My father is always talking about how a dog can be very educational for a boy. This is one reason I got a cat.
From It's Like This, Cat by Emily Neville
When Dave Mitchell, a 14-year-ole growing up in New York in the 60s has his latest fight with his father her runs to Kate's. Kate has an apartment filled with stray cats and, on impulse, Dave takes one home. He names the striped tabby Cat and between them they learn what it's like to start to grow up.