The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

THE PAGES in Betty Joe Cooper’s latest book will make you laugh and maybe even raise an eyebrow, as the Bahamian author delves into relationship issues using the popular metaphor of dogs and cats to examine male and female behaviour.

Calling it “The Dogs Who Screwed The Cats”, Ms Cooper said the book is dedicated to women to let them know they are not alone.

In the book, she refers to women as cats and men as dogs, of varying breeds. Although Bahamian potcakes did not make the grade, Ms Cooper did include a breed called mutts, who are described as bums, “good-for-nothings, low-down, dirty dogs”.

“I’ve defined nine dog characteristics as men and their habits. Women, which I expressed as the cats in the book can become aware of these types. These characters (men), which are the dogs, are very different breeds,” said Ms Cooper.

Explaining the characteristics, Ms Cooper said: “You might say for example, a Greyhound Dog is gentle natured and a good companion, truly Mr Mice Guy. Next to him could be the Doberman, which is the loving family man.”

Ms Cooper said some dogs will bring love, joy and complete happiness to one’s life, while others will try to blind side, sidetrack, fool, discard, use, terrorize and swindle. “These are the ones we need to look out for. Just as men are taught to stick together, my thinking is that we women (cats) should do the same,” she said.

Ms Cooper is known for writing stories that bring the essence of her true-life experiences to print. In some cases, she draws inspiration from the most painful moments in her own life. Other times she transcends reality and writes fanciful fairy tales. “The Dogs Who Screwed The Cats” is her third published book.

“We all have one thing in common, and that is we love men. Men are the reason we coexist. We all at some point in our lives have loved or were loved, or are now in love. Whatever the situation, we are all in a state of love,” said Ms Cooper.

Some women love as if there is no tomorrow, while others act as if love is a plague. In her adult years of living, Ms Cooper said she’s seen people become sick in the process of loving to the point where they just wanted to die.

“It was like a heavy burden, and all because of the other’s selfish acts. I’ve seen others love like it was the best thing next to breathing, like the world and everything didn’t matter but the one person that they were with. I’ve seen people lie to deny themselves it, not to allow themselves to self-destruct over it. I’ve seen many things. Love is the one thing I find that truly conquers all. So, for this reason I’ve written this book,” said Ms Cooper.

What makes this book so different from her previous books, Ms Cooper said, is the humorous, raw, factual information about relations between men and women; their habits, insecurities and selfish acts. She calls it “adult humour”.

“It’s something I’ve never written before. I try to never limit myself when it comes to writing, if something is in my spirit then I run with it. I would say that at some juncture all of my books have some correspondence with one another when it comes to life and love,” said Ms Cooper.

She said the message she would like readers to grasp with her new book, is the message of “respect.” Ms Cooper said she wants women to respect themselves, as well as others, because life is too serious to take people for granted.

“I had to write honestly which sometimes I think can hit home with some folks. Truth is, I thought it was the right thing to do. Most of us think many things, but are not willing to say them, this is where I come in,” said Ms Cooper.

For more information on the book, contact Ms Cooper at 468.8770 or books@bettyjoe.net.