Dusty Rainbolt is an award-winning cat writer according to her answering machine. So she wouldn't be accused of false advertising she wrote Kittens For Dummies.

KFD won the Iams Responsible Cat Ownership Award. It was also nominated for a "Muse Medallion" by the Cat Writer's Association (CWA.) (And yes, the Dummies book is part of the famous series.)

Although the Pulitzers haven't given her the nod yet, her monthly column " Dear Hobbes", which appears in City + Country Pets Magazine, has won Muse Medallions for Humor (1999, 2004) and Best Column in a Regional Publication (1998, 1999, 2001, 2002), as well as (2003) ASPCA Special Humane Award, (2003) Sticky Paws Training Award, (2000) Purina Cat Chow Nutrition Award, (1999) Tidy Cat Feline Behavior Award. Another article received the (1996) CWA/American Cat Fanciers Association Cat Safety Award.

In her copious spare time she fosters orphan kittens and writes humorous science fiction novels (All The Marbles). She's currently writing a paranormal mystery, Death under the Crescent Moon, in order to deduct spa trips to Eureka Springs. So she can get free cat stuff, Dusty writes monthly cat product reviews for Catnip, published by Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. She also freelances for Cat Fancy and almost anyone whose checks don't bounce.

Back in the 80s and 90s, when she thought she was Bob Woodward, Dusty wrote mainstream articles for numerous newspapers covering everything from the launch of the shuttle to travel articles and local politics and features. In 1998, she received recognition for Excellence in Reporting by Open Government Coppell.

Although she boasts no real personal pedigree of note, she has served as president of Vantastix Turkish Van Cat Breed Club and is presently on the board of directors of CWA. Of course, that and $4 will get her a cup of coffee at Borders Books.

Her web site address is www.dustycatwriter.com.

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