Citizen Mitten: My Life with a Cat My Family Says Was as Nutty as Me

by: William Voedisch

Published by: East Wind Ink

Reviewed by Connie Anderson

Well, cat lovers, here’s your answer to the dog lover’s book, Marley and Me written by John Grogan.

Mitten the kitten belonged to Bill and his family–or as cat lovers know, the cat really was in charge.

One chapter starts with “If you are a cat, don’t misbehave. You might get moved, and your new home may or may not be as good as the one you got kicked out of.” That statement really says so much about rescued animals–cats and dogs. As one who has had two rescued dogs, the idea of an animal living out its life in a better place than they came from is first-rate to me. Bill and his family rescued a lot of cats!

Bill tells story after story about his different cats, but this book focuses on Mitten. Pet owners will enjoy the stories–even if you are not “cat lovers.” The stories are about caring humans and their pets.

Mitten is an orange tabby that was a real character and often challenged his owner’s patience. It is amazing how much we pet lovers tolerate of our pet’s antics.

Not only does Bill write about living with pets–but helping them end their lives–when their suffering exceeds any joy they may have in living another day. This subject is never an easy one to read about, but it is important.

This book feels like Bill wrote these stories for family and friends, and honored his pets by letting us read about them.

Over a 100 million Americans share their homes and lives with a pet, and every one in awhile, you have a “pet of a lifetime,” the one you always tell stories about. This is Mitten

Armchair Interviews says: A very nice read.