A Cat's Life: Dulcy's Story

Dulcy #1

by Dee Ready (As Told to)

On a late winter's day in 1972, a kitten soon to be named Dulcy found a woman worthy to be her human. For the next 17 years, Dulcy and her human learned to communicate on a level deeper than language and to comfort one another with affectionate routines that softened the shocks of an inconstant world.

Genres: Cats, Fiction, Animals, Love

Paperback

First published September 22, 1992

About the author

Dee Ready is the author of two gift books for cat lovers: "A Cat’s Life: Dulcy’s Story" and "A Cat’s Legacy: Dulcy’s Companion Book." Her latest book—"Prayer Wasn’t Enough"—is a memoir about her years in a Benedictine convent during the 1950s and ‘60s. After leaving the convent, she became actively involved in protesting the Vietnam War, seeking civil rights for minorities, volunteering at an AIDS clinic, marching for animal rights, and serving as an election judge. Retired now, she lives in a suburb of the Kansas City metropolitan area.

Reviews

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story told from the cat’s point of view. Anyone who has had a cat will recognize this feline’s attitude. Thank you to Goodreads Giveaways for the ebook.

[Anne Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very special book to me as of recent, as I have been searching for it since I was a child. It used to be at the library we would go to as children, and I would get it every week. As years went by, I remembered how much I had loved this book, but could never recall the name. It wasn't until the last month or so that - after much searching for vague memories of plot points - that I was able to find it. I quickly purchased it from an online second hand book store, and it was everything I had dreamed and remembered.

I will say, coming back to this, and reading this story as an adult...I sobbed the whole time. As a cat mom of 3, this book destroyed me in ways it never did as a kid. It's perfectly written. It's genuine and lovely. It's a quick read, at under 100 pages, but it's a good one. 10/10 would recommend.

[Ellen Pilch · Rating 2 out of 5]

As I was reading this, I felt so bad for this kitty. The owner is an idiot who kept letting her out despite the dangers. Dulcy ended up needing her tail amputated and even after that she lets her out, even all night. And many times she leaves her with a cat sitter for several weeks. That isn't love to me. We choose to stay with our cats all the time so they won't have to adjust to anyone else.

[E.C. Stilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book immediately drew me in. I couldn't put it down as I read the entire work to my children. We laughed, smiled and cried. It's so beautifully done. My children went from hardly noticing that we have a cat, to playing with her every chance they get. I'm so thankful to have read this and will be recommending it to every animal lover that I know. Not only is it a tender story of love and loyalty--it is something that will touch your heart and leave you longing to read more written by Dee Ready.

Here's a letter my ten-year-old daughter wrote to the author:

Dee Ready,
I love the books you write. After my mom read your book, I started playing with our cat every day. No wonder you are a famous author. Your books are really good. My mom said when she reads good writing, it helps her write better. Thank you for helping my mom become an even better author. I want to be an author too. Maybe someday she can teach me what she learned from reading your book about Dulcy.
Love,
Ruby & Simkhaw (my cat)

P. S. I love cats. They're a really big hit. God did good making them!

[McGuffy Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very special and beautifully told story, from a cat's point of view. Dulcinea, "Dulcy", tells the story of her life with her human, Dee Ready.
The perspective and awareness is remarkable. From the beginning, their interaction was based upon a mutual respect and love. The result was a strong yet tender bond, lasting a lifetime and beyond.
Both cat and human were present both physically and emotionally for each other, through many of life's changes and situations. They shared a spiritual connection. Not only was Dee blessed by Dulcy, I believe Dulcy was most assuredly blessed by Dee.
Anyone who has experienced a deep emotional connection with a pet will not only understand, but appreciate this very heartfelt book. It is a joy and a tribute to that special bond between the two species of human and cat. All those who have shared love with a cat should have this book on their shelf. It is sure to be a favorite book, read often.
To quote Dulcy (and Dee), "At the end, all that matters is love..."

[penny shima glanz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This slender volume is Dulcy's beautiful poetic memoir of life with her human. It is a story of love, laughter, and tears. Dulcy tells through passages of deep description and snippets of song of teaching her unwhiskered feline, her special human of life and need, of language and desire, of listening and comfort. It is a hauntingly enchanted story of life told by a well loved and admired cat.

I admit I cried and found my big kitten to snuggle as together we read the (for me) blurred words of the final chapters. I hope my Shadow's memoir will be one that remembers as much love and admiration as Dulcy and that even with some ups and downs (such as the temporary intrusion of foster kittens to his life from time-to-time) he will still believe that love remains.

This is a beautiful book that celebrates the unselfish loving bond uniting a cat and her human. I am thankful for the opportunity to have read it.

Note: I received my e-copy of this book as part of LibraryThing's Early Reviewer program.

[LibraryCin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of a cat's life, from beginning to end, told from the point of view of the cat, Dulcy. She was brought home by her human as a kitten and lived her entire life with that one human... with a couple of other cats added to the family along the way, some moves, some separations, and lots of love.

No surprise here, how much I loved this book! There were smiles, laughs and plenty of tears! Anyone who has ever lived with a cat, or even those who love any kind of animal – I can't imagine any of those people could dislike this book. Just be careful about not reading it in public and have a big box of Kleenex with you. I have to admit a lot of the ending was difficult for me. It would have been anyway, but Dulcy had the same problem as my previous cat (kidney failure), which hit really close to home. There were also some beautiful illustrations in my ebook edition.

[Andrea · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received a copy of A Cat's Life: Dulcy's Story by Dee Ready through a Goodreads giveaway. A unsettling read for cat lovers. You have to feel bad for the cat. The owner lets her out even with all the dangers. Because of her nightly escapades Dulcy needs to have her tail amputated after being caught in the car engine. The owner also leaves her with a cat sitter for weeks at a time. They also move homes constantly which is very unsettling for a cat. I think this lady has a lot of problems and the poor animal is the one who pays.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A moving story of life and other things from a cat's perspective, including finding the perfect human to 'serve' them as well as the love and affection for said human. Moments of despair mixed with joy, the condition of the human and cat changing over time, the undying affection and dependence upon each other. You will cry. It's a good read for an afternoon.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very precious unique book, especially for everyone who loves a cat.

Please visit my blog for my complete review:

http://thejoyofthewrittenword.com/201...

Comments on my blog are welcome!

Thank you!

Patricia

[Elizabeth Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

i was super lucky to get this as or from a Goodreads giveaway, i love how creative authors are ...pull me in ... make me feel ... even at times really emotional and raw .. i think that is really the point ... what makes a great book ... give the reader a real adventure ... doesn't mean bad or good ... either way ... just go there ... pull on those heartstrings. this is one of those for sure. i wanna read more ... will do so soon ... i hope? what a read, new 2 this author.

[Abel · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book I haven't read yet but it looks great book. I love cats. I have two cats Tom and Groote.
I play geometry dash with my cats. they are responding to my achievements. Its funny cats life is interesting
You can download geometry dash here: https://apkgameapps.com/arcade/geomet...

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received as a GoodReads giveaway. What a sweet book, a cat's life with a human told from the cat's point of view. Every cat owner can relate to it, and it especially touched me since I, too, lost a 17 year old cat to kidney failure. Keep your tissues handy.

[Beverly Duckworth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review of A Cat's Life: Dulcy's Story

I won this book from Goodreads after reading I am to review. The book is written from the cats point of view. The book is very unusual and a quick read.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a good book but I didn't agree with the way she let him wander and get hurt.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful read

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved Dulcy's story! So sweet. Anyone who loves their animal will love reading Dulcy's story. Makes me think about what my kitties "say" to me to get me to do their bidding! Great read!

[Barb Wild · Rating 5 out of 5]

first off i won this book. I want to share it with my best friend who has two cats. The book is written in the perspective of the cat and her momma. Love it

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting view of how a cat perceives it's life.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmm...I read this on Audible, and I thought the review I left there would carry over to Goodreads. Anyway, this book was poignant, and bittersweet. I borrowed it from Audible since I could read it at no cost with the Audible trial. This was the first book I "read" as an audiobook. It was okay. I prefer printed books the most, followed by Kindle books, and lastly audiobooks. Anyway, while this book is about a cat and "her" human, I think it's not a child's book, as least a young child's. Like life, it's often sad. I won the next book written about Dulcy as a Kindle book from Goodreads awhile back, and so I wanted to read this one first. I recommend it.

[Raven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally adorable story of a kitten's life. The good and the bad, as everyone that has had a pet knows a person goes through. My daughter loves cat, and curling up with her to read a book was quite nice, she was totally enthralled. Being that we also frequent Stillwater quite often that captured her attention too. It is a good teaching tool of life, pain, and perseverance. This book is amazing and a great teaching tool. I am so glad I was able to take a little part in Dulcy's legacy.

[Bobbi Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book shortly after my cat of 12 years passed away. The cover drew me in because the cat on there looked like my deceased cat. I thought the story was heartwarming. I could relate to it. The ending was especially comforting because I had just lost my cat, too. It was nice to imagine the life I had with my cat from her perspective.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Told from a cat's perspective from birth till the end of her life. Yes, it made me definately cry, but I thoroughly enjoyed it and will keep it on my kindle to re-read from time to time.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a treasure and should be read by anyone who has ever loved or been loved by a cat. Which isn't me, but I loved the book for its beautiful language, elegant in simplicity, and for Dulcy who came alive in its pages.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute story with a great premise from the cat's perspective. I believe it could have been a really great read if the author had only delved deeper into the story.

[Melynda Fleury · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dee Ready has an original way of stepping out of the box and making you think about how a pet would think of it's human. My 8 year old and I read this together! It was wonderful!

[Judith · Rating 5 out of 5]

So sad, but an enjoyable read.

[J.E. Kraft · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a sweet tear jerker and a quick read that will help kids better understand the cats they love.

[Sharleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

anything about a cat