OT; Cats or dogs?

Expanding on this, were all of you aware of a history of "library cats"? That was new to me - learned it when I read the Dewey book, which is a delightful read. Soon it's going to be a movie with Meryl Streep.

Anyone else read it?

the book:

Never heard of it, awwwwwww - made me think of this

According to the book (I have 1 more chapter to go, and I know it's about Dewey's "end" :( ), after Dewey gained "fame", 11 different people claimed (actually, bragged) to have dropped him in the book-drop box.

The woman who wrote the book, was the head of said library in middle of nowhere mid-America, and is now going to be portrayed by Meryl Streep was interviewed on NPR, IIRC, either Studio 360 or All Things Considered - about a week, 10 days ago. It was a great interview. She was on for about 30 min, and spoke about the history of adopting this cat, keeping him in the library, how they dealt with patrons - only having had 2 issues ever. They had a doctor check out the library and made sure that their air handling, filters stayed clean, and had no allergy issues. Evidently the cat, Dewey, actually preferred to stay in the library, although would be taken home with her on long closures (more than a couple of days) or if he was ill.

Very charming interview - they were talking about her work with the screenplay, and asked if she had anything to say to Meryl Streep, she laughed about who was she to say anything at all to Meryl Streep about how to play a role.

Evidently this spawned quite a bit of tourism for their town, and people would come to see the library cat, etc. I imagine the interview is findable on the NPR website, or a podcast downloadable. I really think it was on All Things Considered - don't think it was Diane Rehm. But, who knows.

Ellice

Is it this? They've done quite a set of dogs - various charts.

It is to be hoped the one who actually did it just cowered in silence!

Makes me think of a delicatessen in Malvern, Worcs, England. Their cat Sweeney used to lie in the window sunning himself. There was no food in the window or anything.

Somebody reported them to the health people and they were ordered to keep Sweeney out of the shop. The owner put a stuffed 'Sweeney' lookalike they were given in the window in due course. People constantly called health officials to say Sweeney was back in the window, causing said officials to have to keep going out to check it out. That taught them a salutory lesson in banning cats from windows lol

He'd be a laughingstock only for as long as it took for the poodle to beat all the other dogs in water retrieving.

Elizabeth

We have friends with 2 Portuguese waterdogs. They're amazing - interesting coast, andthey have a great time in their pool - along with Puckster - who swims better than any of the other water retrieving dogs we've seen him with. Amazing. But, our poodle did a fine job, too.

Ellice

If you love to read about cats, may I suggest Beverly Nichols books. His cats, all named by the numbers, One, Four...., figure heavily in his writings. Cats on his piano, in the garden. I want to add his Cats A, B, C and Cats X, Y, Z as well as Down the Kitchen Sink and Rhapsody in Green to my library this year.

Cheryl

Another author who loves cats (and dogs, and people) is Deric Longden

It was Diane Rehm on New Year's Day. Here's the link:

sue

Good catch, Sue. It was Diane Rehm's show, but wasn't someone else hosting? I listen to NPR a lot, but the last couple of months am finding it harder and harder to listen to Diane Rehm when she is actually hosting. I think with her vocal issu, and she's just getting harder lined in her opinions, so while I usually really enjoy the guests, I tend not to listen to her show as much as the others. This particular one was really good - I guess we heard it while we were traipsing around - I know we were in the car.

Ellice

No - it`s not one of those - but aren`t they lovely> %The one I have is quite like it, but I think it`s British.

Tell you what - I LOVE the Sword Bridge one with the wrought iron gate. I might just have to send for it!

Pat

I can thoroughly recommend "The Cat that came in from the cold" by Deric Longden - It`s hilarious. My daughter enjoyed it so much she finished reading it and started it again immediately!

Pat

Our local bookstore (Books and Company) has it's resident cat. She wanders around, makes herself at home on top of the counter suns herself in the big front window.

MargW

As does our public library. A gray with the name of Bubbles. :)

Joan

And I forgot to mention the non-allergenic factor! Guess I'll have to try again! :)

Joan