I just love cats. They’re ornery, goofy, surprising, clever, endearing and absolutely adorable. Fascinating, independent, hilarious and precious, they are great hunters, therapists, healers and heroes in our lives. From the meows to the purrs to the scratches, those of us who love cats know that every day is Caturday!
Our feline friends have long enriched our human lives. Even Winston Churchill commented about the personalities of cats in relation to us humans, saying, “I am fond of pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals.” I just love the cat-attitude!
If you love cat-attitude, humorous antics and heartwarming adventures, then be prepared to fall in love with these stories. We love the way that Chicken Soup for the Soul features rescued cats in their stories, and the way they highlight the merits of black cats and senior cats, the ones that are often left behind at the shelters. We appreciate that royalties from this book will help support the work that American Humane Association is doing, to promote cat adoption and animal welfare.
You’ll read about “ornery cats” in Chapter 1, including Junior, an adorable little white cat who becomes a fierce warrior whenever a dog happens by. It’s amazing how often we hear about big dogs that are terrified of little fluffy cats, isn’t it? Who’s running things around here, anyway? Oh yes… that would be the cats.
I loved the “goofy cat” stories in Chapter 2, including the one about Scooter, a three-legged cat who finally overcomes his fear of the dreaded vacuum, attacks it while it’s off, and never runs away from it again.
Cats are wonderful healers for their human charges as well, and you’ll read all about those “healer cats” in Chapter 3. I can’t stop thinking about a little stray named Lion who was rescued by a mentally ill girl and then stopped the girl from killing herself.
Chapter 4 is filled with stories about “surprising cats.” You won’t believe all the different ways that cats manage to confound their humans. I chuckled when I read about the woman who was cat sitting for a friend and didn’t realize she had inadvertently welcomed an interloper into the group. Two months later, she got to share in the kittens that resulted from that confusion.
We all know people who don’t want cats and then fall madly, reluctantly in love with them. You’ll feast on those “I-told-you-so” stories in Chapter 5, all about those “endearing cats” who turned unsuspecting non-consenting adults into cat lovers. One husband even gave up his fishing season when an adopted stray cat had her kittens in his beloved boat.
“Clever cats” abound in Chapter 6. I got a kick out of King Murphy, a big Maine Coon rescue who performs amazing feats, including playing board games with a little girl, even using the spinner and then wearing the jewelry he wins.
Sometimes cats have a bad reputation for being aloof, and that’s just not right. Chapter 7 is all about those intuitive, friendly “therapist cats” who seem to know just what their humans need. You’ll be wowed by the story of a stray kitten who attaches himself to a man dying of cancer, not leaving his side for one moment, and who then disappears, never to be seen again, as soon as the man passes on.
I think every cat owner knows about that famous hunting instinct, and Chapter 8, about “hunter cats,” shares stories about all the ways that cats have channeled that instinct in non-harmful ways. I loved the story about the cat family that went so far as to put an easel at the end of their driveway to display all the items their cat stole from the neighbors, so that everyone could reclaim their possessions.
Cats can be amazing nurturers as well, often mothering puppies or human babies. Those “nanny cats” are the subject of the stories in Chapter 9. One mom even reports that she learned some good parenting strategies from watching how her momma cat cared for her new human baby.
And finally, we read about “heroic cats” in Chapter 10, because, surprisingly, cats often save people and other animals. In the story “We Rescued Each Other,” a man with Asperger’s and stuttering rescues a black cat because they are both “not wanted.” The cat has therapeutic value, and helps the man become happier, more outgoing, and more assertive.
I recognized all these cat attributes as I read these stories, because cats have always been a big part of my life. One of my first pets was Daisy, a stray kitty that found her way into our home in Arkansas. Daisy was with us for many years enjoying our family’s weekly spaghetti night. She was my best friend while I was growing up. Ms. Kitty was another favorite feline in our home, as was Mercedes while I was in college. Years later, Annie and her litter of kittens showed up on our doorstep in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. My husband and I spent many hours helping Annie feed her new babies. Happily, we found forever loving homes for all of Annie’s kittens.
Now, our family is the home to three felines who provide us with constant love, humor and joy. And just recently, my husband rescued two precious stray kitties, delivering them to my retired parents who love their new furry best friends.
While cats make purr-fect pets for some people, it’s important to remember that though they appear to be very independent, cats are actually dependent on us humans for their needs, including food, water, medical attention, shelter and companionship. But our furry friends provide us with years of unconditional love and devotion that far outweigh the daily responsibilities.
If you wish to have a feline join your family, remember to consider the following… Do you want a kitten or an adult cat? Kittens need a lot of attention and will have to be house-trained. On the plus side, they do adapt well to their new home and surroundings. For many people, especially those who work outside the home, an adult cat is a wise choice for a loving pet.
Do you want a long- or short-haired cat? Long-haired cats require daily brushing to keep their fur from matting, so be prepared to spend time grooming your new feline best friend.
Do you want a male or female? Both male and female felines can be equally playful and affectionate! Gender is purely a personal preference.
You may be the purr-fect cat owner if you…
• Believe caring for a pet for fifteen to eighteen years does not seem like a lifetime
• Look forward to having your ankles rubbed by an affectionate, loving creature
• Don’t mind sharing your house with someone who sheds
• Don’t mind sharing your house with someone who will never clean up after him or herself
• Love a housemate who will randomly and regularly entertain you with outrageous and silly antics, at his whim, not yours!
You can set the stage for a life filled with love and companionship by adopting a cat from your local shelter today. American Humane Association created Adopt-a-Cat Month® in 1983, and during every June since then we have encouraged adoptions from local animal shelters. But those of us who know how much fun it is to have cats in our lives know that every day is Caturday, and every month is Adopt-a-Cat month!
Once you adopt a feline friend, be sure to care for your cat by remembering the following:
• Twice is nice. Visit your veterinarian twice a year to keep your kitty healthy and happy.
• No tubby tabbies! Lower the risk of obesity by feeding the right food and providing exercise. Ask your veterinarian about the right diet for your cat based on his age and activity.
• Don’t bug your cat! It’s easy to prevent parasites with year-round protection.
• Lost and found. Be sure to get your feline micro-chipped!
• Cleanliness counts. Use proper sized litter boxes for better cleanliness.
• Play for prey. Cats need exercise and play, so be sure to provide toys and activities.
• The more the merrier! Cats are social, and adopting two or more provides for a loving home.
As you make your way through this wonderful collection, be sure to look at the photos at the beginning of each chapter. You’ll meet ten adorable cats who are part of the Chicken Soup for the Soul family — each one rescued off the streets or from a shelter.
So if inspiration strikes after enjoying these stories and looking at the photos, please visit your local shelter to adopt a new best friend. Remember, there is no greater love than that of a cat. And thank goodness they have nine lives for all that love they have to give you!
~Robin Ganzert, President and CEO, American Humane Association
