The letters accompanying the illustrations were written in typical Wainwright humour. Within these typed letters were several of his concerns, primarily for “prostituting his talents.” He jested that he may have to walk the streets holding his head in shame for drawing a scruffy little dog having a piddle (page 131) and confessed “I have sunk very low indeed!” The original copy of the frontispiece showing ‘the route of the expedition’ also carried signs of Wainwright’s character. A small patch near Stockley Bridge covered a burn mark which occurred when he experienced “a moment of tense excitement” when his pipe spilled onto the paper.

The Great Cat Expedition was ready to start. Readers have been joining it ever since.