The recording of this much-loved panel at Bark! Fest is out now, with these three fantastic authors: Sarah Chauncey on PS I Love You Extra Than Tuna, Sassafras Patterdale on Claw This Journal, and Rachel Wells on Alfie the Christmas Cat.
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Our Bond with Cats with Sarah Chauncey, Sassafras Patterdale, and Rachel Wells at Bark! Fest
Bark! Fest, the e-book competition for animal lovers, passed off in
September 2024. I organized it to rejoice the launch of my new e-book, Bark! The Science of Serving to Your Anxious, Fearful, or Reactive Canine, which is out now and obtainable wherever books are bought. We heard from some unbelievable authors of books about animals.
That is the recording of Our Bond with Cats with Sarah Chauncey, Sassafras Patterdale, and Rachel Wells.
You may watch the panel on Youtube or beneath, pay attention wherever you get your podcasts (Apple, Spotify) or beneath, or hold studying to do each of these issues and skim a transcript of the highlights.
Get the books
The entire Bark! Fest books can be found wherever books are bought, together with from Bookshop (which helps impartial bookstores), UK Bookshop, and my Amazon retailer.
The dialog with Sarah Chauncey, Sassafras Patterdale, and Rachel Wells
Replicate on what cats imply to us and the various methods they affect our lives with these 3 feline authors.
Sarah Chauncey’s heartfelt P.S. I Love You Extra Than Tuna is a touching celebration of our bond with our cats, illustrated by Francis Tremblay. Claw This Journal: An Exercise Guide for Cats and Their People by Sassafras Patterdale (Lowrey) is full of crafts, coaching, and actions and a deep understanding of cats’ emotional wellbeing. Within the newest within the Sunday Occasions bestselling collection, Alfie the cat is making ready for a purrfect festive present when issues go flawed, in Alfie the Christmas Cat by Rachel Wells.
We talked about:
- The story of how PS I Love You Extra Than Tuna took place (and the Easter eggs within the e-book)
- How this e-book is designed to be given away, and the way giving turned a part of Sarah’s course of
- The position {that a} Muse Medallion from the Cat Author’s Affiliation for an article by Sassafras performed in making Claw This Journal come about
- The vary of actions within the e-book (and which of them are Sassafras’s favourites)
- Why Rachel began writing the Alfie the Cat collection, and the themes behind Alfie the Christmas Cat
- What it is prefer to maintain a feline character and their supporting solid over so many books
- And you’ll pay attention to every writer do a studying
Be taught extra in regards to the authors:
Sarah Chauncey: https://www.sarahchauncey.com/
Sassafras Patterdale: https://sassafraspatterdale.com/
Rachel Wells: https://itsacatslifebyrachelwells.substack.com/
The dialog is co-hosted by Zazie Todd and Kristi Benson.
Highlights of the dialog with Sarah Chauncey
Z: Sarah, you’ve got acquired a narrative behind this e-book. Are you able to inform us how the e-book took place?
S: Yeah. In 2016, my cat Hedda, I finally made the choice to have her euthanized. And I used to be not a part of the cat world. And it was devastating, in fact. And some days later, a pal of mine, who I really had often known as a colleague’s husband, despatched me a sketch, and he is from Quebec.
So the notice stated, our love makes you sturdy to maintain you going ahead. That’s what love is about, no? After which it was from Hedda. It was, P.S. I like you greater than Tuna.
And in that second, I had this imaginative and prescient of a present e-book to be given to folks, like a sympathy card however extra, to be given to individuals who have been grieving a cat. In that second, it was not clear that it was going to be cats versus different animals.
After which over the subsequent two days, it simply form of poured out. After which at one level, he pulled away as a result of he had numerous work. However then the subsequent summer season, I used to be requested to foster a feral cat. And I immediately had a thousand Instagram followers who beloved cats, so I believed I might check the concept out with them. That is the story.
Z: Yeah. And so I needed to ask you a bit extra about your course of in writing it, since you stated it simply form of poured out, and there is solely a comparatively brief quantity of textual content in right here, so that you really needed to be fairly exact.
So did you do some planning? If you got here again to work on it once more, did you do a lot planning and enhancing at that time, or how did that occur in each phases?
S: So the day after I acquired Francis’s little sketch, I simply sat down and it was, I used to be on the level, and I believe all of us know this sense of actually wanting. I needed affirmation from Hedda that she felt I had given her a great life. And naturally, I could not actually get that.
And I sat down and I brainstormed, and it simply felt like virtually like she was coming by me. I brainstormed like, 100 completely different moments that people have with their cats. And I despatched it to a bunch of buddies and I stated, are you able to let me know what resonates and what would not?
And I stated, simply give me 5 traces which might be your favourite and your least favourite. And so I narrowed it down. After which after I wound up having all of the followers on Instagram, or at the very least on the time, it appeared like, wow,
I requested them if they might learn it. And so I despatched it out to about 70 extra folks. And each line is designed both to evoke laughter, tears, or simply that poignant oooh.
Z: Yeah, yeah. And the textual content works rather well with the photographs as properly. So what was it like working with an illustrator for it?
S: , usually in publishing they are saying do not carry your personal illustrator, however for me, that was the purpose of the e-book, was to have Francis be the illustrator. He was an artist, not your typical illustrator who attracts the identical picture again and again.
So I believe for him, it was fairly a problem as a result of ultimately we needed to get like 45 pictures finished in a month. And he had by no means fairly labored at that tempo.
And I additionally hadn’t realized how conceptual a few of my traces have been. He is like, I do not understand how to attract this. Inform me what to attract. It is like, that is a great level. He was nice. I used to be sick your entire time we have been engaged on it. I used to be not nice to work with. So he actually did a fantastic job. And it actually got here collectively.
Z: And I do know that Francis included some private touches within the e-book too. So are you able to inform us about these?
S: I solely have the galley right here. So on the quilt that is Francis’ handwriting, and he additionally designed the quilt in order that was form of a pleasant contact. We had type of gone backwards and forwards in regards to the cowl and we weren’t thrilled.
So anyway, this on the very opening web page is definitely the paw print that the vet despatched of Hedda. And so it simply means so much to me to have her little paw print in there. scrolling to.
So it is a line that claims, I beloved the odor of you. And the unique drawing was an open toed, frilly, form of Nineteen Sixties lady slipper. And I actually needed, as with this picture, which is the bathe picture, for the characters to be as common as attainable, to be not gender particular, not race particular. So I requested him to vary the slipper right into a shoe and make it just a little extra impartial.
It turned out, you understand, books are printed on white paper. I actually needed to have a racially ambiguous individual so that everyone might see themselves in it. However as a result of the e-book is printed on white paper and it is a black and white monochrome e-book, we determined to stay with white, or some folks have stated East Asian. However I believe we did fairly properly in not making it actually gender particular.
That is primarily based on a photograph of Ariel when she was about six months outdated. After which that is my favourite. Considered one of my favourite pictures. Okay, the place am I? However simply because you’ll be able to’t see me does not imply I am not right here.
After which talking of Ariel, on the very finish, there’s a line that claims that talks about adopting once more. And he drew just a little. What’s purported to be a tortie for Ariel. So these are little Easter eggs.
Z: Yeah. On your present cat. That is pretty. Thanks for exhibiting us these. And I believe one of many wonderful issues about this e-book is the way it helps folks with their grief.
And the grief on dropping a pet is one thing that we frequently speak about as being disenfranchised. Lots of people who do not have pets do not actually perceive it, though I believe that is altering. And one of many issues I did, as quickly as I might learn this e-book, I acquired some copies and gave them away to buddies who had misplaced their cats.
And I believe lots of people try this. So it’s a reward e-book. However are you able to additionally inform us about how giving is a wider half, is a part of your writing course of?
S: It was a part of the method for this e-book in that in 2011, I found a e-book referred to as 29 Items, how a month of giving can change your life. I did what they prompt, which is to offer one thing away every day. And it would not need to be tangible. It may be persistence.
And it actually was transformative. And it introduced me a lot pleasure, which I didn’t count on, as a result of I grew up in a household the place it is like, you understand, you bought to do stuff for different folks and never by no means for your self, which I completely disagree with.
And this 29 items actually did change my life. So after I had the imaginative and prescient for Tuna, I needed it to learn not solely the one that was grieving, but additionally the giver of the e-book, as a result of it, you understand, we do not have cultural rituals. , they’re beginning to be extra. However we actually do not have numerous rituals round grieving the lack of any pet.
And I needed this to develop into the ritual as a result of it offers the pal or member of the family or colleague a tangible technique to say, look, I get it, and I am sorry.
And it comforts the individual, too. So I appreciated that form of win win.
Highlights of the dialog with Sassafras Patterdale
Ok: So Sassafras, the Claw This Journal, which I like. And I like you could write in it. Like, I like that it prompts you to write down in it. And I like that with the same e-book that you just made for canines too, it is so interactive. There’s one thing about writing.
So Claw This Journal follows the success of your earlier e-book, Chew this Journal. And I do know you gained a Muse medallion from the Cat Writers Affiliation. How did that assist this e-book come about?
S: Yeah, so there was a canopy, really, it was the quilt characteristic story for a difficulty of Catster journal, when Catster was nonetheless round, that I had written that was about methods for cats. And it was very properly obtained and it gained that specific article gained a Muse medallion. And after that occurred, it was the identical 12 months that my two canine trick books, together with Chew This Journal, had been launched.
And when the cat article gained a Muse Medallion, the writer got here to me and so they have been like, however what if we did a cat e-book?
May we do an entire cat e-book? Is there sufficient enrichment actions, methods, issues that we might do? And I used to be like, completely. So it was very a lot a results of having the ability to exhibit on the planet that there was curiosity in cat actions. And the writer noticed the success of that article and that that was the e-book.
Ok: Excellent. So why do you suppose cat guardians ought to take into consideration enrichment extra? It is a large factor within the canine world, however why do cat folks want to consider this?
S: Yeah, it is an enormous factor within the canine world. And I am hoping that we’re attending to a spot that we’re beginning to consider it extra with cats as properly, as a result of it is so necessary to have the ability to present cats with an thrilling, attention-grabbing, sensory wealthy setting to dwell in.
And it is a part of serving to our cats to bond with us, to have extra enjoyable, to only normally have extra engagement of their setting.
Ok: I like that there is so many issues within the e-book you could simply form of slot into your life. Like, issues that I believe you, as a cat individual, you would not essentially suppose, oh, my cat likes working water. Like, I might flip the faucet on for them. I like the way it’s simply a part of on a regular basis life, however actually making issues higher for the cat.
So are you able to give us some examples of the vary of actions which might be within the e-book?
S: Yeah. So I actually needed there to be a wide range of actions that would work for individuals who, to your level, have been like, I’ve by no means considered this. I am in all probability not going to exit and, like, retool my total, like, house setting to love, create some type of, you understand, large enrichment jungle gem for my cat.
So I needed to incorporate actions that folks might do with issues they already had round the home. So utilizing, you understand, the faucet water, utilizing supply bins or cereal bins to create a sensory scent sport for his or her cats. So issues like that each one the best way to design and construct a patio or let’s do crafts collectively.
I actually tried to create a spread of actions to satisfy completely different readers.
Ok: Good. Simply this morning, I noticed a reel on Fb, somebody was making a charcuterie board. She’s like, Saturday evening, I am in with my cats. I am making them a charcuterie board. And it was all about how they make the motion all engaging. I used to be like, proper on, charcuterie board.
Are you able to inform us extra about your favourite actions within the e-book?
S: Oh, yeah. , I believe that my favourite actions actually are rooted in fascinated with sensory enrichment for cats. So how are you aware? How are they experiencing the world? Like, contact, odor, issues like that.
So one factor that I actually get pleasure from, making a pure sensory field. So going exterior and bringing in dried leaves or issues like that that you just’re discovering exterior and placing them in a field and letting your cat spot them.
Or making a fishing sport. That is a messy one, however, you understand, in a toilet on a kitchen flooring and having a type of a bath you could put some quantity of water in and waterproof cat toys and letting your cat fish them out. I believe it’s totally, very enjoyable.
Ok: I like that. Yeah. So if somebody desires to enhance their bond with their cat, what sort of recommendation would you give them?
S: I believe my greatest recommendation is to essentially have a look at the cat that you’ve got in entrance of you. That is one thing that I speak so much about within the e-book. What does your cat get pleasure from? What does your cat discover enriching or playful or, you understand, what are they keen on? After which discover methods to carry extra of that into your cat’s life.
Ok: I adore it. Earlier than we began the session, we have been speaking about how my cat Apricat likes to tear sticky notes down from my pc display screen. So I believe if I have been going to write down a high 10 listing for him… And keyboards. What’s it about keyboards?
S: They make such a satisfying little clicky, clacky noise. It is actually enjoyable.
Highlights of the dialog with Rachel Wells
Z: So Alfie the Christmas Cat is definitely a part of a protracted collection of books now. It follows alongside from just a few different Alfie the Cat books. Are you able to return to when this began and inform us how the primary Alfie the Cat e-book took place?
R: Sure, in fact. And first off, I might prefer to apologize for being on right here and saying the Christmas phrase as a result of I do know it is September, so I do really feel fairly unhealthy about that as a result of I am not prepared to speak about Christmas. However anyway, it is simply that it is the newest within the collection.
I began writing the Alfie the Doorstep Cat collection… Gosh, you understand, about 10 years in the past. I’ve at all times been a cat lover, and I’ve at all times written fiction, so it was type of a wedding of the 2. Plus the truth that earlier than that I might been writing perhaps primarily type of like up to date romance and I used to be going by a divorce And I hated males on the time. Or I hated that one anyway.
So, a cat appeared like a safer guess for me. , I’ve at all times needed to write down in regards to the cats I’ve had in my life, all through my life, from after I was born. And so Alfie, the doorstep cat, appeared to be a type of embodiment of all of that.
Z: Good. And so within the e-book, we’ve got to speak about Christmas, as a result of Alfie has to save lots of Christmas. So with out giving us any spoilers, what are you able to inform us about what this specific Alfie e-book is about?
R: Yeah, so all through the collection, Alfie’s at all times type of fixing issues and fixing issues. That is the form of cat he’s. And on this one, he has to save lots of Christmas.
To place a little bit of context, the youthful human beings in his life wish to do a nativity present in the neighborhood to carry the neighborhood collectively and to lift cash for a homeless charity. However any person is out to sabotage it, and somebody, which finally ends up being Alfie, has to find who that’s and save the present.
Z: And so Alfie is a really particular cat. Now you even have a cat referred to as Alfie?
R: I do.
Z: However you stated earlier than that the fictional cat Alfie is an amalgamation of cats that you’ve got recognized in your life. So how have these actual cats influenced the fictional Alfie?
R: I believe my bond with cats all through my life has at all times been actually sturdy, however every cat I’ve had has had a really distinct character as we have been simply speaking about.
However, for instance, there’s the ingredient in Alfie of the cat who selected us. We had a kitten that saved coming to our home, and it turned out he was a farm kitten or purported to be a farm kitten, did not wish to be a farm kitten, needed to be pampered.
And so he saved coming again and we saved having to take him again to the farm. And ultimately, I begged, begged, begged my mother and father to steer the farmer’s spouse to allow us to hold him. And we did, and we had him for over 18 years. That was Tigger.
In order that was type of, that entire premise of cats selecting their people, selecting their properties, selecting their environments.
And, I imply, cats are good, and should you hearken to them and should you search for the indicators, you understand, they actually do type of. I do not know, I discover them very inspiring in on a regular basis life.
And that is one other factor that each one the cats I’ve had have had. I’ve had cats who have been actually affectionate, those that have been very aloof. And I’ve managed to place all these characters someplace into the books and that is been actually pretty for me, for my journey.
Z: Mm. I believe that is actually pretty. And I believe it helps make Alfie appear so actual as properly. And one of many issues I like about Alfie is that he cares. Like, he actually cares.
And many individuals really feel that their very own cat helps them in some methods. And clearly on this e-book, Alfie really goes and saves Christmas. So do you suppose that serving to theme is a part of what makes the Alfie e-book so relatable? And in addition, are you able to inform us one thing in regards to the themes of the e-book in relation to that as properly?
R: Yeah, I imply, the factor is, all through the collection, they’ve at all times been about type of serving to how cats might help people, as a result of, you understand, when we’ve got a pet, we give them every part, however really they provide us much more than every part. That is type of the premise that I base that on.
And all through the collection, it is at all times been about kindness, being type and serving to, and taking a look at loneliness, taking a look at points that we actually face and type of utilizing a cat’s cat’s view.
And by the best way, that is fiction, so if I sound loopy, I’ve a get out of loopy clause, which is its fiction. However so all these are themes that stick with it.
Alfie could be very type, however he is additionally fairly smug, in a stunning manner. He thinks he is nice and he does have just a few feedback. He will get into scrapes, you understand. He almost drowned as soon as as a result of he was so mesmerized by his personal reflection.
So it is not simply all hearts and flowers, however it’s the journey of this cat that does actually change folks’s lives, as I consider all our cats and canines do.
So, you understand, and there’s a canine really that comes into the e-book, which is within the Christmas e-book, got here in a bit later. So it is not simply cat centric, however it is rather cat.
Z: It is vitally cat. And I believe that is excellent for these of us who love cats and so not loopy in any respect, as a result of everybody who loves cats form of feels that manner about them anyway.
And Alfie’s really been delighting readers for a very long time. So what’s it prefer to maintain a personality like Alfie and in addition, you understand, a few of his supporting solid over so many books?
R: I believe the issue that we’ve got, and I am attending to now. seven, eight books into the collection, is that there is some characters which have at all times been within the books. However clearly to have new tales, it’s important to introduce new characters. So one of many type of risks is that you find yourself with like one million characters. And it is only a e-book crammed with names, and everybody’s like, I do not know who anybody is. In order that’s been one in every of my major challenges.
One other problem I confronted was I actually needed to cope with points that we have talked about right this moment, like grief. And so I used the lack of a cat in one of many tales, and many folks have by no means forgiven me for that. In order that was an attention-grabbing studying curve, however it was a manner of claiming, you understand, our cats miss their companions if we lose a pet in addition to us, you understand, I needed to type of do it from that perspective.
Do not try this. I nonetheless get hate mail.
So the challenges are at all times retaining a brand new story, retaining it recent. However Alfie has develop into a lot bigger than life in my. , in my life. It is virtually like he’s actual. So he type of virtually comes up together with his personal tales.
Z: I can think about that. And it is humorous as a result of yesterday we had a session with crime and thriller writers, and a kind of books begins with some canines being poisoned. And the writer stated, the very very first thing he stated was, not one of the canines die. The canines are all okay.
R: Yeah, and I believe that is an necessary message and it pertains to Sarah’s e-book as properly, that grief is actual. And the grief is there for the cats as properly. Not less than for some cats, anyway.
I imply, that is the opposite factor. I grew up with cats and canines, and once we misplaced one, it was painful for the household, however it was very painful for his or her companion, their animal companion as properly. And I do not suppose that ever will get thought of. It doesn’t ever get thought of.
However that is one thing that I believe we have to increase consciousness of. In order that. That is what I did there.
The interview highlights have been frivolously edited for content material and elegance.
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