Book Review – The Dalai Lama’s Cat



This One is for all You Cat Lovers out There.


I haven’t read a book this delightful in a long time. It hooked me after the first couple of pages. Of course, I’m a cat person, big time, so I guess that’s expected. The story unfolds through the eyes of the Dalai Lama’s cat, a Himalayan kitten he rescues at a street market. This cat he names HHC (his Holiness’s Cat).

The Dalai Lama meets with lots of people, some of them famous, which at first we try to figure out who they are since there is only a hint here and there. The cat is privy to all these private meetings where His Holiness hands out advice and enlightenment. It is a delight to see the cat trying to figure out how she can apply all this information to her “cat” life. She thinks about her own issues, which happen to be much the same as the people who are coming to see the Dalai Lama.

There is advice all the way through this book on how to live a happy life. Intermingled throughout are bits and pieces of this sentiment, as well as Buddhism principles, but as seen in the eyes of the cat’s daily life and are easy to understand and relate to, regardless if you are a cat lover or not. All along the way the cat, HHC, has some revelations as well, as to how she can live her life in a better way, such as enjoying her new cat friend instead of sulking around hiding for three days, just because she's in a strange place.

This author knows well how cats behave, capturing it perfectly, so I am willing to bet he has had some experience of his own with the precious felines, as well as with Buddhists principles.

Those of you who have never had a cat may think this is a stretch of the imagination and that no animal really thinks about human issues. However, it is feasible and written well, and as a cat owner, I can tell you the little rascals know more than you give them credit for concerning life.

This is not a “preachy” book either, so it wouldn’t be offensive to anyone regardless of religious preference, or lack thereof. The underlying theme is mindfulness and forgiveness, which we can all benefit from and put into play in our daily lives.

I hardily recommend this book by David Michie.
Here is the link to the book on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Dalai-Lamas-Cat-David-Michie/dp/1401940587/