An Official Visit

Last week Thorntown Public Library received a special delivery in our Interlibrary Loan bags!

Flat Cauli V, emissary of Cauli le Cat, the Original Feline Roving Reporter, has been sent on a Library Critter World Tour--and TPL has the honor of being the very first stop!

Cauli le Chat is from Mooresville Public Library in Mooresville, Indiana. Sound familiar? My staff stole their 2011 Festival of the Turning Leaves float idea from them.

Anyhoo, Cauli has a library blog and writes about all sorts of things interesting to cats (and people, and other critters, too). She's great about posting Breaking Library News and links to MPL book trailers and sometimes even music videos.

Since she's so busy, she sent Flat Cauli V (Flat Five) to represent her on the Library Critter World Tour.

We'll get along just fine. . . as soon as she gets out of my chair:

I'm just kidding. I'll share my chair. I have lots.

Maybe we can do some co-Bossing and I can whip my staff into shape. Suppers are getting later and later and I had to ask TWICE for catnip today.

I think Flat Five and I make an intimidating pair!

The Host with the Most,

Tober

PS I am crossing my paws that this post comes out looking okay. AAB Blog Helper about had a conniption fit when she saw that the Blogger interface had changed. When I told her to quit whining, she said it was kind of like when your people change your food with no advance warning. Or move your litter box to another room.

Bad news.

Tuesday is Snooze-day

I am All Worn Out because everybody got Labor Day off except for me.


That's just the kind of Boss I am.

Snoozily yours,

Tober

Tober's Tuesday

I had two very interesting visits on Tuesday. As a result, I am All Worn Out and sleeping in My Office.


First, David Alan Z. (yes, the Tober Putter-Outer/Census Man) brought in his birthday card from his wife. On the front was a gold tabby Cat in a birthday hat—-not as handsome as me, but looking very Celebratory. (Also, I would never wear a hat. Please refer to my St. Patrick's Day post.) When My Staff opened the card, there was a picture of many celebrating gold cats and they Meowed the “Happy Birthday” song, even the ". . . and many more!" in Loud Meows. My Staff, unfortunately, thought this was very funny, but I just had to Turn My Back and Flatten My Ears. People will have to learn that birthdays are for Tummy Rubs, Whipped Cream cake frosting, and compliments to me!

For our Senior Lunch Program we have cake almost every day because we celebrate birthdays of even those people who are not at lunch that day. . . we celebrate sunshine. . . we celebrate the fact that Ritchie has our floors shining. . . we celebrate that computers are working fine, that books stand up Straight on the shelves, and that everyone came to Work. . . we celebrate that I, Tober, am Boss of the Library. We have cake for any reason.

As for me, I still prefer crunchy cat Treats, but I have recently been known to steal a straw and bat it across the floor or across the AB’s desk. I am waiting for whipped cream icing.

Next, after working All Day to change filters on the heating and cooling system, John of Precision Control Systems of Indianapolis gave me a great head-scratching. AB Karen gave him the jar of Kitty Treats and I showed him where it is kept in the upper right desk drawer. Then I showed him how neatly I eat one Tidbit at a time. He was very impressed. John and his helpers do a great job of keeping My Library very comfortable, but he did startle me today. I heard him on the roof above my Napping Place and thought he might be a BIG Bird. He promised to bring Treats the next time he comes. He is behind—-David Alan Z. already brought treats. John is forgiven, however, for this was his First Visit, and he did not realize I am Boss of the Library and that I will be the one to OK his company’s Invoice.

Bossing is Exhausting,

Tober

Happy National Boss's Day!

Oh My Gosh! This is another holiday to celebrate me! Who knew that October and November could be so exciting!

Today is Boss's Day, and since I'm the Boss of the Thorntown Library, I would like to wish a very Happy Boss's Day to myself. I am going to shower myself with naps and rolls in the floor and big stretches today.


I would also like to wish Happy Boss's Days to my Assistant Boss and to all of my Assistant Assistant Bosses.

Assistant Boss Karen: Happy Boss's Day! Thank you for keeping the treats well-stocked and for Finding me and for bringing me here to the Library.

Assistant Assistant Boss Barbara: Happy Boss's Day! I am glad you are so good at Bossing the moneys around, because whatever magic you work makes the Staff very cheerful and generous with treats at the end of each month!

Assistant Assistant Boss Becki: You are the best when it comes to meal time! The other Staff people get kind of forgetful about meals! And thanks for keeping a few treats in your pocket.

Assistant Assistant Boss Bonnie: Happy Boss's Day! Thank you for having such a nice flat spot on your desk for me. You also give Very Good Hugs.

Assistant Assistant Boss Britta: Happy Boss's Day! I like that you are very Tall and that when you pick me up I can almost reach that clock thingie.

Assistant Assistant Boss Cathie: Happy Boss's Day! You are a very good Boss because you alone realize that I can do no wrong, and you never wake me from my naps.

Assistant Assistant Boss Chris: Happy Boss's Day! You are very Brave to work downstairs with all of those small children, and I will never forget how you vanquished The Wasp.

Assistant Assistant Boss Christine: Happy Boss's Day! Thank you for all the paw massages, but please do turn off the flashy thing on the camera.

Assistant Assistant Boss Helen: Happy Boss's Day! I think you set a Very Good Example for the other Staff people by scheduling special "Tober Time." Keep up the good work!

Assistant Assistant Boss Laverna: Happy Boss's Day! You are a great Boss because you compliment my handsomeness and think up ways to add me to Youth Department displays!

Assistant Assistant Boss Linda P.: Happy Boss's Day! Thank you for keeping all of the really interesting processing papers and labels on the low shelves of your cart. That makes them easier for me to find when I need something to bite on!

Assistant Assistant Boss Linda W.: Happy Boss's Day! Thank you for replacing the Cords with fresh ones! (Now can you take that black stuff off so I can get my teeth in them?)

Assistant Assistant Boss Myrtle: Happy Boss's Day! You are very good at prettifying the Library (so that I don't overshadow the building with my Extreme Handsomeness).

Assistant Assistant Boss Ritchie: Happy Boss's Day! I'm very sorry about the occasional "gifts" I leave you. I like your pets, even though you're a Guy and Allergic to me.

Assistant Assistant Boss Shirley: You are very good at Bossing the smaller customers in the Library. That is good for me, because they are fast, sneaky, and small, and can crawl under my hidey-places. It is good of you to keep them so entertained!

Assistant Assistant Boss Von: Happy Boss's Day! Thank you for guarding the Computer Lab and the parts of the library on wood floors. Since I don't like walking on that stuff, your job is Very Important and helpful to me.

And to my Most Bossly Library Board Members, Deanna, Stephanie, John, Fern, Donna, Bob, and Ron--Thank you for the time and effort you put forth to help make my Library a wonderful place (and for having the good sense to approve my Supreme Boss-ship)!

Most Esteemed, Petted, and Adored Boss of Thorntown Public Library,

Tober

Ignored

Here is a picture of me being Ignored:


I do not like it when my Assistant Boss leaves my office for long periods of time and wanders around the building. She can be very difficult to find. I finally hunted her down and was waiting patiently for her to attend to me, but apparently she thought that what she was working on was more Important (it wasn't). I am Not A Fan of hardwood floors, either, so it was a very big thing for me to wait for her over there. (I eventually got treats and My Assistant Boss back in her place.)

I should clarify for my feline friends what my Finding Day is. My Finding Day is probably the same as your Gotcha Day. I use "Finding" because my Assistant Boss Karen found me that day. I think the word Finding is very Important, especially since I was lost until AB Karen (you guessed it!) found me.

(Karen also took me to live with woofies that day, but maybe I can get her to tell the story on October 19.)

So if, when the fantabulous 19th of October arrives, you would like to wish me a Happy Gotcha Day, you go right ahead!

I also have a Hire Date to celebrate in November. That is the day that I was Hired to work at the Thorntown Public Library. I have since taken command of the place, but I was just a lowly security watchcat/PR kitty when I was hired on November 3, 2009. I quickly worked my way to the top, and that's where I intend to stay.

Here is a picture of me supervising the Library from my desk:


Have happy weekends!

Tober

My business cards.

Below are my two current business cards.

Card #1:


Card #2:


Which one do you like better? I like #2 because I look much Taller, but I think #1 has a snazzier layout.

I will make my Assistant do it again until she gets it right.

Tall AND snazzy,

Tober

June is Adopt-A-Cat Month!

This is our month, Cats! This is the month when the humans are supposed to adopt bunches of us and give us Forever Homes! (AAB Christine says that I am "preaching to the choir" on this blog. . . whatever that means.)

My county has a Humane Society for Boone County, and they are trying to save the homeless animals in the county. It is a fairly new organization; it was established in September 2007 by citizens of Boone County, and they are currently operating by taking homeless animals into foster homes. Some day they want to have enough dollars to build a shelter building, but for now they have generous volunteers who help out.

If you live in or near Boone County and you want to help, you can visit their web site for more information.

I am very lucky that I did not go to a shelter, because then Karen might not have discovered me and found out what a wonderful Library Cat I would make! Still, it gives me warm fuzzies to know that there are humans out there who work to make the lives of homeless cats (and dogs) homeFULL!

I think June should also be Animal Shelter Worker Appreciation Month, to thank all of the people who give their time and moneys and homes to take care of cats and other animals who have nowhere else to go. Thank you, Animal Helpers! We love you!

For your viewing pleasure:


I am Bossing from my Thorntown Public Library Command Center. I am standing by the phone, ready to answer any questions on library policy and procedure that may arise.

Proud to be adopted,

Tober

My letter to Microsoft.

Dear Microsoft,

I think you need to add Tober to your Dictionary. When someone types about me, the Evil Spellchecker tries to replace my name (which is Tober) with tuber (among other things). This is what it looks like:


To clarify things, this is what Tober (that's me!) looks like:


This is a potato--an example of a tuber:


As you can see, there is absolutely no resemblance.

Now, I do realize that there is an "Add to Dictionary" button in the little Spellchecker box. The point is that I should already be in the Dictionary.

I wouldn't even have minded if the Evil Spellchecker tried to call me October, since my Finding Day is in October, for which I was named.

I have previously addressed this issue in my Blog, The Adventures of Tober, the Thorntown Library Cat, which should be required reading for your Organization. I am a Very Good Library Boss, and you can learn a lot about how to manage your Staff and get them to love you at the same time. I'm sure Mr. Gates will direct you to read about me, since he has been such a Big Library Helper.

I am considering writing a letter to the Oxford English Dictionary People as well, since they will want to include me in the next edition.

Respectfully,

Tober, Boss
Thorntown Public Library

Let's hope this does the trick.

Left Behind.

I was a very big help to Assistant Boss Karen in the last week. I helped her do paperwork,


warmed her chair, and even tried my paws at working the Adult Circulation desk.


Karen needed my expertise and support very much, and I did my best to help. I have been rewarded with my very own coffee cup--it says "Tober's Cup" (on the other side)--although Karen has decided that I probably shouldn't have coffee.


That is why I have not been able to post a blog lately.

But then, after all my hard work, Karen went on a Vacation and left me behind! Furthermore, she did not ask my permission to leave on Vacation, and by leaving, she is neglecting her very important responsibilities of petting me, giving me treats, and keeping me happy.

I first discovered her absence Saturday. I spent much of the day looking for her, going so far as to venture Downstairs. I thought perhaps she had gone Outside (she does that sometimes), so I went to the north door. Each time I went to the door, a staff member scooped me up and returned me to the Upstairs. This charade was repeated several times, until I was locked up in a office.

I have made my displeasure clear to the rest of the staff, so that they are sure to relay my unhappiness to Karen. They have assured me that she did not intend to hurt my feelings in any way, and will love me twice as much when she returns. I have heard that she is miserable on Vacation (because I am not with her), and she can't wait to return to the Library to see me. This is understandable, since I am a very handsome and lovable Cat, and I suppose I will have to forgive her.

The Assistant Assistant Bosses have assured me that everything possible will be done to keep me happy, and so far they have done a pretty good job. When I am locked up, it is always with a companion, and my meows are met with hugs and pets. I have been given many, many treats, and my tummy is frequently rubbed.

I suppose these Vacation things are permissible from time to time.

Now I must get back to instructing Cathie about the importance of neck massages.

Meows,

Tober

A trip to the vet.

I am here to tell you that Jane can say all the nice things about me she likes, and I do appreciate it, but my last trip to the Thorntown Veterinary Clinic was a real downer. It is all the Assistant Boss's fault. (You must understand that in the line and staff chart on the library's Christmas card, I am listed as the Boss, Karen is the Assistant Boss, and all the rest of the (my) staff are the Assistant Assistant Bosses.)

Anyway, she decided that since I was an unknown to her when she rescued me in October, I should have a worm pill when I went in for my booster shots on December 2. That is not my idea of a Jolly Good Christmas Deal.

I did my best to spit on Dr. Jon's shoes. I foamed at the mouth. I wiggled out of their towels. And I spit the first pill out two times before Dr. Jon won the match. Then, to add insult to injury, he "had" to give me another half tablet! I was not a happy camper, and I am not sure I believed Karen when she gave me that old saw: "This hurts me more than it hurts you!" Has she ever tasted those pills the third time?

At last it was over, and she returned me to the sanctuary of my office in the library, where everyone rightfully made a fuss over me. It took six bits of Purina Whisker Lickin's Dreamy Duos Shrimp & Tuna Flavor Treats (hint, hint--Christmas is coming!) before I forgave the Assistant Boss.

For the record, I am almost sure that I never had worms in the first place!




We did get one thing straight: The library staff will never, ever give me pills.

I am happy to report that I weigh 10 pounds, 7 ounces, have clean ears, and am a fine specimen of cathood.

Tober

Big big news!

Because of my outstanding work performance, I have been promoted! I am now Boss at Thorntown Public Library! Of course, I will continue to be the PR Cat, because my expertise in that position is very valuable to the library and to our community.

Unfortunately, I am a busy busy Boss Library Cat, and there is a very tasty fake Christmas tree that one of my coworkers provided for my enjoyment. I have to show my appreciation by gnawing a few berries off of it. I also have to knock over Linda's picture of her husband Craig, because she seems to think that he is more important than I am.

You will hear more from me tomorrow. I have to tell you the story of my last (ever?) visit to the vet; it was very traumatic.

Good night, sleep tight!

Tober, Boss
Thorntown Public Library
124 North Market Street
Thorntown, Indiana