Sunday 13 November 2011

Sunday November 13th, 2011 Warm Hearts and Cold Noses

I’ve always been a believer is synchronicity; so when a library patron came in talking about Kitty Care and a few days later I was asked to foster an abandoned kitten for a few days, I knew a library detective column was born. Anyone who has read my columns knows that I love my cats and find them endlessly fascinating, but in truth I simply love anything furry and four legged. The stacks at the library are full of books about the adventures of every type of animal and our relationship with them.

As the days grow darker and colder, the desire to cuddle under a blanket with a good book, a cup of Earl Grey and the sound of purring becomes more and more inviting. While I would normally choose a cat or dog mystery, a number of animal themed books have crossed the desks lately that are both great reads and food for thought.

If any of these titles stir your soul, the city has a number of organizations that would love your time and support in the care of our furry friends or may have just the right bundle of love that would be a wonderful addition to your family.

Until Tuesda
y: A Wounded Warrior and the Dog Who Saved Him
by Luis Carlos Montalvan and Bret Witter

When US Army Captain Luis Montalvan returns from Iraq with severe post traumatic stress, he is given a golden retriever named Tuesday to help him cope and act as an aid in his recovery. An experienced service dog Tuesday began his life in the “Puppies behind Bars” program and worked with abused teens before coming to Luis. The bond between Montalvan and Tuesday gave him a reason to live and distracted him from the anxiety that haunted his days and nights.


The Soul of a Horse: Life Lessons from the Herd
by Joe Camp

When a surprise birthday present of a horse arrived, Joe Camp and his wife Kathleen were completely clueless on the needs and wants of caring for Cash, their new equine companion. As they endeavored to build a bond with the animal, Joe and Kathleen found that they began to experience changes in their own relationship and how they perceived the roles of animals in the lives of mankind.


Ever by My Side: A Memoir in Eight (Acts) Pets by Nick Trout

Trout, a well-known British author and veterinarian returns with a personal biography that charts his life though the animal companions that shared those memories. From his first childhood pet to the beloved Lab who stole his heart and wrecked his house, Trout tells tales of humour, love, and unconditional trust .



Homer’s Odyssey: A Fearless Feline Tale, or How I Learned about Love and Life with a Blind Wonder Cat
by Gwen Cooper.

During one of the darkest times in Gwen Cooper’s life, a veterinarian offered her the opportunity to adopt a four week old stray blind kitten. Her mind screamed “no” but her heart said “yes”, and Homer became an addition to her family. Homer’s fearlessness and love taught Gwen much about life and acceptance and helped her to become the woman she always wanted to be.


The Bond: Our Kinship with Animals, Our Call to Defend Them
by Wayne Pacelle

The Humane Society does more than house dogs and cats waiting for homes, it fights for the rights and protection of animals from those who would harm them. Using poignant and vivid tales, Pacelle narrates the political battles that the Humane Society has waged and the individuals who have struggled to save the animals they love.


Lori Kauzlarick

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