Champy Pants the Blind Siamese Kitty - A Book Review AND a Rescue Story!

Hello and Happy Thursday! I'm back with another great tail tale in our Rescue Stories series. But it's not only a rescue story, it's a book review, too! Our friend, Champy Pants the Blind Siamese Kitty, wrote a book about his experience. Read on to see how Champy ended up at the same shelter I did, and how his Mom fell in love with him when she saw him on Facebook (just like mine did!), and Mommy's review of his book.  We know you'll love it! 
Lola

When Champy was pulled from a high kill shelter in New York City by North Shore Animal League, his odds for survival were slim. After being hit by a car he was severely injured, suffering a broken jaw, head trauma, split palate, and damage to both of his eyes. The medical team at North Shore worked determinedly to save him, wiring his jaw shut so it could heal properly and inserting a feeding tube to ensure he received much needed nourishment. After his jaw was healed he was put up for adoption, and there was no short supply of applicants who wanted to give him a forever home. 

Despite his rough beginnings, Champy Pants, A Blind Kitty’s Tale is not a sad story. It’s a tale of rescue, resilience, and family. Champy tells his story in rhyme.  He begins with the night he snuck out of his house, being lured by the action of the big city.  Being ecstatic to see a rat, he chases it into the street “but out of nowhere a thing appeared. It was roaring and honking. The rat disappeared.” One day when he was in the hospital a nurse read him a letter. “It’s from a friend far away who wants to make things better.” 

Aww, look at Champy in the hospital. Poor Champy.

That friend was Tiffany Tilton. When Tiffany saw Champy’s shelter photo on Facebook, it was love at first sight. Being a Siamese cat lover she just wanted to scoop him up, but the shelter system requires that an injured cat be pulled by a rescue who has New Hope status. When Champy resurfaced on Facebook through North Shore Animal League, she fell in love all over again when she saw his photo, and Tiffany knew she had to adopt him. Having lost two cats to lymphoma and kidney disease, she was at a point in her life where she knew she needed Champy, and Champy needed her so they could heal together. After being accepted as his adopter, Tiffany drove three hours from Massachusetts to Long Island so she could bring him home. 

Champy was very excited to meet his new roommates – Siamese cats Muppet, Monkey and Chewy; and a possum named Monster. One day he heard a flutter and a chirp and was “sure it was a bird. Excitedly, I climbed the screen, I leaped! Escape unheard.” He was quickly found by his mom and brought home, where he tells his roommates “there’s squirrels and birds and bugs and mice. It’s wild, but next time I’ll think twice.” 

Champy Pants, A Blind Kitty’s Tale is beautifully illustrated by Cristian Bernardini. It is hardcover, with high quality, thick glossy paper. It measures 6” x 9” and is 22 pages.  If you love rescue stories (like I do), you’ll enjoy this book.  And if you’re on Facebook, you’ll love the “In Memory” list of Facebook cats who have crossed the bridge.  Many of Lola and Lexy’s friends are listed there, including their best friend, Hobbes AKA Stinky the Cat.  

You can purchase a copy for yourself on Champy’s website  for $18.99.  There is also a Special Limited Edition Gift package that includes an autographed book, a paw printed bow tie and five of Champy’s Lucky Inspiration Cards. 

This is a great gift for a cat lover, which we included in our Book List for Christmas Gifts. 

You can follow Champy on Facebook (where he has over 19,000 followers), Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and UStream.Tiffany and Champy’s story resonated deeply with me.  Lola came from the same system, and when I saw her shelter photo I instantly fell in love with her.  Lola and Champy have been running in the same Facebook circles for a while, but these kindred spirits didn’t find each other until now. 

Photo Credits: Champypants.com