Kristi and Zazie are joined by author Sassafras Lowrey to talk about her latest book, Claw This Journal, which is full of fun tips for activities to do with your cat. We learn about how Sassafras's cat Thing came into her life and why she wrote this book. We talk about enrichment for cats, and how it's important to tailor it for individual cats. We also discuss what our cats would get Best in Show prizes for.

We also chat about her book for young dog lovers, Jillian at the Junior Showcase. As well, we chat about the writing life and get Sassafras's tips for aspiring writers.

Finally, we chat about the books we're reading.

Reading Cats and Dogs: Watch Sassafras Lowrey, Zazie Todd, and Lili Chin in conversation with Kristi Benson about their books here: https://youtu.be/f_BQ7URuT4g

About Sassafras Lowrey: Sassafras Lowrey is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), Certified Trick Dog Instructor (CTDI), AKC CGC/Trick Dog Evaluator and AKC FIT DOG Instructor. Sassafras' dog training books include Tricks In The City and Chew This Journal. Sassafras is an author and multimedia educator who writes regularly about dog training for leading national publications. Sassafras' dog training articles have regularly appeared in leading dog magazines like Dogster, The Bark, Modern Dog, and with The American Kennel Club as well as mainstream publications including WIRED, Apartment Therapy and The New York Times.

Website: https://sassafraslowrey.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sassafraslowrey

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sassafraslowrey

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sassafraslowrey/

The books we chat about:

On Animals by Susan Orlean

Doomsday with my Dog by Yu Ishihara

Comparative Animal Behavior by Richard Maier

Bad Cree by Jessica Johns.

The books are available from all good bookstores and the Companion Animal Psychology Amazon store: https://www.amazon.com/shop/animalbookclub

About the co-hosts:

Kristi Benson is an honours graduate of the prestigious Academy for Dog Trainers and has her PCBC-A from the Pet Professional Accreditation Board. She lives in beautiful northern British Columbia, where she helps dog guardians through online teaching and consultations. Kristi is on staff at the Academy for Dog Trainers, helping to shape the next generation of canine professionals. Kristi’s dogs are rescue sled dogs, mostly retired and thoroughly enjoying a good snooze in front of the woodstove.

Kristi Benson's website Facebook

Zazie Todd, PhD, is the award-winning author of Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy and Purr: The Science of Making Your Cat Happy. She is the creator of the popular blog, Companion Animal Psychology, and also has a column at Psychology Today. Todd lives in Maple Ridge, BC, with her husband, one dog, and one cat.

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