Cat Life: Celebrating the History, Culture & Love of the Cat by Award-Winning Author, Amy Shojai

Courtesy of Amy Shojai

It is with great delight that I was able to get my paws on  an advance copy of Cat Life:Celebrating the History, Culture & Love of the Cat by renowned pet expert/author, Amy Shojai. I have always been smitten with Amy's writing, as well as her musical talent and her knowledge of cats and dogs. I have had the pleasure of meeting her in person on several occasions, and she is as delightful, brilliant, colorful, exciting and knowledgeable in person as she is through her writing.

It is easy to become smug when you have been reading cat books for over 10 years as I have (and many of you have as well),  thinking "What more could ANYONE possibly have to say to enlighten me further about cats?"

Well dear readers, Amy Shojai has done it again. Her expository book about cats has taught me more than I  could have imagined! 

Courtesy of Amy Shojai

The 150+ stunning color photographs, are captivating and simply exquisite. You will want to look at them again and again. This book reveals virtually everything needed to appreciate this mysterious, lovable companion. It is a book that you will want to re-visit on numerous occasions. 

From shojai.com "Though a cat may choose to share her affection with a human or two, she will always remain that quixotic mix of unpredictability and individuality that challenges the understanding of the most patient among us. It is as if they know that when they first stepped into the human ring of firelight, they forever altered our history, influencing our religions, our literature, our art—our very lives.” –From the Introduction

Chapter One, “Evolutionary Cat,” traces the domestic feline back to the Paleocene Era, then introduces its big cat relatives. Many of us know that several cats together is called a "clowder", but I never knew they can also be called a "cluster" or "clutter" of cats as well! Even Cody was captivated by the information!

I also never knew that the African wildcat is considered the most like our own domestic breeds "and is probably the founding father of the cat that is even now warming on your hearth."

Chapter Two, “Cultured Cat,” "is a survey of artistic homage paid to the cat. From Aesop’s fables to Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, cats have been featured as analogy, metaphor, and hero."

"There used to be a kind of cheese made in Cheshire marked with a grinning cat face on one end. Is this where Lewis Carroll's wonderful Cheshire Cat came from?"

There are references to cats in Television, in ads, lore and legend about cats, and a plethora of other information about cats in culture.

Chapter Three, “Physical Cat,” is a guide to understanding and caring for your cat. There is information about the cat's eye, their hunting instinct,  feeding, play, health issues  I learned so much about a variety of health issues that cats may have that I had never known before. 

Cat Life closes with a “Gallery of Breeds,” a parade of fascinating cat types with descriptions of their unique personalities and special characteristics. There is also a listing of various cat associations and you can find a fabulous reading list so you may purchase other books that Amy has written as well.

Check out the beautiful Cat Life video, you will want to order your copy NOW!!

 FROM THE INTRODUCTION:

This book is for cat lovers everywhere. It is intended as both a basic guide for the neophyte cat addict and a supplement for veteran feline fans. It is my hope that these pages will delight and amuse, surprise and educate, and, most of all, celebrate the mysteries and marvels of all the wonderful cats that share our lives.

FROM THE BACK COVER:

"informative and fun, Cat Life celebrates your love and affection for big cats, stray cats, pedigree beauties, and everything CAT."

That it does Amy, that it does, and sooo beautifully! Cat Life is a book that all of YOU, my fellow cat lovers MUST have as part of your cat library. It's just in time for holiday gifting too!

Set to release in December. It will be available in paperback, hardcover on DECEMBER 1.

Amazon and Barnes & Noble for pre-order

It will be available on KINDLE on DECEMBER 8 and is already on KINDLE pre-order at this link:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YDYQLX5

Preview of Amy Shojai's latest gift book for cat lovers, with interior page spreads--and audio from her original show STRAYS, the Musical. https://shojai.com/books/cat-life/ (you can order the book there as well!)

Author: Amy Shojai
Genre: Cat Books
Tags: cat behavior, cat care
ASIN: B07YDYQLX5
ISBN: 9781948366144

Courtesy of
https://shojai.com/

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Award-winning author Amy Shojai is a certified animal behavior consultant, and the award-winning author of more than 30 bestselling pet books She is also a playwright and co-author of STRAYS, THE MUSICAL and the author of the critically acclaimed September & Shadow petcentric thriller series. 

I was not compensated for this review. I was sent an advance copy of Cat Life in exchange for my always honest review.

Winner:CAT FACTS The Pet Parent's A-to-Z Home Care Encyclopedia by Amy Shojai

Thanks to all who entered our give-away  !!

HUGE CONCATULATIONS

TO THE LUCKY WINNER

LISTED BELOW!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

CAT BOOK REVIEW/GIVE-AWAY:CAT FACTS The Pet Parent's A-to-Z Home Care Encyclopedia by Amy Shojai

Kitten to Adult, Diseases & Prevention

Cat Behavior

Veterinary Cat Care, First Aid

Holistic Medicine

Courtesy of Amy Shojai

Have you ever read a book and when finished,  you found yourself saying "WOW!" out loud?

That is how I felt after I perused one of author Amy Shojai's latest books, CAT FACTS The Pet Parent's A-to-Z Home Care Encyclopedia.

If I sat here telling you I read EVERY PAGE of this OVER 500 PAGE INVALUABLE RESOURCE THAT SHOULD BE A PART OF EVERY HOME WHERE CATS ARE IN RESIDENCE, I would be lying. THIS BOOK IS "HUGE!!" When I say "HUGE" I mean it is chock-full of information/resources that are needed and information/resources that those who share their lives with cats DON'T EVEN KNOW THAT THEY NEED!!!!

Think you have read every standout cat reference book that exists? THINK AGAIN! I have read many cat care/cat reference books,  and in my opinion more are "so-so" than not. This book reigns as one at the TOP of my list!! 

FROM CAT FACTS:The Pet Parent's A-to-Z Home Care Encyclopedia:

More than 86 million pet cats today are kept in forty-five million U.S. households. Now, from one of the most trusted cat care authors of the last twenty-five years comes the definitive reference for adopting, keeping, and maintaining a healthy, happy cat.

CAT FACTS: The Pet Parent's A-to-Z Home Care Encyclopedia is designed to answer all your questions. How do I choose the right cat? What holistic help and preventive care should I give? Why do cats act the way they do, and what cat behavior indicates illness? What constitutes an emergency, and how/when can I safely treat my cat with home care and first aid?

CAT FACTS: The Pet Parent's A-to-Z Home Care Encyclopedia is written in a easy-to-reference form that is 

Alphabetical A-to-Z listings

Each letter of the alphabet that begins a section, is attractively drawn and eye-catching.  There are  more than 200 entries, covering everything from abscesses and hairballs to whiskers!!! Do you know what Nutrigenomics is? Or Jacobson's Organ? (Be honest, and don't Google it!) What about zoonosis? I didn't either, but I do now!

Courtesy of Amy Shojai

There are charts (many cat lovers have requested repeatedly that there be a chart showing poisons, from plants to household items. Now you have it!), that list symptoms for a particular condition, the corresponding home care or first aid, the comparative veterinarian and holistic treatments, and preventive advice.

As I mentioned above, it is virtually IMPOSSIBLE  to list EVERYTHING of importance that is in this book. I went through it page by page and read about topics that interested me, or that I have experienced with my own cats such as:

Acne

Territorial Aggression

Allergies, Cat

(which Cody experiences)

Artificial Respiration

Cancer

Cardiomyopathy

(which my Bobo suffered from)

Catnip

(did you know that catnip can be overused? I didn't either! "Overindulgence causes cats to lose their response to the plant. An occasional treat, perhaps once every two or three weeks is plenty." If you are like me, and I have a feeling you are, that is a fact that you DID NOT know!

Dermatitis

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

I know many of you have cats who have this and can use more info!

There is More!!

 Also Included:

A symptoms/conditions table

that helps you identify what ailments might be bothering your cat,  

a Breed-At-A-Glance chart to compare personality, looks, care challenges and other issues for if you choose to have a pedigreed cat.

Easy-to-use Index

The comprehensive, easy-to-use index makes quick reference a snap !!!!!!

Contact information for dozens of cat organizations

 and veterinary resources!!!!!!! 

CAT FACTS: The Pet Parent's A-to-Z Home Care Encyclopedia is

Courtesy of Amy Shojai

FROM CAT FACTS:The Pet Parent's A-to-Z Home Care Encyclopedia: the author has taken great pains to compile the most up-to-date information currently available for cat lovers on the care of their cat; however, veterinary medicine is constantly improving. Please consult with your veterinarian on a regular basis to provide the best care for your cat.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Amy Shojai, CABC is a nationally known authority on pet care and behavior, a certified animal behavior consultant for cats and dogs, and a former veterinary technician. She is a founder of the Cat Writers’ Association and the author of more than 30 award winning pet care books including pet-centric thriller series. She shares her North Texas home with a 20 year old Siamese wannabe, delinquent silver shaded tabby, and smart aleck German Shepherd.

CONNECT WITH AMY! Drop her a line at her blog  or her website . Follow Amy on Twitter (@amyshojai) and like her on Facebook.

 CAT FACTS: The Pet Parent's A-to-Z Home Care Encyclopedia by Amy Shojai makes me, and will make ALL cat lovers  feel secure/comforted to have so much information available at their fingertips. It  is yet another vital "tool" to add to my responsible cat owner tool box, and I can't stress enough that it is one that should be a part of yours as well! 

GIVE-AWAY!! ONE lucky reader who is 18+ and who resides in the U.S. (apologies to our International readers, but the size/weight of this MUST HAVE RESOURCE makes shipping out of the country cost prohibitive), will win a copy! (An approximate $25 value which is a BARGAIN for all of the information that is in this book!)  Entering is easy! Simply enter on the Rafflecopter below and good luck! a Rafflecopter giveaway  

DOG LOVERS!! Look for my review (and hopefully give-away!) of DOG FACTS The Pet Parent's A-to-Z Home Care Encyclopedia by Amy Shojai,  that will publish on Dakota's blog, on Monday, April 11th!!!!

In full disclosure: I was not compensated for this review. I was sent a copy of CAT FACTS: The Pet Parent's A-to-Z Home Care Encyclopedia in exchange for my always honest review.

Book:Hide and Seek: Author Amy Shojai Pens Another Winner!

Author Amy Shojai to me, epitomizes the meaning of the word, Wordsmith .  I recently was afforded the honor of reviewing her second book in the September Day Thriller-Mystery-Suspense series,  titled Hide and Seek,  (her first was Lost and Found, which I also was afforded the honor of reviewing, after my dog, Dakota won the: Name That Dog" contest to help Amy find a name for some of the furry characters in her book.  More than 85 names were suggested with close to 800 votes!)

  While the first  book was excellent, Hide and Seek was SUPERB.

When reading Amy Shojai's mysteries, I never felt as if I was  a passive observer,  I felt as if I was  thrust  into the captivating and riveting story line. My heart pounded with anticipation, my stomach churned,  I grasped at my blanket that I was wrapped in on my couch and nestled deeper into it, dark fingers of suspense and fear pulled me   into the 240 plus pages of this nail-biter.

Overview (Courtesy of amyshojai.com)

A STALKER hides in plain sight.

A VICTIM faces her worst fear.

AND A DOG seeks the missing—and finds hope.

Eight years ago, animal behaviorist September Day escaped a sadistic captor who left her ashamed, terrified, and struggling with PTSD. She trusts no one—except her cat Macy and service dog Shadow.

Shadow also struggles with trust. A German Shepherd autism service dog who rescued his child partner only to lose his-boy forever, Shadow’s crippling fear of abandonment shakes his faith in humans.

They are each others’ only chance to survive the stalker’s vicious payback, but have only 24 hours to uncover the truth about Macy’s mysterious illness or pay the deadly consequences. When September learns to trust again, and a good-dog takes a chance on love, together they find hope in the midst of despair–and discover what family really means.

Author Amy Shojai is a certified animal behavior consultant and the award-winning author of 27 bestselling pet books.  Her "pedigree", makes the thoughts and actions of the animals depicted in Hide and Seek,  authentic and completely believable.  It also provides a sensitivity and in-depth understanding of an animal's motivation, needs and feelings that others with less experience would be hard-pressed to convey.

From Hide and Seek: As with LOST AND FOUND that launched this dog viewpoint series, much of this book is based on science, especially dog and cat behavior and learning theory, and the benefits of service dogs. A vast number of veterinarians, behaviorists, consultants, trainers and pet-centric writers and rescue organizations offered their incredible resources and support to help make the pet-centric storyline as accurate as possible.

The human characters that Author Shojai has crafted come to life on the pages in a vibrant and often terrifying way. Each character is masterfully woven into the plot,  with their own detailed sub-stories and histories, their purpose not always evident until details are revealed and the reader gasps in recognition of their relevance.

As Dr.Lorie Huston, the President of the Cat Writers Association states on the back cover,  Hide and Seek is "recommended for anyone who likes a "bite-your-nails, hold-your-breath" kind of thriller.

For me, Hide and Seek was more than just a book, it was an experience. If I used stars for ratings, it would receive the highest number of stars that I could assign to it.

In addition to the information about Author Amy Shojai mentioned above,  Amy is also the Puppies Expert at puppies.About.com, the cat behavior expert at cats.About.com, and has been featured as an expert in hundreds of print venues including The New York Times, Reader's Digest, and Family Circle, as well as national radio and television networks such as CNN, Animal Planet's DOGS 101 and CATS 101. Amy brings her unique pet-centric viewpoint to public appearances.

$11.99 Trade Paper, $4.99 Kindle

Author: Amy Shojai
Series: September Day Series, Book 2
Genre: Thriller-Mystery-Suspense
Publisher: Cool Gus Publishing
Publication Year: 2014
ISBN: 9781621251477

Amy-Magic-Seren-Karma

WHERE YOU CAN FIND AMY SHOJAI:

AMY SHOJAI, CABC
IAABC Certified Behavior Consultant

http://www.SHOJAI.com

Cats.About.com, Puppies.About.com
Bling, Bitches & Blood Blog (AmyShojai.com)
Follow Amy on Facebook and Twitter

In full disclosure: I was given a complimentary copy of Hide and Seek in exchange for my honest review which I was not compensated for. In an unprecedented move, I am featuring Hide and Seek on BOTH of my blogs today, because it's THAT GOOD.