Our Bond with Cats with Sarah Chauncey, Sassafras Patterdale, and Rachel Wells

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.

By Zazie Todd, PhD

This web page comprises affiliate hyperlinks which suggests I’ll earn a fee on qualifying purchases for free of charge to you. 

Our Bond with Cats with Sarah Chauncey, Sassafras Patterdale, and Rachel Wells at Bark! Fest

Bark! Fest, the ebook pageant for animal lovers, passed off in
September 2024. I organized it to have a good time the launch of my new ebook, Bark! The Science of Serving to Your Anxious, Fearful, or Reactive Canine, which is out now and accessible 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 possibly can watch the panel on Youtube or beneath, hear wherever you get your podcasts (Apple, Spotify) or beneath, or maintain studying to do each of these issues and browse a transcript of the highlights. 

Get the books

All the Bark! Fest books can be found wherever books are bought, together with from Bookshop (which helps unbiased bookstores), UK Bookshop, and my Amazon retailer. 

The dialog with Sarah Chauncey, Sassafras Patterdale, and Rachel Wells

Mirror 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 E book for Cats and Their People by Sassafras Patterdale (Lowrey) is filled with 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 getting ready for a purrfect festive present when issues go fallacious, in Alfie the Christmas Cat by Rachel Wells. 

We talked about:

The story of how PS I Love You Extra Than Tuna happened (and the Easter eggs within the ebook)How this ebook is designed to be given away, and the way giving turned a part of Sarah’s processThe function {that a} Muse Medallion from the Cat Author’s Affiliation for an article by Sassafras performed in making Claw This Journal come aboutThe vary of actions within the ebook (and which of them are Sassafras’s favourites)Why Rachel began writing the Alfie the Cat collection, and the themes behind Alfie the Christmas CatWhat it is wish to maintain a feline character and their supporting solid over so many booksAnd you’ll be able to hear to every writer do a studying

Study 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 have received a narrative behind this ebook. Are you able to inform us how the ebook happened?

S:  Yeah. In 2016, my cat Hedda, I ultimately made the choice to have her euthanized. And I used to be not a part of the cat world. And it was devastating, after all. And some days later, a buddy of mine, who I truly had often called a colleague’s husband, despatched me a sketch, and he is from Quebec.

So the be aware mentioned, 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 really like you greater than Tuna.

And in that second, I had this imaginative and prescient of a present ebook to be given to individuals, like a sympathy card however extra, to be given to individuals who had 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 type of poured out. After which at one level, he pulled away as a result of he had plenty of work. However then the subsequent summer season, I used to be requested to foster a feral cat. And I instantly had a thousand Instagram followers who liked cats, so I believed I might take a look at 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 mentioned it simply type of poured out, and there is solely a comparatively quick quantity of textual content in right here, so that you truly needed to be fairly exact.

So did you do some planning? Whenever 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 received Francis’s little sketch, I simply sat down and it was, I used to be on the level, and I feel all of us know this sense of actually wanting. I needed affirmation from Hedda that she felt I had given her a very good 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 via me. I brainstormed like, 100 completely different moments that people have with their cats. And I despatched it to a bunch of mates and I mentioned, are you able to let me know what resonates and what does not?

And I mentioned, simply give me 5 strains which can 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 not less than 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 individuals. 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 nicely. So what was it like working with an illustrator for it?

S: You already know, usually in publishing they are saying do not carry your individual illustrator, however for me, that was the purpose of the ebook, 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 feel for him, it was fairly a problem as a result of ultimately we needed to get like 45 photos completed 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 strains had been. He is like, I do not understand how to attract this. Inform me what to attract. It is like, that is a very good level. He was nice. I used to be sick the complete time we had been engaged on it. I used to be not nice to work with. So he actually did an amazing job. And it actually got here collectively. 

Z: And I do know that Francis included some private touches within the ebook 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 type 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 rather a lot to me to have her little paw print in there. scrolling to. 

So it is a line that claims, I liked the odor of you. And the unique drawing was an open toed, frilly, type 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 alter the slipper right into a shoe and make it just a little extra impartial.

It turned out, you already know, books are printed on white paper. I actually needed to have a racially ambiguous particular person so that everyone may see themselves in it. However as a result of the ebook is printed on white paper and it is a black and white monochrome ebook, we determined to stay with white, or some individuals have mentioned East Asian. However I feel we did fairly nicely in not making it actually gender particular. 

That is based mostly on a photograph of Ariel when she was about six months outdated. After which that is my favourite. Considered one of my favourite photos. 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 alleged to be a tortie for Ariel. So these are little Easter eggs.

Z: Yeah. To your present cat. That is beautiful. Thanks for displaying us these. And I feel one of many superb issues about this ebook is the way it helps individuals with their grief.

And the grief on dropping a pet is one thing that we regularly discuss as being disenfranchised. Lots of people who do not have pets do not actually perceive it, though I feel that is altering. And one of many issues I did, as quickly as I might learn this ebook, I received some copies and gave them away to mates who had misplaced their cats.

And I feel lots of people do this. So it’s a present ebook. 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 ebook in that in 2011, I found a ebook known as 29 Presents, how a month of giving can change your life. I did what they recommended, which is to present one thing away every day. And it does not must be tangible. It may be persistence.

And it actually was transformative. And it introduced me a lot pleasure, which I didn’t anticipate, as a result of I grew up in a household the place it is like, you already know, you bought to do stuff for different individuals and never by no means for your self, which I completely disagree with.

And this 29 presents actually did change my life. So after I had the imaginative and prescient for Tuna, I needed it to profit not solely the one who was grieving, but additionally the giver of the ebook, as a result of it, you already know, we do not have cultural rituals. You already know, they’re beginning to be extra. However we actually do not have plenty of rituals round grieving the lack of any pet.

And I needed this to turn into the ritual as a result of it offers the buddy or member of the family or colleague a tangible solution to say, look, I get it, and I am sorry.

And it comforts the particular person, too. So I favored that type of win win.

Highlights of the dialog with Sassafras Patterdale

Ok: So Sassafras, the Claw This Journal, which I really like. And I really like that you would be able to write in it. Like, I really like that it prompts you to write down in it. And I really like that with the same ebook 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 ebook, Chew this Journal. And I do know you received a Muse medallion from the Cat Writers Affiliation. How did that assist this ebook come about?

S: Yeah, so there was a canopy, truly, it was the quilt function story for a difficulty of Catster journal, when Catster was nonetheless round, that I had written that was about tips for cats. And it was very nicely acquired and it received that exact article received a Muse medallion. And after that occurred, it was the identical yr that my two canine trick books, together with Chew This Journal, had been launched. 

And when the cat article received a Muse Medallion, the writer got here to me and so they had been like, however what if we did a cat ebook?

May we do a complete cat ebook? Is there sufficient enrichment actions, tips, issues that we may do? And I used to be like, completely. So it was very a lot a results of having the ability to display on the earth that there was curiosity in cat actions. And the writer noticed the success of that article and that that was the ebook.

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 individuals 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 nicely, as a result of it is so essential to have the ability to present cats with an thrilling, attention-grabbing, sensory wealthy atmosphere to stay in.

And it is a part of serving to our cats to bond with us, to have extra enjoyable, to only on the whole have extra engagement of their atmosphere.

Ok: I really like that there is so many issues within the ebook that you would be able to simply type of slot into your life. Like, issues that I feel you, as a cat particular person, you would not essentially suppose, oh, my cat likes working water. Like, I may flip the faucet on for them. I really 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 can be within the ebook?

S: Yeah. So I actually needed there to be a wide range of actions that might work for individuals who, to your level, had been like, I’ve by no means considered this. I am most likely not going to exit and, like, retool my complete, like, house atmosphere to love, create some type of, you already know, large enrichment jungle gem for my cat.

So I needed to incorporate actions that individuals may do with issues they already had round the home. So utilizing, you already know, the faucet water, utilizing supply bins or cereal bins to create a sensory scent sport for his or her cats. So issues like that every one the way in which 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 night time, I am in with my cats. I am making them a charcuterie board. And it was all about how they make the motion all enticing. I used to be like, proper on, charcuterie board.

Are you able to inform us extra about your favourite actions within the ebook?

S: Oh, yeah. You already know, I feel that my favourite actions actually are rooted in serious about 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 take pleasure in, 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 already know, in a rest room on a kitchen ground and having a type of a bathtub that you would be able to put some quantity of water in and waterproof cat toys and letting your cat fish them out. I feel it is very, very enjoyable.

Ok: I really like that. Yeah. So if somebody desires to enhance their bond with their cat, what sort of recommendation would you give them?

S: I feel my greatest recommendation is to essentially take a look at the cat that you’ve got in entrance of you. That is one thing that I speak rather a lot about within the ebook. What does your cat take pleasure in? What does your cat discover enriching or playful or, you already know, what are they curious about? 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 had been speaking about how my cat Apricat likes to tear sticky notes down from my pc display. So I feel if I had been going to write down a prime 10 record 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 a couple of different Alfie the Cat books. Are you able to return to when this began and inform us how the primary Alfie the Cat ebook happened?

R: Sure, after all. And first off, I might wish 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 already know, 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 via 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. You already know, 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, gave the impression to be a type of embodiment of all of that.

Z: Sensible. And so within the ebook, we have now 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 ebook is about?

R: Yeah, so all through the collection, Alfie’s at all times type of fixing issues and fixing issues. That is the type 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 need to do a nativity present in the neighborhood to carry the group collectively and to lift cash for a homeless charity. However someone 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 known as Alfie? 

R: I do. 

Z: However you mentioned 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 feel 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 persona as we had been simply speaking about.

However, for instance, there’s the factor in Alfie of the cat who selected us. We had a kitten that stored coming to our home, and it turned out he was a farm kitten or alleged to be a farm kitten, did not need to be a farm kitten, needed to be pampered.

And so he stored coming again and we stored having to take him again to the farm. And ultimately, I begged, begged, begged my mother and father to influence the farmer’s spouse to allow us to maintain him. And we did, and we had him for over 18 years. That was Tigger. 

In order that was type of, that complete premise of cats selecting their people, selecting their houses, selecting their environments.

And, I imply, cats are sensible, and when you hearken to them and when you search for the indicators, you already know, 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 every one the cats I’ve had have had. I’ve had cats who had been actually affectionate, those that had been very aloof. And I’ve managed to place all these characters someplace into the books and that is been actually beautiful for me, for my journey.

Z: Mm. I feel that is actually beautiful. And I feel it helps make Alfie appear so actual as nicely. And one of many issues I really 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 ebook, Alfie truly goes and saves Christmas. So do you suppose that serving to theme is a part of what makes the Alfie ebook so relatable? And likewise, are you able to inform us one thing in regards to the themes of the ebook in relation to that as nicely?

R: Yeah, I imply, the factor is, all through the collection, they’ve at all times been about type of serving to how cats will help people, as a result of, you already know, when we have now a pet, we give them every thing, however truly they provide us much more than every thing. 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 way in which, 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 may be very type, however he is additionally fairly conceited, in a beautiful means. He thinks he is nice and he does have a couple of feedback. He will get into scrapes, you already know. 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, nevertheless it’s the journey of this cat that does actually change individuals’s lives, as I imagine all our cats and canines do.

So, you already know, and there’s a canine truly that comes into the ebook, which is within the Christmas ebook, got here in a bit later. So it is not simply cat centric, however it is rather cat.

Z: It is extremely cat. And I feel that is good for these of us who love cats and so not loopy in any respect, as a result of everybody who loves cats type of feels that means about them anyway.

And Alfie’s truly been delighting readers for a very long time. So what’s it wish to maintain a personality like Alfie and likewise, you already know, a few of his supporting solid over so many books?

R: I feel the issue that we have now, 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, you must 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 ebook stuffed with names, and everybody’s like, I do not know who anybody is. In order that’s been one in every of my most important challenges.

One other problem I confronted was I actually needed to take care of 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 individuals have by no means forgiven me for that. In order that was an attention-grabbing studying curve, nevertheless it was a means of claiming, you already know, our cats miss their companions if we lose a pet in addition to us, you already know, I needed to type of do it from that perspective.

Do not do this. I nonetheless get hate mail. 

So the challenges are at all times holding a brand new story, holding it contemporary. However Alfie has turn into a lot bigger than life in my. You already know, 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 mentioned, the very very first thing he mentioned was, not one of the canines die. The canines are all okay.

R: Yeah, and I feel that is an essential message and it pertains to Sarah’s ebook as nicely, that grief is actual. And the grief is there for the cats as nicely. At the least 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, nevertheless it was very painful for his or her companion, their animal companion as nicely. And I do not suppose that ever will get thought-about. It doesn’t ever get thought-about.

However that is one thing that I feel we have to elevate consciousness of. In order that. That is what I did there.

The interview highlights have been calmly edited for content material and elegance.

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