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Copyright 2016 by Heather Green.
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Green, Heather, 1967, author.
Title: To catch a cat : how three stray kittens rescued me / by Heather Green.
Description: Berkley trade paperback edition. | New York : Berkley Books, 2016.
Identifiers: LCCN 2016005368 (print) | LCCN 2016020405 (ebook) | ISBN 9780425281987 | ISBN 9780698197978 ()
Subjects: LCSH: Feral catsNew JerseyUnion CityAnecdotes. | Cat rescueNew JerseyUnion CityAnecdotes. | Kittens New JerseyUnion CityAnecdotes. | Green, Heather, 1967
Classification: LCC SF450 .G74 2016 (print) | LCC SF450 (ebook) | DDC
636.8/0709749dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2016005368
PUBLISHING HISTORY
Berkley trade paperback edition / July 2016
Cover design by Judith Murello.
Author photo by Matthew P. Greer.
Some names and identifying characteristics have been changed to protect the privacy of the individuals involved.
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Version_1
For Lily, after all
Acknowledgments
I never thought Id write a book. Im a business writer by training. But I knew Id never have the patience to spend months chronicling the rise (or fall) of the latest tech titan and how their entrepreneurial bent was clear from the first lemonade stand they ran at age four. (Theres always a lemonade stand...) And then along came some kittens.
Still, nothing I typed would have amounted to much without the help and encouragement of a crowd of people. Starting with my agent, Lindsay Edgecombe at Levine Greenberg Rostan Literary Agency. My book may be about cute, tumbling kittens, but Lindsay is savvy, smart, and practicalexactly the foil I needed. Lindsay helped me shape and sharpen my book so it could become more than just a tale about rescuing cats. She and Stephanie Rostan, who first signed me, encouraged me to keep writing when my first attempts missed the mark, believing in my story and our ability to work together to create something a broad audience could connect with. Lindsay is the agent for todays world, committed to working on every aspect of a book, from story arc to marketing, with a deft and true literary eye.
I am incredibly grateful to Allison Janice, my editor at the Berkley Publishing Group, who believed in my cat story and who improved it with thoughtful insight. Allison was patient when I most needed understanding and ready to attack when the book needed it. The best editor is the one who can help you figure out how to get on the page whats in your head, all in your own words. Allison is that kind of an editor. She is a dedicated, smart, and devoted reader. I knew from the very first notes she gave me that I was lucky to be working with her and the folks at Berkley. I appreciate the chance she and Berkley gave me to share this story and to bring out the best in this book.
A big thank-you and lots of kitty emojis to my cat people. It takes a villageor many villages, including Jersey City, Hoboken, Weehawken, and Union City. Jersey Strong! (I never thought Id say that.) Carol McNichol at Companion Animal Trust and Patty Drumgoole, Hoboken rescuer extraordinaire, are the toughest rescuers I know. You represent the front lines to me and Ill never understand how you keep going strong despite the heartache. I love your resilience, your take-no-prisoners attitude, and your deep empathy. Joan Doljan truly is a diplomat who plainly sees the faults in humans, but also their well-meaning desire to do what they can for cats. Robin Murphy at Companion Animal Placement is directly responsible for saving the lives and improving the well-being of so many cats and easing the burden of so many rescuers. Beverly Parsons at Jersey Cats, thank you for every time you said yes to taking on one more of our cats and finding them wonderful homes. You made it possible for us to rescue so many more. Veena Prakash, your doggedness and clear-eyed understanding of people helps you navigate the complicated world of rescue groups so that you can help our Union City kitties. Erica Huddy, you ushered me back into a second round of cat rescuing after Lily was born through your compassion, your strong will, and your ability to get things done. Athina Glindmeyer, I adore your optimism, energy, humor, and entrepreneurial spirit. Shout-out to Rukas the cat! I still dont understand how, without an opposable thumb, you manage to crochet all those bow ties.
Im especially thankful, however, to Alisha Smilovitz. Alisha, youre the most clear-eyed, big-hearted, irreverent cat rescuer I ever had the pleasure to know. The compassion you bring to understanding people and cats taught me so much about cats, other people, and myself. You are patient, intelligent, and kind. I am grateful to know you. I am also grateful that Carol McNichol and Mike Phillips brought Jean Long into my life. Jean, every day you throw yourself back into the fray, facing the saddest task there is in the rescue world. Thank you for your friendship and patience.
Im lucky to have Steve Baker, remarkable writer and globetrotter extraordinaire, as a friend and a first reader. Your encouragement that I should write a book and your example in throwing yourself into publishing inspired me. Your suggestions and line edits were immensely helpful, but it was just your overall optimism and faith that inspired me. Thank you as well to Alice Peck for all the hard work and guidance you gave me in helping me rethink my book and believe in it again.
A huge thanks to my dear friends Debra Sparks, Mara Der Hovanesian, Debbie Becher, Jennifer Weil, Tevis Trower, and Alex Walker, who listened to me as I tried to work out different pieces of this story; read many, many different versions of this book; and just generally had my back. I owe every one of you a drink.
I am immensely grateful to my parents, Carolyn and Bud Green. You both taught me what commitment to family means (though it took me long enough to apply that to my own little trio!). Dad, one of my strongest memories from childhood is you sitting on the kitchen stairs at the farm when I was in middle school, intently reading some of my earnest poems and saying how great you thought they were. Your interest and pride in what I was thinking and feeling gave me the room to think I could do anything. Mommy dearest, you are always there for me and you support me no matter what. Knowing that made it possible for me to try so many things. Thank you for that kind of love and the appreciation you taught me for finding a voice in writing, which I see in everything you write.