The dog who rescues cats by Philip Gonzalez and Leonore Fleischer

Philip Gonzalez was always an active man who worked in the physically demanding job of construction.  He had served his country in Vietnam and returned home to his family and friends, only to be badly injured in an accident on the job.  Essentially losing the use of his right arm, Gonzalez began spiralling into a deep depression no longer caring about what he did, what he wore, and becoming virtually housebound.  Dragged to the local shelter by a well meaning friend, Gonzalez was only interested in the big dogs, the large breeds and a male - until a small female met him at the bars of the adoption cage and decided he was the person for her.

Naming her Ginny, Gonzalez took her home and found a true companion and friend, another living being to share his world.  What he didn't know was that Ginny would soon help their little family of two to grow.  It turned out that Ginny had a knack for finding stray cats, and she also had a talent for finding cats with disabilities - from deafness, to blindness, to missing hind feet.  Over the years Ginny and Gonzalez found cats all around the neighbourhood who needed help, and with his very limited disability payments Gonzalez fed dozens of cats each day, and spent time and money catching the cats, neutering them, and rehoming them if possible.  Together he and Ginny saved dozens of lives and prevented hundreds of unnecessary litters.

The story of Ginny and Gonzalez is heart warming and touching, and at times deeply disturbing when you consider what was done to some of the cats.  It is the story of the cats they rescued, but also much more - a story about unconditional love and trust.  At times I laughed out loud and shared the funny parts, at other times I cried over some of the stories, and at times I was left gob smacked by what some of them went through.  At times this is not an easy read, but it was well worth it in the end to "meet" this amazing duo and learn about the work they have done.

If you like this book then try:

• Homer's Odyssey by Gwen Cooper
• A cat called Norton by Peter Gethers
• Cowboy and Wills by Monica Holloway
• Making rounds with Oscar by David Dosa
• Finding Harmony by Sally Hyder
• Dewey: The small-town library cat who touched the world by Vicki Myron & Bret Witter

Reviewed by Brilla