12 February, 2019

Sad Cat Stories Wreck My Day

Image from the interwebs
I listen to NPR (National Public Radio) often, especially the "Wait Wait Don't Tell Me!" show.  When I stumbled upon "NPR Driveway Moments Cat Tales", hosted by Scott Simon, on my local library's audiobook list, I was prepared to be entertained to the max, as usually happens with anything NPR.

Instead, it was a collection of reporters and hosts, talking about their cat, or a family cat, or some story that included a cat, and in my opinion, too many were about dead cats.  One was about a cat-eating owl, for goodness sakes!  Whoever produced or edited this thing just grabbed 'cat stuff', without regard for listeners WHO ACTUALLY LIKE CATS!  It's a 2-hour audiofile, and I almost turned it off after the first 30 minutes.  I stuck with it though, believing that NPR couldn't...nay, wouldn't...let me down...and yet, by the end, it had barely redeemed itself.

Sure, there were a few good items, such as Mr. Kitty's discussion on whether cats belong indoors only, or a Maine cat resort.  "Cat Named Hamish" actually had me laughing out loud, much to the amusement (or terror!) of nearby motorists on my commute home.  Yet, the damage was done.

And I find this is a problem with collections of cat stories.  I've picked up books which are compilations of writers or poets, and the same thing happens; dead or dying cat stories just wring my heart too hard, and I'm no good for any of the more pleasing stories further along.  Yes, our feline friends leave us, or have accidents.  Sure, that's true.  But do I have to listen or read about such horrifying things, for entertainment?!?  NOPE!

A book written about the author's life with a cat, who eventually dies...I can handle that!  There is a flow, and a purpose to that story.  But to slap together 'cat' stories, poems, or reports, just because they are about cats, is no good to me.  That stuff just wrecks my day.

Here are the details, should you be interested:

NPR Driveway Moments Cat Tales: Radio Stories That Won't Let You Go
Audio CD – Audiobook, CD, Unabridged
by NPR (Author), Scott Simon (Performer)
Series: NPR Driveway Moments
Publisher: HighBridge Audio; Unabridged,Original radio broadcast; 2 hours edition (September 18, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1611748763
ISBN-13: 978-1611748765


15 comments:

  1. I love happy endings, not sad ones. I don't want to read about the sad stuff either.

    Have a fabulous day. ♥

    ReplyDelete
  2. The mom rarely reads stories that involves bad things about animals, same goes for movies...she won’t watch them. She doesn’t want to be sad.

    ReplyDelete
  3. yeah-- i am too aware of the many bad things that can happen so I want more good stories not bad!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Complete agreement here ! I have even seen tee shirts that say " I don't care what happens in the movie as long as the cat lives."

    ReplyDelete
  5. We agree with everyone else and we won’t do critter sad at all and that ncludes TV, book, movies and interwebs.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I can't and will NOT look at nor read...listen to or hear about horrible things regarding cats. ANY animals.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love to read, but I rarely read books about cats because I know they will make me cry.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Our mom does not like sad stories about cats. Even ones where she knows the ending.

    ReplyDelete
  9. We understand completely. There are times when we are searching for news that Mom wants to just close her laptop and cry at the inhumane humans.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Please come to Sasha's birthday party. All welcome. https://diamond-cat.blogspot.com/2019/02/birthday-party-invitation.html

    ReplyDelete
  11. It's always disappointing what some people come up with about cats.

    ReplyDelete
  12. We don't like sad stories about cats or other animals either. Purrs

    ReplyDelete
  13. Have you read Cleveland Amory's books about his cat?

    ReplyDelete
  14. I am there with you! I once read an assorted collection of cat stories and one was about a cat who was left to die. Horrible! I will pass on this one.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Very good point! I probably wouldn't have been able to make it through.

    ReplyDelete

Mee-row!
Thanks for your comments; we LURV them! Purrr....