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666thylacinus666's review against another edition
3.0
I found this to be a rather light book- while dealing with some darker life subjects (addiction, obesity, the loss of a pet.) It was a positive memoir chock full of cat owner tips and tricks.
labunnywtf's review against another edition
5.0
::grabs you by your lapels::
WHO LET ME LISTEN TO THIS AUDIOBOOK AT WORK?! WHY DID THEY NOT STOP ME AND SAY, "WTF ARE YOU THINKING?!"
Do you know what it is to be in a professional work setting bawling your eyes out silently while still working? Thank the cods I sit at the front where people's view of me is limited. Bah.
I'd never heard of My Cat From Hell until I was at my mother's house one night and it was on. She had attempted to tell me some of what she'd learned from watching it, such as tree dwellers vs bush dwellers, which, as a cat owner nearly from birth, I basically went, "uh huh" and blew her off. She demanded I pause to watch the show one night, and I took one look at Jackson Galaxy and went, "Wait..."
As someone who grew up knowing absolutely zero males who liked cats, I find a man who loves felines extremely sexy. There is a very obvious joke to make here, let's let it slide. Add in the cue ball head, tattoos, and piercings, and I was rapidly googling to see if he was married. (Goddamit.)
Over the years, I've seen and heard so many wonderful things about this man. I didn't need to know his back story. Watching the show told me all I needed to know. His way with cats was nothing short of magical. His heart was always in the right spot, and he cared more about the animals than appeasing the owners, which made me want to call him to exorcise the demons out of my cats, who are not nearly as bad as some of the cases on his show.
This book has elevated my opinion of him, which I didn't think was possible. For one thing, for all the tears this book wrung out of me, I laughed so often that I think my coworkers thought I was having some weird manic episode of both tears and choked down laughter in the course of two days. The story of cutting off his dreadlocks and flinging them at asshole neighbors. The first time he had to break up a real cat fight. The night of the 45 kisses, where he was wanting to curse at the cat to let him comfort her, dammit.
Reading his story, from the lowest of the low to finally finding that one thing that was going to make him want to live. His story is not all that unique, struggling musician with personal demons who turns to drugs and alcohol to quiet his mind. He takes small throw away jobs to earn rent so he can keep working to be a rockstar. And when he's turned down for a job working for an animal shelter, something clicks, and he's mad. And he wants in.
And eventually he gets in, and everything goes upside down. In the best possible way.
Bennie the cat. The description of Bennie's injuries, the description of Bennie looking down at himself as though he were a reincarnated bus driver who has just discovered he was reborn as a cat. I loved everything about Bennie, and wanted more and more. Loved Jackson's stories, but can we get back to what Bennie is doing?
Jackson's story is interwoven through the book of Bennie, and it's glorious. I was crying over the story of Jackson putting down animals, and why no kill shelters are preferable, but shelters that put animals down are not to be vilified. Enter Bennie, stage left, and I felt like this book would NOT rip my heart out and stomp on it, because Bennie.
I won't even talk about the end of the book. Fuck the end of the book.
Interwoven throughout, and included at the end, are Jackson's instructions that he gives and practices in every episode of MCFH. Some I knew, some I'd never heard. My cats are seemingly impervious to the "I love you" blink. Perhaps because they know they've already made me completely subservient to them.
I genuinely cannot recommend this book enough, especially if you're a cat lover.
Just don't read it in public.
Audiobook received via Edelweiss in exchange for a fair review.
WHO LET ME LISTEN TO THIS AUDIOBOOK AT WORK?! WHY DID THEY NOT STOP ME AND SAY, "WTF ARE YOU THINKING?!"
Do you know what it is to be in a professional work setting bawling your eyes out silently while still working? Thank the cods I sit at the front where people's view of me is limited. Bah.
I'd never heard of My Cat From Hell until I was at my mother's house one night and it was on. She had attempted to tell me some of what she'd learned from watching it, such as tree dwellers vs bush dwellers, which, as a cat owner nearly from birth, I basically went, "uh huh" and blew her off. She demanded I pause to watch the show one night, and I took one look at Jackson Galaxy and went, "Wait..."
As someone who grew up knowing absolutely zero males who liked cats, I find a man who loves felines extremely sexy. There is a very obvious joke to make here, let's let it slide. Add in the cue ball head, tattoos, and piercings, and I was rapidly googling to see if he was married. (Goddamit.)
Over the years, I've seen and heard so many wonderful things about this man. I didn't need to know his back story. Watching the show told me all I needed to know. His way with cats was nothing short of magical. His heart was always in the right spot, and he cared more about the animals than appeasing the owners, which made me want to call him to exorcise the demons out of my cats, who are not nearly as bad as some of the cases on his show.
This book has elevated my opinion of him, which I didn't think was possible. For one thing, for all the tears this book wrung out of me, I laughed so often that I think my coworkers thought I was having some weird manic episode of both tears and choked down laughter in the course of two days. The story of cutting off his dreadlocks and flinging them at asshole neighbors. The first time he had to break up a real cat fight. The night of the 45 kisses, where he was wanting to curse at the cat to let him comfort her, dammit.
Reading his story, from the lowest of the low to finally finding that one thing that was going to make him want to live. His story is not all that unique, struggling musician with personal demons who turns to drugs and alcohol to quiet his mind. He takes small throw away jobs to earn rent so he can keep working to be a rockstar. And when he's turned down for a job working for an animal shelter, something clicks, and he's mad. And he wants in.
And eventually he gets in, and everything goes upside down. In the best possible way.
Bennie the cat. The description of Bennie's injuries, the description of Bennie looking down at himself as though he were a reincarnated bus driver who has just discovered he was reborn as a cat. I loved everything about Bennie, and wanted more and more. Loved Jackson's stories, but can we get back to what Bennie is doing?
Jackson's story is interwoven through the book of Bennie, and it's glorious. I was crying over the story of Jackson putting down animals, and why no kill shelters are preferable, but shelters that put animals down are not to be vilified. Enter Bennie, stage left, and I felt like this book would NOT rip my heart out and stomp on it, because Bennie.
I won't even talk about the end of the book. Fuck the end of the book.
Interwoven throughout, and included at the end, are Jackson's instructions that he gives and practices in every episode of MCFH. Some I knew, some I'd never heard. My cats are seemingly impervious to the "I love you" blink. Perhaps because they know they've already made me completely subservient to them.
I genuinely cannot recommend this book enough, especially if you're a cat lover.
Just don't read it in public.
Audiobook received via Edelweiss in exchange for a fair review.
thebookhaze's review against another edition
3.0
I'm a huge fan of Jackson Galaxy's TV show, My Cat From Hell, and I love cats (obviously), so when I found this book at a book sale, I decided that I had to get it and read more about him.
What I liked about Jackson from his TV show is that he is compassionate and authentic, he wears his heart on a sleeve and isn't afraid to show his feelings. He also seems really open-minded and makes an effort to understand his clients and their interests, educating them about their cats in language that they can understand. Reading this book, he mentions that he's an oversensitive person and I can definitely see that about him from the show.
I also really admire his journey, the addictions and the tough time he had coming out of them, and of course, I love the stories he tells about his cats and his experience with the Cat I Love You blink. It was difficult reading about some of his self-destructive behaviors, and about shelter work and how some pet owners really shouldn't be pet owners at all. The tips spread throughout the book were really helpful too.
My only complaint is that there were parts of the book where the writing got a little complicated in terms of language and description, and they were a little tedious to get through. Other than that, I really enjoyed the book and getting to know more about Jackson Galaxy's story.
What I liked about Jackson from his TV show is that he is compassionate and authentic, he wears his heart on a sleeve and isn't afraid to show his feelings. He also seems really open-minded and makes an effort to understand his clients and their interests, educating them about their cats in language that they can understand. Reading this book, he mentions that he's an oversensitive person and I can definitely see that about him from the show.
I also really admire his journey, the addictions and the tough time he had coming out of them, and of course, I love the stories he tells about his cats and his experience with the Cat I Love You blink. It was difficult reading about some of his self-destructive behaviors, and about shelter work and how some pet owners really shouldn't be pet owners at all. The tips spread throughout the book were really helpful too.
My only complaint is that there were parts of the book where the writing got a little complicated in terms of language and description, and they were a little tedious to get through. Other than that, I really enjoyed the book and getting to know more about Jackson Galaxy's story.
mokadet's review against another edition
3.0
As a cat person with an interest in shelter medicine, I enjoyed it. Don't know how much will translate to the average person.
emiliefox's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book, from the second I started it. So many synchronicities for me, from the obvious cat lover (duh!) to the 7th Grade pencil tattoo on our right palms (still my first!) to the Rhodesian ridgeback to . . . Well it goes on and on. If you love cats, animals of any kind who end up in shelters, or if you are interested in empathic communication, cosmic puzzle-piece universe messages, and great storytelling that will make you alternately laugh and cry, read this fabulous book!! Benny was a wonderful cat, a crotchety teacher, much like my polydactyl tuxedo cat Smoo. I only wish I had been more awake for that boy in his lifetime and especially his final days. Mr. Galaxy I think we are soulmates on some level, thank you for sharing this story with the world. Going to go see if I can find any episodes of "My Cat From Hell" to check out!!
erinbbookclub's review against another edition
3.0
Sometimes emotional, sometimes hilarious - this book is a lot like getting to know a cat! It was interesting to hear more of the Jackson Galaxy back story while gaining some small insights into cat behavior.
I enjoyed listening to this book while doing things around the house. Since Jackson reads it, you hear it how it was meant to be shared.
I enjoyed listening to this book while doing things around the house. Since Jackson reads it, you hear it how it was meant to be shared.
fatexfellxshort's review against another edition
5.0
I read this after losing my girl Reno after 20 years. I related to Jackson's experience of loving his cat so deeply and wanting the best for them. I don't want to give away anything, but if you love cats I recommend this book.
booknerd_therapist's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
I won Cat Daddy at a fundraiser for the Humane Society and I had no idea just how amazing of a person Jackson Galaxy truly is. My Cat From Hell kind of showed him as a one-dimensional cat whisperer and not much else.... from this book, I learned that he is a second generation Romani immigrant, is Jewish, has spent most of his life battling addiction (almost died a couple times), and is a deeply spiritual and empathic person. It is not just his autobiography, but a love letter to the cat that changed his life. (And.... cue tears as I think about my furry guardian angel, Peaches ðŸ˜) Absolutely, 1000% worth the read for cat lovers and recovering addicts alike.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Addiction, Drug use, and Self harm
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Cursing, and Excrement