Of note: I’ve had more than a headache while trying to get the comment section to work. It has a mind of its own. I think that it is finally working. It has been quite a while since I last “put out a post” but now that I am have a tad more energy I hope to publish a number of posts that are still in draft form.
James Bowen was a recovering addict for about 10 years.I happened to read about the Englishman some time last year and I have wanted to present his story here. I found it fascinating. He now has written two books about his experience with a homeless cat that adopted Bowen before Bowen adopted him. It almost seems like fate and destiny to suddenly be adopted by a stray tom cat that Bowen could not shake from his life.The cat who he named Bob helped turn Bowen’s life around and has helped make them both celebrities and popular with tourists.
I really hope that this incredible true tale will be made into a movie. I think it would be extremely popular and an even better movie than “Marley and Me.”
Watch the short video. If you are a cat lover or not, I think you’ll enjoy the video.
PS: I bought the first book (not the first book that was published) and liked it very much.
Pets, People and, Life 
Delightful story of a man and his cat companion. Too many times, cats get short shrift when it comes to intelligent thinking and caring about the humans they decide to adopt. James and Bob are a loving team, and it is, indeed, a heart-warming tale.
Hello, Patricia, Thank you for visiting and taking the time to comment. I’m glad that you, as well, like the story of Bob and James. I agree that the story is heart-warming. I found the book to be a delightful read.
Thank you for sharing this story! I just wrote a post called “He’s just a dog,” about how those who aren’t animal lovers think that dogs/cats/animals have no personality, no ability to love. Oh how wrong they are.
Oh yes, you are 100% correct about animals. I also believe that they have reasoning ability for I’ve seen that in my on pets, both dogs and cats. And another belief of mine is that animals have a soul the same as humans.
I will peruse your blog and look for the post that you mentioned here. I know that I’ll enjoy”He’s Just a Dog.”
Thank you for taking the time to comment.
Regards,
~yvonne
Late again I am, but lovely story Yvonne. How fantastic they found each other. Bob is gorgeous; I’ve a soft spot for ginger cats as we had a pet one about 30 years ago.
I’m happy that you had the time to comment or not. I think Ginger cats are special too but then I think all cats are special.
I’m surprised that you have the time to comment since you are so busy with work and traveling. Remember to get started on sorting and putting your photos into folders. You must have thousands of them by now. 🙂
Good story. Gladdens the heart. Thank you.
Yes, it is heartwarming and a true story to boot. I like that good things happen to good people.
Thanks for taking time to comment, Gerard.
I am pretty sure I might have said this before, but I saw this man and his cat in London a couple of years ago. It was in Covent Garden and he was busking as this amazing cat just sat calmly there in his scarf, just looking at the people looking at him! It’s such a great story.
I’ll bet Bob and James was something else to see. A nice experience for you. I really wish that story could be made into a movie. There was talk of a movie but I don’t know if that project fell through or not. I think it would be a huge hit with animal lovers and children.
Thanks for commenting, Wendy.
What a beautiful story Yvonne, I just felt in love with Bob. He adopted James and changed his life and this is great, as they said in the video which I enjoyed very much, Bob is like a dog! Thank you for sharing and for posting.
Thanks Chatou for commenting. I agree with you that Bob is very dog like in his devotion to his human, James. I think the story is unique. I really enjoyed reading the book.
It’s stories like this that give me hope. This is such a wonderful, amazing story. I love that cat and love that healing started when James had to tend to Bob. I could go on and on and on but am sure we’re both feeling the same, so much love for this one. As always hope you and your gang are well. Love, Paulette
Paulette, I love that you love this story. Repetitive wording that close together is a no-no, I know. 🙂 I thought I’m throw a bit of humor into this reply. And I’m never sure when in or into is supposed to be used. I need to study that for sure. But indeed you are correct when you wrote that you and I find this story to be inspirational, uplifting and, actually it is filled with love between Bob and James. I know there are many other stories very similar to this one. James Bowen was fortunate when he was discovered by someone associated with book publishing.
As always thanks so much for the lovely comment. I am somewhat better (pacemaker 8/7/14) but my energy level remains low. Probably due to Warfarin.
Just spent nearly 1K on saving a dog from babesia. I will do a post about the disease soon, ~yvonne (hugs)
How wonderful to think about the unconditional love Bob gave James and how it helped him through his challenges. The book sounds interesting. I am going to share this with my daughter who loves cats. 🙂
Kathy, thanks so much for taking time to comment. I’m glad that you’re going share the story of Bob and James with your daughter. I bet she would like the book a lot if she chooses to obtain a copy. You haven’t written about your fur grand kids for a while. Maybe you have some new pics to post on your blog?
One kid sends me pics all the time and the other not-so-much. And I don’t want to give more attention to one furry grandkid and not the other… but we’ll see about it!
Oh well Kathy, that is the kids fault if their cat does not get as much attention. Go ahead- be brave. I just know that you’ve got some really cute photos.
Oh no, Yvonne, I think I stated that wrong! Both cats get tons of attention. They are both so very loved…their parents adore them. It’s just that one kid sends more pics than the other.
Well Kathy, I did not finish my sentence. So we each misunderstood. I meant as much (attention in your blog) if you don’t have the photos of the cat to post. Your children are much like my daughter. Her cats and her dogs ARE HER CHILDREN and she refers to them as such but of course in a joking way. 🙂
I’m gonna buy this book!! Thanks for sharing, Yvonne! I’m glad you feel better 🙂
Thanks, Calee. I think you’ll really like the book. I read mine again not long ago.
I got it now! Looking forward to reading it tonight 🙂
Great. You did not waste anytime getting the book. I did the same thing as soon as I read about James and Bob on the Internet. 🙂 I think I got mine from my local Barnes and Noble bookstore.
I finished it already! It was a great book, thanks again for recommending it! 🙂
Funny thing or not but I read the book in one sitting too. I did not want to put it down. I found the story fascinating since Bob the cat was so attached to his human. Actually, the book, proves again that a spiritual and soulful bond exists bertween some pets and their humans and how therapeutic that relationship can be.
An amazing story. I’m not a great lover of cats, but I agree that cats adopt you. That’s what happened to my son. A cat turned up at his house decided it liked it and is now a permanent feature there.
Hello Mike. It is nice to hear from your. I bet your son adores the cat too. Kinda funny that somehow, in most cases, a dog or cat will choose the people that will most likely give them a home. I know that is the case with some of my pets that either arrived at our house or those that were thrown out to the streets or the countryside to fend for themselves.
I watched the video this morning, but gave it another look just now. It’s such a wonderful tale. And I love that it’s a kitty cat who stars in the tale. I have nothing at all against dogs, but the poor kitties sometimes don’t get their due.
Glad you seem to have sorted out the comments business. And I’m so glad you’re feeling better. You always have such wonderful things to share — I’m glad you shared this.
Linda, I appreciate that you have taken the time to return to write a comment. I just could not get the comment thing to take. I’d check the box and then it still would not work. I finally brought the post back in and made a change in a word or two and then re-published. I still can not understand why is was acting so contrary.
Frankly speaking 🙂 I think that you are correct about dogs getting more attention in books and on the Internet. I love my dogs and my cats but I admit to being partial to my cats. Maybe they are just easier to pet and so much more accessible since I have two that live in my bedroom. I hand raised these two who are sisters and I love these 15 year munchkins with all my heart.
Oh and I have yet to comment on your last post but I’ve read it and I saw Dixie Rose’s photo. SHE IS ONE BEAUTIFUL CAT!
PS: There are more videos of James and Bob over on You Tube.
This is a wonderful story and thanks for sharing it with us, Yvonne. While my tale is not as dire as James’, the day I adopted my first beagle, Cassie, my life was changed. She had been abandoned and I was drifting aimlessly with no real reason to get up every day save for the need to work.. Both of us took a big step forward that day.
Steve, I think that your story is worthy of a post someday- that is if you are willing to share that part of your life on the Internet. I imagine you are grateful to this day for having the foresight to adopt Cassie. It is strange sometimes how animals come into one’s life and then everything changes for the better. I can tell that you are a kind person simply by the way you write on your blog and that you always thank your readers for commenting. I also believe that a pet often brings out one’s best traits and personality- for most of us, most of the time. 🙂
What a wonderfully uplifting story. And its got a happy ending 😀 Isn’t it amazing how animals and pets can transform our lives? Thank you for sharing this lovely ‘tail’ with us, Yvonne. I’d not heard about James Bowen or Bob before, so it was a real treat to watch the film and hear about how they helped each other out. Only yesterday I was saying to Pete that we should have a cat, now after watching Bob and his high fives I’m smitten – lovely post, Yvonne xxxxx
Oh gee, you have no idea what a mess my computer is right now. I hit the return key and it went to Poll Daddy. Then when I looked for the reply that I was writing to you it had gone to spam. I had an awful time trying to get the comments turned on. I worked and worked last night for over an hour. undoing and then redoing buttons and clicking on save changes, etc.
No joking or maybe so but Bob the cat is like a guardian angel that came to look after Bowen. He literally attached himself to Bowen who kept trying to send him on his way. Very odd indeed.
If you got a cat, would it be accepted as family by Collin without him trying to kill the cat. Isn’t he a “ratter” type dog? Some of those breeds will go after a cat so you will need to do your homework and testing with Collin to make sure the cat would be safe.
I’m going to try to get a note off to you soon. Thanks for commenting. ~yvonne XXXXX
Mr C Snout has turned a corner. No longer the bad boy, he’s like an angel now. He’s become so calm and relaxed, he’s no longer ripping up the house or shredding our shoes or doing yule-logs out of spite. I think if we introduced a kitten or cat he’d be ok with it, i’ve watched him enough times with the cats in the village and he’s more scared of them than they are of him. He’s actually a wimp! as for being a ratter……well we’ve had a rat invasion INSIDE THE HOUSE,
and he didn’t give a damn. His only interest has been to try to steal the food out of their traps!!
All “righty” then! 🙂 Sounds good and I really do hope you can have a cat that needs rescuing. One that truly needs a home- such as a stray or a throw-away.
Colin is too funny. Sounds like my dogs. None of them are ratters but then they are not ratting dogs either. 🙂 But they are wonderful watch and guard dogs which makes me feel secure.
If Pete does let me get a cat then it will most definitely be a rescue one or a throw-away. That said, cats seem to get a better deal here in Spain than the dogs. You’d love Colin, Yvonne. He’s such a charmer. He’s got quite a fan club in the village now, everyone adores him. I’m off to my bed now, an early start as we are looking after a friend’s golden retriever for a week – speak soon! xxx
So Colin is a dog with friends in “high places.” I’m so glad that he made a remarkable change and I’m sure that’s because of your infinite patience and training. He was bound to become a good dog in your hands.
And oh, those Golden’s are such beautiful dogs and generally well behaved. Hope all goes well with the pet sitting.
Thank you, dear Yvonne, for sharing this so touching and wonderful story between James and Bob. I will certainly try to find and read the book. I am glad you are back online and feeling better. Thanks again for such a special story.
Hi Isa and thanks so much for taking time to read and comment. I ordered my book from Amazon if it’s not available from your bookstore.
I am slowly getting better.:-)
I enjoyed this Yvonne and posted your link on Facebook so others could see it. Rod
Thanks Rod. I’m glad you have posted the link to Facebook.