View source for Casper the Commuting Cat: The True Story of the Cat Who Rode the Bus and Stole Our Hearts by Susan Finden and Linda Watson-Brown

{{infobox1
|title=Casper the Commuting Cat: The True Story of the Cat Who Rode the Bus and Stole Our Hearts
|author=Susan Finden and Linda Watson-Brown
|reviewer=Katie Pullen
|genre=Pets
|summary=The true story of Casper, an ordinary black and white cat who became an international celebrity when his fondness for riding the number 3 bus in his home of Plymouth made headlines. A delightful and charming story penned by Casper's owner Susan.
|rating=4
|buy=Yes
|borrow=Yes
|pages=240
|publisher=Simon & Schuster Ltd
|date=August 2010
|isbn=978-0857200082
|cover=1849831750
|aznuk=1849831750
|aznus=0857200089
}}

In 2009 as Susan Finden set out to catch the bus from the bus stop opposite her house in Plymouth she noticed her cat Casper watching her.  Afraid he would follow her across the busy road she urged the bus driver to move off quickly.  But when the bus driver told her that ''the only thing you've got to worry about is that you're sitting in his seat,'' Susan finally had the answer to where Casper disappeared to each day.  

Like many of Susan's cats, Casper had come to live with her and her husband Chris via a rescue centre.  But unlike her other cats he had a certain fondness for disappearing for hours at a time and had no fear of large vehicles and busy roads.  Susan did all she could to encourage Casper to remain indoors, but this was one cat who fought hard for his independence, breaking several catflaps in the process, determined to satisfy his inquisitive outdoor nature. 

When Susan discovered Casper's bus riding habit she was shocked, but in some ways it made sense as his earlier adventures had included hanging out at the local GPs' surgery, a chemist, and a nearby office.  She soon found out that Casper made the round trip to the centre of Plymouth each day and that he was clearly a hit with the drivers and passengers, patiently queued up to ride the bus each day.  

It wasn't long before the local paper got hold of Casper's story and soon Casper was known internationally for his antics, and the bus company even had a picture of Susan and Casper put on the buses.   

Casper's tale is well written and told with honesty and love by his owner Susan, a woman clearly with a heart of gold, who weaves a wonderful story of a truly wonderful cat.  At first I wondered why she didn't put a stop to Casper's wandering ways, but soon realised that his independent streak was just too strong to be placated. 

As well as Casper's story Susan also fills us in on her life and the characters of the many other cats she has owned over the years, some of whom lived with Casper, but none seemed to have caused her quite so many worries.  Susan also gives us a few chapters from Casper's point of view, which I'm sure most cat owners will identify with when they try and work out what their cat is thinking. 

This really is a sweet tale of a unique cat who touched many people's hearts all over the world, with an underlying message that we should love our pets and treasure every day we have with them.  It certainly captured my heart as I couldn't put it down, even though it did leave me questioning exactly where my cat gets to all day. 

I'd like to thank the publisher for sending a copy to The Bookbag. 

Further Reading Suggestion: If you like the sound of this book you may also enjoy [[Marley: A Dog Like No Other by John Grogan]] or [[An Otter on the Aga by Rex Harper]].

{{amazontext|amazon=1849831750}}
{{amazonUStext|amazon=0857200089}}

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[[Category:Susan Finden]]
[[Category:Linda Watson-Brown]]