Q & A With The Cat Whisperer Author and Bonus Book Giveaway
Last Sunday we reviewed a new cat behavior book The Cat Whisperer by Mieshelle Nagelschneider and today we’ve delighted to extend our giveaway to include three autographed copies. The winners will be announced at next Sunday and randomly selected from comments tallied at both blog posts.
Mieshelle and I chatted on the phone at length the other day about the complicated world of publishing, writing, ghost writing, cat people and of course cats. Not surprisingly we share much in common and I’m happy to share a mini Q & A with Mieshelle who like all cat whisperers doesn’t particularly like being called one.
Q & A With Mieshelle Nagelschneider
1) LMW: Why do you think the myths about cats and their behavior continue despite books and TV shows about cats?
MN: It’s better than it used to be because correct information is more readily available now with the internet and T.V., but more of it needs to be out there, and for longer. The myths and incorrect beliefs about cat behavior have been out there for longer, unfortunately, and this will take time for the humans to unlearn!
2) LMW: Litter box issues are the # 1 cat behavior issue. In your experience, was that always the case or something that’s escalated in recent years?
LMW: Even since providing professional behavior consulting (since 1999), litter box issues have been about 70% of the behavior consultations I conduct. With a complete behavior plan, they can be easily solved preventing millions of cats from being euthanized each year.
3) LMW: Why do you think Cats are culturally hot now?
MN: I really think the internet has become a nice launching pad to get the cat into everyone’s home and to see a true view of what the cat is really about (cute, funny and not really all that aloof). They are going to be even more popular now than ever and I think it’s not just a “cat moment” — I think the cat is here to stay. If cats could have created the internet, they would have for this reason. Such great survivors they are! Something I read on FB recently that is so true — The Egyptians worshipped cats and wrote on walls about cats. Not much has changed!
4) LMW: What is the #1 takeaway you’d like readers to get from reading it?
MN: That behavior issues can be solved and millions of cat’s lives saved each year. As a cat owner, we need to respect and understand what the cat truly is and create an environment to suit their instincts and needs. The holistic approach with cats I think is one of the most basic – look at the world through their eyes and the rest will come. It’s not our approach we should take – it’s the cat’s approach.
41 Comments
Morgan Eckstein
I have been having a litter box issue for awhile with our three legged kitten…I think that it is simply the fact that she only has three legs.
Cherry City Kitties
Mom says she doesn’t think she entered, but if she did, well, it’s mom, ya know how that is. And if she did, good, cause this smart lady sounds like she knows her stuff!
Nanette Harms
fascinating…would love to win a copy to read! I have three cats but have had four before them. i have always been able to sense a limited amount from them and would love to do more!
Melissa
I think it is awesome that such a book exists and that people are coming to love cats so much! They are beautiful loving creatures!
Peggy Stotser
looking forward to reading the new book
Vicky C
I think my girls and I would benefit from reading this book.
Cory
Oh please enter us for a copy! We have the Kindle version but we’d like a hard copy to share with others. Plus I’d like to put my paws on it. We adore Mieshelle. She actually took care of me and my momma when we were brand new (Jonesie and Madison too!). She helped us solve an issue where our guardian angel Michelangelo was peeing by mom’s computer. She’s a smarty pants!
purrs,
Cory
Judi Daly
I think she is right that cats would have invented the internet if they could. I love that the whole internet is filled with cats–it’s the best thing about it.
The Island Cats
This sounds like such a good book!
Abby
Am sure this is a must read book!
Ann Lewis
I would love to read this book.
Ann Lewis
I would love to read this book!
NancyE
I’d love to read the book – and I suspect my cats & my fosters would like for me to read it!
Mr Puddy
Purrs for myself to win this book for my mom.
It’s her birthday this month !
xoxo
TXMadCatter
Would love the chance to read the book, it sounds very informative!
Georgia Evans
This book sounds very interesting. I would love to read it.
Tara
I have added this book to my “must read” list. I am a Veterinary Technician student with a passion for felines and love reading up on all things related to cats. I’m even more excited to read this since I found out Mieshelle Nagelschneider is a fellow Oregonian with 6 cats at home.
Melanie
I try to whisper to my cats but they act like they can’t hear me.
Marla and Chelseafurever
This looks a great read. My first furbaby Chelsea just passed away March 1, 2013 at 20.5 yrs. young and our memories together will live on. I will always enjoy reading about cats. I hope I win.
Anonymous
What a great prize! If love to read this!
Brian
She sure does sound like one impressive cat whisperer to me!
monica
Sounds like a great book. Thank you for the chance to win.
Jodi
This book seems interesting. I’m happy to hear that more about people not approaching their cats on their terms, rather on the animals’ terms. It’s about time that more people realized that if they want a pet, part of caring for that animal is fulfilling the animal’s needs and not expecting it to be a certain way.
Cheryl J
Sounds like a great book. I would love to donate it to my rescue for a raffle basket item. What a great giveaway. Thanks for the opportunity.
Sheryl
Looking forward to reading “The Cat Whisperer”! I’m a professional cat groomer & would love to recommend it to my clients to help them with their own cats.
mtha anderson
wth over 100 cats in my care at home and at my shelter this book, literally, could be a life saver or at least make a cat much more adoptable – we don’t use any cages at the shelter so we are able to handle the cats in a more homelike setting and can address many issues that other shelters are not able to – this book would be a great help
Katie
Mieshelle has helped me and my cat so much – I’m thrilled to see she has a book out! So many more cats will be saved because of the information she is sharing.
Cherry City Kitties
Dad says he would love to read it, sometimes he doesn’t quite understand us… and sometimes he doesn’t understand mom either… but he thinks a book about cat’s behavior might be the right place to start!
Harry, Dexter and Tipp
Sue Brandes
I am always looking for new ways to learn about my kitties. That way I can be even a better cat person. Her book sounds very good.
Kimberley
I am a profesional Cat Detective (yes, really!) trained in tracking and finding lost cats, so this book is a must read for me. Studies have shown specific temprament cats behave differently when displaced Those behavior clues help me find them. The more I know about the nuances of a cat’s world, the better equipped d I am at finding them and bringing them home to their owners!
Bernadette
People also make a mistake in thinking that all cats will act the same in all conditions, but cats vary much more from cat to cat–even when they are all related! Cats are much more like people than people like to admit, and that may be part of the issue in understanding them, and they take a little more work. The book sound wonderful!
Andrea
You are so right. I think that’s why so many people are disappointed when they try to replace one cat with another. They are individuals, unique unto themselves just as are we.
Penelope
Now this sounds like my kind of book!
Nellie’s Mom
Kathryn
What a fab Q&A.
Yes, people who think cats are aloof are mainly dog lovers who fail to understand the subtlety of CAT.
I really have Cheddar down to non-verbal communication. I stare, then blink. He looks up, and then looks at my mouth. I twitch my lips (he is reading my mouth/lips). He then says, MMEEEEWWOSQUEAK for food or he lies down for belly rubbs (kisses.)
Skeeter and Izzy
This ,as always ,is great news for us cats………someone who tries to understand us as we are! Heres hoping we win! Luvs and Happy Snowy Sunday to all …Skeeter and Izzy >^..^<
meowmeowmans
We’d love to read this book … it sounds great! Thanks for the chance to win. 🙂
Jobi and Fisher
This book sounds great! I would love to read it and compare with my own monitoring practices to see how evolved I really am (or not). ‘It’s not our approach we should take – it’s the cat’s
approach.’ I am in 100% agreement!
CATachresis
Sounds like a good read! I was talking to a couple in the vets the other day who had been dog people only, thinking cats were distant and too independant etc etc. Then they got two cats for the children and became completely converted saying the stereotype is totally wrong! 🙂
Caren Gittleman
Have had my eye on this book and like Sparkle, if I am lucky enough to win it, I will review it too! Love, Cody
Sparkle
Mieshelle Nagelschneider sounds pretty smart for a human! If I won a copy, I’d definitely review it on my blog.
Karen Pauli
I rescue strays, so I can use any help I can get. Hope I win the biook!