Shawn Flynn—author of “THE KITTY Who Rescued Me After I Rescued Him”—recalls growing up in a household that had dogs, but not cats, and how he really didn’t have prolonged exposure to any cats, until forging a relationship with the titular feline of his book. 
Flynn discusses the market-research career he maintained for more than a quarter century—chiefly in the insurance industry–and what it involved, before deciding to step away from that work order to pursue writing, including various efforts to promote “THE KITTY.” He recounts how the relationship with Kitty was built slowly—they were both a bit wary—but how a confluence of factors, including growing fondness and colder temperatures in Connecticut, sparked a breakthrough: Kitty moved all the way in. Flynn also describes how, after writing an account of the transformative impact Kitty had on his life, chronicling the other cats he took in after him, he opted to self-publish the manuscript—doing so twice, to better reflect the lessons he’d learned about more 
effectively publishing and marketing your own book. It’s worked out pretty well, Flynn explains, including “KITTY” drawing enthusiastic reviews and being selected as an award-winning finalist in the “animals/pets: narrative non-fiction” category of the 2017 International Book Awards. He says he plans to write more books, noting he has plenty more cat stories to tell. Flynn also addresses the more profound lessons he has learned from Kitty and his cat colleagues. (www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100014654500859&ref=br_rs)
ALSO: I spoke briefly with Claire Wray, of Friends of Strays, about the organization’s multi-faceted event Aug. 19 to mark International Homeless Animals Day, at the Flying Boat Brewing Company in St. Petersburg. One notable element of this event, Wray explains, is that—in conjunction with 24PetWatch—Friends of Strays is offering a free microchip clinic, chipping the first 50 pets at no cost. (www.friendsofstrays.com, www.facebook.com/FriendsofStraysAnimalShelter)
COMEDY CORNER: Ellen DeGeneres’ “Cat In Heat” (www.ellentv.com)
MUSIC: Rebekah Pulley’s “Talking Animals Theme,” instrumentals
NAME THAT ANIMAL TUNE: Pink Floyd’s “Dogs”
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