Wussik soon after we met, before the days of digital cameras, smartphones - and the harsh, Australian sun had bleached my hair (!) I had no idea at all that this imperious, quirky, adorable little creature was about to inspire my most popular books.
David, Thank you for sharing your sweet story. What a beautiful union of hearts! In my own life , with my cats and dogs over the years and also in my rescue work of domestic and wild life I have always maintained the animals we fall in love with actually find us and teach us so many lessons and open our hearts everyday. No mistake you moved back to Perth! They are matches “made in Heaven”. My own book, Sacred Teachers in Fur is about how 7 dogs changed my perception of life and Love and taught me so much, all came into my life during times I was open to learning certain things ,and I love them beyond words and like you, my writing career is because of them…🐱🐶❤️ But bigger than that they have enriched my time on earth ( I’m sure over lifetimes) and opened my soul to such profound Joy and comfort! There are so many looking for their special people in shelters all over the world…in a magic world if everyone who could, would adopt a pet, think of the Love that would grow in everyone’s life, there would be no time for crimes and wars because everyone would feel compassion for each other and kindness toward animals…this may seem like a naive child’s wish that more of us could know this kind of Love but those who have lived with animals know what a blessing this would be! 🙏Adrienne
Thank you for sharing Wussik's backstory. So precious and timely. I know all too well how quickly and deeply one can fall in love with a furry feline family member. Two days ago, we helped our beloved feline diva rescue, Maisy Jane (of mixed Norwegian Forest Cat ancestry) make her transition at nearly 16 years of age in this lifetime. She has her own tough backstory of two homes and 3 shelters by the age of 2 years when I discovered her in a Petco where I was, in theory, merely shopping for 40 pounds of cat litter for my existing 2 cat rescue housemates (also of mixed Weegie heritage). I couldn't resist her wailing and adopted her the next day. Thus began her tiny regal reign over everyone and everything in our life. RIP Maisy Jane 3/28/2024 💜🙏🧘♀️
David this particular piece of writing is beautiful. As soon as you started to describe Wussik I knew exactly who you were talking about and how special she was (is) to you. Now, Wussik lives on in many people's hearts :)
Oh how I love your books inspired by your cat, Wussik.
I've been imaging a 7th book, even though I suspect it would have to include HHC's transition from this existence. I imagine how rich that would be. I hope I won't have to write it myself. (No subtle hint here.)
Profound thanks to Wussik who, one might say, gave HHC her unforgettable voice. No more Dalai Lama books??!! Then I must reread them all and hope for more mouse-sized musings from you. I and our two tabbies count on them!
Thank you for andwering the question! I am a Tibetan Buddhist practitioner and a practitioner of holistic vet med- your words are a wonderful melding together. ❤️
David, thank you for once more touching my heart with your magic story wand. Wussik was a BEAUTY and the perfect inspirational model for your adored books. Thanks for explaining your marvelous experience with Wussik -- SO glad you rescued her from her upsetting life to improve life for all of you!
Dear David, thank you so much for introducing Wussik to us readers. I’m happy to know that HHC did really exist, which in some way I had always assumed. And I am sure you will meet again one day. A heart-to-heart or soul-to-soul connection like yours is never ending.
What a wonderful, heart-melting story. What a tender and joyous blessing that Wussik found her way to you, and then into all our hearts. Thank you for sharing her with us. 🥰💓
Wonderful to read about Wussik, wobbly legs and all, and to know that she inspired you to write some of my most favorite books. I am rereading The Four Paws of Spiritual Success, which is not only an accurate description of the soul of a beloved cat but also full of Buddhist teachings and reminders. Many thanks and many blessings. Hope
Wonderful, wonderful! Thank you Wussik and David for my first baby steps towards understanding the dharma and being able to share it with my son. You (and HHC) have made me very happy! xxx
Thank you for such a timely post. It comes with perfect timing. Per say I’m not an ardent cat lover, even though I have read all of your books! Dogs on the other hand have been in my life for years & my current beautiful rescue English Setter & I are now settling into WA after 27 years in Ireland. We are struggling a little but having read the entire post, I feel so much more at peace. We all struggle in different ways but having my devote pet with me has been enormous. I would not have made it without him. Thank you for making my day.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful story about Wussik. She is truly wonderful cat and I am so grateful for the stories she has inspired. The Dalai Lama's Cat stories have helped me understand teachings in Buddhism in a way I wouldn't have thought possible, as I had always struggled before with other books.
Ironically the reason I picked up your first book was the fact that the cover had a cat that looked so much like my cat Gigi (seen in my profile picture), I read the blurb on the back and I've been transfixed ever since.
I have always believed our furred friends have a great deal to teach and share with us and have certainly found this to be true of my beloved cats through the years. ❤️🙏
I think they call it the wow factor. Or in this case, the meow factor. We have always had a house dog, and the occasional cat, so I can empathise. I realised recently that pets bring love into a house. A couple generally won't sit around fondling each other's ears or stroking backs (well, at least not after the first flush of the relationship), but a dog or a cat is always up for it, and we human slaves are but putty in their paws. Thanks David. Wussik the wonder cat lives on thanks to Mousy Tung! Wait - I think it should be the other way around - the Dali Lama's Cat pads through our minds and enriches our lives thanks to Wussik!
💜What a heartwarming story ... thank you for sharing. Animals have a way of connecting to our souls and their love is unconditional. Dogs, Cats & Horses have filled my life over the years. They leave a huge void in our hearts when they transition on to their next adventure. Many of my animals live long lives, our dogs to 16 & 17, our cats to 20 & 21 and our horses to 30 & 31. I have penned many a story about adventures with Dancer & Bud, Rhythm & Hollywood (our horses) Calvin & Hobbes (our cats) and our dogs Kodi & Ri, Bella & Jack (that's Captain Jack Sparrow by the way). I share the stories with younger children at our local school and they love when I bring along one or more of the characters. We've often munched on carrots and apples during story time, with the horses quietly outside the window. Our 4-legged Kidz ❤ often write our annual Christmas letter documenting the goings on of our household the past year. They are very much a part of our lives. My husband and I can appreciate your consideration for your 4- legged loved ones care while traveling, and we have sacrificed many trips together as one of us is always with our kidz ... especially as they reach their golden years, where they like change less than we do 😉 Do keep writing David... you have a gift and we love when you share it. xoxo
David, Thank you for sharing your sweet story. What a beautiful union of hearts! In my own life , with my cats and dogs over the years and also in my rescue work of domestic and wild life I have always maintained the animals we fall in love with actually find us and teach us so many lessons and open our hearts everyday. No mistake you moved back to Perth! They are matches “made in Heaven”. My own book, Sacred Teachers in Fur is about how 7 dogs changed my perception of life and Love and taught me so much, all came into my life during times I was open to learning certain things ,and I love them beyond words and like you, my writing career is because of them…🐱🐶❤️ But bigger than that they have enriched my time on earth ( I’m sure over lifetimes) and opened my soul to such profound Joy and comfort! There are so many looking for their special people in shelters all over the world…in a magic world if everyone who could, would adopt a pet, think of the Love that would grow in everyone’s life, there would be no time for crimes and wars because everyone would feel compassion for each other and kindness toward animals…this may seem like a naive child’s wish that more of us could know this kind of Love but those who have lived with animals know what a blessing this would be! 🙏Adrienne
Thank you for sharing Wussik's backstory. So precious and timely. I know all too well how quickly and deeply one can fall in love with a furry feline family member. Two days ago, we helped our beloved feline diva rescue, Maisy Jane (of mixed Norwegian Forest Cat ancestry) make her transition at nearly 16 years of age in this lifetime. She has her own tough backstory of two homes and 3 shelters by the age of 2 years when I discovered her in a Petco where I was, in theory, merely shopping for 40 pounds of cat litter for my existing 2 cat rescue housemates (also of mixed Weegie heritage). I couldn't resist her wailing and adopted her the next day. Thus began her tiny regal reign over everyone and everything in our life. RIP Maisy Jane 3/28/2024 💜🙏🧘♀️
David this particular piece of writing is beautiful. As soon as you started to describe Wussik I knew exactly who you were talking about and how special she was (is) to you. Now, Wussik lives on in many people's hearts :)
Oh how I love your books inspired by your cat, Wussik.
I've been imaging a 7th book, even though I suspect it would have to include HHC's transition from this existence. I imagine how rich that would be. I hope I won't have to write it myself. (No subtle hint here.)
Thank you for bringing Wussik to us.
Profound thanks to Wussik who, one might say, gave HHC her unforgettable voice. No more Dalai Lama books??!! Then I must reread them all and hope for more mouse-sized musings from you. I and our two tabbies count on them!
Thank you for andwering the question! I am a Tibetan Buddhist practitioner and a practitioner of holistic vet med- your words are a wonderful melding together. ❤️
David, thank you for once more touching my heart with your magic story wand. Wussik was a BEAUTY and the perfect inspirational model for your adored books. Thanks for explaining your marvelous experience with Wussik -- SO glad you rescued her from her upsetting life to improve life for all of you!
Dear David, thank you so much for introducing Wussik to us readers. I’m happy to know that HHC did really exist, which in some way I had always assumed. And I am sure you will meet again one day. A heart-to-heart or soul-to-soul connection like yours is never ending.
What a wonderful, heart-melting story. What a tender and joyous blessing that Wussik found her way to you, and then into all our hearts. Thank you for sharing her with us. 🥰💓
Delightful! Thank you so much for your kindness to all sentient beings, especially this little beauty!
Wonderful to read about Wussik, wobbly legs and all, and to know that she inspired you to write some of my most favorite books. I am rereading The Four Paws of Spiritual Success, which is not only an accurate description of the soul of a beloved cat but also full of Buddhist teachings and reminders. Many thanks and many blessings. Hope
Wonderful, wonderful! Thank you Wussik and David for my first baby steps towards understanding the dharma and being able to share it with my son. You (and HHC) have made me very happy! xxx
Thank you for such a timely post. It comes with perfect timing. Per say I’m not an ardent cat lover, even though I have read all of your books! Dogs on the other hand have been in my life for years & my current beautiful rescue English Setter & I are now settling into WA after 27 years in Ireland. We are struggling a little but having read the entire post, I feel so much more at peace. We all struggle in different ways but having my devote pet with me has been enormous. I would not have made it without him. Thank you for making my day.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful story about Wussik. She is truly wonderful cat and I am so grateful for the stories she has inspired. The Dalai Lama's Cat stories have helped me understand teachings in Buddhism in a way I wouldn't have thought possible, as I had always struggled before with other books.
Ironically the reason I picked up your first book was the fact that the cover had a cat that looked so much like my cat Gigi (seen in my profile picture), I read the blurb on the back and I've been transfixed ever since.
I have always believed our furred friends have a great deal to teach and share with us and have certainly found this to be true of my beloved cats through the years. ❤️🙏
I think they call it the wow factor. Or in this case, the meow factor. We have always had a house dog, and the occasional cat, so I can empathise. I realised recently that pets bring love into a house. A couple generally won't sit around fondling each other's ears or stroking backs (well, at least not after the first flush of the relationship), but a dog or a cat is always up for it, and we human slaves are but putty in their paws. Thanks David. Wussik the wonder cat lives on thanks to Mousy Tung! Wait - I think it should be the other way around - the Dali Lama's Cat pads through our minds and enriches our lives thanks to Wussik!
💜What a heartwarming story ... thank you for sharing. Animals have a way of connecting to our souls and their love is unconditional. Dogs, Cats & Horses have filled my life over the years. They leave a huge void in our hearts when they transition on to their next adventure. Many of my animals live long lives, our dogs to 16 & 17, our cats to 20 & 21 and our horses to 30 & 31. I have penned many a story about adventures with Dancer & Bud, Rhythm & Hollywood (our horses) Calvin & Hobbes (our cats) and our dogs Kodi & Ri, Bella & Jack (that's Captain Jack Sparrow by the way). I share the stories with younger children at our local school and they love when I bring along one or more of the characters. We've often munched on carrots and apples during story time, with the horses quietly outside the window. Our 4-legged Kidz ❤ often write our annual Christmas letter documenting the goings on of our household the past year. They are very much a part of our lives. My husband and I can appreciate your consideration for your 4- legged loved ones care while traveling, and we have sacrificed many trips together as one of us is always with our kidz ... especially as they reach their golden years, where they like change less than we do 😉 Do keep writing David... you have a gift and we love when you share it. xoxo