Book excerpt: My name is Shirley O'Connor, I have so much insider knowledge about beautiful Bengal cats - I am one, after all. Personally, I believe that the best way to get to know about anyone (or 'anycat') is to talk to them. So here you go, I've written a guide book just for you. The joys and hazards of living with a Bengal cat or kitten. It's been a great experience - being a Bengal, we're VERY clever (as well as charming). I've found it hard to stop writing actually, it's been such good fun, as you'll find out later in the book we can also struggle to stop talking. I've talked to my fiercely loyal (and sometimes territorial) friends and neighbours so I can make sure you have plenty of sensible information about our breed. I will share my experiences along with those of my other Bengal friends (names have been changed to protect privacy for some of my more reserved Bengal acquaintances). I've provided you with everything you need to know about Bengal kittens and cats, our behaviours, markings, our wild heritage and history, IQ, tricks, mind-sets, favourite games and a bit more about me. I'm so thrilled you're even considering letting us own you, we are beautiful and you won't regret it. Bengals are special.