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Kit Kat and Lucy: The Country Cats Who Changed a City Girl's World
The True Story of How Two Quirky Stray Cats Changed Their Adopted Human Forever
After years of loving the vibrant city life in San Francisco, Lonnie Hull DuPont reluctantly trades her three-room apartment on foggy, lively Telegraph Hill for a farmhouse on a quiet plain in Michigan. She immediately misses the rhythm and the pace of the city, and the isolation country living brings has her longing for something more.
Enter Kit Kat and Lucy--stray cats who arrive at the farmhouse a year apart and each ask to move in. The antics and oddities of these two strong personalities wrapped in fur bring a new light to the farmhouse and DuPont's life. Kit Kat, an obsessive-compulsive tortoiseshell, can purr her new human into a happier state of mind. Lucy, the playful, leaping Russian Blue who can nail a bat right out of the air, makes her laugh.
From the hysterical process of getting two strange cats to like each other, to the exciting years of watching those cats thrive--and inspire DuPont in the process--this book is an energetic tale of cat and human foibles. Animals enrich our lives, and the heartwarming story of how Kit Kat and Lucy changed one woman's world will leave readers enchanted.
After years of loving the vibrant city life in San Francisco, Lonnie Hull DuPont reluctantly trades her three-room apartment on foggy, lively Telegraph Hill for a farmhouse on a quiet plain in Michigan. She immediately misses the rhythm and the pace of the city, and the isolation country living brings has her longing for something more.
Enter Kit Kat and Lucy--stray cats who arrive at the farmhouse a year apart and each ask to move in. The antics and oddities of these two strong personalities wrapped in fur bring a new light to the farmhouse and DuPont's life. Kit Kat, an obsessive-compulsive tortoiseshell, can purr her new human into a happier state of mind. Lucy, the playful, leaping Russian Blue who can nail a bat right out of the air, makes her laugh.
From the hysterical process of getting two strange cats to like each other, to the exciting years of watching those cats thrive--and inspire DuPont in the process--this book is an energetic tale of cat and human foibles. Animals enrich our lives, and the heartwarming story of how Kit Kat and Lucy changed one woman's world will leave readers enchanted.
240 pages, Paperback
Published September 6, 2016
10 people are currently reading
572 people want to read
About the author
Lonnie Hull Dupont
17 books19 followersLonnie Hull DuPont is an award-winning poet, book editor, and writer. She is the author of several books, including five compilations of animal stories under the pseudonym of Callie Smith Grant. A member of the Cat Writers Association, she lives in rural Michigan with her husband and their cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
August 11, 2016
I'm more than a little surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. I am, of course, a Cat Woman or Crazy Cat Lady, so with perfect timing (it being International Cat Day on 8th August), I found this little book and thought it would be a pleasant way to pass a few hours. It certainly was. But unlike most books of this type, it was very well written and more than simply an excuse to tell the kinds of stories cat owners share with each other over a cup of coffee. Not only is is about the love and companionship pets offer us, especially cats in this case, but how they can be a genuinely positive force in our lives. So many of the author's personal struggles with depression and anxiety resonated with me and in particular, the way that interaction with animals deeply aided her to overcome emotional times. Plus, it didn't hurt that, like her, I also have a very loving Russian Blue that sits with me, stares me in the eyes, and puts a soft paw on my face when he wants to make me feel better. My reading of the book very much felt like one of shared experience.
As 'cat memoirs' go, this is one of the best modern ones I have read. It is a sweet tale, often funny, and filled with love and positivity. With just maybe a few tears.
Many thanks to Lonnie Du Pont, Revell Publishing, and Netgalley for this copy in exchange for an honest review.
As 'cat memoirs' go, this is one of the best modern ones I have read. It is a sweet tale, often funny, and filled with love and positivity. With just maybe a few tears.
Many thanks to Lonnie Du Pont, Revell Publishing, and Netgalley for this copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 3, 2016
NOTE: Received as an ARC from Netgalley.
A heartwarming book with light spiritual elements that struck a chord with me about the hunger for pets after years without them, and the importance of animals in our lives. Kit Kat, named after my favorite clock, has "tortitude” that is true to form. And how could I not love a book about a tortie and a gray cat, exactly like my own two?
A heartwarming book with light spiritual elements that struck a chord with me about the hunger for pets after years without them, and the importance of animals in our lives. Kit Kat, named after my favorite clock, has "tortitude” that is true to form. And how could I not love a book about a tortie and a gray cat, exactly like my own two?
September 10, 2016
I enjoyed reading this wonderful memoir about Kit Kat and Lucy, Lonnie Hull DuPont and her husband, Joe. I love the beautiful cover showing Kit Kat and Lucy.
The author brings us into their Moscow house and later the Surf Shack and shares memories of joyous, humorous, delightful, playful, anxious and sad times together.
Kit Kat reminds me of our cat, Twinkle, who loves to sit in high places, sleep with us, pounce on me to wake me up, wait at the door to welcome us home, knead with her claws, jump when she hears a noise, and disappear when little children are around or she hears loud noises. Like 'Kit Kat the Comforter', Twinkle will stay nearby when you are sick, lonely or anxious.
Twinkle will gently put her paw on my face, like Lucy does with Lonnie Hull DuPont. Twinkle's purr is loud and peaceful.
Kit Kat and Lucy are well loved and taken care of by their owners. When she gets old, Kit Kat has pet acupuncture and is given glucosamine supplements to help ease the pain in her joints.
This is a well written book and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys animal stories or loves cats. 4 ⭐️
Thanks to Lonnie Hull DuPont, NetGalley and Revell Publishing for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
The author brings us into their Moscow house and later the Surf Shack and shares memories of joyous, humorous, delightful, playful, anxious and sad times together.
Kit Kat reminds me of our cat, Twinkle, who loves to sit in high places, sleep with us, pounce on me to wake me up, wait at the door to welcome us home, knead with her claws, jump when she hears a noise, and disappear when little children are around or she hears loud noises. Like 'Kit Kat the Comforter', Twinkle will stay nearby when you are sick, lonely or anxious.
Twinkle will gently put her paw on my face, like Lucy does with Lonnie Hull DuPont. Twinkle's purr is loud and peaceful.
Kit Kat and Lucy are well loved and taken care of by their owners. When she gets old, Kit Kat has pet acupuncture and is given glucosamine supplements to help ease the pain in her joints.
This is a well written book and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys animal stories or loves cats. 4 ⭐️
Thanks to Lonnie Hull DuPont, NetGalley and Revell Publishing for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 27, 2024
This is a well written a little memoir describing how a couple adopted two cats at different times and grew to love them while adjusting to life in the country. The author is a professional editor. She and her husband did not intend to have cats, but became very dedicated over the years, taught by the two pets they took into their home.
February 13, 2019
I went into this book expecting it to be the story of two cats, even though it was listed as a memoir. And while the two cats are very involved in the story, it is definitely more of a memoir of the author’s life and the cats’ places in it.
The book starts before the author meets either Kit Kat or Lucy and talks about her life and what brought her to the house where she would ultimately meet both cats. They each joined her life separately, but together rounded out the family she had with her husband.
The author shares some of her experiences with anxiety and depression and how the presence of both Kit Kat and Lucy helped her to deal with them. She also shares how the cats helped her through illness and loss.
In addition to insights into the author’s life, she also shares the antics and personalities of both cats, unique in their personalities as all cats are. I saw bits of my own cats’ behaviors in reading about Kit Kat and Lucy.
This was a good read and if you like memoirs, especially those involving animals, I think you would enjoy it. Just be advised that there will be tears along the way.
The book starts before the author meets either Kit Kat or Lucy and talks about her life and what brought her to the house where she would ultimately meet both cats. They each joined her life separately, but together rounded out the family she had with her husband.
The author shares some of her experiences with anxiety and depression and how the presence of both Kit Kat and Lucy helped her to deal with them. She also shares how the cats helped her through illness and loss.
In addition to insights into the author’s life, she also shares the antics and personalities of both cats, unique in their personalities as all cats are. I saw bits of my own cats’ behaviors in reading about Kit Kat and Lucy.
This was a good read and if you like memoirs, especially those involving animals, I think you would enjoy it. Just be advised that there will be tears along the way.
March 26, 2020
Lovely story from authors own life. She and her husband move from San Francisco to rural Michigan near her family. Adjusting to this new life was made even more challenging with the addition of a stray cat coming to the door and then adding another cat and learning how to take care of them and learn that they also are taking care of she and her husband.
October 9, 2016
Author Lonnie Hull Dupont's memoir opens with a rewind back to her days as a poet living in the Telegraph Hill neighborhood of San Francisco, California. She tells of her solidly established and still growing reputation as a neighborhood favorite among the San Fran poetry scene. She loved her apartment, her city... life in general was just good, you know? To top it off, she has herself one of those when-you-least-expect-it movie magic moments of bumping into the man who would become her husband, just blocks from her front door! After years of domestic and career bliss, DuPont is surprised to find herself taken in by a comment made by a coworker one day (DuPont also worked as an editor at a publishing house) about how people have lost touch with the land. In the days following this comment being uttered, as well as being further encouraged by the reality that the cost of maintaining a Telegraph Hill address was steadily increasing, DuPont finds herself compelled to leave city life behind and take up residence in a more rural setting. Soon purchased: one 1835 farmhouse in Michigan.
It isn't long before Lonnie and her husband, Joe, move into their new digs that a little furry something comes knocking at their door. Enter Kit Kat (the name coming from the kitschy cat shaped wall clocks that became all the rage in the 1940s-50s), a tortoiseshell stray kitten the couple are compelled to take in, even though Lonnie's husband is highly allergic. The couple initially care for the cat, though they remain unsure if a pet is really what they need right now. They decide one day to take the cat over to Lonnie's sister nearby, who owns a cattle ranch and would have plenty of space for the cat to happily roam around to her heart's content. While they think they've made the best choice, it doesn't take long for the tortoiseshell to arrive at their door once again. They figure if the cat is that intent to live with them, they have to keep her! Lonnie's husband goes on allergy meds but surprisingly quickly finds that his allergy seems to go away on its own.
Just when things are getting settled with Kit Kat, another feline makes its presence known... a little Russian Blue full of life and wiliness, so they decide to name the girl Lucy, after comedic actress Lucille Ball. Lucy shows up one freezing Thanksgiving night. Though Lonnie and Joe are hesitant to have this new kitten around territorial Kit Kat, they know they can't leave the poor thing out in the freezing cold. Luckily an unused upstairs space of their home proves perfect for giving the little one a place for shelter while Lonnie and Joe figure out how to acclimate the two cats to each other.
Through some trial by fire, a solution is eventually found and over time the cats grow to be pretty much inseparable. Through caring for these two felines, DuPont learns to process unresolved emotions of her own she sometimes doesn't even realize she's sitting on --- feelings surrounding topics such as her being given up for adoption and always wondering about her birth mother; adult Lonnie having to watch her adoptive mother battle cancer; the emotional rollercoaster that came with Kit Kat's FIP diagnosis...and then possible misdiagnosis. DuPont also shares her moments of self doubt as a writer, her struggles with anxiety and periods of derealization, and how animals (not just the cats but throughout her entire life) have helped her combat the darkest periods.
Scattered throughout her tales of the adventures of Kit Kat & Lucy, DuPont also shares stories of childhood pets as well as being the brief guardian of a banty hen named Alberta. Taken as a whole, this collection of memories was cute but altogether I didn't find it a flat-out laugh riot or non-stop insanely, wildly interesting. Reading it, I had a definite "guess you had to be there" feeling in my mind. I still enjoyed the stories and the reading experience as a whole but likened said experience to that little life truth of mothers generally finding their kids way more interesting than anyone else will. Dang, that sounds harsh when I say it like that but still, that's the feeling I got from a lot of this. But let me close that little criticism with a high note and say that I got a kick out of some of DuPont's pun-tastic work... such as naming Chapter 13 "My Catalyst". Thumbs up from me there!
What I did particularly appreciate from DuPont's stories of her feline friends was that their combined tale does reiterate the idea that though animals can sometimes seem neurotic, requiring pet parents to get creative with our problem solving, the attention and love our critters give us make every moment of stress so worth it in the end. :-)
While there are some sad scenes near the end of this memoir -- we are covering the span of many, many years here -- DuPont kindly closes on a warm scene, so while you may need a few tissues for a few pages, you can safely save the rest of the box.
FTC DISCLAIMER: Revell Publishing kindly provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The opinions above are entirely my own.
It isn't long before Lonnie and her husband, Joe, move into their new digs that a little furry something comes knocking at their door. Enter Kit Kat (the name coming from the kitschy cat shaped wall clocks that became all the rage in the 1940s-50s), a tortoiseshell stray kitten the couple are compelled to take in, even though Lonnie's husband is highly allergic. The couple initially care for the cat, though they remain unsure if a pet is really what they need right now. They decide one day to take the cat over to Lonnie's sister nearby, who owns a cattle ranch and would have plenty of space for the cat to happily roam around to her heart's content. While they think they've made the best choice, it doesn't take long for the tortoiseshell to arrive at their door once again. They figure if the cat is that intent to live with them, they have to keep her! Lonnie's husband goes on allergy meds but surprisingly quickly finds that his allergy seems to go away on its own.
Just when things are getting settled with Kit Kat, another feline makes its presence known... a little Russian Blue full of life and wiliness, so they decide to name the girl Lucy, after comedic actress Lucille Ball. Lucy shows up one freezing Thanksgiving night. Though Lonnie and Joe are hesitant to have this new kitten around territorial Kit Kat, they know they can't leave the poor thing out in the freezing cold. Luckily an unused upstairs space of their home proves perfect for giving the little one a place for shelter while Lonnie and Joe figure out how to acclimate the two cats to each other.
Through some trial by fire, a solution is eventually found and over time the cats grow to be pretty much inseparable. Through caring for these two felines, DuPont learns to process unresolved emotions of her own she sometimes doesn't even realize she's sitting on --- feelings surrounding topics such as her being given up for adoption and always wondering about her birth mother; adult Lonnie having to watch her adoptive mother battle cancer; the emotional rollercoaster that came with Kit Kat's FIP diagnosis...and then possible misdiagnosis. DuPont also shares her moments of self doubt as a writer, her struggles with anxiety and periods of derealization, and how animals (not just the cats but throughout her entire life) have helped her combat the darkest periods.
Scattered throughout her tales of the adventures of Kit Kat & Lucy, DuPont also shares stories of childhood pets as well as being the brief guardian of a banty hen named Alberta. Taken as a whole, this collection of memories was cute but altogether I didn't find it a flat-out laugh riot or non-stop insanely, wildly interesting. Reading it, I had a definite "guess you had to be there" feeling in my mind. I still enjoyed the stories and the reading experience as a whole but likened said experience to that little life truth of mothers generally finding their kids way more interesting than anyone else will. Dang, that sounds harsh when I say it like that but still, that's the feeling I got from a lot of this. But let me close that little criticism with a high note and say that I got a kick out of some of DuPont's pun-tastic work... such as naming Chapter 13 "My Catalyst". Thumbs up from me there!
What I did particularly appreciate from DuPont's stories of her feline friends was that their combined tale does reiterate the idea that though animals can sometimes seem neurotic, requiring pet parents to get creative with our problem solving, the attention and love our critters give us make every moment of stress so worth it in the end. :-)
While there are some sad scenes near the end of this memoir -- we are covering the span of many, many years here -- DuPont kindly closes on a warm scene, so while you may need a few tissues for a few pages, you can safely save the rest of the box.
FTC DISCLAIMER: Revell Publishing kindly provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The opinions above are entirely my own.
September 3, 2018
I'm definitely not a cat person, but this is a cute book. The cats seemed almost human.
August 28, 2021
I love cats and I enjoyed reading about these two.
October 11, 2016
Kit Kat And Lucy by Lonnie Hull Dupont is a delightful account of life with two cats, neither of which were purchased by the author. Both appeared seemingly out of nowhere and looking for love. Lonnie Hull Dupont tried to find alternative homes as her husband was allergic to cats. Circumstances arose and she fell in love with them. "If she [the cat] wants to be here that badly, then she can be."
The author had grown up with pets but city living meant hers was a pet free zone for twenty years. "This country mouse rather happily turned into a city rat." Lonnie Hull Dupont had always been closer to animals than people and reminisces about her childhood, saying "The cats were my best friends of all."
Cats are remarkably perceptive. They seem to know when one is ill or upset. The author suffers from anxiety. The cats had an inbuilt instinct, knowing just when Lonnie or her husband needed help, as only a cat can give. "What was most amazing... was how this strong-willed creature knew when we weren't feeling up to par - and then how she helped us."
Owning cats can be worrisome when they are ill or getting old but the good times outweigh the bad. Lonnie Hull Dupont explores the bond between her and her cats, noting "Midst a background of purring, I was going to become very productive. " A purring cat can be therapeutic.
Cats are independent creatures. No one can ever train a cat. They know what they want and when they want it. The relationship is always on their terms but we cat owners fall in love with every cat we own and are happy to do life on their terms!
Lonnie Hull Dupont is a Christian. She prays for her cats, showing that God is interested in every aspect of our lives and concerned for all creatures great and small. "I pray about many things, but with so much misery in the world, should I beseech God on behalf of one blue kitten in winter?"
The novel has it sad moments too. Lonnie Hull Dupont talks about losing a loved one. As a Christian she "knew without a shadow of a doubt that she was not lost to me forever, that someday I would be with her." I must admit I shed a tear as the author described life ending for one of her cats. Having been in that situation myself, I, along with other pet owners I am sure, could empathise. With owning any animal, we know that one day we will have to say goodbye.
Kit Kat And Lucy was an absolutely delightful read. A wonderful book. An absolute 'must read' for anyone who loves cats.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
The author had grown up with pets but city living meant hers was a pet free zone for twenty years. "This country mouse rather happily turned into a city rat." Lonnie Hull Dupont had always been closer to animals than people and reminisces about her childhood, saying "The cats were my best friends of all."
Cats are remarkably perceptive. They seem to know when one is ill or upset. The author suffers from anxiety. The cats had an inbuilt instinct, knowing just when Lonnie or her husband needed help, as only a cat can give. "What was most amazing... was how this strong-willed creature knew when we weren't feeling up to par - and then how she helped us."
Owning cats can be worrisome when they are ill or getting old but the good times outweigh the bad. Lonnie Hull Dupont explores the bond between her and her cats, noting "Midst a background of purring, I was going to become very productive. " A purring cat can be therapeutic.
Cats are independent creatures. No one can ever train a cat. They know what they want and when they want it. The relationship is always on their terms but we cat owners fall in love with every cat we own and are happy to do life on their terms!
Lonnie Hull Dupont is a Christian. She prays for her cats, showing that God is interested in every aspect of our lives and concerned for all creatures great and small. "I pray about many things, but with so much misery in the world, should I beseech God on behalf of one blue kitten in winter?"
The novel has it sad moments too. Lonnie Hull Dupont talks about losing a loved one. As a Christian she "knew without a shadow of a doubt that she was not lost to me forever, that someday I would be with her." I must admit I shed a tear as the author described life ending for one of her cats. Having been in that situation myself, I, along with other pet owners I am sure, could empathise. With owning any animal, we know that one day we will have to say goodbye.
Kit Kat And Lucy was an absolutely delightful read. A wonderful book. An absolute 'must read' for anyone who loves cats.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
February 10, 2017
First, the disclaimer. "I was provided a free copy of this book. All opinions are my own." That done, KIT KAT AND LUCY is a really really fun story that I totally loved. It made me laugh, and it made me cry. As I read this story, I shared parts of it out loud with my family. My dad loved what I read so much he asked to read the book next.
Memoirs aren't exactly my genre of choice, but I loved this author's voice and getting to know more about her adjustment from city girl to country girl and about the cats that she loved. It gives me hope that the stray cat that adopted our family might someday move into our house and our hearts instead of being content to stay outside (or maybe it just relishes it's freedom).
Animals are truly a gift from God and they shower us humans with love. We've always had a pet, usually dogs, but are adopted by a cat or two or stay for a time then move on. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves animals (especially cats!), memoirs, and country life. It is hilarious! 5 stars!
Memoirs aren't exactly my genre of choice, but I loved this author's voice and getting to know more about her adjustment from city girl to country girl and about the cats that she loved. It gives me hope that the stray cat that adopted our family might someday move into our house and our hearts instead of being content to stay outside (or maybe it just relishes it's freedom).
Animals are truly a gift from God and they shower us humans with love. We've always had a pet, usually dogs, but are adopted by a cat or two or stay for a time then move on. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves animals (especially cats!), memoirs, and country life. It is hilarious! 5 stars!
September 24, 2016
Like many of us, DuPont had family pets in childhood but had spent two decades of adulthood without pets. Then a marriage, a move to Michigan and a stray cat changed that.
DuPont, adopted, had been trying to find her birth mother. She did manage to see her but never meet her. Letters to her went unanswered. She received word that her birth mother had died right around the time the first stray cat, Kit Kat, showed up. The cat helped her through the emotional process. DuPont also relates how the two cats they took in helped her with her anxiety issues. Holding the cats and rocking with them in her lap was very soothing.
This is a good book to show the connection we can have with animals and the healing opportunities they offer us. As a person with a few cats in the house myself, I enjoyed all the fun stories. The DuPonts had tried to leave the cat at another farm, and that the cat would travel eight miles back to them was amazing. I also learned a few things about cat care, such as the technique to use when moving to a new house.
DuPont's writing style is soothing. There are no particularly well crafted sentences that stood out. There is just the gentle and thoughtful account of how cats helped her heal areas in her life and provided a great deal of satisfaction.
I recommend this book to cat lovers or those considering getting a cat as a household pet.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an independent and honest review.
DuPont, adopted, had been trying to find her birth mother. She did manage to see her but never meet her. Letters to her went unanswered. She received word that her birth mother had died right around the time the first stray cat, Kit Kat, showed up. The cat helped her through the emotional process. DuPont also relates how the two cats they took in helped her with her anxiety issues. Holding the cats and rocking with them in her lap was very soothing.
This is a good book to show the connection we can have with animals and the healing opportunities they offer us. As a person with a few cats in the house myself, I enjoyed all the fun stories. The DuPonts had tried to leave the cat at another farm, and that the cat would travel eight miles back to them was amazing. I also learned a few things about cat care, such as the technique to use when moving to a new house.
DuPont's writing style is soothing. There are no particularly well crafted sentences that stood out. There is just the gentle and thoughtful account of how cats helped her heal areas in her life and provided a great deal of satisfaction.
I recommend this book to cat lovers or those considering getting a cat as a household pet.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an independent and honest review.
September 1, 2016
The book is written in the first person by Lonnie Hull DuPont and her relationship with animals, mainly her cats, which actually found her and her husband, and we are about enter into an in-depth look at their lives.
The story does begin in San Francisco and when Lonnie and her husband Joe for financial reasons need to relocate and head back to where she hails from in Michigan. They move into a money pit of an old house, but Lonnie feels she has returned to her roots, but Joe has a long commute every day to work. During this settling in time a stray cat shows up and they try to rehome her, only for her to find her way back to them, so Kit Kat has a home.
Of course, life has twists and when a Russian Blue kitty shows up, and no one can take her, they end up with their second cat, Lucy. From the descriptions of these cats, I was looking up Russian Blue and wanting one, now I already have two dogs and a cat, so no I don’t need another, but it is in the file.
I know that animals give unconditional love, and these little darlings are no exception, I love how they sense our feelings and sickness, and they are right by our side, she deals with depression and loss with the help of these gifts from God.
This is a heart-warming book, and I for one wanted it to continue, but I had to say goodbye.
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Revell and was not required to give a positive review.
The story does begin in San Francisco and when Lonnie and her husband Joe for financial reasons need to relocate and head back to where she hails from in Michigan. They move into a money pit of an old house, but Lonnie feels she has returned to her roots, but Joe has a long commute every day to work. During this settling in time a stray cat shows up and they try to rehome her, only for her to find her way back to them, so Kit Kat has a home.
Of course, life has twists and when a Russian Blue kitty shows up, and no one can take her, they end up with their second cat, Lucy. From the descriptions of these cats, I was looking up Russian Blue and wanting one, now I already have two dogs and a cat, so no I don’t need another, but it is in the file.
I know that animals give unconditional love, and these little darlings are no exception, I love how they sense our feelings and sickness, and they are right by our side, she deals with depression and loss with the help of these gifts from God.
This is a heart-warming book, and I for one wanted it to continue, but I had to say goodbye.
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Revell and was not required to give a positive review.
September 6, 2016
I loved every word of this memoir of a woman who had her life changed by two very special cats after leaving her big city lifestyle to make a new life for herself and her husband in the country. Have you ever seen that bumper sticker that says "Who Rescued Who?" Both Kit Kat the tortie and Lucy the Russian Blue arrive at a time when no one is aware just how much they're going to be needed in the future. Their personalities couldn't be more different but they form an unbreakable bond with each other and their adoring humans who do whatever is necessary to give their beloved pets the most perfect life possible and in return receive the comfort and loving touch that only a cat can provide.
As much as this is a story about the cats, it's also about the author as she faces family issues, bouts with depression and anxiety, and all the mixed feelings that come with such a drastic move. I especially enjoyed the passages about the author's writing and how the cats became her constant companions while she put pen to paper. As someone who has found her cats to be her greatest writing inspiration, this section really resonated with me.
As with all cat books I found myself in tears by the final pages, which I guess is appropriate because that's how the story always ends with our beloved pets. I think that's what makes this book so special: it's a look at one woman's life told through the story of her time with two very special, life-changing cats. Who among us can't identify with that?
As much as this is a story about the cats, it's also about the author as she faces family issues, bouts with depression and anxiety, and all the mixed feelings that come with such a drastic move. I especially enjoyed the passages about the author's writing and how the cats became her constant companions while she put pen to paper. As someone who has found her cats to be her greatest writing inspiration, this section really resonated with me.
As with all cat books I found myself in tears by the final pages, which I guess is appropriate because that's how the story always ends with our beloved pets. I think that's what makes this book so special: it's a look at one woman's life told through the story of her time with two very special, life-changing cats. Who among us can't identify with that?
October 26, 2016
Kit Kat & Lucy is a delightful read about two sweet creatures who brought joy to their owners in a time of transition. In the book, I learned of Lonnie Hull DuPont's struggles in life. I loved how she found peace though these sweet creatures. Another wonderful aspect of the book is her relationship with her husband. Their marriage is a centerpiece as they snuggle into their new home many states away from where they met. Reading Lonnie's writing, left me feeling like I was reading a letter from a friend. I can honestly say, I smiled a great deal and even laughed out loud a few times. If you love animals, especially cats, you'll enjoy the antics of Kit Kat & Lucy. I can easily give this book five stars.
I received this book in exchange for a fair review.
I received this book in exchange for a fair review.
October 5, 2016
Lonnie had lived in San Francisco for twenty years before she got married and moved back to her home state of Michigan to help her parents. She didn't think she wanted a cat until a cat turned up needing a home. She and her husband ended up falling in love with Kit Kat and soon added another cat, Lucy, to their home. This book is a memoir about a couple and their two felines and would be loved by any cat lover!
October 11, 2016
As an animal lover, I was intrigued by the premise of Kit Kat & Lucy: The Country Cats Who Changed a City Girl's World:
"After years of vibrant city life in San Francisco, Lonnie Hull DuPont reluctantly trades her three-room apartment on Telegraph Hill for a farmhouse in Michigan. She immediately misses the rhythm and the pace of the city, and the isolation of the country living has her longing for something more. Enter Kit Kat, an obsessive-compulsive tortoiseshell, and Lucy, a playful Russian Blue who can nail a bat right out of the air."
I liked this book, even more than I expected to. I liked the author, Lonnie, a lot. She's a writer and a quiet person who I felt I could relate to in real life. She married her husband a bit later in life, in San Francisco, and he sounded like a wonderful guy as well. The book reads as a bit of a memoir as well as a cat tale. We learn that Lonnie was adopted, although she was always curious about her birth mom. She learns who the woman is, and wrote to her several times, but it was clear that birth mom was not interested in meeting Lonnie. Still, Lonnie learns what she can about her. In one poignant scene, Lonnie writes about watching from her car one evening as her birth mom sits reading on her porch: "A driveway and a glass wall separated me from the woman who gave me life. My adrenaline rushed as I stood there. The moment seemed to freeze in place. If she looked up, she would surely see me. But she never looked up."
A stray cat shows up at the farmhouse Lonnie and husband Joe moved to, and after trying unsuccessfully to find someone to adopt her, they decide to keep her themselves. Coincidentally (??), the night this happens is the day that Lonnie's birth mother dies.
Lonnie is very intuitive, and she mentions several meaningful dreams she has. When her adoptive mom dies, Lonnie has several encounters with a very vocal cardinal whose chirping comforts her, etc. I admired her ability to observe and to "see" things that would be easy for many to miss. It came as no surprise that she is a poet.
Pets are good for you!
Lonnie also suffers from depression and anxiety, off and on, and she shares how helpful her cats were in calming and centering her. She speaks about a talk she heard on the animal/human bond: "Before the Industrial Revolution, humans and animals were constantly in each other's lives. We had symbiotic relationships in which humans and animals lived and worked together for transportation, livelihood, food. Because of this, we humans spent much of our time ... 'watching the animals.' They mattered in our daily lives, literally impacting our survival. After the Revolution, only some of us in Western civilizations still 'watch' animals. There is no longer the practical need to have animals in our lives, and many people don't interact with them at all anymore. But there are other benefits to being with animals ... Is it any wonder that in the twentieth century, once we stopped watching the animals, we saw such a rise in psychotropic drug use?" Makes a lot of sense to me.
The book is written in a very simple, straight-forward style. It dragged a bit to me in certain spots (I'm just not that interested in reading a page or two describing how a cat plays), but overall I just loved it. It reinforced to me the benefits and joys of pet ownership. Read it! But beware -- you may feel compelled to pay a visit to the shelter after finishing it. And that would most likely be a very good thing.
"After years of vibrant city life in San Francisco, Lonnie Hull DuPont reluctantly trades her three-room apartment on Telegraph Hill for a farmhouse in Michigan. She immediately misses the rhythm and the pace of the city, and the isolation of the country living has her longing for something more. Enter Kit Kat, an obsessive-compulsive tortoiseshell, and Lucy, a playful Russian Blue who can nail a bat right out of the air."
I liked this book, even more than I expected to. I liked the author, Lonnie, a lot. She's a writer and a quiet person who I felt I could relate to in real life. She married her husband a bit later in life, in San Francisco, and he sounded like a wonderful guy as well. The book reads as a bit of a memoir as well as a cat tale. We learn that Lonnie was adopted, although she was always curious about her birth mom. She learns who the woman is, and wrote to her several times, but it was clear that birth mom was not interested in meeting Lonnie. Still, Lonnie learns what she can about her. In one poignant scene, Lonnie writes about watching from her car one evening as her birth mom sits reading on her porch: "A driveway and a glass wall separated me from the woman who gave me life. My adrenaline rushed as I stood there. The moment seemed to freeze in place. If she looked up, she would surely see me. But she never looked up."
A stray cat shows up at the farmhouse Lonnie and husband Joe moved to, and after trying unsuccessfully to find someone to adopt her, they decide to keep her themselves. Coincidentally (??), the night this happens is the day that Lonnie's birth mother dies.
Lonnie is very intuitive, and she mentions several meaningful dreams she has. When her adoptive mom dies, Lonnie has several encounters with a very vocal cardinal whose chirping comforts her, etc. I admired her ability to observe and to "see" things that would be easy for many to miss. It came as no surprise that she is a poet.
Pets are good for you!
Lonnie also suffers from depression and anxiety, off and on, and she shares how helpful her cats were in calming and centering her. She speaks about a talk she heard on the animal/human bond: "Before the Industrial Revolution, humans and animals were constantly in each other's lives. We had symbiotic relationships in which humans and animals lived and worked together for transportation, livelihood, food. Because of this, we humans spent much of our time ... 'watching the animals.' They mattered in our daily lives, literally impacting our survival. After the Revolution, only some of us in Western civilizations still 'watch' animals. There is no longer the practical need to have animals in our lives, and many people don't interact with them at all anymore. But there are other benefits to being with animals ... Is it any wonder that in the twentieth century, once we stopped watching the animals, we saw such a rise in psychotropic drug use?" Makes a lot of sense to me.
The book is written in a very simple, straight-forward style. It dragged a bit to me in certain spots (I'm just not that interested in reading a page or two describing how a cat plays), but overall I just loved it. It reinforced to me the benefits and joys of pet ownership. Read it! But beware -- you may feel compelled to pay a visit to the shelter after finishing it. And that would most likely be a very good thing.
October 23, 2016
It will come as no surprise to anyone who knows me, that I love cats. I begged for cats as pets growing up and then raised kittens when pregnant mommy kitties showed up at the door. I love kitties, they are fun animals. So, when I saw this book come up for review, I had to read it.
I knew upon seeing the cover of this book I would like it, it had a Tortie kitty on the front of it and the baby reminded me of one of my old sweet kitties. My thought on the cover proved true. I really enjoyed this book. Lonnie really opened up her life and in doing so, shared the joys that cats can bring to a life.
This book is one I could relate to. As I read Lonnie's story, I found myself nodding my head in agreement and chuckling as I read on through the pages. Living with a cat is different then a dog. Cats offer such an amazing friendship and connection. I'm not knocking dogs, don't get me wrong, I love those goofballs, but cats are different and Lonnie's story with her two was just spot on.
Kit Kat and Lucy were described several times as gifts to Lonnie and her husband. I couldn't help but think that she was very right. You don't plan for an animal sometimes, but when they are there, they end up being just what you need. Kit Kat & Lucy, though animals, show the unconditional love that is needed.
This book brought on tears, I will say at the end. I know the heartache that can happen when loving a pet, but it was written so well. The love of a pet is an amazing thing and this story captured it beautifully.
Thank you to the publisher, I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
This review was originally posted @ http://wordsfromabookaholic.blogspot....
I knew upon seeing the cover of this book I would like it, it had a Tortie kitty on the front of it and the baby reminded me of one of my old sweet kitties. My thought on the cover proved true. I really enjoyed this book. Lonnie really opened up her life and in doing so, shared the joys that cats can bring to a life.
This book is one I could relate to. As I read Lonnie's story, I found myself nodding my head in agreement and chuckling as I read on through the pages. Living with a cat is different then a dog. Cats offer such an amazing friendship and connection. I'm not knocking dogs, don't get me wrong, I love those goofballs, but cats are different and Lonnie's story with her two was just spot on.
Kit Kat and Lucy were described several times as gifts to Lonnie and her husband. I couldn't help but think that she was very right. You don't plan for an animal sometimes, but when they are there, they end up being just what you need. Kit Kat & Lucy, though animals, show the unconditional love that is needed.
This book brought on tears, I will say at the end. I know the heartache that can happen when loving a pet, but it was written so well. The love of a pet is an amazing thing and this story captured it beautifully.
Thank you to the publisher, I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
This review was originally posted @ http://wordsfromabookaholic.blogspot....
December 28, 2024
Listened to the audiobook. Narration was enjoyable and good. The author and her spouse definitely love and respect animals. They always did the right thing for them considering their limited knowledge at the time. It warmed my heart to read about all the kind and caring ways they adjusted their lived to help their cats.
Having said that, Kit Kat wasn’t exactly feral. People label cats feral incorrectly. A true feral would literally climbed the walls inside a home. You wouldn’t be able to handle a feral or take it to a vet that didn’t specialize in handling ferals.
I also laughed and took issue with the authors “animal behaviorist” friend. Her advice and conclusions were often incorrect and absurd. Female cats do get along. I did cat rescue and had up to 13 female together for months. Her formula of “specific timed play” for cats was ridiculous. A few other things but suffice it to say that she was not offering any professional advice.
I did find that in a few instances the author gave her cats just a bit too much “human” thoughts and feelings but overall the book was a joy to read.
Having said that, Kit Kat wasn’t exactly feral. People label cats feral incorrectly. A true feral would literally climbed the walls inside a home. You wouldn’t be able to handle a feral or take it to a vet that didn’t specialize in handling ferals.
I also laughed and took issue with the authors “animal behaviorist” friend. Her advice and conclusions were often incorrect and absurd. Female cats do get along. I did cat rescue and had up to 13 female together for months. Her formula of “specific timed play” for cats was ridiculous. A few other things but suffice it to say that she was not offering any professional advice.
I did find that in a few instances the author gave her cats just a bit too much “human” thoughts and feelings but overall the book was a joy to read.
February 18, 2017
This was such a rewarding and lovely book to read that I’m getting one for my mother, too! The stories and even lessons learned are just what any heart needs. Funny antics, sweet moments, heart breaking times and all through it are comforts of animals we sometimes take for granted. Everyone would love reading this – I highly recommend it! This author puts her heart out there and tells us how her world was changed by these two fabulous felines. Even the secondary characters grabbed my heart and made me smile! (Alberta!) Loved every minute of it and is now a bookshelf keeper.
Read
June 3, 2019Kit Kat and Lucy were two cats who arrived in their humans’ lives a year apart and gave them what they’ve been missing. Lonnie and her husband Joe were long-time city people who moved to the country and settled in Michigan. Each cat having her own “personality,” Kit Kat and Lucy had to work their way into Lonnie and Joe’s hearts, and learn to get along with each other. The four became one big family, and Lonnie and Joe couldn’t imagine their lives without their furry friends.
Thanks to NetGalley.com for a review copy of this book.
Thanks to NetGalley.com for a review copy of this book.
January 24, 2020
This is whimsical true story about the life of Lonnie and Joe and their wonderful cats. It was especially good to listen to the story read by the author!! I loved to hear her journey from a life in San Francisco to life in a farmhouse in Michigan. Her story showed me how I could introduce my new 8 month old Kitty to my year-and-a-half-old Sydney. Lonnie has a wonderful sense of humor and a great outlook in good times and bad. She's a true "crazy cat lady" and I enjoyed listening to her read the entire book, as if she just came for a visit over a cup of tea!!
September 4, 2021
I am more of a dog person. However, cats have always found their ways into my life anyway. It seems you and the dog choose each other mutually. But a cat has to choose it's person, then work it's way into your life f it chooses to stay. Or at least that's the way it seems to me. These two cats have done just that in this memoir. I loved reading this book and it's got me considering putting cats at the same high rank as dogs in my own heart. Beautiful book, especially if you love or merely like cats.
September 20, 2025
This book means a lot to me. I found it in a bin of books on the side of the road in upstate New York. This book came to me just like Kit Kat came to the author Lonnie. I loved the messages of we have lost our connection to the land. Nature (including pets) have so much to teach us if we just listen.
I’m going to hold onto this book and share it with friends. This book got really slow at some parts but I’m definitely going to come back to it. The book could have ended at the halfway point. I’m glad I stuck through. I’m not sure if I can ask other people in my life to read the full thing.
I’m going to hold onto this book and share it with friends. This book got really slow at some parts but I’m definitely going to come back to it. The book could have ended at the halfway point. I’m glad I stuck through. I’m not sure if I can ask other people in my life to read the full thing.
December 4, 2018
I'm a cat lover, so naturally I was interested in reading Kit Kat & Lucy when it was originally released in 2016. Due to life stuff and overall stress at time, this book got shoved aside for way too long; until, I finally had a chance to read it last month.
Kit Kat & Lucy is a well-written story told as if the author is right there in front of you sharing her story about her cats. It's a charming and funny story! The book would make an excellent gift for any cat owner!
Kit Kat & Lucy is a well-written story told as if the author is right there in front of you sharing her story about her cats. It's a charming and funny story! The book would make an excellent gift for any cat owner!
August 11, 2023
This is a perfectly sweet and fun memoir written by a true storyteller. I'm a dog person but I was easily charmed by the antics of these two felines and the joy they brought their owners. Lonnie was a friend and colleague and I heard her voice, saw her smile and many expressions on each page. It was the perfect way to celebrate her brilliant and beautiful life a few days after her passing. Well done, my sweet Lonnie.
October 16, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. My husband and I live out in the country with our two kittens (both rescues) plus 3 dogs and numerous goats. So I could relate to a lot of what Lonnie wrote about living out in the country. You will come to love both Kit Kat and Lucy. And I cried when Kit Kat died. I hope she plans to write a follow-up book on her new kittens.
Loved this book!!!
Loved this book!!!
November 20, 2021
I decided to read this book for my adopted cat named Myra. She past away with liver shut down. Miss Giselle 🐕🐾🐾 and I miss her so so much. This was such a wonderful book to read and I learned so much about the behavior of cats. I am a doggie 🐶 person. I shall read more of her books. And yes I did cry in the end. Kit Kat is with Miss Myra.
May 9, 2023
Sweet memoir of the two cats that stumbled into the author's life when she relocated from the city, back to the rural area of her youth. As well as the story of each cat, the author also shares bits of herself that were relatable and relevant. I wish that everyone who has a beloved pet would write their story...I would read all of them. Highly recommend. Suitable for all ages.
November 15, 2016
I won this book from Goodreads Giveaways. Thank you. This was such a charming and relatable read. I too believe in the therapeutic gift our pets so lovingly share and Ms. Dupont's prose captures it beautifully. Bravo!
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