ARLINGTON — Author Maureen Frandsen’s first published book is a tale of friendship — with two tails.

After receiving some encouragement from her grandchildren and other family members, the Arlington resident recently wrote and self-published “Jaxon Rags and Smidjun: A Tale of Two Furry Friends.”

The book, which features more than 100 pictures of Frandsen’s ragdoll cat, Jaxon, and Yorkshire terrier, Smidjun, chronicles the lives of the two animals during their first two-and-a-half years together.

“I really stress that friendship,” she said. “It’s not often that you see a cat and a dog do the things that these two would do together.”

The soft-cover book idea originally came from a hardcover book that she published and gave to her four grandchildren. That book featured a number of photos of “Jax” and “Smidji” growing up together at Frandsen’s home.

“It would have cost $44 a piece to publish more, so I decided I would try self-publishing,” Frandsen said. “I wanted it to be kid-friendly.”

Frandsen begins the book with pictures of the two animals when they were young and documents their encounters together and alone. The 44-page book features an easy-to-read story that children and families will enjoy, Frandsen said.

“It really has been a fun process,” she said. “Nobody has said they don’t love it.”

Frandsen ordered approximately 275 books to sell on her own, utilizing an author’s discount. The book retails for $21.99 plus shipping online, but Frandsen said she’s selling the copies she purchased for $15 each.

Unfortunately, Jaxon died last July due to underlying health issues. But two other cast — Zoey and Smudge — now live at the Frandsen home.

“We have had up to five cats (at a time),” she said. “We want to keep it at two now.”

To order a copy of Frandsen’s book online, visit www.xlibris.com/bookstore or call 360-435-9277.