SUSAN LOESCH
CATS IN THE STACKS
In the middle of a story hour my work-study student, Mary, came to tell me she couldn’t find Alex. I suggested she look on a table in my office — his favorite spot lately. Before long, our new first grader asked why Alex was on a table. I said that he just liked it there! (more…)
SUSAN LOESCH
CATS IN THE STACKS
This is a big week here in the Arkansas School for the Blind Library: Friday will be Remembering Big Footsie Day.
Students are finishing their pages for Footsie’s memory book. My first-graders added a star to their pictures of him because he had a star-shaped tag. One student drew a green box – that is Footsie’s home after he was cremated. (more…)
SUSAN LOESCH
CATS IN THE STACKS
As our students began to drift in, Alex and I were in the main hall walking around – or at least I was walking. Alex was enjoying an over-the-shoulder chauffering event.
From down the hall, I heard, “Ms. Loesch, is it true that Big Footsie died?” Gulp. I knew this was coming. “Yes, Makayla, it is true.”
Makayla’s sister piped up, “Makayla was crying.”
“Sure she was,” I said. “I did, too. In fact I cried for two days straight. It’s ok to cry.”
“Did you have a funeral for him?” she continued. “I think we should make a big poster and have Big Footsie’s picture on it and put it up in the hall so everyone remembers him.” I told her that we will decide together how to honor Big Footsie and we can certainly do posters. (more…)
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.
