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6th out of 58 books
—
8 voters
Paw Tracks In The Moonlight (Paw Tracks #1)
The heart-warming story of one man and his cat
When Denis O'Connor rescues a three-week-old kitten from certain death during a snowstorm, little does he know how this tiny creature will change his life forever. Against all odds the kitten - who he names Toby Jug - survives and forms an unusually strong bond with his rescuer.
Set against the rural splendour of Northumberland...more
When Denis O'Connor rescues a three-week-old kitten from certain death during a snowstorm, little does he know how this tiny creature will change his life forever. Against all odds the kitten - who he names Toby Jug - survives and forms an unusually strong bond with his rescuer.
Set against the rural splendour of Northumberland...more
Paperback, 214 pages
Published
by Constable
(first published 2004)
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I really loved this delightful tale about Dennis and Toby Jug.
Who would think that a book with very little else happening apart from the relationship between a slightly eccentric character and his cat would be so interesting. A very gentle paced story that I really looked forward to picking up, and losing myself, to find out what was happening.
It very much reminded me whilst reading of Noodle. We, as a family, were living in Saudi Arabia for a 4 year posting with my husbands job. Sneak was a s...more
Who would think that a book with very little else happening apart from the relationship between a slightly eccentric character and his cat would be so interesting. A very gentle paced story that I really looked forward to picking up, and losing myself, to find out what was happening.
It very much reminded me whilst reading of Noodle. We, as a family, were living in Saudi Arabia for a 4 year posting with my husbands job. Sneak was a s...more
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It took me most of 2011 (started in late April) to read this small book because of the story and having recently lost my cat, Aubrey, in March 2011 and it made me miss her even more. However, I once I got through the initial sadness of losing Aubrey I absolutely loved the story. It made me feel good to know that there are people out there who feel the same way about cats the way I felt about mine. The challenges the author had with the small kitten in just trying to get it to survive was a mirac...more
Feb 15, 2010
Claire
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
cat/animal lovers
Recommended to Claire by:
The Daily Mail, believe it or not!
Shelves:
library
I read an extract of this in the Daily Mail before Christmas, and really enjoyed it, so thought I'd read the book.
Denis rescues Toby Jug as a 3 week old kitten from certain death, and the vet predicted that he wouldn't live much longer through hand-rearing. However, Toby survives, and this is the memoir of his first year.
This is a really heart-warming and touching memoir. The story of how Denis found Toby almost had me in tears - and the ending certainly did. I really enjoyed all the stories, he...more
Denis rescues Toby Jug as a 3 week old kitten from certain death, and the vet predicted that he wouldn't live much longer through hand-rearing. However, Toby survives, and this is the memoir of his first year.
This is a really heart-warming and touching memoir. The story of how Denis found Toby almost had me in tears - and the ending certainly did. I really enjoyed all the stories, he...more
От няколко дни си имам нов приятел – не знам как се казва, защото името му е дадено от друг и то отдавна, но аз реших да го наричам Тигър заради пухкавата му оранжева козина. Засякохме се на улицата съвсем случайно и веднага си допаднахме. После, точно както направих и с Жоро преди много години, веднага го заведох да го запозная с баба. Почудихме се се какво да го правим, защото му личи, че не е бездомник, а пък вкъщи никой не обича котки. Накрая го нахранихме и го оставихме да намери сам пътя к...more
Toby Jug's Story had to be told, and am so glad it was!
A truly magnificent story of a man and his great cat (Toby Jug). Many thanks to the author for putting pen to paper to bring us the wonderful tale of animal/human bonding, and in my humble opinion it is an instant classic. I was privileged to have the audiobook to listen to, and would highly recommend it, since the warm and caring voice of the narrator adds tremendously to this narrative. It is an unforgettable account of a rescued beautiful...more
A truly magnificent story of a man and his great cat (Toby Jug). Many thanks to the author for putting pen to paper to bring us the wonderful tale of animal/human bonding, and in my humble opinion it is an instant classic. I was privileged to have the audiobook to listen to, and would highly recommend it, since the warm and caring voice of the narrator adds tremendously to this narrative. It is an unforgettable account of a rescued beautiful...more
Unabashedly sentimental, Paw Prints in the Moonlight drew me in from the start, when the author frees a silver cat from a trap and follows her to a loft in a barn. He finds this starving, wounded cat with two tiny kittens, one of whom becomes his best friend, Toby Jug.
I found myself laughing aloud at his descriptions of the kitten as it gains strength and curiosity about the world. O'Connor has a love of the natural world that is evident in his descriptions of his garden through the seasons, his...more
I found myself laughing aloud at his descriptions of the kitten as it gains strength and curiosity about the world. O'Connor has a love of the natural world that is evident in his descriptions of his garden through the seasons, his...more
I liked this book because there's nothing tacky about it and there's no bad language or sex in it. It is a good, clean read. (It has given me hope that creative writing without sex or swearing in it is still published!)
The book is a bit slow in parts however. The style of writing is clear, but a little dry and boring in parts. Nevertheless there were some quirky bits and what I loved most is Denis O'Conor's tenderness for his pet, and it reveals how people long for something to fill "emotionally...more
The book is a bit slow in parts however. The style of writing is clear, but a little dry and boring in parts. Nevertheless there were some quirky bits and what I loved most is Denis O'Conor's tenderness for his pet, and it reveals how people long for something to fill "emotionally...more
A sweet little tale - not especially well written but a lovely heartwarming story of a year in the relationship between a rescued kitten and its master. The author is, frankly, an eccentric, taken to wandering off on under-resourced camping trips over the Northumberland hills and moors on horseback with the cat in a harness and lead. But it is a nice read, and captures another time and place nicely. It has been a bit of a runaway success apparently, after being Radio 4's Book at Bedtime and heav...more
Review originally published at The Bookwyrm's Hoard.
NOTE: Click the link above to enter to win a copy of Paw Prints in the Moonlight!
Paw Prints in the Moonlight tells the story of Toby Jug, a diminutive and charming Maine Coon cat rescued by the author as a tiny kitten, after its mother was hit by a car. From infancy, Toby Jug was an unusual cat, small but curious, cheerful, affectionate, and adventurous. His loyalty to the author was strong enough that Mr. O'Connor was able to take him on wal...more
NOTE: Click the link above to enter to win a copy of Paw Prints in the Moonlight!
Paw Prints in the Moonlight tells the story of Toby Jug, a diminutive and charming Maine Coon cat rescued by the author as a tiny kitten, after its mother was hit by a car. From infancy, Toby Jug was an unusual cat, small but curious, cheerful, affectionate, and adventurous. His loyalty to the author was strong enough that Mr. O'Connor was able to take him on wal...more
I must confess I have a love-hate relationship with this book. It was the book I read to my mother on the last day of her life.
Pawprints in the Moonlight is a heartfelt story about a man who saves and cares for a motherless Maine Coon cat and the love that grows between them. It is a tale of salvation, redemption, loss, acceptance, and surrender.
The moral: We are tasked, with grace and kindness, to let go of those we love. In letting them go, we learn they never truly leave.
Pawprints in the Moonlight is a heartfelt story about a man who saves and cares for a motherless Maine Coon cat and the love that grows between them. It is a tale of salvation, redemption, loss, acceptance, and surrender.
The moral: We are tasked, with grace and kindness, to let go of those we love. In letting them go, we learn they never truly leave.
A sweet book about a man's relationship with a kitten he rescues and then keeps as a pet. However I later discovered that this is a true story. I couldn't quite understand why the author felt it necessary to write this book at all. He has some pompous and pretentious ideas about animals and nature and the descriptions of his relationship with his cat became a little uncomfortable knowing that the events were all factual. Just a bit odd. Another free Kindle read that I'm glad I didn't pay for.
I don't often cry at books, but I wept at this one. And then I went and hugged my own cat.
It's definitely worth reading though. Toby Jug was a special cat (and like all cats would relish his story being told) who brought a lot of happiness into the world. That's what made it worth reading, for me - even though it made me sob, it's a lovely reminder that animals can't stay with us forever, but we're lucky that we get the time with them that we do.
Now, go and hug your cat.
It's definitely worth reading though. Toby Jug was a special cat (and like all cats would relish his story being told) who brought a lot of happiness into the world. That's what made it worth reading, for me - even though it made me sob, it's a lovely reminder that animals can't stay with us forever, but we're lucky that we get the time with them that we do.
Now, go and hug your cat.
Look away now if you aren't a cat-lover, but if you are, this is a magical little book. An autobiographical account of how a man rescued a kitten, their first eventful year together, and how they eventually parted. First self-published, then picked up by Constable and Robinson. I completely forgave the sometimes pedestrian writing style because the authenticity and depth of intent and feeling shine through, and any book that has me crying at the end passes my value test.
I absolutely hate it when a book makes me cry, but you'd have to be a bona fide psychopath not to feel strongly at moments while reading this. This cat is simply amazing, and the author a credit to his own race. Reflective, romantic, sometimes a bit mystical, and punctuated with plenty of adventure, peril, and even some humor and indignation, this is very well written and even more importantly written with sincerity that is blessedly bereft of ham-handedness.
Just loved reading this book, finished it last night, totally beautiful and uplifting!! Cant stop thinking about Toby Jug the charming clever Maine Coon cat featured in this book. Also the author, have been reading about him , he sounds wonderful , I want to shake his hand!! Although the last chapter was difficult to read as it was so sad and it made me cry, its touched my heart. I am annoyed i have finished reading it to be honest. Cant wait to read its sequel!!
I first saw this book on GoodReads as a giveaway (I did not win one). When my local library got it, my name was the first on the list. As a lifelong cat lover (as well as other animals) I could not wait to read. If you have ever had a deep bond with a cat, then you must read this book. AS I read the first page, I knew I was in trouble. I knew I could not put down until finished and I didn't. Toby Jug and Denis O'Connor will melt your heart and put great big smiles on your face. Then along the wa...more
Very sweet story. This is a memoir by British academic Denis O'Connor of the years he spent in a rustic rural cabin in Northumbria, with his rescued cat, Toby Jug. I'm still amazed by his decision to take Toby Jug with him on a long solo wilderness camping trip -- on horseback, no less -- and even more amazed that he and the cat were able to carry it off. Any cat lover should enjoy this book.
A love song to Toby Jug the cat, this was a sweet little book. I love cats, so I could overlook the flaws and enjoy this story of a man and his cat. It was a little repetitive and overly sentimental. The story would probably would have been better as a short story, but I enjoyed it nonetheless and totally cried at the inevitable end. Kitties are the best.
This is really a sweet biographical story about a man who rescues a tiny kitten and the special bond that develops between the two as Toby grows into a beautiful adult cat. It’s a really fun read for cat lovers, especially anyone with a special cat in their life. It’s cute & lighthearted. It's much lighter than what I usually read. I really enjoyed it.
Again, another disappointment. I am amazed this cat lived and stayed alive as long as it did based on the way the man cared for it. There were some cute stories and the cat seems like a very lovable guy, but that's about all I can say positively about this book. Oh, it is a quick read. I guess that's positive.
Oct 02, 2012
Patricia Summers
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
first-reads
First off I won this book through goodreads, so it's a first reads book. I was really happy I won it. I looked forward to reading it.
It was a good book. It wasn't amazing like some other true story pet books I've read, but it was still good. The first few pages left a lump in my throat. It was such a cute, funny, heartwarming book. I will say that the ending left me tears. I won't say if they were happy or sad tears. This is a quick read, but I took my time reading it. Plus I had days that I di...more
It was a good book. It wasn't amazing like some other true story pet books I've read, but it was still good. The first few pages left a lump in my throat. It was such a cute, funny, heartwarming book. I will say that the ending left me tears. I won't say if they were happy or sad tears. This is a quick read, but I took my time reading it. Plus I had days that I di...more
This is like "Marley and me," feline edition - that means it's more interesting. It only covers one year of the cat's life and packs in a lot of details in an easy manner. There were no unnecessary distractions in the book, and assuming it's true, the author has done a good job of paying tribute to his cat.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Toby Jug was a real cool cat and the way the author found out how a Maine Coon cat got to England in the mid-1960's was part detective novel.
And I adored the part about the bees getting in the house, which was called Owl Cottage. I would love to live in a place with that name.
And I adored the part about the bees getting in the house, which was called Owl Cottage. I would love to live in a place with that name.
I loved this book! I'm a sucker for anything about cats - and this one didn't disappoint. Toby Jug is the sweetest cat.
A lovely book to read, although I did cry my eyes out at the end. Am looking forward to reading the follow on. I just wanted to hug both my cats at the end!!
A lovely book to read, although I did cry my eyes out at the end. Am looking forward to reading the follow on. I just wanted to hug both my cats at the end!!
This book was so incredibly touching and beautiful.. I really loved the little cat so much. And Toby deserved to have this amazing book written about him.. he truly was an exceptional cat..loving, smart, mysterious, everything wonderful about cats could be attributed to him.
I will treasure this little book on my bookshelf for all my days.
I will treasure this little book on my bookshelf for all my days.
Oct 25, 2012
Kimberly McClain Cardenas
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
goodreads-wins
I won this book from Goodreads.com and so adored this book. It was not the kind of book I would normally pick up and since I have lost many an animal just recently even and could not bring myself to finish "The Art Of Racing In The Rain" cause It just left me feeling sad and lonely. It was refreshing to see another side of a relationship, that between a tiny, frail kitten and a full grown man and how they found each other when they needed each other most. Toby Jug is this man's constant companio...more
Fantastic read covering the span of a year between man and his rescued kitten. Beautifully wrote, you could almost feel yourself right there with them. Loved the way the year was broken up into the seasons and the events that took place in each season!
This was pretty good - wee bit preachy??
Loved Toby Jug....
If you want a really funny read about Cats I suggest you look at Chris Pascoe
Loved Toby Jug....
If you want a really funny read about Cats I suggest you look at Chris Pascoe
I read this book in about three days, which for me is very fast! An easy to read, heart warming story of a little kitten who makes his life with the author. If you are a cat lover you will enjoy this sweet story.
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Denis O'Connor trained as a psychologist and teacher. Throughout his career he taught in schools and lectured in colleges and universities. He is retired and lives with his wife Catherine and his two Maine Coon cats in a remote country cottage in Northumberland.
More about Denis O'Connor...
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