Angel Cats: Divine Messengers of Comfort

by Allen Anderson, Linda Anderson

While dogs get more credit, cats have perennially proven themselves to be every bit the equal of their canine brethren as humankind's best friend. Angel Cats, inspired by a contest authors Allen and Linda Anderson ran to find the "Best Angel Cat" story, shows the often extraordinary ways in which these fascinating creatures have responded to human need. Stories feature Paprika, the kitten that may have saved a little Hungarian girl from Russian soldiers; the cat who helped a woman make friends in a hostile workplace; the cats who acted as "pacemakers" for a sleeping woman with undiagnosed heart problems; and many more. Interwoven with the stories are brief meditations as well as fun facts about cats, such as that cats purr at the same frequency that increases bone density and strengthens and heals fractures. An "Ask Cuddles" section answers frequently asked questions about the fabulous feline.

Genres: Animals, Cats, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Inspirational

160 pages, Paperback

First published August 10, 2004

About the author

New York Times Best-Selling authors, Allen and Linda Anderson, are pet experts, keynote speakers, and founders of the Angel Animals Network. They help people discover and benefit from the miraculous powers of animals.

Dedicated to promoting human-animal companionship, Allen and Linda donate a portion of proceeds from their work to animal rescue organizations and do fundraising activities.

The Andersons believe that whenever you connect spiritually with animals, thousands of new doors open. Through their books, newsletters, presentations, and insights, they show portals into a whole new world where animals are guides, healers, and friends.

With pets in 70% of American homes, it's crucial to consider animals as wisdom partners and appreciate the benefits of tapping into their hidden talents.

Reviews

[Mills · Rating 3 out of 5]

In case that wasn't clear, be warned, if you are an even vaguely emotional person this book will probably make you cry. If you're an extremely emotional person, like me you will sob your heart out. Heck, I was already crying just from reading the introduction to chapter one, although to be fair it did mention this:

"In Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson’s book The Nine Emotional Lives of Cats, he tells about a cat his sister encountered at a veterinarian’s office. When she asked the vet why all four of the cat’s paws were heavily bandaged, the vet explained that the cat’s human had jumped from a ten-story window and died. The cat, in a desperate attempt to stop her friend from committing suicide, had hurled herself out the window right behind him. The cat had survived.

Cats love us back."

You can't tell me that isn't sad!

I started writing this review as I went along, summarising each of the little stories that make up Angel Cats but I soon had to stop, partially because my patience wore thin but mainly because in a lot of them the cats die at the end and yes, I was still crying.



Now I've got that off my chest, I think it's important to mention that this is a book involving spirituality. It is based on chiefly Christian ideology but there are mentions of things which fall outside of Christianity including, off the top of my head, a story about Prophet Mohammed and a cat, mentions of Buddha and things like dream interpretation, psychics and so on. Now, I say this as a staunch atheist: yes I rolled my eyes big time at some of the stories (You believe your cat lives on another plane eating donuts? You believe you killed your neighbour's cat through some bad juju when you told him off for eating your cat's food? You think your cat died from cancer because he absorbed the cancer from your body into his own to save you? Just, no. I mean I see why it might be comforting to believe this stuff, but...) and I skim read through all the waffling about divine plans and whatnot, but I still think this is a good read.

If you are spiritual then you will likely get more out of this book, but even if you're not, you can still enjoy the stories about rescuing strays, therapy pets, cats that provide comfort and love, safety and, in some cases, life. I was amazed by the cat who warned his owner when there were bears around and stopped her from going outside and, too the cat who walked up and down on the owner's chest in the night, only for her to later find out her heart was stopping in her sleep. In fact I was amazed by far too many of the cats to even begin to list them here, but suffice to say that if anyone out there - maybe dog lovers, maybe people who aren't fond of animals (Those people are stupid.) - had ever doubted the love a cat feels and expresses, this book could restore the faith of all but the most cynical.

My cat will be glad I've finished the review. She's been keeping guard while I've been feeling so emotional but I think it's time for both of us to get our beauty sleep. I feel blessed to have her every day.

[Kent · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book on our feline friends. It's filled with heart-warming stories and life lessons, not to mention how they are God's gift to those of us who have been fortunate to have a cat.

After losing my Sylvester earlier in the year, this book was a joy to read and I reminisced about Sylvester as I read the book. I saw Sylvester in some of the stories with how some of the other cats were behaving. Some of the stories, especially the finals section of the book, contain stories of cats who passed on and were, for me, difficult to get through. Most of them, however, still were able to provide a happy ending of sorts.

This book is worth every penny and I highly recommend this book to anyone who has a cats and/or is a cat lover! I will definitely read this one again!

[Amy Palmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since losing my beloved cat, Sebastian, I've been interested in the spiritual connection we have with our pets. "Angel Cats" had several stories with just that subject. It's comforting to hear about other people and the relationship they have with their cats.

Read my full review at http://bosoxamysbooks.blogspot.com/20...

[Spider · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartwarming stories of comfort, inspiration & love, uplifting as recently our beloved Pip died.

[Sondra · Rating 4 out of 5]

For any cat lover, this is a refreshingly good read!

[Laurence · Rating 5 out of 5]

That was an amzing little book!
A collection of stories from cat owners, on how their cats helped them with various situations in their lives...
If you are a cat lover, this is a must!

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this, although it was a bit spiritual for my tastes.

[David Fears · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love cats (as I do) and love sappy tales that make your eyes water (as my wifey do),then this is a great book for you. I like the short pieces that can be read when sleepy! Meow!

[Shamsa_m_140a512 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started reading this book because I really wanted a cat. This book is a collection of short stories about cat owners and their beloved cats. Although i found the book a bit too spiritual for me, I still enjoyed reading it. The author show how cats have a spiritual connection to their owners. This book is filled with heart-warming stories and life lessons. It shows how our little feline friends can make anyones day just a bit more enjoyable.

This book is written by Allen and Linda Anderson are pet-expert speakers, authors, and founders of the Angel Animals Network. Allen and Linda Anderson help people to recognize how animals in your home and in nature have a "sixth sense" and instinct, show unconditional love, make even the saddest person smile, comfort, and appear in dreams. They help people discover and benefit from the miraculous powers of animals.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed reading this book about cats. It contained short stories from a variety of people and how their cat brought them comfort in all sorts of different ways. It made me think of all the angels I've loved and still miss that are waiting for me at the Rainbow Bridge. I only have 1 furrbaby, Gregory. He is the type that needs to be an only child since he had a rough earlier life. Yesterday I had a migraine and he was constantly by my side giving me comfort. This is definitely a book for all cat lovers!

[SouthWestZippy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of short stories about human and their loving cats. Some are uplifting, some very sad. Not an easy read and if you can't handle the death of an animal then I would skip this book. I am giving it three stars because I did enjoy a few of the stores. It is too much heartache in one book to give it more stars. I would have like a few more funny or happy stories to balance the book.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

My mother purchased this book for me the day I had to put my childhood cat to sleep. While it was hard to get through some of the grief in the stories it truly is amazing the way that animals can affect our lives. RIP Tigger.

[Annenz · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely book about cats that help their owners in some way or another.
Certainly made me look at my two cats more differently and the things they do.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely read

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! These stories both broke my heart and warmed my heart!

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book to read and read again. Small bites or a complete read through. Delightful!

[Bella · Rating 4 out of 5]

The last section is so special I’d read again when it comes time for my cat/oldest friend/child/protector to go.

[Cal · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was just okay. There's no shortage of animal anecdote collections out there, and this one isn't too special. I think all animals have capacity for awareness, and that all animals possess a soul, and this book made cats out to be somehow unique in that regard. I love cats most of all animals, but they fumble through life the same as humans do. I don't think any animal is inherently more spiritual than any other. This book also was a bit gaggy to me, especially as it had stories of 'animal communicators' and 'cat whisperers' who 'interpret' cats thoughts into english, as though it were in english in the first place. I believe in animal whisperers insomuch as they interact as a fellow member of the species to get information about basic animal behaviors, but this kind of mumbo jumbo just goes too far. Sorry, animals do not think in the same way humans do like these people make out. And it was all so sappy when I'm sure some cats would really have some mean stuff to say if they could. And then that part at the end about animals being reincarnated (stated with such certainty?) was totally gagworthy as well. I'd appreciate cat stories that are more realistic, thanks. When will people learn that animals are great all on their own without being anthropomorphized so much? There are better cat books out there.

[Xanthi · Rating 2 out of 5]

The stories in here were nice enough - some very moving, actually - though the 'spiritual' theme of this book was a bit off putting to me, as an atheist. At first I thought it had a strong religious under current, as 'God', 'angels, 'bible scripture', etc were words often used in some of the stories. But some of the other stories had a 'new-age spirituality' feel to them. Still, all that aside, I managed to enjoy and appreciate the love and affection some of these contributors expressed towards their cats.

[Ponyst]

Loved this book. I have always thought cats were divine and this book helped me to realize my cats are here to comfort me through this tough time. Loss of a very significant relationship, really helps me see how my cats are here for me. Sounds a bit out there but it is really true.

[Samantha Hauser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gave me a lot of hope. I have had many cats throughout my life and I love each of them dearly. This book reminded me why I love cats so much. It also helped me believe in an afterlife for my cats that are no longer physically with me.

[Arwen~Undomiel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book made me cry a lot. There were so many touching stories. It doesn't have five stars because there were some sketchy pet psychic stories, but other than that it was ready good. Recommended for any cat lover who wants to cry about sweet cat stories.

[Debby · Rating 3 out of 5]

they always show up in our lives for a purpose

[Joan Seeger-Boughton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay book, gets a bit overly sentimental/religious

[Kim · Rating 1 out of 5]

1 or 2 stories of genuine cat angels, the rest is dribble.

[Hunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

the cover is different so I am not sure if this is the right one... but it was funny and really sweet

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Food for thought!

[Jamie Holloway · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will post my review next week.

[S Hay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a cat lover. I enjoyed the short stories about a variety of different cats. Sweet.

[Peter Tillman · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ick. Avoid, avoid! And I love cats.