From the author of The Last Chance Hotel comes a brand new fantastical mystery series! Praise for THE LAST CHANCE HOTEL: 'Blending magical adventure with Golden Age crime mystery, this delightfully atmospheric spin-off from the author of The Last Chance Hotel confirms Thornton's place as one of the most original children's writers around.' WATERSTONES 'A jolly, atmospheric mystery.' THE TIMES Magic must never be misused ... When there's a murder in the village and a hag is heard howling at the local inn, secret witch Raven Charming realizes she could have a rival - one who practises the worst kind of magic. With the help of amateur sleuth, Mortimer Scratch, and Nightshade, a talking cat with a feline sense of detection, she sets out to solve what's been going on ... A magical murder mystery perfect for fans of Robin Stevens and Harry Potter Book 1 in a new spin-off series from the author of The Last Chance Hotel, chosen as Waterstones Book of the Month and nominated for the CILIP Carnegie Award Features fan-favourite Nightshade as the star of her very own mystery!

That there is a tremendous overpopulation of cats in the United States is both common knowledge and a matter of grave concern. For many who would acquire a new pet, adoption is viewed as the most responsible means of finding the right cat. However, it is important to understand that if you decide to open your home to a stray or adopt from a shelter, an extra measure of patience, love and understanding is essential. Adopting Cats and Kittens: A Care and Training Guide reflects the special circumstances that surround the ""recycled"" cat and helps the new owner provide the cat with the secure, nurturing environment every pet deserves. This book offers sensible guidance on what your new cat needs to be happy and healthy and what to do to keep from contributing to the pet population explosion. Adopting Cats and Kittens is a book with a mission and a message of hope and concern for all who love cats and seek an end to their cruel treatment and abuse.

That there is a tremendous overpopulation of cats in the United States is both common knowledge and a matter of grave concern. For many who would acquire a new pet, adoption is viewed as the most responsible means of finding the right cat. However, it is important to understand that if you decide to open your home to a stray or adopt from a shelter, an extra measure of patience, love and understanding is essential. Adopting Cats and Kittens: A Care and Training Guide reflects the special circumstances that surround the ""recycled"" cat and helps the new owner provide the cat with the secure, nurturing environment every pet deserves. This book offers sensible guidance on what your new cat needs to be happy and healthy and what to do to keep from contributing to the pet population explosion. Adopting Cats and Kittens is a book with a mission and a message of hope and concern for all who love cats and seek an end to their cruel treatment and abuse.

Readers will revel in the heartwarming, amusing, inspirational, and occasionally tearful stories about our best friends and faithful companions - our cats.
We are all crazy about our mysterious cats. Sometimes they are our best friends; sometimes they are aloof. They are fun to watch and often surprise us. And they are always well loved members of our families.

This new book from Chicken Soup for the Soul contains the best 101 cat stories from the company's extensive library. Readers will revel in the heartwarming, amusing, inspirational, and occasionally tearful stories about our best friends and faithful companions - our cats.

The first Chicken Soup for the Soul book was published in 1993, and became a publishing industry sensation, ultimately selling eight million copies. Since then, more than 150 Chicken Soup titles have been published, selling more than 100 million copies.
Chicken Soup for the Soul has won dozens of awards over the past 15 years, and its founders, Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen have become celebrity motivational speakers and authors.

Getting a new puppy or kitten is such an exciting time for any family and should be the start of a beautiful, long friendship. Picking a breed can be difficult and is sometimes a choice made on an impulse because a certain look or character seems to be just what you want. Sadly, a snap decision can turn into heartache if the breed you pick doesn't suit your lifestyle or has health issues that you didn't know about. Some breeds of dogs and cats have body shapes that are not healthy and can cause a lifetime of discomfort. Selective breeding has produced features like short faces, tiny legs, long backs, huge ears and lots of skin wrinkles. Some breeds also have high levels of inherited disease like heart problems. These unnatural exaggerations and inherited issues can not only mean big bills and frequent visits to the vet but also a less than ideal life for your pet. This book will help you avoid the breeds most affected by health problems. We look at what Mother Nature and evolution picked for cats and dogs compared to what man has done through breeding. Hopefully you will start to see these odd body shapes not as normal for a breed, but as unhealthy changes to our beautiful cats and dogs. We'll also look at how you can try to find the best breeder possible and avoid the likes of puppy farmers who care more about money than their animals. Somewhere out there, a puppy or kitten is waiting to become a cherished part of your family and I hope this book will help you find the right one. Dogs and cats are wonderful animals and enrich our lives so let's try and make sure that they are as healthy and happy as possible.

In the years since we first published "All I Need to Know I Learned from My Cat ," with over 2 million copies in print and the fastest-selling book in Workman's history, one thing hasn't changed--people are still starved for wisdom. Few oracles have dispensed as much common-sense truth as Binky, Suzy Becker's cat. "It's O.K. to wear the same thing every day." "Know all the sunny places." "Flaunt your hair loss." "Get mad when you're stepped on." Life lessons such as these and dozens of others propelled the book like a champagne cork to the top of "The New York Times" bestseller list.
Now, to celebrate the book's double-platinum milestone, there's a new edition: the original book, in a fresh cover, plus 48 new pages, including the Are You a Cat Person? quiz. The cat, Binky, is perspicacious and profound; the artist, Suzy, is utterly delightful; and the combined effect is one of immense and irresistible charm. Every cat fancier will recognize the book's timeless take on grooming, health, relationships, boundaries, and, above all, how to live in the moment. With new entries like "Be good at hellos. Don't drag out goodbyes," "Don't think too far beyond your next meal," "Celebrate the days you can open the windows," and "First one in has to warm up the bed," these teachings may very possibly change your life. Or at least let you know that there's always time for a nap.

The complete guide to choosing and caring for your perfect cat breed! From ancient breeds to modern hybrids, there are a wide range of domestic cat breeds and it may be tricky to choose the right one! This practical illustrated guide will help you explore different cat breeds' characteristics, personalities, and common behavioural problems to ensure a healthy and happy cat. Inside the pages of this guide to cats, you'll discover: - A range of different cat breeds, including Bengal, Siamese, Maine Coon and more! - Each breed profile contains key breed-specific data, such as weight range, accepted coat colours, and grooming requirements - Expert advice on communicating with your cat and top tips on tackling cat behavioural problems, such as ankle-biting or scratching furniture - Concise care programme covering all stages of your cat's life - from establishing a routine to dealing with common feline health problems The Complete Cat Breed Book will help you choose the perfect domestic cat for you and your family. From the gentle, calm and friendly Ragdoll to the curious and intelligent Russian Blue - explore over 140 of the world's best-loved felines. This comprehensive cat book includes a profile for each of the different breeds, which outlines the breed's history, characteristics, and beautiful photographs. Once you have chosen a feline companion, peruse the chapters on cat care. Explore practical advice and tips on the essential aspects of feline health, from handling and grooming to exercise nutrition and first aid.

Finally, the truth about cats is out of the bag!
If cat lovers are from Venus, then cats hail from another planet altogether.
Mischievous and aloof one moment, affectionate the next, the cat is a confounding creature right down to its question mark of a tail. What cat owner hasn't wondered what goes on inside that mysterious kitty brain? In this companion to "It's a Dog's Life . . . but It's Your Carpet," veterinary specialist Dr. Justine A. Lee answers your questions about all things feline in this entertaining and enlightening guide. An animal lover with two cats of her own, Dr. Lee combines scientific research with irreverent humor to address questions ranging from the common to the offbeat, including:
- Do cats always land on their feet?
- Can I train my cat to use the toilet?
- Do cats have belly buttons?
- How do I stop my cat from begging for food at 5:45 a.m.?
- Can cats really predict death or cancer?
- How can I make my antisocial cat more social?
Dr. Lee also shares helpful hints on what to look for in a veterinarian. (Helpful Hint No. 1: Find a veterinarian who owns a cat.) She also reveals what every veterinarian wants you to know about being a smart consumer and pet owner.
With tips on dealing with kitty's more irksome behaviors (yes, she has some), advice on looking out for her health and well-being, and plenty of laughs, "It's a Cat's World . . . You Just Live in It" helps cat owners love and understand their quirky feline companions more than ever.

Highlighting the dangers of modern pet food--how it is unbalanced, creates addiction, and often contains ingredients that can literally poison your pet, this book destroys the myths propounded by pet food companies that human food is bad for pets, and that natural food diets are unsafe. Three veterinarians share their expertise and scientific evidence, providing an in-depth appraisal of the pet food industry and what people are feeding to their cats and dogs. This revolutionary book teaches how to read pet food labels and what ingredients to avoid, how to save on pet bills by preventing diet-related disease in pets, why veterinarians are often ignorant of the health effects of manufactured pet food, how a change in diet can cure many diet-related illnesses, and why organic farming practices and suppliers can be the best choice for pets. Armed with this information, people will be able to provide a better and healthier life for their animals.

This title offers an alternative therapies for cat health and vitality. Features: an expertly written guide to holistic care for good cat health and well-being, helping to prevent ill health and maintain your pet's natural balance and harmony; understanding the link between body and mind: day-to-day preventative cat care, with professional advice on housing, feeding, grooming, exercise, worming, neutering and reproduction; an accessible guide to the major holistic therapies available in modern veterinary care: what they involve, how they work, and how your cat will respond; step-by-step instruction for alternative therapies to practise at home, including herbalism, homeopathy, aromatherapy, massage and Bach Flower remedies; and beautifully illustrated with over 280 photographs from a leading animal and wildlife photographer, showing how each therapy and treatment is applied. A natural lifestyle in tune with your cat's needs will help maintain balance and harmony, and this book aims to treat the whole animal with preventative and supportive remedies. It covers day-to-day care, housing, exercise, grooming, nutrition and diet, and then focuses on therapies such as massage, TTouch, physiotherapy, osteopathy, herbalism, homeopathy, Bach Flowers and aromatherapy. It provides solutions for problems such as aggression, fear and jealousy, eye and ear disorders, digestive problems and skin irritations. It is a beautifully illustrated reference book which offers an invaluable guide to cat health for owners who want the very best for their pet.

Today, approximately 27% of households in the United States own at least one cat. This comprises a total of almost 60 million total pet cats. An 8 billion dollar pet food industry and the more than 7 billion dollars that pet owners spend on veterinary care each year provide tangible evidence of the increasing importance that companion animals have in our society. Additionally, the bond that owners have with their cats and the many health benefits that are afforded by this bond have been the topic of numerous research studies in the past 25 years. The cat as a cherished companion is here to stay, and many owners, students and pet professionals are eager to learn more about man's OTHER best friend, Felis catus.

"The Cat: Its Behavior, Nutrition and Health," the textbook of the cat, is written as a companion book to "The Dog: Its Behavior, Nutrition and Health." This book provides pet owners, undergraduate students and pet professionals with a complete guide to four topical areas that are of interest. These are: The history of the human-cat relationship; behavior of the domestic cat; feline nutrition; and feline health and disease.

"The Cat" will fill the need for an academic textbook for undergraduate animal science courses, veterinary technician programs, and cat care or breeding classes. It will also serve as an important resource for pet professionals such as breeders, exhibitors, groomers, and veterinary practitioners.

Cats were first domesticated - or, more likely, noticed a warm fireside and chose to domesticate themselves - many thousands of years ago. Over the centuries they have performed a useful role as pest controllers, but much more as friends and companions of humans. Cats have always inspired writers and artists. They appear in Egyptian papyri and tomb paintings, in Roman mosaics, in Japanese prints, in Old Master drawings and engravings. At different times and places they have been worshipped, mummified, associated with superstition and black magic, and bred as domestic pets. This delightful illustrated anthology includes a selection of the many poems, anecdotes and quotations about cats which have been written over the centuries: the charming, the funny, the sad, the exasperated, and the heartfelt. In a fresh new paperback format with a selection of new images, this is an irresistible gift for anyone who likes cats.

One reason cats fascinate us is that they are so unlike us: Their ears, more than eyes, show their feelings. On our laps, they are purring lovebugs; on the prowl, they are fearsome apex predators - with territorial instincts to match. This makes it hard for us humans to understand our cats as well as we love them. Thank goodness feline behaviorist Liesbeth Puts is here to help! - 120 colour photos throughout set this ahead of the competition - Abundant subheads steer readers to the answers they seek ("Can I convert an outside cat to inside?") - Chapters on bonding and rivalry among cats, stopping problem behaviors, surefire toys and games, when to see the vet, caring for older cats, and more!

A selection of James Herriot's stories about cats, published in an illustrated edition. It includes the story of Albert, the sweet-shop cat, whose owner loses his joie de vivre when his pet becomes ill, as well as the story of Tristan's attempts to administer to Mrs Bond's cat establishment.

Oscar the cat lives on the third floor of a nursing home in Rhode Island, USA. At first glance Oscar doesn't seem special. He's plain to look at. He's aloof. Like most cats, he's partial to treats and catnip. But in the summer of 2007 Oscar made headlines around the world. So what's so unusual about Oscar? He knows when the hospice patients are going to die. Dr Dosa's job is to respond to people's medical needs, treat them for their ailments and communicate with their families. Oscar takes care of the rest. He is a steady companion as patients descend into death. He is with them when they die. And, because of him, they don't die alone. Can a cat really predict death? Is he smelling something or responding to behavioural clues? Is he helping guide souls to heaven? Oscar's warm and profound story - of his uncanny ability to see death coming, of his steadfast and non-judgmental commitment to sit with patients as they die, of his quiet compassion - is a metaphor for what is important at the end of life.

Bork Bork! The definitive gift book for pet-lovers everywhere Chonk and Smol celebrates adorable pets in all shapes and sizes! The book is full of hilarious pictures and heckin’ cute captions for the doggo and cat lovers in your life. CHONK: An animal that is majestically solid and magnificently chunky. SMOL: An animal so small and adorable that you would immediately protect it with your life. CHONK AND SMOL: A celebration of the cutest, smollest and chonkiest creatures one book has ever contained. Dive into these pages of intense floofiness to find new frens who will zoom, tippy-tap, blep and mlem their way into your heart. WARNING: CONTAINS EXTREME CUTENESS Chapters include: • Mlem or Blep?: Tongues Explained • Borking: Hear Us Loud and Clear • Snugging: Micro-Naps and Super-Sleeps • Making Frens: Best Friends Furever

On the coldest morning of the year, Vicki Myron found a tiny, bedraggled kitten almost frozen to death in the night drop box of the library where she worked, and her life -- and the town of Spencer, Iowa -- would never be the same. Vicki was a single mother who had survived the loss of her family farm and an alcoholic, abusive husband. But her biggest challenge as the new head librarian in Spencer was to raise the spirits of a small, out-of-the-way town mired deep in the farm crisis of the 1980s. Dewey, as the townspeople named the kitten, quickly grew into a strutting, adorable library cat whose antics kept patrons in stitches, and whose sixth sense about those in need created hundreds of deep and loving friendships. As his fame grew, people drove hundreds of miles to meet Dewey, and people all over the world fell in love with him. Through it all, Dewey remained a loyal companion, a beacon of hope not just for Vicki, but for the entire town of Spencer as it slowly, steadily pulled itself up from the worst financial crisis in its long history. Dewey won hearts and proved to everyone he encountered that unconditional love comes in many forms.

The Instant "New York Times" Bestseller
James is a street musician struggling to make ends meet.Bob is a stray cat looking for somewhere warm to sleep. When James and Bob meet, they forge a never-to-be-forgotten friendship that has been charming readers from Thailand to Turkey. A Street Cat Named Bob is an international sensation, landing on the bestseller list in England for 52 consecutive weeks and selling in 26 countries around the world. Now, James and Bob are ready to share their true story with the U.S. in this tale unlike any you've ever read of a cat who possesses some kind of magic. When street musician James Bowen found an injured cat curled up in the hallway of his apartment building, he had no idea how much his life was about to change. James was living hand to mouth on the streets of London, barely making enough money to feed himself, and the last thing he needed was a pet. Yet James couldn't resist helping the strikingly intelligent but very sick animal, whom he named Bob. He slowly nursed Bob back to health and then sent the cat on his way, imagining that he would never see him again. But Bob had other ideas. This instant classic about the power of love between man and animal has taken the world by storm and is guaranteed to be a huge hit with American fans as well.

A hilarious, fully illustrated book full of tongue-in-cheek advice for surviving life as a cat parent – the perfect gift for any cat lover You have the best cat in the world, it’s true. But there’s no avoiding the fact that, perfect and adorable as they may be, there are certain elements of being a cat owner that you could do without. Those thoughtful “gifts” you find in the kitchen. The scratch-marks on the couch. Their hairballs clogging up your vacuum cleaner. Luckily, this no-nonsense guide is here to teach you all the tricks you’ll ever need to help you navigate life with your furry friend, so you can focus on the positives – like giving them head-scritches and cooing over their little toe beans. With pearls of wisdom like these, you’ll be a pro cat parent in no time: As a cat parent, you will need to work out the golden number of tummy rubs your cat will allow before they turn into an uncontrollable scratch-monster Your cat may look cute and innocent, but there’s an evil mastermind secretly at work behind all that fluff Items placed on a surface are highly offensive to cats and will be quickly dispatched to the floor, where they belong

The tragedies of World War II are well known. But at least one has been forgotten: in September 1939, four hundred thousand cats and dogs were massacred in Britain. The government, vets, and animal charities all advised against this killing. So why would thousands of British citizens line up to voluntarily euthanize household pets? In The Great Cat and Dog Massacre, Hilda Kean unearths the history, piecing together the compelling story of the life-and death-of Britain's wartime animal companions. She explains that fear of imminent Nazi bombing and the desire to do something to prepare for war led Britons to sew blackout curtains, dig up flower beds for vegetable patches, send their children away to the countryside-and kill the family pet, in theory sparing them the suffering of a bombing raid. Kean's narrative is gripping, unfolding through stories of shared experiences of bombing, food restrictions, sheltering, and mutual support. Soon pets became key to the war effort, providing emotional assistance and helping people to survive-a contribution for which the animals gained government recognition. Drawing extensively on new research from animal charities, state archives, diaries, and family stories, Kean does more than tell a virtually forgotten story. She complicates our understanding of World War II as a "good war" fought by a nation of "good" people. Accessibly written and generously illustrated, Kean's account of this forgotten aspect of British history moves animals to center stage-forcing us to rethink our assumptions about ourselves and the animals with whom we share our homes.