SUSAN LOESCH
CATS IN THE STACKS

The unthinkable has happened. There is no easy way to tell Alex’s friends. Allie became sick Monday with what all signs pointed toward being an inner ear infection. His condition worsened, and Wednesday morning, about 6 a.m., he died in what was his favorite place to be in the whole world – my arms.

We are waiting for test results hoping that they will shed light on what happened.

It is unbelievable to me that Monday morning he was in the Library asking for the Fancy Feast we’d had such fun shopping for at Petsmart, wearing his new bandana and eating treats from Big Alex’s hand. Wednesday he was gone; it happened so fast that my mind can’t grasp it. My heart is broken. (more…)

SUSAN LOESCH
CATS IN THE STACKS

I brought something new to school with me this morning! Little Rock artist Rene Hein just completed a portrait of our Big Footsie in oil and it is now on the front desk for everyone to admire.

Mary and Lea showed it to Alex. He seemed to be appropriately impressed, and he rubbed the edge of it over and over to mark it with his scent. Was he possibly thinking, “Welcome back to your library, Footsie?”

Then all of a sudden he jumped down. (more…)

SUSAN LOESCH
CATS IN THE STACKS

Some of my favorite times in the Library are when it is fairly peaceful and I have kids in here that I don’t see as often and there is time to just visit with them.

Most of the time Alex is part of that conversation if not the main topic.

Today, Alex was in his bed on the front desk, decked out not in a bandana but in the tie he got for Dress-up Day during Spirit Week. His last place trophy was prominently displayed close by. (more…)