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Who Moved My Mouse?

By Michele C. Hollow

I met Dena Harris, author of “Who Moved My Mouse? A Self-Help Book for Cats (Who Don’t Need Any Help)” at the Cat Writers annual conference. Dena is quite funny and so is her book, published by Ten Speed Press. Simply put, Dena knows cats. Her insights and humor make this quick read fun. Even dog owners will enjoy the chapter, “How to Win Friends and Influence Dog People.”

Here’s an Excerpt
“Every Day, Tell at Least One Person Something You Like, Admire, or Appreciate about Him or Her
Finding and acknowledging the good in others quickly leads to finding and recognizing the good in ourselves. Offer a compliment that comes from the heart and bask in the glow of the gratitude reflected back at you. Here are some sample compliments to help you get started:
* “I appreciate how I only have to walk on your face for a short time each morning before you get up to feed me.”
* “Your sweater looks stunning with thousands of pulled threads hanging from it.”
* “I admire your willingness to pick up my poo. I could never lower myself to do something like that.”
Don’t worry that you’ll embarrass others with your generosity of spirit. More often than not, your compliments will bring tears to their eyes.”

In her chapter about being an early riser, I think Dena knows Earl Gray, my cat, when she writes: “A 3 or 4 a.m wake up plan is not unreasonable. Of course, you can’t be expected to greet the day without food and water, so make it part of your morning routine to stomp on the bladders of those you love until they haul themselves out of bed to give you the nourishment you require. They might be tempted to return to bed, but you can remedy this by curling up in the warm spot they left behind.”

I Think Earl Gray Read the Book
Earl wakes me up every morning at 5 a.m. so I can turn on the bathroom faucet. I have to run the water–pencil thin. He likes it that way. I wait for 5 minutes so I can turn off the water when he’s finished drinking (I’ve timed him) and then go back to sleep for another hour. And yes, he has a bowl with water. However, he won’t drink from it. Thankfully, I am a morning person.

Dena’s book retails for $12.99. It is available at bookstores and at amazon or your can win a copy by commenting here. I will enter your names in randomizer.org, and will draw one winner. You need to subscribe to Pet News and Views to enter. The winner will be announced next week.

On the Radio
I will be a guest on Family Talk Radio hosted by Dr. Daisy Sutherland (aka Dr. Mommy) this Wednesday, January 5, at 1 p.m. to talk about finding the “perfect” family pet. I will also discuss how children can take a responsible role in caring for their family pet. To listen log onto http://familytalkradioshow.com. You can also join Dr. Daisy’s interactive web chat to ask questions or call in on the guest line, which is 347-843-4486.

January 3rd, 2011 | Tags: , , , , | Category: Books

11 comments to Who Moved My Mouse?

  • Tweets that mention Who Moved My Mouse? « Pet News and Views -- Topsy.com
    January 3, 2011 at 8:57 PM

    [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Rod Burkert, Michele Hollow, Michele Hollow, Doggy Bytes and others. Doggy Bytes said: Reading: Who Moved My Mouse? http://bit.ly/igJPDR via @PetNewsandViews [...]

  • Lydia S.
    January 3, 2011 at 8:59 PM

    Sounds good & funny, My cat loving son who started with our first cat just got for Christmas , Cats letters to Santa . And loved it.

  • Mary Truelove
    January 3, 2011 at 9:16 PM

    Thanks Michele for sharing this story, that is so funny about Earl drinking from the sink, I would love to read this book it sounds amazing.

  • Henriette Matthijssen
    January 4, 2011 at 6:25 AM

    Thanks Michele! With six cats in the house there is never a quiet moment! One will nap while the other has to be right in their face then attack mode start! The other goes outside to do its thing & has a follower which will be right behind, he really needs to get a life of his own, has still nine left! One of them is a loner & does his own thing. Loves to keep me company while I pound on my keyboard & his purr is so loud, it is at times distracting! One is a senior & naps almost all the time except to eat her meal at nighttime! Love them all & they keeps me running as they are very demanding. What would my life be without my cats!

  • Dena Harris
    January 4, 2011 at 1:32 PM

    Hi Michele,

    Thanks for the lovely shout out on the book. So glad you enjoyed it! =) And I’m loving the story of Earl Gray and the pencil thin water fountain. We humans are 10x their size! How exactly is it that cats get us to do these things?!

    Cat fur is a dangerous aphrodisiac. =^..^=

    Cheers,

    Dena

  • Michele
    January 4, 2011 at 1:41 PM

    So true! I really think it has to do with being a parent. For some reason our fur kids and human kids do gross things that don’t always gross us out–I’m referring to picking up cat poo!–Michele

  • Sherry
    January 4, 2011 at 2:41 PM

    Earl Grey must be related to 2 of my 7 cats. They have several water bowls (why have just one when you can have many?) but they still want the water run from them in the sink whenever somebody goes to the bathroom – even if it’s at 3am. Non-cat people just don’t get it! I can’t wait to get a copy of the book, it sounds like a MUST READ for cat people!
    Sherry

  • Karen Beliveau
    January 4, 2011 at 7:00 PM

    My sister’s cat also has to drink from a running faucet. . . . .

  • Helen V
    January 13, 2011 at 7:03 PM

    loved the article- and yes I am a pick your poo person and let’s not forget -cleaning up the vomit. In my case, my cat- daughter, being a persian often needs a very good clean up( a wash and blow dry) when she has had too much of a good thing.. Cleaning up and unco-operative poo stained cat, the carpet as well as the computer she walked all over is a smelly task !!!

  • Reneda
    January 29, 2011 at 5:28 PM

    Too funny. Trust me, with nine cats in the house, someone is ALWAYS wanting something, lol. But I wouldn’t have it any other way! I’m anxious to read the rest of the book!