Customer Reviews

Citizen Mitten: My life with a cat my family says was as nutty as me

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Supposedly about the author's nutty cat - this book is ultimately a story about one of the great pet lovers and pet appreciators of all time - the author, Bill Voedish (as well as his equally pet-loving wife and family).

Cats, dogs, horses and even lab rats come and go with reverence, affection, respect and an extra-large serving of Bill's unique humor. I had to put it down a few times just to let my cheeks rest.

If you have ever had a pet of any kind, you will absolutely love this book. What a hoot!

Pets make an indelible impression on the lives of their owners. Their antics and quirks become part of family lore. In Citizen Mitten, William Voedisch regales the reader with tales of his "cat of a lifetime." In describing how Mitten wrapped his furry paws around his heart, Voedisch's narrative voice is extremely engaging. It is tender yet jocular; sentimental but down-to-earth. While getting to know Mitten, the reader simultaneously comes to admire the man who describes his utter devotion to this particular feline.

Mitten stalks through the pages purring along the way. Adopted as a stray, he came to view Voedisch as his mother by nursing on his ear lobes. From investigating a dusty air duct to hunting a fish right into a freezer, Mitten had a talent for getting into mischief. He was a loud talker with his half-purr/half-meow and was the "grumpy" star of the family Christmas card. His very name became a family anthem.

"The 'MITT' part was high-up, almost a gravel-voiced yell, which would tail off to the more subdued '-en.' It became a sort of house cheer or whatever. Finally, and this is where you will think we've slid off the summit a bit, it's nearly eight years after his passing and we still walk around the house and yell 'MITT-en' for absolutely no reason whatsoever."

Mitten at eight pounds had a scrawny coat. A feature not suited for Minnesota winters. Although he loved the outdoors, he just couldn't take the cold weather.

"Winter was a real challenge for him. He wanted to go out, but couldn't, at least not for more than a minute or two. Thus, you would often hear me ... say something like the following to 'Mittie,' who was half out the door but was stopped in his tracks by the cold: 'In or out, young man?'"

He was also a living alarm clock. When Voedisch failed to wake at Mitten's self-appointed breakfast time, Mitten would race across the bed at top speed or cause a racket with a nearby newspaper. One time, he jumped from the headboard onto the stomach of an unsuspecting Voedisch. He was the master of rude awakenings.

The book excels when Voedisch addresses the painful subject of the death of a pet. As the owner of several cats, dogs and horses, he stresses the importance of letting a pet die with dignity. When Mitten could no longer eat due to old age, he was euthanized at the vet's office.

"In the end he was telling us it was time, getting weaker and weaker ... [he] could not walk or even stand ... [there was] no particular diagnosis, except old age. It was really amazing how peaceful the whole thing was. There were tears, of course, but no hard sobbing. It's as though it all happened just as it should. A good death, death with dignity, is what a pet deserves as its days become numbered. Mitten died with dignity."

The book concludes with a beautiful unattributed passage entitled The Rainbow Bridge. It describes a utopian place between heaven and earth where deceased pets await the passing of their owners. They are joyously reunited, never again to be separated.

A highlight is a centerfold of over 20 full-color pages of Voedisch family photos. Mitten is shown inspecting a catch of fish, on the patio wanting to come in from the cold, curled up on a bed with his signature grumpy face, and digging through a garbage can. The book's interior is clearly laid out with a cat silhouette adorning each chapter heading along with a quote summing up each installment. There are over 30 brief chapters in just over 150 pages. Appropriately, the collection begins with a note from Mitten to the reader along with a foreward by his vet who provided Mitten with the nickname "The Relic."

Overall, anyone who loves animals will form an instant bond with Voedisch as he talks about his cat of a lifetime.

This book is ostensibly about the author's cat, Mitten. It's actually quite a bit more than that, spanning years and documenting the author's rise as a cat person and an animal lover in general. It's a lighthearted book, humorous throughout, but does successfully address a few serious issues.

Mostly, though, it can best be described as a "slice of life" picture of an animal lover and his family in Minnesota. It shares geography with another more famous Minnesota writer, Garrison Keillor and in straightforward Midwestern manner there are certain similarities in style.

Unlike Mr. Keillor, however, the author doesn't feel compelled to poke subtle fun at Minnesotans to impress his urbane NPR cronies. He obviously enjoys his life, the summer cabin, the fishing and the company of animals of all kinds - including the two legged human ones - on his farm.

This book documents the life of Citizen Mitten, but it also conveys the author's enjoyment of the life that Mitten shared.

I bought the book trying to get some insights into "why" my oldest daughter has a love for cats. It started when she was a child. To my surprise, and to that of many feral cats, she would chase them down and befriend them. After reading "Citizen Mitten" I am starting to understand why. If you have pets of any kind, I recommend you read this book. The author's stories made me laugh and recall some of my own funny pet memories. After reading the book I bought two more copies - one for each of my pet loving daughters.

Christy W. Sauro Jr.

Citizen Mitten is a joy and a hoot. What's not to love about Killer Trout, Poop du Jour, and Cat Bagpipes? I love the author's touch, and touching stories. A great read.

Pets can have personality as quirky as any person. "Citizen Mitten: My Life with a Cat My Family Says Was as Nutty as Me" is William Voedisch reflecting on his time with his beloved cat and reflecting on his unique personality which melded well with his own. A true treasure for any pet lover with many full-color photographs, "Citizen Mitten" is a pick to be considered for any empathetic cat lover.

You will thoroughly enjoy this book. It is an easy afternoon read- but you will want to allow time for chuckles and perhaps a few tears here and there. Voedisch is a great storyteller, weaving in lots of animals- more than just Mitten.

Citizen Mitten by William Voedisch is a delightful read that is hard to put down. My 20 year old son grabbed the book from me and I had to wait for him to finish. Now I know why he did not put it down until he was done. It reads as quickly as a novel but is all true story told by funny story teller, Bill. Hilarious and touching at the same time. This is a book that will make Christmas shopping a cinch. Great present for everyone, all ages.