SUSAN LOESCH

Barney and Shadow and I headed out today for an activity that, to me, always signals the start of the holiday season: CARE for Animals Photos With Santa!

While Barney and Shadow were going for the first time, I was making my 11th trek to the Cammack City Hall. My first visit was with Piper when he was just 4 months old. Both Piper and Big Footsie were CARE rescues, so supporting them is close to my heart.

It was a little sad this year to be going not just without Big Footsie, but without Alex or Piper, who died this year. It is hard to be sad very long, though, in the company of Barn Bear and Shadow Man!

When we got in the car I took out their holiday collars, a felt green holly one for Barn and Shadow’s red-and-white, which lights up when he moves.

But there was only one Santa hat, and the question was not really who would get to wear the hat but who would tolerate it! Not much luck with either of the guys on that. So I tucked the hat in one of the carriers. “Maybe one of you will feel differently when we get there,” I suggested.

“Rahrr,” said Barney.

We had managed to arrive at a time that wasn’t too crowded, but the pets that were there were D-O-G-S. Barney had a lot to say about that. Shadow, on the other hand, was ready to get out of the carrier and meet all these animals.

He headed for two beautiful, well-behaved dogs, Rosie and Justice. They were so polite and calm. Shadow sat in a chair and just watched them.

He also watched their housemate Simon, who is a parrot!

“He isn’t even interested in the bird!” Simon’s dad said.

You couldn’t have asked for a more mannerly “meet and greet”! They all were using their holiday manners.

When Shadow and Barney’s turn with Santa came, Shadow settled in his arms; Barney was all wiggly.

One of Santa’s helpers helped Barn with the Santa hat; it still wasn’t a hit! I think the photographer got some good shots, but even if the poses aren’t perfect the photos will be. Sometimes the ones that don’t turn out as you plan are the best photos of all!

After the photos, Barney retired to his carrier and talked about the whole experience, using his best “Grumpy Barney” voice.

That is one thing I love about Barney; he always tells you what he is thinking.

Shadow sat on a table, played with a feather toy and just watched the activity.

He also checked out the Registration table to make sure the volunteers were running things right.

Satisfied that they could manage without his help, he also got in his carrier.

This is such a fun activity, and I always look forward to it.

From my first year, taking just little Piper who Santa could hold in his hand, to the year I had Valley, Daisy, Bessie, Footsie, Piper and Alex, and it took two shots of 3 cats each to get them all done, I always look back on the day with a smile.

If you haven’t had your Santa photo taken for this year, you still have a chance to do it.

CARE will be sponsoring another photos with Santa event on Saturday, Dec. 4, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and on Sunday, Dec. 5, from noon – 4 p.m., again at the Cammack City Hall on N. McKinley.

And I hear that if your kids have two legs instead of four they won’t be turned away!

SUSAN LOESCH
CATS IN THE STACKS

We are back to school today! Alex is wearing his Christmas bandana that lights up when he moves. He does look very handsome. He is having quite a day, too…No wonder he likes coming to work better than staying at home.

The day started with a can of his favorite treat, Fancy Feast Appetizers.

At the end of first period, Brandon, one of my 5th graders, came calling, “Alex, I have something for you!”

And he sure did: A velvet-feeling green Christmas stocking filled with packages of all kinds of toys for Alex and even a Christmas card.

What fun we had watching as each package was opened to reveal mice, all kinds of balls with bells in them and a soft sparkly green ball. Not having to wait ‘til Christmas to open presents is pretty cool.

Later, my third graders came. We try to always follow the rule “Books before cats,” so Alex stayed in my office while the kids selected library books and had a library skills lesson.

Before they left, though, Alex came out to visit, and he was rewarded with a big kiss from one of his admirers.

The kids also enjoyed looking at a 2010 calendar which I have put on the bulletin board, turned to December of next year. The calendar is from CARE for Animals, the group which rescued our Big Footsie from Animal Services, and he is being honored by being featured on the December page.

We are all touched and proud. We especially like part of the caption, “He was a one-of-a-kind kitty who brought joy to so many.”

In that way Footsie and Alex are a lot alike.

SUSAN LOESCH
CATS IN THE STACKS

The holidays are officially here! How do I know? Saturday was Photos with Santa time for the library cats!

Every year, starting when our original library cat, Piper, was just 4 months old, we’ve headed to CARE for Animals to have Santa pictures made.

Piper and Big Footsie were both CARE rescues who happily ended up with me, and this is our holiday tradition, repeated this year for the 10th time.

There are lots of laughs connected with our annual jaunts.

One year Footsie had his ears back, no doubt annoyed at his assistants’ behavior.

Then there was the photo that looked like Valley was singing Christmas carols, when actually he was protesting with all the lung-power he could muster.

Alex was looking away as if he were about to die of embarrassment.

In last year’s photo, Footsie posed like the pro he was while Alex and Piper carried on a conversation!

This year, I told Alex, he would have to be much more serious; after all he is now the Head Library Cat!

Alex and Piper posed calmly but neither would look at the camera.

I stood behind the photographer trying to get their attention, and someone else was waving a cat toy to tempt them to look our way. I don’t think the photographer ever did get a shot with Alex and Piper looking her way, but that’s OK.

Part of the fun is the poses that aren’t perfect. I always enlarge the photo to poster size for the kids at school and I know they will love it no matter what!

Later Saturday evening, Alex donned Footsie’s green coat again to act as a greeter at FuRR’s benefit at the Afterthought. Once again he was the center of attention. I think he is enjoying all his gigs as Head Library Cat.