Cat Book: Purrseverance (Inspiring Stories of Cat Resilience and Hope) Compiled by Sierra M. Koester

 

Since my beloved Cody passed on June 30th, 2020 as many of you know, my time blogging has been greatly limited. When Cody left, any desire to blog that I had left (to be frank, it was waning before he passed and his passing, as well as precious Dakota's nine days later, pretty much sealed the deal).

Eventually I returned, albeit sporadically. I also vowed to no longer do ANY book reviews. Why? Because many of them were just too painful for me to read. (Being candid, they STILL are.)

Back in April or May I was contacted by Sierra Koester, the writer who compiled the above book "Purrseverance" (Inspiring Stories of Cat Resilience and Hope). For those of you who may not be familiar with Sierra, she is "an award-winning freelance writer and professional blogger. Sierra is a Professional Member of the Cat Writer's Association and the Content Manager at The Cat Blogosphere, a place for all pets and pet bloggers. She also writes Fur Everywhere, an educational and entertaining blog about cats."

I'm not going to lie. I sat on this book for the LONGEST time because while it is now 4 years since Cody is gone, the pain is still raw. After enough guilt passed for not opening the book, I decided to finally read it.

I am glad that I did.

It was Sierra's own cat Jewel that was the inspiration behind this compilation. Jewel came to live with Sierra at the ripe old age of 14 after having lived a challenging life. Sierra penned, "it wasn't until I met Jewel that I understood just how remarkably resilient our feline friends can be. Jewel's persistence and resiliency served as the inspiration for this anthology that features other cats who have overcome life's struggles".

A few of my favorite stories in this book are:

My Name is Not Scooter-written by Lorianne Miller about her tripod kitty Evan. Lorianne writes the blog fourleggedfurballs.blogspot.com

Lazarus Cat-written by Sierra M. Koester about  her precious cat Lita

Wren: "A Caged Kitty Can't Purr" written by Julia Williams. This one resonated with me because when I first adopted Cody, he didn't have the fur color that I preferred. I also remember following Julia on social media when she first adopted Wren and was trying to come up with a name for her. 

Brian is Home-written by Terry Frum (who in the Cat Blogosphere is so well known he technically needs no introduction.) Terry doesn't just "talk the talk" he "walks the walk", rescuing a multitude of cats and tending to ferals for YEARS. Terry's beloved Brian, an endearing, wise, gentle and loving tabby boy won my heart many years ago when I first began blogging. Terry and his wife are two of the most dedicated pet parents I've ever known. Not just for their own pets, but Terry has been there for myself and countless others when we just needed an ear to offer support or anything else they may need.  Brian, had many of the same qualities as Terry. He believed "if you're kind, then everyone gets along and we can overcome adversity together." You can find Terry's blog Brian's Home at brianshomeblog.com and you can also find Terry on the Cat Blogopshere: blog.catblogosphere.com.

Carmine Fulfills His Purpose-written by Sierra M. Koester about her beloved kitty Carmine.

AND MANY, MANY MORE!

It is Sierra's hope that the stories in this book inspire you the way they inspired her (AND ME!!!). Sierra reminds us that "sometimes even seemingly hopeless situations can turn around. Our feline friends have so much to wisdom to offer. The next time you are facing a difficult challenge, she hopes you'll choose to follow these cats' example to "NEVER GIVE UP!"

TO PURCHASE :

BookBaby: https://store.bookbaby.com/book/purrseverance&b=p_fr-ve-bl

Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Purrseverance-Inspiring-Stories-Resilience-Hope/dp/B0CVRXJ6K1/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1707969034&sr=8-1

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/purrseverance-sierra-koester/1144891890?ean=9798350932331

In Full Disclosure: I received no compensation for this book feature. I received a copy of Purrseverance in exchange for my featuring it on my blog.

Cat Book: Abys Among Us & Stories for the Feline Inclined by T.J. Banks

 Author T.J. Banks, in my opinion, is a cat masquerading as a human. She has an innate understanding of the feline mind. Her communication/interaction with cats that is full of patience, knowledge and unconditional love is a gift.

Back in 2014 I had the honor of reading/reviewing her book Houdini, and in 2015 I read and reviewed what remains my FAVORITE book by T.J. Banks,Cat Song

When I had the blog redesigned and somewhat changed its focus, my intention was to no longer do book reviews. When T.J. reached out to me, asking if I would consider reviewing Abys Among Us & Stories for the Feline Inclined, how could I say no to an author who is so obviously gifted? I'm glad I didn't decline. 

FROM THE AUTHOR: "Cats walk between worlds, bringing the magical and the common place together. They are the heart-and-soul-menders, our kindred spirits, poetry on four paws, and we humans would be lost without them. At least that's what I believe. Abys Among Us & Stories for the Feline-Inclined is a celebration of the cats I have known and what they have taught me."

Abys Among Us & Stories for the Feline Inclined will have anyone who has lived with and loved cats, nodding their head in recognition.

Many who have lost beloved pets write because they find it to be cathartic. T.J. Banks writes about them and the other animals in her life because she doesn't want to forget them and the great gifts they have given her. "We have spiritual relationships with the animals who come into our lives, and we need to honor those relationships."

My take-away is that each of the cats I have been blessed to share my life with, my Bobo the curmudgeon, (with everyone but me), my cuddly and loving Cody, who healed my broken heart when Bobo passed. While Cody left much too soon, I learned though the way he passed was horrific and tragic, I was not privy to the actual event that took place that caused him to pass, because he DIDN'T WANT ME TO BE. Our bond was such that he knew that if I watched him pass in the horrible manner in which he did, I might not be here today writing this now.  When Cody passed, I strongly believed I would never have a cat again, the grief and sadness was overpowering, Our current cat, Roary, has taught me there is ALWAYS room in  my heart to love another. I am sure Roary has many more lessons in store for me.

When reading Abys Among Us, and ALL of the books by T.J. Banks, you will be touched by  the love, sensitivity, understanding, knowledge  and passion for cats that is simply a part of who T.J. Banks IS, (particularly Abyssinians, which are prominently featured in the book, hence the title.) just as I was.  There ARE other types of cats in the book as well.  I learned how in each stage of her life each cat seemed to appear (or even leave), just when they are supposed to. There are no coincidences in life. Each and every cat we are blessed to know  guides us and teaches us lessons, if we are open to learning what those lessons are. 

I will leave you with this, a passage from Abys Among Us that sums it up for me, "I'm alone again in the snowy yard. But only technically speaking. "As for me," my old friend Gladys Taber once wrote, "I believe we never lose those we have loved." And if sometimes we feel as though we have, well, they always manage to find us again. The heart--and the soul--that are loved really do remember."

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: T.J. Banks is the author of Catsong, A Time for Shadows, Sketch People, Souleiado, and Houdini, which the late writer and activist Cleveland Amory enthusiastically declared " winner." Catsong, a collection of some of her best cat stories, was the winner of the 2007 Merial Human-Animal Bond Award. Her writing has been widely anthologized and received awards from the Cat Writers' Association (CWA), ByLine, and The Writing Self.

"My Life in a Cat House" (A Curl Up with a Cat Tale Book), by NY Times Best Selling Author Gwen Cooper

"True Tales of Love,

Laughter, and Living

with Five Felines"

Cover Courtesy of Gwen Cooper

"Celebrate the human-feline

bond with all its joys, mysteries,

and life-changing moments."

(Available October 30th, 2018)

Sitting down with a book written by author Gwen Cooper is like being perched at your kitchen table with your dearest cat-loving friend, sipping a cup of your favorite brew or, depending on your mood, sharing a glass of wine with the same friend, curled up on the couch snuggled beneath a pile of cozy comforters with a cat (or two, or three or five) by your sides. (Cody actually joined me for a few stories in this gem and he thoroughly enjoyed pawing through the pages with me.)

Having read and reviewed most of Gwen's books, I eagerly anticipated pouncing into the pages of "My Life in a Cat House" the latest book in the Gwen Cooper feline family of print. A gentle rain was falling outside my window, I lit a candle, grabbed MY favorite brew and a comfy blanket and curled up on the couch ready to enjoy my long overdue visit with a cherished and dear friend.

Today, being National Cat Day, couldn't be a more PURRFECT day to present this PURRFECT book, written by the PURRFECTLY talented Gwen Cooper to YOU, my PURRFECTLY wonderful readers!

"My Life in a Cat House features beloved favorites from Gwen's Curl Up with a Cat Tale series, as well as brand-new adventures sure to be treasured by cat lovers everywhere." 

Gwen has the uncanny ability to touch our hearts with her gift of  conveying thought provoking, and heart-stirring emotions,  and often side-splitting humor that has her readers running the gamut of laughing out loud to grabbing for a box of tissues. Gwen's writing is unpretentious, its authentic, its REAL. Whether like me, you have nearly all of Gwen's books, or if this one is your first, you will delight in her descriptive, often hilarious and loving stories about her cats, whether you have had two cats like me, or twenty, you will be saying to yourself, as I did "My kitty does that too!!"   Speaking in reference to my Angel Bobo that was the MOST true, in reference to Cody, after reading about Gwen's cats and their antics, I began to think that my boy who I used to (the operative words being "used to") think was brilliant, I am now thinking might be a little "duller" than I previously thought...mind you that was said with the UTMOST OF LOVE!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Raised in a dog-loving family, Gwen never pictured herself as a “cat person.”  But from the very first feline she adopted—an adorable five-week-old rescue kitten, slow to learn how to trust after life on the streets—Gwen was smitten.  Eventually one rescue kitten became five, and all the ups and downs of a life with cats are lovingly depicted here: From the obsessive cat who teaches himself to play fetch and demands it morning, noon, and night from his hapless human mom; to the crafty white beauty who raises outside-the-litter-box thinking to the level of an art form; to the routine vet trip that turns into a hi-jinks-filled misadventure on the streets of Manhattan with three (VERY cranky!) felines in tow. And Homer, the Blind Wonder Cat himself, returns triumphant in new tales of life and love after worldwide fame. 

For the few of you who might not be familiar with Gwen Cooper's  books, she is the author of the blockbuster bestseller Homer’s Odyssey: A Fearless Feline Tale, or How I Learned About Love and Life With a Blind Wonder Cat, the book Love Saves The Day (which my eagle-eye caught a reference to in this book, because it is also the name of Gwen's "all time favorite vintage store"  and a clowder of other books! In My Life in a Cat House Gwen's much-beloved, world-famous fur family featuring the cool, cantankerous and aloof Scarlett, the stunningly beautiful man-loving Vashti, Homer the blind wonder cat,  Clayton the playful tripod kitty, and Fanny who has the ability to jump to amazing heights, (even with a moth trap accidentally stuck to her tail!), is back sharing their adventures of life, love, learning and hilarity.

One of my favorite moments of  purrfect humor was a conversation that Gwen had with her husband Laurence, when he brought to her attention that one of the cats had vomited in the other room. As I read the pages that ensued I was CERTAIN that Gwen had visited my home and had heard the same scenario play out with my husband and I,  when she wrote it.

I mentioned above that Gwen has the uncanny gift to touch our emotions through her brilliant writing, as well as the ability to have us stop and think about our own lives. When Gwen's cats lived with her each arrived at a different time of her life. The first arrived when Gwen was a new "cat mom" in her 20s.  Our cats, if we are lucky, live long and fulfilling lives. What I never thought about until I read this book, is that while our cats are getting older, WE ARE GETTING OLDER TOO. Part of what makes Gwen's books resonate with us,  is that she built her life around her cats, as most cat lovers do. Inevitably, we all grow older and change based on our life experiences, I was in my late 30s when my first cat (Bobo) found me and I was much, much older when I adopted Cody. The Mom Cody has isn't exactly the same as the Mom Bobo had. My kitty "children", my babies grew older too That is sometimes hard to face. 

Oh, mirror in the sky

What is love?

Can the child within my heart rise above

Can I sail through the changing ocean tides

Can I handle the seasons of my life

Well, I've been afraid of changin'

'Cause I built my life around you

But time makes you bolder

Children get older

I'm getting older too

----from “Landslide” written by Stevie Nicks

 My Life in a Cat House is ideal for new readers and longtime fans like myself and many of you. This purr-fect memoir is told in eight purr-fect cat stories that are all filled with the humor and heart  that WE, Gwen’s devoted readership, has come to know and love. As is the case with all of Gwen's books, it is magnificent. RUN (don't walk!) and get YOUR copy TODAY!!

PURCHASING INFORMATION

 MY LIFE IN A CAT HOUSE: TRUE TALES OF LOVE, LAUGHTER, AND LIVING WITH FIVE FELINES (with the all-new adventures of Homer and the gang) is coming out on October 30th.  Gwen will be donating 100% of her  royalties on all pre-orders and first-week sales (October 30th through November 3rd) to Blind Cat Rescue & Sanctuary in Raleigh, NC in Homer's name.

 If you haven't done so already, please pre-order your copy TODAY of MY LIFE IN A CAT HOUSE--either on Amazon.com or, ideally, through your local bookstore (whether it's a small indie or part of a chain like Barnes & Noble).  Please note that if you do pre-order MY LIFE IN A CAT HOUSE through a bookstore, you must pick up the book/complete the purchase by November 3rd for it to count as a donation to Blind Cat Rescue.

GET SOCIAL WITH GWEN COOPER:

www.facebook.com/homerblindcatfans

www.instagram.com/homerblindcat

www.twitter.com/homerblindcat

FTC Disclosure: I was not compensated for this review. I was sent a complimentary copy of My Life in a Cat House by Gwen Cooper in exchange for my always honest review. It is my honor to present this book to all of you.

Blind Cat Rescue/Donation Contest! You Could WIN a Visit from New York Times bestselling author Gwen Cooper!!

It is an honor to be presenting to you today, an incredible contest from author Gwen Cooper,  New York Times bestselling author of the memoirs Homer’s Odyssey: A Fearless Feline Tale, or How I Learned About Love and Life with a Blind Wonder Cat  (and many more!!).

Gwen and her books are extremely sentimental to me, because way back in 2010 Gwen contacted me to do a book review for her, "Homer's Odyssey" which was the FIRST book I had ever reviewed, not only on the blog, but in my LIFE!  Since then I have reviewed all of her books and have deeply loved each and every one of them, as I know that MANY of you have  as well!

Today, I am proud to announce a special contest WHERE YOU COULD WIN A VISIT FROM GWEN COOPER!!! THAT'S RIGHT!! YOU COULD WIN A VISIT FROM GWEN!! (I would die!!!!) The contest is being conducted by Gwen to help kick off  her NEWEST BOOK which was "collected from the "Curl Up With A Cat Tale Series":

Cover Courtesy of Gwen Cooper

MY LIFE IN A CAT HOUSE comes out on October 30th, and Gwen is  donating 100% of her royalties on all pre-orders and first-week sales (through November 4th) to Blind Cat Rescue and Sanctuary in Raleigh, NC.  This contest was planned BEFORE Hurricane Florence, but now, with the damage that has been caused by Florence, the kitties at Blind Cat Rescue need this help even more!!!

PRE-ORDER THIS BOOK

AT YOUR LOCAL BOOK STORE!

Because if you do, 

YOU COULD WIN A VISIT

 FROM GWEN COOPER!!

WHAT YOU MUST DO

 IN ORDER FOR YOUR DONATION

AND CONTEST ENTRY TO COUNT!!

When you  pre-order the book from  your local bookstore,

 you have  to actually go to the store and purchase

 the pre-ordered copy or copies 

between October 30th and November 4th.

IMPORTANT!!! 

 If you pre-order but don't buy the book, 

and the bookstore has to ship their copy back,

 Gwen is  charged for that out of her royalties,

 and it will take money away from

 the Blind Cat Rescue donation!!!

 You do NOT want that to happen!! 

When you have pre-ordered:

Email Gwen at:

gwen@gwencooper.com  

 with your name, your city/state,

 the name of the bookstore you pre-ordered the book from,

 and the number of copies you pre-ordered.

  Each pre-ordered copy counts as an entry

 so if you buy two you double your chance of winning! 

 And, of course, the more people who pre-order in the same town, the likelier that the winner will be in your town--so get your friends to pre-order, too! 

 Online pre-orders from Amazon, etc. will not count for contest entry unless you pre-ordered online September 16th or earlier.  Gwen will, however, make the same 100% donation to Blind Cat Rescue regardless of where the book was ordered/sold!!

ALSO:anybody who pre-ordered the book online BEFORE TODAY (9/17) can also enter to win! Just forward your pre-order email confirmation to Gwen at
gwen@gwencooper.com

WAIT!! THERE IS MORE!!

Gwen is looking for a SMALL group of people to help  her in rallying pre-orders/donations to Blind Cat Rescue.  This SMALL group of people will get her private email address and home phone number (as you will be in touch with her quite a bit), and whichever one rallies the largest number of pre-orders in their area will also get a personal visit from Gwen.  Anybody who's interested in being a part of this (small!) group of Homer's Heroes can contact Gwen at gwen@gwencooper.com

Full Disclosure: I was not compensated for posting this contest. As I mentioned I have reviewed all of Gwen's books, I ADORE Gwen and her writing and if I were lucky enough to meet her in person, I would be a total "fan girl"!!

Parole Will Soon End for Cat Veterinary Inmate "345"

Hi Kitties, it's Cody and I am here to tell ya,  I just can't get a break!!! It has taken Mom a LONG time to give me computer time so that I could blog about my latest debacle.  A little over a month ago I earned a new nickname, my nickname is now "345."  You also didn't know that I am on parole from "Dr.Smiley" and his evil laboratory. I was put on parole due to good behavior. Kitties, sit back, grab a bowl of kibble,  and let me fill you in on how I got my new nickname and how my "parole" has come to an end. 

Mom was working on her computer and heard a THUD. She didn't think much of it because she doesn't think, she wasn't really concerned. Then, she noticed at lunch time I didn't come when called and normally I am the first in line for lunch deliciousness.

Mom looked for me and found me laying against the wall on the floor of her our "office" (which she never uses, but I digress...) I wouldn't respond when she called me and mom freaked, (mom is always freaking, let's just suffice it to say her freaking was complete frenzy). 

Dad was downstairs waiting to go to the store with Mom, but Mom called him screaming that I had to be rushed to the Vet.

Long story short, when I arrived at the Vet "Dr.Smiley's Evil Laboratory", "Dr.Smiley" even thought something was wrong with me as evidenced by how I was just laying there in my PTU without moving a muscle.  (I didn't even fuss when Mom and Dad put me in my PTU). I also allowed him to  thoroughly humiliate check me in his office without so much as a tiny meow."Dr.Smiley" could find NOTHING WRONG. That led to the laboratory invasion!

 "Dr.Smiley" and his evil assistants checked my butt, they  sucked drew my blood, and strapped me down on their lab table like Frankenstein to take X-Rays.  

All of the tests came out great and...$345 later, (hence my new nickname),  it was decreed that there was nothing wrong and my diagnosis was "extreme lethargy" (you can stop laughing anytime now. I am a CAT and of COURSE I suffer from extreme lethargy! Geeze!!  I knew I was fine!!! Mom now thinks I might have startled myself and that the "thud" she had heard might have been me falling off of Mom's desk). When we got home I ran to my food bowl and started chowing down with gusto!! 

I was proud of myself because I figured now that they got one of my "wellness" exams out of the way,  I wouldn't have to have my usual exam this October. I thought wrong......while pawing around in Mom's email I saw something that made me hiss gasp.

	DePorre Veterinary Hospital 4066 West Maple Road Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301 248-646-1669

	We miss you (a lot)!
	It's time for a visit.
	Please call us today to schedule an appointment for Cody
	248-646-1669
Dear Caren, Cody is due for some important medical care in October: • Feline Senior Wellness Exam due Tuesday October 09, 2018 Please disregard this message if you have already scheduled your appointment. See you soon! DePorre Veterinary Hospital

Kitties!! They "miss me (a lot)", YEAH I BET THEY DO!!! Bet they have had no fresh blood lately and now they are after mine!!

Kitties! I was JUST AT THE VET approximately one month ago! Doesn't that count as an exam? See how it says "please disregard this message if you have already scheduled your appointment"? Well, THIS NEEDED TO BE DISREGARDED!!! My Mom is INSANE and "Dr.Smiley" and his evil laboratory are out for my blood!!!! They said I have to have my annual rabies exam too because a "bat could fly into our home and bite me!!" A BAT FLYING INTO MY HOME ARE YOU SERIOUS??? WHO WORRIES ABOUT BATS OTHER THAN DRACULA?? (and now "Dr.Smiley" and his evil assistants!) I TELL YOU KITTIES THEY ARE AFTER MY BLOOD!!! Mom needed to disregard their email.  But did she? Noooooooooo...........................

My appointment isn't until October 4th (Mom and "Dr.Smiley's Evil Assistant even agreed to have me come in FIVE DAYS EARLY....supposedly due to BATS.....BATS!!!!! Am I the ONLY ONE WITH A BRAIN AROUND HERE????) Kitties can you help me? PLEASE!!!

Love, Cody

FROM "MOM" on September 6, 2018. To everyone who read this post, THANK YOU!! Please know that this was ENTIRELY meant in complete fun!!! We LOVE our Vet (and everyone who works there), and are grateful for how fast they saw Cody when we thought something was wrong. We have been going to DePorre since before Cody and Dakota were ever with us (so maybe 16 or so years?) We have complete trust in them and are blessed to have them caring for our pets. The day that happened to Cody I was terrified, I waited a while to blog about it to be sure he was ok. I am thankful for how thorough "Dr.Smiley" (aka Dr.Lewis) was about running tests and all, and for the extra special care he took to make sure that Cody's legs, etc., were ok. I  completely respect  him and I trust his judgement, we care about him as if he was family! (We also adore a certain Receptionist there who has kitties that reviewed products for us!)  As for the bats, yep, they HAVE gotten into people's homes! That's the truth!!

Cat Lovers! "Curl Up With A Cat Tale Series", Short Stories by Gwen Cooper (NY Times bestselling author of Homer's Odyssey)

It is with great pleasure that today I am honored to present to you a first-of-its-kind venture in traditional book publishing, Curl Up With a Cat Tale Series. This series is a monthly electronic short-story series, that are true-life cat tales written by Gwen Cooper (NY Times Bestselling author of "Homer's Odyssey"), about her world-famous fur family.

I have had the honor of reviewing Gwen's books, (in fact, my review of Homer's Odyssey was the FIRST book review I had ever done on this blog. All the way back in August of 2010.) I remember being terrified when Gwen contacted me asking if I would be interested in reviewing her book, but I did, I, like millions of others fell in love with Gwen and her writing,  and countless more reviews followed.

When Gwen contacted me approximately a week ago asking if I would help with getting the word out about her NEW Curl Up With A Cat Tale Series, I had to break one of my own rules! (I previously would never, ever review an ebook or anything that I had to read online)....until now.......well, rules "ARE meant to be BROKEN", right? And....when Gwen Cooper asks, (because I am STILL a major "fan girl" of hers), I will pretty much do ANYTHING that she asks. (Well, ALMOST anything!). I am glad that I broke my own rule. The story I read is the featured short story for the month of April:

Cover Courtesy of Gwen Cooper

I Choo-Choo-Choose You! is a short story written by Gwen, that shares the touching and humorous story of how Gwen's cat, Scarlett came into her life. 

I didn't realize how much I had missed reading Gwen's writing until I was immersed in this precious story. 

Gwen's writing style makes you feel as if you are listening to a friend share a story. Always touching, always striking a chord that cat lovers can relate to.

FROM GWENCOOPER.COM:

"Before there was Homer the Blind Wonder Cat, there was Scarlett—the adorable, maddeningly aloof, gray rescue tabby…

Every cat lover remembers the very first feline they fell in love with. For celebrated cat writer Gwen Cooper, that first love is Scarlett—a pint-sized rescue kitten with a king-sized personality. A natural-born troublemaker, and wary at first after life on the streets, Scarlett is quick to win hearts with her kittenish mischief, but slow to open her own heart to the woman who saved her. Yet as the months go by, and bonds of trust are painstakingly forged link by link, Gwen begins to realize that the love you have to earn just may be the love that means the most."

The Curl Up With A Cat Tale Series, is one new short story (8,000 to 12,000 words/ 25 to 40 pages) each month.

You may purchase each story individually for $3.99 on Kindle, Nook, iBooks, Kobo, and wherever ebooks are sold OR subscribe for an entire year for a 1-time payment of $14.99 (62% off list price!)

Subscriptions available at

 www.gwencooper.com/cat-tales

Subscribers will automatically receive their new story the first week of each month; stories delivered in PDF, ePub, and Mobi formats--may be read on any desktop or laptop computer, ereader, mobile phone, tablet, and/or printed out on paper for a hard copy.

Each story filled with all the humor and heart Gwen's readers have come to know, love, and crave more of!

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

THE NEXT CAT STORY

IN THE SERIES IS AVAILABLE MAY 1, 2018

It features:

"Clayton “the Tripod”  who is a special-needs

rescue who quickly established himself

 as king of the house—

a “loveable doofus” and

natural clown with a heart big enough

 for ten cats." 

Full Disclosure: I was not compensated for posting this review. As I mentioned I have reviewed all of Gwen's books, I ADORE Gwen and her writing. We are both professional members of the Cat Writer's Association (although SHE is an enormously successful member, and I am a peon who writes pretty darned good book reviews...but I digress). 

Curiosity Nearly Killed This Cat Lover

This post originally was published Saturday, November 14th, 2009. At that time I think I had TWO readers? This one was one of my faves and I hope you like it!

Monday evening I was on the balcony enjoying the unseasonably warm weather when "what to my wondering ears", I heard the sound of a cat crying. Uh-oh for me that is a dangerous sound. It is one I cannot ignore. I probed the darkness with my eyes  trying to catch a glimpse of the wailing kitty. Kitty Rescue 911 had been called, I was on alert! I went off to proceed with my rescue! Didn't get the memo that I would be the one crying and in need of rescuing!

In my rush to find the soon to be feline felon I flew out the back door of our condo/apartment building, eyes riveted on the courtyard ahead so as not to miss the poor wailing kitty who I was sure needed my help. Too bad I forgot there were stairs. Big Stairs. Big raggedly edged concrete stairs just waiting to attack.

CRASH, BOOM, WHACK, THUD I rolled and smashed my way to the ground. I bashed my knee, smashed my arm, hand and finger and whammed the side of my face onto the concrete. Thank G-d for baseball hats with brims! If I hadn't been wearing one I am certain I would have cracked my skull.

pill bug

I rolled onto my back, legs in the air, like a pill bug, (not a pretty site to see this kind of girth laying in that most unbecoming manner). I was afraid I couldn't move. I lay there looking at the lights of our condo on the 2nd floor wondering why my Sheltie who barks at every sound (even those unable to be heard by man) did not run to the window to alert my husband that I was in danger and needed help! Lassie he is not, (but we'll keep him).

Observe, NO DOG in window

Thankfully after Xrays I am fine. Still can't bend my finger, I am bruised like an over ripe banana on my chest and arm, ("no doc my husband didn't beat me, I had an altercation with 2 giant concrete steps over a cat!!") but I am fine!!

I laugh when I think of what a dear friend said to me when I told her of the mishap. She said she hoped the cat hadn't filmed the entire escapade and posted it on Youtube.

I never did find that cat, but I WILL be checking Youtube.

NOTE: A couple of months later our Property Manager had the stairs lowered. (Nope! I didn't complain or tell them about my "adventure"), I do  know of at least one other person though who had "wiped out" in a similar manner. It appears that when the Property Manager was "walking" the property they discovered that the steps were not "up to code" regulations for height. 

Book Review:Travels With George:Paris, A Cat's Eye Adventure

What did you do this past weekend? Did you happen to go to Paris? Did you happen to have a highly intuitive, somewhat sassy and clever kitty as your tour guide? No? So sorry to hear that, you must plan your trip to Paris with George as your tour guide NOW. I just returned. My trip was a whirlwind excursion all through the eyes of George. George cannot type you know due to the one thing that cat's lack (thumbs) but author David Stone (who is George's "man") told us George's story brilliantly. Deborah Julian's ("the woman") charming and delightful illustrations were completely captivating.

George and Billy are cats who are brothers. George is the "big brother" wise cat who is deeply philosophical, ponders life with confidence and a touch of arrogance (I sometimes thought of Garfield the Cat here) and finds his younger brother Billy's insecurities and "dog-like" personality annoying to say the least. He is the epitome of the "copycat" little brother that has to do everything the big brother does, only lacking the ability to do it with finesse like his big brother has. (He reminded me of "Odie" from the same "Garfield comic strip! only much more fearful)

George and Billy are New York City apartment cats. Their world consists of window views, litter boxes, food served at the exact same time every day, toys and the love of their "man" and "woman" (as is the case with so many indoor cats).

One day while observing a pigeon outside their window George thinks "if birds can go out and do whatever they want, why are cats kept confined? Are the birds better than us? Are they more capable?" it turns out the answer is an overwhelming NO!

 George is bored with his inside existence and wants to see the world! He doesn't care about the destination because all destinations lead to "outside!" He is resentful when his "man" and "woman" leave for various vacations (he always knows when they are going when he sees the giant suitcase appear on the bed and hears the "zip, zip, zip" of the zipper opening and watches the clothes being piled in).  George  vows that next time he will devise a plan where he can join them and "devise a plan" he did! Even "copycat" Billy who follows and mimics George's every move (much to George's annoyance) got in on the plan!!

I won't spoil the fun and say how George carried out his plan but it got he and Billy to PARIS!!  "Paris is the world and the universe" "There are flowers on every corner."

George takes us on  a delightful tour of Paris,  teaches us it's history full of richness and Art (once again Deborah Julian's  illustrations make this journey even more delightful!!) Museums, parks, flowers, food, of course the Eiffel Tower.....ahhhh Paris! Even insecure baby brother Billy begins to relax and "live in the moment" which cats seem to do so well but their humans seem to lack this ability which is wisely and duly noted by George. George and Billy even seem to grow closer on this shared journey.

George lives by the mantra of "if you wish for great things you must learn patience" He goes on to say "still, when my golden opportunity does arrive, I am ready for it, and I execute my plan with artistry and stealth. What an adventure I have ahead!"

What an adventure YOU will have ahead when you read "Travels With George:Paris, A Cat's Eye Adventure" Grab a croissant and your favorite beverage and allow George to give you a most historical and insightful tour of Paris (as only a wise cat like George can) Allow him to show you how to "live in the moment",  "how to be happier from now on. We'd all be much happier if we all absorbed a little more like a cat"