Buckley's Story
By Ingrid King
Buckley is diagnosed with heart disease after only two years of living with Ingrid, and caring for Buckley through her illness only deepens the bond between cat and human. Interspersed with well-researched information about cat health in general, and heart disease in particular, the author describes the challenges and rewards of managing illness in a feline companion, and ultimately helping her through the final transition. Ingrid shares both the day-to-day joys of living with a special cat as well as the profound grief that comes with losing a beloved animal companion.
Life lessons from a cat Reviewed by Olivera Baumgartner-Jackson for Reader Views (10/09) If you've ever had the great honor to share your life with a pet, "Buckley's Story: Lessons from a Feline Master Teacher" will not come as any surprise to you, but it will certainly make you shake your head in agreement and cause you to smile often, particularly when you'll reach some parts which will greatly remind you of your pet's habits. Animals could - and do! - teach us so much, if only we stop for long enough and truly listen to them. Buckley was a small cat with a huge personality and an even bigger heart. She entered Ms. King's life with a whisper, as the "office cat" in the veterinary hospital which was managed by Ms. King at the time. An extremely affectionate tortoiseshell cat, she became a constant companion who was very much missed when Ms. King decided to explore other career paths and left the hospital. After a couple of not immediately successful attempts to assimilate into Ms. King's household, Buckley finally came home for good. Amber, the "original" cat sharing Ms. King's home, had to adapt to the new situation, and she learned to share "her human" with another cat quite quickly. Sadly, Buckley was diagnosed with a heart condition after two years of her arrival into the new home, and the second half of the book deals with the treatments, challenges and final acceptance of the situation. The many moments of pure joy were always tainted with sadness over the inevitable final outcome of this situation, and Ms. King managed to capture the process of ultimate acceptance in incredible vivid detail. Warm, intelligent and wise, this is a beautiful book that will touch the hearts of animal lovers, particularly those who are grieving over the loss of their companions or who are living with the knowledge that their companions will not be able to share their lives with them for much longer. It shall also prove useful to anybody who might be thinking of adopting an older and possibly not so healthy animal, showing very clearly why that might be a particularly good choice. The detailed information on Buckley's diagnosis and treatment course, with clearly described challenges and rewards, might very well make some pet owners reconsider the path they are taking and make them realize that oftentimes we would do better to follow our instincts more and feel less obliged to blindly accept the mainstream information. And more than anything, "Buckley's Story: Lessons from a Feline Master Teacher" by Ingrid King should make you realize again how much we should and do learn from the animals who graciously share their love and life with us. Wonderful Read! Buckley's Story is not only the tale of a little cat who changed her human mommy's life forever, but is also a book loaded with information about cat health and heart disease. The narrative envelops the reader as they journey with Ingrid through the many medical decisions that have to be made while her heart is breaking over the possibility of losing her beloved little girl forever. However, Buckley proves to be so very much more than that frail little feline in a diseased and failing body. Little did Ingrid know that Buckley had much bigger plans in store for her -- an amazing future beyond her wildest dreams. And all this came about because of this amazing little tortie who stole Ingrid's heart the first moment they met. She had so much to give to Ingrid as well as others that she continues to do so today. Brings out every emotion inside you and will make you look at your cat in a whole new light! I just finished reading Buckley's Story. Wow! I must say that it made me feel things inside my soul that were waiting to come out. My emotions went from joy to love to pride to understanding to sorrow to spiritual acceptance. The way that Ingrid King describes and paints her picture of the story of this beautiful, lucky little cat is inspirational. I could feel her emotions as I read on. It certainly is a page turner, I read it on a flight from Florida to New York. I could not put it down. She made me appreciate the things that I have in my life and even though she says that Buckley taught her things about life, Buckley taught me things about life too and I've never met her, just by reading her story. I anguished with Ingrid as she tried to have Buckley fit into her life. I swelled with pride as she described how her cats waited for her at the top of the stairs when she came home. I read with joy as she described her life with her two adoring cats. I cried when Buckley got sick. I was happy when she got better. I don't want to give away too much so I will stop there. This is a wonderful book for any cat lover. They will truly understand and appreciate Buckely as I do. I would have loved to have known Buckley but by reading this wonderful book, I feel as if I do know Buckley. I certainly would like to thank her for the things that she taught me, but somehow, I think she knows!
