Best Cat Ever by Cleveland Amory

Polar Bear is a remarkable feline who first captured the hearts of readers in the books “The Cat Who Came for Christmas” and “The Cat and the Curmudgeon”. Now, in this delightful new paperback edition, the heartwarming tale of this extraordinary cat and his cantankerous yet endearing owner continues.

The Cat Who Came for Christmas: A Rescue Adventure on The Literary Catcast Podcast

Welcome to the Literary Catcast, a podcast dedicated to celebrating books and writings featuring cats as central characters. In this episode, we will be discussing the book “The Cat Who Came for Christmas” by Cleveland Amery. This heartwarming story, published in 1987, recounts Amery’s experience rescuing a stray, injured white cat on a snowy Christmas Eve in Manhattan. The book spent 12 weeks at number one on the New York Times bestseller list, and I highly recommend giving it a read.

Before I delve into the history of this book, I’d like to share a personal connection I have with Amery’s story. A few years before discovering “The Cat Who Came for Christmas,” a stray cat showed up at my apartment door during a 5 a.m. thunderstorm. At the time, I was going through a difficult period in my life, and this scrawny cat unexpectedly became my lifeline. I named him Simon, and he brought purpose and joy into my life. I even wrote a blog post about this experience titled “Saved by a Cat,” which you can find linked on our website.

Cleveland Amery was not only an author but also a critic, commentator, and animal rights activist. He graduated from Harvard and had an illustrious career in journalism and publishing. Amery was a regular columnist for publications such as the Saturday Review and TV Guide, and he even worked as a commentator during the early years of the Today Show. Yet, his most significant contributions were in the field of animal rights.

In 1967, Amery founded the Fund for Animals, an organization dedicated to protecting animals from hunters and creating animal sanctuaries. One of the most notable feats of the Fund for Animals was the rescue of 577 grand canyon burros from destruction by the National Park Service in 1979. Additionally, Amery established the Black Beauty Ranch, a large animal sanctuary in Texas, which provided a safe haven for abused animals. His work truly made the world a better place for animals.

Now, let’s turn our attention back to “The Cat Who Came for Christmas.” In this podcast episode, I will be reading the first chapter of the book, which details the rescue of the white cat named Polar Bear. You can find a link to purchase the book on the episode page of our website. But first, I would like to introduce you to Louie, our foster cat, who will be providing purring sounds throughout the episode. Louie is a Christmas cat and adds a special touch to our discussions.

Chapter One: The Rescue

In the midst of a snowy Christmas Eve in New York City, Cleveland Amery encounters a thin, dirty, and injured white cat in a dark alley. Despite the beauty of the snow-covered city and the festive decorations, the cat stands out as something special. Amery’s encounter with this cat marks the beginning of a heartwarming journey documented in “The Cat Who Came for Christmas.”

Amery and Sergeant Dwork, a rescuer and feeder of animals, embark on a mission to save this stray cat. Their efforts to capture the cat involve tempting him with cheese, but he proves to be elusive. However, after several attempts, they finally manage to catch him.

Back at Amery’s apartment, the cat’s adventurous spirit takes over as he explores every nook and cranny, including climbing up the Christmas tree. Despite their best efforts, the cat disappears and hides somewhere in the apartment. The search begins, and after dismantling the dishwasher, they finally locate the exhausted feline.

Deciding to leave the cat where he is, Amery and his companions provide food, water, and a litter pan to make him feel at home. This is just the beginning of their journey together.

That concludes the first chapter of “The Cat Who Came for Christmas.” Stay tuned for more episodes of the Literary Catcast, where we will explore other books featuring cats as central characters. Don’t forget to check out our website for merchandise and more information about our podcast cats.

Thank you for joining me today, and I hope you find inspiration and joy within the pages of “The Cat Who Came for Christmas.”