My One-Eyed, Three-Legged Therapist: How My Cat Clio Saved Me is the story of how an adorable, spunky, gray-and-white kitten helped the author regain the courage to face life’s challenges and realize that none of us is truly alone. Born into poverty, losing her dad at age seven, and targeted by bullies, Kathy turned to pets for unconditional love and acceptance. A difficult childhood led to an abusive marriage, but things changed on her fortieth birthday when her staff at the organization where she worked gave her an extraordinary cat named Clio. The runt of the litter, a two-time cancer survivor, and a special needs cat, Clio nevertheless had an incredible will to live full tilt. This intrepid feline knew no fear and displayed unlimited self-confidence. She overcame not one, but two, disabilities. By watching Clio thrive despite what life threw at her, Kathy was able to put her own life in perspective by learning to accept the past, embrace the present, and look forward to the future.
Prologue
1. Self-Proclaimed Queen of the Universe
2. Small, but Mighty
3. Lonely, Poor, and Bullied
4. A Tomcat Named Lisa and His Companion, Oliver
5. No Cats Allowed
6. Trouble Times Two
7. Clio’s Advice on Dating
8. Tuna in the Morning, Tuna in the Evening, Tuna at Suppertime
9. Knockin’ Around the Christmas Tree
10. Clio, the Survivor
11. Beating the Odds
12. Playing the Sympathy Card
13. Nothing to Fear but Fear Itself and a Cat Who Has No Fear
14. Clio, the Therapy Cat
15. Goodbye, My Sweet Friend
16. Hello Again 126Acknowledgments
About the Author