No comments about Personality of the Cat.

5 comments about The Cat Who Came to Breakfast.

1. This is another in the light and amusing series of stories of "The Cat Who"... Columnist and amateur crime solver, Jim Qwilleran and his two feline companions,Siamese beauties, Koko and Yum Yum, spend two weeks as guests of friends and B and B owners, Nick and Lori, at their holiday Inn and cabins, on Pear Island, also known as Breakfast Island. A series of "accidents" and two deaths has occured, driving away customers and driving a wedge even further between the developers and the native islanders. Koko, the cat, has supposedly physic powers and directs Jim in several directions with the use of dominoes and word games. It's a light, amusing read and a pleasant "in between" book.



2. We have read all of the Cat Who series several times and never tire of the antics of Ko Ko and Yum Yum. Being disabled and also with limited "reading" vision, my husband reads to me and the troubles of my world are lifted ten times over! Thank you Ms. Braun!!



3. There's a little something extra in TCWCB for my taste, and I've read over twenty of her whimsical tales. Mixed in with the fluidly vivid descriptions of her main characters, Ms. Braun makes some pithy comments about ecology and responsible community development - a theme she has been building toward in previous volumes of this best-selling series and feels strongly about... Here she expresses her concern about the future of this planet, and goes into all the things that can possibly go wrong when feasibility studies on ecology are non-existent or ignored, or when corporate greed and over-commercialization create underground community resistance on `Pear Island'... Bravo! I have a feeling she's wanted to write on this topic for a long time.
   
   Now, on the authorship of her later books which some readers have conjectured about, I'd like to make a point I've never seen brought up, because I'd love to see this controversy over the possibility of dubious authorship relegated to the litter box.
   
   I feel strongly that she has written every word in this amusing series and there have been no ghostwriters whatsoever. She's having too much of a good time for there to be any reason to turn over the authorship to someone of lesser ability or inferior talent, whether it's because of pressure from her publisher, or whomever, or because she's "too old" to have written them... and supposedly for what... greed?? After having had so many of these books on the New York Times' bestseller list, she's probably a millionaire two or three times over and still counting.
   
   I may be wrong, but my sense of her character is that she'd rather end the series cold turkey than farm out KoKo and Yum Yum to a lesser talent. So for her or her publisher to artificially keep the series going for financial reasons only, just does not compute, at least for me... I'm not convinced that her writing could be duplicated by anyone else for the sake of financial gain or to please fans, since she's the consummate word master "who could write 1000 words on anything," and particularly when her main character Qwill is so indifferent to his inherited millions... Ms. Braun strikes me as a writer's writer - she's in love with words - and I can't imagine her putting up with less vivid or striking prose and lowering her standards.
   
   There's no break that I can see in the continuity line of Qwill's personal development even though there was a twenty year gap in the publishing history of these books. So far, he has remained 50ish throughout the entire series, and the continuity of one book to the next, in terms of a time-line and recurring characters, has been consistent. This means that while there may have been a twenty year gap in publishing these works, there has been no twenty year gap in her story line - and I think that means something in the way these books were created.
   
   As far as my own tastes are concerned, the later volumes show no diminution in her amazing descriptive powers, wit and charm, but these books may seem different or `lesser' because they are driven more by character development than plot, and some people prefer the plot driven stories. There may have been a change of focus but not of ability, and her books have changed because she has changed in an evolutionary way. Nevertheless, even her later books have kept me guessing and I feel that TCWCB is one of the best in her series because she takes on a hot topic with amusing and biting satire.
   
   I see "Q" as her. Through him she gets to express all the facets of her own views on love, art, money and wealth... you name it... and she breathes sparkling life into these books and makes them wonderful literary companions for anyone who is lonely or seeks something uplifting to the mind and spirit. She's very healthy of mind and so is George Guidall, who's done such a wonderful job on the unabridged audio books. It's a great combination of talent that makes one fall in love with the power of the spoken word and perhaps wish to become a writer oneself.
   
   As of today's date, I believe she's still very much alive and wishes to stay mentally active with much more to say about the human condition. She's a deceptively simple writer with a virtuoso command of language, and for my liking, she has something to say about life above and beyond the mystery genre itself and is never heavy-handed about it. That's why I value her witty and unassuming books though the later ones may vary in the tightness of their plots and in the tidiness of their conclusions. In any event, for anyone who has enjoyed this wonderful series for years to turn on her viciously because of their "disappointment" makes me wonder if they were ever genuine fans to begin with. I like to remember with gratitude the many hours of enjoyment she's brought into the lives of her readers.



4. Lilian Jackson Braun is a favorite writer, and it is supremely easy to become addicted to the Cat Who...series. The only thing wrong with this whole scenario is that the books do not come fast enough! Qwilleran is adorable, the cats are just too much, and the names of people and places are hysterical. Can't wait for the next episode. These are keepers to re-read again and again.



5. Mrs. Braun's books have often contained a pro-environmentalist message but this is the greenest book so far. For in this episode the developers have defaced Breakfast Island with a resort, worse yet, they have changed the name of the island to Pear Island and Qwilleran is fit to be tied. He is even more upset than normal since money from his K foundation has helped fund the Pear Island Resort. Even the thought of visiting the remodeled island makes him furious until two events conspire to change his mind.
   
   The first event is an announcement from his lady friend Polly Duncan that she is going to Oregon for two weeks to visit a friend. Knowing that he is going to be alone for two whole weeks puts Qwilleran in just the proper mood for event number two. He gets a call from his old friend Nick Bamba who asks if he can come by for a chat. It turns out that Nick and his wife have opened a B&B on the island and have themselves become the victims of some weird occurrences at the resort. Knowing about Qwilleran's mystery solving ability Nick invites the former reporter and his two cats to spend the time that Polly is gone at the Bamba B&B. Not being able to resist a good mystery, Qwilleran agrees to come to the island and the fun begins.
   
   Qwilleran suspects all along that the accidents aren't really accidents and he sets out to prove his theory. Koko takes up dominoes to try and point Qwilleran in the right direction but it takes forever for Koko's human to figure out what the cat is trying to tell him. Of course, Qwilleran finally figures it all out but he never would have found the answer if Koko hadn't arranged for him to meet and save the life of a local heiress. Along the way Qwilleran and the cats put up with the constant smell of fudge, an annoying neighbor, a hurricane and meat loaf with rabbit in it. Qwilleran also gets invited to high tea with the Queen Mother of island society but is disappointed to find no peacocks at the Queen's estate.
   
   This is another fine mystery by Mrs. Braun. The mystery itself isn't all that deep and really just plays a supporting role to the ongoing saga of Qwilleran, Koko and Yum Yum. This is after all a warm fuzzy mystery and this author proves once again with this book that she is one of the best authors in this genre. The characters are delightful and although there are several new characters introduced in this book it is not set so far away from Pickax City that the regulars are shut out. This series is extremely readable and fun, and this entry is no exception. I do wish however that Qwilleran would avoid the trap of becoming an anti-smoking fanatic like so many other former smokers. This type of judgmental behavior just doesn't suit him at all.

5 comments about Natural Cat Care.

1. I bought this book hoping for something I didn't get. I was hoping it was more in depth but instead it talks very little about alot of subjects. I think the most detailed part of the book is on feline massage/t touch. This is a good book but if you're looking for something more in depth this is not the book for you.



2. Dr. Fogle shows how alternative therapies such as acupuncture, homeopathy, and chiropractic can complement conventional veterinary care, and offers natural remedies for a range of ailments including cuts and bruises, muscle and joint conditions, and behavioral difficulties. He explains how each therapy works and how to judge the suitability of different treatments for your own cat. This book just wasn't my cup of tea.



3. A pretty book with lots of full-color illustrations throughout, but not nearly as much information as The New Natural Cat: A Complete Guide for Finicky Owners, Cat Care, Naturally: Celeste Yarnall's Complete Guide to Holistic Health Care for Cats, Dr. Pitcairn's New Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats, or Natural Healing for Dogs and Cats. Get one (or more) of those instead of this.



4. Very handy information on using herbs to cure for my cat!!!
   At the begining the author explain Nautral development of the cats, a small part of training following...then is the Nutrition, Health Care, Touch and Movement Therapies and how to use Herbal Therapies on them....., a big part on using herbs for Health Disorders for every subject...which herbs is poisioning are included.
   That is not the same to Use herb on Human and Animals. Even not the Same between Cats and Dogs!!! Beware on using herbs on them!!!



5. The best thing about this book is the pictures, but I have to say right off that your child might find some pictures a little disturbing. My son was really worried about the cat having an acupuncture treatment.

   That said, it was a very helpful book. We just adopted a stray and now she's having kittens. I really wanted some insight into cat behavior and cat care. A lot of the alternative treatments described in here seem a little far-fetched. I think they could help humans, but I'm not taking my cat in to the chiropractor. That said, if YOU would take your cat to the chirorpractor, this book would be very helpful. It also covers basics like house training, nutrition, and health disorders. The book is divided into sections and colorcoded for each one. It's very easy to follow and understand.

   Great book for cat owners;, however if the alternative treatments are not something you'd pursue, you may just want to check it out from the library like I did.

3 comments about Save Our Strays: How We Can End Pet Overpopulation and Stop Killing Healthy Cats and Dogs.

1. This is an excellent, and concise, guide to learning the nature of pet overpopulation problems in your own community. Without trying to provide a "one-size-fits-all" solution, the author explains that you can gather facts and data, analyze them and find out what needs to be done to make a more humane community. This is not a book with cute stories or heart-tugging appeals. Instead, it is a book that will make you curious about your local animal laws, your shelters and rescue groups, and how many people decide to get a pet in any given year.

   You might not know Bob Christiansen's name. His ideas aren't designed to make him famous. Instead, they are ideas that help YOU find ways to stop the killing. They will enlighten, surprise and intrigue you. And lastly, Save Our Strays doesn't try to point fingers or pit groups against one another. Christiansen asks us to look at facts about our own communities, and use those facts -- rather than feelings -- to identify where we need to begin.

   If you love animals, you MUST own this book!




2. I bought this book after a heart breaking trip to the local pound. I was overwhelmed with how many adoptable, healthy animals there, who if not soon adopted, would be euthanized. I decided that I wanted to find out WHY there were so many unwanted animals and WHAT I could do to help. SAVE OUR STRAYS was exactly what I was looking for. If you are concerned about the current state of animal welfare, please buy this book.



3. Dear Mr. Cristiansen,

   In my conversation with Carol Monroe a week before the meeting, I was promised that I could speak for 5 or 6 minutes about what I believed to be the solution to the pet over population problem. I prepared a 6-minute presentation. Unfortunately Carol must not have told you of her promise to me and you cut my presentation time and I was unable to make my conclusion.

   Proving yet again, Dr. Stultzberg's (of PETsMART) contention in her half page rebuke of Carol in the Arizona Republic.

   The answer to the problem is: Put birth control additives in pet food.

   It is very difficult to argue a point that is absolutely correct. An example: "Put fluoride in the drinking water to prevent cavities." I believe that you will have a difficult time finding many people today that are against this solution to tooth decay. Yet, when this solution was presented, it was fought vigorously by many large groups of people. Why? I have no idea. But many people had either fears or vested interests to contend with.

   Let's look at the fears and vested interests in the birth control pet food issue. Fears: Giving my pet an additive might hurt it. This is "Big Brother" getting further into my life. This is stepping on my "Rights."

   Vested interests: MCRAC: Started to protect citizens from the threat of rabies, expanded to protect citizens from roaming dogs, expanded to prevent animal abuse, expanded again to help with pet adoptions. Funded by the county and pet licensing. One avenue to more funding is proving to the county that there are more problems with dogs and cats that can be solved by this agency. Another is proving to the community a valid reason for licensing their pets.

   Arizona Humane Society: If MCRAC did its job, there would be no need for this agency. In many areas the Humane Society and the County Animal control agencies are combined. Funded by donations and fees. Strong tie to the community with continuing distress calls and public viewing of animal cruelty reports. Sixty cats rescued, fifty-five euthanized the next day. High profile, big budget, "cash" business, with over 1 million dollars in cash assets.

   Pet food manufactures: Fewer pets' means lower pet food sales. Investors want more profit, not less profit. How can they approach their Board of Directors with, "Hey I've got a great idea, we can introduce birth control additives and reduce the sales of our pet food by 10% a year for the next 10 years?"

   1. Many people will resist birth control additives simply because it is a change.

   2. 84% of people adopt puppies or kittens and let older dogs and cats die. Caused by the availability of puppies and kittens. Think about it. Bring a child to a Shelter where there are 8 darling little puppies, and 3 older dogs. The child will be attracted to the small helpless puppy, with that "smell" and nuzzling. The child falls in love with the puppy and the older dogs get left. Remove the never-ending supply of puppies and more "older" dogs will get adopted. PETsMART has proven this.

   3. Nobody wants to pay more taxes! Tax non-birth control pet food 25%. This tax will give the manufactures the incentive to produce this product. Manufactures will see that if they introduce a birth control pet food that does not have this 25% tax, they will sell more pet food now and have an advantage over their competition that is not producing birth control pet food. Even though the long-term effect will be lower food sales, the short-term gains will drive them to produce this product. Net effect, little or no tax and over all cost of prevention set at pennies per day.

   4. Birth control has proven to be safe in the human species. The major concern with birth control has been the possible side effects from long term usage. The human species has shown no long-term effect and the human outlives the dog and cat by a factor of seven.

   5. Feral cats. It has been reported that the size of the feral cat population is approximately 40% of the domestic cat population and 25% of feral cats get their food from humans providing them with pet food. If the less expensive, birth control pet food was made available, people buying food for feral cats would help control the feral cat population. Agencies wanting to reduce the feral cat population could just simply feed them.

   6. Breeders. Those who wish to breed pets can go to the MCRAC and buy a breeder's license, this license allows breeders to buy non-birth control pet food. The breeder still has to pay the additional tax as an incentive to go back to birth control pet food.

   7. Veterinary services. Billions of dollars are spent each year preventing unwanted births and these efforts should continue, but the even this amount of effort is not solving the problem. Everyone agrees that there are too many unwanted births. Birth control pet food is an even more cost-effective method of solving the unwanted birth problem.

   8. Identifying the problem. Tons of time and effort is spent on quantifying the exact problem, how many dogs, how many cats, how many feral cats, how many unwanted pregnancies and so on.

   The reality is one unwanted birth is too many.

   We don't want to kill dogs and cats, so we remove the reproductive system of many of them, let the rest breed and wait a few years and then kill them, excuse me, "euthanize" them and we call ourselves "Humane."

   Birth control pet food is a humane way of lowering pet overpopulation. It should be our first line of defense. We inject a vaccine into dogs to prevent rabies. We do invasive surgery to sterilize animals to prevent births. If we could find a vaccine to inject to prevent births we would use it. We have an oral vaccine to prevent births it's called birth control pet food.

   Who can make this happen? Sheriff Joe Arpaio. Why? He's the only one with the power to get past the fears and vested interests of "status quo."

   Thank you for your time,

   Harold Clements

No comments about Small Animal Dentistry.

No comments about Historical Cats: Great Cats Who Have Shaped History.

5 comments about The Cat Who Went To Paris.

1. If you have ever loved a cat, this is the book for you! Norton was definitely one of a kind, and you will be charmed by his adventures. I gave away my first copy of this book and had to buy another so I could reread it! Norton definitely stole my heart!



2. Gethers is no Cleveland Amory, and readers who have savored Amory's wonderful CAT WHO CAME FOR CHRISTMAS will be a little disappointed with this book. The chief problem, for me, is Gethers as a person, not as a writer. He doesn't come off as someone I would like to know. That said, you who travel with your animal companions will be amused and impressed by the way Gethers and the feline Norton gad about. I used to travel around this continent in a van with my cats, and camp or visit cat loving friends - challenge enough! For the seven or so years reported in this book Norton has joined his dad on planes, trains, automobiles, ferries, subways, cross country skis and hikes. He is a seasoned and recognized traveller aboard the Concorde, a pampered favorite in Parisian hotels, a local celebrity on Fire Island, and an office cat in Manhattan. Jet setters take note: 1. always include two folding cardboard cat boxes and two five pound bags of litter in your carry-ons. (One box for the rental car and one for the hotel room.) 2.Paris restaurants not only permit, but encourage the inclusion of well-mannered pets in your dinner group. 3. The rich are not different, they are only annoyingly more so.



3. I found this book at the library yesterday - I'm halfway thru the book. It is hysterical!!! I'm laughing every other page!! This author has a great sense of humor and an excellent writer :) His cat Norton must have been a real sweetie - a Scottish Fold. I've decided to buy myself a copy AND will be buying a copy for 2 of my cat loving friends for Christmas. A great upbeat read! :)



4. Norton is just the sweetest little Scottish Fold kitten one could ever hope to meet. His folded ears, gentle disposition and loyalty to his owner, Peter Gethers, will astound you. Norton has a puss-in-ality extraordinaire. He trots obediently five steps behind his owner to the market, on the beach, and to visit friends. In a car, he sits perched atop Gethers shoulder and watches life go by. On a ferry ride, he puts his paws on the rail and follows the waves. Even Norton's father who is a confirmed "dog-lover, cat-hater" mellows up to the adorable little fellow and they become best friends. Norton even has the ability to help Gethers choose his girlfriends; some Norton likes, others he does not - and emphatically lets Gethers know which ones do not win his approval. Norton is a jet-setter. He accompanies Gethers on trans-continental flights to Paris and many other countries around the world. He dines in luxury at five-star dining establishments, sits in his own chair as if he had just graduated from the most exquisite Swiss finishing school, and enjoys his own fare specially prepared by the chef. However, according to Norton's palate, nothing tops a good can of Pounce!
   
   No one could write a book about a cat in quite the same style and wit as Gethers. Norton is not a work of fiction; he is Gethers feline companion, soul mate and best friend. You will relish Norton's antics and adventures from start to finish. This book is an oldie but one of my all time favourites. If there were a hundred starts in the rating scale, this would shine at one hundred.



5. Norton, is a credit to Scotish Folds. And Mr. Gethers know excatly how fortunate he is in having the most Purr-fect of friends. This a joyful read of a cat who just can't help be lovable, and who loves the people he meets. Apparently some cats do on some level know exactly what's going on.

3 comments about What Cats Want.

1. I feel this book is repetitive and shares opinion not fact. She refers to a study but doesn't really state specifics. I don't appreciate her references toward pedigree cats considering I have one and don't feel she is extreme or that her health is in danger. Besides, the fact of her opinion of having indoor cats. Everything is seems to be her opinion with nothing to back it up. The history part of the book is ok, but I can get that from just about any book. I highly disapprove of this book and don't recommend it at all.



2. Even folks who think they already know all there is to know about cats will find new insights by reading Ms. Bessant's book. By learning about cats' innate, instinctual behaviors, we can much better understand, relate to, and enjoy our feline companions! I'm going to recommend this book to ALL of my cat-loving friends.



3. I have three cats whose behavior I'm constantly trying to understand. I got this book from my local library. I figured I would buy the book if I liked it.

   In short, this book had some decent information. However, her writing style was so round about and redundant that it took away from any information she was trying to promote.

   There are many better books on cat behavior than this one.

5 comments about Catflexing: The Catlover's Guide to Weightlifting, Aerobics & Stretching.

1. Well, I was given this book as a gift, and, although it's humorous in a sick sort of way, it's certainly not a real workout. How many cats are really going to sit patiently while you do your third set of curls? No cat I've ever met. I think it would be more realistic if Stephanie Jackson were shown in her poses, covered in scratches inflicted by a pissed-off cat.



2. I've already tried catflexing, and my cat, Mulder, absolutely loves it! It is actually a good workout, and it is so much more fun than any other workout I've tried.

   I don't suppose all cats would be up to the strange ways you need to hold them for the exercises, but if your cat doesn't mind, then I would definitely recommend this book!

   I love this book!




3. Stephanie Jackson has crafted an endearing and informative "tale" that reflects her lifelong love of both cats and fun exercise. The tongue-in-cheek commentary will beguile even the mildest of cat fanciers--and she even includes several little-known pointers about cat nutrition. Even if your cats decide to remain inquisitive spectators, they'll enjoy watching **you** play with human toys (i.e., barbells) in their stead. Can't wait to see the video!



4. My caregiver was skeptical, but this book really worked! I can already see some results, and me and my cat Whiskers get to spend fun time together! Thanks a big bunch! Elizabeth Murray.



5. The best book...um, the ah, only book in its league! Catflexing has got to be the most entertaining yet sincere and informative book I've picked up regarding cats or exercise. What a wacky combination...Jackson's really on to something here.

1 comments about Kitty Haiku.

1. What a treasure! Any cat lover will enjoy this book. It would make a great gift. The poems and illustrations capture the essence of cats with subtle, sophisticated humor. As an English teacher, I appreciate the author's respect for the discipline of true haiku. I use examples from his book to teach my students the correct 17-syllable structure.