SUSAN LOESCH

CATS IN THE STACKS

It is the week before Thanksgiving vacation. Alex and I will be off a whole week, and we are excited. At least I am excited. I think Alex would rather be at work.

That is the way Big Footsie was. Vacations and weekends were times to be endured between fun work days.

The week has been very low-key here, sort of the calm between the storms of Halloween and Christmas.

Alex is interested in the Thanksgiving decorations. Mary showed him the turkey and cornucopia. He soon turned his back on the cornucopia after finding nothing there of interest amongst the pieces of wax fruit.

“Alex,” exclaimed Mary as she lifted him up, “You’ve gotten heavier!” I am thinking that might be due to the can of Fancy Feast Appetizers he has come to expect each morning when he gets to school!

Interestingly, one of the first questions I got when the kids came back this fall and learned that Footsie had died was, “Will Footsie’s coat fit Alex?”

Today is the day we found out. This afternoon, after Thanksgiving lunch in the cafeteria, the whole school went outside for our annual Turkey Walk, and that included Alex, in Footsie’s green coat with the fur lined hood and the gold skull and crossbones. It was only a little bit big!

We made it around the short route 5 times; when we passed check points we heard, “Go, Alex, go!” “Good job, Alex!” And, finally, “You are almost there, Alex. Keep walking!” As Alex’s designated taxi, I was really glad to hear that last one.

Waiting for awards, Alex was the center of attention.

“Alex you look so cute.”

“I love your green coat, Alex; you are really stylish. You’re a very stylish kitty!”

And when ribbons were handed out, Alex got a ribbon, too,  which said ‘Field Day Participant Award’.  He looked pretty content in Trinity’s arms, showing it off.

Back in the library Alex settled down on my desk to give himself a good long bath!