Cat - Writers and Their Cats: A Review of "The Cat on My Shoulder"

"Writers and cats seem to be custom-made for each other," says Editor Lisa Angowski Rogak in the introduction to "The Cat on My Shoulder: Writers and Their Cats." And after reading this book, I'd be hard-pressed to disagree. I received a copy of "The Cat on My Shoulder" as a going-away present from a friend at one of my jobs, and it's been a cherished part of my book collection ever since. In its pages are dozens of essays penned by prominent writers, about the cats who share their lives. From the authors ranging from Richard Scarry to Sue Grafton, the stories are sometimes funny, sometimes touching, occasionally surprising, and always entertaining. Plus, each essay is accompanied by a black and white photo of the author and his or her cat(s) and, in one case, the author's rather entertaining self-portrait. One of the great aspects of this book is that it embraces different perspectives. There's Sue Brownmiller, who begins her essay by stating that she is a dog person, who is on her first cat. She goes on to describe the adjustment a dog person must make to cats, their quirks and their methods of communication. On the opposite side of the spectrum is Lilian Jackson Braun, who proclaims that she's always had Siamese. Lilian Jackson Braun is the bestselling author of "The Cat Who..." mystery series, which features a crime-solving pair of Siamese cats who go by the names of Koko and Yum Yum. Aside from the cat aspect of the book, it's also a great peek into the lives of some of our favorite writers. As such, the book has an intimate feel, as stories told between good friends. The essays are all fairly short, which makes this a great book to read in small sittings. A nice-sized trade paperback with a clever, cartoonish cover, this would make a great coffee table book and a great conversation starter. This is truly a beautiful, book for anyone's collection. It's a book that's meant to be read again and again. It would make a wonderful gift for the writer, reader, or cat-lover in your life. Indeed, Lisa can often be found with a cat on her shoulder. This article has been submitted in affiliation with http://www.PetLovers.Com/ which is a site for Pets. Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lisa_A._Sorensen Cat - How Cat Care Sweetens Life The more excellent your cat care regimen is for your cat, the more joy you will get out of pet ownership. When you engage in cat care activities like feeding, petting, or playing with your cat, you are showing your feline friend how much you love it. Seeing your cat at his or her healthiest is its own reward, but there are benefits to cat care beyond just keeping your kitten in top shape. Cat care can improve your quality of life and make every day sweeter. Succeeding at offering your pet the best possible care helps you maintain a positive attitude about your abilities, and can boost your confidence in other areas. Improving your cat care can be a great first step towards overcoming challenges and difficulties in other areas of your life. Psychological experts agree that caring for a pet is a great way to improve your self esteem. When you see how much your care efforts matters to your pet, you will be able to appreciate how much of an impact your actions can have. This helps you feel confident and upbeat about your chances of success at work or school, and in your social life. Care of your feline friend can be great for your social life. In addition to the confidence boost that taking excellent care of your feline companion can offer, cat care teaches you to expect and feel comfortable with positive interaction. When you bond with your cat, you are practicing the basic social skills that will help you win friends. Caring for your cat may even help make you more comfortable expressing love and affection, and it will certainly let you feel more confident about your feelings being reciprocated. When you pay careful attention to your pet care, you are strengthening your ability to be responsible and trustworthy, qualities that will help you keep friends. Experts recommend pet ownership as a great way to help children learn good social skills, and adults may be able to see substantial social benefits as well. Many people think that caring for their cat and enjoying their cat are two separate activities. However, the truth is that cat care is largely about showing your cat love and affection. That's why it is called cat care: because it is how you show that you care about your cat. The caring can be a satisfying part of your day every day because it lets you see that you've had an effect. When you groom your cat or clean its litter box, you will see a visible difference result immediately from your actions. When you spend a few minutes curled up with your cat on the couch, you will be able to notice a distinct attitude change in both your cat and yourself as you both bask in the calm glow of shared affection. Cat care can make your life richer and fuller on a daily basis.