I'm Still Here: A Cat's Purpose Forever

by Cathryn Michon, Michelle Detering (Illustrator)

128 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication September 8, 2026

About the author

Cathryn Michon has an eclectic career as a filmmaker, actor, comic, nationally bestselling author, animal advocate and TV host. She is perhaps most proud of being a screenwriter on the films A Dog's Purpose, A Dog's Journey, A Dog's Way Home, all made from the #1 NYT bestselling novels written by her husband, W. Bruce Cameron. Having met thousands of people who have loved and lost a dog, she dreamed for ten years of doing a gorgeous graphic book told from the point of view of an Angel Dog who wants you to know they are still *here* watching you and loving you, but they are also *there* where all the people and animals you have loved run free and without pain. Thus I'm Still Here: A Dog's Purpose Forever was born.

As a writer/director of feature films and television she's written a lot of characters, but she enjoys writing the character of a dog almost more than any other. Who wouldn't want to write a character who loves you unconditionally for all time and who is always happy to see you? Dogs are teachers of joy and Cathryn is so here for that.

Tucker, who is both her muse and her best friend, kindly agreed to model for the paintings of the angel dog in the book, but he would also like people to know that he basically dictated it to her during his many naps. He is that talented, but since he doesn't have opposable thumbs, he graciously allows his Mommy to be his typist.

Reviews

[Sara]

Thank you to Andrews McMeel publishing and NetGalley for the advanced review copy.
Full review to come closer to publication date.

[Mikey ಠ◡ಠ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I lost my soul cat last year and I still really struggle with his passing. I heard once that grief is love with nowhere to go so I guess it makes sense that I don't ever see my grieving ending any time soon because I loved him so very much. I still love him so much that I had his adorable little face tattooed on my right arm where he always snuggled me at the end of every day.

(Y'all I am literally crying so hard I am struggling to write this through tear blurred eyes lol) I appreciate this book addressing the idea that just like how I still love my cat and don't know where my love is supposed to go now & that my cat still loves me and is sending me his love from the great beyond.

These two excerpts really stood out to me (but PS these are quotes from an advance copy and may be subject to change before the finished copy is printed, but I hope they don't because I love them so much!)"You will understand that you and I are for always." "My love is still here because I am still here you are still my person always and I am your cat forever."

I don't really talk about how much I miss my cat anymore because a lot of people react with "Really? It was just a cat. Get another one." so I really appreciate this book saying hey, it's okay to still love and miss your cat, not only that but your cat still loves and misses you too! It's a comfort to read a book that doesn't steer you away from your grief but urges you to embrace it and let this book comfort you.

RIP Charlie, I wish I could still hold you and give you a thousand smoochies on your forehead and smell your stinky cat breath and cuddle you in the middle of summer even though it's too hot to and hear your little "wow-wow!"s when you wanted a treat. I miss everything about you and I really hope we meet again one day. Wait for me please. Stay here with me please. It's really the least you can do since you left me here to live in a world without you. I love you.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a DRC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Juli Stadler · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who has loved and has cared for many cats over the years, there are some deaths that are more painful than others. The reason I wanted to read this book was because in 2021, I lost my soul cat Niko due to complications that arose following surgery for chylothorax. His death was particularly hard on me because due to circumstances, I did not get to properly say goodbye. It also made me really sad that his last moments were spent in a large emergency veterinary hospital room, surrounded by other animals who were also in critical condition.

“I’m Still Here” brought me to tears, but it was also very cathartic and healing. I especially loved page 80, which says “Please understand we're still in this life together and you need to be ready for when i send another cat to love you until we meet again.” About 6 months after I lost Niko, I brought home Oliver, a kitten who I believe was paw-picked by Niko. Oliver was and continues to be the most loving boy. Every time I hold and cuddle him, I feel like I’m blowing kisses to Niko.

“I’m Still Here” is a wonderful book that I would recommend to anyone who’s ever loved and lost a cat. It would also make a wonderful gift for a friend or family member who is grieving the loss of their cat.

P.S. For those with dogs, the author’s husband W. Bruce Cameron has written a similar book titled “A Dog’s Purpose.”

Thanks to Andrews McMeels Publishing and NetGalley for the complimentary eDRC. All opinions are my own.

[Josie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

This was a cute and simple read, and I may have potentially teared up at a spot or two where some lines really struck a chord with me & my penchant for becoming a blubbering mess over losing pets and missing them always.

I did love the illustrations and thought they were beautifully done in this new world of AI slop we're slowly heading towards, so I really loved seeing this illustrated by a real artist in its entirety. The ending did get me when it talked about helping cats (and other pets) come to the end of their lives, bc that's something I struggle with :'(

I will say it was a little repetitive at times with some themes, but I understand that's likely because it's from a cat's perspective. Additionally, I struggled to connect with what was being said at some portions due to the religious undertones. As an agnostic, religion isn't my cup of tea, but I can appreciate and respect the message and comfort it brings others.

With that being said, this is a light book on grief and how our cats that we love and bond with stay by our side forever and always, even long after they are gone. As someone who dearly misses her childhood cat every day, I appreciated this book's overall message and shared grief it gives. 3.25/5 stars

[Ivy Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and author Cathryn Michon for the ARC.

In its essence, this quick read is a message from a cat (or the reader's cat if they are going through this unbearable loss) that just crossed the rainbow bridge. It is written in an accessible language and with a poetic style that pairs very nicely with the lovely illustrations of Michelle Detering.

It is a very short book, but it can be very powerful for cat parents who are going through that hard time that we all know after a loss. It is very sweet with a deep emotional side to it. For other cat parents who are still with their fur babies, this book might be a tear-jerker (that would be me). However, I still liked the way it reassured me that although such a hard time will eventually come, there will also be a reunion over the rainbow bridge, and for that I am thankful to the author.

I think every cat parent should pick up this book, because one day they might need to turn to it.

[Tracie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolute read for any cat lover!!! I have lost a few in my life but there is that one cat, Snowball, that is ALWAYS on my mind. He was the most loving cat I have ever had and I still miss him terribly. He chose me, I was his favorite person and he showed this everyday of his short life of seven years. I will be immediately ordering copies of this book for my two girls as they have already lost their best buddies just like me. Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for a chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

[EllasEnchantedReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm Still Here: A Cat's Purpose Forever is a comforting, heartfelt and beautifully illustrated picture book about grieving your beloved kitty—told from an angel kitty who gently reminds you that your bond is forever. This was sweet, humorous, comforting, and I definitely needed tissues at times. I loved the watercolor illustrations of all the cats, and the story was very comforting. I have known and loved (and grieved) many cats, and I could easily tell that this book was written from a place of deep love.

Thank you Andrews McMeel Publishing and NetGalley for a copy of this ARC.

[Jennifer T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

So when I saw this on NetGalley I almost did not get it because I knew it would make me cry. And it did. On the very first page. But if you’ve ever loved a cat and been loved by a cat I highly, highly recommend reading this short and beautiful little book. It is heartwarming. I lost my soul cat in October 2025 and I almost wasn’t sure I could read it but I’m glad I did. The watercolor illustrations are beautiful.

**Thanks to the author and illustrator and publisher for the e-ARC I received via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.**

[G C · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book for any cat owner, especially those who are grieving. The beautiful words along with gorgeous watercolour illustrations work together to create comfort to those of us experiencing a loss.

While most books seem to focus on human’s bonds with dogs it is refreshing to see acknowledgement of our bonds with cats as well.

This would be a great gift for someone experiencing a loss as it will help them to feel less alone.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a beautifully written and illustrated book and was especially poignant to me given the recent loss of my own cat friend. The journey points out the love between us mere mortals and the feline angels sent to share a portion of our lives before moving on. I had to stop several times because the pages blurred from the tears, but I managed to finish. Thank you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the advance copy of this special book.

[Michelle Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh boy! This one was hard to get through. I was crying by page three. She captured the essence of cats and how much we are enamored with them! I think being given this book after the loss of a beloved feline friend would rip your heart out and also comfort you!

The beautiful watercolor images went along perfectly with the words.

The whole book was lovely.

Now I’m gonna go play with my kitties.

I received this ARC from netgalley.

[Lisa Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read the other reviews and it looks like we were all able to see ourselves in this book. I lost my first best cat 10 years ago and it feels like yesterday. She clearly loved me as much as I loved her, and I was crying reading this story of a cat waiting in heaven for its owner.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

[Sydney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written and illustrated, this book was exactly what I needed. I lost my soul kitty after 18 years together, and it is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. She was a spunky girl with a lot of attitude, and it felt like she was talking to me through this book. It was a great reminder that even after they pass, our fur babies are still with us.