This book is dedicated to the memory of my maternal grandmother, Elizabeth Robinson, and to my mother, Isabelle O’Connor, both of whom nurtured my love of nature and especially cats.

 

I also wish to acknowledge the support and encouragement of my wife Catherine, without the help of whom this book would not have been possible.

 

I am indebted to Richard Morris for the artistic talent he brought to the production of the illustrations in this book. Normally a landscape painter specializing in marine subjects, his insightful and vivid interpretations of the text bring the story alive.