Book Review/Giveaway: Lola: Diary of a Rescued Cat by Lola and Dawn White

Lola: Diary of a Rescued Cat is the witty and sincere rags-to-riches story of a young cat abandoned in a garbage dumpster. It chronicles Lola's life beginning with her rescue from the dumpster and continues on to her stay in the shelter system (where she became very ill), her rescue from the shelter, adjustment to her forever family and new feline sibling after being adopted, and, ultimately, her recovery. It is written in the form of her diary, with each entry dated, and includes many beautiful photos. Included in the book are many heartfelt stories of other rescued pets. Lola: Diary of a Rescued Cat will make you laugh, cry, and laugh again.

Over the past year I've fallen in love with Lola (and her sister Lexy) on their wonderful blog and Facebook page, but after reading this book, I *adore* Lola. 

Lola and Lexy's mom Dawn is one of the sweetest cat ladies I know. Forced to do the unimaginable and give up her beloved cat Marvin due to life circumstances, she was cat-less for 16 years. (My mother went nearly that long without a cat at one point in her life...I don't recommend it!) Then one day she spotted Lexy, who reminded her of Marvin, and it was love at first sight. Lexy had been waiting to be adopted for almost a year because she was "too old" at nearly 2. I've always chosen adult cats and sadly have heard that exact same thing many times. Dawn and Lexy were clearly meant to find each other.

Then came Lola. Dawn saw her on a Facebook page after she had been rescued from a dumpster. Think about that for a minute: that precious, perfect little angel had been thrown in a dumpster. It makes my heart hurt just to even think about it. Thankfully Lola had a team of guardian angels and before long she joined Dawn and Lexy's little family. "Trash to treasure" has never had a greater meaning.

Lola: Diary of a Rescued Cat is exactly that: Lola's diary. From those frightening early days to getting very sick in the shelter system to being rescued and moving into her forever home, every page is sprinkled with Lola's sweet innocence and mischievous, playful personality.

Some of my favorite entries in Lola's diary have to do with her beloved Brown Mousie, and I'll tell you why following a couple excerpts:

March 2, 2011: Stop the presses! I'm putting out an All-Points Bulletin on my mousie! It is nowhere to be found! Mommy looked, and Will even looked with a flashlight. No luck. Will bought me a new one, but it's not the same because this is the first toy I ever really had. If you happen to see my mousie, please hold it for me so I can come pick it up? Thank you.

May 19, 2011: I'm starting a trend on Facebook. Cats are buying brown mousies just like mine! I think a big company should make "The Lola Brown Mousie" since I'm doing a lot of promotion. By the way, he's lost - again.

Little did I know that shortly after I finished reading Lola's book, Mudpie received a nearly identical brown mousie in her Purr Pack. Just like Lola, it's her favorite toy. She carries it around the house, throws it up in the air, and cries for it when she can't find it...because just like Lola, she's always losing it!

It's my hope that everyone who reads this book is inspired to do something, anything, to help animals in need. Whether it's donating to a worthy cause, volunteering at a shelter, sharing adoptable cats and dogs on social media, or adopting a new pet into your family, especially an older or special needs animal who might be having a harder time finding a home: we can all do something to help.

Another suggestion: buy a copy of Lola's book! Ten Percent of the proceeds from the sales of the book will be donated to animal rescue organizations and shelters.

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Giveaway: Dawn, Lola and Lexy are generously giving one of our US readers a chance to win a copy of their book and a choice of one of these mugs:

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