About the Book
From the creator of countless viral cat narrations comes a deeply personal poetry collection that explores the raw, tender experience of grief through the eyes of a neurodivergent writer. Nine Lives invites readers into the world of The Pawtistics—a household full of quirky cats and AuDHD humans—where humor, chaos, and heartbreak coexist.
What begins with playful, familiar glimpses into daily life with feline companions slowly unfolds into a poignant tribute to love and loss. At the heart of the collection is the story of Gizmo, a charismatic orange cat whose sudden passing left an indelible mark on millions—and an even deeper one on the author. Through these poems, Kayla offers an intimate portrait of mourning, memory, and the enduring bonds that outlive goodbye.
What the Advanced Readers Are Saying
“I sobbed. I smiled.
And I remembered.
And then it was time to laugh again.”
“I knew it was going to be love, given wings.
I knew you were going for my throat...
But, I didn't expect it at the dedication!
Then, by page three, I was in full laugh-out-loud mode. And then....I saw the trigger warning, and went through anyway.
I felt every word, every drop of pain. I've said many of these goodbyes over the years. Each one is a different kind of hurt, of loss, of empty. And I cried.
For the 30 'official' furry family members that have come and gone from my life over the past 35 years or so. For the uncountable 'strays' that touched down for a day, week, month - or more - and allowed me to help them on their journeys.
I sobbed. I smiled.
And, I remembered.
And then it was time to laugh again.”
— Michelle A.
“Her poems are not just about cats; they’re about what it means to love so fiercely that the loss feels like it might undo you.”
“I had the privilege of reading an ARC of Nine Lives, and it’s a book that will stay with me for a long time. Kayla Delcoure’s poetry is a beautiful blend of humor, tenderness, and raw vulnerability. From laugh-out-loud moments—like her four-year-old son adorably calling whiskers “twinkles”—to poignant reflections on love, grief, and healing, this collection captures the full emotional spectrum of living and loving deeply.
Through her words, Kayla invites readers into the world of The Pawtistics: a neurodivergent family of humans and cats whose daily chaos and heartfelt connections feel incredibly real. Her poems are not just about cats; they’re about what it means to love so fiercely that the loss feels like it might undo you.
I cried for Gizmo and Arya, Kayla’s beloved companions I’ve followed for years on social media, and I cried for Enzo, my own cat whom I lost just three weeks ago. Kayla’s grief resonated deeply with me. She lays herself bare on the page in a way that is both brave and deeply comforting—reminding readers who have loved and lost that we are not alone. The pain may lessen, but as she captures so honestly, the soul never truly heals from the loss of a soulmate.
This book is a testament to love—in all its joy, absurdity, and heartbreak. For anyone who has ever bonded with a pet on a soul-deep level, Nine Lives will speak to you. It’s charming, gut-wrenching, healing, and ultimately, beautifully human.”
— Heide V.
“from one cat mommy to another I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
“Beautifully written, I feel your love and loss through your writing. I’ve lost 3 cats, with one being my soul cat and that ache never leaves. You sharing so beautifully what you have dealt with resonates so strongly and deeply with me. I know it was hard, but from one cat mommy to another I thank you from the bottom of my heart. ♥️ 🤗”
— Jennifer L.
“All pet owners
should read it.”
“This book was different than anything I have read before. I loved it. It was full of emotions both happy and sad. All pet owners should read it. ”
— Alice
“While the poems seemed short and simple, they carried across complex messages with deep feelings.”
“While the poems seemed short and simple, they carried across complex messages with deep feelings. I went from happy and laughing to sad and crying in a matter of minutes, but I loved every second of it. It took me on a journey and reminded me of my own journey with my soul cat from having her at a young age, to losing her at end of college, to having adopted a new cat and learning his quirks. Thank you for this ❤️”
— Anonymous 003
“To love is to lose too. Sucks but it's the truth. Beautiful heart felt book.”
“Your poem book touched me. I loved your funny ones but also your sad ones about loss hit home too for I've also lost my cats and 2 wonderful dogs thru the years. They never go away you know, you will always feel them and mourn them but also enjoy happy and fun times too about them. To love is to lose too. Sucks but it's the truth. Beautiful heart felt book.”
— @Mckee21
“Thank you Kayla for putting words to things so many of us feel but can’t express.”
“So heartfelt you literally feel every word and the emotions behind them. I urge you to press past the trigger warning and forge through the tears it will bring, if you can. It will bring tears but also cleansing. Thank you Kayla for putting words to things so many of us feel but can’t express.”
— Dorthy I.
“a great way to process grief”
“I really enjoyed this book. I am a huge cat fan, I have two of my own and they have such distinct personalities. The writing in this book is from the heart, you can tell how much the author cares. The sadness I felt with the memories of a lost pet was so raw and powerful, I also think it is a great way to process grief.”
— @wickedwiccanbrujah
“The poems made me laugh remembering the wonderful times, and made me tear up remembering how similar my grief felt, and still feels. ”
“You are never completely over the death of a soul cat, but sometimes you think after 6 years the grief is a quiet shadow you are outrunning. The poems made me laugh remembering the wonderful times, and made me tear up remembering how similar my grief felt, and still feels. They reminded me that no matter the time, distance, or differences, love and grief are universal. Thank you for writing this book and making me feel like I’m not alone in either.”
— @marleythefluffalosoldier
“Rest in Perfect Chaos, Gizmo and Arya.”
“The kind of grief experienced with pet loss is difficult to convey— Mrs Delcoure manages to not only put the ache in words, but also the unfairness and visceral distress caused by a soft baby being taken from you far too soon. Rest in Perfect Chaos, Gizmo and Arya. ”
— @priesthood.of.the.seven
“I loved all of the poems, and I didn’t think I’d get so emotional over this but I did.”
— @My.Novel.Romance
“I am so glad to be able to add this book to my collection and think it is worth the read to anyone who has ever loved or lost a beloved pet. ”
“This book is a beautiful story of what it means to love a cat and be loved by them in return. It touches your soul and makes you want to just grab your cats and give them the biggest hug. I am so glad to be able to add this book to my collection and think it is worth the read to anyone who has ever loved or lost a beloved pet. ”
— Anonymous 002
“This book has funny silly cat moments, but I felt the poems about loss in my soul.”
“Being a cat Mom, and dealing with the loss of 2 cats in 5 years, I felt everything in this book immensely. The line "He carried my soul" is really everything. This book has funny silly cat moments, but I felt the poems about loss in my soul. Thank you for sharing the rawness of your loss as it helps show others that grief before (anticipatory) and after pet loss is not a linear path.”
— Kimberley
“Funny, short & sweet, heartbreaking, healing.
All in one. 10/10 recommend.”
— @mclaughlinknits
“a beautiful collection of poetry about joy, love, loss, and the transformative power of grief. ”
“‘Nine Lives’ is a beautiful collection of poetry about joy, love, loss, and the transformative power of grief. It seems strange to call this “pet loss” because that is too easily minimized. “It’s just a cat”, those words cut like razor blades. Soulmates, they’re not always human. I am sad for those who would disagree, as it means they’ve never been loved this way.”
— Anonymous 001
“simplistic in style, but it has a beautiful mix of funny, relatable, weighty, and precious moments.”
“Nine Lives is simplistic in style, but it has a beautiful mix of funny, relatable, weighty, and precious moments.
I think this book is going to mean the most to the author's old-time viewers, rather than new viewers or people only interested in the book, but it is still an enjoyable read regardless.
As to who will enjoy this book, if you have housesat or owned a cat, I'm pretty certain you will relate and probably enjoy this. That being said, the grief of losing a pet takes up a sizable chunk of this book. So, if you are only looking for a happy time or are uncomfortable with someone openly expressing views on grief that you may disagree with, this probably is one to skip.”
— @valkabelle
“Nine lives is a heartfelt collection of poems dedicated to Cats and their owners who worship them.”
“Nine lives is a heartfelt collection of poems dedicated to Cats and their owners who worship them. Many will make you smile but be warned that there is a group of poems concerning the loss of a pet. Anyone who has felt the loss of the unconditional love our pets give us will be touched by the words and grief in those poems. I definitely shed a tear or two feeling the authors pain but also remembering my own pets. Overall a sweet collection of poems.”
— @mapearsall
More Reviews
Five Stars from @male_licho
Perfect descriptions of cattitudes and their personalities. Humorous, real and warm like a hug or a soft light of summer sunset.
The poems walking us though Kayla’s grief pierce right through the heart and stay. I have experienced loss of loved ones in life and very-near loss of my beloved kitty and they touched very deep places in my heart.
I really appreciated the shift to ‚ordinary-extraordinary’ cat things to catch my breath. Kisses’ is somehow stuck in my mind and soul. One reads this gathering of soul-pictures at their own risk, but this adventure is a beautiful and unforgettable ride.
Five Stars from @cynic.bat
Witty, funny and openly emotional and deep at the same time.
Four Stars from Anonymous 004
A collection of cat thoughts that will touch you. Included is a section on loss- why am I drawn to this? Perhaps because I feel as deeply the loss of others' furry friends departures as I have my own. I fiercely want them to only live their best life and yet never leave- this section really hit it for me. I wish the book could come with the audio in her visdeos, wherein she introduces her cats. This is a sweet, funny book and I recommend it (as do Malcolm and Ramona, my fluffbutts)
Five Stars from Anonymous 005
Collection of sweet poems about cats, their idiosyncrasies, and the void they leave. I missed all my cats all over again.
Five Stars from Vanessa
Laughter, loss, and more laughter.. a reflection of the natural progression of time and healing, which is never as linear as that sounds.
Sharing a personal journey with grief helps to remind us all that we a never alone when we lose our four legged family members.
Five Stars from Stephan
There are a lot of things I can say about this read: Funny, poignant, emotional, I laughed, I cried, I remembered my boy, who has been gone for 2 years and I still grieve him every day.
Five Stars from @clockworkpheonix
It is highly suggested to have a cat or snuggly friend near by when you read this. Both to laugh with and hug when you remember just how much they mean to you.
Four Stars from @atlas_the_next_rat
I found the writing of the poems stylistically simple and unimpactful at first, but, after looking at it in retrospect and doing another read-through, the simplicity of the writing really did wonders for capturing the beautiful purity and joy of loving and being loved by a pet. The passages describing grief and loss where at times a little bit too on-the-nose for my taste, but I acknowledge that this is not the sort of anthology I'm used to reading.
Overall, I think this is a spectacular piece of writing in the way it carefully charts out the journey of loving and losing a beloved pet, which is excellent in allowing it to serve as a companion text for a person in mourning, especially for younger audiences. The emotions are raw, overt, and tangible as the author allows themselves to be admirably vulnerable and honest about their experiences. Well done, keep writing, and may you and your loved creature be reunited in the next life. There are at least nine, after all.