Cleo: The Cat Who Mended a Family »

"We're just going to look." Helen Brown had no intention of adopting a pet when she brought her sons, Sam and Rob, to visit a friend's new kittens. But the runt of the litter was irresistible, with her overlarge ears and dainty chin.

When Cleo was delivered weeks later, she had no way of knowing that her new family had just been hit by a tragedy. Helen was sure she couldn't keep her—until she saw something she thought had vanished from the earth forever: her son's smile. The reckless, rambunctious kitten stayed.

Through happiness and heartbreak, changes and new beginnings, Cleo turned out to be the unlikely glue that affectionately held Helen's family together. Rich in wisdom, wit, heart, and healing, here is the story of a cat with an extraordinary gift for knowing just where she was needed most.

"A remarkable memoir...I realized that Helen Brown didn't break my heart at all—she opened it."—Beth Hoffman, New York Times bestselling author of Saving CeeCee Honeycutt

"An absolute must."—Cat World

"The next Marley & Me. Even non cat-lovers will be moved."—Good Housekeeping

Library Journal

Brown's late son, Sam, was anticipating a kitten for his birthday; he died, tragically, at only nine years old, and the pet he wanted arrived after his funeral. Ostensibly, then, this book would be about Cleo's healing powers. Instead, most of it tracks Brown's emotional turmoil as she comes to grips with her child's death. The writing is at times flat (as when describing the death of her mother years later). Readers must endure conflicting emotions, improbable reactions, and exaggerations. Cleo is woven into the story throughout but not the way readers would expect. Often, extraneous events are related (Brown's love affairs) that don't have much if anything to do with Cleo or the healing process. When it comes to her reactions to situations, Brown can turn on a dime and frequently levels unnecessary criticism at others, including Cleo (for something as catlike as killing a bird). VERDICT While Sam's death was no doubt devastating, it remains to be seen what role Cleo played in Brown's recovery. Recommended only where interest in memoirs and pets runs high.—Edell M. Schaefer, Brookfield P.L., WI

Contents

Choice....................1
A Name....................12
Loss....................19
The Intruder....................30
Trust....................38
Awakening....................49
Taming the Beast....................58
Healer....................65
Goddess....................74
Resuscitation....................79
Compassion....................89
Huntress....................97
Letting Go....................103
Observer....................113
Indulgence....................122
Replacement....................129
Rebirth....................138
Risk....................142
Resilience....................151
Openness....................161
The Kiss....................172
Exposure....................179
Respect....................188
People and Places....................194
Freedom....................201
Witch's Cat....................208
Absence....................217
Patience....................232
Missing....................240
Purr Power....................249
Connection....................254
Forgiveness....................258
Conversion....................267
Tough Vet, Soft Vet....................276
Renewal....................282
Acknowledgments....................291