As summer moves on, an unlikely friendship is slowly developing between Davey and Tom.  Tom is older, and lives alone after some family trouble.  They spend some time together, and Tom even meets Davey's parents.

Cat gets himself into trouble fighting and getting hurt, and Davey must decide whether to have him neutered or not.  Cat has slowly integrated into the family and Davey's dad has accepted him.  This story is as much about a boy growing up in New York City as it is about a cat.  The author shows good insight into the various relationships that Davey gained, lost or maintained, including his relationship with Cat.

I have to say, I'm enjoying this book.

Reading on,

Deb

 I thought I'd mix things up a bit, and try some older books, some that most of us have read while younger, as well as more contemporary books, and hopefully will appeal to a variety of people of various ages.

"It's Like This, Cat" is an older book, one I've never heard of, let alone read.  I'm about 5 chapters in, and it's an easy read, and I'm looking forward to seeing where it takes me.  It starts out with Davey, a young boy that has a strained relationship with his dad.  His dad is a dog person, so of course this young man brings home a cat - and causes a bit of a ruckus, but in the end gets to keep "Cat", even though his mom has asthma and is a bit frail.

Cat gets himself into a bit of a pickle, and Davey meets Tom.  Tom, is older, and helps, and Cat is free to go back home - and Davey has found a new friend.


We'll learn more about Tom next time.


Reading on,


Deb

Next up :


Book - It's Like This, Cat

Author - Emily Chaney Neville

ISBN - 9780064400732

The story continues on and takes us through the terror of September 11, with the twin towers within view of the "family" apartments.  Life continues on, and there are the normal changes - new friends, moving, and death.  Through it all, Katie is still the force that holds everyone together.

As we all do, Katie ages, and life in the hallway slows down.  And so the story went; from the birth of a puppy not quite good enough for the show ring, throughout her full life as her charming personality brought together these 5 people with voids in their lives, binding them and forming a family, and continuing to her last days and beyond.  Katie left a legacy in the truest sense of the word.  Lives forever changed for the better through the love of one little dog.

I really enjoyed reading this one.  The ending was sad, and brought me to tears.  Anyone that has loved and lost a dog will be able to relate, probably too well.  I recommend this book with two paws up!

Reading on,


Deb

The story continues with the intertwining of the group of five becoming tighter, until it felt like a family unit.  Grandparents, adult children, grandson - and Katie!  Each member of this group had this little dog to thank for changing their lives in a huge way.  The author does a great job of entertaining you with insight and a peek at each individual life, as well as the group as a whole.  There are several years of smooth sailing, and then the changes begin. Some good.  Some bad.  Some life-altering.

Reading on,

Deb

A lonely man in New York City, successful at work, alone in the city, with relatives all quite a distance away.  Meet Glenn Plaskin, author of this book.  Glenn worked as a journalist for a major New York City newspaper as our story begins, and often interviewed very rich, or very famous people. 


Through a series of events, Glenn comes to the conclusion he wants a puppy.  He researches breeders and finds one in near-by New Jersey and gets on the waiting list, as they had bred their champion Cocker Spaniel and puppies were due.  When the puppies reached six weeks of age, Glenn called the breeder and was really disappointed to learn that all of the "best" puppies were already gone, and only the runt remained.  She was described as  "skinny, off-proportion, and spindly-legged", with a beautiful symmetrical face, and a perfect blonde coat..   Glenn meets the tiny girl when she was 12 weeks old, and names her Katie. 

In the meantime, Glenn had met an elderly couple that lived in an apartment in the same hallway in his apartment building.  Little did he know what an impact these folks would have on his life. He introduces them to Katie and a life long friendship is born.  Katie helps fill the void losing their dog had created, and Glenn had more than willing dog - sitters, as well as substitute grandparents.  Then a single man moves into another of the apartments in their hallway.  He had a young son.  And so it began, this story of how a little dog turned five strangers into family. 


Reading on,

Deb

Next up !

 "Katie: Up and Down the Hall"
Author - Glenn Plaskin
ISBN 978-1-59995-254-3

This book is a true story of how one dog turned five neighbors into a family

Reading on,

Deb