Renee Krafchuk, a Grade 4 teacher at St. Michael School in Weyburn, published her book, ‘Just Call Me Dinger’, in April of 2024. It features artwork from St. Michael School’s students, with all proceeds going to the Weyburn Humane Society.

Having always loved cats but thinking she was allergic, then finding out she was actually only allergic to long-haired cats, Krafchuk said she chose to fulfill a lifelong dream of having her own cat by adopting one from the WHS shelter.

She and her husband found Dinger, who was a cuddler, even riding on shoulders and figuring out how to get outside through the dog door.

“He was a short-haired tuxedo cat, and he had to get used to our dog, but he was just the love,” she shared. “He was such a cuddler. He was never aggressive. He was like a dog. He went to the bathroom outside. We didn’t even have a kitty litter.”

She said Dinger was a ‘famously wonderful cat’, but unfortunately, he became ill in 2023.

“It was so sad because when I was writing the book, of course, it was about him, and then when we finally finished the book, he was gone. So it’s kind of a tribute to him as well.” 

Kraftchuk said each cat is unique, each finding a special place in the heart of its humans.

“He was a birder, though, and now my garden isn’t quite as well protected as it used to be. He’s missed, and I’m glad I was able to write a story about him. He had a purpose.”

The story, for readers Grade 3 and up, follows Dinger’s rescue from the streets and his adoption from the shelter.

“It is just a good read, and it’s kind of a true story, just a little bit of fiction and fantasy in there as well, but it’s a heartwarming story and a cat gets a home.” 

She said the story demonstrates how the adopted cats get just as much from their humans as the humans get from them.

As a teacher, Krafchuk said she ‘thinks in stories’. However, since she is not an artist, she recruited Grade 5 and Grade 6 students from her school to help create the artwork for her book, which had been written pre-Covid and therefore the process had been delayed due to the relevant limitations.

“I had a whole bunch of kids who were interested, and we’d set up time after school, and they could pick any medium that they wanted, and pick a page that they wanted to design for, and it worked out quite well. It took us a few years to get finished, but we got it printed here in Weyburn, and now, if you purchase them, they’re available at the Humane Society, all the proceeds go there.”

The artwork for the book is photographs of the kids holding art they had created, some set in front of a faux brick background they had made. 

call me dinger

“They just were so creative with it, and I think they were really proud to be involved in something where they could contribute as well,” she shared. “I just really enjoyed it, and I enjoyed working with them. We worked after school all the time, so it was something extra to do, and it just turned out to be a really fun project.”

She shared what inspired her to help out the shelter.

“I just knew that they were building a new building, and I know that there’s not a lot of funding for those things, and I just thought, ‘I can’t go there and do it for them, but what can I contribute?’ and the kids were so fun. They had so much fun. I had fun working with them.”

She said there is a sequel written, which would require another after-school art project.

“It’s after he meets the dog. I don’t want to give anything away, but Dinger gets lost and found in the neighborhood.”

Krafchuk added that she and her husband are not quite yet ready to adopt another cat, and they are happy with their dog for now.

Find a copy of ‘Just Call Me Dinger’ for $15 at the Weyburn Humane Society’s animal shelter.