Library cats of old somehow still in the stacks as school ends
SUSAN LOESCH
Thursday was Tank’s last work day for the year and my 6th graders’ last day in elementary. What a day!
The day before, Shadow and I had gone to their classroom for a graduation picture. Many of these kids were Big Footsie’s and mine from the time they were kindergarteners.
They are all so excited and look so grown up; I smile at memories of them in their early years at the School for the Blind and it looks very natural to see a black cat in Makayla’s arms.
I always love seeing the kids dressed up and lined up waiting to walk down the aisle in their caps and gowns.
“Oh, I’m going to pass out,” said Makayla.
“No, you aren’t,” I told her. “You don’t want me to have to go back and tell Tank that you keeled over on the stage, do you?”
A laugh, calmed nerves, and graduation begins.
Tank was kept busy earlier in the day with lots of visitors. He got all the petting and treats any library cat could hope for.
The speech students have come to the library during the year as a reward for good work, always armed with treats for whoever is here.
Their teacher brought us all the treats which were left, so Tank had a real buffet! Other teachers and students came by to say good-bye, and of course we had lots of picture-taking.
It seems like only a few weeks ago that I began this school year without Footsie, and with Alex with me.
It has been a hard year for us in some ways, but we made it.
Susan Loesch has been the librarian at the Arkansas School for the Blind for 35 years and is on the board of Feline Rescue and Rehome. She started the library cat program about 10 years ago after much animal therapy research.
You need to write a children’s book. It would be amazing!
I am sure Footsie and Alex were watching their friends from across Rainbow Bridge…they will live on forever in these children’s hearts and because of this program these children have learned respect for animals and understand the responsibility we all have to care for them with love…
Congratulations to all the ASB graduates! Big Footsie and Alex taught you some very important lessons that I know will stay with you as you go out from ASB into the wide world…and two furry angels will be watching over you always.