“Are you covered in cat hair? Do you reek of Feliway? Is your kitty’s happiness your one desire?”
The answers to these critically soul-searching questions are posed in the book’s introduction. While this charming little paperback is primarily aimed at female cat lovers, men who truly love cats will no doubt also identify with its contents. “Women Who STILL Love Cats Too Much”, by author Allia Zobel Nolan and illustrator Nicole Hollander is definitely a must read for anyone who may be wondering if their relationship with their kitties is over the top extreme!
The introduction sets the book’s tone by Allia Zobel Nolan graciously and honestly admitting that she is thoroughly addicted to kitties. She describes herself as:
“a woman who still loves cats too much.”
However, since “addict” is often considered to have negative connotations, if someone is accused of having an addiction to cats, it may quite possibly ruffle the majority of ailurophiles’ fur. But not to worry! This wonderfully entertaining and “thought-provoking” book (with its skillfully written tongue-in-cheek strategy) strips the negative associations of the word “addiction”.
In fact, with its non-judgmental and humorous approach to the topic, while perusing through the book’s enchanting illustrative cartoons, passionate kitty lovers (if they choose to do so) will have an opportunity to embark upon a soul-searching journey of self-awareness. This will make it possible for readers to decide whether in fact they love their cats too much.
Some of the examples of probable “off the chart feline adoration “presented throughout the book not only had me in stitches. I learned a lot since they were also self-revealing.
“You know your cat is manipulating you more than usual when….She complains because she can’t find “Kitty Boo-Boo” on TV, so you switch to another, more expensive cable provider.”
Although our kitties are not “Kitty Boo-Boo” fans, I must admit that watching Jackson Galaxy’s TV show, “My Cat from Hell” isn’t quite as interesting or fun if our cats don’t seem to be quite as engaged in the show as I am. Since kitty enrichment is very important, I often wish they too would be fascinated by Jackson’s skillful interventions.
“You know your preoccupation with your cats is beginning to cost you friends when….Your BFF refuses to be seen with you unless you stop wearing “tacky cat jewellery.”
Over the years I have learned that the only way to avoid this dilemma is to get rid of friends who aren’t as keen about cats as I am and replace them only with felinophiles. Ardent kitty lovers are those who may wear “tacky cat jewelry” and have acquired an extensive collection of colorful, furry costume “cat ears” with which they adorn themselves with pride. Friends of this ilk help keep our cats feel more secure. After all keeping them emotionally well-balanced is definitely my priority.
“You know you might be a tad extravagant when it comes to your cat, (but hey, what is money for anyway?) when….Your cat has her own iPhone, iPad, Google Glass and high-speed internet connection….and you don’t.”
This last example definitely nailed the fact that I am totally addicted to my kitties. Since my iPhone and iPad are loaded with kitty games with which they play, these devices might as well be theirs. But after reading and thoroughly enjoying “Women who Still love cats too much”, my anxiety level has totally diminished and I no longer am conflicted. I have come to the conclusion, (backed up by the author) that there is no such thing as loving cats “too much.” In my opinion, cats were put on this planet to be thoroughly spoiled and doted upon.
Although judging from the book’s title, Allia Zobel Nolan and illustrator Nicole Hollander had women in mind when creating it. But don’t be surprised when your male friends can’t put the book down.
“Women who Still Love Cats too Much” will be released for sale in September 2015. A special pre-order price is available at here
Wish I could thumbs-up all those great comments! And as for my position: You said it eloquently, Jo: “Purrsonally I think that cats deserve to be cherished, fussed over and spoiled. They have earned that right!” OH, YEAH. There’s no such thing as too much love. If that’s “addiction”, then consider me guilty as charged, and give me a life sentence with no possibilty of parole!
Guilty and loving it!! Who needs a friend when you have a cat.
Guilty_
What you should do is play with your cat MORE and make areas by windows so she can sit in a window and look outside. I even feed birds and have a bird bath right outside my windows. My cats love it. I wouldn’t sprinkle water on her as punishment. Get a laser light to play with them and make them run around and tire them selves out. And if you only have one cat GET HER A FRIEND. One cat is lonely. I did it years ago and learned that most cats don’t like being all alone. Good luck 🙂
Carrie, I appreciate your interest, but I do play with my cat in the morning and at night. I have many toys for her, and I have bird baths, and feeders for her entertainment on my enclosed porch. She has her choice of several windows to look out of. I’ve arranged my room so she can jump up on several levels, and sleep in various spots. I buy kitty grass for her. I can’t get another cat, and actually my housemate has a cat, and she chases my cat whenever they’re in the same room. So, we keep them apart.
She was a feral for over a year, so she may be yearning for that freedom again, but that’s not safe, so I won’t let her go out willingly, except with a harness and leash. I’ve done that before, and she picked up so many fleas from the grass. I use a flea treatment, though I don’t like to.
So, she has more than many cats, and I’m with her all day. I’ve bought cat videos, which she doesn’t watch. So, now I’m just wanting to find a way to soothe her frustration from not being able to do out.
Hi Sandra,Have you ever tried feliway plug in and the spray bottle.it releases the pheromones that cats release and can help calm them down if they are stressed.I have noticed it helps with 3 of my cats but my other cat it did nothing for,it just depends .I have one plugged in and spray other areas and overall it does calm the 3 of them.my other cat has been put on prozac has he has a chemical imbalance and that is all that has helped him…As for loving cats too much I am guilty of that for sure.my cats are my world and I love them and do anything for them.I would rather stay home with them than go out.they are my everything.
I plead guilty to this one.
Last year my employer decided to upgrade all our computers. I went around and collected seven big computer boxes. Very sturdy. Took them home and constructed a split level kitty condo with two upper decks. Cut windows and doorways, padded the bottoms with those thin cheap fleece blankets. Samirah lounges on the second level and watches the traffic outside but she also watches tv sometimes. I notice she is a big fan of Law and Order: Criminal Intent. Something tells me I should be worried about that….
I love your comment! Ingenuity on building a cat condo and you fit the bill as described in the book. Guilty as charged as they say! 😉
Yep, guilty! When I get my digital camera I’ll post a photo in this thread.
I do admit, I have cat hair on every piece of clothing I wear, and I really don’t care. It’s a losing battle with a long haired cat, even though I have blankets for every chair, and I put them on me before she jumps in my lap.
Her health and well-being are my top priorities, because when she’s not well, I’m extremely stressed, and that affects my well-being.
Right now my big issue is that she really wants to go out, and is crying pitifully at the door to be let out. I tell her “no”, and sometimes even sprinkle water on her. I’m wondering about getting something to calm her, but not a tranquilizer, something natural I can put in her food, or drop in her mouth. Any suggestions?
Sandra: Zylkene is a food additive you might want to try. It’s said to help cats feel more relaxed and can safely be used long term. Although it’s derived from a milk protein (casein) Zylkene is lactose free.
http://www.zylkenepet.co.uk/
I tried Vine from the Bach Flower Essences range on Sophie as it’s recommended for calming aggressive or despotic cats, but it had no effect on her whatsoever.
Thanks for your suggestions!
I know exactly how you feel when your cat is not well. It is terribly stressful. The worst time is when a cat has a chronic illness leading to towards death. God that is awful. I have been through it twice and for months I was stressed trying to live normally.
Sandra, I tried Jackson Galaxy’s Spirit Essences on Samirah last year. I can’t really tell if it worked on her, but maybe you could give it a shot.
You can choose other essences by what her issues are. I picked out the ones that fit Samirah’s situation, Stress Stopper and Trauma Relief. Stress Stopper went into her water, Trauma Relief went into her wet food, just a couple drops a day.
I wouldn’t recommend Prozac either. My girl refused to eat it once she figured out I added it to her wet food. I think they can smell it, even tho it’s a very small pill. Maybe a motorized play toy would catch your furkid’s fancy?
I have a kitty that lived on the street before coming to live with us. He really wanted to be outside and my kitties are inside cats. I tried many things for Marty. Finally I made a kitty porch (with the help of a friend) using trellis. He is so happy, I put a kitty door in plexis glass and put it in the window so the kitties can go in & out when they want. Marty is so happy, I find him out in the Kitty Porch at 3AM just watching everything, and he is SAFE. It was worth every $ I spent. In fact with my new guy we made a 2nd enclosure in the back yard 12’X12′, I have 4 kitties now and they love it and I can go be with them.
I tried to add a photo but it didn’t let me
Hi Katrina. Sorry about the photo uploader not working. I am trying to fix that. I love the idea of the enclosures.
I love what you did, Katrina.