In 1999, the Chicken Soup for the Dog and Cat Lovers' Soul was published, and shot to The New York Times' Best Sellers list. No wonder. With more than 65 million pet-owning households in the United States, and millions more people who simply love animals, the book's moving and inspirational stories were irresistible.
Now it's time for new stories, in two volumes: Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover's Soul and Chicken Soup for the Cat Lover's Soul.
We recently talked with one of the books' co-authors, Dr. Marty Becker. Dr. Becker—in addition to being a noted author, columnist, radio talk show host, and veterinary correspondent for Good Morning America—is known as the "best loved family doctor for pets." He has also been a strong supporter of animal shelters, and of The Humane Society of the United States. In fact, Dr. Becker and the books' co-authors have contributed to The HSUS's Pets for Life program, which is also featured in the two new books.
We asked Dr. Becker about the books, and about why these stories resonate with so many people.
HSUS: There are two books this time—one for cat lovers and one for dog lovers. Does that mean there really are 'cat people' and 'dog people,' and do the twain ever meet?
Becker: We did two different books this time because the marketplace demanded it. People do seem to have different relationships with cats and dogs. For example, dogs encourage social interaction. They mirror our own human need to be needed. They mirror our own social structure. I think of dogs as perpetual toddlers. Cats are more like teenagers. Sometimes they're so friendly, and sometimes they just take one look at you and wander off into another room. Cats reflect our more spiritual side, our introspective side. Dogs think they're human; cats think they're gods! I think, too, that dogs and cats experience and show love and affection in different ways. Cats seem to experience love more subtly. But whether people think of themselves as a "cat person" or a "dog person," most of us who live with pets have at least one thing in common. These days, most of us call ourselves our pet's "mom" or "dad." Of course, that makes us veterinarians pediatricians for life!
HSUS: How hard was it to select the stories that finally made it into the book?
Becker: Thousands of stories were submitted. We narrowed those down to a couple hundred. My co-authors and I also used reader panels made up of people who have read our previous books to help select the stories that made it into the books. It was a real cross section of people. Different job descriptions. Different hometowns, from Manhattan to Mayberry. Different attitudes toward animals, from zealots to people with just a casual interest. We had them read and rate the stories. And it was a lot like American Idol. The top stories kept going forward. At very end of the process, we knew we had stories that appeal to everyone.
HSUS: What were you and the reader panelists looking for?
Becker: Stories that strike an emotional chord, stories that tell a central truth. They may leave you with guffaws or a lump in the throat. But they move you in some way.
HSUS: Who is the typical reader of these books?
Becker: Obviously, most of the people who read our books already feel something for animals, and they want to celebrate and nurture those feelings. But we know that some of the people who will eventually read these books start out wondering what all the fuss is about. They may be stuck in the old paradigm that "a pet is just an animal—why should I provide regular vet care, or keep my dog inside, or worry about the cat's emotions?" Advocacy organizations reach peoples' feelings through education. You teach people about an issue and persuade them to care. These books do the opposite. They get to education through feelings. We start with opening up the soul and the heart, soften readers up so we can get to their heads and provide education. Whatever works is great—as long as the end result is better care for the animal and a stronger bond between person and pet.
HSUS: Is it possible to pick out a favorite story?
Becker: That would be almost impossible. Of all the stories we received, whether they were poorly written or well crafted, very very few weren't moving in some way. We, and the readers, are really getting a glimpse of someone's emotional diary. Each story evokes the writer's memory of and feelings about a pet. One common theme was "I rescued this pet, but this pet really rescued me." There were stories of loss, saying goodbye. You could tell some people were healed, just by putting the story down on paper for the whole family to share, and to share with others. There were crazy, zany stories. The amazing thing is that even after all these years as a veterinarian, and writing about animals, I was still vulnerable to these stories. I still got emotional. I think all my co-authors would say the same.
HSUS: Tell us a little about your co-authors.
Becker: We've been co-authors on all the companion animal Soul books, but Carol Kline in particular is known as the "chicken soup" lady. She has a great sense for what ingredients should be for a "chicken soup" story. They're never preachy—either the reader gets something out of the story or they don't, but we don't hit them over the head with a message. There's always a moment toward the end that "works." Carol's also the story doctor. She can always sense how to fix it just enough. On a personal level, we're great friends. And she's also very involved with shelters.
Amy Shojai is a certified animal behavior consultant and an expert of pet care. She's also authored 21 non-fiction pet books, has written more than 500 articles and columns, and is one of the founders of the Cat Writers' Association. Amy is a fountain of knowledge and has a wealth of contacts.
The three of us are all good writers, which helps! And we complement each other in terms of our skills and knowledge.
HSUS: These books are obviously a good read and good entertainment. Do you also hope readers will take something away from these stories?
Becker: Absolutely. After reading these stories, I hope people realize how powerfully pets can impact our lives on so many levels, and how much our animal companions deserve our care and respect. And how much they need our protection, physically and emotionally. Our relationships with pets are a blend of science and soul. Only a couple of species have truly broken down the barriers and moved in en masse to our hearts and our homes. They've forsaken their own species to be with us. I think the ability to take care of creatures so different from ourselves is what makes us human.
The books validate the emotional connection between our pets and their human caretakers. When people read the collection of stories, I believe they'll realize how amazing pets are, and many will never look at animals the same way. I hope that new realization moves people to do something to help animals. To take action, to change their own relationship with animals, to donate to an animal protection organization, or volunteer, to find room in their hearts and homes for another pet, and to adopt that pet from an animal shelter.
HSUS: Can reading these books help people to be better caretakers to their own animals and how?
Becker: One of the things I hear all the time is that reading these stories shows people they aren't alone. They don't have to feel goofy for feeling that special connection with their pets. The books validate the knowledge that no individual animal is ever replaceable. Each animal is unique and special. I like to say that there's only one "greatest pet" in the world—and every family has it! The books are light on stuff like feeding the right food, but they elevate pets as beings. That fosters greater understanding and respect, and I believe that leads to better care and stronger bonds.
HSUS: When a reader reads the final story and turns the last page, what's the first thing you want him/her to do?
Becker: I want them to hug their dog or cat. To treat every member of the family—human and animal—with love and respect. Then I want them to find some way to contribute, to help other animals. Look at the outpouring of money and services in wake of Hurricane Katrina. For the first time, many people thought about animals in terms of the effects of a disaster, and had to do something about it.
HSUS: Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, but particularly Katrina, showed so many sides of the people/pet equation. Pets were left behind, and people were separated from their pets by force. But we also saw people who took nothing but their pets when they left their homes, and witnessed joyous reunions between people and their animals. How can the stories in the book help to heal the souls of people who lost their pets in the disaster?
Becker: The thought of abandoning a pet in a disaster is horrifying. To be forced to deny one's own humanity by leaving a being who depends on us is unthinkable. So the feeling of sadness and loss is enormous. But I also know about the healing power of pets—even reading and sharing stories about pets. I hear this all the time. People who have lost a pet will read a story about someone else grieving over an animal, and they realize they're allowed to feel the grief, they need to feel it. They can read and share these stories and know they're not alone.
HSUS: What personal message would you like to send to pet owners who have been affected by the disaster?
Becker: Whatever your experience has been—life will go on, and many other pet owners share your pain. And just know that there are lots of furry wonders out there waiting to be fostered or adopted. A heart that is broken can expand and heal. If you've been in a loving relationship with a pet, there's another pet out there who needs that, and needs you. There's a pet who wants to move from the cage in the shelter to the couch in your house.
It won't be long before the sweet, special, happy memories rise to the forefront to comfort you in the days and weeks ahead. And when you're ready, and you adopt another pet, your new animal won't replace your previous companion, but will honor all those who came before.
