Kiki: The Crazy Calico Cat Book

First, I would be amiss to not mention that Katz says in the beginning of this book that "No dogs die." Thank you for that.

Moving on. This is the story of two of his dogs, Izzy and Lenore obviously. That is Lenore on the cover as a puppy. Izzy is a sweet-looking, intense border collie. Izzy was an abandoned dog living by himself basically on a farm in upstate New York. Katz was persuaded to take him in and gained each other's trust and friendship. Katz lives on a farm, Bedlam Farm, in upstate New York. His wife works in NYC and lives with him most weekends. He has helpers on his farm but during the week is by himself. Izzy does hospice work with Katz. Having done hospice care in my capacity as an RN, it is a fulfilling, beautiful thing, if sometimes depressing due to the nature of the job. Even Izzy is affected by his work but seems to have a calming and loving touch. He is able to bring demented patients a peace and one patient is even revived enough that he is taken off the hospice rolls (at least temporarily.)
Katz reveals his feelings of depression that shadow him as he discovers he is diabetic and his childhood memories are brought back to him. This is where Lenore comes in and literally lights up his life. Through her boundless joy, love and acceptance, and Katz' psychotherapy, he once again takes pleasure in life and realizes the good he and Izzy do for the dying.
This is a sweet, hopeful book. It won't appeal to everyone but if you have a love for dogs, have an history of depression and interest/experience working with hospice patients, this book will bring small pleasures to you. Katz is a wonderful writer with a crisp. clean style. A nice book and that is saying a lot. This one is good for the heart.