Trooper

The Bobcat Who Came in from the Wild

By: Forrest Bryant Johnson

Narrated by: Barry Abrams

Whenever middle-aged desert tour guide Forrest Bryant Johnson went out on his daily walks into the Mojave, all was usually peaceful and serene. But one beautiful summer day in 1987, Forrest heard a cry of distress. Following the cries, he came upon a small bobcat kitten, injured, orphaned, and desperately in need of help. So Forrest took his new feline friend home for a night.

But when the little "trooper" clearly needed some more time to recoup, that night turned into two nights, a week, and eventually 19 years. And so Trooper became a part of the Johnson family. And in those 19 years, Trooper lived his nine lives to the fullest. He explored desert flora and fauna around him, befriending kit foxes, jackrabbits, desert tortoises, and other creatures and getting into mischief along the way.

Trooper became a "big brother" to stray tabby Little Brother, teaching, guiding, and protecting Brother on the pair's adventures and misadventures. He became a beloved patient at his local vet and cherished housemate of Forrest's wife, Chi. And Trooper even managed to melt the icy heart of a tough guy neighbor. But most of all, throughout his 19 years, Trooper became Forrest's best friend as the two shared each other's worries and frustrations, musings and rants, joys and laughter.

©2018 Forrest Bryant Johnson (P)2018 Tantor

an exceptional story

there were times it was hard to believe, but with good books there's always a little bit of Truth to that. Troopers story is magnificent. at the very beginning I found the reader hard to listen to but by the time I was at the third chapter I was hooked by the book and the reader's voice was perfect. I listen to the first 17 chapters in one day and just finished the books now. even for folks who don't have or even like animals, this is a compelling story.

Heartwarming story for animal lovers!

This was a wonderful story of a friendship between a man and his cat, bobcat that is.

An interesting Story

A very interesting story, a subject not normally experienced by most people.. A sympathetic view of bobcats..I learned alot.

A Great Book for Cat Lovers Everywhere

A long but very good story but with loss and sadness at the end, as appropriate.

I will miss Trooper.

Loved it

No, it is not a particularly well written piece of literature, but instead a wonderfully interesting story about a rescued bobcat kitten who went on to live a very unconventional but extremely satisfying life. I really fell in love with it. I would recommend it to anybody who loves animals.

lovely story

lovely story. will make you warm and fuzzy.

Remarkable

Some may find ways to diminish this remarkable story, as I’ve read in other reviews. Events too unbelievable, narration not “professional” enough or the writing needing editing. First, no one could tell this story of the beautiful relationship between a man and companion like the author. Also in his own unpolished words makes it doubly special. Finally their deep relationship in “knowing” each others thoughts & feelings is not in any way unbelievable. As a rescuer, Vet Tech etc. for 30 yrs. I’ve known hundreds of animals. It’s a rare thing but have experienced & heard of such relationships. What makes this even more remarkable is it’s with a “wild” species. What made it work so well I think, was they never tied to actually tame Trooper, they let him decide the path of his life. I love everything about this story, the wisdom the author gave and gained with Trooper. The last chapter will stick with me, Mr Johnson’s raw,intimate feelings & insight into that Brother was there to heal.
Indeed a remarkable adventure, I’ll listen to again.

I had to stop listening for awhile because I didn’t want the story to end

I love this story. The ending had me puddling up a bit, but then feeling better as we do overtime when we lose our beloved animals.

A wonderful story about the relationship between a smart and sensitive man and his clever and perceptive cat that were so in tune with each other.

A great read/listen for all animal lovers.

What an amazing cat. I am grateful that Mr. Johnson paid homage to Trooper by writing this book.

Home

Anyone who lives in the Mojave Dessert area would enjoy this. I also think that if you have never been a “cat” person, it will give you insight and appreciation to those who are and maybe willing to give it a go yourself.😉

Unforgettable story

This is a magnificent story with many twists and turns, very lovingly narrated. It’s a true story of human & bobcat friendship. The bobcat is incredibly intelligent, sensitive and compassionate. He reminds me of a golden retriever in personality.