Drexel University-College of Medicine Newspager

No, Henry has not enrolled in medical school - at least not yet! Henry and one of his mom's -Doctor Brooks, WCM '65- were featured in the Alumni Association publication Newspager.

[View Article]

 

Woman's World
by Andrea Florczak
September 25, 2007

Henry and his mom Cathy were featured in Woman's World. This story discusses ways that our pets have a beneficial impact on our lives, both physical and emotional. You can read this full page article by clicking our link. [View Article]

Baltimore Sun
by John Woestendiek
August 14, 2007

The Baltimore Sun ran such an amazing article that two other national newspapers picked up the story. You can view the article by clicking the link provided. [View Article]

 

Virtual Pet Therapy

by Sandy Robins

for Cat Fancy

Cat Fancy writer Sandy Robins wrote an accurate and striking article giving their readers a glimpse into Henry's world of Virtual Pet Therapy. You can view the article in its entirety by clicking the link. [View Article]

 

 

All About Cats!

by Noreen Alexander
Issue 40

A South African National Pulblication. To view the article in PDF click the link. [View Article]

Book Reviews

by Animal Wellness Magazine

February/March 2007 issue

Sometimes, misfortune can result in something wonderful. That's certainly the case with Henry, an injured feral cat who was rescued by Cathy Conheim after a devastating California wildfire in 2003. At the time, this left front leg dangled uselessly from his shoulder and only an emergency amputation saved his life. Since then, Hnery has gone on to become a feline celebrity; Henry's World - A Three-Legged Cat's view of Human Absurdity is just one book that Conheim has put together to celebrate his triumph over hardship.

This delightful and colorful book tells how Henry's resilience and zest for life inspired his guardians to share his advenures with others. At first, this sharing took the form of e-mails to a few friends, but in less than a year, Henry's e-mail folder grew to 2,000 letters from around the world. Henry's World is a collection of heart-warming messages an photos from Henry's "e-pals" and his responses as seen through the author's eyes.

Amusing, touching and insightful, this charming book touches on values important to all of us: trust, love, community, and the courage to turn life's challenges into creative experiences.

 

How much is that kitty in the window?

Diane Bell Column (An Update)

for UNION-TRIBUNE

December 16, 2006

A sugar-cookie image of a local cat, topped with a Santa hat, has been created by La Jolla's Girard Gourmet bakery. In its window is an edible likeness of Henry, the three-legged cat who has written two inspirational books (with the help of his owner). Now, it seems that the cat scribe is not only rolling in dough but being rolled out in dough, as well.

Oh, Henry

Diane Bell Column

for UNION-TRIBUNE

December 9, 2006

Henry, the three-legged San Diego cat who has written two books and responds to e-mails à la “Dear Abby,” continues to do good deeds.

After the talented tabby was mentioned in last Saturday's column, his co-caretaker and ghostwriter, Cathy Conheim, received more than 300 e-mails. One was from a woman who was taking care of a kitten maimed by a coyote. Like Henry, he had lost one of his nine lives and one of his four legs.

When Conheim saw a photo of the brown tabby, now named Lefty, she was stunned. He could have been Henry's twin. In no time, she found a home for the rescued kitten with BJ Gallagher, who helped write Henry's second book, “What's the Matter With Henry.”
A heart-tugging e-mail also came from a 62-year-old woman who had lost her home and business three years ago in the Cedar fire. She had been unable to find a job since and was struggling to pay rent and care for her cats in a small Lakeside apartment.
“Dear Henry,” she wrote, “I don't know where else to turn. Maybe you could help me know what to do . . . ”

After a series of e-mail exchanges, it turned out that the mystery lady had briefly lived next to Conheim's vacation home in Julian. Henry's mom had only met her once and had wondered what had become of her after the house had burned.

Writing as Henry, Conheim – a psychotherapist by trade – suggested that the woman market her computer skills by giving lessons and teaching people to use eBay. Conheim then sent her the profit from $2,700 worth of Henry's books sold just this week. After all, Henry dedicates all his profits to helping animals and people in need. The reply was heartwarming: “How can I ever thank you? This check buys me a breather, and I slept good last night for the first time in quite awhile.”

When she chose to name the rescued tabby Henry, Conheim had no idea that St. Henry was the patron saint of the handicapped. But Henry certainly has lived up to his name with the people helped online and through book profits.
“People feel cared about; they feel heard; they know they matter,” Conheim says. “What else are we here for if we can't do some of that?”

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Dear Tabby

Diane Bell

For UNION-TRIBUNE

December 2, 2006

Dear Tabby . . . A feline version of Dear Abby is finding its niche. Apparently, writing to a three-legged cat can be therapeutic.

That's what the co-owner of Henry, an injured kitty rescued in Julian two years ago, learned after she sent e-mails by and about the feisty feline to friends, who passed them on to other friends.

Before long, Henry, the gray striped tabby with the amputated leg, was deluged with fan e-mail (now up to 11,800 pieces) from around the world. Cathy Conheim, who co-owns Henry with Donna Brooks, answered every one.

A psychotherapist by trade, Conheim soon ghostwrote a book, “Henry's World,” featuring Henry's adventures, his triumphant spirit and many of the e-mails.

             

There was Brian Mullin, who felt so bad after accidentally hitting a cat with his car that he went into debt trying to save its life. After he confided in Henry, the cat's owners donated several books to Brian to sell to pay off the injured feline's vet bill. Brian, who worked in a senior care facility, was then offered a new job – as Henry's business administrator.

When a story appeared in the U-T  about Jo A. Del Rio, a researcher at Salk Institute and later Merck, whose health problems robbed her of her job, her savings and eventually her home, “Henry” found the woman an apartment and guaranteed the rent payments so she could be reunited with the cats she had tearfully relinquished to foster care.

After seeing Henry on CNN, a fellow from Arizona sent an envelope containing 11 $100 bills and the note: “Henry, you seem like the kind of guy who would know what to do with this.” (Henry used the gift to help Del Rio.)

Continued success

This year, Henry wrote a second book: “What's the Matter with Henry?” Last week it won “Best Gift Book” for 2006 at the National Cat Writers Association conference.

So far, the feline author has chalked up 6,250 sales of the $20 to $25 books. His owners donate all the profits to charity (after all, Henry wants to make a difference in the world). His goal is to raise $1 million for injured and homeless animals, and to help challenged kids, too. They market the books through the cat's photo-filled Web site: Henrysworld.org.

Henry's fame has spread through articles in a South African cat magazine and in a Japanese magazine bearing the title: “Henry, Sensei” (master teacher). “I don't know what it says; it's in Japanese,” confides Conheim. Cat Fancy  magazine plans an article for its February issue. Among the many notes Henry has received was one from retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, and another from author Joseph Wambaugh.

Henry's persona has evolved into something that Conheim admits exceeded her wildest dreams. “I'm curious as to where it's going to go from here,” says Conheim, who now spends about eight hours a day answering Henry's paw pals.

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Pets, Pets, Pets

Joanne Anderson

For BEACON

December 7, 2006

Never underestimate the reach of one determined cat, and his more determined guardian. Their dream to raise a million dollars for needy souls, like Henry once was himself, is becoming reality. A lot has happened since Beacon readers were first introduced to Henry the 3-legged pheline philanthropist last August. The Energizer Bunny™ has met his match. Henry the Healer keeps going and going….

Henry has won national book awards. Sales from these books, without the use of stores or Amazon, have generated thousands of dollars for various charities. In addition, Henry and his cat scribe spend up to 8 hours a day counseling strangers. Since Henry discovered his voice as a “therapet”, he has answered over 12,000 letters and emails, many ongoing correspondences.  His crusade of kindness has traveled around the world. Henry’s tale, including my 8/31 Beacon version, is even featured on a South African website- www.kittycat.co.za/articles/henry.asp.

You may recall that Henry as an injured California kitten 2 years ago had the good sense to wander into the home of Cathy Conheim, a psychotherapist, and Donna Brooks, a retired doctor- diehard dog lovers with hearts of gold. Henry’s positive attitude, plus a little prodding from their Standard Poodle, won them over. They paid for his costly leg amputation and wound up adopting him. Little did they know that he was yet to spark a new mission. 

Cathy turned Henry’s life lessons into a pair of non- profit books that inspire us while supporting grass root organizations too. Henry’s World chronicled their email odyssey, and What’s the Matter with Henry **showcased the power of resiliency and overcoming bias.  The beautifully photographed children-of- all ages book, What’s the Matter with Henry?, won both the ASPCA Humane Issues award and the gift book Muse Medallion at the Cat Writers Association honors in San Francisco last month. He gave his $500 prize to Friends of Cats in El Cajon, California. They rescued some feral kittens he knew.

Henry was recently voted honorary mascot and honorary board member of the Miracle League of southwest Washington. The Miracle League builds ball fields for physically challenged kids. Now Henry can sell his books to raise funds for these customized fields of dreams. He is working on a deal with a major league pitcher to help him with these fundraising efforts. Ironically, the southpaw cat, named for St. Henry II, patron of the disabled, was born on or near his namesake’s feast day, July 13th. When Henry got his name, his owners did not know of that connection.

Henry is quite the celeb. He’s been on CNN, done two signing at the San Diego Zoo and two at the San Diego Wild Animal park, been featured in many magazines and newspapers including Tufts’ Catnip and two different articles in a Japanese Cat magazine that calls him “Henry, Sensei” (master teacher). An article about Henry will appear in Cat Fancy in February. Dec 2 Diane Bell’s piece in The San Diego Union-Tribune brought the “ Dear Abby Tabby” over 140 letters the next day, and orders for many more books. Cathy ghostwrites Henry’s in depth responses faster than you can say: “litterbox”. Henry has received notes of thanks for his books from former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor and author Joseph Wambaugh. His normally shy cat scribe welcomes publicity for Henry as each venue is spreading Henry’s message of triumph over tragedy and overcoming bias and barriers.

Katrina displaced pets; terminally ill patients; shelter animals; folks who have lost their homes to fire or medical bills; wounded veterans; big groups like Alley Cat Allies; small groups like LI’s Last Hope…all and more have benefited from Henry’s ability to pay back the kindness extended toward him.  “Peace on earth good will toward men (and beast)”. Henry embodies the meaning of Christmas. Henry’s the gift that gives twice. Order his book online at www.henrysworld.org, and you can designate the charity where Cathy will send the check. 

** Now to answer that question posed in the title- What’s the Matter with Henry? Absolutely nothing. May we all play the “paw” that is dealt us as well as this spunky tripod does!      

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Public Access Television Interview with Mark Katz
Recently, Henry's Mom did two programs with Public Access TV and wanted to make those interviews available to his many fans. Please click here to watch the video.

Henry the Helper

Arden Moore

For Catnip

A newsletter of Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine

November 2006

If anyone doubts the power of one, then let me share the story of a three-legged cat named Henry. This cat entered the lives of two women who considered themselves dedicated dog lovers. They never really understood cats and never had a desire to have a cat in their lives.

Until they met Henry.

Henry showed up as a young kitten on the vacation home of Cathy Conheim, a psychotherapist, and Donna Brooks, MD, a retired physician, in Julian, California. They put food out for the kitten, but were content share their home with Dolly, a black poodle.

On a return trip, they discovered Henry in their driveway with his left front leg mangled. They took him to a local veterinarian who gave them two options: euthanasia, or pay for a pricey operation that involved amputation. Without hesitation, they paid for his medical care and found themselves adopting a fast-growing, playful kitten who did not seem bothered by the lack of one of his legs.

So, Conheim began to e-mail friends about this feline symbol for hope and determination. She wrote in Henry’s “voice” and interest grew to include cat-loving people from all over the globe.

Calling herself Henry’s “cat scribe,” Conheim spends hours each day e-mailing advice and support to thousands in need. Each is signed, “Henry jm” (initials for Just Me). She has written two books, Henry’s World and What’s the Matter with Henry? Any individual or group can buy these books at cost and use the profits to help people and animals in need.

Henry’s rescue efforts have benefited pets displaced by Hurricane Katrina, people who can’t pay veterinary bills, and countless animal rescues. Cathy shared Henry’s story in order to conquer tragedies and traumas with love and home. As Conheim explains, “Henry reminds us that we are defined not by our misfortunes, but by our responses to them.” Learn more by visiting his website.

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Meet Henry the cat, eloquent healer
Discover cat power at zoo book signing

Nicole Sours Larson
For the La Jolla Village News

April 13, 2006

Henry’s career as a soon-to-be-famous literary cat had an unlikely beginning.

He was an intrepid, curious, outdoor kitten — a brown-striped tabby with a little Maine Coon ancestry — who showed up at the Julian weekend retreat of La Jolla psychotherapist Cathy Conheim and Dr. Donna Brooks, a sculptor and retired OB/GYN, in the fall of 2004.

He was only four months old when his boldness left him with a dangling left front leg following an accident shortly before Thanksgiving.

Once they discovered the injury, Conheim and Brooks whisked Henry to their country vet, who offered euthanasia or a costly amputation necessary for Henry’s survival.

Both animal lovers but avowed “dog” people, with a combined 132 years of dog experience, they knew they didn’t like cats and their dog, Dolly, was uncomfortable with cats. They opted for a merciful end — until Henry’s trusting green eyes, soft purr and engaging personality captured their hearts.

Conheim never thought she’d ever share her home with a cat, let alone imagined a new career as a “cat scribe.” Raised by a mother who hated cats because they killed birds, she inherited that view.

“I’m 62 years old and I’d never challenged that prejudice,” she said.

Henry’s saga of overcoming his disability and his new moms’ prejudice against cats unfolds in “Henry’s World: A Three-Legged Cat’s View of Human Absurdity,” a book written and compiled by Henry’s cat scribe “Mom Cathy” Conheim from the “e-mail odyssey” recounting their adventures.

Conheim and Henry’s “Dr. Mom” Brooks will be at the San Diego Zoo’s ZooStore, located at the park’s exit, on Friday, April 14 and Saturday, April 15, from 1 to 3 p.m. both days, signing copies of Henry’s glossy book, filled with 250 photographs of Henry and his feline and canine friends.

Henry, a domestic animal who cannot visit the zoo, will offer his paw through a larger-than-life cutout and via video.

Conheim considers the resilient Henry a “therapet,” a healer with an unusual ability to connect with people and help them transcend their own struggles and losses.

“Henry came to teach us something about ourselves,” she said. “You can only hate what you don’t understand. It’s not the events of our lives, it’s our own response to the events that dictates what happens. Henry’s task was to get beyond the physical barrier of losing a leg and the belief barriers about prejudice against cats, which turned out to be his strength.”

Henry’s tale of overcoming life-changing injuries and unreasoning bias has resonated with animal lovers, veterans and healthcare workers. Conheim has shipped multiple copies of “Henry’s World” for distribution to sick children at children’s hospitals and wounded veterans and amputees at military hospitals.

Henry’s arrival turned his humans’ lives upside down but also brought fresh life after extended grief. Conheim sent an e-mail to 20 friends, sharing their adventures with their unlikely adoption of a three-legged cat into their dog-oriented household. Friends forwarded e-mails to friends around the world.

Soon Conheim and Henry began receiving responses from hundreds of unknown recipients, speaking through their animals. Henry received advice from another three-legged cat about overcoming his disability and from other cats on living with and dominating a dog. Henry took over the correspondence, expressing thoughts in a simple, concrete way that connected with his growing network of “paw pals.”

“Keep your spirits up. After all, there are many wounded souls like me who need love and kindness,” Henry wrote.

Many of his paw pals shared thoughts with Henry that they could not express to another person.

“Some of these people were seriously depressed and say writing to Henry has turned their lives around,” Conheim said. “Henry’s a very giving animal spirit. Henry writes to people in need of hope.”

“I think he has powerful things to teach as a wounded animal. He has been a healer in many ways. He’s been able to make bridges where there were only barriers,” she added.

For Conheim, Henry demonstrates a special truth: “Just because you can’t do everything doesn’t give you permission to do nothing,” she said.

The power of storytelling is central.

“People forget facts and figures but remember stories,” Conheim observed. “Once I saw [his story] was going to turn into a book, I thought, why doesn’t Henry fund-raise for animals?” Conheim decided proceeds from sales of his book and his just-released birthday calendar, bookmarks and forthcoming children’s book would benefit only animal healthcare and welfare organizations.

That’s why Henry’s book is sold at the San Diego Zoo, both in the ZooStore and online at www.shopzoo.com, and through groups including Friends of County Animal Shelters (FOCAS), Spay and Neuter Action Project (SNAP) and veterinarians, as well as on his Web site, www.henrysworld.org.

Selling a book about a pet cat in the San Diego Zoo’s shops may seem unusual, but came through one of Henry’s paw pals, a former zoo merchandising director who was touched by Henry’s story and saw its potential to benefit all animals.

“The San Diego Zoo is dedicated to conservation of animals and their habitat. If people have a connection with a domestic cat, they are more likely to have a connection with one of our rare endangered cats,” explained Yadira Galindo, zoo spokeswoman.

“Henry’s World” is also sold at the Cheshire Cat Clinic, 1945 Garnet Ave., in Pacific Beach.

Please note that the zoo event will require the purchase of a regular zoo ticket for admission to the shop. Those who leave the shop within 30 minutes will be able to get their ticket price refunded.

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San Diego Pets Magaine - 02/03 2006
Click here to view the article in PDF format



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Henry goes World Wide on CNN!
Henry goes World Wide on CNN with Daryn Kagan - Aired December 29, 2005 - 11:32 ET

KAGAN: All right, my favorite segment of the day.

Now, it's time to meet Henry. He is a cat who lost a leg a fire. He was rescued by an avowed dog person, Mom. That's what Henry calls her. Posted her cat's adventures on the Web and soon Henry's e-mail became a book. It's called "Henry's World: A Three-Legged Cat's View of Human Absurdity."

Henry's mom is Cathy Conheim and she joins me on the phone now from La Jolla, California. Cathy, good morning.

CATHY CONHEIM, HENRY'S OWNER: Good morning.

KAGAN: How is Henry doing today?

CONHEIM: Well, Henry's doing great. He's just so grateful he didn't have to go in a car and his grandma told him that CNN -- he was going to be on CNN and he said Cats' National Networking?

KAGAN: Absolutely.

CONHEIM: That works. Oh, we think you have a great network if you're the Cats' National Network.

KAGAN: We are the Cats' National Network. How did you happen to meet Henry?

CONHEIM: Well, Henry came to Julian (ph) in a time of loss. The cedar fires were terrible. He was born actually about a year, year and a half later, but we were housing people on our land there. And somehow he was hurt -- he never told me quite how he got hurt. And his little leg was dangling. But we're dog-devoted people, so we never had a cat. So we rushed him to the vet and, off came his legs. And we didn't have anybody to adopt him so Henry became ours.

KAGAN: I am sure one of the questions you get all the time is how does he do with only three legs?

CONHEIM: He flies. He can jump six-and-half feet straight up in the air. I would not know that he only has three legs. I think his back legs have become enormously strong.

KAGAN: Kind of like a rabbit, perhaps.

CONHEIM: He is, indeed.

KAGAN: Now, I'm coming to find out there are a number of a three-legged cats out there. I have one of my own. We'll get to him in a second. But mine does not have a book.

CONHEIM: Yours probably doesn't have 4,000 e-mails either.

KAGAN: No, he doesn't. He does have his own e-mail address, but he does not have all those e-mails. How did he end up getting a book?

CONHEIM: Well, what happened is he started writing his adventures. I was dealing with some losses myself. And as a way of sort of distracting myself, I wrote to about 20 of my friends and they sent it to 20 of their friends and they sent it to 20 of their friends. And in a year now, he has over 4,000 e-mails.

And the only sense I make out of it is that Henry's become a symbol of beating the odds. He's the kitty that could. You know, he's that voice of innocence and trust and he's humorous and he's heartwarming.

KAGAN: That's Henry flying right there. We're showing the pictures.

CONHEIM: Oh, he's flying? That's his Baryshnicat (ph)! That's to show you that he's not very handicapped.

KAGAN: He does great. OK, my turn to share now. I want to put a picture of my three-legged cat. We'll put up the picture of Tripod. Do we have that ready to go? There's mine, Kathy.

CONHEIM: Well, will yours write mine?

KAGAN: Yes. And he, too, is missing a front leg. But mine's missing his right front and yours is missing right left -- front left.

CONHEIM: Right. Well I think they should -- with the two paws, they ought to have a very active correspondence.

KAGAN: Six paws between them, they should do great. And I've had mine 13 years. He has never told me how he lost the leg. He came to me that way.

CONHEIM: Well, you know, Henry hasn't told me. So if you've held out for 13 years, there's not much hope for me.

KAGAN: Yes. Maybe we can...

CONHEIM: One of the things, though, Henry really wanted to do was give back. Because he shouldn't be alive. And he wants to help. His book is really to help every animal that needs help. So all the profits of Henry's book go to animals in need, wild or domestic. He just wants people to know that. And if they visit him on henrysworld.org....

KAGAN: Yes, tell us about the Web site.

CONHEIM: His Web site is henrysworld.org. And he's not a very good speller, so take out the apostrophe for henrysworld.org. And you can read all about him. You can become his paw pal. And if you order his book, I want people to know that 100 percent of his profits will go to animals.

KAGAN: Well, it is Henry's world and we all just live here and enjoy knowing about him. So thank you...

CONHEIM: Thanks a lot.

KAGAN: ... for sharing with us. Cathy Conheim, joining us from La Jolla, California, on behalf of Henry. And we will have Tripod drop him a line. Thank you, Cathy.

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Julian Cat Henry, Helper and Healer Goes Worldwide - 1/06

Henry’s life started in the most anonymous way in Julian. Nine months and an amputation later, he has a book, Henry’s World and website, henrysworld.org. As of Dec. 29, when he had three and a half minutes on the morning show with Daryn Kagen on CNN he has had visitors from over 30 countries world wide on the web. Henry thought that CNN was Cat National Network. With over 400 emails from wonderful new paw pals worldwide, for him his title was true. These days, Henry is a very busy guy. His cat scribe Mom Cathy splits her time between typing his correspondence and being a literary courier, otherwise know as a postal clerk, for a cat.

Since the first story on Henry in the Julian News, he has had seven stories written about him and sold out the entire first edition of his book. He is on many blogs, most of which he never heard of. January 15th he is expecting another 3000 books to arrive on his doorstep. As far as he is concerned the boxes are just more fun places to play in and on. He is to be on the cover of San Diego Pets Magazine in February. His new edition will be $25 and has the addition of a music CD on the inside cover which will surprise and delight his fans. As of January, he has over 4500 emails in his letterbox in the sky.

Henry, the little cat that could, has become a symbol of beating the odds and reaching out to others who need a chance in life. Before Christmas, Henry read the moving story in the Union Tribune about Dr. Jo Del Rio who was praying for a miracle. She was a woman, with a PhD, who was quite ill and had become homeless due to her medical condition. All she wanted was to be reunited with her cats Henry let out a very loud Me-ooowwie and then sprang into action. Within minutes he had written a letter to her saying that he would send out an SOS to his paw pals and he and his friends would do their best to get her out of the San Diego Rescue Mission and reunited in a home before Christmas. He tried his very best to do that by Christmas. That was impossible, but he is thrilled to report that Dr. Jo was in her new apartment with her feline family by Dec 27th. She and they are happy and Henry felt he was a lucky boy, indeed, to have friends and family that could help him fulfill his promises. Lots more help is needed, as rent is just part of living. He knows if he spreads the word more help will come.

A bit later he got a letter from a San Diego man who had accidentally run over a cat. He didn’t know whom the cat belonged to but was very distraught at the severe injuries he and his car had wrought. He tried to get animal control people to help but they only recommended that he go to the animal hospital. The man instantly named the injured cat Chance, as he wanted to give him another chance at life. Chance has had two surgeries, lost one eye and six teeth and needs one more surgery. He will be fine but the man’s credit card was maxed out. The bill, approaching $3000, was more than he can do himself. He tried to get the local papers to write a story to help him but to no avail
.
Somehow, he found Henry. The same day that Henry learned of Chance’s needs, Mom Cathy went to the post office box and found a very unusual letter. It said,” Henry, you seem to me the kind of guy that would know what to do with this, and by the way, can you send me one of your books” In that envelope were 11 crisp $100 bills.! Henry knew what to do with that money, Chance needed one more surgery.

Remembering that he was alive only because his Moms had paid for his surgery He wrote Chance’s new Dad and said he would help by giving money and asking others to join him.
At a dinner in Julian, another donor, a retired Marine Colonel gave $1000 to Henry for the first 50 books to go to our amputees returning from Iraq. To date, Henry has sent 60 books to help the wounded troops learn to write a new story for their life. If you want to help Chance, Dr. Jo and others in need, stick a dollar or two in an envelope and send it to Breakthrough Press Box 135 La Jolla Ca. 92038. Henry promises he will use it to help his friend have the same break in life he got and if there is extra he will give it to others in need.

The stories Henry got from CNN are touching beyond words. The letters to him reveal how many good people there are in the world who love and will do anything to save the lives of the animals who grace us with their presence. He continues to give all his profits from his books to animal situations that he finds that need his help.

Henry makes clear that just because we can’t do everything is no excuse for doing nothing. He plans to work tirelessly in his own life to nudge others to join him in fun and heartwarming stories, but also in reaching out to the weakest and most vulnerable in our world and make a difference, one paw and one dollar at a time. So, along with his main function as a storyteller “the little feline that could” is becoming a fundraiser for animal charities. Henry’s World, which contains 250 color photos, serves as an unlikely inspirational jolt to get us out of our human heads and facilitate direct support of other beings whose troubles never make headlines. Any animal group or Vet in the world can buy his books at cost and raise money to help animals anywhere in the world.

It all started in the town of Julian that has suffered so much loss of its own. Who says we are a small town? We, like Henry, have a BIG Heart.

Books locally available at Books and Nooks, Yesteryear, Julian Vet, Grocery Store or can be ordered at henrysworld.org

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CONTACT: CATHY CONHEIM * BREAKTHROUGH PRESS

 Henry’s World  160 page full color soft cover 8x11 book                                
 FAX Number 858 273-5243
 Email Address cconheim@breakthroughpress.com
 Website URL Breakthroughpress.com

THREE PAWS, NINE LIVES:  CAT TURNS TRAGEDY TO TRIUMPH
Julian Newspaper, September 21st 2005.

When the kitten Henry was rescued on a Pine Hills property, his front paw dangled uselessly from his shoulder. Only an emergency amputation would save his life. Since Henry was an outdoor cat who “belonged” to no one, this should have been the end of his story. Instead, his injury set in motion a series of events that would change his life and the lives of his new owners -- Julian residents Cathy Conheim and Donna Brooks, M.D.   His adventures have now been collected into a book.

Henry’s “cat scribe” is Cathy Conheim, a self-described dog person who began writing in Henry’s voice to share his adventures and seek advice. “Donna and I had 131 years of collective dog experience, but not a minute of cat time before Henry came into our lives,” she explained.

“Henry’s World” is a book about an intrepid cat who wins the hearts of the two dog- devoted women who rescue him. Inspired by Henry's resilience and zest for life, they share his adventures - via email - with friends around the world. His story touches friends and strangers alike, many of whom confide in him their own setbacks and tales of survival.  

 “ You don’t know me, but I cried when I read of your fate...," wrote one. "Then I realized your were in the hands of the best animal lovers in the world. There are no accidents in life... you are one lucky striped cat!” One cat wrote: “My dad is in a faraway place called the military.  Mom found out she has something called cancer. She said she couldn’t tell dad yet, because he would worry, and it is Christmas and he is not with us. She feels scared.  I am glad I can tell you about mom, since we can’t tell dad.”  

"Henry's World" is more than just a story about a cat. It is a story about all of us -- about community, courage, resiliency, and trust. It is a story about prejudice and overcoming it, about coming to love what we thought we hated, about enemies becoming friends, and challenges becoming learning experiences. Foremost, it is about life as a new adventure.  

Conheim says that people often speak to animals in a special, more vulnerable voice.  "Many of the people who write to Henry seem to find it easier to express their true feelings to him than to another person. And many," she relates, "do so in the voices of their pets." These special voices with childlike vulnerability take trust and intimacy to another level.    

Conheim’s in-box was soon crammed with responses to Henry’s dilemmas and adventures. To date, Henry’s email folder contains almost 2000 letters from all over the world.  His correspondents include people from all walks of life. One is a Navy man who found time to write while rescuing victims of the Tsunami. The letters contained wit, wisdom, and practical advice.   

A psychotherapist who practices in San Diego, CA, Conheim sees much value in this spontaneous dialogue. “Henry's World is a book about how we survive our wounds; about transforming tragedy into possibility," she explained.  "Henry reminds us that we are not defined by our misfortunes but by our responses to them."

The book is a treasury of stories; not only Henry’s adventures, but those of his correspondents. “Stories are how we learn about our world and how we should live in it,” says Conheim.  “Henry’s stories show you, through the eyes of an alien being, into what kind of world he has landed.  In Henry's innocence, he points to some of the absurdities present in our human world."

 Henry demands to know: “Why is there a room called a family room? Isn’t any room where you are with your family a family room? Why is there a living room? Anywhere you live should be a living room. In the woods, we had no rooms and there was space for everyone.” One of his “aunts” writes back,  “I think naming a room can be the kiss of death, don’t you? If you go around naming rooms, you feel guilty if you don’t live up to the labels. For instance, what do you do with a ‘great room’? Stand around trying to act great?”

Henry arrived at a time of loss for his two new owners. “Loss makes us vulnerable”, says Conheim, “and in that moment of vulnerability, there is fertile ground for change.  I suppose that is how this strange feline being got into the hearts of dog-adoring people.  We changed his life and he is continually changing ours.  These are stories rarely heard in the world, even more rarely valued and respected as our heart stories, or as revelations of our human needs.  These are stories of a vision of our world from those we are responsible for, but who care for us in a unique and wordless way."

 As a psychotherapist, Conheim is familiar with issues of vulnerability.  In 1998, she developed the highly acclaimed self-help series called “The Real Women Project” (realwomenproject.com), a program that encourages woman to accept themselves regardless of their body size and shape. This program underlined what Conheim has always known, the power of storytelling. “Women of every age and from all walks of life wrote us their stories. We shared them, they became a book (“A Waist is a Terrible Thing to Mind”), and millions of people have now found this life altering program.”  She is using the same approach in sharing Henry’s stories.  

Conheim said, “Henry’s story is about prejudice being softened by chance exposure.  It is about spirit and spunk, and about being yourself in a world that invites you to be everybody but yourself.”

**********

Henry’s life was saved for a purpose. He wrote this book not only to share with animal lovers, but so that he could contribute any profits to help other animals in need.   

By giving Henry’s book as a gift to yourself or others (or using it as a fundraising tool) you give the gift of story to someone who may never have told anyone why her heart aches, or to someone who has never told anyone that he is lonely.  Both will find their hearts smiling as they read the words of Henry and his friends.  
The Julian Feed Store and the Julian Veterinary Hospital, where Henry had his amputation, have agreed to establish a fund for the profits from the book to help Julian people whose animals have medical or food needs that challenge their budgets. The book will be in both of these places and in the shops of many local merchants. Books will be sold to all Julian merchants at cost, so that they can donate the proceeds to Julian animals still struggling from the Cedar fire.  A book signing is planned for Oct. 1, 2005 at Books and Nooks in Wynola at 2 PM.  

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Bremerton Patriot 10/1/2005

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Welcome to 'Henry's World'
Three-legged cat tells his story, raises funds for animals in need
By D'Anne Witkowski
Originally printed 11/24/2005 (Issue 1347 - Between The Lines News)

Michigan native Cathy Conheim calls her three-legged cat, Henry, a "therapet."

It's an accurate term for a kitty that has touched so many lives, including Conheim's own, in so many unexpected ways.

Conheim, a psychotherapist in La Jolla, California, and her partner Donna Brooks were avowed "dog people" when little Henry came into their lives, his front leg badly injured. When the couple took Henry to the vet they learned he needed to have his leg amputated. It didn't take long for Conheim and Brooks to decide to hand over the money for the operation. They soon found themselves handing over their hearts, too.

Thus, two "dog people" became smitten with a kitten.

Like any proud mom, Conheim composed an email about Henry's big adventure to a few friends using "Henry's voice." Soon Henry received hundreds of emails from all over the world. To date he has received over 3,000 messages, many from people eager to share their own stories about resilience, survival and loss.

The outpouring of interest in Henry's story led to the publication of "Henry's World," the story of a resilient tri-pod kitty as told through his correspondences with his friends, animal and human.

"This is a book told through a cat about how he won a battle around disability and prejudice and trust," Conheim, self-described "cat scribe," said.

"I think it's a book about how we survive our wounds and the different ways we have of moving through the world and the power of reaching out," said Conheim. "It teaches the power of stories."

Animals, she said, give us an excuse to talk to a stranger. "We're much too polite or uptight to start a real conversation with someone on the street," she said. "I hope it's a model for: what if we lived our life this way, what if we reached out when we were sad and hurt?" Henry opens that door.

The day Conheim spoke to BTL she'd received news that Emmy Lu's mom, Dee, had passed away. Dee was one of the first people to start communicating with Henry through the persona of her cat Emmy Lu. Many of her messages are included in "Henry's World." With her husband overseas in the military, it was to Henry that Dee first talked about her cancer diagnosis. "She was confiding in a stranger," said Conheim.

Dee continued corresponding with Henry throughout her illness.

"It's one of the things that really allowed me to see the power of how people will talk to an animal," said Conheim.

One of Dee's last wishes was to fly from Seattle to California to meet Henry. She stayed four days at Henry's home. "He stayed all four days in her room," said Conheim.

When Dee returned home she continued corresponding with Henry as Emmy Lu. "I've cried as much about Dee as friends I've known for years," said Conheim. "It got into my heart that deeply through Henry."

Though "Henry's World" is written in a light, whimsical style, Henry offers many lessons for his two-legged friends. After all, the book is subtitled: "A Three-Legged Cat's View of Human Absurdity."

"It's certainly a book about overcoming prejudice," said Conheim. Before Henry, she said, "I hated cats." Or so she thought.

"It sort of teaches that you can only hate what you don't understand, which is certainly what gay people are subjected to," she said.

"It's also a book about the power of this virtual world called the Internet," she said. Without email, "Henry's World" wouldn't exist. "In a million years I wouldn't have sat down and written letters by hand."

Through word of mouth, including an email sent by Robin Tyler to the DontAmend.com list, copies of "Henry's World" are being sold, each copy raising money for animal charities. "I sold 1,100 copies in seven weeks and it doesn't exist anywhere except in my garage," said Conheim, who self-published the book and mails each copy out herself.

Conheim makes no profit from the books. "Henry's World" is truly a labor of love and a way for Conheim to combine her passion for animals and her passion for creating innovative ways of doing healing. All profit from "Henry's World" goes to various animal charities.

Conheim's goal is to raise a million dollars to help animals. However, she already knows her special little cat Henry is a success.

"If Henry didn't do anything else but change Emmy Lu's mom's life for the last year, he made a difference," she said.

Buy 'Henry's World' and support WAGS

Cathy Conheim and Henry will donate the profits of each copy of "Henry's World" purchased by BTL readers to WAGS of Metro Detroit, a program that helps people living with HIV/AIDS keep their companion animals. Books are $20 plus $5 shipping and handling and can be ordered online using PayPal at www.henrysworld.org or by mail through Breakthrough Press; PO Box 135; La Jolla, CA 92038. Make checks payable to Cathy Conheim. Be sure to indicate "WAGS" in the PayPal message box or with your check.

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Bobbi Zane
Julian, CA

A Look at Henry’s World
By Bobbi Zane

“We are not cat people, we are dog people,” Cathy Conheim kept protesting as Henry moved into the Pine Hills home she shares with Donna Brooks and a big black poodle named Dolly during the days following the Cedar Fire in 2003.

That was before Cathy got to know Henry, a homeless tiny kitten who had survived the Cedar Fire and moved into the home along with some human survivors. It wasn’t long before Henry had also moved into Cathy and Donna’s hearts and the protests turned to purrs.

The grey striped tabby cat used up one of his nine lives when he got into an accident that resulted in amputation of one of forelegs, turning him into what Cathy called a “Tripod cat.” Since the tiny animal could no longer be an outside cat, the women brought him into the house and in the year that followed discovered an array of life lessons through the eyes of a special feline and a world of friends who corresponded with each other via email.

A picture book, Henry’s World, a Three-Legged Cat’s View of Human Absurdity, was the result. It began innocently enough, according to Cathy, when “we started to write about him and his adventures via email to our friends.” To her surprise the friends…and their animals…started writing back and forwarding the notes to friends and friends of friends.
“We saw the power of story telling and the book started to have a life of its own.” They counted more than 3000 emails in the correspondence. Many found their way into the book.

As the book evolved, “we could see the power of Henry as he speaks to people who have experienced a loss.” By corresponding with Henry, “People could talk more vulnerably about their issues.” It turned out that some of the issues involved serious illnesses, such as cancer. “Through animals we learn that a cure is through reaching out,” says Cathy.
Cathy has sold more than 1000 copies since the book came out in October, even though the book is sold only in Julian and on Henrysworld.org.

The book project could help people in other ways, Cathy realized as she was putting it together. Profits generated “are going to animals,” she says. She has asked the merchants and other who carry the book to donate the proceeds to the Julian veterinary clinic and feed store “for people who can’t afford to take care of their pets.”

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La Jolla Light Newspaper 12/22/2005

Henry’s World
Cathy Conheim Tells the Story

By Michelle Forshner

Author helps three-legged survivor of Cedar Fire tell his tale

It certainly takes a furry feline to turn a wealth of misfortune into pure grace. For Henry, this was exactly the case. In Henry’s World, owner and “cat scribe” Cathy Conheim tells the tale of an intrepid tripod cat who bravely survived the devastating Cedar Fire of 2002. His story tells not only of survival, but of a zest for life that has already inspired readers across the globe.

“Henry’s world is a story not just about a cat but about all of us- about trust, community, courage, and resiliency,” said Conheim. “It is about prejudice and overcoming it, coming to love what we thought we hated, enemies becoming friends and challenges becoming learning experiences.”

Written from Henry’s perspective, the 160-page book give readers insight into those elements in life we take for granted, to cherish what we have, and rise above disaster. “He is able to see the absurdity in things we take for granted. Henry’s World is about how we survive our wounds, about transforming tragedy into possibility,” said Conheim. “Foremost, it is about life as a new adventure.”

The subtitle of the book is “A Three-Legged Cat’s View of Human Absurdity,” steering the reader to the true meaning behind the book—it’s certainly not your ordinary cat book. “So much of what we do is artificial and makes no sense,” said Conheim. “Henry used to be an outdoor mountain cat… he thinks humans complicate life. He doesn’t understand why there are doors that limit freedom, titles for everything, why the world has so many “nos” in it and all of them are about things that are interesting.”

When the kitten Henry was rescued and sent directly to surgery to amputate his leg, the cat who “belonged to no one” soon found a home in La Jolla with Cathy Conheim and Donna Brooks, M.D. Conheim began writing in Henry’s voice to post his many adventures for avid readers on the Internet. Inspired by Henry’s love of life, readers wrote back from all over the world. “I was dealing with some losses and had never had a cat. I sent his story out to 20 friends and the internet took over. His letter box has almost 4000 emails in it now,” said Conheim. “When his fans wanted a book, pictures and animals seemed the way to tell a story of the heart.”

With three decades as a practicing psychotherapist under her belt, Conheim gave her expertise to gleaning such a heartwarming and revealing tale. “A cat book is not a cat book when it’s written by a psychotherapist who always has at least two or three things in mind when she does anything, and when animals are a vehicle for the more vulnerable place inside of us and become a springboard for a conversation,” said Conheim. For 33 years she had helped people with their stories and filling in the gaps. Henry became another vehicle for Conheim. “Many of us start life with one story and then something happens, an accident, the death of a loved one, divorce, and we are left without a script,” said Conheim. “Henry teaches us we have to write a new story and make the life we are given work for us.”

Since Henry’s account is about survival, his book has had a great influence on the military. Fifty of his books were sent to severely wounded Marines returning from Iraq. “I had wanted to use this book as a springboard to get on bases somehow—to wounded soldiers from the war to teach them the power of storytelling, and of reaching out,” said Conheim. Fifteen more books have gone to critically ill children.

Most notably, all proceeds from the book go to help animals both domesticated and wild. “FOCAS is one of our favorite local charities so any books sold from readers who buy the book from this article will go to FOCAS,” said Conheim. Other charities that have benefited from sales of Henry’s World include the Louisiana SPCA Hurricane Relief, Project Wildlife in San Diego, the Rancho Coastal Humane Society, and the Alley Cat Rescue. In order to assure all profits go directly to charity, the book is only available on Henry’s website: www.henrysworld.org. Although only out for nine weeks, this incredibly popular and heartwarming book has already gone into its second printing. Selections of Henry’s World are featured on the website, as are also a selection of articles about the curious feline, a guest book, and the option to become one of Henry’s “Paw Pals.”

Conheim concluded, “I would like to see little Henry melt people’s hearts and give them new options and see with new eyes and perhaps reach out in new ways, and more than anything else, learn the power of the their own storytelling.”

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