This has been a very unusual day and I have enjoyed it. Assistant Boss Karen apologized to me for the staff’s being too busy to give me the attention my position as Boss deserves. Seems as though many of the staff are out with winter colds, pneumonia, fog and icy roads, vacations, and Christmas preparations.

I sat at the door and howled after hearing the explanation.

For a while today the Assistant Boss was the only one here besides me, and the phone rang three times before she could get her coat off. Fortunately, Bonnie arrived to help, then Von and Helen and Fern. Fern has retired, but Karen drafted her as a sub today, and I really appreciated it. She praised me to some Friday afternoon quilters who have very nice hands. Karen also invited students in to play with me and that was entertaining even if they are not skilled with the red dot business.

Finally, Karen opened the door. I am perfectly happy moving among the four comfortable chairs in my office and I don’t feel a need to go exploring as long as I can see out the open door. I may sit in the doorway and observe, but I only ventured six feet beyond the doorway. If anyone approached, I ducked back into the sanctuary of my office. My readers need to understand that my door is glass, so I can see outside, but it is the PRINCIPLE of the thing—I felt better today to know the door was open. I was a VERY good cat.

I want to mention a book that is a very interesting read. My friend Tim Nash gave it to the “Library Ladies” for Christmas and it is being passed around my staff before being added to the library collection. I hasten to assure you that although Stephen Baker, the author, knows cats reasonably well, he does not have all the answers. First of all, the TITLE is a real insult: How to Live with a Neurotic Cat. He has also written about living with a neurotic dog, but I suppose it is too much to hope that he might write a book from my point of view and call it “How to Live with a Neurotic Human.”

He does have a wonderful chart that shows there is strong evidence that cats are superior to people. For example, humans have only 5 to 20 million olfactory cells and rarely use them for the purposes of survival, while cats have 67 million olfactory cells and can sniff out a tuna fish sandwich several rooms away. A human’s body structure has 204 bones while a cat’s has 244 bones. The human has a life expectancy of one, while a cat has nine lives.

Baker does have one very wise statement: “Cat’s greatest gift to the owner is that he lends you his presence. That should be more than enough.” He also notes that beds designed for pets are all right for dogs or human infants but that cats require REAL beds. Most beds sleep up to six cats, or ten cats without the owner. (I would also like to add the use of the term "owner" is a bit suspicious, since cats actually own the humans. You may substitute "person" in this case.)

He is correct when he writes that, “In trying to look good, a dog ends up making a fool of himself. He does what is expected of him and becomes a yes-dog in the process. There are NO yes-cats.” “Dogs may be bigger than cats, but not between the ears. If your home is not big enough for both your dog and cat, you have two choices. Get rid of the dog. Or move to a bigger home.” Regarding diet, Baker says that, “Cats need those calories. They may not move around as much as you do, but they expend a lot of energy using their minds.”

The book will be on the adult shelves in 636.8 BAK once the library ladies are willing to share it. I’ll be happy to help you find the book for you simply must see the drawings. It is a very quick read and the 9th and last chapter is the shortest. The chapter title is “Can a Neurotic Cat Be Cured?” The chapter says, “No.”

Tober

P.S. Karen finally brought some paperwork into my office this afternoon so that I could sit on it and supervise. I gave her some of my best purrs so that she knew I appreciated it and she assured me my input was very useful. Of course it was. I am CAT.

Big Trouble

Today I got in Big Trouble. I didn't think that the Boss (that's me) could get in Big Trouble, but it seems that I was wrong about that. I was going to ask the Assistant Boss if I would be demoted, but I was afraid of what she would say.

Sometimes I get lonely when my coworkers go home for the night, and I have to find things to do to keep myself occupied. Sometimes I nibble on a plant, or I knock Craig over, or I dump Christine's inbox into the recycling bin. . . but what I like to do the most is chew on cords.
Cords are fun to chew. They feel nice in my teeth, and they wiggle and squirm so I can hunt them. But apparently chewing on the cords is a Very Bad Thing To Do.

When I chew on cords, it causes a flurry of activity around the office. Today was very exciting: Pat took the cord off of her computer and threw it away, Linda rearranged all of her furniture, and Christine crawled around on the floor with lots of black tubes. Assistant Boss Karen was frustrated with me, but I'm very charming, and she couldn't stay mad at me for long.


Because I am in Big Trouble I am not getting any treats and no one will get my dot out for me to hunt. Most of the tasty cords have been hidden from view--at least from human view--or wrapped up in black tubes. My officemates said that I was getting a supply of cords for Christmas, which they would hide in the closet.

Why would they get me a present and then hide it from me?

Besides, I have not presented anyone with my Christmas list yet. I'm still trying to decide whether I want a mouse (small, but has a tail) or a hamster (stubby tail, but bigger).

Here is a picture of me shelving. This is something library employees do.


Until next time!

Tober

I met Santa Claus!

We had a party at the library on Monday night, and I met Santa and Mrs. Claus! Santa picked me up and hugged me, and one of the Assistant Assistant Bosses took a picture of us together.

I am going to be on a Christmas card. I'll be a celebrity after that. This Christmas. . . Thorntown. Next Christmas. . . BOONE COUNTY!!!!

The party began at 6:30. This is when I usually begin my evening romp through the office, but I decided that I would relax and watch the endless flow of little kids and big kids coming upstairs to make crafts and take pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

The kids did crafts at two big tables right outside my office:

They also worked in the young adult room right next door, so I had a great view of everything. They had a great view of me, too. I have fingerprints all over my office door, I had so many admirers!

I heard that they even had a reindeer downstairs. Arctic Aaron brought one, and people got to pet it and take pictures with it! I didn't believe them until I saw some pictures.
I wish someone had told me that a reindeer was coming. I bet they didn't want me scaring her too badly. I am a tiger-kitty with very muscular paws and pointy teeth, and my presence might have made the reindeer nervous. I bet that's it. . .

After everyone met the reindeer, they came upstairs again to take more pictures with the Clauses. Even the Assistant Boss (Karen) got in on the fun! I don't know what she told Santa she wanted for Christmas. . . I hope it's a red dot, because I've almost caught it a few times.

It was a long, busy night, but it was also lots of fun. I am still recuperating from all the excitement. I have napped for almost two days straight, and I've hardly had the energy to tip things over in the evenings.

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