Daddy, Laddie, Rufus & Spook by Ros Armstrong

When lives are at risk, we need good friends!! Cat-hating neighbour, Old Mr Granville, has grabbed small, silvery cat Spook! What death-defying risks will furry feline Rufus and practical joker Laddie take to rescue their friend? Rufus is a unique cat; he has a secret weapon. Rufus understands and can talk with humans and uses his skill to fool a bunch of bad men who deserve to be scared. Old Mr Granville's nephew Maitland, a nervous 7-year-old, whose sister Macy continually belittles him, finds a special friend in Rufus and helps in the rescue. Rufus thrust in as leader of a rescue mission doubts his leadership skills. He learns to push past his pain and self-doubt and together with trickster Laddie and Maitland's help, discovers the importance of what it means to be loyal to his friends and 'If at first you don't succeed …