A Sweet Favorite for Summer

By Cal Orey

Welcome to Crème Brulee, a rich custard with a crunchy, burnt sugar topping. This decadent dessert has roots that go back centuries to European cuisine. Back in the 1980s, this custard was in demand at French restaurants. And several years ago, this decadent French dessert was a simply pipe dream in my kitchen.  But things change.
During late spring one of my fun-loving neighbors invited me and my dog over for a bar-b-que dinner. I brought a store-bought custard pie, the kind in the frozen food aisle and you bake.  I didn’t have the chef confidence to create an eye-opening Crème Brulee. While, slices of pie topped with whipped cream were doable, and the dogs whooped from non-stop play, I mumbled, “I should have tried to make the homemade custard and boldly torch the top.” And I was teased for being afraid to attempt the real deal as I put the feat in a must-do mental file for another time.

This week, however, things are different. When I drove by my neighbor’s home it was sold, as the dog-less unfamiliar occupant shared the news. And while left with many good-time, pleasurable outdoor cook-out memories, from roasted marshmallows to s’mores, I’ve grown to accept novelty on the South Shore. So, it made sense to go out of my comfort zone and master the art of baking the French custard from scratch and boldly firing up the top for old time’s sake.

Like a custard, a recipe calls for simple ingredients but the best are recommended. Cream, sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract are must-haves. Other ingredients, from citrus like lemon or orange rind to spices such as cinnamon or nutmeg, can make it even more special and flavorful. The custard is best put into round or oval shaped ramekins. To make the sugar topping, you can use a broiler or butane torch. (Being a bit skittish, I took the safest method.)

Crème Brulee and Berries

2 cups organic half-and-half (premium brand)

½ cup organic low-fat milk

1/3 cup granulated white sugar

4 organic brown eggs, yolks only

1 capful pure vanilla extract

2 teaspoons lemon or orange rind

Nutmeg to taste (optional)

¼ cup light brown sugar, ground fine (a bit more if preferred)

1 cup each fresh strawberries and blueberries, sliced

Confectioners’ sugar (optional) for dusting

In a pan heat milk on medium heat but do not bring to a boil. Set aside. In a bowl mix white sugar and egg yolks. Pour in milk, slowly until mixed well. Add vanilla, and rind. Pour into 4-ounce ramekins. Sprinkle each with nutmeg. In a pan of cold water place ramekins. Bake at 350 degrees for about 1 hour or until firm (use a knife to test and when the custard comes out clean and doesn’t jiggle it is done). Remove ramekins from oven and cool. Place in refrigerator for a few hours. When ready to serve take out of fridge, sprinkle tops with brown sugar. Place in shallow pan with cold water, put under broiler (watch carefully and make sure your ramekins are broiler-safe). In about a minute or two the sugar will be caramelized. Remove, dust with confectioners’ sugar. Add berries. Serves 4. *If you a higher custard, use larger ramekins and make 2.

This magical custard is rich and creamy and so good. The sugary top with a light crispy crunch is an added treat. It’s fun and sophisticated. Fresh red strawberries and blueberries with are perfect colors for Memorial Weekend or Fourth of July. Not only does this custard look festive it’s a dessert to love for breakfast, brunch, afternoon tea, or after dinner. Served with iced tea or hot tea it promises to provide new entertaining food memories to treasure and you’ll feel baking strong!

-- Cal Orey, M.A. Is an author and journalist. Her books include the Healing Powers Series (Vinegar, Olive Oil, Chocolate, Honey, Coffee, Tea, and Superfoods) published by Kensington. (The collection has been featured by the Good Cook Book Club.) Her website is http://www.calorey.com.

Summertime Feng Shui for Good Vibes

  By Cal Orey, The Writing Gourmet

“In the childhood memories of every good cook, there's a large kitchen, a warm stove, a simmering pot and a mom.” -- Barbara Costikyan

So, here I am fantasizing about a booked trip to Alaska in autumn and enjoying parts of summer. Living at Tahoe has its perks but this season comes with challenges. Yosemite is burning again. And again. This time it's bigger and badder... Evacuations are happening again. The air quality is not holding its own here. I woke up a 6 a.m. to let the dog outdoors and the sky was like fog in Monterey but we're at Tahoe. I knew it meant wildfire -- and I was right.

     Booked a room in Los Gatos but held back. Maybe just maybe with a bit of luck it will be contained sooner than later. It's estimated by July 30 but so far zero percent. UPDATE: 10 percent contained 7-25; air quality about 100 (unhealthy for sensitives, like me). I suppose a go bag is in order but I continue to complete another book based in the South -- where the state sits on the New Madrid fault, has hot and humid summers, and tornadoes. 

Wherever you are there are challenges...I was taught that rude awakening fact when I was a teenager. It's true. So, using a bit of practical magic my help a bit.

Into the home and it's time for some feng shui...

The kitchen is oh-so much cleaner thanks to the mega cleanup and feng shui moves I've been making. Simply put, feng shui is the ancient Chinese art of placement. Its goal is to bring you harmony. By putting stuff in the right spots in your kitchen (and outside of it for a different oasis for your mood in the morning, afternoon, night) may enhance the flow of positive energy and zap negative vibrations. The end result: good health, happiness, and fortune. 

Read on--you, too, can enjoy a well-balanced kitchen that feels good from head to toe like I recall enjoying as a little girl...

1. Use Eco-friendly Vinegar and Olive Oil Cleaners. For starters, turn on your fave tunes and use the headphone. Brew a cup of iced tea or piece of quality chocolate (70% cacao) and it will boost your energy and mood...Then, it's time to clean your kitchen from top to bottom with natural stuff. You'll be doing you, yours, and Mother Nature a favor. Using nontoxic vinegar can help you to: lose the ants; clean stainless steel, get rid of dust, and keep fresh flowers longer. By keeping it green it will provide you with better health and energy. Tons of good for you cleaning tips for indoors-outdoors can be found in my books--especially the Healing Powers series. Don't forget to freshen up your dried spices. Out with the old and in with the new for more flavor and aroma.

2. Declutter Your Stuff. Ditto. Getting rid of things you don't use will up your energy. It's true. You feel lighter with less kitchen baggage, starting fresh is liberating. I cleaned out both the fridge and freezer. Add a fresh box of baking soda to soak up odors. Then, I tackled the pantry and tossed out olive oil, pasta, rice, soup, gourmet spices (yep, I sadly discovered they don't last forever) and anything else that expired...What's the saying: Out with the old and in with the new.

3. Clean the Stovetop and Oven. This was a chore but it feels right to have the stovetop shine. (My Stepford Wife colors are starting to show.) The inside of the oven is sparkling, too. Writing Gourmet Tip: If you must use toxic oven cleaner, go over it with the natural stuff. Trust me, this is a feel-good must-do before warming up to those cooler days 'n' nights of unforgettable autumn baking and cooking (breads, muffins, casseroles, etc.). Add cookbooks--the Healing Powers Series--9 books will just about do it!

4. Brighten Up with Lighting. During the colder days without sun you'll want to have sunny-type lighting which can up your energy and mood--linked to good health. Go for full spectrum light bulbs. No summer blues or other pesky problems. Speaking of lightening up...

5. Boost Your Mood with Plants. To help wipe out pollutants in your kitchen, fill your space with hardy, happy plants. Your best bet during the fall: philodendrons. They do well in the Sierras unlike Boston Ferns (which I love). Ah, and fresh herbs for summertime light, flavorful cooking is a must! In the window sills, please.

6. Bring on the Water. Fish aquariums provide positive energy in the dining room, especially with a gentle filter Ever notice Asian restaurants and the calming ambiance of fish?

7. Fish, Fish, Fish. Today, I read that goldfish can bring you good luck and prosperity. In fact, nine is the lucky number. The colors? Gold and one black one. (Go smaller rather than bigger in size = less cleaning.) My kitchen/dining room/study all are connected. So, the fish aquarium is a pleasant, calming treat for all three rooms. (Goldfish, betta, mollies, snails, frog, catfish--all small and all happy.)

8. Bring Out the Fresh Fruit. I've got several plump healthful seasonal fruits on display and ready to eat or use in recipes, such as apples, grapefruits, lemons, oranges, peaches, and plums placed in a bowl or two. Fresh artichokes to tomatoes adds a nice touch. According to feng shui wizards a full bowl may lead to a full life. Translation: Display pretty bowls with plenty of pretty fruit. Empty bowls with just a few pieces of not so nice fruit not so good. And oranges? Nine is the lucky number I've read...Put 'em in a wooden bowl and on the kitchen or dining room table. (Note: If they're pricey, purchase the ones in a bag. Save the separate, sweet and juicy ones for eating.)

9. Conceal Knives and Scissors. My father gave me a black and white marble knife block, cutting board, and rolling pin. I love it. But the knives are out of sight. Bad vibes, say feng shui folks. 

10. Hanging Pots and Pans. Today, my cooking stuff is hanging on the wall in an arrangement. But I'm thinking about getting one of those artsy-looking overhead pots and pans hanger. If so, I will not, nor should you hang it over your workspace. Not good energy, or so they feng shui gurus claim. Personal Note: Add a cat and rustic table to get that Hemingway vibe going.

11. Hide the Gadgets. Too many kitchen items can clutter up all that positive decluttering

you did. So, choose your favorites and recycle as you use 'em. Or, you can always get a Kitchen Island. I'm thinking a rustic, wooden Mediterranean type. It would be modest, wooden, but eye-catching, and a great place to stack some kitchen gadgets, and a workspace.

12. Hang Wind Chimes with Crystals. I brought one of mine in from the deck--and put it above the kitchen windows. The one I chose is of a sun with a face. It makes me smile every time I look at Mr. Sunshine. Feng shui  enthusiasts recommend hanging chimes in the doorway to the kitchen or over the stove sings good energy.

Soulmates with Paws--Nature's Healers

 Soulmates with Paws

Title: Soulmates with Paws: A Collection of Tales & Tails
Author: Cal Orey
Publisher:  AuthorHouse
ISBN: 978-1-6655-7857-8
Pages: 238
Genre: Non-Fiction / Fiction / Pets
Reviewed by: Ephantus M.
 

Soulmates with Paws: A Collection of Tales & Tails offers a touching view of the human-animal relationship, as revealed through the bright lens of Cal Orey, an author whose love for pets flows naturally from the soul, and whose knowledge of pet nutrition, training, and wellness stands commendable from the first to the last page.

Reading through the chapters does confirm that animals indeed need humans and vice versa. One is drawn to her personal encounters with a widow who would have varying conversations with her dog, a hilarious and incredible act that lights up one’s face in amusement. This is especially notable in the level of shrewdness employed by both the author and the widow in an effort to keep their animal companions on the premises, which was against pet rules and regulations.

Orey’s story tenders a range of questions with the sole objective of helping readers recognize their temperaments and character, a vital exercise that will enable them to figure out which pet fits them best. I found it fascinating that the choice of animal one keeps, tells a lot about them, for example, according to Orey, a person who keeps a charming and sassy Chihuahua has a different personality from one keeping a tough-looking bulldog. In addition to this, it’s admirable to see Orey demystify the pet language, from a dog’s howl, its whines, to a cat’s meow and yowl.

The author has infused some of Dr. Stanley’s findings from the book “The Intelligence of Dogs” which has inspired lots of animal lovers and is a clever addition to the topic therein. Reprints from magazine articles and original essays bring out some amazing adventures of people with their pets.  

“Touched by an Angel” shows a paranormal connection with a deceased cat, and how it kept a watchful eye over the owner.  “Homeward Bound” brings to light the amazing survival stories of pets who withstood the tragic fires in the Berkeley Hills, in many cases being lost for a week or more, and the unselfish and over-the-top care the veterinarians and animal shelter volunteers conducted to find the pet’s owners and make sure the cats and dogs received the proper medical attention.  One miracle story involved an elderly lady, bedridden, who survived a cold night without heat; being kept warm by seven cats and a dog laying over her blankets providing additional body-heat.

The invaluable rapport she’s had with her cuddling animals is a wonder that will positively impact readers into adopting some pets, so as to likewise savor the untapped grace, inner peace, harmony, and satisfaction this bond offers.

 Buy on Amazon

Paranormal Miracle Tales from Soulmates with Paws (Best Published Essays)

 By Cal Orey

Is telepathy possible with a dog or cat? Yes! Supernatural powers with 

our soulmates with paws does happen! The stronger the human-animal bond, the more likely the connection!

No, I do not use incense, hold a crystal ball or provide spells. I’m often in the company of two sensitive dogs and one black cat (they relax me), and listening to alternative music when the phone rings. I am connected to a caller who is often sad, upset or confused. And, yes, this job can be stressful as well as rewarding. Think healer–not fraud.
Once I hear a voice, it sets the stage. Often I can pick up if the call is from the West Coast, South, Northeast, Canada, Trinidad, New Zealand, the UK, or Australia. And it’s not always the accents. It’s my animal-like intuition that kicks in from the get go. But there’s more …

Hello, Mother Nature
I use the planets as a baseline, lunar cycles (emotions and calls soar during the New and Full Moon), and a tarot card to get an objective read, which often coincides with what I’ve picked up with my gut instinct. As a super-sensitive woman, I can predict callers’ questions by tuning into their voice, energy and words.
I can also pick up why I’m being contacted, the age of a person, their sun sign (but sometimes I do ask; usually they end up being on the cusp of two signs). If I’m challenged by a skeptical caller, it can end up in a murky reading or a hang-up. It used to hurt my feelings, but nowadays, I sip chamomile tea until the next ring.
I can sense if the caller is sincere — and then it’s show time. Sometimes, the paranormal activity kind of cues I get send chills through my body–like an orgasm which is kind of creepy but it’s making a psychic connection, the real deal. The caller feels it, too. That means that I tapped into their psyche and we connected, big-time.

I Can Feel Your Vibrations
Both my callers and I are often surprised that I know things, such as if he or she has a toothache or heartache. The most common problem I am faced with is unrequited love (one-sided romance) — and it hurts. How do you say, “He or she isn’t that much into you?” and/or “Move on for true happiness” — especially when the caller has her ego wounded, fears being alone or is anxious about the unknown.
I do offer positive advice and words of preparedness for upcoming events (even if a caller can’t see what I’m talking about yet). I tell it like it is because saying good things doesn’t always bring good or accurate results. It’s like saying, “A quake won’t hit” when I’m looking at the USGS map, watching an aggressive swarm on an active fault, and the caller is located at the epicenter of a country in the Pacific Ring of Fire.

Fire, Earth, Water and Air Signs
Speaking of Earth elements, how do I know if a caller is a Fire, Earth, Water or Air sign? A fire sign is direct and intense, and if the topic is touchy, I can feel their heated emotions (my clavicle often aches). Earth signs are reserved, a bit shy and need a nudge to be real. I can pick up the vibe of passionate water signs’ feelings and understand they want me to confirm what they know. And air signs are analytical, good communicators and have a sixth sense, but are hesitant to tune into their gut instincts.
Two days ago, a woman asked me if her sibling would survive a challenging surgical procedure. I strongly sensed “yes.” Tonight, I got the answer. I was spot on. I signed on to take another call. I’m sensing the phone will ring within 15 minutes.
Oh, and if you’re wondering why, if I’m so psychic, I didn’t know when my book check was in the mail, the reason is this: Sometimes it can be tricky to get an accurate read on your own life. Psychic advisers frequently turn to their colleagues (or tarot cards) for an objective outlook, the way I look to the moon and planets to tell me what other people have in store.
There goes the phone, right on time. So, if you’ll excuse me, I think I’ll take that call.

 Five Signs Your Read is a Fake

*The psychic tells you that you have toxic energy around your being. It’s time. Pay more money for minutes so he/she can remove the evil spirits. 
*Your reader does a Tarot Card spread and six out of six cards are negative. Read: Tower Card, Devil Card—the scary ones that’ll spook you. The odds are, no way will all cards indicate something bad.
*The psychic yells at you when you tell her/him that what they’re saying is totally off. For instance, if you have a dog and the reader insists you do not. Proceed with caution. (Caveat: It could be a past pet on the other side. Or not.)
*Worse, the person who has “connected” to you gives you the word that something very, very bad is going to happen to you in the near future. They predict a longer reading is needed. Note: Hang up ASAP!
*Your psychic doesn’t resonate with you. At all. Her/his read is so far-fetched that your read is they are fake. And the odds are your reader is on the phone to take your cash, not give you a spot-on read. (Refer to number 4.) 

Cal Orey is an author-intuitive. She has been a reader for two psychic networks and has wowed callers with real details! Also, the intuitive is a frequent News Segment guest on Coast to Coast AM. Listeners tune into her quake changes predictions—and often the Earth moves on cue.

Spice It Up for Summer Days and Nights

    By Cal Orey

UPDATE: Newsmax is offering The Healing Powers of Herbs and Spices as a GIFT BOOK. And it will debut in the July issue of Newsmax Magazine! Yes! It is in the issue...

Plus, The Healing Powers of Herbs & #Spices: Timeless Treasures is on sale at BarnesandNoble website -- 2.99 for the first time!...Summer Special!

This gem made its way through the news. On April 7, an article interviewing the author Cal Orey hit Huffington Post...and the piece was picked up by New York Daily, NY Daily Post, City Buzz, and even more online mags and newspapers! 

The new and timely release (yes, McCormick recently shared its Old Bay Seasoning is "hot"). People are still home-cooking more than ever! The reader-friendly book is now in more than 87 libraries worldwide (multiple copies, checked out); Woman's World Book Club approved Feb. 1 issue; reviewed by Booklist; 100% like it on Goodreads; major media outlet is on board carrying copies; Walmart gave it a Best Seller banner for 2 weeks; Best Seller in top 100 health books on Amazon this month; featured in magazines/newspapers...and the year is young. #9 (Series) The book that'll whisk you away!

Product Image

Best Seller

Product TitleThe Healing Powers of Herbs and Spices (Walmart website)

• • Cal Orey

• ISBN10: 0806540486

• ISBN: 9780806540481

• Format:Paperback

• 
  The mega-popular Healing Powers series from bestselling nutrition writer Cal Orey continues with its 9th installment, The Healing Powers of Herbs and Spices, exploring the many ways fresh herbs in your fridge and dried spices in your kitchen cupboard can provide medicinal powers, home cures, weight loss benefits, beauty treatments, and adventurous flavors and textures to enhance plant-based dishes. 

  
  

  And during the pandemic there is a spice surge because of the home-cooking comeback!

  

  The key to vibrant health for all generations is in your kitchen...
  

  Anise, bay leaf, garlic, parsley, turmeric, and more (I use a lot of the McCormick classic brand) --for thousands of years, herbs and spices have been praised for preserving and flavoring food, as well as preventing and curing illnesses. The latest research reveals that the seasonings already in your pantry--or easily found fresh in your supermarket or garden--can lower your risk for cancer, heart disease, and obesity. This A-to-Z guide catalogues the most popular and versatile herbs and spices, drawn from the Mediterranean Diet but suitable for any diet plan. You will learn how to harness herbalism to heal your body and mind.
  
  

  Discover how to use nature's gifts including allspice, chives, fennel, oregano, pepper, tarragon, saffron, and special blends like Herbes de Provence to:
  
  ●Bring abundant zest to your table while lowering your cholesterol, balancing your blood sugar, and revving up your metabolism--at any age!
  ●Ward off colds and flu, banish a hacking cough, and even ease PMS or menopause woes, by adding tasty plant therapy to your favorite food or drink.
  ●Lessen your anxiety and boost your mood with aromatic natural ingredients found in dried and fresh flavorings.
  ●Soothe aches and pains without harmful side effects--and trigger feel-good endorphins--using sweet and savory garnishes, including edible flowers.
  ●Create in-home spa treatments using the same herbal potions featured at luxury spa resorts.
  Caraway Breadsticks, anyone? How about Cilantro Lime Slaw, Herbal Greek Bean Soup, or Roasted Paprika Cornish Hens? With over 50 taste-tempting recipes, along with personal stories and fascinating historical anecdotes on medicinal uses dating back to biblical times, The Healing Powers of Herbs and Spices is your go-to guide to embracing limitless energy and healthy longevity while feasting on memorable meals full of aroma and deliciousness!

Soulmates with Paws Ranks 65 Bestseller in Pet Essays

 Hollywood Book Reviews

Soulmates with Paws

Title: Soulmates with Paws: A Collection of Tales & Tails
Author: Cal Orey
Publisher:  AuthorHouse
ISBN: 978-1-6655-7857-8
Pages: 238
Genre: Non-Fiction / Fiction / Pets
Reviewed by: Ephantus M.
 

Soulmates with Paws: A Collection of Tales & Tails offers a touching view of the human-animal relationship, as revealed through the bright lens of Cal Orey, an author whose love for pets flows naturally from the soul, and whose knowledge of pet nutrition, training, and wellness stands commendable from the first to the last page.

Reading through the chapters does confirm that animals indeed need humans and vice versa. One is drawn to her personal encounters with a widow who would have varying conversations with her dog, a hilarious and incredible act that lights up one’s face in amusement. This is especially notable in the level of shrewdness employed by both the author and the widow in an effort to keep their animal companions on the premises, which was against pet rules and regulations.

Orey’s story tenders a range of questions with the sole objective of helping readers recognize their temperaments and character, a vital exercise that will enable them to figure out which pet fits them best. I found it fascinating that the choice of animal one keeps, tells a lot about them, for example, according to Orey, a person who keeps a charming and sassy Chihuahua has a different personality from one keeping a tough-looking bulldog. In addition to this, it’s admirable to see Orey demystify the pet language, from a dog’s howl, its whines, to a cat’s meow and yowl.

The author has infused some of Dr. Stanley’s findings from the book “The Intelligence of Dogs” which has inspired lots of animal lovers and is a clever addition to the topic therein. Reprints from magazine articles and original essays bring out some amazing adventures of people with their pets.  

“Touched by an Angel” shows a paranormal connection with a deceased cat, and how it kept a watchful eye over the owner.  “Homeward Bound” brings to light the amazing survival stories of pets who withstood the tragic fires in the Berkeley Hills, in many cases being lost for a week or more, and the unselfish and over-the-top care the veterinarians and animal shelter volunteers conducted to find the pet’s owners and make sure the cats and dogs received the proper medical attention.  One miracle story involved an elderly lady, bedridden, who survived a cold night without heat; being kept warm by seven cats and a dog laying over her blankets providing additional body-heat.

The invaluable rapport she’s had with her cuddling animals is a wonder that will positively impact readers into adopting some pets, so as to likewise savor the untapped grace, inner peace, harmony, and satisfaction this bond offers.

 Buy on Amazon

 Soulmates with Paws

Title: Soulmates with Paws: A Collection of Tales & Tails
Author: Cal Orey
Publisher:  AuthorHouse
ISBN: 978-1-6655-7857-8
Pages: 238
Genre: Non-Fiction / Fiction / Pets
Reviewed by: Ephantus M.
 

Soulmates with Paws: A Collection of Tales & Tails offers a touching view of the human-animal relationship, as revealed through the bright lens of Cal Orey, an author whose love for pets flows naturally from the soul, and whose knowledge of pet nutrition, training, and wellness stands commendable from the first to the last page.

Reading through the chapters does confirm that animals indeed need humans and vice versa. One is drawn to her personal encounters with a widow who would have varying conversations with her dog, a hilarious and incredible act that lights up one’s face in amusement. This is especially notable in the level of shrewdness employed by both the author and the widow in an effort to keep their animal companions on the premises, which was against pet rules and regulations.

Orey’s story tenders a range of questions with the sole objective of helping readers recognize their temperaments and character, a vital exercise that will enable them to figure out which pet fits them best. I found it fascinating that the choice of animal one keeps, tells a lot about them, for example, according to Orey, a person who keeps a charming and sassy Chihuahua has a different personality from one keeping a tough-looking bulldog. In addition to this, it’s admirable to see Orey demystify the pet language, from a dog’s howl, its whines, to a cat’s meow and yowl.

The author has infused some of Dr. Stanley’s findings from the book “The Intelligence of Dogs” which has inspired lots of animal lovers and is a clever addition to the topic therein. Reprints from magazine articles and original essays bring out some amazing adventures of people with their pets.  

“Touched by an Angel” shows a paranormal connection with a deceased cat, and how it kept a watchful eye over the owner.  “Homeward Bound” brings to light the amazing survival stories of pets who withstood the tragic fires in the Berkeley Hills, in many cases being lost for a week or more, and the unselfish and over-the-top care the veterinarians and animal shelter volunteers conducted to find the pet’s owners and make sure the cats and dogs received the proper medical attention.  One miracle story involved an elderly lady, bedridden, who survived a cold night without heat; being kept warm by seven cats and a dog laying over her blankets providing additional body-heat.

The invaluable rapport she’s had with her cuddling animals is a wonder that will positively impact readers into adopting some pets, so as to likewise savor the untapped grace, inner peace, harmony, and satisfaction this bond offers.

 Buy on Amazon

  By Cal Orey

(Excerpt from Soulmates with Paws)

 One spring day in a small town in Illinois, a black cat named Zephyr disappeared. “I was heartbroken, as was the rest of my family. He was truly my friend at that time,” recalls Cassandra Fink. Zephyr’s owners spend hours combining their one-and-a-half-acre yard and apple orchard looking for their beloved pet and fearing the worst. “We realized he must have run away.”

     

Then one night the cat’s owners heard a soft meow outside and found Zephyr standing at the door looking well-muscled but extremely skinny. “The semi-trucks for the trucking company next door traveled back and forth to the city of Kankakee. We realized then that he had hopped aboard a flatbed semi and ended up there,” explains Fink. It had taken the cat two weeks to trek the 30 miles home!

            Zephyr is like countless cats worldwide who find their way home—even when home is hundreds of miles away. Many cat owners have tales of incredible journeys, and most have no idea how their cats do it. A number of these cases come to the public’s attention when they are reported in newspapers, but many more go unreported and unstudied. Those that are studied teach us a lot about our feline companions but leave us with as many questions as answers.

AN AMAZING HOMING INSTINCT

            Researchers really don’t know how these extraordinary cats find their way home. But they do have some idea about how some other legendary travelers navigate. Birds and bees seem to navigate by the sun, stars or moon. As for salmon, which swim all the way from the open ocean back to the very stream where they spawned, researchers think they smell their home waters. Other animals can orient themselves with the help of magnetized cells in the brain, which act like tiny compasses, and help them decide which way is north. Marine mammals may even use the sounds that rumble through the seas to get their bearings. “Cats may have similar abilities,” says renowned author and animal expert Michael Fox, Ph.D.

In a classic study done more 75 years ago, zoologist F.H. Herrick, of Cleveland, Ohio, took his own cat in a bag from his home to his office five miles away, traveling by streetcar. When he let the cat out of the bag, the cat fled. However, the cat returned home the same night, even though he had been left in an area he was unfamiliar with. Puzzled by this astonishing ability, Herrick put the cat in a closed container, took him various distances from his house—from one to three miles—and released him. The result:  The cat came home in a variety of situations and from any point on the compass. How exactly do cats do that?

THE RADAR THAT GETS CATS HOME

            Animal experts also say the sense cats use most often and that gives them the most information is scent. By sniffing bushes and buildings along their route, cats can use the information they glean to help find their way home.

            “Cats have a very sensitive nose that equal dogs, and their eyesight is certainly better,” says Ted Cohn, DVM, at University Hills Hospital in Denver CO. “Certainly for short distances visual clues are very important.”

            Cats also use physical cues from nature, such as the angle of the sun to find their way. “They may be able to use the sun as a compass, as well as sensing a time difference between their own internal circadian clock and the local time. But the father away they are from home base, the greater will be the discrepancy,” says Fox. Therefore, visual aids and memory don’t completely explain how lost cats find their way over long distances.

            That’s why many researchers believe cats are sensitive to the earth’s magnetic fields. This sensitivity may enable them to find their way back home—even from hundreds of miles away. “A magnetic field can be described as a set of imaginary lines that indicates the direction a compass needle would point to at a particular spot,” explains Psychobiologist David Jay Brown of Ben Lomond, CA.

            It’s also believed that cats possess a homing mechanism that is triggered by brain cells containing magnetized iron particles. As they do with other mammals, these cells act like built in compasses. So, some cats, like a wayward senior striped tabby named Alfie, may have been guided by the influence of earth’s magnetic fields.

            Early one summer, Alfie’s owner, Elaine Hahn, moved to a new home in Palo Alto, CA, about five miles away from her old home. For the first few weeks after the move, Hahn received regular phone calls from her old neighbor, who told her, “Alfie is here. Do you want to come and pick him up?” For two weeks, Hahn got into her car and drove five miles to go pick up Alfie. He had not only hiked five miles each time to get back to his old house, he had crossed six lanes of traffic to do so!

            Alluring as it is though, the magnetic field theory doesn’t entirely explain the homing instinct, according to Brown. “If you have a compass and you’re not in the middle of nowhere, you can’t figure out the direction of your destination unless you knew your position in a certain geographical area. So, it’s really a big mystery.”