The day my cat Simon attacked me was the day I really started learning about cats. It was a hot August day in Detroit. I was 15 years old and playing rough with my cat, Simon. He wasn’t neutered—back then, most males weren’t. And I made the mistake of thinking my three-year-old cat would never, could never hurt me.

Simon was becoming agitated from my rough handling of him. I ignored the swish of his tail, his hunched back and his heavy breathing, and continued to wrestle with him. After I quit and walked away, I turned around and saw Simon’s angry glare. He leapt and flew across the room at me, tore into my right arm with all fours, and sank his teeth deep into my bicep. The violence left me stunned and terribly injured. I couldn’t use my arm for over a month. That’s what just one bite from a cat can do.

I’d had cats for six years by then, and did not realize their potential. For a few days, I thought about getting rid of Simon but since I had provoked him that hardly seemed fair. Eventually I worked through my fear and Simon remained a good friend and never hurt me again. When he was nine, he got lost for 13 months before he found his way back home. He was a great cat!

Ever since, I’ve been learning about cats, frequently through mistakes. I have found things that work, and things that don’t. I’ve learned how to have cats who don’t tear up our fine carpet and furniture and who listen to what I tell them—without my having to do much work or spend much money. I’d rather spend money on fun stuff or cat toys than on cat doctors or home repairs.

Now, after owning and learning about cats for 35 years, I find myself a cat behaviorist. Actually, I call myself a “cat owner consultant” because I am expert at being a cat owner now and my primary goal is to help the owner. There are a lot of outdated beliefs, bad advice, and convincing advertising for bad products out there. Using a squirt bottle is just one example. And it’s both the cat and the owner who will pay, sometimes dearly, for being misinformed.

I wrote this book so that you will not only have cats but that you’ll have good cats, for a very long time. You’ll see! Cats do listen and they will learn. Cats aren’t really mysterious—as we have been led to believe. As you’ll soon find out your cat can be good!

Annie Bruce