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Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World

Dewey is available at Amazon.com.

Every cat person appreciates a good book that tells of the joys of owning a cat. But what if an entire town owns the cat? I should phrase that differently, because nobody ever truly owns a cat. So what are the joys involved when a cat owns an entire town?

The town in question is Spencer, Iowa. The date is January 18, 1988. The local librarian, Vicki Myron, opens the book drop on this bitterly cold day to find something besides books: a tiny, filthy, half-frozen kitten. In spite of his rough beginnings, and the obvious pain in his frost bitten paws, this long-haired marmalade is surprisingly willing to accept any aid the library staff can offer, including a bath.

In true cat fashion, Dewey became king of the hill at Spencer Library. With a whole staff to cater to his needs and whims and a whole town to admire him, Dewey presided over the library with grace and dignity for 19 years. Librarian Vicki became his best pal, and together they became famous, appearing in Cats, Cat Fancy, Cats and Kittens and Your Cat magazines and even some documentaries: one American and one Japanese.

As with all cat stories, Dewey’s tale needs must end in tragedy. After 19 years of faithful service together, Vicki and Dewey find themselves on that fateful trip to the vet that would become their final parting. Such is the pain one must endure when reading a truly satisfying cat book. I gladly accept the price for an enchanting story of a lovable cat.