The story of Shadow combines the lives of at least two real life stray cats.
Freddie lived out the last days of his full life in the Persian Rescue Centre in Bristol. Although surrounded by love and care, he was very old by the time he died and nobody knows how he came to be on the city streets. Tragically, he gave up the struggle to survive just before this book was finished. However, I think he managed to communicate most of the facts that had been passed down in his family while he still remembered them - stories about bombs and guns and secret treks across country to look for safe homes for young kittens.
I have blended Shadow's tale with the story of another Persian stray from World War 2 - a long time ago, I know, but it is a fact that my sister and I were young children at the time, and we defied our grandmother by adopting a cat just like Shadow who was wandering around the neighbourhood, cold and hungry and alone. We took her in and she enjoyed more than 20 years of love and care, even though she did eat porage and cabbage sometimes. She lived with us until she died of old age, and had just as many adventures as Shadow, even starring in a film with James Mason.
The work done by the Persian Rescue Centre, run by Isabel Davenport with the support of the Bristol Branch of N.S.S.A.L. is yet another story - one which I expect Isabel would like to tell for herself. Any help with fund-raising or care is welcome - you can make contact through the charity website or at isabel@persianrescue.co.uk
REMEMBER - THERE IS ALWAYS ANOTHER CAT WITH ANOTHER STORY!
Genre: Literary Fiction
Freddie lived out the last days of his full life in the Persian Rescue Centre in Bristol. Although surrounded by love and care, he was very old by the time he died and nobody knows how he came to be on the city streets. Tragically, he gave up the struggle to survive just before this book was finished. However, I think he managed to communicate most of the facts that had been passed down in his family while he still remembered them - stories about bombs and guns and secret treks across country to look for safe homes for young kittens.
I have blended Shadow's tale with the story of another Persian stray from World War 2 - a long time ago, I know, but it is a fact that my sister and I were young children at the time, and we defied our grandmother by adopting a cat just like Shadow who was wandering around the neighbourhood, cold and hungry and alone. We took her in and she enjoyed more than 20 years of love and care, even though she did eat porage and cabbage sometimes. She lived with us until she died of old age, and had just as many adventures as Shadow, even starring in a film with James Mason.
The work done by the Persian Rescue Centre, run by Isabel Davenport with the support of the Bristol Branch of N.S.S.A.L. is yet another story - one which I expect Isabel would like to tell for herself. Any help with fund-raising or care is welcome - you can make contact through the charity website or at isabel@persianrescue.co.uk
REMEMBER - THERE IS ALWAYS ANOTHER CAT WITH ANOTHER STORY!
Genre: Literary Fiction
Used availability for Sylvia Murphy's Shadow