Toby The Cross-Eyed Stray

by Celia Haddon

'Hunched among the shoes, half hidden by my dresses, filthy and terrified, he looked like a cat that might be seriously ill. He was toast-rack thin, with all his ribs sticking out, even through his longish hair...'

As Toby's story unfolds, so does Celia's. From her alcoholic exploits as a Fleet Street journalist during the 60s, to the death of her mother, Celia's bond with the feline world becomes stronger. Ronnie, a former war correspondent with an incredible career also finds himself succumbing to feline charms and comes to need Toby as much as Celia does.

This is a story of courage, hope and love in the most trying of circumstances.

Genres: Nonfiction, Cats

240 pages, Paperback

First published March 2, 2015

About the author

"I have loved animals from as far back as I can remember", writes Celia Haddon. "As a child, I realised that some animals suffered at the hands of ignorant humans. To right this I have published several books about cats. Cats make me laugh. We humans don't really understand them, though. If we did, they would have a happier life.

For 20 years I wrote about companion animals (pets) for the Daily Telegraph. For 12 of these years I was a pet agony aunt and dealt with about 100,000 letters. My aim was to improve animals' lives by giving good information - and, with luck, to make my readers laugh at the same time.

I have also written several daily quotation books, now out of print, and a history of the first English Olimpick Games in 1612 - now republished in Kindle. My latest cat is Tilly and my latest cat book is Tilly: the Ugliest Cat in the Shelter. It tells the story of how I rescued Tilly from 18 months without adoption; and how she rescued me in the darkest moment of my life.

Tilly tweets at http://twitter.com/TillyUgliestCat

My former cat George lives on digitally and advises other cats how to train humans at http://george-online.blogspot.com

My website with useful animal behaviour information is www.catexpert.co.uk

- from Amazon

Reviews

[Ioana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book!!!
It made me cry soo bad…
A book about death and emotions. It wasn’t about Toby(the cat), it was about her ill partner. I loved it!

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

It wasn't until I started reading this that I realised I had read the author's previous book "Tilly, the Ugliest Cat in the shelter". Like it's predecessor, this is a heart-warming tale of not just Toby, but of her other cats she had at the same time, namely Tilly of the previous book. Also, again, there is a lot of medical detail involving her husband, who tragically suffered dreadfully with double cancer, and of the author herself, a recovering cancer sufferer. Not for the squeamish in places.

[Mihaela Vasile · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5* It is a sad book, but in the same time it is a calm written one, that gives you hope.
I would have wanted more to be as a unitary story, sometimes it focuses more on cat details on how to take care of them and it seemed in those pages as a book of "how to", rather than their story and feelings on how to go through cancer.

[Jemma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing book, cleverly written. One for the cat lover

[Azbaqiyah]

Alright! I'm sorry! I'm sorry that I had to DFN this book...

This happen because I always read fantasy genre books and I found it hard to enjoy other genres. This is my weakness actually!

So sorry!

[Clarice Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

A moving yet realistic take on how pets (esp cats in this case) can have a profound effect on our lives as humans/owners. Through the difficulties and hardships of marriage, addiction, (and eventually) health & old age, Haddon's book adds to the collection of evidence of animals providing emotional support for people.

I loved her bits of knowledge and facts about cat ownership & behaviour sprinkled between the main story of her life. I also loved that she is truly candid about life as a cat owner and primary care giver. Was a nice, easy read for a non-fiction book :) Was so into the book I found myself purchasing an adorable calico cat keychain, and I'm normally a dog person HAHA

[Vivi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not so much about cats, as about cancer and coping ...

”When I asked him how hw coped with being so ill, in so much pain (despite being on morphine) and so disabled, I expected him to tell me what agony he was in. His response surprised me. "Pain becomes a normal attribute of life and you have to accept it. You sleep a lot because sleep is a relief from pain and this is a pleasurable activity. You become grateful for simple things like warmth and the tolerance of other people. You appreciate people's kindness to you and their forbeareance of you."

[Pam Fox · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is far from my usual type of book but being a cat owner I thought I'd give it a try.
It's the story of a couple who have made their way through life fighting all sorts of battles, real wars like WW2 etc and battles against cancer, not all of them on the winning side. Through the years a range of cats have made themselves at home in this cosy cottage, some with more persuasion required than others. Finally the story gets to Toby, who has been living rough on the streets eating out of dustbins and other cats bowls where he can.
It's the story of the relationship between owner and cat, or should that be owner and human, with cats I'm never sure.
As I said it's not my usually thing, that's crime and psychological thrillers amongst others but I really enjoyed this story.

[Caitlin Pallett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book- it has everything in it from powerful writing to lovely characters and emotions. It will make you cry but it will open your mind as well, and make you thankful for the people and animals in your life.

[Indi Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m surprised I like this since I’m not that interested in cats, yet I did. I get surprise books sent to me each month to let me step out of my comfort zone and little gems like this one is the reason why. It was a fun and easy read. It also has some great life lessons in it.

[Toby White · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heartfelt and touching book, rather upsetting at times. This is more than just a book about a cat, but also about caring for her husband with terminal cancer. The cats brought joy and peace in the end though. A lot of interesting anecdotes relating to cat behaviour and care.

[Louise Marshall-jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an ok read but kind of comes away from its title and goes on about caring for a loved one

[Roxana Răcaru · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a heartwarming story! I enjoyed every little bit. It made me cry, it made me laugh and it made me look at life a bit differently.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

I expected a different book: something more focused on how cats and animals in general can help us through grief or keep us company in our darkest times.
This book though talks a lot about other cats who are not Toby. I understand the space given to Tilly, since the author owned her at the same time she took Toby in, but I don't understand the space given to other cats, especially considering the title of the book it's not "All the cats I've had" or something like that. On top of this, the book is mainly about caring for her dying husband and it gets emotionally heavy at times. Let's say that if you expect a lighter story, this is not it.

[Elisabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is half cat story and half the autobiography of Celia Haddon. Persuaded by a friend to take in a rather bedraggled and sick ginger stray cat – the coming of Toby into the lives of Celia and her husband Ronnie was the last thing that they really needed. However, unable to refuse a cat in need, Celia took on the responsibility of nursing Toby back to health. Nurturing a cat such as Toby back to health would be a huge challenge for anyone but even more so for Celia as her husband was terminally ill and she was recovering from breast cancer.
As Celia tells Toby’s story she also tells her own story from when she was a hard drinking Fleet Street journalist and Ronnie a war correspondent, her brush with alcoholism and how cats rescued her and ultimately saved her marriage.
“Toby – the cross-eyed stray” is a very moving and interesting read perfect for cat lovers and non cat lovers alike.

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thought there would be more about the cat, it was more about dealing with her husband's terminal illness.

[Lizzy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was not a book about Toby, this was a book about caring for a terminally ill partner. Afraid I was looking for a light hearted book. Woops.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good.