Shelly and I discovered a wonderful book called A Street Cat Named Bob about ten years ago. Set here in London, it’s the story of James Bowen, who was drug addicted and barely making ends meet by busking for a living. One day, he met a big orange tabby cat who needed help. Although James barely had enough money to feed himself, he spent his last pound on veterinary care for the cat, who he named Bob. Bob preferred making the rounds with James to staying home, and James soon discovered that he made far more tips when Bob was with him, so they made a good team.
But busking still wasn’t making enough to pay the bills and James was determined to provide for Bob. With the help of his social worker, he was able to get into subsidized housing. He went off drugs cold-turkey, suffering through withdrawals alone except for Bob’s company. And then, he began selling the Big Issue in addition to busking.
The Big Issue is a small newspaper that employs hundreds of down-on-their-luck folks like James so that they can make an honest living. Sellers like James get to keep half the proceeds. Because of Bob, James had turned the corner on his life. Eventually, someone decided to do a story about James and how his companionable cat made a great team.
The story captured people’s imaginations so much that James was persuaded to turn his one-page newspaper story into a more detailed book. And that book, A Street Cat Named Bob, became famous worldwide.
Bob passed away a few years ago, and a memorial was erected to him on Islington Green here in London. I purchased a batch of flowers and a copy of the Big Issue to place on the bench with me.
. Bob played himself.