The story begins when the author, going outside after a blizzard, heard the scream of an animal in pain. After a search of the neighbourhood he found a silvery grey cat held by a hind leg in a gin trap. While he freed her she scrabbed and bit him and, when she was released she fled. After he had tended his cuts he made up his mind to follow the blood trail from the trap and came to a derelict barn. In the corner of a hay loft he found the cat with two kittens. By the time he reached the vet only one animal was still alive. Denis insisted on bringing this frail kitten home, if only that it might die by his fire, but, contrary to his expectations, the little creature responded to his attempts to feed it using the washed out ink sac of a fountain pen. While he was at work he kept the kitten in a jug beside the fire, hence the name he gave it, Toby Jug.
Toby Jug became Denis O'Connor's companion, slithering around the back seat of his car, being taken for walks in a chiwawa harness, climbing on to the author's shoulder when he felt threatened. He helped himself to a neighbour's tomatoes when his red ball was lost and, occupying a pannier, he went on a trekking holiday.
The book dissolves preconceived ideas about cats. At least some cats are not obsessed with comfort. Like Banjo in his younger days, Toby Jug romps in snow. Neither has he fear of water. In hot weather he likes to cool off in a bucket of it. A book which makes us think twice before we generalise is to be welcomed.
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