SUSAN LOESCH
CATS IN THE STACKS

Shadow has really picked up speed in his campaign to be Head Library Cat! On his last visit of the year, besides going to the 6th-grade classroom to pose for graduation pictures, he pretty well did everything he could to demonstrate his versatility.

Never having been to the 6th-grade classroom before, he remained calm and posed for the picture.

Back in the library, he did what I have seen no library cat do since Big Footsie was a young fella. He ran toward a class of none-too-quiet-or-calm primary students and played with them rather than running away.

The third-graders came up to return the rest of their books, and their teacher gave them some free “Shadow time.”

Some crawled on the floor following him, waving wand toys at him, while others just chased him on foot. And what did Shadow do? He joined in the fun and excitement, played with everyone, and I think he was even sorry to see them go.

The noise and movement didn’t bother him a bit. He did stop short of being totally like Footsie, though; he didn’t try to slip out the door with them as they left the library.

Shadow demonstrated his prowess as a book-knocker-overer, earning more than one, “Good job, Shadow!” in the process. Book-knocking-over is an important job for a library cat; it was one of Big Footsie’s many strengths.

He settled down for a rest when Zee was in the library; we were talking about the “kneading” he was doing and I told her about Big Footsie’s green frog, whose head has two bare spots from many hours of kneading.

We showed the frog to Shadow. I know he was impressed with the huge bald spots on an otherwise fuzzy green frog.

Mr. G. came in to see Shadow, who was, as always, very sociable.

“I think he is THE ONE.” Said Mr. G. “Barney is terrific,” he said. “But Shadow….” The same sentiment was expressed by Lea as she gave Shadow a good-bye kiss. In fact, I heard that several times during the day.

As if to seal the decision, Shadow demonstrated his horticulture skills. Both Big Footsie and Piper, our first, now retired library cat, could mow down a plant faster than you could see it and say, “Don’t do that!”

Shadow did come one more ‘last time’ after the students were gone. We had a faculty meeting in the library and he was the perfect host, moving from table to table, rubbing against legs and accepting the petting and admiration that he knows he deserves.

And then, to top it off, he met a staff member’s bulldog, Weezie. Neither was too impressed with the other; they watched and watched each other as they shared a snack of doggie treats.

So is Shadow really IT? I think he and Barney are going to function as a team next year. Shadow will take on the more active duties, especially working with the younger kids. Barney will have different duties, including going to outdoor gigs. He has already proven that he can handle the crowds.

Both have many wonderful qualities for the job. They will of course be assisted by Tank and Hexie. It seems that we have all our staff positions filled at last.