Under the Paw
Confessions of a Cat Man
For years, Tom Cox appeared to be a typical hard-living guy, enjoying late nights, rock music, and beer, but he harbored a secret: he was a devoted cat lover. Initially, he kept this passion under wraps, but after meeting his soulmate Dee, a fellow cat enthusiast, he could no longer suppress his true dream. In 2001, Tom left his life as a rock critic in London and moved with Dee, her cat Janet, and three new kittens to a remote area in Norfolk, where they knew no one. They believed their cat obsession had reached its peak, but they were mistaken. In UNDER THE PAW, Tom chronicles the chaos of owning seven of the most charming and mischievous cats imaginable. He reflects on the transformation from a carefree metropolitan lifestyle to being on constant call for multiple sets of whiskers. He tackles questions like how to properly dispose of a dead pheasant and how to embrace his wife's ex's favorite pet. Amidst the chaos, he shares the poignant story of his complex relationship with The Bear, his oldest cat—a "painfully sensitive" survivor who may or may not be an evil genius. Through humor and heartfelt moments, Tom navigates the ups and downs of cat ownership, revealing the joys and challenges that come with it.