My Book Of Pets

Welcome to a world where furry, feathered, and occasionally scaly companions are all the rage, as envisioned by the illustrious AJ Taylor in his 1963 masterpiece, "My Book of Pets." This book is not merely a collection of adorable pet anecdotes, but an immersive experience that could only have sprung forth from a time when the idea of a "crazy cat lady" was still just a whisper at the back of the collective consciousness. Imagine a time when your average Joe or Josephine might have considered a pet parakeet a bold statement in domesticity!

In these pages, you will encounter a veritable menagerie of charming creatures, presented with the kind of enthusiasm only a 1960s author could muster. Taylor, a man whose love for pets seemed to border on the obsessive, takes us on a delightful jaunt through the various ways one might keep furry friends—and possibly a few foes—happy and healthy. Whether you fancy a dog with a taste for high society or a cat that believes itself royalty, this book promises to tickle your fancy and perhaps even spur an uncontrollable desire for a pet of your own (or three, if you’re feeling particularly adventurous).

But let’s not forget, this is a book from a bygone era where the concept of pet care was still as unrefined as a three-legged stool in a Victorian tea room. As you flip through the pages, you may find advice that seems quirky, at best, and downright absurd, at worst. Taylor’s guidance on grooming, feeding, and training pets might make you chuckle—or gasp in horror—at just how far we’ve come in the world of pet ownership since the swinging sixties. After all, what child today would dare to suggest feeding a cat a diet solely made up of fish fingers?

As you embark on your journey through "My Book of Pets," you’ll uncover a dazzling array of pet-related topics, including but not limited to:

• The merits of a hamster as a conversation starter
• How to decipher your dog’s complex emotional state based on the angle of its ears
• The cultural significance of ferrets in suburban gardens
• Grooming tips that may or may not involve a garden hose
• Why cats are, unequivocally, the true overlords of the household

There’s something wonderfully nostalgic about the illustrations that accompany each chapter. They are a charming mix of pastel hues and questionable artistic choices that make you question whether the illustrator had ever seen a real pet or was merely drawing from their own fevered imagination. Perhaps this adds to the book’s charm, or perhaps it simply leaves you wondering what exactly was going on in the editorial meetings back in the day. One could only guess the debates that must have transpired over the inclusion of every questionable doodle.

Condition: This particular copy of "My Book of Pets" has seen better days. The spine is as creased as the average cat owner after a long day of endless pet demands. Pages may show the loving touch of past readers, complete with the occasional coffee stain and the timeless aroma of nostalgia. It’s a bit like a beloved old pet that has seen too many summers, but is still perfectly capable of sharing its wisdom. To be honest, it adds character—like that scruffy dog at the local park that everyone secretly adores.

So if you’re prepared to wade through the quirks of pet ownership as seen through the lens of half a century ago, grab a copy of AJ Taylor’s "My Book of Pets." It could be the weirdest, most ironic guide to pet care you never knew you needed, all while basking in the glory of a time when the world seemed a tad less pet-obsessed, and perhaps even a bit more confused about the nature of companionship. Get ready to embrace the past, one paw at a time, courtesy of Crappy Old Books.

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