SUSAN LOESCH

CATS IN THE STACKS

It has been a day-long celebration here in the Arkansas School for the Blind Library! Alex is 6 years old, and he invited the whole school to drop in for popcorn and Orange Tabby Punch. The 2nd graders sang Happy Birthday to him; the 5th graders brought him little duck toys; and the 4th graders brought him birthday letters and pictures.

Those too young to remember heard the story of how he came to us as a 3-week old bottle baby, along with his 3 sisters, in November of 2003. Alex, the only survivor, was bottle-fed by some of the students and named by them and came every day to the library along with Big Footsie.

When he was old enough to adopt out and I mentioned it to the kids they told me in no uncertain terms, “You can’t; he is ours!” And so he is! He is growing into his Head Library Cat job and, as someone said a few days ago, he is becoming “more Footsie-fied all the time!” That is high praise indeed coming from one of Footsie’s best buddies on the staff.

This isn’t the first time Alex has had a birthday party here at school. When he turned 1, we had a big party with a cake with pictures of him on it. This party is a little more low-key, but then Alex is, too, these days.

After all, 6 cat years is equal to 40 in people years. At his first birthday party he had an “I’m One” hat which the kids had a ball putting on him. I think he was really relieved to hear that I couldn’t find an “I’m Six” hat and all he was going to have to wear was a ribbon with that phrase on it.

I’m not sure how he would have felt about the pink “Hello Kitty” napkins and bowls. Guess it is a good thing cats can’t see many colors. Shhhhh. We aren’t telling him they are pink.

One of the notes from my 4th graders was especially sweet. It said “Happy Birthday, Alex. You are the Best cat I ever saw. I wish Big Footsie was here. I hope you will have a great Birthday Alex. I love you. XOXOXO.”

Another had a picture of Footsie and Alex both, side-by-side. I like it that my kids still remember and love Big Footsie but have made plenty of room in their hearts for Alex.

For more birthday photos, check out focus.arkansasonline.com.