About the Author

Dr. James Kenyon has been married for fifty years to Cynthia, the city girl who fell in love with a farm boy. They have three children: Jennifer is a school counselor married to Brook, a district judge; Carolyn is a veterinarian married to Christopher, an architect realtor; John is a graphic designer married to Kelsey, a marketing director. The Kenyons have six grandchildren.James is a graduate of the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine and a Kansas State Veterinary Distinguished Alumni recipient. He served in the US Army Veterinary Corps and was a major for thirteen years in the Army Reserves. James is an eight-time veterinary volunteer for the Iditarod Alaskan dog sled race. He is a past president of the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association as well as chairman of the Iowa Veterinary Medical Examining Board. Thomas Marple grew up in Minnesota, splitting time between the north woods and a dairy farm. Tom's earliest memories are of drawing the rich life around him with his mother's encouragement. He has worked as a wrangler, cowboy, conservationist, printer, graphic designer, and professor at a local community college. Throughout it all he has managed to illustrate and journal. He, too, has volunteered for the Iditarod (where he met Jim Kenyon). His older brother completed the race in 1976. He has been married to Michele, the love of his life, for thirty-five years and lives in North Dakota.

Reviews

Dr. Jim's ability to tell a story about his patients and their people is unrivaled. All veterinarians have clients and patients whose stories brought us joy in our veterinary profession. I admire Jim's ability to share those stories in a fascinating way. His gift is to make those clients and patients come to life and that makes this book so much fun to read. I can picture the patients and clients in their settings and fondly remember my patients too. Any animal lover or kind-hearted person will enjoy these stories. It's not just about animals and their health, it's about caring, kindness, and connections between individuals and the human-animal bond. The relationships make our lives so much more enjoyable.Tom Johnson DVM Retired, Small Animal Practitioner 25 years, Director of the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association, Director of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at Iowa State University James Kenyon was my 15+ year old cat, Belle's, veterinarian from her earliest days until his retirement. What a soft voice and gentle hands Dr. Jim had in calming Belle, reassuring her that she was safe with him. It wasn't until I read A Cat Named Fatima that I learned of the author's special affinity for cats. This scientifically educated author writes lyrically, including the charming ode that introduces each cat. The reader quickly will be drawn into the stories, which can be read in any order. Kenyon captures the essence of the cat; I read some stories more than once, tears flowing by the end each time! Illustrations are whimsical and perfectly suited to every cat. Anyone who ever had or has a cat will adore this book. It will be a great sentimental "read" for you and a fine gift for those you know who also have opened their hearts and homes to felis domesticus.Judith F. Harrington, Professor Emerita, University of Northern Iowa Cat lovers will want to keep the tissues handy as they read 23 tales filled with joy and heartbreak featuring loving, brave, and endearing kitties. If you've ever doubted that a cat can change your life, you will doubt no more when you immerse yourself in this very readable, enjoyable book.Cheryl Arvidson, Freelance Writer and Editor
In a warm and affectionate portrayal, retired veterinarian James Kenyon recalls unique relationships between cats and their devoted owners. A series of human and feline personalities ranging from monstrous to mellow enlivens the sketches. While the stories are related with gentle humor, the book also features fascinating and informative sidebar-type fragments about cat reproduction, genetic selection and the history of various breeds. Ardent cat-lovers, as well as the feline-indifferent, will be engaged and charmed by this collection.Margaret Bradford