Book Review: Heroic, Helpful and Caring Cats: Felines Who Make a Difference by Anne E. Beall

Today I am very excited to tell you about a wonderful book Heroic, Helpful and Caring Cats; Felines Who Make a Difference, that I am honored to be featured in along with Lola.

I met The author, Anne E. Beall, Ph.D., in July 2019 when I attended Meow Meet Up in Chicago. In her workshop, “How Cats Help Humans”, Anne shared her foray into the world of rescue and advocacy by telling the audience how she became a managed colony caretaker with Tree House Humane Society in Chicago through their Cats at Work program. When Anne asked attendees to share personal stories about how their cats help them and have made a difference in their lives, I knew I had to share Lola’s story with her. 

Book Review: I Am Not A Skunk by Ellen J. Pilch

Not long ago I reviewed Prancie's Prayer by Ellen J. Pilch, which I just adored. Today I'm very happy to bring you her second book, I Am Not A Skunk. 

Book Review: Prancie's Prayer by Ellen J. Pilch. A Purrfect Gift For Cat Lovers

I was very excited when I heard that Ellen J. Pilch of 15 and Meowing published a children’s book. I love her blog, her writing style, and her creativity. I couldn’t wait to read it, and I wasn’t disappointed. 

Bookstore Cats by Brandon Schultz - Review and Giveaway!

This post contains affiliate links, meaning, if you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a commission. This is at no additional cost to you.

Two of my favorite things are cats and books. I could spend hours in a bookstore perusing the shelves and getting lost in a story. Add a cat to the mix and I’d have to get kicked out at closing time! There’s something comforting and cozy about being in a bookstore with a cat, and Brandon Shultz brings this to life in his book, Bookstore Cats. 

Kitty Karma Books Helps Cats In Need

Today I am so pleased to bring to you a guest post by Wai-Lin Terry, Founder & Publisher of Kitty Karma Books. If you're a regular reader of this blog, you already know that rescue is a topic near and dear to my heart because the stars of this blog, Lola and Lexy, are two rescued cats who changed my life. When Wai-Lin contacted me about her book I was more than happy to spread the word. The first phase of her Indiegogo Campaign ends  on 10/31/17, but you still have time to check out her pawtastic perks. 

I, for one, cannot wait to read this book. As an author and a cat advociate, I wish Wai-Lin much success with her project. 
Dawn

Kitty Karma Books Aims to Fund Shelters for Abandoned, Unwanted Cats in Need

“They say cats choose us, we don’t choose them. I believe that cats, with their nine lives and their super-fine senses, are able to see things beyond this world and are more wired to divine will than we humans are. We can ignore a cat’s blessing and beckoning, but at our peril.

I learned these lessons from adopting one special calico cat. I thought I rescued this little feline, but in the end, it was she who rescued me.”


That’s how the closing chapter of Kitty Karma: Big Stories of the Small Cats Who Change Our Lives begins. (More about the book in a moment.) It’s my account of the calico beauty who adopted me. Kealani taught me much during the years she graced my life. Her lessons included a tour through the depths of despair, after she suffered a heart attack and died right in front of me. 

CatWise Book Signing at Meow Parlour- and a Review

I recently had the pleasure of attending bestselling author Pam Johnson-Bennett’s CatWise Cat Café Tour at Meow Parlour here in New York City. 

Champy Pants the Blind Siamese Kitty - A Book Review AND a Rescue Story!

Hello and Happy Thursday! I'm back with another great tail tale in our Rescue Stories series. But it's not only a rescue story, it's a book review, too! Our friend, Champy Pants the Blind Siamese Kitty, wrote a book about his experience. Read on to see how Champy ended up at the same shelter I did, and how his Mom fell in love with him when she saw him on Facebook (just like mine did!), and Mommy's review of his book.  We know you'll love it! 
Lola

Lola and Lexy's Book List for Christmas Gifts

Lola: Hello and Happy Tuesday! With Christmas upon us, Lexy and I thought it would be a great idea to put together a little list of pawesome gifts. Hey that rhymed! 

Lexy: Very cute, Lola! Since we are book lovers here at the White House, we put together a collection of books that we enjoyed.  There were SO many that we’ve read and it was hard to just pick a few (and they are in no particular order.)  So, without further ado, I present Lola and Lexy’s Book List for Christmas Gifts. 

To Catch A Cat - Book Review and Giveaway

I love books about cat rescue.  The story becomes more alluring to me when the act of rescuing and the cats themselves makes a life turning impact on a person.  Add in the fact that the author is a former New York City girl who viewed the trek into New Jersey to visit her boyfriend less than pleasurable (I have said on more than one occasion “Oh geez, I have to go to Jersey?”) and the book is a must read for me. (Disclaimer: It has nothing to do with New Jersey… it’s the traffic on the way!) So I was delighted when I was offered the opportunity to review To Catch A Cat – How Three Stray Kittens Rescued Me by Heather Green.

Purrball Meets Burrball in Brazil - A Book Review

Hello and Happy Friday! Today Lexy and I are joining the Purrball Meets Burrbal in Brazil blog tour.

Purrball Meets Burrball is a children’s book about telling the tale of friendship between Furrball the cat and Burrball the sloth. Visiting Brazil, an earthquake hits and separates a family from their beloved cat, Purrball. Purrball’s mad dash leaves her lost in a jungle where she becomes fast friends with a very clever sloth named Burrball. The two quick-witted animals embark on a journey to find Darryl, the loving and loyal boy who longs for his adorable missing cat. Witty word rhythms and rich illustrations make Purrball Meets Burrball in Brazil an engaging read-aloud story. An alluring tale of friendship, family, ingenuity, and persistence.

Making the Most of All Nine Lives: The Extraordinary Life of Buffy the Cat - A review

Hello and Happy Tuesday! Have I got a spectacular book review for you today.  You might be surprised that I’m writing a book review since Mommy is usually our book reviewer, but let me explain.  Today’s book is about a tabby cat, and since I’m the only tabby here at the White house I’m the best reviewer for this book.  Makes sense to me! 

Buffy tells us that Making the Most of all Nine Lives – The extraordinary Life of Buffy the Cat “documents how I managed to trade hairballs for golf balls and scratching posts for the Evening Post. I’ve always felt that I never received enough attention, so I decided to transition from litter box to literature with this new tale of tabby.” Buffy personally loved learning to karate chip, which is great for self-defense and even better for hunting mice! This handsome ginger tabby really gets around.  His owner, Paul Smulson, does a very nice job of photographing Buffy’s adventures, which include: 

Tortitude: The BIG Book of Cats with a BIG Attitude - Book Review

I’ve been a fan of Ingrid King and The Conscious Cat long before I started blogging, so I’m very happy to share with you my review of her new book, Tortitude: the BIG Book of Cats with a BIG Attitude.

Not long after I started my Facebook page for Lola I came across Ingrid’s page for The Conscious Cat and I immediately knew I had to read Buckley’s Story (which was one of the first “cat books” I had read after entering the world of social media.) Buckley’s Story resonated with me on so many different levels and shortly after I finished it I just had to read Purrs of Wisdom. That book also resonated with me because Ingrid and I share many of the same “schools of thought”, views of life, and we are both Reiki practitioners.  I was lucky to meet Ingrid a few years ago (on a freezing December night) when she was in town for a signing, and twice after that (at BlogPaws and again when she was in town for a summit.)

Animal Lover - One Woman's Fascinating Journey to Uncover Spiritual Purpose of Pets - Book Review

I had the pleasure of meeting Anne Marie at BlogPaws at the CWA session.  We were both there as struggling authors, and when she inquired about how to request book reviews from others I immediately raised my hand and told her I would do a review. (Struggling authors need to stick together!) I strongly believe that some people have the gift of mediumship and have true psychic abilities and I was hoping that she fell into this category.  At the end of the session when she handed me her book, she gave me a message that I really needed to hear that day, at that precise moment.  I knew then that she had a gift and I couldn’t wait to read her book.  

“Animal Lover” is the autobiographical account of how Anne Marie discovered and refined her intuitive abilities.  It details her life of growing up on a farm in rural Illinois and the many events (most involving animals) that shaped her into the person she is today.  This is a no holds barred story and Anne details many accounts with raw honesty (both past and present).  It should be noted that at times it can be emotional and difficult to read as Anne Marie tells the reader about different cases she has worked on with the unfortunate truth of not all of them having a happy ending.  

Anne Marie discusses the many ways she helps her clients, ranging from lost and stolen pets, behavior problems, and helping people through the grieving process.  At the end of the book there are appendices that people can use for different situations.  I particularly like the one on clearing energy, which I believe is important to do on a regular basis. 

From the publisher: “Animal Lover is a fascinating look at how animals REALLY think and feel. If you are an animal lover, you will see yourself reflected in these pages. Animal Lover is filled with actual events between humans and their pets. It contains the five major reasons a pet psychic is called, with actual situations in each. It also is interlaced with flashbacks of the author’s own life, that molded her connection with the Universe, humans and animals. Animal lover reveals that the love shared with our pets is everlasting, existing far beyond the physical realm. Animals come to teach us, protect us, make us laugh, give us companionship, among other things. They do not come randomly into our lives. After you reading Animal Lover, you will believe in Magic again.” 

You can purchase Animal Lover at Amazon or Barnes and Noble.  You can find Anne Marie on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, and on her website. 

Dawn

About the author: Ann Marie Hoff grew up on a dairy and swine family farm in Northwestern Illinois, which is where she formed her close connections to animals. Ann Marie has a BS and an MS in Animal Science. She has worked in sales in the scientific medical community for more than twenty years, launching over fifteen human pharmaceuticals to market. Looking for a solution to her chronic pain, she uncovered her psychic abilities.

Ann is an intuitive medium, animal communicator, speaker, artist and author.

Find out more at: annmariehoff.com

Not Like the Others, Harley's Story, Having a Pet with Special Needs - Book Review

Today I'm happy to post my first book review.  A couple of things make this particular review very exciting for me: it's about a cute animal and it's written in his voice (hmmm.. wonder why that's exciting for me?); the star of the book is a rescued pet (hauntingly familiar); and I had the pleasure of meeting and sitting next to the author, Denise Gruzensky, at BlogPaws during the CWA session. 

"Not Like the Others, Harley's Story, Having a Pet with Special Needs" is written by Denise Gruzensky, RN, MSN, FNP.  Harley's Story is a children's book, that emphasizes that a pet with special needs may not be like all the others because they need a little extra help in life, but they surely can love us just as much as an other pet. 

This book is beautifully photographed and the photos chosen really make Harley's beautiful spirit and personality shine. It is written in Harley's voice as he takes us through his life journey. Before he was a year old he was adopted by Denise after his first family could no longer keep him, at age six he was diagnosed with diabetes, and six months later he developed cataracts.  He explains to the reader how his diabetes is managed and how his environment is modified to help manage his cataracts. Harley is afraid at times, and wonders if Denise will be able to take care of him, or if she will send him way because he's just too hard to take care of? Along the way Harley makes lots of friends and goes on many adventures, including road trips and flying on airplanes.  

Look how cute Harley is!

What a nice autograph!

For me, the message of the book was two-fold.  The first being to promote animal adoption and to inform people that special needs pets needn't be given up.  But this book serves another important purpose in that it helps children with special needs learn to accept themselves and others.  On the first page there are passages from children and adults writing about how Harley's Story helped them understand diabetes. One 11 year old child wrote:

"This book helped me understand my sisters' diabetes.  I learned that dogs and other animals can have a lot of the same diseases that people do, including diabetes. I saw pictures of and learned about insulin and blood sugars Just like in Harley's story he was loved and accepted the same after he was diagnosed, our family loves my sister just the same too." 

From the back cover: 
Not Like the Others -Harley's Story seeks to teach elementary children the value of being different and loving unconditionally  Come along with Harley, a rescued Yorkshire Terrier, on his cross-country adventure as he learns to trust his forever family, is diagnosed with diabetes, and figures out how to live with his illness.  He may not be like the others, but he is not alone and is unconditionally loved.  

What a wonderful message for children to hear.  I hope you all enjoy this book as much as I did. You can purchase it at Amazon and Barnes and Noble. You can find Denise and Harley on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, and their website. 

Harley's motto is "Adopt, for friends cannot be bought."  He is a wise little dog. 
Dawn

About the author: " I graduated in 1994 with a Degree in Nursing from Pacific Union College in Angwin, CA and in 1999 from the University of San Diego with a Master's Degree in Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner. Not Like the Others-Harley's Story: Having a Pet with Special Needs, was released November 22, 2013. The inspiration to write the story began in 2010 when my beloved furry family member was diagnosed with Diabetes. Since rescuing Harley in 2006 I've learned to live by the motto, "Adopt, for friends can't be bought". I currently live in Paradise, CA with my husband."