SUSAN LOESCH

Cold and clear with temperatures in the 50s. A typical Arkansas late winter day. Inside the Arkansas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, however, there was no cold and nothing typical about the day!

This was the first day since last May that we had cats finally back in our library stacks. The school was abuzz with excitement.

Students had known before spring break that Shadow would be at school this week, and his visit was happily anticipated by everyone from first grade through 12th.

I was a bit nervous heading to school, thinking about all the things I had to bring. New carrier, Shadow inside, check. New litterbox, liners, scoop, food, treats, check.

Definitely treats; I had four kinds with me.

Shadow was sporting a new bandana and collar. Not HIS new collar; he had already lost that somewhere in the house the night before. He wore Barney’s new one.

And then came the kids!

Two of my fifth-grade boys were first, one returning to our school after attending one elsewhere.

“Hey,” he said. “It’s the first day back for Shadow and me both.”

They laughed watching Shadow knock down books and pictures on the counter.

“Good job, Shadow,” one said. “But you aren’t supposed to knock down Big Footsie’s picture.”

My third-graders came in for library skills. Shadow, of course, had to help them with their lesson and with picking out books. He got picked up, petted, hugged, kissed and fed treats! So many treats came his way during the morning that by early afternoon he just looked at those offered to him and walked away.

“Books Before Cats,” I reminded my elementary kids. “Remember our rule?”

They did, but we all decided we could bend the rule just a bit for such an auspicious occasion.

Most who came in signed a “Welcome Back, Barney and Shadow” bulletin board.

“I love you Shadow and Barney. I missed you.”  “Welcome back. I missed you guys.”

“I am very happy to see you. I love you, Shadow.” And from one of every library cat’s favorite people, our instrumental music teacher, “Welcome Bach!”

Shadow’s buddy Trinity, one of my seniors, came for a visit. “Ms. Loesch,” she said, looking at Shadow’s new bandana, “Those are D-O-G paw prints on there.”

“No they aren’t,” I told her, “they are cats.”

Not at all convinced, Trinity continued, “Last year you put him in PINK and this year D-O-G prints! Poor Shadow.”

Some things are so normal-feeling that you have to smile.

The cats are back. The kids are happy. Shadow is happy, and so will Barney be. I’ll still hear about it if the kids don’t think their bandanas are just right. The kids will still say “Good job!” when the cats knock things down, which we started years ago with Footsie.

Sometimes you just feel like all is right with the world!

SUSAN LOESCH

Faith and begorrah, St. Patrick’s Day has come again! Time for the wearin’ of the green, whether you have two legs or four.

After reading that there would be a parade at Happy Hour in the Heights, Mr. O’Shadow suggested we catify the celebration. His plans were big: He’d be met by Feline Rescue and Rehome PR Kitty Bob
and his mom, Ms. Moira, and handsome orange tabby, Pumpkin, and his parents, Mr. Bob and Ms. Lanita.

We’d all join the parade and declare St. Patrick’s Day to now be renamed St. Catrick’s Day. It sounded like a good plan to us humans. The first sign that things might not go exactly as expected came when Bob, usually ready for a walk whenever he gets the chance, decided upon arrival that he didn’t want to participate.

Not only that, he didn’t want to even leave his carrier. He told Ms. Moira, “No,” and not in the sweetest tone-of-meow.

So Shadow and I set out to our meeting place to wait for Pumpkin and his family. I put Shadow’s shamrock bandana on, a bandana steeped in as much tradition as the Blarney Stone. It had been proudly worn by Big Footsie and Alex before him. He sat in his carrier and looked around, taking it all in, before deciding to get out.

Still no Pumpkin, so we headed up to Kavanaugh for the parade, the parade that was now over.

Not to be deterred, Shadow created his own meet and greet. He posed with a group of kids who’d been in the parade. He met a number of dogs who were more interested in him than he was in them. He took a rest on top of festive green-and-white decorations.

Then he spotted Sarah and Sophia, two delightful 3-year-old twins who petted and petted him.

When we left them to head down the street, one of the girls called, “Shadow, are you coming back?”

I think he’d like to have just stayed there, soaking up all the attention.

We finally located Pumpkin and his family, or rather Pumpkin’s family. Poor Pumpkin; although he walks on his leash in his neighborhood, the carrier and car  reminded him so much of going to the vet that he decided to stay put.

Shadow and I got in his car and Shadow nosed the carrier door as if to say, “Come on out Pumpkin; it’s fun out here!”

Ms. Lanita had made an awesome green-and-white bandana for both Shadow and Pumpkin.

What a handsome pair they made as Pumpkin came out of his carrier to hang with Shadow. We all had a nice visit before heading home!

As of today, St. Patrick’s Day has become my favorite holiday. Because of our adventure? No, for an even better reason than that.

It was this St. Pat’s Day that my students and I learned that our library cats will be allowed back on campus for one day a week after a 7 month hiatus.

After I got the news in the morning, it spread like wildfire among my students. Talk about a celebration! There were hugs and high fives and cheers all day long!

My first-graders came for their regular visit that afternoon. They have asked me on a weekly basis when we would have cats again. Finally, I was able to give them an answer.

My little group began to dance around the library, wave their arms above their heads and sing, “We’re gonna have our cats; we’re gonna have our cats!”

They perfectly expressed what many of us feel, and my seniors are thrilled that, after growing up with Big Footsie and Alex, and being without a library cat this year, they will end their senior year in the company of Barney and Shadow.

I am pretty happy myself!

SUSAN LOESCH

What a day for a “PAW-ty!” Little Rock Animal Village celebrated their third birthday with a huge event, complete with costume contests, agility training, the opening of their new dog park and demonstrations by the dogs of Arkansas Search and Rescue.

You have to know that where a party is happening, you are likely to find Feline Rescue and Rehome PR team Barney and Shadow.

Barney, our veteran of outdoor gigs, was decked out in his devil costume, and Shadow was sporting Big Footsie’s bat wings for his first outdoor experience. Both perched on the FuRR table and greeted all comers, human and canine alike!

Barney got pets from Tracy Roark, the director of Animal Village, and he got sympathy from a volunteer with the Search and Rescue team.

“Barney,”  she said, “You must hate your mom for making you wear that hat.”

Barney’s expression said to her, “YES! Finally, someone who gets it!”

Before long we figured out that it wasn’t just the devil hat making Barney grumpy; our go-to guy for outdoor events just doesn’t enjoy the company of dogs. So Barney retired to his carrier and watched the goings-on from there, still commenting often on the activities.

But, oh, that Shadow! Doggie visitors didn’t faze him one bit.

He sat, statuesque, on our table, batwings gently moving in the breeze, and soaked up the whole experience! We are sure we saw a smile on his face as he seemed to really enjoy himself.

People were amazed at his calm and laid-back demeanor, even as he came nose-to-nose with Buddy, a cute little dog currently living at Animal Village and looking
for his forever home.

It was only after several up-close-and-personal canine encounters that we began to hear a little Alex-like rumble!

Shadow and I wandered from table to table, meeting people from other rescue groups.

As we came to the Last Chance Arkansas table there was Ms. Christine, a friend from this event last year. She had let me take a picture of Alex with her in her dog costume.

“Oh, I am so sorry about Alex,” she said.

We were happy to hear that she is a regular Cats in the Stacks reader. Shadow accepted pets and admiration from her, of course.

As I am always behind the camera and have few pictures of the cats and me together I took Barney and Shadow to the pet photo booth, and we posed on bales of hay.

Shadow’s pose was regal; Barney was wearing his classic “grumpy Barney” expression, which is part of his charm.

We stopped to visit with some Animal Village volunteers who awarded Shadow and Barney the “best cat costume” prize even though we had arrived too late for the costume contest.

The guys were a shoo-in for the prize as they were the only cats in the crowd. They are pretty darn happy with their toys and treats!

All three of us were excited to win a door prize, which was a beautiful cat picture frame and a soft fleece kitty coat, blue with black cat faces on it.

Barney modeled the coat, and was so handsome in it that I believe he has claimed it for winter appearances, leaving Big Footsie’s green coat for Shadow.

That’s the green coat with the “fur-lined” hood and the gold skull and crossbones. I wonder if Shadow will be any happier with it than Footsie and then Alex were. …  I guess it won’t be long before we find out!  It is supposed to be pretty chilly next weekend when they will appear at FuRR’s huge yard sale.

C’mon on over to Kavanaugh and N. Cedar to say hello.

SUSAN LOESCH

Today was 10/10/10, World Zombie Day!

You might not have realized that unless you were in the River Market area tonight. There you would have seen a traffic-stopping parade of zombies, 216 to be exact, stumbling through the streets. Zombie brides and grooms, zombie removal crews, and all other manner of zombies, large and small, many dripping blood!

On the patio behind the Rev Room you would have found Barney, of the FuRR PR team, holding down the fort.

He was there representing FuRR (Feline Rescue and Rehome) at the Zombie Walk, which was led by Evelle LeChat and was a benefit for FuRR, CARE for Animals and the Humane Society of Pulaski County.

Barney and all his zombie friends were walking to stop animal abuse.

While we waited for the walk to begin Barney circulated among the participants and thanked them for coming and helping his rescue group.

“May I take your cat’s picture?  He is so cute!” was heard over and over; as usual he was quite a hit.

He was very accommodating to his admirers and seemed to enjoy hanging out with the crowd … as long as he didn’t have Alex’s devil cap and horns on his head.

The Lil Devil cape was acceptable; the cap was not, but at the last minute, before we left, I just couldn’t pass it up. It was just so darn cute. Every time it was on his head, though, Barney put on his grumpy face.

Several people wanted him to have “that look” as they took pictures of him. He was a good sport about all the flash bulbs going off, but every time I put the devil cap on him I got a very dissatisfied I-am-not-very-happy-Mom meow.

We met several FuRR foster parents and adopters of FuRR kitties, and Barney was admired by everyone. He really is great at outdoor gigs.

He is always pretty happy to just sit in my lap no matter what is going on around him, and I get lots of comments about how calm he is.

All of us from FuRR had lots of fun. Maybe next year Barney can go as a zombie instead of a devil. All that would take is a little red food coloring dripping down his fur.

Hey, Barney, I have a great idea for next year,” I said later when we were home, but Barney was nowhere to be found. He had gotten out of
his carrier, out of his costume, and out of sight, in case I had some other crazy job in mind for him!

Nope, that is it for today.  But there is a big event coming up at Little Rock Animal Village in a couple of weeks. Shhhhh, though, Barney doesn’t need to hear about it just yet!

SUSAN LOESCH

Today in houses of worship all over the country animals joined their owners as the day’s services recognized St. Francis by holding a Blessing of the Animals. For the occasion, we had a beautiful fall Sunday, two pet carriers, two harnesses and leashes, two bandanas and…ONE cat!

My plan was for Barney and Shadow to go with me to Little Rock’s Unitarian Universalist Church where the congregation was making this day a benefit for FuRR (Feline Rescue and Rehome) and the Humane Society of Pulaski County.

I guess Barney had other plans for the day; he was nowhere to be found, even when I offered cat treats and opened a can of Fancy Feast as a bribe for his appearance.

Maybe I misread the contract for his job as FuRR PR Ambassador. Could it have said, “Will not work two Sundays in a row?”

Shadow, on the other hand, was raring to go! When we arrived, we were met by many dogs, some other cats and a great chicken named Lucy who had come with her family.

Another FuRR volunteer brought 3 wonderfully adoptable felines, Markham, an adult who knows no stranger and is always ready to play, and black kittens, Google and Blackberry, who think there is nothing in life BUT play!

Before the service started, we got to hear about two FuRR-adopted kitties, Flora and Bailey, from their forever families. Such lucky cats!

We met the Rev. Bob Klein and others in the church who welcomed us and made us feel at home.

A procession of animals and their owners began a service which included each animal’s introduction and a little about them.

Pretty Flower, a 16-yr.-old black-and-white kitty has been to the church’s Blessing of the Animals for all 5 years it has been held.

There were both cats and kittens there, and meeting them didn’t get a single hiss out of Shadow! I think he thought it was just one big party all for him.

There was a slide show playing during the service which included photos of cherished pets who have died, and it touched my heart to see Big Footsie, Alex, and, sadly, our first Library Cat, Piper, who died of cancer only a week ago.

As people spoke about their animal friends, a candle was lit on the red-covered altar in remembrance of each.

Shadow was totally in his element! The dogs’ intermittent barking and the chicken’s clucking didn’t bother him a bit.

HIS attention was on the children, as one after another came up to pet him and talk to him.

“What is his name?” “How old is he?” “Why is he so calm?” “Can I pet him?”

Hanging out with kids: now that is something Shadow understands and loves.

I think he has missed this since he hasn’t been able to go to school with me.

What a joyous celebration of our animal companions and all animals and the ways they bless us!

The service was closed with Rev. Klein’s, “Meow. Woof. Amen.”

Amen, indeed!

SUSAN LOESCH

If it is late September, it must be time for Halloween costume shopping!

This is always a high point for me and the Library Cats, but this year we have no “cats in our stacks.” Our Library Cat program has been suspended by the administration at the Arkansas School for the Blind.

That hasn’t stopped us from getting excited about Halloween, though, and Barney and I headed to PetSmart today because he has a very important job coming up! World Zombie Day is 10-10-10, and this
year there is going to be a huge Zombie Walk and afterparty in the River Market area.

You can find out about this event for all ages at www.zombie.88watts.net.

We in Feline Rescue and Rehome (FuRR) are doubly excited because this event is a fund raiser for three area rescue groups, and FuRR is one of them!

We will all, including Barney, be walking to end animal abuse.

So off we went! We hadn’t been looking at costumes for more than a minute when we met Rhonda, who adopted one of our Katrina kitties, a beautiful calico. How happy we were to hear that she is doing just great!

“I have heard all about you,” she told Barney, and she knew who Big Footsie was.

That left Barney and me both smiling.

Barney’s smile didn’t last very long, though! He was not as patient trying costumes on as Alex was last year.

Footsie never had to try costumes on; his wearing bat wings was a tradition that couldn’t be broken.

We started off slowly, trying on simple angel wings. Nope. Barney’s much-less-than-angelic expression made me eliminate that one right off!

Next we tried on my very favorite, a tiger costume. Everyone who saw him commented on what a cute tiger he made. Cute, yes. Happy, no!

Ok, so Barney isn’t much for anything that goes on his head. No tiger costume and no witch hat, even though it was beautifully decorated and included great purple hair.

Then we found a great cowboy hat. Not only did Barney not like it, he wouldn’t stay still for a photo without me holding him! We were running out of choices, and then I saw something that might work.

It was a red cape with the wording “Lil Devil” on the back and a great devil’s tail. Barney indicated that he could live with that one, so we made our choice!

As we were rolling down an aisle, Barney’s head all of a sudden turned to look at the treats, so we stopped and picked out some healthy “free range chicken treats.”

As we rolled away, Barney reached out and pulled another package of less healthy treats into the basket.

“OK, Barney,” I told him. “You deserve any treats you want!”

Off we went to the checkout stand, where Barney climbed out of the basket and up onto the cash register to help the checker. He “helped” by causing the cash register to begin to buzz. A manager had to figure out how to stop the noise.

PetSmart may never be the same, but we sure had fun!

SUSAN LOESCH

As our fall semester gets underway I thought it might be fun to tell you how our Library Cat Program got its start. To do that you have to meet Piper, a bobtail orange tabby who has just had his 10th birthday.

Piper came into my life in September, 2000, when he was just 5 weeks old. He had been
found in a drainpipe at a big grocery store; someone heard him crying. He was rescued by Care for Animals, and they asked me to foster him.

Oh, my goodness, did I fall in love with him! The first thing this little ball of fluff did was cuddle up under my chin and nurse on my neck. To this day he still does that, especially when he is nervous.

He began coming to school with me and seemed to enjoy it.

We began to connect our Library Cat Program with the new Accelerated Reader program. Our first “prize books” were called Piper‟s Picks.

Everyone loved to feed Piper chicken, his favorite food, especially baby food chicken.

He enjoyed his first Halloween with the students and at Christmas had his picture taken with Santa for the first time.

He had his favorite kids, most of whom have now graduated from high school. One of
his favorites was Harry, who earned the very first AR reading poster. He posed with
Piper for a sign that said, “Piper and Harry say, ‘Reading is Happy!’ ”

He also accompanied Jasmine to the Art Room where they posed as living models for a drawing class.

In the late spring of 2001, Big Footsie came into our lives, and it was obvious that he had all the traits of a great library cat. In the fall of 2001, both Footsie and Piper came to school, and Piper showed Footsie the ropes. He got the hang of eating treats — and plants
— really fast.

Piper and Footsie led our elementary kids to a fun “Rally Round the Sign” when our
school sign said “Home of Piper and Big Footsie, Only Library Cats In Arkansas.” We all
hiked down to the sign and took lots of pictures.

Not long into the year we had a huge first birthday party for Piper in the library. He had such a good time, but already Footsie was showing signs of taking over. … He opened a
huge bag of cat food which had been a gift to Piper and began to eat it!

As time went by, Piper let us know that he was more of a homebody than a working cat.

The job he really wanted was greeting me when I got home from school and washing my face as he purred a welcome.

Footsie, on the other hand, was more career-oriented, so he moved into the Head Library Cat position, and Piper became our Head Library Cat Emeritus.

Our kids still know Piper and ask for him to visit, so he comes a few times a year. He is always there for our Library Cat Christmas, a whole school party which all the library cat
staff attends.

Piper usually spends that day curled up in my office bathroom sink! He receives visitors there, and everyone knows where to go to see him.

At the end of the party day, most of the library cats are tired and sleepy, but not Piper. He has rested all day and is ready to play when he gets home!

Now Piper spends his days snoozing, hanging out with his buddies and greeting me every
afternoon with heartwarming enthusiasm. He continues to be my “soul-mate kitty.”

Piper wasn’t our Head Library Cat for very long, but he laid the foundation for the whole program. And what a great job he did!

Summer vacation! Field trips, outdoor activities, heat!

Oh, yeah, heat. Well, how bad could it be at 5:30 in the evening. Surely the fun and excitement of Barney’s first summer field trip, an outdoor gig at Happy Hour in the Heights, would override any discomfort from the heat.

Maybe a little heat would have gone unnoticed but not the 95 degrees the thermometer registered at the time we hit the street to set up our display for Feline Rescue and Rehome and wait for the crowd to appear.

I’d noticed before that this event on the third Thursday of the month is like a big happy block party. People are having fun and stopping to talk, just the kind of event at which Barney shines. There are bands, refreshments and a casual excitement in the air.

Trying to ignore the heat, Barney and I and another Feline Rescue and Rehome volunteer set up our table right outside The Heights Gallery on Kavanaugh.

The owners, Mr. and Mrs. Mitch Jansonius, are big cat lovers and their gallery always has something that a cat lover can’t leave without.

Mr. Mitch graciously allowed us to set up right outside his door and welcomed us into the gallery so Barney wouldn’t get too hot outside.

Before the expected crowds showed up, we went inside and let Barney visit a bit. He sat up on the counter with as much ease as he sits on the counter in his library at School for the Blind!

Surrounded by wonderful artwork, he looked around a bit, and when he meowed I was sure he was telling me he had just spotted a big bright painting that would make a great background for a photo shoot; the colors in it were just perfect to show off his orange coat.

Almost on cue, he turned around and posed with the painting behind him. What a ham! He thanked Mr. Mitch for his hospitality – by allowing himself to be petted!

As we stood outside greeting people, Barney worked the crowd and was his usual personable self, which, no doubt, was the reason our donation box began to fill!

“Oh, he is so cuuuute!” we heard. A quick look at Barney’s expression made me think that he was trying to answer, “I AM cute, aren’t I.”

Between visitors, he returned to his carrier which contained several ice packs for his comfort. Lucky boy; we could have done with some human-size ice packs to stand or sit on!

As the evening progressed we took a walk down the street where a band was playing, and Barney and I danced to “Jambalaya” and then nabbed some cold bottled water. A little dancing in the heat goes a very long way.

The crowd seemed small compared with other months’ events, and it seemed that most folks wanted to get from one cool place to another rather than stand around outside in the heat and visit, even with such a handsome fella as the Barn.

I have to admit I was with them on that!

We packed up a little earlier than planned and headed into the cool ourselves.

“Hey, Barn,” I asked him on the way home, “what would you think about living in Alaska?”

I can just imagine Barney rolling his eyes and thinking, “Mom, then you’d just be complaining about the cold!”

He is probably right, but it sure seemed like a good idea at the time!

We decided to wait for cooler weather before we schedule any more outside gigs, but when it cools off, we will definitely be back for another Happy Hour in the Heights!

SUSAN LOESCH
CATS IN THE STACKS

High school graduation, alumni gathering, and Hexie’s last work day, all on the same day!

Hexie is on duty one last time for the year. As she was roaming the library first period, all decked out in her pink bandana, she was doing what has become her own “Hexie thing.”

She goes from student to student rubbing against their legs to greet them. As one student said this morning, “She reminds me of my dog, she always comes and rubs against me!”

Another asked if she would be coming back next year. She will, and he was glad. It hasn’t taken long for everyone to fall in love with this petite girl with the one bright green eye.

“She is just the right cat for here, isn’t she,” commented a teacher.

Only a couple of my 6th graders were here, and they wanted to take a last picture with Hexie.

Taylor was proudly wearing his newly-won award, the Principal’s Award. He said something to make me laugh, and I laughed out loud. I had told his class how, in secondary, library isn’t as fun any more. No more hanging on the beanbags, watching video and having a good loud time while we learn.

“I know I can’t make you laugh in here next year,” he said, taking my warning to heart. I assured him that he can; I will just laugh quietly!

Later in the morning, alumni drifted in. Do you want to know how to feel old, really old? Just visit with a couple of former students, one who has been gone for 15 years and the other for 26!

It couldn’t possibly have been that long, could it? A few weeks ago a more recent graduate came by for a visit. She has graduated from college and just gotten married and is moving out of state. “You aren’t old, Ms. Loesch,”  she said.” Boy, I wish!!

On this graduation day, there is a little less structure than most days. Awards assemblies in the morning, a school-wide lunch, and then high school graduation.

I sat during part of the ceremony with tears in my eyes. It wasn’t because of the graduation itself, or the kids leaving, but during the keynote speech.

As Rep. Kathy Webb spoke to the kids, she talked about the many people who they have to thank for lessons learned. She mentioned family and teachers and friends…and Big Footsie, who many have known since elementary days, and who, she said, taught them about life and all creatures and love and loss. He truly did that, as did Alex. And as our new library cats will do for seniors still to come.

SUSAN LOESCH

Thursday was Tank’s last work day for the year and my 6^th 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.