“It is fun to have fun but you have to know how.”

July 11, 2024 9:22 AM

Caleb Carr interview about a cat that saved his sanity Recently deceased writer, Caleb Carr speaks warmly about his rescue cat Masha and the book that describes their relationship. Full discretion: I recently lost my Familiar, Neko the Brave, who wasn't named Neko the FasterThan Cars.
posted by hairless ape (15 comments total)

I couldn't get the CBS link to load anything other than one picture so here's an alternative interview with Caleb via NPR
posted by Lanark at 9:36 AM on July 11

Lanark , I believe the video starts when you click on the picture.
posted by hairless ape at 9:41 AM on July 11

I'm very sorry for your loss.
posted by senor biggles at 9:45 AM on July 11 [5 favorites]

I endorse the book.
posted by BWA at 9:47 AM on July 11 [2 favorites]

so sorry to hear about Neko :(

we lost my baby Herbert in January. many hugs to you.
posted by supermedusa at 10:12 AM on July 11 [1 favorite]

I am also sorry for your loss.

But I did lol a bit at the naming quip.
posted by JustSayNoDawg at 10:13 AM on July 11

I'm so sorry about Neko! Sending love.
posted by Navelgazer at 10:16 AM on July 11

rest in the every full food dish in the sky Neko 💗
posted by St. Peepsburg at 10:24 AM on July 11 [1 favorite]

This is lovely stuff, thank you. It's nice to know I'm not alone in the way I think about my relationship with my cats. They're truly wonderful companions, and my life has improved immeasurably since took in my first cat in 2010. So sorry for your loss. They should be much longer-lived.
posted by jzb at 12:29 PM on July 11 [2 favorites]

There is something so wonderful about a writer who’s known for military history and serial killers deciding f it, I’m going to write about how great cats are instead.

And my condolences for Neko.
posted by lepus at 1:29 PM on July 11 [2 favorites]

Whoa, didn't know that Caleb Carr had passed (and somehow keep forgetting his dad was that Carr).

I don't trust anyone who hasn't had a close relationship with an animal.* My dummies, both feline and canine, have kept me sane over the years.

* - exceptions provided for those with a doctors note. (tongue firmly in cheek)
posted by drewbage1847 at 2:08 PM on July 11 [1 favorite]

I am so sorry for your loss. I also somehow missed that he had died, and I also missed this book. I love his writing and I love cats, so this is absolutely something I need to read.
posted by rednikki at 2:13 PM on July 11 [1 favorite]

my big peanut Henry just had to have scritches while I was watching this, and like Carr I'm happy and amazed that my loves have been sometimes stripey and sometimes spotty and often yowly but mostly wanting pets.
I'm sorry for your loss, OP. What a great cat name.
posted by winesong at 3:14 PM on July 11 [2 favorites]

my condolences
posted by HearHere at 4:20 PM on July 11

Coincidentally, our cat, Sasha, like Masha, came from a rescue facility - out of Rutland Vermont. (And, like Carr, I've writtem for Military History Quarterly.)
posted by BWA at 7:54 PM on July 11 [1 favorite]