Most cats can probably be labeled as bird-TV-watching couch potatoes. I know the ones who live with me can best be described in this way.
Lisa Rogak, in her book, Cats on the Job, introduces us to 50 real cats from around the world who have jobs on a larger scale than just keeping their humans warm at night. Many of the cats are employed as mousers to keep rodent populations under control. These cats work in a variety of locales and industries. Most of us have either met or heard about cats who “work” in churches, libraries or shops. Though Rogak includes these cats in her book, she also introduces us to others with both unusual and unique jobs.
First up is Sable, the crossing guard cat from West Richland, Washington. This was one of my favorite stories.
You’ll meet musical cats, the well-known Amazing Acro-Cats, a mayor, a train stationmaster, a dog trainer, a teaching assistant, a foster mother to Rottweiler puppies, actors, models and so many more. Even mega-star Grumpy Cat is included.
The book has at least one full-color photo of each cat, many wearing the garb associated with their position, as you can see from the book cover and the photo of Sable.
Another of my favorites was Chesney, the baby-sitting kitten, who takes the younger, orphan kitten, Joey, under his paw.
You’ll also meet Towser, a Scottish distillery cat, who has the distinction of being included in The Guinness Book of World Records for dispatching 28,899 mice during his time on the job.
One of the subjects, Doorkins Magnificent, of Southwark Cathedral in London, slept through head scritches from Queen Elizabeth.
This is a feel good book that will keep you smiling from beginning to end and just might elicit several “squeees” from you along the way. The writing is excellent with well-reaserched bios of each cat.
Photo by Ben Gately WilliamsLisa Rogak has been writing professionally since 1981. She’s written more than 40 books on a wide range of topics including biographies of Barack Obama, Jon Stewart and Dan Brown, to name a few. Just as this book is a must read for all those who love or are fascinated by cats, so is Rogak’s bio, which you can find on her website, www.lisarogak.com.
To enter the giveaway for a copy of Cats on the Job, leave a comment on this post prior to Sunday, February 28, at 5 p.m. ET. The winner will be selected using Random.org.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of Cats on the Job from the author in exchange for my fair and honest review. I also was promised a copy to give away to one of my readers. The opinions expressed in this review are mine alone.
Love your review! This is a book I do want to get! Please enter us in the drawing!
Marty and Mom
P.S> You will like to hear that Harvey is much improved and being a great guy again! we love our white boy with the half ears 🙂
Did we enter, if so, sorry for saying hello again!
We have this book, and it is GREAT! We won’t enter, since we already have it, but good luck to everyone who enters! 🙂
Would love a copy of this book to share with my human. I have a furrfriend who accompanies his kiddies to school each day and then goes back in the afternoon to accompany them home. He keeps them safe. Purrs. Sunshine
frankie falls down on the job supposed to be therapy cat but doesn’t like people outside the family lovely review will have to check out the book thanks for sharing hugs and purrs to fiona and all the kitties blue
I have this book, but I must confess I hadn’t had the time to read it yet, even though it’s seems quite interesting. I’ve met a few library and bookstore cats and I must say it’s one of the reasons I visit some of those libraries and bookstores. I just can’t resist a cute kitty 🙂
Mes is so old, mes retired! (Tee Hee!)
Kisses
Nellie
PS. Don’t tell my Mommy, but mes started my own blog
http://NellieOnTheEdge.blogspot.ca/
That is a great book, I have an e-copy so I am not going to enter though.
Wonderful review! Good luck to all who enter! We aren’t entering because we reviewed it some months ago but wanted to say we agree with you about how meowvelous it is!
That looks like a great book but do they have CPA Cats in there? Our WW post tomorrow will be a pic of one of us at work today!
We came to tell you that we did ALL of the Sunday Selfies and find you have a giveaway. Oh boy!! Well done you it looks a fun book.
What a cute book! We’d love to win it for the mom.
That sounds like a lovely book.
We would love this book!! It’s a great review. Mom didn’t know it was World Spay Day – she said she’d put it on her calendar for next year so she’ll remember to do a special post!!
What a great subject to write about… we hear lots about working dogs, so its nice to have working cats too. I do love feel good stories and a bit of humour. purrs
We’ve read that one and it’s pretty darn good, except for that work stuff MOL!
What a great concept for a book. Bet the author had fun traveling to meet those famous kitties.
I think all us kittehz here would agree that we have jobs, too – keeping the Mommy in line is the biggest one. MOL!
Seriously, looks like a great read!
This sounds like a wonderful book that our Entertainment Reviewer, Lucky, will need to read. 🙂
That sounds like a great book ! Purrs
I love cat stories like this!
This sounds like a really good book and M and I would like to read. Thanks for offering it.
This book sounds like such a fun read. Cats are simply amazing, and the things they can do never cease to amaze me. Thank you for sharing this, and for the chance to win! Purrs!
Sounds fab… we’ll have to get a copy…. howeffur, will that mean that P.A. will expect us to get a job? MOL MOL Purrs basil xox
This sounds like such a fun book! And it could be such an inspiration for the seven of us! We hope we win! Midge, Nicky, Inky, Freckles, Charlie, Tippi and Maggie! 😀
guys…what a total lee awesum give a way !!! thiz book sounds like it iz reel lee
fun & it wood be grate ta reed two de food serviss gurl ~~~~~~ best fishes two everee
one on winning a copee !! ♥♥♥
What a great book! We would love to win it for our mom whose birthday is today.
I bought and read the book but wanted to say I do love it! All the costumes and inventive cats are the best entertainment! Have fun, whoever wins
I would love to have this book and share it with my son, also a cat lover. Looks so cute and fun!
I think I need to put my lazy cats to work. One of them can do my job.
Great review!!!!! Mom says there’s only one job I’m fit for and that’s Professional Napper.
Love, Sammy
That book looks great – can we try for the give away book please? – some British cats are included in there.
Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx
I’ve read about the train stationcatster (who not that long ago died) but I don’t think I ever heard about the other jobs like Sable has! This sounds so great!
That sounds like a fun book. I was reading earlier today about the Prime Minister of Great Britain’s cat that is the official mouser. Thanks for the giveaway!
This looks like such a fun book!
Such cute cats. I should put our cats to work!
Hello to you all cats! Its Scout Aspen weighing in on this lovely book about Working cats! Mom promises to read it to me if we, ie she and I (Aspen), Win!!