Tortie Shorties Book Reviews

Meows from Mudpie!

Today we're reviewing two pawsome new non-fiction cat books. We hope you enjoy our choices!

Claws: Confessions of a Professional Cat Groomer by Anita Kelsey

From the publisher: Throughout her years visiting people’s homes as a cat groomer, Anita Kelsey has amassed a vast array of funny, cute and ridiculous stories about cats and, of course, their owners. In Claws, she picks out just a few of her favorite tales to share with the reader, from "Sammy the Swooner" to "Tubbs: The Fat Cat Caught in His Flap." In the pages of this entertaining and heartwarming book, you'll meet 20 of the most characterful cats, all eventually calmed and preened to their natural beauty and animal magnificence by the author. Meet their owners, too, and enjoy Anita's take on the individual relationships between pet and owner.

Tortie Shorties Review: One of my favorite books from 2017 was the debut of a new cozy mystery series about a cat groomer, so this peek into the real life experiences of a professional pet groomer was right up my alley. It's filled with stories about the author's encounters with the various cats and cat owners in her care, and she has truly seen it all! From the cat who hospitalized her for nearly a week to the crazed owner who jumped on the hood of her car to the time she ended up in an apartment with 3 brothers who ended up brawling, life is never boring when you're making house calls as a cat behaviorist/groomer. My favorite stories centered on the senior, special needs, and previously abused cats who needed extra attentiveness and TLC. Each section ends with a "Mog Tip" (don't you just love the British word "moggie" for cat???) containing extra information about such topics as grieving cats, dealing with allergies and cat bites, rescuing cats from abroad, and the importance of understanding when re-homing your cat is the best choice you can make for them.

Ms. Kelsey's adoration for cats shines through in every page and her clients are extremely lucky to have her in their lives. I hope she's working on a Volume 2!

All Hands on Pet!: Your How-To Guide on Home Physical Therapy Methods for Pets by Susan E. Davis

From the publisher: Susan E. Davis has been dubbed "Doctor Dolittle of the PT World," by Northwestern Medicine Magazine, a publication of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

All Hands on Pet! Your How-To Guide on Home Physical Therapy Methods for Pets offers safe and effective actions pet owners can apply through the animal's entire life spectrum. Information provided applies to multiple species: canine, feline, avian, exotics and farm animals (non-equine).

Tortie Shorties Review: This book was of great interest to me because I'm always interested in learning about alternative treatments for our pets. While a lot of it is geared towards dogs I still found it very informative, especially the section on the Assisi Loop which is something I've been hearing a lot about lately but didn't completely understand how it worked or what it's used for. When I first thumbed through the table of contents imagine my surprise in the cat section to see the saddle thrombus specifically mentioned. I went there immediately and granted it's only a page in length, but it was heartening to see that if caught early there are therapies available to help cats regain their mobility even though the prognosis is still poor. The final section of the book is Tails (Tales) of Courage featuring some of the author's success stories with animals that have overcome their challenges through physical therapy. All Hands On Pet would be a valuable resource on the bookshelf of any pet owner - especially those of us always looking to do "more" for them - as we navigate life with our beloved companions.

Disclaimer: I received free copies of these books in exchange for a fair and honest review. As members of the Amazon Associates affiliate program, if you click on our links and buy something Mudpie gets a little money for her piggy bank!