Call of the cats : what I learned about love and life from a feral colony

"When aspiring screenwriter Andrew Bloomfield moved into a bungalow in Southern California he soon discovered that he shared the property with a large colony of feral cats ? untamed, uninterested in human touch, not purring pets in waiting. But after a midnight attack by predators that decimated yet another litter of kittens, Bloomfield decided to intervene. He began to name and nurse, feed and house, rescue and neuter. Drawing on his time living in Asia among spiritual teachers, he takes us on the contemplative, humorous, and poignant journey of saving these cats, only to find it was they who saved him by revealing a world of meaning beyond his unrealized Hollywood dreams." -- Publisher's website When Andrew Bloomfield moved into a modest bungalow in Southern California he was only vaguely aware that a colony of feral cats inhabited the deep foliage behind his new home. After one particularly poignant experience, he felt he had no choice but to intercede. So began the saga of Andrew's dramatic relationship with this group of skittish, wild, and sometimes fierce felines. He began to name, nurse, feed, house, rescue, and neuter them. He rose from his bed in the middle of countless nights to fend off their attackers and maxed out credit cards paying vet bills and emergency room hospital visits when he was mauled by the very cats he was trying to help. Call of the Cats is a heartwarming tale of one man's journey from self-absorption to selflessness that is sure to appeal not only to cat lovers but to pet owners the world over. It is also an exploration of the world we live in but rarely see, how our lives overlap with the lives of other creatures, and how such things as names and sibling relationships cross species and continents. Andrew learned that spiritual lessons surround us, no matter where we are and what we do, if we simply stop and learn. He also discovered the joy and satisfaction in helping even one living being to a better life and the solace that comes from another living being, no matter what the circumstances. Welcome to LA It begins Tiny: a kitten in the fog Rehab Sleepless in SoCal Intervention Dr. V, miracle worker Supporting my new family The naming of cats From the fertile crescent to Hello Kitty Protecting the colony Interrupting the cycle Three sisters Indoors and out Daily grind Loss Tiny and Leo's ordeal Moving Present day.