Cats, Dogs, and Other Strangers at My Door

by Jack Clifford Smith

This is a story of the Smiths' peaceable and not-so-peaceable kingdom over a period of thirty years. In this warm, witty, highly entertaining account, Jack Smith tells how these strangers appeared at their door, disrupted their household -- and ultimately stole their hearts.

275 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1984

About the author

Smith was born in Long Beach on Aug. 27, 1916, grew up in Bakersfield and Los Angeles, and spent some time in the Civilian Conservation Corps before joining the merchant marines at age 21. He went into journalism, first for the Bakersfield Californian, then for the Honolulu Advertiser, United Press, the Sacramento Union, the San Diego Journal, the Daily News, Independent and Herald-Express, all in Los Angeles, before joining the Los Angeles Times in June 1953. He remained with the Times until his death.

He got to the Honolulu Advertiser by working his way there on a passenger ship. In World War II, he joined the Marine Corps and was a combat correspondent who took part in the assault on Iwo Jima, going ashore with his rifle but without his typewriter, which had been lost at sea.

At Belmont High School in Los Angeles, Smith served as editor of the student newspaper, the Belmont Sentinel. He said later that was the highest position he ever reached in his career.

Posthumously, some of his books are listed for sale using his middle name, Jack Clifford Smith.

For more details see:
Jack Smith's Obituaries
Jack Smith (columnist)

Reviews

[Joanne]

Entertaining and nostalgic. I used to vacation next door to Jack's house in Baja.

[Stephanie]

This is my first Jack Smith but since I've been living in Mount Washington for six and a half years now, I thought it was time. I wish I had known about Jack back in the day, back when he was alive and writing for the LA Times. Now "Jack and Denny Smith" are just names on the Mount Washington Elementary School's auditorium which I walk by frequently. But the nice thing about books is that you can continue to visit and get to know people who aren't even around anymore.

In this book Jack talks about the animals of Mount Washington, both wild and domestic. He has a simple cadence to his writing that makes one think "I can do that" but really, you can't. It's clever and a half. I very much enjoyed Jack's style and the stories were wonderful and touching.

I was shocked, however, of the one incident of shock for him when he espied two coyotes in his yard. He talks about how rare a thing that was. Not now! Hell, the coyotes will often just go for a ramble around the neighborhood WITH you, they are so numerous now. I exaggerate, but coyotes are far from rare on the hill these days. Also, I don't recall any mention in the book about skunks, which my husband and I feel are the official animal of Mount Washington. It's kind of nice to know that our M.W. is even wilder than the one Jack knew 31 years ago. So often it is the other way 'round.

Anyway...this book is DELIGHTFUL...and you don't have to live here to enjoy it. Anyone with pets will love it.

[Teena]

I had difficulty staying interested in these little stories about the animals in this family's lives. I love animals and the stories are cute, sometimes heartwarming, but it's a little dated (from 1984, so that makes sense), and the pet ownership level of responsibility just isn't there. These days, people don't "adopt strays," or just bring home a dog that is following you around without checking for a microchip, using social media to try to find the owners, etc. It's hard to connect to these stories and even the difference in technology and knowledge about animals that Google can provide now is apparent while reading this, as well. Maybe these were better as columns, thirty years ago, not a book to sit down and read in one sitting at this point in time.

[David Allen]

I love Jack's writing but had some trepidation about this one as a non-pet person. But no need to fear. His clear writing, sly humor and observations about the foibles of both human and pet alike made this book another semi-forgotten gem.

[Greg]

Charming collection of old LA Times columns from Jack Smith. Nice portrayal of an older era on Mt Washington, and some humorous depictions of animal behavior. Overall, it’s old fashioned and simple, but readable.

[Lauren Bridges]

I found it hard to read this book because there really isn’t a plot. It’s just random situations about animals wondering up, or the family taking in strays. The ending did however make me cry so I’ll give it that! If you’re an animal lover, please read this book. You’ll love it!

[Nell Smith]

I love animals, and while this author's story had several animals in it, I never truly connected.