Cats aren't a typical choice for animal-assisted psychotherapy, but Timmy and Marnia are anything but typical. Research has found that petting a cat can lower blood pressure and a cat's purr is thought to help heal body tissues and bones. But not just any cat can be a therapy cat, after all, such animals need to be friendly with strangers and willing to be touched, petted and held by unfamiliar people. They have to be tolerant ofloud voices and angry shouting, emotional distress, and sudden movements. It's a tall order for any animal,but a particular challenge for a cat. In Purr Therapy, psychotherapist and cat lover Dr. Kathleen McCoy shows how two very special cats rose to this challenge, how they helped wounded souls to heal and how they taught even her lessons in mindfulness, joyful living, and compassion. She also shows readers how animal-assisted psychotherapy works and gives them an intimate and moving inside look at how Timmy and Marina worked with patients, how their double role as animal companions and cotherapists changed lives, and how, after their untimely deaths, the grief shared by those who knew and loved them led to even more growth and healing. It's no surprise that there is a tidal wave of cat fanciers growing: even the internet prefers cats. No dog site has reached the proportions of the most popular cat sites—case in point: the mega-star Grumpy Cat who has over 2 ½ million followers! More than an internet trend, this very active market is exploding through cat video contests and festivals that are claiming the passions of millions who will benefit from—and love—Purr Therapy.

Garrison Keillor once said that "cats show us that not everything in nature has a purpose." The Way of the Cat, however, shows how cats may be in our lives to help us follow our bliss. Iggy, Isabel, and Inky are three cats that have shown author Dana Kramer-Rolls how to get in touch with her inner cat--and discover the secrets of a blissful life, which include: * Stretching all over is one of life's pure and simple pleasures. * Doing nothing well is a feline art form anyone can practice. * We can all just get along when we live together well. Kramer-Rolls's philosophy is simple: By "being as simple and direct as our cats, we can achieve a 'higher' or at least more natural and less-stressed state. Get involved with your cats. Their wisdom is now open to you, and you can learn everything they have to teach." The funny and surprising Way of the Cat guides readers through the days and lives of Kramer-Rolls's cats and teaches them the ways of feline wisdom: * Learn to move silently and sleep deeply, as long as necessary. * Exercise by doing the "crescent moon stretch" and indulge in the fun of rolling around on the floor. * Practice feline empathy--and find out how to heal the world. * Celebrate bliss. The Way of the Cat is packed with fun tips, exercises, cat stories, and food for thought--all drawn from the blissful lives cats lead every day.

It’s All About ME-OW: A Young Cat’s Guide to the Good Life is a vibrant picture books that will delight your youngsters. The format is a cats' how-to manual for commandeering a household without the humans ever catching on. Buddy, an adult ginger tabby-in-residence, teaches the tricks of the trade to three incoming kittens, sharing how to get everything they want without ever working for it. It’s all in the Catitude. Perfecting skills such as Purr Therapy, Let Me Out Let Me In, and Mastering Hypnotism for Fun and Getting Fed are essential to keeping your humans happy, or at least unaware that you’ve lovingly reversed the roles of master and pet. Buddy saves the most important lesson for last: “Keep your outside mild, but your inside wild.” In other words, never forget that underneath your cuddly ball-of-fur image beats the heart of the unconquerable beast who emerged from the jungle to rescue humans from mice. That message is illustrated with Buddy’s group photo of all the relatives, from tiger to tabby, attending the Cat Family Reunion.

The perfect gift for cat lovers! Cats rule! And this funny, endearing look at cat culture shows how they've mastered the art of charming humans. Do you ever wonder how cats achieve the perfect blend of catitude and cuteness; how they can be both mild and wild? Here all the tricks of their trade are revealed as an alpha cat passes his wisdom to a new generation. Entertaining lessons abound, including a crash course on what to eat (mouse=do, gerbil=don't) and the importance of purr therapy to keep the humans calm. Hudson Talbott's spot-on humor celebrates everything we love about our fabulous feline friends, as well as the little things we put up with because we love them.

Deborah and her beloved cat Ragdoll cat, Mr. Jazz, spent a lifetime together. The bond they shared was special - he was her companion through the best and worst of it all. So when the inevitable happened - the realization he was dying at 15 years of age and she would have to face the painful and difficult decision of helping to let him go, their relationship changed, causing Deborah to learn some invaluable lessons from him about life, love, grieving, and letting go. Told by Mr. Jazz himself, an ordinary cat by his own admission, Purr Prints of the Heart is a touching meow-memoir that will strike a chord with anyone whose heart carries paw-prints of love as he shares the story of his life from kitten hood to his final days on earth in the physical sense. Cleverly written in cat likeness with incredible insight, candor, charm, wisdom, and humor, Mr. Jazz takes the reader on a journey that is like a salve in book form to offer comfort to all who have had to deal with (or will have to deal with), the inevitable loss of a beloved pet. Replete with memorable moments of anticipation, outbursts of laughter, sighs of relief, sheer joy, and throes of grief, Mr. Jazz, carries a conversation with readers, putting them in real-life situations they can easily relate to and empathize with - from his days as a kitten that nobody wanted, to finally being adopted into a loving human and animal filled family that had its share of ups and downs, to his final months whereby his health was declining and he had to deal with things like frequent visits to the vet, being force fed food, resentment issues, litter issues, and the finality of coming to terms with the fact he was dying and needing to convince his beloved humans to let him go . The ending is a welcoming upturn, a refreshing reminder of the celebration of life and the indelible purr prints cats leave on our hearts and includes an invaluable "Coping With Pet Loss" section to help readers on all levels - emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and even physically to empower themselves with ways to positively honor the journey of the pet lost as well as ways to find the strength to heal and mend a broken heart.

"Discover dozens of ways to draw on the power of cats -- the perfect remedy for today's stressful life"--Backcover.

Bringing A New Cat Or Kitten Into your life can be one of the most rewarding experiences you will ever have. You may be a single, urban dweller seeking a companion at the end of the day; a mother and father deciding on when to get a pet for you and your children; or someone who just lost a cat and is not sure of the right time to start looking for a new one. Regardless of your situation, you'll want to learn how to provide for your cat, establish a relationship with him or her, and learn how to live together happily. This complete guide to starting off right with your new feline companion is the perfect place to begin. From learning where to find your a cat to the how-tos of feeding and caring, award-winning writer and pet expert Kim Campbell Thornton tells you exactly what you need to know to make informed decisions that will benefit both you and your new cat. You'll find the answers to specific questions such as Where should I get a cat? Are some cat breeds better with children than others? Is my cat sick? Should I buy premium cat foods? Which houseplants are toxic for cats? What do I need to know before taking my cat to a kennel? Why does my cat rub up against me? And many, many more. Organized in an easy-to-use question-and-answer format, Starting Out Right With Your New Cat is a welcoming book for any new or potential cat owner. This book will ensure that you have the expectations and information you need to launch a lifetime of loving feline companionship. Book jacket.