A Snowflake in My Hand by Samantha Mooney
Review by McGuffyAnn M. (nightprose)
Samantha Mooney penned a book based on her time working at New York City’s Animal Medical Center. This book focuses on several cats under their care at that time. Samantha takes us into the clinic and behind the scenes. Each cat has its own story, with lessons to teach the people around them.
Samantha shares stories of some of the patients under the clinic’s care. There is Oliver, a cat who has a seagull as a friend. Chico is a cat who somehow manages to get stuck on top of the clinic elevator.
A very poignant story involves Denton, a 9 year old cat. He and his owner, Mrs. Berkley had been diagnosed the same month as having cancer. After surgery, the cancer persisted, necessitating chemotherapy. The treatment proves unsuccessful, and Denton passes away. Within weeks, Mrs. Berkley also does. The bond between the two was deep.
Samantha is struggling with the loss of her own father. It takes a tiny black fur ball of a cat to break through Samantha’s grief. With the example and open heart of Fledermaus, this little cat, Samantha begins to open herself up to love once again. It is not easy, but animals have a way of touching our souls when humans cannot.
This is a definite must-read book for all cat lovers. It is written with sincere and honest compassion. The lessons here are of life, love, relationships and ultimately death. The author celebrates life while respecting death.
Thanks for the review. Sounds like a book that I would love to read and wouldn’t have known about it otherwise.