Cirrus@Austlit

'The novella and two short stories here are all based on real-life personages. Gamine, Ashe, Furry and Quark all graced my household for many long and fruitful years; while Tom was a resident of my home town and I heard rumours of his strange and improbable deliverance. There is also a tiny cameo appearance by Dougal and Shadow, whose biographies have been chronicled here. I have mentioned in public appearances that I have some issues with feline fiction as it is commonly practised. While I love and adore cats and feel privileged indeed that they have shared their lives with me, I believe that the following rules for feline-fic should be adhered to: 1. Let the cats tell their own stories. We all enthuse to other cat-lovers about my beautiful cats and this is how they make me feel; but in fiction the human author should get out of the way and let cats be the centre of attention. Humans will generally be characters, but they should not hog the stage. 2. Cats are not small, furry humans. They are cats. Fictional cats should therefore think, feel and react like cats do. 3. The cat must not die at the end of the story. Yes, we get it. Eventually all cats become Rainbow Cats. Manipulating your readers' emotions by including The Sad Bit At The End is not respecting your audience, especially for younger readers. Don't do it! I promise faithfully that the above rules have been followed in all my cat stories. Enjoy!'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

The continuing adventures of Dougal the giant kitten and his foster sister Shadow. When We Were Kittens is the gentleman cat's account of his wonderful and challenging life follows his bestselling first book, Dougal's Diary.
Dougal and Shadow are still living with Man, Woman and Belladonna the Senior Cat and boss of the house but the pair are now, mostly, all grown up.
And life is seldom boring as Dougal tackles new escapades and things to figure out; like how his sister has been taking Assertiveness Training from Belladonna.
The young cats make a truce with the wattle-birds and Crows! in their garden; but find the dogs in the street are noisy and stupid.
As Dougal negotiates his position in the adult world, emotional reassurance, revelations and even help comes from a surprising source. But then woe! Man goes away for a Long Time and the poor boy is just sad and lonely.
Will Man come home? Does Shadow still love him, even though she still eats his food? And even if Man does come home again, will they all still go for walks at night?