Cats in Their Gardens

The author of Dogs in Their Gardens turns her attention to felines among flowers in a little giftbook more for fans of cats than of plants. A cat, Dickey suggests, is a ""more benign presence"" in a garden than a snuffling, lily-tromping dog; then there's the added benefit that cats seem naturally fond of photogenic poses. Visiting ""special gardens"" at home and abroad armed with a camera and a tendency toward whimsy-and, it must be admitted, toward being a bit too cutesy-Dickey showcases humble mixed-breeds in garden designer Allen Haskel's nursery and Himalayans in Martha Stewart's well-appointed Connecticut yard. She also includes a few photomontages (""pusses in poses""; ""kitten klatch""). The text accompanying the pictures breezily recounts the genesis of various pets and the tidbits about their owners' lives and gardens. While the layout of the book is far from sophisticated and the pictures are a bit small, Dickey's slim volume is sure to please soft-hearted cat lovers.