My One-Eyed, Three-Legged Therapist: How My Cat Clio Saved Me

This is the story of how an adorable, spunky, gray-and-white kitten helped the author regain the courage to face life’s challenges and realize that none of us is truly alone. Born into poverty, losing her dad at age seven, and targeted by bullies, Kathy turned to pets for unconditional love and acceptance. A difficult childhood led to an abusive marriage, but things changed on her fortieth birthday when her staff at the organization where she worked gave her an extraordinary cat named Clio. The runt of the litter, a two-time cancer survivor, and a special needs cat, Clio nevertheless had an incredible will to live full tilt. This intrepid feline knew no fear and displayed unlimited self-confidence. She overcame not one, but two, disabilities. By watching Clio thrive despite what life threw at her, Kathy was able to put her own life in perspective by learning to accept the past, embrace the present, and look forward to the future.

Paperback. 148 pages. 2023, Purdue University Press. By Kathy M. Finley.