Strays: The True Story of a Lost Cat, a Homeless Man, and Their Journey Across America

This book reports a highly unusual story of a cat rescued by a homeless man and carried with him as he travels through Western states for nearly a year. The author has gone to great lengths to tell the tale from the perspective of the humans involved, and there is character development in the tracing of their stories. A great attachment develops between the cat and her human, and he is severely challenged emotionally to return the cat to her original owner when he discovers that she is microchipped. The qualities of the owner are shown with less sympathy, and it is hard to feel glad for the cat at first when she returns home. But she finally turns back into a typical housecat and couch potato, so she seems to belong there at last. What I hoped to get from the book was the story from the cat's point of view. We catch glimpses of her playing at the edge of the surf, sleeping in a tree for the night to escape predators in a national park, snuggling inside her man's sleeping bag to stay safe and warm on many nights. But this does not suffice to get into the mind of this cat, and I continued to wonder if the cat were actually enjoying living on the lam like this. Much of the book was actually boring, as I waited for some insight into the feelings of the cat, aside from her clinging to the immediate safety she felt being with her trusted person. Overall I found the book saddening. Was this whole episode in her life worthwhile in her experience? I would not read the book again, and I write this as a warning to readers who expect more about a cat and less about the life struggles of the people living a hard life like this.

This book got me through a couple of dark days. The story sucks you in. I've lived in Portland for decades, and I'm impressed that this writer from London is so good at describing Portland, Oregon, its streets, trees, houses, its general vibe, its characters both human and animal. Forget "Portlandia." This is the real deal. A homeless guy, depressed, drinking, takes in a lost, needy cat, and they panhandle, hitchhike, and camp out together, covering thousands of miles. It's a love story really. Meanwhile, the cat's original owner is missing her terribly and wondering if she's still alive somewhere, consulting psychics, having nightmares, worried sick. This all really happened, these are real characters. This is a heartfelt, heart-wrenching, soulful book, and the humor and wry observations are part of the soulfulness. (No wonder Pogues songwriter Shane McGowan wrote a blurb for the back jacket.) It's also a great story, down-to-earth, well-paced, drawn with bold strokes, and with clear-eyed respect for the people and animals involved.

This was a sometimes funny, sometimes sad and definitely educational book. I love cats so that caught my attention to purchase this book. Given the other main character , Michael , was homeless it gave me a view into what life is like for the homeless and their daily struggles. How a small kitten found by Michael changed his life so that he took on the responsibility of feeding and protecting her despite his many challenges. Good read.

I'm a guy and would never describe a book as "heartwarming". Well, guess what? I really had a hard time putting it down! It's a really good book and has lots of lessons.

I got this book on a friend's recommendation, although she had not yet read it. I was intrigued because I live fairly close to where the cat was found and where the action in the book begins (and ends), and because I love cats. I would have loved to have known this cat; he seemed really intelligent, loving and fun. He was also incredibly patient with his keepers, neither of whom I found to be particularly likable.

This is a very touching and moving story about a homeless man, and the stray kittin thhe has reluctantly fallen in love with. Subject, and cat grow inseperable through their journy in the Pacific Northwest, and Califoria. Very moving, and touching, you will cheer for both of them.

Enjoyed the book very much. Beautiful story and having two cats, know the comfort and joy they can bring as well as the responsibility that goes with it.

This a fantastic story about homeless people and a cat they loved. I enjoyed travelling with them. This is a very compelling story and is told/written very well. Read this and you will feel like you're with them. Well done. Save the forward for last.

This book was great, but dealing with Amazon.com is a pain! Ordering online has been easy for a long time, Amazon, so get with it!

I'm halfway through and this story is heartwarming and pulled me in from the first sentence. We have 4 cats so its very relatable to me.

This book reports a highly unusual story of a cat rescued by a homeless man and carried with him as he travels through Western states for nearly a year. The author has gone to great lengths to tell the tale from the perspective of the humans involved, and there is character development in the tracing of their stories. A great attachment develops between the cat and her human, and he is severely challenged emotionally to return the cat to her original owner when he discovers that she is microchipped. The qualities of the owner are shown with less sympathy, and it is hard to feel glad for the cat at first when she returns home. But she finally turns back into a typical housecat and couch potato, so she seems to belong there at last. What I hoped to get from the book was the story from the cat's point of view. We catch glimpses of her playing at the edge of the surf, sleeping in a tree for the night to escape predators in a national park, snuggling inside her man's sleeping bag to stay safe and warm on many nights. But this does not suffice to get into the mind of this cat, and I continued to wonder if the cat were actually enjoying living on the lam like this. Much of the book was actually boring, as I waited for some insight into the feelings of the cat, aside from her clinging to the immediate safety she felt being with her trusted person. Overall I found the book saddening. Was this whole episode in her life worthwhile in her experience? I would not read the book again, and I write this as a warning to readers who expect more about a cat and less about the life struggles of the people living a hard life like this.

This book got me through a couple of dark days. The story sucks you in. I've lived in Portland for decades, and I'm impressed that this writer from London is so good at describing Portland, Oregon, its streets, trees, houses, its general vibe, its characters both human and animal. Forget "Portlandia." This is the real deal. A homeless guy, depressed, drinking, takes in a lost, needy cat, and they panhandle, hitchhike, and camp out together, covering thousands of miles. It's a love story really. Meanwhile, the cat's original owner is missing her terribly and wondering if she's still alive somewhere, consulting psychics, having nightmares, worried sick. This all really happened, these are real characters. This is a heartfelt, heart-wrenching, soulful book, and the humor and wry observations are part of the soulfulness. (No wonder Pogues songwriter Shane McGowan wrote a blurb for the back jacket.) It's also a great story, down-to-earth, well-paced, drawn with bold strokes, and with clear-eyed respect for the people and animals involved.

This was a sometimes funny, sometimes sad and definitely educational book. I love cats so that caught my attention to purchase this book. Given the other main character , Michael , was homeless it gave me a view into what life is like for the homeless and their daily struggles. How a small kitten found by Michael changed his life so that he took on the responsibility of feeding and protecting her despite his many challenges. Good read.

I'm a guy and would never describe a book as "heartwarming". Well, guess what? I really had a hard time putting it down! It's a really good book and has lots of lessons.

I got this book on a friend's recommendation, although she had not yet read it. I was intrigued because I live fairly close to where the cat was found and where the action in the book begins (and ends), and because I love cats. I would have loved to have known this cat; he seemed really intelligent, loving and fun. He was also incredibly patient with his keepers, neither of whom I found to be particularly likable.

This is a very touching and moving story about a homeless man, and the stray kittin thhe has reluctantly fallen in love with. Subject, and cat grow inseperable through their journy in the Pacific Northwest, and Califoria. Very moving, and touching, you will cheer for both of them.

Enjoyed the book very much. Beautiful story and having two cats, know the comfort and joy they can bring as well as the responsibility that goes with it.

This a fantastic story about homeless people and a cat they loved. I enjoyed travelling with them. This is a very compelling story and is told/written very well. Read this and you will feel like you're with them. Well done. Save the forward for last.

This book was great, but dealing with Amazon.com is a pain! Ordering online has been easy for a long time, Amazon, so get with it!

I'm halfway through and this story is heartwarming and pulled me in from the first sentence. We have 4 cats so its very relatable to me.

Perfect story of a real family (man and cat) and their devotion to each other. Animals love and know when they are loved as in this story.

Wow...I only opened to the Table of Contents and noticed all the titles were references to Songs! I saw Bowie, Stones (My 2 faves ever) and the Boss, CCR, Aerosmith, Lou Reed and man more! Love this book already! Thanks Britt!

This is a beautiful story of hope and love and how animals change our lives. It's a deeply touching story.

Great amazing story! Cats rule!

A great read that is actually a true story. Once you start reading this book you won’t be able to stop. So enjoy with a huge glass of iced tea.

Get your tissues!! Beautiful, sad, sweet and inspiring. Everything you want with a CAT!!

Bought this for my mom. Looks like a wonderful story !

I LOVED this book although it didn't end as I would have liked it to. It is a very sweet story that anyone will enjoy.

Wonderful. Uplifting without being sentimental. Not just another navel gazing exercise masquerading as a road trip. This book has heart. And grit. And wit.

Excellent book to read. Definitely buy and enjoy it.

Better than "A Street Cat Named Bob." This is my new favorite book!

this is the ONLY book EVER that I would read again. Absolutely LOVED it. I laughed and cried at the right times. Wish the ending was different, but I understand. A MUST for all cat and animal lovers. This book will NEVER leave my side. Beautiful beautiful story.

I know Michael personally and in spite of his troubles, he's a great guy. Proud to count him as a friend, more like a brother.

good buy !!

Great story, didn't want it to end

Great reading. I love cats, and this is a really good book!

It was so good I just could not lay it down till I was finished.

This book was great. It is even more touching because it is true. I felt bad that Michael gave up Tabor. She was his world and he was hers. I hope Michael continues to be touched by his 10 months with Tabor. They saved each other.

The most interesting part was that it was a true story, but I wasn't as captivated as I had hoped.

Great

I need to start this review by saying that I lost an extremely special dog in 2003 who was microchipped but never was found. I miss that dog every day. So I know precisely how it felt for "Tabor"'s owner, not knowing where his furry friend was. That said, I found the book to be very interesting in the way in which the cat made such a huge impact on Michael (the homeless man). I was surprised, frankly, that Michael immediately agreed to return Tabor to his owner. But, in the vet's office when the microchip was found, Michael muttered to himself something about "if that cat has a chip". OK, so Michael knew about microchips and failed to have Tabor checked for one when he found him? Then it got a bit interesting for me. He returns Tabor, and Tabor does not seem to recognize (or be overjoyed to see) his owner after less than a year. Then, Michael returns months later for a visit and the cat instantly recognizes him and climbs all over him and follows him as he leaves. It makes me wonder who Tabor really wanted to be with. However, I do admire Michael for returning him and perhaps realizing that he could not provide a safe home for the cat. Having known a lot of cats, I feel that Tabor is one of those animals that can pretty much immediately bond to anyone he wants to, as he so readily did when first meeting Michael and his friends. So, I'm guessing, Tabor had a delightful time with Michael and could have a delightful time with anyone he chose. It must have been very hard for Michael to return Tabor; and it must have been somewhat hard for Tabor's owner, Ron, not to let Tabor stay with Michael. But I honestly wonder if Ron really did think hard about it. It was very clear how much the cat meant to him. It was really a quandary for me, because I often wondered if I got a call that my lost dog had been found and was living happily with someone if I would have broken them up even though I loved my dog with all my heart. It's about what's best for the animal, and I hope that was the right decision made in this case. The bottom line here, for me, is the importance of checking for a microchip whenever you find an animal. Just because there isn't a collar doesn't mean someone isn't desperately looking for the animal. It's so easy to do- any vet or shelter will be happy to do it. That was my only hope for my dog, Jackson, but it never happened.

This is a book about love. Two strangers who loved a sweet little cat more than they could have imagined. The selfless, all-giving, pure love of an animal companion. A story that dispels the "cats are aloof" myth & shows them for the emotional, loving beings they really are. This is an unexpected road-trip and cross-country adventure with a little cat who would have never found her way back home without a microchip. The emotional scope and character of this lost & injured little girl kitty: Mata/Tabor is astonishing. She is eloquent without being able to speak. At the end of this amazing true story, the author writes a plea for micro-chipping companion animals & adopting rather than shopping, when it comes time to open our hearts and homes to a new love.

TOTALLY ENJOYED THE JOURNEY! Ok, I admit it, I'm a sucker for animal stories....especially those about cats! But what actually drew me to STRAYS (besides being non-fiction) was finding out how in the world a cat travelled across the country sitting atop the shoulder and/or backpack of a distraught homeless man who likes his drink. With strangers about....while panhandling....with cars and semi's zooming by, Tabor the cat bears it all...and speaking of bears...yep! there's a couple close encounters, but no worries: "The homeless had a code of ethics.....they always took care of their animals first." I'm not saying there aren't a few scary moments here and there...like surviving a blizzard or the extreme heat; but animal lovers, do not shy away from STRAYS because there are two fully grown men here who would lay down their lives for one remarkable and unforgettable feline companion who brings hope and healing to lost and lonely souls. While I commend Ron for taking in abandoned cats, feeding them, loving them, and caring for them medically, allowing them to roam free outdoors is cause for concern as he learned the hard way.....twice. PLEASE......"RESCUE AN ANIMAL....DON'T BUY."

Very touching story about a little cat with a big personality. Hurt and starving, she is caught and nursed back to health by a homeless man, Michael, at the UPS dock on Hawthorne in Portland, Oregon. He didn't know shelters would scan for a microchip for free. When she's taken to the vet and scanned, her owner is found. Michael returns her to Ron. That part was heartbreaking for me. He obviously loved her a lot and she was very attached to him. One lucky kitty who had two different people who loved her very much.

This book is not literature, it is not even a beach book....it is a book about a cat. I guarantee you that cat lovers will enjoy "Stray". I chose it because the cat on the cover spoke to me. This is the story of a beloved lost cat. She is found, nursed back to health and lovingly kept by a drunk and homeless man. Michael had a big heart and he desperately needed to be loved and cherished as only a pet can care. He names her Tabor and she was life changing, in that he felt his responsibility and stayed sober to give his beloved cat the proper care. Michael had been drunk, depressed and on the road for years. He recognized that he was changing, that he was happy and no longer needed to drink. He also recognized that this little ball of fur was changing his life. Meanwhile we have Ron who has lost the cat and he is distraught. These parelle stories run along until there is a ending which only makes one cat owner happy. This is a true story.

I picked up this book because of the cat on the cover. I am a cat lover and enthusiast. It took me a chapter or two to really get into the book but from then on, I was totally hooked. I couldn't wait to read what happened next. Full disclosure: I had seen a post on Facebook telling the story of Michael and Tabor but, fortunately, it did not give away the ending. I admit that I had leaky eyes at the end and for quite a while afterward but it left me with such a good feeling. I think I might have to read the book again but not right away. I want to let it settle in my mind for a while. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has been loved and owned by a cat in their life. Don't be put off by the fact that the main human character is an alcoholic homeless guy. He is a good guy. And he does some very good stuff for others.

Borrowed from the overdrive/library app. Enjoyed the read, it was a fast/easy read and the characters were interesting. I found myself identifying more with Michael's story as Ron seemed a bit over the top/one dimensional. I know it's a true story, but Michael was just written about much more in depth and thus it was easier to sympathize with him and hope things worked out in his favor. That said, it was an interesting read and an interesting look into the life of the homeless, as I never would have realized the way they move around (at least this crew).

What a fascinating story - and so well written. I don't want to spoil the plot, but this real-life story follows the tale of a lost cat, her devastated companion who never stops looking for her, a homeless man and travels around America. It's full of twists, turns and unexpected outcomes. Heart-warming, gut-wrenching and a joy to read.

This is a true story of a man who pretty much gave up on life after his lover died and became a homeless wanderer, the curious, playful cat he found, and the cat's devoted owner who never gave up searching for her. It would be nice to say that after the heartwarming and uplifting relationship the man developed with the cat he managed to overcome his loss and got a job and a home, but that is not what happened. What happened was more about the loving relationship he developed with the cat, which enabled him to make a heart-wrenching decision out of his love for her. This story captivates from beginning to end and is hard to put down. Highly recommended.

I really appreciated this story for a number of reasons. First off, it was a touching story of the human animal bond. Being a cat person, I could relate to the relationship that developed between Michael and Tabor. It was also a deep look into the lives of folks who live on the fringes of our society. It was painful at times, but deeply honest. Finally, there was the joy of the reunion between Ron and Tabor (Mata.) Definitely a book worth reading or gifting.

I saw this book as I was browsing through Target and felt compelled to explore this story. I typically stay away from animal-based stories, since they often end with my heart hurting (much like those ASPCA-Sarah Mclachlan collab commercials). I am SO happy I chanced my heart and emotions with this one!! This story didn’t just intrigue the cat and animal lover in me, it also spoke to the restoration of my faith in humanity. One of the most lovely and purest true stories I’ve ever read. It definitely jumped into my Top 5 list. It will leave you with a feeling of hope but also a desire to better the world, even just a little bit! Highly recommend!

I work with homeless people. The book presented the romatic side of homelessness, leaving out the teeth ache, dirty hair and lice, but it proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that animals are important to the health of a person without resources, love and comfort. Great story and hard to put down. I listened to it via Audible.

Not only is this a delightful story about a great cat, it is also a very compassionate look into the world of the homeless. Seeing their world through the eyes of "one of them" has changed how I will think and respond in the future. Just happened upon this book, and I am so glad I did!

Anyone who has loved a pet will enjoy this book! I generally avoid reading stories about animals as some of the stories are just too sad. This book touched me as it demonstrated just how much the love of a pet can impact and alter a person's life. Yes, there are moments of sadness but it was also so uplifting. I really also appreciated the author's style of writing as I felt all the characters and scenes come alive as I read.

Touching story with great writing that illustrates just how important and life altering our love of animals can be. Through this homeless man's journey, the author clearly shows us the power and inspiration we can find through our animals loving us back, too. This book will warm your heart. Excellent!

Great feel good story! There are some good people in the world. I'm glad Tabor/Mata and Michael found each other and brightened each other's lives! My cats have taught me lots about true love and kindness.

Loved this book! (Borrowed from my local library.) What a great story...couldn't put it down. Highly recommend!

It has been a long time since someone's story brought out so much emotion in me. A must read for anyone who loves animals and is empathetic to all people in all walks of life.

It was amazing to see how Michael survived the way he did on the streets. I found that I was more interested in what Michael was doing to survive rather how Ron reacted.

I loved Strays. It's a beautifully written true story that restores your faith in humanity and vividly shows the healing power of pets. The book winds through many twists and turns with this extraordinary cat and the result is uplifting, moving and unforgettable. If you love cats you'll love it! It's a big YES from me.

This is one of those books that you start reading in the middle of the afternoon and find yourself still reading it well into the night. I loved this touching and inspiring story and I would recommend it to anyone who appreciates a great, fresh read. Perfect as a special gift too.

Started this book one evening and finished the next morning. Any cat-lover will love this book...amazing story of love, companionship and compassion.

Perfectly captures the people, places, events, and moods. Could double as a guide for how to write a book.

I listened to this on Audible. I LOVED this book!!!! I laughed and cried. I have 5 cats and would hope that someone like 'Mike' would be around to rescue one of them if needed.

This is a wonderful, well-written story. The only thing wrong about this book was the ending and the selfishness of Tabor's former owner.

A heart-warming story about a homeless man and a cat. This compelling read is beautifully written - I couldn't put it down. Looking forward to the movie.

Could not believe this was based on a true story. I gave my rescue dog a special hug when I finished it.

Strays by Britt Collins is a free NetGalley ebook that I read in early July. Strays is a story told parallel between Don (the man whose cat, Mata Hairi, runs away) and Michael (the man who happens upon Don's cat that he names Tabor) with song titles and locations for chapter names, and shared grief and mutual experiences with perhaps the awesomest cat ever.

Masterfully written, uplifting, funny and moving. Loved it!

An emotional story how animals leave their paw prints on your heart & change your life in such a positive way. Stayed up half the night to finish the book!!!

I was disappointed in this book, although the subjects of a cat and a homeless man piqued my interest. The book just went on and on and I found myself feeling more anger than compassion for the man, who chose to live his nomadic life. I also found the cat's behavior bordering on unbelievable, but if it truly was as depicted then she was indeed a very unusual and accommodating travel companion.

Story about a lost cat Tabor adopting a homeless man and there track hitch hiking down the west coast.

It was very entertaining...

Strays is a fabulous book. Filled with pure love and authenticity.

What an amazing story, and beautifully written. If you just read one book this year, make sure it's this one!

Fantastic read - fully recommend!