Seven Cats and the Art of Living

by JoCoudert (Author)

• Used

  Hardcover
  1996

  $3.25

  This account of Jo Coudert's life in New York and New Jersey describes living with seven cats and one dog. Through observing their behaviour, she draws parallels and conclusions about human nature. The anecdotes feature all seven cats and provide insights into ways of leading a more contented life. For example, a safe life with no risks may seem sensible, but a cat imprisoned indoors to prevent it being run over will be miserable; the author deduces adventure is good for the soul. Time spent watching Trot, proudly cleaning himself taught her to develop more pride in her own appearance and self; she stopped wearing tatty clothes, improved her posture and found herself working more efficiently.

• New

  Paperback
  1998

  $23.12

• New

  Hardcover
  1997

  $28.95

  Jo Coudert did not start out with seven cats. She began with just one, Kate, a gorgeous tortoiseshell Persian who knew exactly who she was - the apple of her mistress's eye. But as Jo a New Yorker, began spending weekends, and eventually all her time, at GoWell, a small house in rural New Jersey, she began to acquire cats - or, more accurately, they acquired her: strays, waifs, orphaned kittens, homeless toms, and cats who came to dinner and never left. Seven Cats and the Art of Living tells about the cats - Kate, Poppy, Chester, Socksie, Trot, Bitty, and Sweet William - who shared GoWell with Jo and her dog Freebie. Their stories are instructive, quietly inspiring, written with simplicity, and a joy to read. From Poppy, whose early mistreatment gave her a mistrust of the world and all creatures in it, to abandoned Bitty, whose innate cheerfulness made every day an adventure and every human a friend, these are cats that will capture our hearts. But more important, through the lessons they teach about forming character, choosing attitudes, daring to love, taking risks, feeling fear or acting with courage, and living in the past or living in the moment, these are cats that can enrich our lives.