The lady and her tiger

by Pat Derby

Hardcover, 284 pages with photos, 5 1/2 by 8 1/2" 1976

Genres: Nonfiction, Animals, Memoir

284 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1976

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the most traumatizing books I've read in a long time. I wanted to get a peek into the head of the woman who currently runs the PAWS Sanctuary that is so much in the news recently, and damn, this does that for certain. First, whatever else it may be, it is beautiful -- the writing is some of the best I've seen in an animal trainer's book (probably helped that she had the pen of an experienced fantasy novelist to support her). This is the first trainer's book that did no sugar-coating of the industry or of her own actions. She describes one pointless animal abuse and death after another, and it is heartbreaking. Her conflicting emotions and mental torment over being part of an industry that she hates is screaming from the pages. She's crazy and hypocritical and she knows it, openly acknowledging it throughout. It certainly puts in perspective why she would be running a sanctuary for performing animals 40 years later, as she repeatedly states that she wishes she could save all animals from people just like herself.

On a personal note, it was very very hard for me to read all of the horrible things from her perspective that occurred at Ralph Helfer's ranch (despite her insistence on changing names, it could be no one else she was describing), because it was Toni Helfer's book that first made me fall in love with the idea of exotic animal training when I was about 12 years old.

[Lynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was loaned this book but knew nothing about the author or the content. It is sort of a memoir about the author's life with assorted animals that she used for movie appearances and shows and basically just loved. I would have said that I really liked the book, but I was saddened whenever she recounted the mistreatment that some trainers used with their animals. It was necessary to show what really happens, I guess, but hard to read about. Pat Derby is an advocate for treating all animals kindly, and she found that they were mostly very eager to please their owners. She worked with tigers, lions, cougars, bears, an elephant and many small animals. They struggled ceaselessly with earning enough to feed everyone adequately. She and her husband considered the animals family and treated them that way. I was impressed with how they designed scenes so that the animals could respond with natural impulses.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the good fortune to know Pat Derby for 20+ years before she died a few years ago. I loved her spirit and her dedication to animals. This book is the story of how she came to devote her life to animals she rescued from circuses, zoos and parts of the entertainment industry. In it you will get to know some of the animals, like Chauncey, the Mercury cougar, and Sweet William, the badly abused bear she saved. She was my animal hero. Her legacy lives on with her partner, Ed Stewart, who still runs PAWS (Performing Animal Welfare Society) located in San Andreas, California.

[Christine Klimek · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book broke my heart. I have never felt so frustrated, helpless, and lost while reading. Pat Derby is brutally honest about the mistakes she made and the horrors she witnessed throughout her career. I felt like I was with her every step of the way.

[Arska-täti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sydäntä riipaiseva kertomus naisesta, joka yrittää tehdä parhaansa villieläinten hyväksi aikana, jolloin suurin osa ihmisistä halusi (ja todennäköisesti haluaa edelleen) vain tappaa ne. Mietin monta kertaa lukemisen aikana, voiko kaikki tämä edes olla totta, mutta toisaalta, kun tietää mitä tänä päivänä amerikkalaiset ihmiset tekevät toisilleen, ei tarvitse yhtään epäillä, miten hirvittävillä tavoilla he voivat kohdella eläimiä. Tällaiset kertomukset saavat minut voimaan pahoin ja olemaan entistä kiitollisempi siitä, että saan asua Suomessa jossa eläinsuojelulailla on edes jotain vaikutusta (villi)eläinten hyvinvointiin.

[John Peel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pat Derby was driven to work with wild animals, and in this book she tells her stories. It's alternately heart-warming and heart-breaking. Animals trained for Hollywood performances tended to be "trained" by fear; Pat was determined to train them by training herself to think like the animals and get them to perform out of enjoyment. She makes a wonderful case that people should not be allowed to "own" and raise wild animals who belong in the wild and not in suburban homes.

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this book when we were at the animal preserve in San Andreas that Pat Derby is affiliated with. She was actually present at the open house we attended and autographed my book. The book covers her childhood in England and then her early years as an animal trainer. I actually enjoyed it a lot more than I expected do. The book I bought is kind of low quality paper with tiny print and it has a different cover than the one pictured here. I was curious after visiting the preserve and listening to the docents talk about the way the animals were managed and wanted to learn more. Derby calls her method of training "affection training" and she describes how her methods evolved. The book has pictures of her with the animals and all in all it is a fascinating read. I'll be going back to PAWS, because the place has a serene and loving feel. I'm happy to have more background about the woman behind the organization.

[Cathi95 · Rating 2 out of 5]

(Non-fiction 1976) Pat Derby, current co-owner of PAWS, tells her life story and learned lessons in caring for wild animals up to 1978. There's a lot of anger in this book, and a lot of stories about the journeys animal rights have travelled. I'd like to read a more current book covering her life in Galt and San Andreas. It's a little, tiny book.

[Renee Abbot · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, but it was hard to read. I think I cried many times. Every animal lover should read this book!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book as a teenager and absolutely loved it.

[Chantille · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every animal lover should read this book. I learned so much and it had me in tears multiple times.