Through Cougar's Eyes: Life Lessons From One Man's Best Friend

by David Raber

David Raber first saw Cougar when the mountain lion was an eight-week-old kitten on display, locked up in a toaster-size cage and poked and prodded by a crowd. Raber took him out, held him, and just couldn't put him back. He made four promises that one, no more petting, out of respect for Cougar; two, no more cages; three, he would educate the public against exotic-animal ownership; and four, he would make Cougar happy, and this has become a twenty-four-hours-a-day learning process and a duty that he adores.

Being the only large cat in the country who is federally licensed without a cage, Cougar strides down streets, roams hotel lobbies, enters competitions, and even films a Puma Sportswear ad with several Olympic gold medalists. As the official poster model for the Iams pet food company, Cougar has been seen by millions. Together, Raber and Cougar are a team, and in this book, Raber recounts their many He teaches Cougar about elevators, switches, and doors while saving him from bullets and speeding cars; and Cougar teaches him about deer, opossum, and squirrels while rescuing him from alligators and raging rivers. In helping each other, they share their weaknesses and become strong.

Beautiful and touching, entertaining and provocative, Through Cougar's Eyes is a love story that dispels the prevalent and presumptuous thinking that mankind and wildlife can't get along. This true story depicts sacrifice and dedication with a relating well to animals can set you both free.

Genres: Nonfiction, Animals, Nature

256 pages, Hardcover

First published April 21, 2001

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. I borrowed it from the public library twice & read it two times and finally ordered my own copy. It's that special. The author's relationship with his Cougar (I prefer to call them Pumas) was as if they thought as one. They were in sync. I had a Grey Tabby that sometimes got a bit violent so I nick-named him Baby Puma. I learned to read his moods like my own, & get my cat into a quiet place when I could see he was getting edgy & might swipe at my company. When I found David Raber applying this same tactic it just clicked with me. That's what the title is describing, viewing life Through Cougar's Eyes as much as two living beings possibly can. Cougar had an extraordinary life even becoming the model for the cat food Eucanuba! This is a very special story of an intense love between a man & a Big Cat. Highly recommend it.

[Carol Whitfield · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved getting to know Cougar better and reading about such a special relationship between a man and his cat. I wasn't thrilled with David's narrative and writing style...he came across arrogant at times...though I don't think that was his intent. All in all, I'm glad he took time to write this book and share his experiences and special bond with Cougar. I wish I knew what they were up to today.