by the Power of Justice protected the World.

Thus, Raven embarked upon a perilous mission,To reach Angelholm and the Winged Ones petition.After an arduous journey, she came to her quest’s end,Having along the way acquired a like-minded friend.

A problem is halved, when with a friend it is shared,And the power of two equals confidence squared!But the ‘end’, as it turned out was only the start,As the work never ends for those with a kind and pure heart.

***

THE ROAD TO SELF-ENLIGHTENMENT (MIRIBELLE)

Torn away from her family by a cruel quirk of fate, Miribelle was forced to become independent at an early age. Rather than fight for survival in the suffocating clutches of her new environment—living on humiliating hand-outs and trash—Miri led the town and found sanctuary in a nearby forest. Here she was rescued by a wood nymph, who became her guardian and teacher.

Upon the completion of her studies, Miribelle returns to the town of Little Diner to practice her healing arts. She finds the town languishing in the clutches of a rapacious tyrant, who is bent on stopping herbs and spices from reaching the people. She does everything in her power to stem the low of malnourished refugees, but things continue to escalate and eventually, spiral beyond her control, as the tyrant sentences folks to hard labour in the hazardous Tofu Mines. Miri realises that she will need more than a few potions and salves to deal with this ‘carbuncle’ and embarks on a perilous journey to petition Angelholm for help.

—Full story published in THE ROAD TO SELF-ENLIGHTENMENT, the first book in the series Tales of Animus, available on Amazon Kindle, Smashwords and in print on blurb.com

On the outskirts of a tiny village, stands a derelict farm.It makes up in rustic sturdiness, what it yields in its charm.In this humble setting Miribelle had been born,But alas! Her fragile kittenhood, asunder was torn.

As the runt of the litter, she had been rather small,But her size had no say in her charisma at all.A little firecracker of boundless vim,Filled with optimism to the brim.

One day she fell asleep, while playing in a cosy hay stack,And the caravan, carrying it, left the village, without looking back.The merchants had not noticed the small stowaway,And she awoke in a strange town, nothing more than a stray.

Through her unfortunate fortune’s slippery twist,Miribelle was severed from her family, which she now sorely missed.The throng of the city she just could not abide,She cast about for a sanctuary—a safe place she could hide.

With people shoving each other, indifferent and rude,She ran off to seek refuge in a nearby wood.At last, among the silent, ancient trees,She found a tranquil, inner peace.

But she did not always have enough to eat,So she sometimes made do with mushrooms, in place of meat.

One day she ate shrooms that were not meant for eating,And was saved by a dryad—a serendipitous meeting!

The enchantress taught Miri The Craft, raising her as her own,And became the only real mentor whom the young she-cat had known.Miri displayed a natural aptitude for healing,Her instincts were sharp and her mind supple and willing.

Alchemical formulae and ancient Reiki runes,Were passed down to Miri over the course of many pale moons.She learned botanical secrets and every herbological spell,Mastered artefacts, such as the Boom Broom and the Dispelling Bell.

With her training complete, she became more outgoing.Crowds still made her uneasy, but now her anxiety was no longer showing.She began to venture into town,To help others with the new powers that she’d found.

But then ascended a tyrant who ruled by the claw,He forced the people into the Tofu Mines and passed his greed into law.He put a ban on all medicine, herbs and on spice,The people were fed a steady diet of propaganda and lies.

Unable to keep up with the flood of damage, wrought by his ruthless campaign—However many people she healed, still far more were in pain,She embarked on a quest, to seek help from on high.She knew the way to Angelholm would be hard, but she just had to try.

***

THE FAT ADVENTURES OF BARON MEOWHAUSEN

Claiming to have had a unique peek into the feline psyche, the narrator seeks to explain the wilful laziness and other mysterious customs and habits of cats: a long time ago, Baron von Meowhausen came to visit the cats of Earth from the realm of Animus to teach the Earthlings the importance of abundant eating and energy conservation. He had been to the future of Earth’s felines and came to warn his malnourished, hyperactive brothers and sisters that if they do not revert to lazy, feline ways, their race will be dominated and ruled by rodents centuries ahead. To illustrate and educate, Meowhausen recounts some of his adventures, while stuffing his face with every comestible item on hand.

—Full story published in THE FAT ADVENTURES OF BARON MEOWHAUSEN, the first ‘course’, The Baking of a Chef , in the series Meowhausen The Cat, available on Amazon Kindle, Smashwords and in print on blurb.com

Somewhere, deep in Time, sails a Feline Dine Lord,Who has, at some point, every good kitchen explored.Though he may not cast magic, or conjure up spells,He certainly IS super-feline in refined food tastes and smells.

For months he had travelled without any rest,Exploring far-away towns, with adventure obsessed.Excitement he found and opponents galore,But the sun and the wind made his fuzzy head sore.

He hated time ‘wasted’ on monotonous travel,And having soft paws chipped by nasty, sharp gravel,So he designed and constructed the Lardis Sand Box,That, by the Power of Bacon, could take over clocks.

He could go anywhen and anywhere,By just scratching sand from here to there.A conveyance of luxury and style,Preserving his broad rump and large, smug smile.

He did not learn his craft by idly talking,And would not waste his precious fat on walking.Leaving plenty more time for scrumptious meals,Without enduring any more tedious ordeals.

He gained special powers from a cake that he ate,So when needed, he could multiply his significant weight.And villains throughout time, his weight did feel—Don’t get between a fat cat and his chosen meal!

He travelled through Poozestan and the lands far beyond,In search of recipes and spices, because of great food he was fond.He met Tongue-Fu masters. He learned and he taught.He observed history in the making and he untangled its knots.

***

UPCOMING BOOKS:

The Fat Adventures of Baron MeowhausenSecond Course: Impossible-ish Quests ContinuePlanned release date: March 2015

Meowhausen returns to Earth to tell the alley cats about their ‘future history’s’ improvement and more about his travels through the history-tendrils of Animus. Many unforgettable cat customs are imparted through Meowhausen’s unbelievable narrative, as well as lessons, such as: ‘how to hairball right’ are taught unapologetically to his captive audience.

Tales of Animus, Book 3: Fanciful FablesPlanned release date: May 2015

Meowhausen’s Waggish MusingsAn Omnibus of Short, Fat TalesPlanned release date: July 2015

This book will mostly comprise anecdotal episodes and highlights from Meowhausen’s multifarious adventures. Most stories here will be bite-sized scenes, thoughts and experiences—ranging in length from a single stanza to a couple of pages, at most.

All books are available on Amazon Kindle, Smashwords and in print on blurb.com

For up-to-date information, follow Meowhausen and friends on Facebook: fb.com/AnimusNews

JANUARY FABIO

APRIL PUSSINI

JULY SILLYPUSS

OCTOBER MIRIBELLE

FEBRUARY SWIFT GOBBS

MAY SNORRO

AUGUST M’PUMBU

NOVEMBER PLEK

MARCH MEOWHAUSEN

JUNE JINX

SEPTEMBER RAVEN GOOD

DECEMBER ANGELCAKES