Blog Archives
Cats are Good at Hiding Illness
The Cat Owner’s Guide to Health Emergencies provides cat owners with concrete methods for coping with the most difficult feline crises, including solid answers on when to wait and watch and when to act quickly. Why was this an important book for you to write?
As an emergency veterinarian, I frequently witness the impact of the knowledge gap among cat owners, particularly when it comes to emergencies. Cats are notorious for hiding illness, making it challenging for owners to recognize when something is wrong. While we do see cats brought into the emergency room for minor issues that likely could have waited, we also encounter many cases where subtle, yet crucial, signs were overlooked, leading to unnecessary and often unsafe delays in care. Cats are not small dogs— they will conceal illness for as long as possible. That’s why it’s so important for owners to be prepared and knowledgeable about which symptoms may indicate a serious problem.
My goal with this book is to equip cat owners with the education and tools they need to confidently assess their cat’s health. This book offers vital insight into common emergencies and toxicities, while teaching practical methods for evaluating a cat at home. While no one wants to think about emergencies, especially when their cat is healthy, I strongly encourage a degree of advanced preparation to reduce stress when emergencies do arise.
I believe this book can be a valuable resource for all cat owners, but its greatest benefit may be for newer cat owners, adopters, and fosters.
What gap were you hoping to fill that other pet care books don’t address?
It’s no surprise that I love books, and I deeply respect and admire all those out there aimed at improving pet lives by supporting their owners. That being said, I noticed a few patterns in some of the existing books that I wanted to approach differently. Many books on this topic offer valuable and accurate information but can be visually overwhelming, often feeling like reading long articles or textbooks. Personally, I find those types of books challenging to get through, and I’m sure many pet owners feel the same. My goal with this book was to present information in manageable, digestible chunks that are easy on the eyes. To further enhance usability, I color-coded the chapters for quick reference, so owners can easily identify sections even when the book is closed.
Additionally, I’ve seen pet care books that are more story-based, using anecdotes to illustrate key lessons. While these books are excellent for teaching, I believe they’re not ideal for quick reference. My book is designed to serve as a practical guide, both to prepare owners before emergencies happen and to provide clear reference points if a concern arises.
What sets my book apart is my background as an emergency veterinarian. The scenarios highlighted in the book are ones I encounter regularly in my practice and conversations I have with pet owners often. The knowledge and expertise I bring to the table offer pet owners practical tools and a deeper understanding of their pets’ health, all presented in a way that is friendly to non-medical individuals and designed for quick, easy reference when it’s needed most.
You highlight specific dangers like urinary obstruction and open-mouth breathing. Why are these so frequently misunderstood?
Urinary obstructions and open-mouth breathing are two excellent examples in the book where misconceptions and lack of knowledge can result in missing vital signs. Let me explain why these issues are often misunderstood.
Urinary concerns, particularly in male cats, are extremely dangerous. Male cats can develop urinary blockages that, if not addressed quickly, can be fatal. Unfortunately, many people are unaware of this. A common misconception is that urinary changes in cats are always due to a urinary tract infection, which is more common in female cats. In fact, it’s really quite uncommon in males. This misunderstanding can lead to delays in seeking care, allowing the condition to worsen. Another factor is that cat owners don’t always pay close attention to their cat’s use of the litter box. Unlike dogs, whose bathroom habits are more noticeable during walks, cats’ litter boxes are often hidden from view, making it easy to miss important signs. While urinary obstructions can’t always be prevented, I believe that greater awareness could lead to earlier recognition and, ultimately, better outcomes.
Open-mouth breathing in cats is another issue where education can make a significant difference. Cats are not small dogs, and this distinction is crucial when it comes to respiratory issues. Many people mistake open-mouth breathing in cats for normal panting behavior seen in dogs. However, cats are obligate nasal breathers—meaning they breathe only through their nose. Since they do not breathe through their mouths effectively, open-mouth breathing (panting) is a sign of respiratory distress that should never be ignored. Note that overheating and pain can sometimes lead to short bursts of open-mouth breathing—which should resolve quickly.
Because cats are so adept at hiding symptoms, it’s important for owners to know how to assess their cat’s health. In the book, I not only highlight key warning signs like these but also provide practical tools for owners to evaluate their cat’s hydration, posture, gum color, behavior, and more. The goal is to help owners answer the critical question: Is this behavior normal or abnormal?
If a reader remembers just one thing from your book in a crisis, what do you want it to be?
There are a few key points I hope readers take away, but the most important is this: cats are incredibly good at hiding illness, often masking problems until they become serious. Even small changes in behavior or health can signal a bigger concern underneath. If you notice something concerning, it’s crucial to have a veterinarian assess the cat.
When preparing to transport the cat, safety is key. Make sure the cat is secured in a carrier, and if necessary, gently wrap them in a towel to get them safely into the carrier. Also, remember that the veterinary team is also invested in your cat’s wellbeing. Effective communication is essential, so share what you’ve observed at home in a clear, chronological order if possible. We’re always most successful when we work together—pet families and veterinary teams.
The Cat Owner’s Guide to Health Emergencies: Essential Tips to Recognize, Respond, and Prepare for Cat Emergencies
The Cat Owner’s Guide to Health Emergencies is a practical, veterinarian-written manual that tries to do something genuinely difficult: give anxious cat owners enough clarity to act fast without pretending they can replace a clinic. It moves from preparation into crisis, covering emergency planning, the ten most common feline emergencies, the ten toxicities Dr. Gal Chivvis sees as especially important, the signs that distinguish “watch closely” from “go now,” and a final toolkit of checklists and flowcharts meant to steady people when their nerves are likely to fail them. What stayed with me most was how concrete it is. This is a book that doesn’t just say “be prepared.” It asks you to know your nearest ER, keep a carrier ready, think through CPR decisions before panic takes over, and learn what a dangerous breathing pattern or an abnormal bladder actually looks like.
The book is calm without being bland, and authoritative without sliding into that chilly, overconfident tone that a lot of medical guides fall into. Chivvis writes like someone who has seen frightened people arrive at the worst possible hour and understands that information is only useful if it can still be absorbed under stress. The best sections have a sobering vividness. Her explanation of a linear foreign body, where swallowed string can make the intestines “accordion,” is memorable in exactly the right way. So is the repeated insistence not to pull visible string, not to dismiss open-mouth breathing, not to confuse urinary obstruction with constipation, and not to wait for toxicity symptoms before acting. I also appreciated the small humane details, like the note that visitation may sometimes be discouraged while a cat is in oxygen because seeing their owner can worsen distress. Moments like that give the book emotional credibility. It knows the medicine, but it also knows the strange helplessness of loving an animal you can’t fully question or comfort.
The prose is clear and serviceable, and the repetition built into the format can make the middle stretch feel instructional. Each section follows a familiar sequence of signs, causes, what to do, common interventions, and prevention, which is excellent for reference. I found that structure more helpful than limiting. It mirrors the thinking the book wants to teach. Notice. Assess. Don’t improvise recklessly. Call. Go. The ideas themselves are sensible and grounded in lived emergency practice. I especially liked the way the book pairs high-stakes warnings with prevention that feels doable: keeping cats indoors to reduce abscess risk, treating panting as abnormal, managing litter box stress, recognizing the danger of lilies and ibuprofen, and using simple observational tools like resting respiratory rate, hydration checks, and pain scoring. That practical intelligence gives the book its real force.
I found this to be a useful, reassuring, and refreshingly unsentimental guide. It offers preparedness, lucidity, and a steadier hand when things go sideways. I’d recommend it especially for first-time cat owners, multi-cat households, and anyone whose instinct in a crisis is to freeze, second-guess, or start doom-scrolling. It’s a caring and trustworthy book, and in a book about emergencies, that matters most.
Pages: 195 | ISBN : 978-1967320004
Unquestioning Companionship
Whisper (Book One) follows a young girl who leaves the turmoil of her family’s home with the gentle guidance of a clever dog, the first creature in her life to ever put her at ease. Where did the idea for this story come from?
I wanted to challenge myself in writing about something quite different to what was contained within any of my earlier works, in the process tackling several reasonably serious or thought-provoking themes which are concerningly becoming far too common a problem in the real world, all while keeping its use of language, and descriptive tone regarding quite sensitive subjects, aptly suitable for a younger aged audience.
Is there anything from your own life included in Britney’s traits and dialogue?
Not that I am significantly aware of. Unless you include her general love for animals, whose unique bonds with humans I always enjoy exploring in my writing, especially that of ‘man’s best friend’ and the invaluable role dogs play in their undying loyalty and unquestioning companionship with humans. While some of the themes in this book may reflect what I’ve observed in the real world, I don’t think there is anything specific that stems from personal experience besides that.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I always enjoy writing about issues such as friendship, and these books are all about how unique individuals relate to those around them, whether they’re connected by blood or circumstantially joined together through the kindness of strangers. This series wonderfully illustrates the love that can flourish between different kinds of people, young and old, when their differences are clearly put aside, and only willing acceptance and open acts of kindness are freely offered in their place. Recovering from childhood trauma and abuse are key aspects of this book, but several reviewers have expressed appreciation for how these issues have been approached with gentle sensitivity and respect, without losing any of their weight in emotional depth and overall meaning.
Can you give us a peek inside Book 2 in this series? Where will it take readers?
With Lucas (Book Two), I really appreciated having the opportunity to give readers another chance to better get to know the man who eagerly took the vulnerable Britney under his wing. Understanding more about Lucas’ background lends credence to the idea that his own childhood years had also been extremely difficult for him to overcome, which is likely a huge part of the reason why he didn’t like seeing another distraught child being caught in a similar position and quickly jumped at the prospect of taking responsibility over her care. Despite being orphaned at a young age, Lucas finds his place with a caring older couple who model compassion and kindness every day of the week, which in turn consistently serves to teach him to always treat others with the same amount of endless love and unbridled respect that they do. By continuing the series, readers will have the chance to see things from another point of view, this time from Lucas’ perspective rather than Britney’s.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website | Facebook | Amazon
Literary Titan Book Award: Nonfiction
The Literary Titan Book Award recognizes outstanding nonfiction books that demonstrate exceptional quality in writing, research, and presentation. This award is dedicated to authors who excel in creating informative, enlightening, and engaging works that offer valuable insights. Recipients of this award are commended for their ability to transform complex topics into accessible and compelling narratives that captivate readers and enhance our understanding.
Award Recipients
Mythical Creatures: The Worldbuilding Guide to Korean Fantasy by Huck Kahng
Visit the Literary Titan Book Awards page to see award information.
Clear, Trustworthy Information
The Dog Owner’s Guide to Health Emergencies is a lifesaving resource manual for every dog owner that offers expert advice on identifying and managing canine health crises. Why was this an important book for you to write?
As an emergency veterinarian, I’ve seen firsthand how a lack of accurate, accessible information can impact both pets and their families. In some cases, owners wait too long to seek care because they mistakenly believe a situation isn’t urgent—only to arrive when the pet is much sicker and harder to treat. In other situations, well-meaning owners may unintentionally make things worse at home due to misunderstandings about what to do. On the flip side, I also see people rushing to the ER out of concern, only to learn the issue could have been safely managed at home. While it’s always better to err on the side of caution, that stress—emotional and financial—can often be reduced with a little guidance. Additionally, while ERs are here to help, keeping animals out of the ER that do not need to be there helps reduce overcrowding and waiting times.
I wrote The Dog Owner’s Guide to Health Emergencies to help bridge that knowledge gap. I believe that when pet owners are empowered with clear, trustworthy information, they can make better decisions, act with more confidence, and ultimately improve outcomes for their dogs. This book is about providing that support, in a practical and approachable way.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
There were several key ideas I felt were important to include in this book. First, I wanted to give pet owners practical, hands-on skills they could use to assess their dog’s stability. I developed what I call the “Emergency Toolkit”—a set of basic but essential evaluation techniques like checking gum color, assessing hydration, monitoring breathing rate and effort, pain assessment, and more. These skills are designed to help owners assess critical markers of stability, communicate more effectively with veterinary professionals, and take action with greater confidence.
I also wanted to make sure pet owners are prepared before an emergency ever occurs. That includes having veterinary contact information readily available, leaving behind useful details when traveling or using pet sitters, and understanding what types of information are most helpful to share with the veterinary team. To support that, I created a collection of practical forms that guide owners through these situations. These resources are embedded in the book and also available for free through my website or by email request.
What advice do you have for new dog owners to help them be prepared for emergencies?
New and seasoned dog owners alike can sometimes feel uncertain when it comes to their pet’s health—and that’s completely normal. One of the best things you can do is take time to get to know your individual dog and learn a bit about the breed—common health tendencies, any predispositions, and what’s considered normal behavior. Establishing a relationship with a regular veterinarian is also key. Your vet is a valuable resource for guidance, preventive care, and answering the questions that naturally come up over time.
Most importantly, I always encourage owners to trust their instincts. If something doesn’t seem right, it’s okay to ask questions. And if you’re genuinely worried, it’s better to have your dog seen—even if the issue turns out to be minor—than to wait and risk missing something more serious. Being proactive is one of the best ways to care for your dog. Your veterinarians are here to support you!
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from The Dog Owner’s Guide to Health Emergencies?
The thing I hope readers take away from The Dog Owner’s Guide to Health Emergencies is that they can play an active, informed role in their dog’s care—even in urgent situations. Emergencies are never easy, but having a clearer understanding of what to watch for and how to respond can take away some of the uncertainty. My goal is to help pet owners feel more prepared, more confident, better able to support their dog when something unexpected comes up and trust their instincts when concerns arise.
Author Links: Goodreads | Facebook | Instagram | Website | Amazon
Emergencies can happen in an instant—would you know when to act?
Written by a seasoned emergency veterinarian, The Dog Owner’s Guide to Health Emergencies is a must-have resource for every dog owner. This practical and easy-to-follow guide gives you the knowledge to recognize warning signs, take immediate action, and seek veterinary care when it matters most. Whether your dog is facing a sudden collapse, poisoning, heatstroke, or severe injury, this book equips you with a clear and actionable emergency toolkit—so you can make informed decisions with confidence.
Inside, you’ll learn:
The 10 most common dog health emergencies—what they are and when to act fast
The 10 most common toxic exposures—what’s dangerous and how to respond
How to assess your dog’s condition at home and recognize when urgent care is needed
Proactive strategies to help prevent emergencies and keep your dog safe
Guidance that empowers you to trust your instincts when something feels off
Bonus Resources to Help You Prepare:
First aid supplies checklist to ensure you’re ready when it matters most
Pet care and medical authorization form for emergency situations
Sick visit information sheet to help streamline your veterinary visit
Decision tree for managing seizures, making it easier to take the right steps
Response charts for various situations, including pain, overheating, allergic reactions, breathing concerns, bite wounds, and more
Your dog depends on you in an emergency. This book gives you the tools, knowledge, and confidence to act—because every second counts. Get your copy today!
\
A Gentle Giant
In Barney, the Big Brown Dog!, a Labrador Retriever’s life is changed when his elderly owner must give him up and he begins his journey to find a new family. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Barney was such a love and his day-to-day presence and routine always put a smile on my face! After he had passed, I said one day that I would write a story about him, and I kept my word. Just like his presence, I loved every minute writing this story about him and so pleased to come to this moment and be able to share this story with children and families. One other thing I would like to add. Due to Barney’s quiet demeanor, I was able to bring him where ever I went. He was by my side almost anywhere. I never had that opportunity with a pet before.
Barney was a gentle giant, a Labrador with a heart as big as his frame. He came into our lives at just the right time, a silent, loving way about him when we needed him the most. With his shy and his lumbering gait, he seemed to walk through life with the innocence of a child and with his soft large brown eyes asking for acceptance and love.
He wasn’t just a dog, he was a large, brown bear who found his way into our family’s rhythm, offering affection in his own special way. Barney never barked which was part of his charm and shyness! Every room he entered was greeted with the subtle thud of his paws, or the thump of his tail beating against the floor, letting you know how he was happy to see you; in addition to the unspoken promise that his presence would never be a burden, only a comfort.
Is there anything from your own life included in Barney’s story?
Receiving two hours’ notice before his arrival was very true! Our cat graciously accepted Barney and this was not the norm for her at all. The two were like close buddies. The children, including our neighbors adored him.
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Rebecca Popp?
Among any of the illustrators whom I interviewed, Rebecca could read me. We connected very well. Her samples reflected just what I was looking for…one particular sample of her art had a scenery with greens and blues and her sketches of the animals and children were life-like. I wanted a presence of family, home, colors that were inviting, not scary or intimidating, and Rebecca did just that! When I gave Rebecca a description to reflect a chapter, she provided everything I requested including a little humor too.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
With trying not to give away too much, I have drafted two books.
Barney meets two dogs (pups) who become service dogs. This is in memory of my older brother who became blind at the age of five. I hope this story will be published December 2025 or by February 2026.
My other book is Hunter and Spencer are curious to learn more about their religion and of their friends’ religions and beliefs. Learning about the diversity and understanding of various religions and learn that they can believe. Barney and Charlie are in the background of this story too! This story is one that I am most excited about creating. My timeline for this book is hopefully by April 2026.
Author Links: Facebook | Website
Barney, the Big Brown Dog!
In Barney, The Big Brown Dog by Patrice LeMoine, readers are introduced to Barney, a lovable yet uncertain brown Labrador Retriever whose life is about to change. His elderly owner can no longer care for him, and as a result, he is being driven to a new family that will take him in temporarily. However, at the last moment, plans fall through, leaving Barney unexpectedly homeless. The driver, after some reflection, decides to reach out to her sister and her family, hoping they might provide the shelter and care Barney so desperately needs. Fortunately, they welcome him, offering a temporary haven.
Upon arrival, Barney’s sheer size astonishes everyone. This massive Labrador, though affectionate, is undeniably clumsy, often struggling in tight spaces. Despite this, his new family does their best to accommodate him, understanding that Barney has nowhere else to go. The central question lingers: Can Barney adapt to his new surroundings? Will this temporary home become permanent?
I found this story deeply touching, and I have no doubt that children will be equally captivated. The heartache of Barney losing his original home due to circumstances beyond his control tugs at the emotions, making readers yearn for him to find the love and stability he deserves. When he is taken in at the last moment, hope blossoms that this family will ultimately become his forever home. The story beautifully conveys a powerful lesson: appearances and first impressions should never dictate judgment. Despite Barney’s imposing size and initial awkwardness, what truly matters is his loving nature and his earnest attempt to fit into his new environment.
Initially, I worried that Barney’s size would hinder his chances of finding even temporary shelter. My concern deepened when he was relegated to sleeping in the den alongside Charlie, the family’s cat. Would they get along? Would Barney’s occasional mishaps jeopardize his place in the home? With every misstep, tension builds, making readers anxious about his fate. Yet, despite the challenges, the ending is heartwarming and fulfilling, imparting an invaluable lesson to young readers: perseverance and patience can lead to beautiful outcomes, even when life takes unexpected turns.
The book is further enhanced by the vibrant illustrations of Rebecca Popp. Her colorful, expressive artwork breathes life into Barney’s adventures, making each page a delight to explore. Readers will find themselves grinning at Barney’s endearing expressions and laughing at his playful antics. Impressively, this book marks Ms. Popp’s debut as a published illustrator, a noteworthy accomplishment given her lifelong passion for the craft.
Barney, The Big Brown Dog is a heartwarming tale that resonates with readers of all ages. It’s a story of resilience, love, and the simple yet profound desire for belonging. From start to finish, Barney’s journey is one that will stay with readers long after they turn the final page.
