How to Talk to Your Cat

by Patricia Moyes

How to Talk to Your Cat won't necessarily transform you into a fluent speaker of kitty lingo--but it will provide a blueprint for interpreting those chirruping mews, silent miaows, and deep throated demonic growls. Of course there is nothing scientific here, but furry fun is guaranteed along the way. A strong emphasis is placed on listening and talking to your cat, (hopefully your neighbors won't think you're too strange). Recognizing your kitty's needs and wants through her sounds will ultimately strengthen the bonds between cat and human, so try not to feel too self-conscious! Cat talk is far more complex than just vocalization; non-verbal cat communication is also explored in depth, and the classic postures (sad, happy, anxious, nervous) are exemplified with pencil drawings. Anecdotes and oodles of kitty tidbits and trivia make this a charming read for cat fanatics and prospective Dr. Dolittles! --Naomi Gesinger

150 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published March 1, 1979

About the author

Moyes was born in Dublin on 19 January 1923 and was educated at Overstone girls' school in Northampton. She joined the WAAF in 1939. In 1946 Peter Ustinov hired her as technical assistant on his film School for Secrets. She became his personal assistant for the next eight years. In 1960 she wrote the screenplay for the film School for Scoundrels starring Ian Carmichael, Terry-Thomas, and Alastair Sim. She married photographer John Moyes in 1951; they divorced in 1959. She later married James Haszard, a linguist at the International Monetary Fund in The Hague. She died at her home on the island of Virgin Gorda (British Virgin Islands) on 2 August 2000.

Her mystery novels feature C.I.D. Inspector Henry Tibbett. One of them, Who Saw Her Die (Many Deadly Returns in the US) was nominated for an Edgar Allan Poe Award in 1971. She also wrote several juveniles and short stories.

Series:
* Inspector Henry Tibbett Mystery