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"

Cody, aka "Wascally Wabbit" Or "Rabbit Boy"

Hi everybody, and Happy "Furday", it's me, Cody. Haven't talked to you in a while, so while Mom is getting ready to leave for the vet soon, I thought I would try and turn on this thing that she is obsessed with the majority of the day and write to you. I HAVE to let you know what she is doing to me NOW.



I know my Mom told you I had a sore or two on my head that wasn't making me feel very good. We went to the Kitty Doctor and he gave me some medicine. They sort of cleared up but then a day or two ago my Mom noticed one of them coming back. The Kitty Doctor said if they got worse to let him know. It was ok yesterday but I must have been scratching when my Mom didn't see and one of them is a little wet and irritated with blood again.

Rats!! If I had known what was going to happen I never would have scratched it. Being the obsessive-compulsive, neurotic Mom that she is, who does she go and call? Bingo! The Kitty Doctor or the man with the glasses and deceptively smiling face and gentle hands who very soon is going to be inflicting culinary torture. (I know, I heard them plotting their little scheme!)

I always know when Mom is calling him cause she gets all frantic and says "This is Caren Gittleman, Cody's Mom", whenever I hear her say that I know I am probably not gonna like what is coming but this time she and the veterinary "Master Chef" are going too far! Hey I love this guy I really do but when you mess with my food you are crossing the line pal! It is an environmental allergy I know it! Don't go messing with my food!!!


Bottom line is Mom is going to go and get more meds today and she is picking up food made with RABBIT! RABBIT DO YOU HEAR ME? RABBIT!! Poor "Little Rabbit Foo-Foo" I had NOTHING to do with this! I repeat NOTHING! Uh, Mom, last I looked I don't live in a feral colony, I am civilized and I want my chicken, beef and treats! Do you hear me?? Treats!!! What, is canned rabbit supposed to be like a rabbit's foot and bring me good luck? You and the next "Veterinary Food Network Star" need to get over yourselves....and fast! I will not eat "Peter Cottontail!"

To make matters worse Mom tends to have a kinda  sick sense of humor and when she was giving me some of my great food last night (kinda like the almost "last supper") she started calling me "Wascally Wabbit" and "Rabbit Boy".....way to go Mom! Make fun of a kitty when he is down! Hey, I love you too chubby (cough, cough) lady, maybe YOU should change YOUR diet and eat some rabbit! What? You don't want to? Well, that makes two of us!

I am NOT amused!!

By the way Mom...

Congrats on  your 100th post!! (I think)

Thankful Thursday Thoughts And A Blog Hop

My 100th blog post is rapidly approaching and it has been making me feel rather thoughtful. Please indulge me with a one day digression away from cats (what??? Did I really say that?) Yes, because the feelings I am experiencing today are compelling me to write about more than just cats.

I can't believe I have almost hit the 100th blog mark (it would have come much, much sooner if I hadn't been so lazy back in the late Fall when I began this blog and in the dreary winter months).

Blogging has been an amazing adventure! I have made some wonderful friends both on Twitter and Facebook, I have signed up to follow some fabulous blogs on a variety of different topics, not just blogs about cats.

Make no mistake, blogging isn't easy. My fellow bloggers are well aware of this, those that read and don't blog, maybe not so much.

We all have our doubts as to whether our subject matter for that day is compelling enough, whether we as bloggers/writers are interesting enough and the dreaded "Oh no! What in the world am I going to write about today?" moments.

As a novice blogger I am thankful for my followers. Those who have been with me from day one, those who have newly made the decision to follow and to those followers yet to come. If I were to learn nothing more on this journey I have learned how important it is to show interest, compassion and support to my fellow bloggers. You want someone to follow you? Well then, click the button and follow them back! Comment on their posts! It makes them (and me!) feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

So today I bring to you a Blog Hop that I saw while reading Mariodacat's blog. Take a moment fellow bloggers, casual blog readers, those that follow me and others and new followers-to-be. Peruse the list, pick out 3 blogs that you would like to follow, actually CLICK on follow and  leave them a COMMENT, let them know you found them on a Blog Hop. If you have a blog not on the list be sure to link your blog at the bottom. If someone follows you, follow them back! Karma will reward you! Trust me!

Thanks for reading Cat Chat!