Once upon a time there was a cat named Dulcy who lived with my friend Dee Ready. After Dulcy died, she came back to Dee in spirit and gave her a book to write. The book is called A Cat's Life, Dulcy's Story, and it is one of the best books I have ever read.
However, it turned out that the title of the book was a bit long and cumbersome and the book didn't attract as many readers as Dee had hoped for. Positive reviews on amazon.com are important and this book has just a few. So, changes were made and the title of the book became A Cat's Legacy ~ Dulcy's Companion Book. It was also agreed that the cover could be improved upon and the book you see below is the final version.
Then one day she was here, old yes, but still playful, chasing Samson around, letting him kiss her ears, teaching him to retrieve, playing together, and then she was gone. Just like that. Never sick, she got bloat one night and died a horrible death with me at her side. The worst night of my life, which is why I have never written about her again. Not even a memorial. Just couldn't.
When morning came, I took Samson for a long walk while my husband dug a grave. And all the while I wondered what to do with Samson. Poor dog, he wouldn't understand. She was just here and now she's gone.
So that's what I did, what I still do. I delighted Samson with everything I could think of that would be a delight to him. As I'm sure Dulcy knew, in all her wisdom, by delighting Samson, I really delighted myself. Making this effort helped us both in our grief over losing Angel. And for that we will be forever grateful to Dulcy, the legacy she left behind, and to Dee for her wisdom and kindness.
I know it may seem strange to some that cats communicate spiritually, but they do. All you have to do is listen.
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My initial review:
I fell in love with both Dulcy and Dee after reading A Cat’s Life, Dulcy’s Story and was looking forward to reading Twelve Habits of Highly Successful Cats & Their Humans now called A Cat's Legacy ~ Dulcy's Companion Book. I was not disappointed. This slim volume contains wisdom purred by Dulcy and received by Dee in the form of twelve habits that Dulcy learned and practiced throughout her long life. Dee, Dulcy's human, and herself a wonderful writer, contributes her own wisdom by sharing her life experiences as they relate to each of Dulcy’s twelve habits.
While this may sound like a self-help book, it isn't really. Adhering to Dulcy's habits will definitely help us, but the book is unique. The first habit Dulcy stresses is to Practice Being Unique and that is what sets this book apart. Dulcy is not a cutesy cat, she is strong willed, she knows what she wants and she goes after it, but she also knows when and how to let go. There’s not an ounce of sentimentality to Dulcy; she is wise in the ways of both cats and humans. The most important lesson Dulcy learns from her long life is that, in the end, love is all that matters.
Dee Ready comments on each of the twelve habits, by sharing something from her own life and her life with Dulcy. Since Dee's life has been one of compassion, caring, and love for her fellow human beings and her cats, her contributions add their own wisdom to Dulcy's book. I strongly recommend this book to everyone, young and old, dog lovers, horse lovers, and lovers of good literature. In other words, you don't have to love cats to love this book. The habit I will strive to practice is Habit Number 5 ~~ Delight One Another.
To find out more about Dee Ready and to purchase this book, please check Dee's blog here. The book is also available at www.amazon.com
I loved this post--& I LOVE all of Dee's books!!
ReplyDeletea beautiful story, hers and yours. Angel was so beautiful... our pets live on in our memories.
ReplyDeleteI understand how you felt, Inger, as I have lost a few pets, including my own dog when I was 11 or 12.
ReplyDeleteHubs had to take our cat in a few years ago when he diabetes got worse. I cried at the vets, so hubs had to hold our cat, so the last thing he saw was someone familiar.
A revamp of the cover is a good way to renew interest. Good luck to Dee with Dulcy's book!
Dear Inger, I wish I had the words--golden and jeweled--that would tell you just what your posting today means to me. Thank you a million times over. I think that Dulcy and Angel must be cherishing both of us as we journey on through our lives until we meet them again. Peace.
ReplyDeleteVa fint inlägg, vilken hund hon måste varit. förstår att du saknar henne. Jag saknar mina som är i hundhimlen....
ReplyDeleteKram !!
Your review is beautiful. Dee is a great writer, and I love her books.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Oh Inger I have tears in my eyes thinking of the pain you went through losing Angel. I am so happy that Angel came and stayed that was truly a gift. I think animals are here for a reason and I see stories like these and it verifies it for me. B
ReplyDeleteAngel truly was an angel.
ReplyDeleteA perfect post and a wonderful review.
ReplyDelete(I miss Angel, myself)
A lovely post to an Angel who is still your guardian.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post and beautiful tribute to Dee, whose books I have read and highly value. Like you, I have reviewed this book and the others and cannot recommend them highly enough as profound guides for living our lives.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful tribute to Angel and to Dee.
ReplyDeleteI love this post!
Hi Inger - I've just ordered Dee's book and now look forward to reading the comforting words Dulcy offers from within ... then knowing that Dulcy and Angel are together awaiting their kin ... while we all journey this life ..
ReplyDeleteSo pleased Samson is there for you ... cheers Hilary
What a lovely story :)
ReplyDeleteYou practically had me in tears, Inger. I also believe Dulcy's spirit lived on and am looking forward to Dee's book. In so many ways, Angel gave you the gift of life.
ReplyDeleteI love the new cover! I read both books and loved them. Glad you found solace in Dulcy's wonderful wisdom.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post! Dee is gifted for sure!
ReplyDeleteDee's books are on my to-buy list, for myself and as gifts for my daughter who's owned by 3 cats.
ReplyDeleteWhen I started reading da beginning of dis post I was thinkin' how dis could be a good book fur all pet pwners...and you proved me right. I am so thankful you was ables to be comforted from da book with Angel's death. It is amazin' how animals can touch hoomans so much dat their death is literally painful. My heart goes out to you still.
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Dee's books are amazingly wise, and your review is just excellent. There is something very special about being able to share from the heart because you have directly been touched by someone in a time of need. Angel truly was your guardian angel through a bad time, and it's so special to hear how Dulcy's words gave you direction. This is a wonderful review, and don't we all want to see Dee's books find all the right homes! Many of them! :-)
ReplyDelete