Book Review

CHRISTMAS COMES EARLY

How Snowball Stole Christmas

Disclaimer: I received an advanced reader’s edition of
How Snowball Stole Christmas by Kristin McKanagh free of
charge to me in exchange for my fair and honest review
of the book. The opinions shared are mine alone.

Cover of the book, How Snowball Stole Christmas, featuring a white cat in a Santa hat with a gold gift box. If you are a fan of cats, especially mischievous ones, Christmas, love stories and Hallmark movies, you will love this book. How Snowball Stole Christmas is the third book in the series about Snowball, who is a matchmaker at heart.

When Snowball sets out to match Peter, a veteran with a chip on his shoulder, and Lara, a new neighbor and first-time toy store owner, chaos ensues. The theft of a Santa hat and impromptu Santa assignment at Lara’s shop for Peter, a glitter “bomb,” wet paint and a super glue fiasco involving Peter and Snowball, are maneuvers by Snowball aimed at bringing Lara and Peter together.

Despite Snowball’s shenanigans, Peter’s resentfulness of Lara outbidding him for the shop’s space and his sharing his opinions on the town’s on-line forum under the pseudonym, Right Rudolph, a love match seems improbable.

But, as the story progresses, the two begin a friendship, especially after Lara’s brother and sister-in-law foist their six-year-old son on Lara just as her shop is in the midst of it’s first holiday shopping season. Peter and the boy are drawn to each other, and Peter helps care for and entertain the boy. This in turn brings Peter and Lara closer together.

When Lara discovers that Peter is Right Rudolph, just prior to him confessing to her, it would seem that any opportunity for their newly evolving romantic relationship is dead. But is it?

You’ll just have to read this charming book to find out, which I highly recommend. It’s a heart-warming story purrfect for the holidays. And if you’re searching for a gift for your cat-loving friends, you cannot go wrong with How Snowball Stole Christmas.

You can find it at all major bookstores, Target, Walmart and Amazon.com

Giveaway

I am giving away my copy of How Snowball Stole Christmas to one lucky reader of our blog. To have the opportunity to win, leave a comment on this post anytime through Friday, October 21, at 5 p.m. ET.

FALL IN LOVE WITH DESTINY & HER KITTENS

Destiny Returns

Destiny I am always happy when I have the opportunity to reacquaint myself with an old friend, especially when that friend is a cat! I first met Destiny back in 2015 when I read and reviewed her book, They Call Me Destiny, a Meowmoir, which takes place over the span of several months in 1963. Now Destiny has returned, in Destiny’s Children, a Cat Meowmoir, the second book in a trilogy.

If you haven’t read her first book, it is okay; this book stands alone. But if you’d like to get a little background, check out my original review here. Better yet read book one as well as book two. Right now you can buy it at a special price. Check the bottom of this post for additional information.

Destiny’s Children begins where book one left off and covers the next, often tumultuous, nine years of Destiny’s life with her kittens and humans, Fern and Konny. As the book begins, Fern decides to become matchmaker for Destiny and begins the search to find Destiny the perfect mate. After an initial misstep with an old, huge and hissy Siamese, a young, handsome Siamese, Dimitri, is found and becomes that mate.

Destiny becomes the mother to seven kittens and the remainder of the book lays out the next nine years of Destiny’s life. You’ll learn about her humans and their tumultuous relationship. You’ll also discover what happens to all the kittens, but especially the two kittens, including “afraid-of-his-own-shadow” D’Artangan, that remain with mom Destiny. And that is where I will leave you. I recommend you read Destiny’s new book.

Destiny’s Children is sprinkled with black and white kitty photos that will melt you heart. Near the front, you will find some angel cats. If you look carefully, you’ll see an angel near and dear to our hearts. Kitties Blue, Dad Tom and I sincerely thank and her mom, Fern, for including this special angel.

As a bonus, you will find a prologue to Destiny’s third book, Destiny Moves to La La Land.

Where to Get Destiny’s Children

Destiny’s Children will launch on Mother’s Day, May 9, make it the purrfect gift for your mom and yourself. The “insiders” special sale will begin on that day and continue throughout the month. The new book will be on sale for $10 with book one, They Call Me Destiny, on sale for $5. Shipping and handling for either book is $3. Prices include sales tax. Visit Books2Cherish to purchase your copy.

To learn more about Destiny’s human, the award-winning actress and writer, Fern Field Brooks, click here or here.

Disclaimer: The Cat on My Head received a free pre-publication copy of Destiny’s Children, for the purpose of review and one free copy of the published book. I received no monetary compensation nor was I told what to write about the book. The opinions expressed here are mine alone.

May 6, 2021 by Janet Blue Book Review 15

TOTAL CAT MOJO REVIEW & GIVEAWAY

Book Review

I am an unabashed fan of Jackson Galaxy, as I am certain most of you know. So when I was asked if I wanted to review his new book, Total Cat Mojo, I immediately said, “Yes, please.”n

If your cat had come with a instruction manual, this book would be it. As the book’s subtitle (The Ultimate Guide to Life with Your Cat) suggests, Total Cat Mojo is a must read reference book for all cat guardians and anyone thinking of adopting for the first time.

Let’s start with defining Cat Mojo. According to Galaxy mojo is: “the confidence that cats exhibit when they are at ease in their environment an in touch with their natural instincts—to hunt, catch, kill, eat, groom, and sleep.”

Galaxy says in the book’s introduction, “My primary occupation through these years actually has not been about solving cat issues but about teaching you how to find, cultivate, and hold onto mojo.”

Galaxy’s packed everything he has learned since his first days working at the Humane Society of Boulder Valley (Colorado) in the early nineties to being the star of the Animal Planet television program, My Cat from Hell, into this 365-page book.

He starts by describing what he calls “The Raw Cat.” The Raw Cat is another cat (little changed from ancient times) living inside your cat. This “ancestral twin” of your cat “sends constant transmissions to your companion about the urgency of securing territory, hunting, killing, eating, and staying ever alert, because just as cats hunt, they are also being hunted.” It is in understanding your cat’s instinctual behaviors that you will be able to eliminate the actions that are keeping your cat from attaining total cat mojo.

Territorial issues, litter box problems, aggression, anxiety, new pet/family member introductions…absolutely any question you might have with regard to these and other issues, are addressed in Total Cat Mojo. If you need help with your cat, you cannot find a better authority than Jackson Galaxy. He gives you all the tools you’ll need to have a happy and confident cat…filled with mojo!

Both an extensive table of contents and index will let you easily find the issues with which you might need help. Regardless, I suggest you read the entire book before putting it on the shelf as your go-to cat reference handbook.

Total Cat Mojo was written with Mikel Delgado, co-owner of Feline Minds, a San Francisco Bay area based cat behavior consulting business. It also is sprinkled throughout with delightful illustrations by Bobby Rock.

Book Tour

In conjunction with tomorrow’s release of Total Cat Mojo, Galaxy will be visiting book stores across America from November 1 through 18. Here’s the schedule:

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – Nov. 1, 2017 • 7:00pm • get tickets
hosted by Rainy Day Books at the Turner Hall Ballroom

ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI – Nov. 2, 2017 • 7:00pm • get tickets
hosted by Left Bank Books at The Ethical Society of St. Louis

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – Nov. 3, 2017 • 7:00pm • get tickets
hosted by Rainy Day Books at Unity Temple on The Plaza Sanctuary

TEMPE, ARIZONA – Nov. 5, 2017 • get tickets
• NEW TIME: 3:30pm
• NEW VENUE: Dobson High School auditorium, hosted by Changing Hands Bookstore

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – Nov. 7, 2017 • 7:00pm • get tickets
hosted by The Strand at The Strand (3rd floor)

HUNTINGTON (LONG ISLAND), NEW YORK – Nov. 8, 2017 • 7:00pm • more info
hosted by Book Revue

WASHINGTON, DC – Nov. 10, 2017 • 7:00pm • get tickets
hosted by Politics and Prose at the Wharf

MARIETTA, GEORGIA – Nov. 12, 2017 • 7:00pm • get tickets
hosted by A Cappella Books of Atlanta at The Mansour Center

AUSTIN, TEXAS – Nov. 15, 2017 • 7:00pm • get tickets
hosted by Book People

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – Nov. 17, 2017 • 7:00pm • get tickets
hosted by University Bookstore at University Temple Methodist

BEAVERTON, OREGON – Nov. 18, 2017 • 2:00pm • more info at powells.com
hosted by Powell’s Cedar Hills Crossing

Please Note: Some of these venues may

require that you purchase a book from the venue to attend the event
not allow previously purchased books, or books purchased elsewhere, at their event
have limited capacity
require tickets
not allow cats or pets in the venue

Giveaway

I have one copy of Total Cat Mojo to give away to a reader. For the opportunity to win, leave a comment here prior to 5 p.m. ET on Saturday, November 4. Random.org will be used to select the winner. We’ll announce the name of that person on next Sunday’s Selfie post. The giveaway is open to all readers worldwide.

Disclaimer: I received from Penguin Random House one uncorrected proof of Total Cat Mojo for the purpose of review and one copy of the published book to give away. This was in exchange for my fair and honest review. I received no additional compensation.

October 30, 2017 by Janet Blue Book Review Cat Facts Giveaway Health 27

THE BOOK OF THE CAT: CATS IN ART

The Book of the Cat Review

The Book of the Cat is a small art book (7 1/2 X 6 inches) with a huge presence. It belongs on the coffee table of every cat lover, to be picked up and admired again and again. Petting a cat and hearing it purr have been shown to lower stress in humans. This book did exactly that for me. As I paged through and viewed the most gorgeous art depicting cats, I found myself transported to a quiet, peaceful place.

Artists from around the world are featured in The Book of The Cat, including the likes of Steinlen, Warhol, Manet and many other well-known and lesser-known artists, past and present. All breeds, shapes, sizes, colors and patterns of cats are included. One cat even looks like our pals, Truffle and Brûlée. The art covers a variety of styles, including folk, caricatures and portraits.

The 160-page book is composed of 115 illustrations, accompanied by short biographies of some of the artists and their subjects. You also will find proverbs and famous cat quotes. Many you will recognize and others you may not.

This book itself is a work of art. It is printed on high-quality, heavy, matte paper as if it were one of those over-sized art books that would cost more than your weekly supply of food and litter. This gem will be only $15.99 in the U.S. when it is available on August 22 from lauranceking.com. It will be available on Amazon on August 29, but you can pre-order it now for $10.99

I am so impressed by the quality of this book, my first thought was that I want to purchase an additional copy. Why? So I can cut out some of the pages and frame them. And I might do just that!

The Book of the Cat is the third book in a series by Angus Hyland. The other two books are The Book of the Dog and The Book of the Bird. Text for the book is by Caroline Roberts, a journalist and author who writes mostly about the graphic arts.

Giveaway

I know every one of my readers will fall in love with this book, and one lucky reader can win one. For an opportunity to win a copy of The Book of the Cat, please leave a comment on this post prior to 5 p.m. ET on Monday, August 21. The giveaway is open to all readers worldwide. The winner will be selected using Random.org and announced the following day.

Disclaimer: I received one copy of The Book of the Cat from Laurence King Publishing for the purpose of review and one copy to give away. I received no other compensation. The opinions expressed are totally mine alone.

August 15, 2017 by Janet Blue Book Review Giveaway 25

SHOP CATS OF NEW YORK: BOOK REVIEW

Shop Cats of New York

This book, written by popular and well-known, cat blogger (IHaveCat.com), Tamar Arslanian, already has been reviewed by many of our friends. If you’ve missed those reviews, here’s your opportunity to find out a bit about this beautiful book. I guarantee you’ll want to read it and add it to your collection of cat-inspired books.

Many of us are accustomed to running across the occasional cat “managing” a local boutique or shop. But few cities have such a large number of felines gracing the variety of retail establishments as New York.

In Shop Cats of New York, you’ll meet 36 cats “working” in such establishments as a hotel (the famous Algonquin), hobby and flower shops, a wine store and a distillery, a pharmacy and a bookstore, to name just a few.

Kettah is the “mascot” at Bleeker Street Records.

Shop Cats of New York features some of the most exquisite photography I have ever seen. Of course, the subject matter makes it almost impossible to take a “bad” photo. Andrew Marttila, the pet photographer from Philadelphia, is masterful in his ability to highlight his furry subjects. The photographer in our family (the kitties’ dad, Tom) was totally impressed by Marttila’s expertise and stunning photos, as was I.

Jack can be found at Wine Heaven in Gramercy Park, Manhattan, resting on his “Jack Lives here” doormat.

If this book only featured Marttila’s exquisite photography, it would be a must “read,” but Arslanian’s polished prose takes it to the next level of excellence, making it a must own.

My only complaint is that a few of the cats were featured only in photographs with no narrative. I wanted to know every detail available about every cat. Fortunately, only a few are missing their biographical information.

If you didn’t receive this must-have book in your Christmas stocking, you can find it at the usual retail booksellers, in stores and on-line.

Charlie, Smoke Scene, Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan

Disclosure: I received one copy of the book, Shop Cats of New York, from the publisher, Harper Collins, for the purpose of review. All opinions and recommendations are my own.

January 6, 2017 by Janet Blue Book Review 21

THE FABLE OF CATLANTIS

Book Review: Catlantis

Catlantis by Anna Starobinets is a fairy tale. It has all the expected components: the knight in shining armor, the damsel in distress, an evil character, magic and a quest. The knight, however, is a rather ordinary house cat named Baguette, who is dressed in ginger furs instead of armor. The damsel is Purriana, who becomes his fiancé and the bad guy is stray, dumpster, black cat, Noir. The quest is to retrieve the catlantic flower (to guarantee all cats nine lives), which involves the magic of time travel.

Translated from Russian by Jane Bugaeva, Catlantis is being promoted as a children’s book for readers in the third through seventh grades, and it would make a great gift for the young people on your Christmas list. But I thoroughly enjoyed this book and cannot imagine any cat lover who would not be delighted by this sweet and endearing story.

You’ll be cheering on Baguette as he shares notes with Purriana (delivered by doggie housemate, Bonehead) in an attempt to win her heart and when his quest gets sidetracked. And you won’t be able to keep from booing when it appears as if Noir is going to get his way.

Like all good fables and fairy tales, this one does have a happy ending. But you’ll need to read the book to find out just what that is.

In addition to the delightful story, you’ll enjoy whimsical black and white illustrations by Andrzej Klimowski.

Catlantis is available from the usual on-line retailers in hardcover and e-book formats. I regret that I do not have copies to give away.

Disclaimer: The Cat on My Head received one free copy of Catlantis for the purpose of review. All opinions are strictly my own.

October 4, 2016 by Janet Blue Book Review 18

TO CATCH A CAT REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

Though I love cats and kittens, I never thought I could fall in love with a mother cat (Oona) and her three kittens sight unseen. But that is exactly what happened when I read Heather Green’s book, To Catch a Cat. The book interweaves the story of Heather’s and boyfriend Matt’s first foray into kitten rescue and socialization and Heather’s memoir. You learn the intimate details of Heather’s fears, foibles and perceived shortcomings all while meeting and falling head over paws for kittens, Zero, Two Spot and Number Three.

The story begins when Matt and Heather discover three tiny kittens living in Matt’s neighbor’s backyard in Union City, New Jersey. Manhattanite and workaholic Heather and laid-back architect Matt take on the task of rescuing these kittens. First Matt builds an outdoor shelter for mom and babies. Then the waiting for the right time to capture the kittens begins. Once the kittens become indoor residents, the socialization process starts and continues until just the right homes are found for the three. During this process, Matt and Heather learn about feral cats and trapping and Heather learns about herself.

This is a book you don’t want to miss. It is definitely for anyone who has ever loved or rescued a cat, but it is also for every animal (regardless of species) fan or caregiver. This uplifting story of discovery, love, devotion and emotional growth will touch your heart.

My only complaint was the lack of photos in the book. But do not let that keep you from reading To Catch a Cat. Head over to @ToCatchaCat on Facebook to see photos and videos of these darlings as well as photos of other kitties saved by Heather and Matt.

Heather Green and mom cat Oona

Heather Green is an award-winning journalist and free lance writer. For 12 years she covered the Internet and digital media for BusinessWeek and has appeared on CNN, CNBC and BBC. This is her first book.

The best part of this post comes in the way of a giveaway for this gem of a book. I have three copies to give to our readers. As I am doing the mailing, I will ship worldwide. That means, everyone can enter. To do so, please leave a comment on this post no later than 5 p.m. ET on Saturday, July 16. Winners will be selected using Random.org.

10:30 AM Update

I just received these adorable photos of the kittens and wanted to share with everyone.

Screen Shot 2016-07-11 at 10.11.13 AM To Catch a Cat

Clockwise from upper left: Zero, Two Spot, Number Three, Number Three, Two Spot.

July 11, 2016 by Janet Blue Animal Rescue Book Review Giveaway 35

THE TRUE TAILS OF BAKER AND TAYLOR

Photo Courtesy of Baker and Taylor, LLC

Book Review and Giveaway

For anyone who loves cats The True Tails of Baker and Taylor is a must read and a book you’ll want in your permanent collection. Baker and Taylor are a pair of Scottish Fold cats who “worked” in the Douglas County Public Library in Minden, Nevada, from the mid-eighties through the mid-nighties. “Hired” by librarians Jan Louch (the author) and Yvonne Saddler, they were named for a book wholesaling company. When the company discovered this, they turned these two adorable kitties into their mascots and media stars, long before the days of Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Photo Courtesy of Baker and Taylor, LLC

Through posters, book bags and a variety of other advertising products, Baker and Taylor gained worldwide popularity among librarians and the public. They received letters, phone calls and visits from their fans.

Baker and Taylor even had their very own fan club, the second grade classes of Leslie Kramm at Jefferson Elementary School in Ohio. Through the years, classes sent cards, letters, photos and toys to the cats, and Louch responded as both herself and the cats. Teacher Kramm even wrote a song about Baker and Taylor, which the students sung and recoded for the cats. Click here to see the video.

Photo Courtesy of Leslie Kramm Twigg

Photo Courtesy of Jan Louch

This book by Louch (with Lisa Rogak, who originally wrote about the cats in her book, Cats on the Job) not only covers the lives of Baker and Taylor but also serves as a memoir for Louch, from growing up during the depression in the east bay of California, through her divorce and move with her two children to a Nevada farm to live with her parents, her days at the library, and finally the passing of the cats and her retirement. Additionally, the book includes bios/interviews with other library cats as well as with Baker’s and Taylor’s veterinarian. This combination along with several pages of photos made this book a standout for me.

Taylor in his favorite sitting position.

Photo Courtesy of Jan Louch

Baker in his favorite spot at the Circulation Desk.

Photo Courtesy of Jan Louch

Released this past Tuesday, you can purchase The True Tails of Baker and Taylor on Amazon.com.

For our readers in the U.S., we will be giving away one copy of The True Tails of Baker and Taylor. For the opportunity to win, leave a comment on this post by 5 p.m. ET, Thursday, May 12. The winner will be selected using Random.org and announced on Friday, May 13. Now there’s a great reason to look forward to a Friday the 13th.

We’ll be back tomorrow with Caturday Art. And don’t forget that our Mother’s Day Sunday Selfies Blog Hop will include a don’t-miss, extra special announcement.

May 6, 2016 by Janet Blue Book Review Giveaway 28

BUFFY THE CAT: MAKING THE MOST OF ALL NINE LIVES

Photo of Buffy: Gavin Anderson/Flickr

Book Review

Buffy is a talented and handsome ginger tabby with white highlights. He participates in a great number of things usually associated with humans in this 128-page, full-color book, Making the Most of All Nine Lives. Every page features Buffy. The subtitle of the book, The Extraordinary Life of Buffy the Cat, suggests that this tabby is a very busy and unique kitty. And indeed he is. Buffy poses as a golfer, grocery shopper, baseball fan, grill master, stamp collector, bowler and in dozens of other interesting situations.

Each photo is accompanied by what is supposed to be a clever comment made by Buffy. Unfortunately this is where the book fell short for me. Being accustomed to all the cute and hysterical cat memes on the internet, I felt that these captions were lackluster. Though written by award-winning, multi-media pet lifestyle expert, author and spokeswoman, Sandy Robins, I didn’t laugh, chuckle or giggle even once. This isn’t to say you won’t. Some of Buffy’s costumes and poses are adorable.

The photographer, Buffy’s dad, Dr. Paul Smulson, states that none of the photos have been altered in any way. He claims that Buffy is very patient, leaving him plenty of time to get the perfect photo. If you read this blog, I know you are fond of adorable cats, so you will undoubtedly enjoy Smulson’s photos.

Making the Most of All Nine Lives is being released in conjunction with the First Annual National Tabby Day to be held on April 30. The festivities will kick off at Bideawee, one of New York City’s most reputable shelters. Adoptions will take place between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. The official book launch will be from 12 to 2 p.m. with author Sandy Robins in attendance.

Making the Most of All Nine Lives is available from a variety of on-line retailers.

To see more of Buffy, you can visit him on Facebook and his web-site or find him on YouTube and Instagram at buffythecatlegend.

Disclaimer: I received one free copy of this book in exchange for my fair and honest review. I was not instructed what to write and received no additional remuneration.

April 14, 2016 by Janet Blue Book Review First Annual Tabby Day 24

MEOW: A BOOK OF HAPPINESS FOR CAT LOVERS

Meow Review and Giveaway

I cannot praise highly enough the book, Meow. Meow is a compilation of full-color photos as well as famous and not-so-famous quotes about cats, The book’s sub-title sums up what how I felt as I read it: A book of happiness for cat lovers. To say I LOVED this book would be a huge understatement.

You can flip through the 160-page Meow very quickly, but you won’t. If you are a fan of kitty ears, paws, whiskers, noses, tongues, fur and eyes, or just an admirer of beauty, you’ll find it here. I couldn’t take my eyes off these cats as I contemplated the quote accompanying each photo. You’ll find quotes in which you recognize your cat, yourself or your relationship with your cat.

The photographs included are courtesy of Shutterstock and all of exceptional quality. You can almost imagine these cats walking right off the glossy pages to cuddle with you. Each is stunning, but as always, I found myself drawn to the several grey cats included. My favorite is the one on page 30 opposite this quote by Sir Walter Scott, “Cats are a mysterious kind of folk. There is more passing in their minds than we are aware of.” No kidding.

This book gave me that warm, fuzzy feeling I associate with snuggling up to one or more of my kitties. It is heart-warming, up-lifting and simply beautiful. I know I will pick it up again and again if I am having a bad day or my eight are ignoring me, and I need a cat “fix.”

This is definitely a book you will want to add to your collection, especially if you have a love of cats and are not lucky enough to have one or more in your life. Two of The Cat on My Head readers will be able to win a copy. Simply leave a comment on this post prior to 5 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 10.

If you don’t win a copy or absolutely cannot wait until Thursday to find out if you have, Meow is available in a limited quantity from Amazon.com.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of Meow for purposes of review with the promise of two additional copies to give away to readers of The Cat on My Head. I received no monetary compensation and all opinions expressed are solely my own.

March 3, 2016 by Janet Blue Book Review Giveaway 36

YOU
For Fiona

It seems like only yesterday…
You were just a kitten.
When I saw your pleading look,
I was completely smitten.

Now at only six years old,
You are getting ready to leave,
Soon you will have your wings.
I’ve already started to grieve.

You’ve fought hard for the past year,
And I’m not ready to say good-bye.
I can’t imagine you not in my life
I am so sad…today I had to cry.

I am grateful and blessed
For my six years with you.
You’ll live in my heart forever.
You’re one of the best ever Kitties Blue.

YESTERDAY

Many yesterdays have passed since
You gained your angel wings. Today
Is six months since you left us behind
To remember and mourn. Our hearts
Continue to hurt, and we miss
You as much as the day you left.
Giulietta whined from the catio
Yesterday as I worked in the yard.
I know you put her up to it. That
Was your way of getting me to,
Allow you to join me as I
Gardened. You were there with me
In spirit. With every meow
I thought of you and how much I miss
Your sweet face and disposition.
In these past few months, many friends
Have traveled your same path in your
paw-steps. I am certain you were
Waiting to greet them with purrs and hugs.
I pray you and your friends are laughing,
Frolicking and having fun together.
Picturing that makes me smile, but
Does not lessen my sadness at your
No longer being here to snuggle
And receive our love, care and kisses.
Fiona, please do not ever forget
You are still and always will be loved.

ONE YEAR MISSING YOU

One year has passed since you flew away,
And I still think of you everyday.
I see your sweet face in my mind’s eye
And wish we’d never had to say good-bye.
It’s nice you’ve sent us kitties needing a family,
But my dearest love, we are now at capacity.
You thought it would take more than one cat
To take your place in our habitat.
We love Cooper Murphy and baby Sawyer dearly
But thinking either could replace you makes me teary.
You were one-of-a-kind and will stay in my heart
Until the day I join you and we’re no longer apart.
When once again I can hold you in my arms
And revel in all your love and feline charms.
Together with you and all who have passed.
I will spend eternity contemplating how blessed
I was to share my life with my furry children,
Each and every one of you one-in-a billion.

UNTIL

I miss you each day.
Until we meet in heaven,
The pain will remain.

ONE OF A KIND

I don’t know how to say good-bye.
I thought you were invincible; though,
You used up many of your nine lives.
You ruled us all with an iron paw;
Never took “no” for an answer
And always got your way.
If not, you’d bark to signal your
Displeasure and sometimes raise a paw.
I always joked that you were bi-polar.
When I told people you were a calico
They immediately understood what I meant.
Today was unnaturally quiet in the house.
Can a home seem empty with eight cats?
I will miss waking up at night to find you
Sitting next to me and staring at me.
I will miss you yelling at us as you did
When you wanted breakfast and dinner.
I will miss watching you lounging and snoozing
On the porch settee on a warm afternoon.
But most of all I will miss your kisses!
When kitten Sawyer befriended you,
We suspect you were imparting your
Wisdom and secrets for controlling us.
Time will tell if he was a good listener.
But whatever he may have learned,
Neither Sawyer nor any other cat
Can or will replace you in our hearts.
Lily Olivia, you were one-of-a-kind.