Ponoka resident and author Margaret Erickson recently released a new instalment about her beloved feline companion, Simon the Cat: The Yowlers and the Howlers, just in time for the holidays.
This is Erickson’s third book about Simon, a rescue cat that is now about 16 years old.
Her purpose in writing her books is to make people aware that all kinds of animals, (though cats hold a special place in her heart) need homes.
“I’m hoping people who are animal lovers will really think about this bit about adopting rather than buying.”
Erickson says Simon is so important to her and her husband Bruce because when they rescued him, they think he knew he’d found his forever home, and they suspected he’d been abused and abandoned.
Simon seemed immediately grateful and he “had so much love to give that we loved him right back.”
Unlike the first two which were based on real life events, the plot of Yowlers and Howlers is completely fictional.
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The story details what the author imagines what the adventures of cats and dogs travelling together would be like as Simon and 18 of his best cat and dog friends form a band and go on tour.
The book also features photographs of other local fur babies and is dedicated to veterinary clinics everywhere, but gives a special mention to the Central Veterinary Clinic of Ponoka and Dr. Kelly Loree, for his care of Simon over the years.
In his real life, Simon has appeared on T.V. three times, raising a significant amount of money for humane society chapters in the U.S.
Erickson’s books are self-published and she donates all the profits that are left after her expenses to humane societies and SPCAs (currently to the SPCA in Edmonton).
Those interested in purchasing her book can contact her through the email on her website, www.simonthecat.ca. She will deliver to addresses within town, as she prefers not to mail them because of the added cost.
The trio — Margaret, Bruce and Simon — moved back to Ponoka five years ago and don’t have any plans to ever leave, except for on their travelling adventures.