Farewell to Dewey the Cat
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Dewey the Cat Dies in Librarian's Arms
SPENCER, Iowa (AP) -- The final chapter is closed on Dewey Readmore Books. The 19-year-old cat, who became a mascot for the city's library after being found in a book drop, died Wednesday in the arms of librarian Vicki Myron.
The temperature was minus 10 when Myron and another librarian found Dewey under a pile of books in the library's book drop when they came to work one morning in January 1988.
"We didn't know if someone abandoned him or if a Good Samaritan found him on the street and shoved him in the book drop to get him out of the cold," she said. "His paws were frozen. We warmed him up and fed him and he just purred and cuddled. From day one, we felt he'd be the right personality for the public."
Since then, Dewey became famous, with television crews coming from as far away as Japan to do stories about him, Myron said.
The cat's name was chosen in a contest shortly after he was found. He was named after the Dewey Decimal System, which is used in most libraries to catalog books.
Dewey, who Myron said came running for cheeseburgers, boiled ham and chicken garlic TV dinners, had been experiencing health problems recently and was diagnosed with a stomach tumor shortly before Nov. 18, which was officially marked as his 19th birthday.
After his health rallied, he started "acting funny trying to hide" and Myron decided to take him to the vet and have him euthanized.
Library employee Kim Peterson said the staff is talking about having Dewey cremated and burying his ashes at the library.
© 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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buhbye dewey
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so heartwarming.... -
May this kitty frolic in joy up there.
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Library Cats 4
Dewey Readmore Books, of Spencer Library, Iowa
Dewey, library cat in Spencer, Iowa, at the age of 2 Spencer is a town with a population of about 12,000 in the American Midwest state of Iowa. It is home to one of the best-known of American library cats — Dewey. He arrived on a cold January night in 1988 — via the book-return chute! Library staff, finding him next morning, decided they would like to adopt him as library cat; the idea was approved by the board of trustees and the city council, so he was neutered and vaccinated and became the new resident. Staff, patrons and friends — some from a long way off — make donations for his food, and he gets 'city employee discount' from a local veterinarian when medical attention is needed.
Dewey blossomed into a magnificent cat, as can be seen from his 'official' portrait, taken when he was about 2 years old. Over the years he has provided Spencer Library with plenty of publicity — via the local newspaper, national magazines, in books, on postcards and on Sioux City TV. He is also the star of a video about library cats, Puss in Books.
In November 2006 Dewey celebrates his nineteenth birthday, a grand age for a cat. His age is starting to take its toll, says Vicki Myron of the library staff; he has become very thin, has arthritis in his hips and back, and of course sleeps more than he used to. People are asked to pet him only on the head and shoulders, and not to pick him up; however, he's certainly not finished yet! He loves being with 'his public', still greets patrons from the front desk each day and regularly attends every library meeting. He joined enthusiastically in the summer 'family fun' evenings in the presence of 250 people or more — and hates it when the library is closed.
http://www.purr-n-fur.org.uk/featuring/lib04.html
Dewey the Cat, one of America's most famous library cats. -
so handsome!!!Originally posted by LazerLordz:Library Cats 4
Dewey Readmore Books, of Spencer Library, Iowa
Dewey, library cat in Spencer, Iowa, at the age of 2 Spencer is a town with a population of about 12,000 in the American Midwest state of Iowa. It is home to one of the best-known of American library cats — Dewey. He arrived on a cold January night in 1988 — via the book-return chute! Library staff, finding him next morning, decided they would like to adopt him as library cat; the idea was approved by the board of trustees and the city council, so he was neutered and vaccinated and became the new resident. Staff, patrons and friends — some from a long way off — make donations for his food, and he gets 'city employee discount' from a local veterinarian when medical attention is needed.
Dewey blossomed into a magnificent cat, as can be seen from his 'official' portrait, taken when he was about 2 years old. Over the years he has provided Spencer Library with plenty of publicity — via the local newspaper, national magazines, in books, on postcards and on Sioux City TV. He is also the star of a video about library cats, Puss in Books.
In November 2006 Dewey celebrates his nineteenth birthday, a grand age for a cat. His age is starting to take its toll, says Vicki Myron of the library staff; he has become very thin, has arthritis in his hips and back, and of course sleeps more than he used to. People are asked to pet him only on the head and shoulders, and not to pick him up; however, he's certainly not finished yet! He loves being with 'his public', still greets patrons from the front desk each day and regularly attends every library meeting. He joined enthusiastically in the summer 'family fun' evenings in the presence of 250 people or more — and hates it when the library is closed.
http://www.purr-n-fur.org.uk/featuring/lib04.html
Dewey the Cat, one of America's most famous library cats. -
Bye, Dewey.
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Farewell kitty.
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Rest in peace Dewey.