SUSAN LOESCH

We saw it first on Facebook and then on the news…Little Rock’s own icy version of the Love Bus, a VW bus crafted from snow and complete with cloth window curtains. The FuRR PR team of Barney, Shadow and Bob couldn’t pass this up, so we headed over to take a look.

This marked the first time the whole PR team had ventured out together since Bob came on board, so it was a special occasion.

Shadow wore his red and black sweater and a red bandana. Barney sported his puffy vest and his peace-and-love print bandana to set the mood.

We brought Bob the first item of his professional wardrobe, a black and white paw print bandana!

On the way over I tried to explain what we were going to see. “You know, guys, Woodstock, bell bottoms, Janis Joplin, the Grateful Dead.”

Silence.

“Well, how about flower power, peace symbols, Jefferson Airplane?”

Nothing.

“How about treats after we get home from our field trip?” That got a healthy “Rahrr” from Barney, and it wasn’t even in his usual grumpy tone. Guess the guys aren’t all that
much into the ‘60’s, but treats are always huge!

Bob was first to explore the Love Bus, and he sat happily in one of the windows. He looked like he was imagining sailing down the highway with the wind in his fur, radio blasting. He also took a look inside where he found a table and chair.

How cool is that!

Covering the entrance was a tie-dyed curtain which said “Living Life in Peace,” and we pushed it aside so Shadow could step in.

He must have felt the peace because he settled down with his paws on the threshold and just chilled for a while.

Barney was more interested in the roof of the bus and gave a huge s-t-r-e-t-c-h before looking around.

I think Barney would be the hippie snoozing in the back of the bus while Bob and Shadow sat up front belting out “Me and Bobby McGee” along with the radio.

We met Sarisa, who, along with friends Justin and Brandon, spent 18 hours building the bus and another 5 hours Friday repairing damage the warmer weather had done.

Sarisa brought out her cats Chloe and Marley, and they agreed to pose for some pictures. She told us that they already have plans for their next big project when it snows again.

Just like the ‘60’s, all good things must come to an end, so the boys went back to their carriers, and we headed home. As I talked to them on the way home I told them about Sarisa’s plans for the next snow.

“You know, guys, I’d been hoping there wouldn’t be any more snow for YEARS, and now I am thinking I can hardly wait ’til the next time to see what follows the Love Bus.”

“Rahrr,” said Barney. This time he was back to his usual grumpy voice.

Mr. “Snow? No!” Shadow didn’t even bother to comment. I already know his opinion of snow.

A little later, a handful of yummy Dentabite treats restored both boys’ good moods.

Then came naps, with dreams, no doubt, of flowers and peace symbols and cruises in their own Love Bus, well-stocked with Fancy Feast, treats and plenty of catnip.

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
CATS IN THE STACKS

It’s an exciting week here in the library with Halloween coming.

Alex, though, had such a busy weekend that he didn’t have time to think about his costume. The third graders…Well, that is another story!

When they came to the library for their regular visit this morning the question on everyone’s lips was: “What is Alex going to be for Halloween?”

“It is a surprise,” I said.

“Is he going to wear Footsie’s bat wings?” asked one student.

“Is he coming as a black cat? I still think he should come as Big Footsie,” said another.

“Is he going to be a witch?”

“No, none of those. You can have more guesses but I am not going to answer any more.”

That didn’t stop the guesses from coming: A vampire, a little green frog, a goblin and a skeleton were all mentioned. I didn’t tell the kids, but, no, none of those, although one may be getting a little close.

Our story today, Little Witch’s Big Night, by Deborah Hautzig, had a character wearing just what Alex will wear but nobody guessed it.

What will Alex be? It is still a surprise!

But I can tell you a few more things he won’t be, all costumes he tried on during our trip to Petsmart. One was my very favorite, a dragon. They didn’t have the costume in Alex’s size, though, only in an extra-small. Alex’s tummy is definitely not an extra-small! We also decided not to get the pumpkin costume or the lion. Lots of the kids are sure he will be a lion since we are the School for the Blind Lions! Boy, are they going to be surprised.

Alex spent his Sunday afternoon representing FuRR (Feline Rescue and Rehome) at a benefit. It was outdoors, and Alex acted like it was all no big deal; even the dogs there from another rescue group didn’t bother him. He wore his Halloween t-shirt and Harley bandana and had his picture taken with the governor, the lieutenant governor and the mayor.

But he was most impressed with the chicken wings that were served; he ate his and mine, both!

SUSAN LOESCH
CATS IN THE STACKS

It may be dreary and dark outdoors but the halls outside the School for the Blind Library are happy and rockin’ again! It has been strangely quiet around here for the last few days because 20 of our secondary kids have been in Ohio at a Conference track meet. Alex is quite impressed that all 20 brought home medals or ribbons and that both our boys and girls won first place overall, beating out teams from schools for the blind all over the region.

Alex has already admired many of the kids’ medals and he even got to wear Mary’s for awhile! “You mean they aren’t mine to keep? I have to give them back to Mary? Maybe if I pretend to be asleep she will just leave them with me.”

I wonder if now Alex is going to be dreaming of running and high-jumping and medals for winning cats – which of course would include him!