“Cats are not small dogs, and any cat owner will kindly tell you that cats rule and dogs drool.”

After reading this opening line to Justine A. Lee's new book, It's a Cat's World … You Just Live in It, we at the Haute or Not? spiffy reading palace just knew it was going to be great read, which is quite contrary to some our friends' experiences. These types of books, while informative and fascinating, are often dry.

Not Justine's book.

It’s a Cat’s World is a treasure-trove of cat trivia and information written in a fun, friendly, and colloquial way. More than a bland textbook on cats, Justine, an emergency and critical care veterinary specialist, takes her life experiences (both at the office and in her home, using her two cats, Seamus and Echo, as examples) and has written an enjoyable all-you-ever-wanted-to-know book on cats.

It's a Cat's World covers all kinds of subjects, such as “what is cat scratch fever?” “can I get herpes from my cat?” (no, ma'am), and even “should I dump my boyfriend because he doesn’t like my cat?” (hellz, yes).

From the serious to the silly to the strange, this book truly does give you the answers to things you wanted to know (especially those really dumb ones you were always too afraid to ask, such as “can cats cry?”), and the answers to things you absolutely need to know (such as “how many vaccinations does my cat really need?”).

But that's not all. Justine writes about what to look for when choosing a vet (hint: find one that owns a cat, or two), the curious world and history of kitty litter, how to make an antisocial cat more friendly, and other interesting tidbits -- all while using her extensive veterinary knowledge and irreverent humor.

A must-have for any cat lover, It's a Cat's World had us desperately wanting for more once we reached the last page. What can we say? She makes learning fun!

Oh, and for those of you looking for that perfect gift or stocking stuffer for pet lovers, look no more. It's a Cat's World and other great items can be found on Justine's Web site, www.drjustinelee.com.

An enjoyable and informative kitty read … oh, so very haute!

'It's a Cat's World . . . You Just Live In It: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Your Furry Feline'By Justine A. Lee, DVM (Three Rivers Press, $13.95)

This delightful book answers many of the questions that have puzzled cat owners almost since the beginning of time. Among the questions she answers:

• Why do cats purr?

• Do they have bellybuttons?

• Why do they sleep so much?

• Why do they arch their backs?

• Why do cats follow their owners into the bathroom?

• And, is one "cat year" equivalent to seven human years?

Lee, an emergency and critical care veterinary specialist and associate director of veterinary services for the Pet Poison Hotline, also sets the record straight about many of the more popular myths about the mysterious and wonderful world of cats. Written in a question-and-answer format with wit and insight, this guide offers helpful, sane advice about the care of the family pet. This book is an excellent choice, both for cat owners and those who may be considering adding a feline to the family.

Check out a recent cat book review from www.blacklinsreadingroomreviewsandmore.com

Everyone who owns a cat or who is adopting a cat should have a copy of It’s A Cat’s World. . .You Just Live In It by Justine A. Lee, DVM.  Dr. Lee answers many questions that owners and owner wannabes have about cats – behavior, nature, care and feeding.  Questions include (but are not limited to):

    * How many kitty litter boxes do I need?
    * Does my cat have an inner clock, and how do I turn it off?
    * How do I exercise my fat, indoor cat?
    * How many vaccines does my cat really need?
    * Why does my cat like NASCAR?

Even though I consider myself a veteran cat owner, I learned a lot It’s A Cat’s World. . .You Just Live In It.  For example, I learned that those neat glow sticks that some restaurants give out are not kitty friendly.  If bitten by kitty, said glow stick will leave (among other things) an incredibly bad taste in his or her mouth.  I immediately went on a seek and destroy mission: Operation Glowstick. I haven’t found it, so I think I have thrown it out, but I’m still keeping an eye out for it.  In addition to Operation Glowstick, Dr. Lee’s book inspired me to get off the couch and perform a kitty proofing security check.  This check ensured that I had:

Reviewed by Mayra Calvani

This latest book by author and veterinarian Justine A. Lee is a must for dog owners and dog lovers alike. The book answers many fascinating questions seldom answered in regular dog books.

Have you ever wondered if a Chihuahua and a Great Dane can mate? Are dogs ever gay? What are the top ten dog toxins? Can you teach an old dog new tricks? Is table food really bad you’re your dog? Why does your dog lick his private parts? Why do dogs like to sniff butts? Is it okay to let your dog sleep on your bed? Why do dogs chase their tails? Do dogs dream? Why do dogs lift their legs when they pee? And many, many others.

The book is written in a highly informative, yet witty, humorous style. Some of the author’s remarks are downright hilarious, making this book a pleasure to read. You get the feeling that it’s your veterinarian best friend who’s offering you advice.

This would make a great gift for any canine lover, or one you’ll definitely want to add to your shelf if you own a dog. For feline lovers, the author also has a similar book written specifically about cats.

Armchair Interviews says: A great book for dog lovers.