Yeah I saw that on his blog. Cute dog too. He really is a good person. He's very down to earth and very human, in addition to being my favorite writer of course. Have you read the Sandman series? I have a friend who introduced me to N.G. who has the whole Sandman series in the form of the original run comics. She even has a copy of Arabian Nights signed by NG. She threatened me with death if I hurt that one when she loaned it too me when I originally read the series.
I've read all of the series, but it was so long ago that I forget a lot of it. I keep meaning to buy all the volumes, when I have a spare hundred dollars or so. The very first one I read, in the original comics form, was "A Game Of You." I was 14, and it gave me violent nightmares for months. It's the only Sandman novel I would not buy with my own money. But it is a testament to Gaiman's powers as a writer. American Gods,Anansi Boys,Smoke And Mirrors, and Good Omens are on the top of my list of favorite books of all time.
I'm waiting for the paperback version; I like carrying books in my purse to read anywhere. I almost didn't want to buy it at all after hearing that one of the stories is about a woman who slowly eats her cat alive -- but Gaiman is too much of a master to not read, and that story is probably wonderful in its own morbid sense. There seems to be a running theme with Gaiman stories and bad things happening to cats (I know he loves cats, but still... There was the Dream Of A Thousand Cats where the newborn kittens were drowned in a river; and a Despair story based on a true story about a man who was feeding stray cats in his yard, who went away on a job for several months and came back to find all the cats dead from killing each other out of starvation).
It’s strange, I'm actually quite numb to violence against humans (not much bothers me in regards to humans being hurt) but the idea of an animal being hurt really gets me upset. I have a really hard time empathizing with other people at all except on an abstract level, to the point that it’s probably something of a mental issue. Animals on the other hand I seem to have a bond with that transcends my ability to understand its almost like I can see things from their point of view. People tell me I have a real way with animals. Animals that avoid or attack other people will come right up to me and are affectionate. Even wild animals will occasionally stop what they are doing to come over (sometimes so close they are with in arms reach) and stare at me intently. Its like they can see something about me that is some how really interesting and they are drawn to it and put at ease. I'd write it off as just an over active imagination on my part but many other people have commented on it numerous times. I used to work at a pet store taking care of the exotic animals and I was never once bitten. Same thing with spiders they seem to like me for some odd reason. When I was a kid I used to let wolf spiders and other kinds crawl all over me and I'd bring them in and let them go in the house to help keep our cricket issue under control. I have never once been bitten by a spider. I had two as pets as well. Any way that's probably WAY more than you wanted to know so I'll just shut up now.
*grins* No, I enjoyed it. I have the same deal, where I feel more for animals than for humans. Seeing a cat that is crying for food or shelter breaks my heart more than seeing a homeless man begging for food/money. When I went to the shelter where I adopted Luna, it was so overwhelming I almost broke down. I completely understood why "cat hoarders" and "crazy cat ladies" do what they do. All these cats looking forlorn and desperate to get out of those small cages, nothing but food, litter, blankets, and a toy or two. I kept wondering if the staff had a policy of playing with them every now and then, giving them love. I don't blame Luna for being so clingy and loving -- she spent a month there. I know that those cages are at least a much better alternative than the harsh outdoors -- warm with a constant food supply -- but still. I've started making donations. I really feel for the staff at animal shelters, caring for all those animals like that. Adam has a similar bond with animals. Dogs that will bark and growl at everyone else will lick his hand and whine at him, and cats who normally hate people will climb into his lap.
Aww, that's so sweet of him...knew there was another reason I loved him besides his literary genius. Have you ever read Stardust? It's a beautiful faery tale about a man who sets out to retrieve a falling star, it's one of my favourites. :)
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Date: 2007-05-03 07:42 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-05-03 07:48 pm (UTC)American Gods, Anansi Boys, Smoke And Mirrors, and Good Omens are on the top of my list of favorite books of all time.
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Date: 2007-05-03 07:59 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-05-03 08:05 pm (UTC)There seems to be a running theme with Gaiman stories and bad things happening to cats (I know he loves cats, but still... There was the Dream Of A Thousand Cats where the newborn kittens were drowned in a river; and a Despair story based on a true story about a man who was feeding stray cats in his yard, who went away on a job for several months and came back to find all the cats dead from killing each other out of starvation).
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Date: 2007-05-03 08:24 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-05-03 08:40 pm (UTC)Adam has a similar bond with animals. Dogs that will bark and growl at everyone else will lick his hand and whine at him, and cats who normally hate people will climb into his lap.
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Date: 2007-05-03 10:17 pm (UTC)Have you ever read Stardust? It's a beautiful faery tale about a man who sets out to retrieve a falling star, it's one of my favourites. :)