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James Herriot's Cat Stories

by James Herriot, Lesley Holmes (Illustrator)

4.24 of 5 stars 4.24 · rating details · 2,393 ratings · 170 reviews

Between these covers, teller and tales finally meet in a warm and joyful new collection that will bring delight to the hearts of readers the world over: James Herriot's Cat Stories. Here are Buster, the kitten who arrived on Christmas; Alfred, the cat at the sweet shop; little Emily, who lived with the gentleman tramp; and Olly and Ginny, the kittens who charmed readers wh

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Hardcover, 161 pages

Published March 28th 2002 by MJF Books (first published 1990)

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20th out of 619 books — 269 voters

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Community Reviews

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Sep 23, 2012 bakanekonomama rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: non-fiksi, terjemahan

Kisah yang penuh kucing... kucing.. dan kucing...

Jadi inget kalo di rumah saya itu pasti selalu ada kucing, karena saya selalu melihara kucing. Hingga suatu hari, saya harus pergi ke negeri seberang untuk studi, tak lama setelah saya pergi, kucing saya hilang... TT___TT Kata nenek saya, mungkin dia tahu kalau saya udah nggak ada di rumah, makanya dia pergi.

Terus saya jadi inget dulu pernah baca kisah kucing yang ditinggal pindah rumah sama majikannya, terus dia kabur dari rumahnya yan...more

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Apr 03, 2012 Ayu Wirdha rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Ga sengaja melihat nih buku padahal ga niat beli, untungnya pas ada diskon 25% gramedia jadi makin semangat deh.

Buku ini terdiri dari 12 cerita pendek yang diceritakan secara narasi dari sudut pandang James Herriot (James ini dokter hewan). Kalau suka tipe chicken soup pasti suka juga dengan buku ini.

Favorite saya adalah cerita yang judulnya : Buster, si kucing penangkap. Buster ini kucing unik karena senang sekali menangkap bola yg dilemparkan lalu membawa kembali ke si pelempar bola. Buster ad...more

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Jan 28, 2012 Wayne S. rated it 4 of 5 stars

James Herriot was the pen name of James Alfred (Alf) Wight (1916–1995), an English veterinary surgeon and writer, who used his many years of experiences as a veterinarian to write a series of books about animals and their owners. In 1940, he moved to work in a rural practice based in the town of Thirsk, Yorkshire, England, with Donald and Brian Sinclair, and the following year married Joan Catherine Anderson Danbury. In his semi-autobiographical books, Wight calls the town where Herriot lives an...more James Herriot was the pen name of James Alfred (Alf) Wight (1916–1995), an English veterinary surgeon and writer, who used his many years of experiences as a veterinarian to write a series of books about animals and their owners. In 1940, he moved to work in a rural practice based in the town of Thirsk, Yorkshire, England, with Donald and Brian Sinclair, and the following year married Joan Catherine Anderson Danbury. In his semi-autobiographical books, Wight calls the town where Herriot lives and works "Darrowby," which he based largely on the towns of Thirsk and and nearby Sowerby. He also renamed Donald Sinclair and his brother Brian Sinclair as Siegfried and Tristan Farnon, respectively, and used the name "Helen Alderson" for Joan Danbury. Wight’s son, also a veterinarian, has said that the books are only partially autobiographical as several events that actually happened in the 1960s and 70s are transported back to the 1930s and 40s.
Herriot first published six short books, which in the United States were released as three combined volumes. They were All Creatures Great and Small (1972, incorporating If Only They Could Talk and It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet); All Things Bright and Beautiful (1974, incorporating Let Sleeping Vets Lie and Vet in Harness); and All Things Wise and Wonderful (1977, incorporating Vets Might Fly and Vet in a Spin). He has also written James Herriot's Yorkshire (1979), The Lord God Made Them All (1981), and Every Living Thing (1992). I first became acquainted with the series as a result of watching the long-running BBC television program based on the books and shown in the United States on PBS. Then my mother gave us copies of the books which are cute stories but have quite a bit of cursing and profanity, even some vulgarity, and many references to drinking alcohol. Cat Stories tells about Buster, the kitten who arrived on Christmas; Alfred, the cat at the sweet shop; little Emily who lived with the gentleman tramp; Olly and Ginny who first appeared at the Herriots’ house in Every Living Thing; and others.
We are “cat people” with two pet housecats, both neutered toms—one a huge, hulking yellow tabby that our older son brought home when it was a tiny, barely four-week-old kitten, and the other a sleek black stray which adopted us after our younger son found him under our back porch. I had hoped that Cat Stories might omit some of the objectionable features of the other books, but there are still a few instances of cursing, profanity, and drinking alcohol, though perhaps not as much as in the larger volumes. There is also a companion, Favorite Dog Stories (1995). Because of the language, I would not recommend them for youngsters. Herriot did write several shorter stories suitable for children--Blossom Comes Home (1969); Moses the Kitten (1984); Only One Woof (1985); The Christmas Day Kitten (1986); Bonny's Big Day (1987); The Market Square Dog (1989); Oscar, Cat-About-Town (1990); and Smudge, the Little Lost Lamb (1991)—which I believe were all included in an omnibus edition, James Herriot's Treasury for Children (1992). (less)

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Sep 08, 2011 Melissa rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: animals, non-fiction

I've read James Herriot before. Not only does he seem an outstanding vet, but he's a pretty good writer as well. And since most people love animals, he really can't go too wrong with his genre.

Cat Stories is just that. A series of short stories about some of the cats Herriot has had the pleasure of working with. Whether they are patients, ones that he visits while out and about on errands, or his own cats, these felines all have some unique aspects to them. There's Olly and Ginny, Herriot's cats...more
I've read James Herriot before. Not only does he seem an outstanding vet, but he's a pretty good writer as well. And since most people love animals, he really can't go too wrong with his genre.

Cat Stories is just that. A series of short stories about some of the cats Herriot has had the pleasure of working with. Whether they are patients, ones that he visits while out and about on errands, or his own cats, these felines all have some unique aspects to them. There's Olly and Ginny, Herriot's cats that are so wild they won't even let them near him, which frustrates him to no end. There's the candy store cat (which would never be allowed in this time or place sadly) that patrols the store with his owner making sure that everyone gets just the treat they are looking for. The socialite cat that came into Herriot's life and was a regular attender at any town meeting or event. Every cat has their own story and their own special bond with the people around them.

Herriot is always very kind in his descriptions of patients and of their owners. I don't think I've even read anything where he has remarked unkindly about someone. And that's refreshing, he puts out the good for everyone to see. And his tales of the cats makes me want to cuddle them all and want more of my own (which I will not do, I have too many already).

His writing is very clear and easy to read but contains such warmth that its a joy to read his stories over and over. Indeed, one of the stories contained in this book was also in another one of his that I read, but I didn't mind as it was such a charming tale. This book also had some beautiful illustrations by Lesley Holmes that fit all of the stories so you could even get a sense of what the cats looked like. Definitely a heartfelt read. My only complaint would be that I would have liked more stories and even though I didn't mind reading duplicate stories, the book would have benefited by having everything be original instead of a rehash.

I highly recommend anything by Herriot. Any animal lover, especially cats, is sure to enjoy this book.

James Herriot's Cat Stories
Copyright 1994
161 pages

Review by M. Reynard 2011(less)

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Nov 11, 2012 Stupidusatmaildotcom rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: non-fiction

Out of all Wight's stories I think these have to be my favorite ones.

I'm a total sucker for cats, so I guess that makes me partisan. I enjoy watching neighborhood cats roam freely in "our" backyard. I never miss a chance to pet one if they allow me the honor. Hell, I might even be forced to do some jedi mind tricks from time to time in order to come to closer petting distances with them. Sometimes it works, too - provided there's enough time.

There is something otherworldly-like in those supremel...more

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Jun 18, 2010 Jen Burke rated it 3 of 5 stars

For years, I haven't thought about James Herriot and then I saw this book near the cat behavior books I was perusing in the library. And whenever I think of him, I instantly recall my schoolmate Jessica Simon. Those who have met me in person know that I am short to the point of being a pygmy. So it will come as no surprise that my childhood was filled with being last picked during recess and gym and the first to be shoved aside when any treat was to be had. The only person remotely close to me i...more

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Oct 13, 2012 miss rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012

Judulnya aja udah Cat Stories jadi jangan ngarep ada cerita tentang ayam ataupun ikan. Jujur, kucing bukanlah hewan favoritku. Terlalu banyak kejadian buruk di masa kecil yang berkaitan dengan kucing. Udah hewan paling manja, eh pemalas pula. *curcol

"Kucing adalah makhluk egois yang menggunakan kasih sayangnya hanya untuk keadaan yang menguntungkan mereka, dan mereka tidak mampu merasakan cinta murni seperti para anjing. Kucing adalah makhluk yang sangat memikirkan dirinya sendiri."

Terlepas dari...more

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Nov 14, 2009 Sara ♥ rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2009, audiobook, challenge-fall-2009, humor, nonfiction, anthology, books-i-own, ripped

Finished this book today. It was only 3 CDs long, so it went really quickly. It was a super cute little book of some of James Herriot's experiences with the cats in his life. (That's James Herriot of All Creatures Great and Small, etc., the British veterinary surgeon, in case you're unfamiliar with him...)

This group of short stories were put together about a year before James Herriot's death (that's a pen name, fyi) in 1995, and I really loved that he told the stories not only because they were...more

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Oct 14, 2009 Christy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Recommended to Christy by: Marilyn Allen

First, a disclaimer: I’m absolutely crazy about cats. Totally nutty. So a very ordinary collection of cat stories would have delighted me. But these stories are superb. James Herriot, a Yorkshire veterinarian, is a true cat lover, and he also happens to write really well. So I was completely enchanted with these stories of truly unforgettable cats. If there’s a common thread, it’s this: contrary to popular opinion (shaped by cat haters) that cats think only of themselves, there’s abundant proof...more

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Feb 03, 2013 Nanny rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013, kumcer-indonesian-dll

Ketika mampir ke Toko Buku tertarik untuk membeli buku ini dengan dua alasan : pertama; karena menceritakan tentang kucing, di rumah saya selalu ada kucing padahal saya bukan penyayang kucing :(
kedua; melihat pengarangnya James Herriot ..wah kangen dengan gaya berceritanya :)

Pertama kali berkenalan dengan James Herriot di buku Seandainya Mereka Bisa Bicara ,yang ceritanya sukses membuat saya tertawa terpingkal-pingkal ketika membaca pengalaman Herriot sebagai dokter hewan di tempat yang digamba...more

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Mar 28, 2012 Indah Widianto rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: children-books

Lappoorr.. buku yang satu ini juga udah kelar gua baca lhoo, ahahahaha :p

And tetap sampai akhir sekalipun, fave pertama gua si Oscar, yang kedua si Alfred :D

Cerita tentang nih buku? Kapan2 yaa kalo gua kaga males nulisnya, hahahaha..

~.*.~

Senin 26/3 (12:01 pm)

Kucing, apa pendapat kamu mengenai makhluk yang satu ini? Me? Mm.. I don't really like cats, huehehehe.. ada sesuatu dalam mata mereka yang menimbulkan efek "ngeri", mata mereka bicara banyak, penuh kecurigaan, menantang dan seolah berkata,...more

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Apr 14, 2012 Vira Cla rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: kumcer, favorites

I love these stories! Saya seorang pecinta kucing, itu salah satu sebabnya. Hehehe.. Menarik sekali kisah drh.Herriot dlm buku ini. Berbagai kelucuan, kharisma, pesona dan "keangkuhan" kucing digambarkan dalam tiap kisahnya masing-masing. Seperti Alfred yg ceria di toko permen, Oscar yg sosialita, Buster yg atraktif, Emily yg nyaris mati karena melahirkan, Moses kucing yg terlantar, Frisk yg menjaga tuannya yg sakit, dan tentu saja kucing milik drh.Herriot yg liar; Olly dan Ginny.

Saya menyukai s...more

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Dec 31, 2012 Kristin rated it 4 of 5 stars

While I am generally a dog person moreso than a cat person, this volume of Herriot's favorite cat stories was the perfect book to read during my workout, as the print was of a good size, the stories were short, and there were beautiful watercolor illustrations to go along with the stories. Herriot was a vet in the era where animal medicine was generally confined to large farm animals and little attention was paid to housepets, particularly cats, and Herriot found that disappointing, as he held a...more

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Oct 23, 2011 Book Concierge rated it 3 of 5 stars

I’m not much of a cat person (I’m allergic, so have never spent a lot of time around them), but I still found this collection of vignettes about the various cats Herriot has come across both in his private and professional life as a veterinary surgeon in Yorkshire just charming. I fell in love with Herriot’s first memoir, All Creatures Great and Small , and read his next two eagerly. This slim volume concentrates specifically on his feline friends (and patients). The stories are brief and tender...more

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Jan 29, 2013 Rise rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: in-bahasa, owned

Buku ini berisi kumpulan cerita tentang kucing. Terutama tentang hubungan kucing dengan orang yang memeliharanya atau kalau mengikuti apa yang ditulis di buku; hubungan kucing dengan orang yang diadopsinya. Iya, bukan orang yang mengadopsi, tetapi orang yang diadopsi si kucing.

Ceritanya sih sederhana. Tapi, untuk pecinta kucing, ceritanya jadi terasa menyenangkan. Deskripsi soal kucing dan tingkahnya itu benar-benar bikin hangat hati saya dan langsung membuat saya kangen dengan Mario-nyan, kuci...more

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Nov 16, 2011 Marigold rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: short-stories, set-in-england, animals

I re-read this in memory of my friend and fellow book-group member, Lauri, who recently passed away. We had a book group meeting in which we all read something we "connected" with Lauri somehow. She loved cats (and science, and science fiction, and mysteries, and fantasy, and music, and crafts, and all kinds of things). Anyway, I read this favorite from my shelf in her honor. It's a short, sweet, lovely collection of stories from James Herriot (well known for the All Creatures Great and Small bo...more

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May 06, 2012 Cheryl in CC NV rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

How heartwarming that every one of these cats found a loving home. Though cruelty & abandonment are mentioned, no cat in this collection ever hears 'oh gosh, what are we going to do, there are so many cats around already.' I do wish they'd all get spayed or neutered though, especially the colony being fed by 'Mrs. Bond.'

Nice collection. I would like to find out how much is 'new' though. If any. This had the story of Moses, which is also in a picture-book. And I believe that many of the 'dis...more

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May 21, 2012 Harun Harahap rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: non-fiksi, punya, anak-hingga-remaja, terjemahan

Membaca kisah kucing-kucing yang ada di buku ini mengingatkan gue kalau dulu pernah punya kucing peliharaan. Namanya ya aneh-aneh. Mandra adalah kucing pertama gue dan dia betina dengan tiga warna. Melahirkan dua anak Jipul dan Puteleng. Jipul adalah kucing betina belang kuning dan putih yang cantik. Anehnya dia memiliki buntut yang sangat pendek hingga terlihat tak ada buntut. Puteleng juga belang kuning putih tapi dia lelaki. Gemuknya enggak kira-kira dan pemalasnya minta ampun. Setelah itu gu...more

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Feb 16, 2013 Jessica rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013

James Herriot's Cat Stories is a cute collection of cat stories (obviously). This book also contains beautiful color pictures by Lesley Holmes and glossy printed pages that make the reading experience even more delightful. Since I love kitties, I am completely biased about this book (this is your one and only warning before continuing with this review).

With this book, you get an Introduction from the author and ten short stories about cats. Most of them were pretty cute and were enjoyable. James...more

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Jan 05, 2012 Kimberly rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Animal lovers,

Shelves: library-books-read-2011, books-read-in-2011, book-challenge-11-12, animals, read-to-offspring

So you can probably tell that I'm in a bit of an animal or nature phase but how can someone not love James Herriot's stories? They are perfect for any age level and even though this book is about cat stories it will appeal to the animal lover in general with its heartwarming tales that make you or me at least want to grab the pet nearest to me and hug them.

I first read a James Herriot book on October 6th and I read his Dog Stories which had literally been sitting on my bookshelf for 14 years. No...more

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Feb 13, 2011 John rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Anyone with a heart.

Recommended to John by: My cat-loving wife.

My wife loves cats and she had this book in the car as we were driving back to our home in Eagle Mountain after a visit to the warmer climate of St. George. She sometimes reads to me as we ride along and she picked James Herriot's Cat Stories on this trip. I'm a cat tolerater, but hearing the delightful stories in this book almost converted me to cat lover. Herriot has a charming way of relating his stories and his love for animals shines through, whether he's writing about cats, as in this book...more

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Jun 24, 2012 Halida rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

After reading Dog Stories and Cat Stories, I can honestly say that James Herriot is such a wonderful story-teller. Twelve short stories about cats successfully entertained me during the weekend. This book is relatively short, so I guess people must go like "We want more!" after the last story. My personal favorite cats are Alfred and Oscar, although I also like Emily and Frisk because the relationship between them and their masters were so touching. Long story short, I like everything about this...more

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Oct 28, 2010 Heather rated it 3 of 5 stars

This is just a fast little light collection of cat-centric James Herriot stories. I'm a big Herriot fan - interesting and usually pretty happy endings to the bits you read about, which is always good when animals are involved.

I will say that I usually listen to his stuff, however, which I tend to love (the guy who read his books is terrific). This one I properly read, though, which was odd. Not actually sure which experience I like better.

Anyhow, not much to say. Very not-weighty fare. Not the...more

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Sep 13, 2012 Aisyah Shaumasari Maulana rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Cerita-ceritanya sangat menyentuh! Saya suka penggambaran Herriot di buku ini yang amat jujur, juga kehidupan di kota Darrowby, Yorkshire, yang amat memperhatikan dan menghargai kesejahteraan hewan hewan piaraan (dalam hal ini kucing). Penyelamatan-penyelamatan yang dilakukan Herriot, serta gambaran ikatan batin antara Herriot dengan kucing-kucing yang merupakan pasiennya sangat menyentuh. Herriot sepertinya mempunyai pengetahuan yang mendalam soal kucing, baik dari aspek anatomi maupun psikolog...more

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Aug 01, 2012 Aries rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: vita-con-gli-animali

Ci sono volte in cui ho veramente bisogno di percepire, leggere, vedere e vivere qualcosa che sappia di buono.Qualche giorno fa, in un momento del genere, ho deciso di coccolarmi con questo libro di Herriot, memore dell'effetto che mi aveva fatto il suo libro che avevo letto in precedenza.Mai scelta fu più azzeccata: Herriot racconta col suo tono di voce (sì, di voce, perché sembra di sentirgli raccontare ognuna delle storie del libro) storie reali di affetto e di calore, composte di una magia p...more

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Jun 26, 2011 Laura Cushing rated it 5 of 5 stars

Adorable, short, easy to read cat stories. Great for a quick read and sure to pick up your spirits if you're feeling down. James Herriot, of All Creatures Great and Small fame, tells these wonderful stories about his interactions with our feline friends. From ferals and farm cats to beloved house pets, all sorts of cats are represented in these tales. The version I read contained beautiful full color illustrations by Lesley Holmes that made the stories come to life. Great for readers of all ages...more

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May 16, 2013 Mindy Miller rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: adult-lit

Several really sweet stories of cats, many of whom managed to survive with loving owners despite being homeless at first. I think my favorites were the first and last stories--about the candy shop owner, and about the Christmas gift. I also really liked the one about the educated man living in a tent on the side of the road. Herriot does a good job of showing cats' behaviors, and it was fun to read about the cranky cat Boris, the protective mother cats, and all other kinds of cats--scared, timid...more

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Mar 08, 2012 Bunga Mawar rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: it-s-mine, translated-into-indonesian, stated-as-nonfiction

Kekurangan buku edisi bahasa Indonesia ini buat saya ada pada sampul depannya. Pertama, tubuh kucingnya kurang proporsional, membuat saya menebak ilustrator sampulnya bukan penyayang kucing :).
Kedua, keranjang yang dijadikan tumpuan si kucing meraih serangga itu kok ya keranjang bambu. NGgak papa sih, tapi kalo baca nama "Herriot", kan kita berpikir tentang kucing2 Inggris yang ditemuinya, bukan kucing kampung di pasar rakyat Pondok Bambu yang suka nongkrong di keranjang bambu.

-penyukakucingyang...more

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Feb 22, 2013 Ica Surjo rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: non-fiction, books

"Setiap kucing memiliki pesona sendiri. Keanggunan dan kecantikan bawaan mereka, serta kasih sayang mereka sebagai respons yang mendalam membuatku sangat menyayangi kucing-kucing itu" -James Herriot

Memiliki kucing adalah sebuah hiburan bagi keluarga. Melihat tingkah polah serta kenakalan mereka bagai mengawasi dan merawat anak kecil. James Herriot dalam buku Cat Stories ini bercerita tentang pengalamannya selama menjadi dokter hewan.

Dimulai dari Kisah "Alfred si Kucing Toko Permen". Alfred senan...more

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Sep 25, 2012 Imas rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Semua cerita-cerita dibuku ini aku suka.Terutama Oscar, Buster dan Olly dan Ginny. Membaca buku ini mengingatkanku pada kucing-kucing disekitar keluarga kami,keluarga ibu ku tepatnya. Untuk cerita bukunya, silakan dibaca dan anda akan jatuh cinta dengan James Heriot seperti saya....semoga.
Dirumah dulu, saat masih sekolah sampai SMA,kami punya kucing-kucing dengan bermacam kenangan. Nama-nama kucing dirumah si Tua, Uneng ,Senor, si Putih, Tala dan lain-lain.

Si Tua adalah cikal bakal kucing di r...more Semua cerita-cerita dibuku ini aku suka.Terutama Oscar, Buster dan Olly dan Ginny. Membaca buku ini mengingatkanku pada kucing-kucing disekitar keluarga kami,keluarga ibu ku tepatnya. Untuk cerita bukunya, silakan dibaca dan anda akan jatuh cinta dengan James Heriot seperti saya....semoga.
Dirumah dulu, saat masih sekolah sampai SMA,kami punya kucing-kucing dengan bermacam kenangan. Nama-nama kucing dirumah si Tua, Uneng ,Senor, si Putih, Tala dan lain-lain.

Si Tua adalah cikal bakal kucing di rumah, Tua kucing betina dengan anak Uneng, Tala, Senor dan Putih, dengan urutan umur yang kami karang sendiri karena mereka sebenarnya 4 anak si Tua pada satu kelahiran. Uneng kucing jantan galak berkharisma , jangan coba-coba membelai kalau tidak ingin terkena cakarnya .Uneng cukup disapa dan dia akan menjawab dengan mengeong. Kalau lagi iseng ingin menggoda Uneng, siap-siap untuk lari karena dia tidak segan-segan untuk mengejar. Kadang aku juga usil menggoda Uneng, sambil siap-siap lari sambil teriak-teriak ke kamar. Uneng cuma takut dengan abangku Harris, sebagai penguasa utama kucing di rumah kami. Bang Ais yang memberikan nama untuk semua kucing kecuali Tala.

Tala kucing betina yang diakui dimiliki kak Anita, sepupu kami yang tinggal dirumah sejak kami kecil. Kak Anita seorang difabel akibat serangan panas tinggi saat kecil sehingga tidak bisa berjalan karena kakinya mengecil. Kak Ita bertugas mengurus rumah termasuk mengawasi kami berlima adik beradik, selama omak -ibu ku- bekerja. Heran?....ya kak Anita, pengurus rumah tangga kami seorang difabel tapi berwibawa, masakannya luar biasa, semua dikerjakan dengan mengesot tapi hasilnya tidak mengecewakan. Kalau kami nakal, karena beliau tidak bisa mengejar kami yang lari setelah memberantaki rumah atau kenakalan lainnya. Dia cukup memanggil dan kami yang akhirnya mendekat untuk menerima cubitannya..hehe..Sebagai difabel, kak Anita punya perasaan inferior, tertutup dan keras. Jika ada tamu, atau orang diluar keluarga dekat yang datang ke rumah dia langsung buru-buru sembunyi, mungkin karena malu dan yang jelas tidak ingin jadi perhatian karena keadaannya. Lucunya, Tala sebagai kucing kak Anita,punya sikap-sikap mirip dengan tuannya. Tala cuma mau dengan kak Ita, kuper, dan memandang kami dengan cuek. Hanya satu yang berbeda diantara mereka , yaitu kehidupan asmara Tala yang bergelora. Jadi Tala yang kuper di rumah, diluar mungkin playgirl yang heboh. Kak Ita kadang harus menyeret-nyeret Tala di sore hari ke dalam kamar bahkan mengikatnya disana supaya tidak berkeliaran dikehidupan malam.Anehnya Tala tidak kelihatan marah, kelihatan takut dan pasrah malah. Tala akan duduk atau tiduran setelah diikat disebelah kak Anita. Hanya jika ada kesempatan, sebelum diseret kekamar Tala langsung kabur, lintang pukang menghindari mama nya yang galak.

Kemudian Senor, pelesetan panggilan ala Mexico, kucing coklat dengan ekor tergelung pendek, kucing jantan yang lembut hati. Kalau berjalan Senor seperti lelaki model, lenggang lenggok tapi tetap kesannya laki-laki....haha. Senor selalu jadi korban akibat kelakuan Tala, saudara betina nya yang genit dan tukang kawin. Akibat perbuatan Tala yang menganut pergaulan bebas segila-gilanya, Senor selalu jadi baby sitter untuk anak-anak kucing hasil pergaulan Tala. Keponakan-keponakannya tersebut lebih sering diasuh Senor, tidur dengan Senor saat Tala melakukan petualangannya di malam hari. Bahkan keponakannya pernah mencoba mengisap susu Senor yang tentu saja ngga ada susunya dan bikin kami serumah terbahak-bahak.

Favoritku sendiri si Putih,dengan bulu putih bersih, bentuk tubuhnya mirip harimau dan manja. Jika sudah pulang sekolah, si Putih selalu menemuiku dikamar dengan masuk melalui jendela. Jika kebetulan sedang tidur siang, si Putih akan mengeong-ngeong dengan gaduh sampai aku terbangun kesal dan menyapanya. Sebelum aku terbangun, putih akan terus mengeong, mungkin maksudnya menyapa setelah dari pagi tidak berjumpa atau minta ijin untuk ikut tidur siang dengan ku. Setelah disapa selanjutnya putih akan berbaring disebelahku untuk bersama-sama tidur siang. Tapi kadang kala, saat tidur kok rasanya tidak bisa bernafas dan dada rasanya berat...bangun-bangun ternyata si Putih sudah tidur diatas dadaku. Putiiiiih.....banguuun.
Latihan favoritku adalah bagaimana membuat si putih tiduran tanpa bergerak bahkan ekornya jg tidak boleh bergerak sama sekali. Aba-abanya putiiiih....tiduraaan. Leher Putih pada tahap ini masih mendongak dengan ekor yang bergerak-gerak sambil mengeong-ngeong. Aba-aba selanjutnya diaaamm...jangan geraaak. Putih akan menjatuhkan lehernya, tiduran dengan mata terbuka dan ekor masih bergerak. Tutuuup mataaa...mata langsung tertutup. Diaaam sambil menyentuh ekor...ekor langsung diam. Setelah semua tidak bergerak, walaupun kelihatan kalau Putih berusaha mengintip, aku memanggil dengan lirih...putiihh...ekornya bergerak sekali, volume suara dinaikkan sedikit..putiihhh..ekornya langsung gerak-gerak....dinaikkan lagi volume nya..putiiiih...Lehernya langsung tegak dan mengeong dengan girang. Diaaaam.....jangan geraaak....Putih langsung freez...berulang-ulang, dalam keadaan diam tak bergerak nampak sekali Putih berusaha mengintip apakah latihan sudah selesai...‎hahaha.
Kucing bisa paham bahasa manusia dari nada suaranya mungkin ya, karena mereka sepertinya mengerti kalau kita marah, senang atau lagi sedih.

Sejak kuliah, kami tidak punya kucing lagi.Selain karena kesibukan, kehilangan kucing karena kematian juga cukup membuat aku kapok untuk memelihara kucing.

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About James Herriot

James Herriot is the pen name of James Alfred Wight, OBE, FRCVS also known as Alf Wight, an English veterinary surgeon and writer. Wight is best known for his semi-autobiographical stories, often referred to collectively as All Creatures Great and Small, a title used in some editions and in film and television adaptations.

In 1939, at the age of 23, he qualified as a veterinary surgeon with Glasgow...more James Herriot is the pen name of James Alfred Wight, OBE, FRCVS also known as Alf Wight, an English veterinary surgeon and writer. Wight is best known for his semi-autobiographical stories, often referred to collectively as All Creatures Great and Small, a title used in some editions and in film and television adaptations.

In 1939, at the age of 23, he qualified as a veterinary surgeon with Glasgow Veterinary College. In January 1940, he took a brief job at a veterinary practice in Sunderland, but moved in July to work in a rural practice based in the town of Thirsk, Yorkshire, close to the Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors, where he was to remain for the rest of his life. The original practice is now a museum, "The World of James Herriot".

Wight intended for years to write a book, but with most of his time consumed by veterinary practice and family, his writing ambition went nowhere. Challenged by his wife, in 1966 (at the age of 50), he began writing. In 1969 Wight wrote If Only They Could Talk, the first of the now-famous series based on his life working as a vet and his training in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. Owing in part to professional etiquette which at that time frowned on veterinary surgeons and other professionals from advertising their services, he took a pen name, choosing "James Herriot". If Only They Could Talk was published in the United Kingdom in 1970 by Michael Joseph Ltd, but sales were slow until Thomas McCormack, of St. Martin's Press in New York City, received a copy and arranged to have the first two books published as a single volume in the United States. The resulting book, titled All Creatures Great and Small, was an overnight success, spawning numerous sequels, movies, and a successful television adaptation.

In his books, Wight calls the town where he lives and works Darrowby, which he based largely on the towns of Thirsk and Sowerby. He also renamed Donald Sinclair and his brother Brian Sinclair as Siegfried and Tristan Farnon, respectively. Wight's books are only partially autobiographical. Many of the stories are only loosely based on real events or people, and thus can be considered primarily fiction.

The Herriot books are often described as "animal stories" (Wight himself was known to refer to them as his "little cat-and-dog stories"), and given that they are about the life of a country veterinarian, animals certainly play a significant role in most of the stories. Yet animals play a lesser, sometimes even a negligible role in many of Wight's tales: the overall theme of his stories is Yorkshire country life, with its people and their animals primary elements that provide its distinct character. Further, it is Wight's shrewd observations of persons, animals, and their close inter-relationship, which give his writing much of its savour. Wight was just as interested in their owners as he was in his patients, and his writing is, at root, an amiable but keen comment on the human condition. The Yorkshire animals provide the element of pain and drama; the role of their owners is to feel and express joy, sadness, sometimes triumph. The animal characters also prevent Wight's stories from becoming twee or melodramatic — animals, unlike some humans, do not pretend to be ailing, nor have they imaginary complaints and needless fears. Their ill-health is real, not the result of flaws in their character which they avoid mending. In an age of social uncertainties, when there seem to be no remedies for anything, Wight's stories of resolute grappling with mysterious bacterial foes or severe injuries have an almost heroic quality, giving the reader a sense of assurance, even hope. Best of all, James Herriot has an abundant humour about himself and his difficulties. He never feels superior to any living thing, and is ever eager to learn — about animal doctoring, and about his fellow human creature.

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All Creatures Great and Small; And, All Things Bright and Beautiful

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“Cats are connoisseurs of comfort.” — 109 people liked it

“I think it was the beginning of Mrs. Bond's unquestioning faith in me when she saw me quickly enveloping the cat till all you could see of him was a small black and white head protruding from an immovable cocoon of cloth. He and i were now facing each other, more or less eyeball to eyeball, and George couldn't do a thing about it. As i say, I rather pride myself on this little expertise, and even today my veterinary colleagues have been known to remark, "Old Herriot may be limited in many respects, but by God he can wrap a cat.” — 7 people liked it

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