The truth about cats & dogs

Two new books, each dedicated to our canine and feline friends, celebrate a love that can never be measured

- Urvee Modwel

I'f you've ever had a dog, you'd know exactly how unconditional their love is and how much they can truly enrich your lives. For editor and publisher Hemali Sodhi, taking in her first Labrador, Simba, was more than just enriching. It was a relationship that changed her life.

Since Simba, there have been brothers Jack Sparrow and Carlos and rescue dogs Cooper, Nikki, Junior, Muffin and Custard, as well as numerous strays that have adopted her and her husband. For someone who grew up "terrified of dogs", Hemali has come a long way. Now, in a new book, The Book of Dog, Hemali has compiled and edited stories, essays, poems and even recipes from 45 unexpected authors who reveal intimate glimpses into how their dogs have shaped their lives, changed their futures, and been remarkable companions.

For Devapriya Roy who edited Cat People, a book with a clowder of cat short stories, longform pieces and list essays, the idea for the book came as naturally as Hemali's. "With all my books I've had the same sort of an instinctive response: 'I have to do this' combined with 'I don't know enough about this?. And this is exactly what happened," she reveals.

"ALL MY WRITERS WERE THRILLED THAT SUCH A BOOK WAS GOING TO COME INTO BEING. MOST DIDN'T EVEN ASK FOR MONEY!" -DEVAPRIYA ROY, EDITOR OF CAT PEOPLE

Take a paws