Cat Daddy

What the World's Most Incorrigible Cat Taught Me About Life, Love, and Coming Clean

By: Jackson Galaxy, Joel Derfner

Narrated by: Jackson Galaxy

Length: 6 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

Cat behaviorist and star of Animal Planet's hit television show My Cat from Hell, Jackson Galaxy, a.k.a. “Cat Daddy,” isn't what you might expect for a cat expert (as the New York Times noted, with his goatee and tattoos he “looks like a Hell's Angel”). Yet Galaxy's ability to connect with even the most troubled felines-not to mention the stressed-out humans living in their wake-is awe-inspiring. In this book, Galaxy tells the poignant story of his 13-year relationship with a petite gray-and-white short-haired cat named Benny, and gives singular advice for living with, caring for, and loving the feline in your home. When Benny arrived in his life, Galaxy was a down-and-out rock musician with not too much more going on than a part-time job at an animal shelter and a drug problem. Benny's previous owner brought the cat to the shelter in a cardboard box to give him up. Benny had seen better days-his pelvis had just been shattered by the wheels of a car-and his owner insisted he'd been “unbondable” from day one. Nothing could have been further from the truth.

An inspiring account of two broken beings who fixed each other, Cat Daddy is laced throughout with Galaxy's amazing “Cat Whisperer” advice for understanding what cats need most from us in order to live happier, healthier lives.

©2012 Jackson Galaxy (P)2012 Tantor

10 Stars!!!

What did you love best about Cat Daddy?

Okay, I admit it: I can’t get enough of Jackson Galaxy. This is one of those rare books I will listen to over again. He writes and reads this memoir straight from the heart and no other narrator could have done justice to his words. Jackson’s memoir recounts his beginnings and growth as a cat behaviorist while battling his many addictions. His story is humble, straightforward, and never wallows in self-pity. Here is a man who came face to face with the bottom, over and over again, and pulled himself out of it. While he was doing so, he discovered and nurtured his calling to help troubled cats and their guardians. His cat Benny was with him all the way, not only teaching him but becoming that rare animal with whom he established a lasting bond. I can relate: I had a cat who saw me through my “get my ‘stuff’ together” years and I, in turn, nursed him through several life-threatening illnesses. That cat will have a special place in my heart until I die. Even if you’ve never experienced that kind of relationship with an animal, you’ll appreciate this book, and even more so if you have.

Raw and Unfiltered

Any additional comments?

This is Jackson's autobiographical account of what led him to his "cat whisperer" business. His story is gritty and his language is unfiltered. This isn't a book for the kiddies. That having been said, I would expect nothing but Jackson just being all out real and himself. He is sincere and seems to cut through the BS of his life. He admits weaknesses and leads you through his struggles.

If you're expecting a "How To" on how to keep Fluffy from scratching on the couch, you'll be disappointed. Although there is a small amount of information at the end, the real story is of the man himself and what he learned as he journeyed through the rockiness of life while caring for and learning from the animals around him.

I will tell you this....the grief he describes feeling for a pet, is as real a description of grief I've ever heard, whether it be for a 4 legged creature or 2 legged one.

Good one

I'm a fan of Jackson Galaxy, and a lover of redemptive memoirs, particulary those read by their authors, and this book did not disapoint. It is an interesting and enjoyable listen, well read by Jackson. It probably helps that I agree with his basic premise about cats: adopt don't buy, don't declaw, feed raw etc etc. His own stroy was much more dramatic than I excpected and at one point I was literally in tears.

A touching memoir that shows anything is possible.

Where does Cat Daddy rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

#1

What was one of the most memorable moments of Cat Daddy?

His aha moment with Benny

What about Jackson Galaxy’s performance did you like?

There was never a boring moment.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

My emotions were all over the place.

Any additional comments?

I have never listened to a book that was so entertaining.

More about Jackson than the cats, but good!

If you could sum up Cat Daddy in three words, what would they be?

Jackson's unflinching story

What was one of the most memorable moments of Cat Daddy?

I had no idea what rough shape (physically and mentally) he was in and give him (and Benny!) a lot of credit for making the choice to change his life.

Which character – as performed by Jackson Galaxy – was your favorite?

I liked how Jackson described Benny as a "Jackie Gleason-like" busdriver

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The ending was heart-wrenching and poignant

Any additional comments?

I was (happily) surprised that there were fewer cats stories in this book. It's primarily about Jackson's journey from a lonely, isolated life to a redemptive one. His narration is EXCELLENT and the primary reason I bought (and recommend) this book.

Not what I thought

This book tells more about his life and how he got in the cat business and 1/5 about how to understand/deal with cats. I thought it would be the reverse and more like his TV and YouTube series. On to the next book. Maybe it will be more of what I was expecting.

Great book by the cat Daddy

Very interesting book, full of great ideas on how to help your féline friend, and perhaps yourself.

Great job Jackson

I LOVED IT

Having watched his wonderful show since I realized it was broadcast, I loved his book!
Jackson Galaxy's story is really two tales in one: one of various animals and humans in his life, and one about him, and what he did, and has done, with the broken psyche that Mother Nature cruelly dumped on him.
I had always wondered about his "backstory," and here it was, warts, hyperventilation, and all.
I am ABSOLUTELY a no drinking, no recreational drugging person; I have seen what happens if people try to ride that wave, saying (lying) "I'm OK," the whole time. They think they're pulling it off, but everyone around them knows what is happening-- and it's not pretty.
Addiction ends up in one of three places: the jailhouse, the crazy house, or the dead house. This wonderful man got out in time!!
The things I learned from the book have rounded out and added much to the things I learned from the show!! A MUST READ/LISTEN for ALL cat parents!!!

....... but P S : WHAT is his "real -- meaning the one on his birth certificate-- name!!??

Entertaining & Informative!

I enjoyed every word of this excellent book. Jackson Galaxy is articulate , interesting, and very intelligent . This is a wonderful cat information resource presented in an autobiographical style. Very well-done. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND.

Brutally honest and gripping story

I met Jackson Galaxy when he lived in Boulder and was business partners with Dr. Jean Hofve, whom I've know since the 90's when she was the vet for my cats. I knew he must be a great cat behaviorist if Dr. Jean endorsed him. But I didn't know anything about him personally and was astonished to hear his struggles with addiction, portrayed with brutal honesty in this story. I also didn't know the story of how he became a cat behaviorist or began working at the animal shelter. And I didn't know how passionate he is about saving shelter animals (as am I).

This story is very gripping emotionally and I couldn't stop listening. Usually I just listen to audiobooks in the car or bath, but I was listening to this every free moment, as it is such a compelling story. It is also masterfully performed by Jackson, who has Masters degree in theater. I can't imagine anyone else narrating this as well as he does.

One of my favorite scenes in the book was his description of his cat Benny at the emergency vet when Benny was foaming at the mouth--not only is it gripping and suspenseful, but I got a kick out of his description of Dr. Jean helping him (since I know her, I could easily picture her doing exactly what he described).

My only complaint in an otherwise outstanding book is that I wish he went into more detail about how his cat Benny helped him to change his life--I felt he didn't cover that in much depth, unlike what the title of the book implies.