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

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
CATS IN THE STACKS

Shadow has really picked up speed in his campaign to be Head Library Cat! On his last visit of the year, besides going to the 6th-grade classroom to pose for graduation pictures, he pretty well did everything he could to demonstrate his versatility.

Never having been to the 6th-grade classroom before, he remained calm and posed for the picture.

Back in the library, he did what I have seen no library cat do since Big Footsie was a young fella. He ran toward a class of none-too-quiet-or-calm primary students and played with them rather than running away.

The third-graders came up to return the rest of their books, and their teacher gave them some free “Shadow time.”

Some crawled on the floor following him, waving wand toys at him, while others just chased him on foot. And what did Shadow do? He joined in the fun and excitement, played with everyone, and I think he was even sorry to see them go.

The noise and movement didn’t bother him a bit. He did stop short of being totally like Footsie, though; he didn’t try to slip out the door with them as they left the library.

Shadow demonstrated his prowess as a book-knocker-overer, earning more than one, “Good job, Shadow!” in the process. Book-knocking-over is an important job for a library cat; it was one of Big Footsie’s many strengths.

He settled down for a rest when Zee was in the library; we were talking about the “kneading” he was doing and I told her about Big Footsie’s green frog, whose head has two bare spots from many hours of kneading.

We showed the frog to Shadow. I know he was impressed with the huge bald spots on an otherwise fuzzy green frog.

Mr. G. came in to see Shadow, who was, as always, very sociable.

“I think he is THE ONE.” Said Mr. G. “Barney is terrific,” he said. “But Shadow….” The same sentiment was expressed by Lea as she gave Shadow a good-bye kiss. In fact, I heard that several times during the day.

As if to seal the decision, Shadow demonstrated his horticulture skills. Both Big Footsie and Piper, our first, now retired library cat, could mow down a plant faster than you could see it and say, “Don’t do that!”

Shadow did come one more ‘last time’ after the students were gone. We had a faculty meeting in the library and he was the perfect host, moving from table to table, rubbing against legs and accepting the petting and admiration that he knows he deserves.

And then, to top it off, he met a staff member’s bulldog, Weezie. Neither was too impressed with the other; they watched and watched each other as they shared a snack of doggie treats.

So is Shadow really IT? I think he and Barney are going to function as a team next year. Shadow will take on the more active duties, especially working with the younger kids. Barney will have different duties, including going to outdoor gigs. He has already proven that he can handle the crowds.

Both have many wonderful qualities for the job. They will of course be assisted by Tank and Hexie. It seems that we have all our staff positions filled at last.

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

CATS IN THE STACKS

We are such an uptown library! Not only do we have resident artist Monsieur Shadeaux on the staff, now we also have Monsieur Bar-nay, artiste extraordinaire.

Barney got his chance to create Shadow Art on Monday; I guess we would call it Barney Art, though!

With a little help from his friends, he paw-painted a picture using food colors, orange, purple, pink and green, with which Mary helped him create what we think will be his specialty – starbursts.

Barney wasn’t as into art as Shadow was, but he was really good-natured about it.

All the work made him hungry, and he ate treats from the hand of Zee, our exchange student from Turkey.

“My mother would never believe this,” she told me. I am printing out pictures of Zee with the library cats so she can show her family that she really has been petting cats for the first time in her life.

Barney is a little more sedate than the other library cats; I chalk that up to his age and wisdom. He is, after all, 4 years old.

So a supervisory job suits him perfectly. He kept an eye on Chris as he helped me check in the influx of library books being returned.

“I guess it is a good thing it is Barney here today,” I said to a student.

“Yeah, if it had been Shadow or Big Footsie, books would have been all over the place,” she said with a smile.

Later in the afternoon, Barney attended a party for one of our teachers who is leaving this year.

As we were gathered in the teachers’ lounge, one of the staff members asked if Barney would eat cake. I said I thought he might lick the icing.

“Hey, everybody, if you want your cake don’t get close to Barney,” someone called.

Given the chance at the icing on Mr. Huntsman’s cake he proved us wrong. He wasn’t the least bit interested in it.

This was a fun day on the job for Barney, and he nearly missed it.

When I was ready to go to work and saw him he just KNEW what was up. He jumped on a bookcase and tried to hide behind the books.

I wonder if he is glad I caught him before he disappeared!

SUSAN LOESCH

CATS IN THE STACKS

The Christmas trees are up and we’ve finally answered the question, “To party or not to party?”

Every year I decorate trees in the library with my collection of cat ornaments. The students especially love seeing the ornaments for our library cats. Each one over the years has accumulated several personalized ones, with their names or pictures on them.

As my fourth graders were standing on chairs inspecting a tree, one noticed, “There aren’t any black cats here. Where are they?”

I showed him my “Big Footsie tree” which I decorated with black cats, Footsie’s personalized ornaments and angel cats. The kids liked that idea.

I have stockings hung for Alex, Piper and Snuggle Bunny, which already have gifts in them.

I have stockings hung for our past library cats also, and someone asked, “Why doesn’t Big Footsie’s stocking have any presents in it?”

After the reply that it was because he wasn’t with us any more, the student said to me, “Oh, yeah, he is in a better place now, isnt’ he?”

Every year Footsie has hosted a big all-school party called Big Footsie’s Library Cat Christmas. It is always so much fun, and the students start asking when it will be held soon after the school year begins.

I wasn’t sure I could do it this year. I wasn’t sure if anyone would want me to do it, but they do, so party we will, on Dec. 9.

I couldn’t quite bring myself to call it Alex’s Library Cat Christmas yet, so it will be A Library Cat Christmas.

We will all remember how Footsie enjoyed these parties. He especially loved inspecting the refreshments up close, opening any package whether his or not and redecorating, usually by knocking the trees over!

Piper, our original library cat, who is now retired, came for a visit this week.

Hopefully that will make his party visit a little easier.

He received visitors in his usual spot – the bathroom sink!

For some reason he feels safer there.

Snuggle Bunny also came this week for a visit, but she is as comfortable at school as she is at home.

Both will be here Wednesday with Alex and we will have a great time as we “party like Big Footsie!”

BY SUSAN LOESCH

CATS IN THE STACKS

Here we are again – Registration Day at Arkansas School for the Blind.  For the 35^th time I am going to be greeting students…and for the first time in many years I do not have our wonderful Library Cat, Big Footsie, here with me on Registration Day. We lost our big fella over the summer to heart disease and renal failure. I am not alone here today; with me is Alex, Big Footsie’s  main Assistant Library Cat, but everything feels different.

Big Footsie has been coming to school for 8 years, so we have students entering the 9^th grade who don’t remember a time without him.  He has been their friend, confidant and cheerleader, loving them unconditionally and letting them know it! They have adored him in return.

Many will be hearing for the first time that he has died. We will have some sadness and some tears, and lots of hugs and lots of talking about our Foots. We will create a memory book for him and perhaps have a memorial service, and then I think we will be able to get down to the business of celebrating his life. And what a life! To be rescued from Death Row at a kill shelter and live as the cherished – and yes, spoiled – friend of a whole school is pretty darn good.

We will also head off on a great adventure this year…the picking of a successor to Footsie as Head Library Cat. Not a replacement, because no cat could possibly replace him!

With the title of Head Library Cat come duties and responsibilities…being photographed when school pictures are taken and appearing in the faculty section of the yearbook,  riding in the Library Cat float for our homecoming parade and being the Accelerated Reader Program “Reading Motivator” for our elementary students. Heavy stuff, so it takes a special cat!

Footsie’s assistant, Alex, will be our Acting Library Cat for now. He first came to school almost six years ago as a 3-week old bottle baby. He was named by one of our students, after herself, Alexandra. He grew up working side-by-side with Big Footsie, his mentor. Being a bottle baby, though, he is quite the mama’s boy. He is content to sit in my lap all day or on my desk and has not been one to run to the front desk to greet visitors the way Footsie did. Given the chance to come every day, though, he might decide to do that!

Alex may decide that he wants the “Head” job, and if he does, it is his. If not, we will “interview” kitties who are in the FuRR (Feline Rescue and Rehome) foster program until we come up with just the right match!

Alex has already decided that Registration Day has quite a lot of appeal…the cafeteria staff always invites the faculty to have lunch. It is always yummy and it ALWAYS has something to appeal to library cats!   Alex thoroughly enjoyed the turkey and is now snoozing on my desk.  He woke up to greet a new faculty member and an old friend, our speech teacher, who brought a wonderful book to us to put in the library in memory of Footsie. Soon it will be time to welcome the students.

I think Alex and I are ready to face the school year and the kids and to head off on this great adventure. Join us and come along!