My Favorite books edition!

I have had a long hiatus as they say, mom was super busy these past few months so I had to find something to keep me busy & out of trouble. Have you missed me? I know mom has, but I made her very proud by picking up some of her favorite animal books & giving them a read.

Idle minds make for idle paws or something like that, so here is my  list of  favorite books that are true life stories as told by their humans. As I have heard mom say a few of these are told by people who never had a wonderful feline in their lives before. Cat converts is what I like to call them, I mean how can one not love kitties?

The great thing about these stories is how they will resonate on different levels with animal lovers. It is also nice to know that there are many humans out there that care deeply for their pets & wish to share this love with others.

Some of these books are not currently in book stores, but  can be ordered on-line & I have included links to ensure you can get your paws, or hands, on them.


Oh, the books are listed in no particular order & are all wonderful stories that I hope you will enjoy!
  
Homer's Odyssey by Gwen Cooper is not just a must read because the hero Homer is a wonderful black cat (we love black cats!), but because he is a wonderful, heroic, eyeless black cat! A beautiful tale of a generous human soul who rescued this abandoned kitten & never gave up on him. Homer's story is one of bravery, courage & love - simple. It will make you  laugh, cheer & think about adopting a cat that may be considered "Un-adoptable". Mrs. Cooper has brought lots of much needed attention to blind/disabled cats & donates a portion of  book sales to blind cat rescue. 


Since I am a cat with a disability - ability, I think anytime a person puts a positive spin (no pun intended) on why special needs animals are worth loving it's worth sharing.  


Dewey The Small - Town Library Cat Who Touched the World by Viki Myron is a wonderful story of a tiny kitten who was left in a library book return slot on the coldest night of the year in a small town in Iowa, a certainly horrible & tragic fate to have befallen such an innocent little creature. Viki, who was the Library Director finds the kitten in time & Dewey becomes the library mascot. He helps Viki survive her own personal trials & becomes a light of hope for the small town & its people during some of their most difficult times. Dewey spreads his warmth, love & uncanny understanding of when he is needed to the people of Spencer for 19 years. Of course his story goes world wide but the fame never goes to his head. My mom cried at the end of this one. 


Of course since I am cat I know that our magic never ends,  I know Dewey is looking down, proud of his legacy & message. If you have a special feline in your life, go to above link & enter in the contest for a chance to have your story published.  


Cleo The Cat Who Mended a Family by Helen Brown is an astounding story of little black kitten that comes into the life of a family who is torn by tragedy & literally saves  them...be prepared for a very emotional story that will no doubt have you shedding a few tears. It has been compared to Marley & Me but  it definitely stands out on it's own with a story that will have you amazed as every page is turned. Again this little cat comes at a time when she is needed & continues to guide the family for nearly 23 years. 


There is apparently a movie in the works & production  begins at the end of 2011...I can already see mom crying.


Under the Paw Confessions of a Cat Man by Tom Cox is a book that will have you laughing with familiarity. That is what you need especially after you have read a few books that gave you a good cry right? Cat's, we are always thinking of our humans.

The title sums it up, a cat man, real men love cats etc... a very funny look at a closeted cat lover who eventually lets the cat out of the bag. He finds his cat loving  soul mate , more cats & they high tail it out of London for more rural surroundings.  Life, laughs & cats ensue. A story delivered with that lovely charm & stellar humor the British are known for. Read it & pass it around to some male friends to see which one is secretly under the paw...


Tom has written another book called Talk to the Tail which I will need to get my paws on next...oh crazy cat man we love you!


A Snowflake in My Hand by Samantha Mooney is an unique story, or set of stories based on her experience working at a famous Animal Medical Clinic in New York. It is a beautiful account of her time with the special cat patients who faced some of the worst illnesses at the hospital. Written from the perspective of a care giver who demonstrates true compassion & love for each cat that crossed her path. It is a short read & one that you will not wish to put down. A wonderful homage to those cats that were patients & who clearly were never forgotten. Any human who has had to deal with a pets illness will appreciate the kind soulful reverence.


May all animals be treated with respect, love & kindness in life & in their time of need.

Buckley's Story by Ingrid King is a wonderful gem of a book. A story of a sweet little Tortoiseshell cat with a deformed hind leg that teaches her human about life, letting go & getting through challenges with perseverance & joy. Buckley is diagnosed with heart disease after coming to live with Ingrid & her other cat Amber, which allows for these life lessons to happen. For any human who has had to deal with their cats illness & loss it will strike a cord. As a cat what I appreciate most is the that the soul level connection between human & animal is given respect, as is the lessons that we try to teach our people every day. It is a pleasant & profound story of love that can touch anyone who is open to it.


Mom suggested I mention Ingrid's blog The Conscious Cat which is a great place for info on feline health, lifestyle etc..worth checking out.

A Cat Named Squeeky by Vic Reskovic is a honest, warm, loving look at a couple who reluctantly adopts a stray cat that has been hanging around their neighborhood. They didn't know where she came from but they knew she was homeless. They eventually adopt her, because really there was no alternative once they fell in love. Squeeky stayed for 19 years. It is a nice, light read about the relationship between cat & humans who never knew what they were missing until a cat came along (Love these stories!).

It goes through Squeeky's final days & gives an honest look at the sorrow felt by her humans at the loss of this cat who wandered into their lives. It is alright to grieve over the loss of a pet & as the book says...the pain diminishes a little every day but never really goes away & that is OK as it reminds one of how much you loved them.


The author leaves us with the Rainbow Bridge Poem & a final postscript on the startling realities of just how many millions of homeless cats are out there. 

A Cat Named Darwin by William Jordan is a different read from most of the other books & one that was intriguing on many levels. The story of a stray cat (you can see a theme going here) who is very reluctantly adopted by a Biologist. It is a story of one man's clear disconnect from the animal world & understanding of the human/animal bond. With Darwin's impending death due to illness, the author becomes aware that this cat is much more than just an animal. He begins to learn & grow from their relationship to embrace more compassion towards his fellow creatures. This author presents an interesting honest story even if you don't agree with all his actions or thoughts...the way I see it Darwin taught him to be a more compassionate human & that is a mighty important lesson if you ask us cats.

Tatianna Tales & Teachings of my Feline Friend by Linda Mohr is a story of the kind of unconditional love that happens often between human & animal. This story embraces that bond & is told from a very personal place which is great, as most people will be able to relate to what Lindas experiences. From a cats perspective, it's not that surprising as we know when we are needed & what to do to comfort our human parents. If you have lost that special cat or dog, this is story that confirms you are not alone - the bond we have with you humans never goes away it just becomes less physical & more spiritual once we move on.


Last but far from least is the Norton Trilogy by Peter Gethers


OK, I am a pretty fantastic cat but I give credit where it's due & Norton the Scottish Fold is an  awesome member of our species! I mean this guy had a clear agenda while here on earth & touched thousands all over the world with the help of his human Peter Gethers.


We do suggest reading them in order:

The Cat Who Went to Paris, A Cat Abroad, and The Cat Who'll Live Forever

I won't go into to much detail on each but will sum it up by saying the story goes something like this:

Man, self proclaimed cat-hater becomes a cat lover upon receiving a Scottish Fold kitten whom he names Norton. Norton goes EVERYWHERE with his human & becomes a world traveler & celebrity (surprised? You won't be).


Norton is this guys dear friend & they share an unconditional bond of love & understanding that many people are amazed at. Norton is one cool cat & almost dog like in some situations - which you may not believe, but trust me us cats are secretly laughing when we read this stuff because to us, its no surprise. 

The books will make you laugh, keep you on the edge of your seat & make you cry (the last book had mom sobbing...sorry mom).

Norton stays in the best hotels, eats at the best restaurants, has his company requested by none other than Anthony Hopkins & most importantly teaches his human enormous life lessons about taking chances, love, enjoying life to its fullest while on earth & learning to let go. 

This is me with the last in the series, exhausted, a little sad, but happy I had to the chance to read his story. Norton you are a cat that I would have been proud to have called friend & I know your story continues to bring joy to all who read it.


Happy reading!