Alex the Cat soothes broken heart
Aug. 17, 2009

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.