Book: SHOP CATS of New York by Tamar Arslanian, Photography By Andrew Marttila

A Cat Book Brilliant in Concept and Execution

SHOP CATS of New York

When SHOP CATS of New York arrived at my home, I was immediately taken by the cover. It is intriguing, gorgeous and captivating. I thrive on tactile and visual stimulation.  The book is hard cover, (it even FEELS good!), printed on high quality paper that does justice to  the magnificent photos.

Like  a cat cannot wait to climb into a new box, SHOP CATS of New York became MY brand new box, and I couldn't wait to jump in!

Cover Photo Courtesy of Shop Cats

A book that features two of some of my favorite things in the world, Cats and New York, written by one of my favorite cat bloggers whom I have followed from way back when I first began blogging, Tamar is  PURE (or "PURR") NEW YORK! Quirky, animated, artsy, unique, a trend-setter, full of passion and enthusiasm for the cats, people and life in the city that she loves, NEW YORK.  I knew this was going to be GOOD. I was NOT disappointed. It is BETTER than "good." It is a must have for anyone who loves New York and cats and is curious about cats who reside in shops, and for those who love superb photos of cats that you can gaze at daily, it is a "whack-yourself-on-the-side-of-the-head-saying-why-didn't-I-think-of-that?" kind of a book, a "PURR DELIGHT."

FROM THE PUBLISHER:Shop Cats of New York introduces forty of New York’s favorite felines—all who have an extraordinary story to tell. Popular cat blogger Tamar Arslanian and Instagram pet photographer Andrew Marttila capture these deeply loved and well cared for animals in their city habitat and reveal how they came to reign over their urban kingdoms.

Photo Courtesy of Shop Cats "Lionel"

I was born on Long Island, NY and both of my parents were from Brooklyn. I still have family there, I have friends there. New York is a place that makes you come alive, it is a place where I feel that with my boisterous and loud personality  I don't stand out, I blend in. I feel at home there. But what about these cats? How were they discovered?

For Author Tamar Arslanian, resident New Yorker and cat lover.  It was "only natural" that she noticed cats wherever she went. As she started meeting cats in various shops around her neighborhood she became curious as to where she could find others throughout the city.  After doing some research and meeting superb photographer, Andrew Marttila "at a cat event-where else?" SHOP CATS was born.

"From the Algonquin Hotel to a local yoga studio, felines rule their urban domains. Arslanian and Marttila  expose witty stories of:two meat eating cats who live in a vegan shoe shop, a pharmacy cat with the title "Her Royal highness Princess Ivy of Neegard",  who has one human disciple
who travels two hours to bring her gifts. A pharmacy cat named Allegra, an allergy medicine,

whose owner is highly allergic to cats, a wine store cat with his own chiropractor, (he has a bad back),  a cat who is a the mascot at a dog boutique." Any many more!!!

Photo Courtesy of Shop Cats "Bobo"

Of course I HAD to feature "Bobo" shown above (since my first cat and "soul kitty" was named "Bobo"). The Bobo featured above resides at JAPAN MARKET INC., Chinatown, Manhattan. 

Lest you think that the cats in these shops are merely used as "mousers" and not cared for, think again. That couldn't be further from the truth. The cats often get more mental stimulation and love than cats who are in a traditional "home" environment. They have customers who visit them regularly, who "oooh" and "ahhh", whisper sweet nothings and caress sweet kitty faces more than we might have time for with our cats at home. They have all they could hope for, and then some. Most importantly they are LOVED. As a result, SHOP CATS of New York hopes that shelters in their area will consider allowing more businesses to adopt cats, and that the myth that cats who reside in businesses are strictly used to control mice and insects will be dispelled. 

Years ago before I had a blog, I remember stopping into a Bird Seed shop with a resident kitty, as well as a cat boutique (that has since closed), that had cats regularly strolling in the shop on a daily basis. 99.9% of the reason I even visited those shops were because of the "shop cats" who "worked" there. It makes me wonder, could we be looking at a series of books featuring cats located in various cities around the United States and the World popping up???? Tamar and Andrew, are you listening? We can only hope!!!!

SHOP CATS (Harper Design; On Sale: November 1, 2016;

Hardcover; $21.99/$31 CAN; 176 pages; ISBN:

9780062432025) 

AMAZON

and wherever you purchase your books!


I was not compensated for this review. I was sent a complimentary copy of SHOP CATS in exchange for my always honest review.