Puss-in-Books Bookstore

Does your cat climb into your lap as you quilt? Does your cat chase balls of thread and try to help you as you sew? Does your cat act as if the quilt you are sewing is really hers? If so here is the book your cat has been waiting for!

In "Cats Who Quilt" Your Cat Will Learn:
How to Supervise a Human Quilter
How to Play With a Sewing Basket
How to Improve Quilts
How to Nap on Quilts
How to "Pose" With Quilts and How to Enter Them in Contests

Best of all, your cat will learn how to improve your quilts as well as how to improve your sorry life as a quilter!
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The Cats of Thistle Hill

Caras, author of A Celebration of Cats and president of the ASPCA, introduces the menagerie at Thistle Hill, his farm in northern Maryland. Though cats occupy center stage, there are diverting stories about other creatures: Maggie, a donkey who pairs off with Humbolt, a llama; Steakums, a steer rescued from a petting zoo; a 23-year-old cow, an alpaca and a pair of captive-bred macaws. Among the numerous cats and dogs are the cat Xnard, who has appeared in previous books, and Omari, a retriever. Except for the hoofed animals and birds, all the animals have been spayed or neutered. Caras gives practical advice on choosing a cat and dealing with behavior problems. Aileurophiles and pet owners will be captivated by the animals at Thistle Hill.
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The Cats' House

What began as a simple floor-to-ceiling scratching post to prevent Walker's nine cats from sharpening their claws on the furniture is now a whole set of ramps, stairs, and cat walks throughout his house. The playfulness of this house, which has been painted in over 40 bright colors and contains Walker and his wife's collection of Dian de los Meurtos figurines and toys, comes across in the numerous photographs. Instructions are included for building ramps, cat walks, and mouse holes through which the cats pass from room to room. This fun book is recommended for large interior design collections.
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Inspur-R-Rational Stories for Cat Lovers

A charming tale of two British feline war heroes, and of the many people whose lives they touched. Young's (Cat, Thy Name is Edith, not reviewed) first story concerns a homeless cat who was taken in by an animal-loving priest at St. Augustine and St. Faith Church in mid1930s London. From her first day of residence, the grateful little gray-and-white waif, named Faith, attended services regularly, sitting at the feet of Father Henry Ross, a firm believer that cats, too, ``can have religion.'' Over the years Faith endeared herself to the church's many parishioners. In 1940, shortly after Faith gave birth, the church was bombed and badly damaged. Father Ross found Faith in the church's rubble-filled basement, huddled protectively over a kitten.

For her bravery, Faith was awarded a special civilian version of the Dickin Medal, an honor usually bestowed on animals showing unusual bravery while serving England's armed forces. Also awarded such a medal was Simon, a cat who lived with the captain of the British warship Amethyst. When the ship was attacked in 1949 while sailing the Yangtze River in China, the captain was killed and Simon was badly injured. The ship was grounded for months, but the still-limping Simon helped save the much-needed food supplies by returning to his mousing duties with a vengeance--this despite the almost unbearable heat below deck. He also kept up the morale of the soldiers and regularly visited the wounded in sick bay. Months later, when the ship returned to safe harbor, Simon's heroism was widely acknowledged, but, sadly, he died before the Dickin medal could be bestowed.
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The Politicats

Meet Napoleon and Mr. Grover, the feline protagonists of The Politicats. Mr. Grover, a cynical elderly cat, allows Governor Goodfellow to share the governor's mansion with him, but is not excited when the governor decides to run for the U.S. presidency. The cat changes his mind, however, when he meets the governor's opponent: Mr. Grover recognizes him as the scoundrel who many years before took him from an animal shelter with plans to vivisect him.

The old cat meets an ally in the aristocratic Napoleon, whose human, a Washington newspaper reporter, is hired to handle media relations for the governor. The two cats agree that the country would be a disaster for animals in general and for cats in particular with the despicable Senator Durth in the White House. Together they hatch an unlikely scheme to disrupt the senator's campaign and insure that he loses the election. How they foil the senator's dirty tricks fills the story with suspense, surprises and hilarity. This lively political satire will keep readers -- especially those who love cats -- smiling long after they turn the last page!
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Meditations for Cats Who Do Too Much

Meditations is a book that I always keep within paw's reach. We cats need self-help, too considering we are so prone to being workaholics. We face alot of pressures as we're on the job constantly, having little time to ourselves to address our "inner kitten issues". Thank goodness for this book and the 9-Life Recovery Program. Truly lifesavers for the cats of the millennium.
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Always Kiss With Your Whiskers: Love Advice from My Cat

Cats overwhelmingly favor abstract expressionism, and none imitates Andrew Wyeth...it nails the pretentiousness of art criticism to the wall.
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The Quotable Cat Lover

“No cat purrs unless someone is around to listen.” --Elizabeth Marshall Thomas

“One cat just leads to another.” --Ernest Hemingway

“Cats invented self-esteem.” --Erma Bombeck

Judging from the amount of thought devoted over the centuries to figuring out what goes through their furry little heads, it is probably safe to say that cats fascinate more human beings than any member of the animal kingdom, with the possible exception of dogs, horses, and other human beings,” begins this delightful collection. Charles Elliott has created a cat book of a different color, sifting through the multitude of writings about felines to include only those quotes “made memorable by their seriousness, humor, perceptiveness or ingenuity.” Here is an unexpectedly wide range of writers and personalities. There are classic sayings from: Elizabeth Bishop * Erma Bombeck * Lewis Carroll Geoffrey Chaucer * William Churchill * Colette George Eliot * James Herriott * P. D. James Rudyard Kipling * Doris Lessing * Herman Melville Nancy Mitford * Damon Runyon * Mark Twain John Updike * H. G. Wells * And many more
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Fur Person

Sarton's book is one of the most beloved stories ever written about the joys and tribulations inherent in sharing one's life with a cat. This edition, beautifully illustrated with 9 new color watercolors by Jared Williams, will continue to be an enduring favorite.
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Cat Seeing Double

With suspicion falling on Ryan's shoulders, Joe Grey and his pals, Dulcie and Kit, set out to prove her innocence. Soon paw-deep in a tangle of jealousy, greed, and vengeance, Joe Grey, Dulcie, and Kit find themselves in the biggest cat fight of their lives -- a bare-clawed battle with a prey who is as cunning as he is deadly . . .
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Poetry for Cats : The Definitive Anthology of Distinguished Feline Verse

. . . Then boasted Beocat, noble battle-kitten,

Bane of barrow-bunnies, bold seeker of nest-booty:

. . . I would lay the whelpling low with lethal claw-blows;

Fur would fly and the foe would taste death-food . . .

Or, from a later period, William Blake's cat's poem, "The Mongrel":

Mongrel! Mongrel! Barking blight,

Bane upon my yard at night;

What infernal hand or eye,

Could frame thy vile anatomy?

Beard is obviously at home with poetry of many genres, from ancient odes to modern blank verse. These poems are fun even if you don't know the original sources; if you do, they are sublime.
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The Book of Jones

Anyone who ever loved a cat knows the pleasure and comfort these feline companions can bring and anyone who ever lost a cat knows the deep sorrow brought on by their passing. This elegant tribute to cats past and present features classic poetry and short stories by authors both famous and unknown, as well as vintage photographs and drawings. These timeless words and pictures offer bereaved owners a chance to express and validate their feelings of grief while celebrating the many qualities that make cats special. An essential resource for feline enthusiasts, as well as for veterinarians, bereavement counselors, and pet loss support groups, Angel Whiskers is certain to provide comfort and joy to anyone who has ever enjoyed the uniquely exquisite company of America most popular pet.
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The Autobiography of Foudini M. Cat

As the irrepressible Foudini M. Cat regales us with his adventures, an exciting story unfolds. After his valiant but frail mother leaves him in search for food and never returns, the starving kitten is taken, hissing and spitting, to a frightening room with cages and men in white coats. Facing the specter of eternal sleep, the homeless cat is adopted by a woman he later calls "Warm." ("All cats like to make up strange names for things.")

From here Foudini enchants us with splendid tales of his unlikely but ultimately poignant friendship with Sam the Dog; their trips between Cold House in the city and Mouse House in the country; his mystical experiences with famous felines of the past; his near-death in a raging river that leads to a profound act of sacrifice; and his introduction to a silly young thing named Grace, which evolves into something completely unexpected.
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With Cat For Comforter

Not being a particular Bradbury fan, I wasn't sure about this book when someone gave it to me for--of all things--a baby gift! But we are a four-cat family, so we read it to our infant son, and, now that he's two and a half, it has become one of his very favorite books (honored alongside Green Eggs and Ham and My First Truck Board Book). It has introduced him to "adult" language ("big words") with beautiful rhythm as well as aesthetic illustrations in a context he knows well. And for Mom and Dad, it has well fulfilled the advice not to give your child a book you don't want to read a hundred and fifty thousand times. Recommended for children and adults of all ages!
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The Private Life of the Cat Who: Tales of Koko and Yum Yum

This delightful collection of feline antics will warm the hearts of cat lovers everywhere.
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Shadow Cats

At the foot of corporate skyscrapers and high-rise apartment buildings, New York City’s homeless felines have formed their own society. Some once knew the comfort of human care and companionship, but most were born into a world remote from the gentle domesticated house cat. Considered by some to be a scourge to be eradicated, these "shadow cats" have won the hearts of many others—particularly a fiercely protective group of New Yorkers whose mission is to help them survive.

Animal rescuer Janet Jensen is among the very few New Yorkers who have been granted entry into this amazing, undiscovered feline subculture. Her initiation into this world landed her an unexpected series of adventures with these wild, yet lovable, creatures. Previously inexperienced in animal rescue, she learned how to work with—and outside of—the "system" to protect her cats from the dangers of life in the city.

Janet Jensen shares her adventures with cats in various states of wildness: Mimi, Tammy, Seymour, Luna, and Wily—as well as a colorful cast of human characters she meets along the way. Her vivid accounts ensure that you’ll never look at a stray cat the same way again! Top of Page

Women Who Love Cats Too Much

Reviewer: Kathryn J. Froman from California
As I sit here in the middle of the night typing this, my cat sits on my lap as she purrs away and I hit the keyboard while my elbows are uncomfortably extended out straight...of course I won't bend them...I wouldn't want to disturb my baby. She's comfortable. Thank you Allia for letting me know that there are others out there and I am not alone. At last, group therapy may be available!!!

If your wallet contains a photo of your cat or perhaps if the feline decides what's for dinner tonight, then get this little book. You will laugh and laugh. The full-color illustrations are funny as they depict you and I too well! Many meows to you all. Top of Page

Catnip For The Soul

Book Description
Cats have their paws on the pulse of truth, but until now they've never let it out of the bag. So many kitties have so much to say. Together, they are a mighty voice of inspiration.Because even a cat needs a reminder that he or she is on this earth to have a good time. And everyone knows that when a cat feels good, people feel better, too.

So dig in your claws and lusten for a while to Woody, Clem, Marble, Pepper, Kahlil, and their friends. Tap your toenail, lick a whisker, nod your head, and breathe deep the refreshing scent of catnip.

ON HUMANS:"No fur, no paws, no tail. They run away from mice. They never get enough sleep. How can you help but love such an absurd animal?"
ON SELF-ESTEEM:"Make this the motto at your house: Yes, I can do anything! Then try it. Leap from the mantel to the piano. Grab that five pound ham off the table." Top of Page

The Cat Who Cried for Help

As any cat owner knows, changing a cat's behavior can seem like an impossible task. But contrary to popular belief, cats can be trained and cured of irritating habits and undesirable behaviors. The Cat Who Cried for Help shows how minor adjustments in diet, exercise regimen, and environment can effect dramatic breakthroughs in resolving almost any feline problem. From cat panic attacks to eating disorders, from litterbox aversion to depression and a wide range of feline phobias, Dr. Dodman has successfully treated and resolved these and many other heretofore untreatable behaviors.

Inside, you'll meet Ashley, the boss-cat who literally bites the hand that feeds him; Jonathan, the binge-eater; Rubles, the Abyssinian Jekyll and Hyde, pussycat one minute, man-eating tiger the next; and Thomas, the cat who cried for help--a little too loudly. Dr. Dodman's techniques are based on the most up-to-date research in pharmacology and feline behaviorism. Yet the primary objective of his treatments is to respect and protect the qualities of independence and dignity fundamental to a cat's nature.

Including descriptions of symptoms, treatment options, and tips on prevention, The Cat Who Cried for Help provides everything you need to know to ensure both you and your feline friend a long, happy, and healthy relationship. If you've ever wanted to better understand the nature of this mysterious, enigmatic, and fascinating creature, Dr. Dodman's book provides a penetrating look into the intriguing and intricate world of the cat in your life. Top of Page

Pawing Through tht Past

Each member of the class of 1980 has received the letter. Mary Minor "Harry" Haristeen, who is on the organizing committee for Crozet High's twentieth reunion, decides to take it as a compliment. Others think it's a joke.

But Mrs. Murphy senses trouble. And the sly tiger cat is soon proven right ... when the class womanizer turns up dead with a bullet between his eyes. Then another note followed by another murder makes it clear that someone has waited twenty years to take revenge.

While Harry tries to piece together the puzzle, it's up to Mrs. Murphy and her animal pals to sniff out the truth. And there isn't much time. Mrs. Murphy is the first to realize that Harry has been chosen Most Likely to Die, and if she doesn't hurry, Crozet High's twentieth reunion could be Harry's last. Top of Page

Buffy My Love

Tyrone enjoys corn muffins, tacos, and chocolate milk, which he drinks by dipping his paw into questionably abandoned glasses and licking the purloined treat off. He is also fond of boxes and grocery bags, and holds the record for both toilet paper and paper towel shredding.

From dreaming of catnip fields and tummy rubs to driving their mommies crazy, Cleo and Tyrone keep a busy schedule. But they take time out to correspond and share their thoughts - polemics really - about dogs, fashion, real estate, medical science, fine dining, cinema, poetry (haiku included), and the pitiful state of their owners' social lives.

More than treatises on the feline and human condition, this is also a love story. Cleo and Tyrone often dramatically - ok, melodramatically - compare themselves to Romeo and Juliet, blaming their evil owners for keeping them apart. Top of Page

It's Like This, Cat