She will always be the only thing
That comes between me and the awful sting
That comes from living in a world
That’s so damn mean.
     — Eels, “My Beloved Monster,” 1996

These song lyrics have incredible meaning for iconic author Caleb Carr and probably will ring true for anyone who has been fortunate enough to have a furry family member in their lives providing unconditional love. In Carr’s case, it has always been about cats, and none was more special to him than Masha.

"Caleb Carr is quite a writer, and no fictional story could reach the amount of emotional grace that he shows in sharing the remarkable life of his beloved feline companion."

MY BELOVED MONSTER revolves around the 17 years that Carr spent with Masha, his sole companion. It’s a heartwarming, stunningly realistic depiction of the symbiotic relationship between a human and his pet. However, for those who are animal lovers or have ever had a special feline in their lives, you recognize that the bond is much deeper than mere companionship and cohabitation. Carr found Masha at an animal shelter in Rutland, Vermont. The backstory he was told, one that he could not initially comprehend, was that her owners had left her behind in an apartment when they moved. It was only Masha’s cries and other noises she could muster that alerted the tenants that a hungry, lonely cat was still there.

Carr brought Masha back to his cabin in the Hudson Valley region of New York and allowed her to be an indoor/outdoor cat, but within certain parameters to avoid the many forest predators in the area. Masha was a beautiful, feisty Siberian Forest cat with a majestic tail that resembled a feather duster. They were an instant family as Masha immediately took charge of the house and all the daily activities.

Carr would have guests every once in a while who stayed overnight. One of Masha’s funniest quirks was her penchant for stealing socks. The Mystery of the Missing Socks plagued the house for quite a while until Carr found Masha’s stash hidden inside a compartment of her cat tree. The abuse that she most likely endured at the hands of her original owners was made apparent to Carr by a vet who pointed out issues with her hips and some arthritis setting in. This would be the start of a myriad of maladies faced by Masha that also included surviving attacks by both a bear and a fisher weasel. The latter, regrettably, cost Masha most of her tail. But she was a fighter!

Carr and Masha were made for each other, especially as Carr’s own medical issues were serious and required constant attention. This often put him down physically and mentally, but Masha was there to service him spiritually. She ended up developing feline neuropathy, and as her age approached 18 or 19, Carr had to face the reality that her quality of life might be limited. The ending is one that millions of pet owners have experienced, but Carr tells it in such an honest, respectful manner that you will have a difficult time holding back the tears.

Caleb Carr is quite a writer, and no fictional story could reach the amount of emotional grace that he shows in sharing the remarkable life of his beloved feline companion.