Chicken Soup for the Cat Lover's Soul by Amy D. Shojai, Carol Kline, Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Marty Becker (2005, Paperback)

I have four cats sharing my space -- I recently lost one to a series of strokes and the final gentleness of modern veterinary medicine. I love cats and have shared most of my life with them, but never written stories about mine ... I find myself enjoying reading about other people's cats, then comparing them to my own. This joy has been savored time and again over many years.

That's why I snatched up this book the moment I saw it on the shelf. I have all the other 'Chicken Soup' books about pets -- but this is the first one that is dedicated to cats alone. With great anticipation I swallowed it in one long night -- and came away downhearted. Tearful, no less.

Y'see, most of the stories in the last section were about death and dying cats. Some heroic, some suffering, some going peacefully -- but all heart-rending to read for someone who had recently euthanized a dear friend of seven years. I, too, had to take a loving character from my own life to the vet -- then held her in my arms as she died from the shot they gave her.

Not 'slipped away', but made to sleep, then sleep some more, so deeply as to never wake. To relive that momement in every one of that chapter's short stories
had me in tears. I couldn't understand how these loving people could even write about such a traumatic experience, much less publish it. How they could relive it in print...

The next day I reviewed again this book of stories of people's cats and the profound effect they had on their human keepers' lives. I had laughed at some, and cried at some, and smiled through all the rest -- just like real life with a cat or two -- or four. I realized I saw a lot of my own experiences in this book, no matter how different were the cats or the people, there was one thing that stayed the same throughout:

They loved each other. Simple, straightforward and true. The human-cat bond in real life.

You may want to read it over several nights, though. And keep a box of tissues handy.

This review is dedicated to Hobbes, and all the other pets who wait for us on the other side, over the Rainbow Bridge ...

I love that the stories are fairly short.The authors make you feel like you are right there watching the cats and their stories.it was a quick read and made my day go by quickly. I highly recommend this book to all cats and their owners . 4 PAWS UP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Decided to purchase this book because I've purchased other, similar titles in the past and knew this book would probably be good. It has not failed to live up to expectations! Both my fiance & I can't put the book down during free moments, and to tell you the truth, it's the only book I've EVER seen him pick up and "dig into"! We've thoroughly enjoyed reading it (we're not done yet), and most likely purchase the book regarding cats & dogs, or a dog-only title (if there is one). The stories are funny, heartwarming, etc & we find ourselves comparing the antics of our two cats to the cats mentioned in the book. It has made for some interesting discussions!
This is a great series of books, and we're looking forward to more reading in the near future.

I couldn't find this book in the store, I have one dog lover daughter and one cat lover daughter. This put the finishing touches on Christmas. I was afraid I wouldn't find it in excellent condition, but this book looks as tho it had never been read!

I am adding this seller to favorite sellers because now I have found a place to find those hard to find books!

Thank you!

I really think that this is one of the best in the series...of course the fact that I am a cat lover really helps!! Anyway, this is a really good read for anytone who is a cat lover, and can remember loving the way that kittens play and who gets a kick out of the way cats do things sometimes! If you aren't amused when your cat gets into things...this is not the book for you! I was reminded of things my cat, Molly, had done a couple of years ago. and things my other cats that are no longer with me, had done years and years ago! It is a great book to take out when you are feeling gloomy or blue and will be sure to put a smile on your face and make you feel better! I bought two copies of this book..one for me, and one for a friend of mine who has been like a second mother to me, who lost her husband this past year. I knew that she was having an especially hard time because they were more than married, they had known each other all of their lives and were friends too! That kind of relationship is the way it should always be when you are married, and I am lucky enough to have that too, although we didn't meet till we were both in our 30's. Anyway, to get back to it, she was having a pretty hard time and I wanted her to have something to take her mind off it and also, something to give her a laugh..and since she has her own cat...well, this is like a second cat without all of the work! haha! So this is a book I would recommend to anyone who is a cat lover or if you have a cat lover in your life..and most of us do!!

I really enjoyed reading this book. I am a cat lover and have 9 cats of my own and have recently taken in a stray. Some of the stories were funny -- making me laugh out loud. Some of the stories were sad and caused me to cry. Some stories were sweet and feel good stories. If you love cats you will love this book.

I had bought the book because I had read alot of the Chicken Soup books & enjoyed every one of them. I am a cat person & this book is for anyone who has or had a cat. The stories in it make you laugh as well as make you cry. Expecially the chapter on saying good bye. Anyone who has lost a cat in any way can really relate to this chapter. It was the hardest to get through. I highly recommend getting it & laughing & also crying through it like I did.