The Cats of Italy is a book for four longish short stories written about cats who live in four of the most scenic culturally rich parts of Italy. The stories are written from the viewpoints of the cats. Each story is also a travel guide of the cities and countryside of Italy. The book is a perfect holiday gift for the cat fancier, for those who have a passion for Italy, or for the special person who love both felines and Italian culture and history.
Cats of Florence
Guido, a Florentine cat, tells the tale of a dark and stormy night, eerily similar to the night that he was born, but this time he is trapped in a medieval tower. How did he get there? It was a quest.
By answering the appeal for an adventure from Gatone, their plump friend, Guido and his brother Dante cross the terracotta roofs of Florence to visit Dante’s House and Dante’s Church.
Thwarted by a wicked priest and a sticky, smelly boy, the three cats are trapped in a medieval tower while a storm rages outside. Will they ever get home? Therein lies the tale.
Cats of Venice
Regina is not feeling the love at home in her roof-top apartment and garden in Venice. A mishap results in a dunking in the canal. Life outside her palazzo would be a catastrophe except for the help offered by two “free” felines, Fosca and Casanova.
The threesome tour Venice, learning about the famous cats of Venetian history. But of course, Regina refuses to listen to her new friends and is captured and imprisoned.
Landing on her feet in an historic regal barge on the Grand Canal, Regina finds there is no place live home.
Cats of Rome
Flavia, Cicero and Rocco are residents of the cat colony living in Largo di Torre Argentina, an ancient temple site in Rome. Where Julius Caesar met his end, the cats of Rome frolic.
A Cat Sanctuary with a feline clinic has been built by the Cat Ladies of Rome at one end of Torre Argentina. Now it is under threat from the bureaucrats who protect the archeological ruins of Rome.
The three cats take action going all the way to the top for support to save their sanctuary. It never hurts to have a friend in high places.
Cats of Calabria
Vanda, Uffa and Pussipu live near the sea in the southernmost region of Italy. Pussipu is the pampered pet in a villa marked by a dark past and a darker present.
Vanda is the loved companion on a farm where the best mozzarella di bufala is made.
Their new best friend is Uffa, who surprisingly smells of licorice. The sights and smells of Calabria infuse their story.