John Ryan is a retired professor of geography and Senior Scholar at the University of Winnipeg where he taught for 32 years. He has a Ph.D. from McGill and taught a wide range of courses - his research and world interests took him on travels to over 50 countries. His publications include many journal and Internet articles and chapters in books on geographic, economic and political affairs. His major books include one on the agricultural economy of Manitoba Hutterite colonies and one on the life story and art of his late wife Judith. He is also the co-author of a significant engineering study/report on the feasibility of using underwater cable in Lake Winnipeg for high voltage electricity transmission. His interest in cats has resulted in two additional books - this one about his own cats and a companion publication, A Tale of Two Kitties-Taj and Bodhi, the cats of Helen Schreider. John has always been fascinated by the wondrous nature of cats and how these miniature replicas of majestic jungle cats can be such soul-satisfying human companions. He just had to tell the world about Helen's two cats and his own three lovable furry compañeros who currently share his life.