Completely Cats - Stories with Cattitude

by Beth Haslam, Zoe Marr

When Beth and Zoe set out to help cats in need through the charity, International Cat Care, they were amazed at the response. Incredible true stories poured in from cat lovers around the world. As varied as cats themselves, each story is guaranteed to delight, and each book purchased will help support the work of International Cat Care. “In ‘Completely Cats’, Beth Haslam and Zoe Marr have put together a fantastic collection of amusing, uplifting and inspiring stories about our feline friends. For all those who love cats it is a must read that will grip you from beginning to end. And it’s wonderful that so many cats in danger or distress throughout the world will be helped by every copy sold.” Lord Black of Brentwood, Patron, International Cat Care “Meet wild cats, posh cats, thief cats, vampire cats, heroic cats, orphan kittens, and even some cats so talented they can tell their own stories. This delicious bundle of pussycat tales will enchant any self-confessed feline fanatic like myself.” Victoria Twead, New York Times bestselling author of Chickens, Mules and Two Old Fools.

314 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 18, 2017

About the author

Beth Haslam was brought up on a country estate in Wales. Deep in the countryside, her childhood was spent either on horseback, helping the gamekeepers raise pheasants, or out sailing. After a serious car crash in 1991, she set up her own consultancy business.
As semi-retirement beckoned, Beth and her husband, Jack, decided to buy a second home in France. This became a life-changing event where computers and mobile phones swapped places with understanding the foibles of the French, and tackling the language. Beth is now occupied as never before. Raising and saving animals, writing, and embracing everything that rural France has to offer; she’s loving it!

Reviews

[Lisa Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many would say, correctly, that I’m a catty person. I love all animals but am happy to admit that cats hold a special place in my heart. So ‘Completely Cats’ was obviously going to be a book for me.
In this anthology of short stories, Beth Haslam and Zoe Marr bring together tales from all parts of the catty spectrum. There are cats who think they are dogs, cats who save their owners lives, in one instance ‘diagnosing’ cancer. There are clever cats, thieving cats, cats who survive despite huge odds, rescue cats, solitary cats and family cats. There are marmalade cats, St. James’ cats, calico cats and moggies. There are street cats and pedigree cats.
And I loved them all. As I said I’m a catty person but any animal lover will love this book too. It’s a perfect summer’s read to dip into whenever you need a little cat magic. And best of all it is sold to raise funds for the International Cat Care charity.

[Sandy McKenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming and entertaining series of cat stories, some funny, some sad, and written by people from all walks of life.
I shed a few tears, had lots of chuckles and would thoroughly recommend this book to all cat lovers.
This book was produced by Beth Haslam, Zoe Marr and others. Part proceeds go to International Cat Care.

[Linda Hawkswell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Purrfect Cat Stories

What a delightful compilation of cat stories. Each and every story held a special meaning and touched me in one way or another, some are written by their humans, others from the cat's own perspective.

I was enthralled with these little stories and loved reading about the delightful and sometimes not so delightful little kitties. Even though I no longer own a cat I am a cat lover, so cute and cuddly, well most of the time. Some of these stories had me in tears, especially poor Mr Frog and Bramble.

These are true stories of very real courageous and clever little cats, some have been through the mill and are so lucky to be found alive where they are loved and nurtured back to health. I recognised some of the kitties here as I have read about them in authors memoirs. Thank you Beth and Zoe for this wonderful compilation of cattitudes, also thanks to all the organisations who care for their welfare. xx

This delightful book also raises much needed funds for International Cat Care.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful collection of stories, I absolutely loved this book. It’s a must for any cat lover and even for those who aren’t feline fans, you will be by the end. Some of these stories are incredibly moving and certainly moved me to tears, like Mr Frog and Bramble and Emilio. There are clever cats, courageous cats, conversationalist cats and all of them are captivating cats! It’s a book you can dip into again and again. It’s purrfect. ‘The stories are of real lives and of real cats’ and lets you see just how individual cats are all different in character and with their own personality. Best of all the money raised from the sale of these books is going to support the work done by International Cat Care.

[Sheila]

For the confirmed cat lover, a mix of stories by various authors, describing cats of all ages, stages, and personalities. Some accounts are given in the imagined voice of the cat. There are happy stories and sad ones too, as books about animals do reflect that their little lives are shorter than our own.I must agree with one of the writers, Jacki Lakin, who stated “A house is not a home without a cat.”

[S. Bavey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was sent a digital copy of this book by the Facebook group ‘We Love Memoirs’ as a prize in a competition. My review is honest and my opinions are my own.

Completely Cats is an anthology of 31 short stories by different authors – all about cats. Each of the cats featured in these stories has a distinct personality- some are heroic, some are quirky, all of them are adorable. They also have particular skills and talents, whether as simple companions, grief therapists, proctectors against snakes or cancer locators among many others.

Being a cat owner, I knew I would love these stories and was particularly captivated by poor Emilio who against all the odds survived being a victim in a hit and run car accident. What a brave and determined little chap he proved to be!

Murph the ‘vampire kisser’ was also an interesting cat with his own set of foibles. Set in the squalor of the ‘Swinging Sixties’ in London, I enjoyed the comedic tone of his story very much!

Beth Haslam, Val Poore, and Alan Parks are all authors whose wonderful memoir writing I am familiar with and their cat stories did not disappoint! Mitten the Minder must have been a truly brave and fearsome animal facing down a huge snake in South Africa!

I would encourage any animal lover to buy this book full of heart-warming feline tails! especially since part of the proceeds is donated to a cat charity!

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Compelling Compilation of Cat Stories. This lovely compilation of cat stories is funny, heartwarming, at times heartbreaking, educational and shines a light on the need for support needed to manage feline issues in countries worldwide. Written by different authors all around the world, the reader learns about how the feline population is treated in different countries and raises awareness for supporting the charities that are desperately needed to address the issues and problems that present themselves (some countries have bigger problems than others).

However, on top of that, as each author writes so eloquently their story, the reader enjoys a mini biopic of each writer, and gains a snapshot of their life as they encounter and fall in love with their feline friends. some have serious health issues to contend with, some have work problems, and others are navigating life situations - but the presence of cats is life-changing, not only for the cats but for the owners too.

Inevitably with pets, there will be sad losses, but that aside, it is a delightful compendium of cat stories which I found highly engaging and very enjoyable.

[Shirley Read-Jahn · Rating 5 out of 5]

In support of International Cat Care charity, Beth Haslam and Zoe Marr have put together a charming book of all sorts of stories about cats. International Cat Care is a charity that works for all cats everywhere. Completely Cats - Stories with Cattitude is a clever title that sprang out at me when I was deciding which memoir to read next. Each true story is about a cat, every kind of cat imaginable, with all their quirky characteristics. The stories reveal every emotion that cat owners experience. It’s an easy book to read. You can pick it up, read a tale or two and pick it up another time because each story stands alone. I was moved by many of the stories, of the strays finding forever homes, the antics the various cats got up to, and how their owners dealt with them. Many of the stories were extremely touching, enough to bring tears to your eyes. I particularly liked the stories written “by the cats themselves”. This anthology is a testament to people’s compassion and caring for cats, and shows how love can, indeed, create change for all creatures, humans and animals alike.

[Sally Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been struggling with focus lately, so this book of hopeful cat stories was exactly what I needed.

Beth Haslam and Zoe Marr have curated an uplifting collection of short memoir pieces about people and the cats who have come – often unexpectedly – into their lives. So far, I've particularly enjoyed the stories by Val Poore (thanks for taking me back to Africa, Val!) and by Haslam herself.

The great thing about an anthology is that it incorporates such a range of experiences and writing styles that there is something for everyone. I’ve been dipping in and out of these stories over the last week or so, and am looking forward to continuing the journey.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful book this is! Not only is it helping a good cause, it's stuffed full of heartwarming stories of cats. All true stories, they will make you laugh, cry and fall in love with these amazing creatures. Small cats, lost cats, abandoned cats, all kinds of cats find their way into this collection of stories, and I loved every one. Although my favorites are the stories of Mr Frog (yes, he IS a cat!) Brutus and Sparky. What a fabulous book. Recommended for cat lovers of every age. And if you're not a cat lover, read this and you will be by the end!

[Pat Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a super book - I've bought it as a gift for a cat-loving friend of mine. I'm not a 'cat-person' - you don't have to be to LOVE this collection of wonderful 'tales'

[Linda Abuelghanam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love cats? Read this book.

I have had a life long love affair with cats—big, small. Different colors, different breeds, wild, feral, domesticated—doesn’t matter. I love cats and when I saw this book, I just had to have it. It did not disappoint. I throughly enjoyed every cat adventure and I believe you will too.