Copyright

Thorsons

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First published by Thorsons 2017

FIRST EDITION

© Neil Somerville 2017

Cover layout design © HarperCollinsPublishers 2017

Cover illustration © Liane Payne

A catalogue record of this book is available from the British Library

Neil Somerville asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work

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Source ISBN: 9780008252755

Ebook Edition © October 2017 ISBN: 9780008252762

Version 2017-09-06

Dedication

This book is dedicated to cats.

To Roly, Smartie, Lily and Harry, andto your cat or a cat you may know.

Contents

Cover

Title Page

Copyright

Dedication

Introduction

Persistence

Gratitude

At Ease

Quiet Observation

Special Greetings

The Importance of Giving

Discover

Taking Care

Keeping Your Head Down

Letting Off Steam

Sleep

Buying Time

Stretching

Reward

Looking Good

Courage

Making Do

Language of the Eyes

Surroundings

Awareness

Reflecting

Downtime

Scent

Decision Time

Adapt

Responsibility

Tell-tail Signs

Worth the Wait

Taking Stock

Friendship

Value the Now

Nine Lives

Favourite Places

Venture Hopefully

Exercise

Listening Out

Seize the Moment

Sweet Dreams

Stress

Private Moments

Going for Best

Being Attentive

Beware the Stare

You Never Know

Sensing

Moving On

Routine

Enthusiasm

On Making It Clear

Standing Up

Win–win

Poised to Do Well

Self-sufficiency

Knowing Where

Look Before You Leap

Getting to Know You

Contentment

Make Your Mark

Never Too Late

Body Clock

Final Thoughts

List of Lessons in Alphabetical Order

About the Author

Acknowledgements

About the Publisher

Introduction

For so many of us, cats have a special place in our lives. With their affection, grace, companionship and personality, cats can give us great joy and, in so many ways, they can also teach us – and remind us – of helpful truths. Whether through their traits, the way they so effectively set about things or through our observing and spending time with them, cats demonstrate that they have great wisdom.

In the pages that follow are sixty lessons inspired by the cat.

Enjoy them, think about them, and I very much hope that they may inspire and enrich you in some way.

Persistence

‘Cats seem to go on the principle that it never does any harm to ask for what you want.’

JOSEPH WOOD KRUTCH

When a cat wants feeding it will leave you in no doubt about what it wants. Whether it’s meowing loudly, standing in your way or looking pleadingly at the food cupboard, it is virtually impossible to ignore a determined cat. And the cat will keep on at you until you give in.

The cat is well aware of the importance of persisting, and persistence often pays. If there is something you want, don’t keep it to yourself and risk disappointment; be like the cat. Be forthcoming and ask. And ask again if necessary. It is through asking that you are more likely to receive.

Gratitude

‘To please himself only the cat purrs.’

IRISH PROVERB

The cat, the master of the good life, enjoys being pampered. And whether this is by being stroked or given attention, the cat indicates its pleasure with a deep and rhythmic purr. It is a cat’s way of saying ‘Thank you’ and, because we know it is grateful, we tend to carry on with the pampering even longer.

By showing appreciation of what others do, it will please those concerned, as well as make them more likely to respond positively to you again.

Be like the cat: appreciate and acknowledge the favours and kindnesses given to you.