Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World, Vicki Myron and Bret Witter.
In January 1988, someone shoved a ginger kitten into the overnight book drop of the library in Spencer, Iowa. Vicki Myron, the library director, found the cat the next morning. So began the tale of Dewey Readmore Books.
When I picked up this book, I wondered if it would be the feline equivalent of Marley and Me. (Incidentally, I have not read that book; I have my own memories of a rambuctious dog, thank you very much.) I enjoyed reading about Dewey and his exploits. He seemed to be a great cat who had a lot of people wrapped around his big paw.
It was also interesting to read about the town of Spencer. Like a lot of small towns in America, it seems that time is passing them by.
However, I felt the author spent too much time using the book as an autobiography. After all, the title of the book references the cat, not her. While a certain amount of “this cat changed my life” would be appropriate, I felt too much time was spent on her personal issues.
I confess I was a little annoyed with the ending. Perhaps the author did not fully explain the situation. I do not want to give away the ending. Let’s just say that situations like the ones in the end are sometimes more complex. I would like to give the author the benefit of the doubt.
Would I recommend the book? Well, I certainly would not buy it. If it is at the library (appropriately enough), check it out.
Rescue Mommy
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Monday, June 27, 2011
Reminiscing
Last Tuesday was a sad anniversary for us. Three years ago, we lost Perdy. In some ways, it is hard to believe that it has been three years already.
Time has definitely healed the pain of her parting. I am thankful that, when I think of her now, I think more of the goofy things she did than the painful last weeks of her life. Sometimes, Gracie will do something that reminds me so much of her that I will call her “Perdy” by mistake.
Perdy was a happy dog who was full of energy almost to the end. In her younger years, she loved chasing the stream of water from the hose as I watered plants or washed the car. She would leap high into the air, twisting as she tried to catch the water. She would be soaked in no time, with a huge grin on her face.
We love and miss you, sweetie.
Rescue Mommy
Time has definitely healed the pain of her parting. I am thankful that, when I think of her now, I think more of the goofy things she did than the painful last weeks of her life. Sometimes, Gracie will do something that reminds me so much of her that I will call her “Perdy” by mistake.
Perdy was a happy dog who was full of energy almost to the end. In her younger years, she loved chasing the stream of water from the hose as I watered plants or washed the car. She would leap high into the air, twisting as she tried to catch the water. She would be soaked in no time, with a huge grin on her face.
We love and miss you, sweetie.
Rescue Mommy
Friday, June 24, 2011
Camp Unleashed
When we attended the Pet Expo in April, we stopped by a booth advertising Camp Unleashed. If you have found memories of going to camp as a kid, you can experience those memories again with your canine friend.
Camp Unleashed offers four days of classes on a variety of subjects such as agility training and obedience. The events are held in what look to be summer camp locales. They offer camps in Hendersonville, NC; Becket, MA; and Sequoia, CA. Their website is: campunleashed.net.
We would love to attend the Hendersonville camp sometime, since Kim Brophy has taught some classes there. She is a great local resource whose training center we have visited. Unfortunately, the camp is not in our budget this year.
We thought you might want to be aware about the camp, though. The next camps are scheduled for September in the aforementioned locations. It looks intriguing if you are as crazy about your pooch as we are!
Rescue Mommy and Daddy
Camp Unleashed offers four days of classes on a variety of subjects such as agility training and obedience. The events are held in what look to be summer camp locales. They offer camps in Hendersonville, NC; Becket, MA; and Sequoia, CA. Their website is: campunleashed.net.
We would love to attend the Hendersonville camp sometime, since Kim Brophy has taught some classes there. She is a great local resource whose training center we have visited. Unfortunately, the camp is not in our budget this year.
We thought you might want to be aware about the camp, though. The next camps are scheduled for September in the aforementioned locations. It looks intriguing if you are as crazy about your pooch as we are!
Rescue Mommy and Daddy
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Free Cats!
Thanks to help from the ASPCA, the Asheville Humane Society is offering fee-waived adoptions during the month of June for cats over the age of 6 months. What an incredible deal! Your new friend would already have a round of shots and be spayed/neutered…for FREE!
Check out ashevillehumane.org for more details.
Rescue Daddy
Check out ashevillehumane.org for more details.
Rescue Daddy
Monday, June 20, 2011
I Made a Mistake
This weekend was very stormy. Gusty wind sent tree limbs flying everywhere. During one of our walkies, I bent to pick up a limb that had fallen into our driveway. Gracie’s leash was in my left hand; she walked a few feet ahead of me. I grabbed the limb with my right hand and swung it across my body to my left. Gracie bolted.
I made a mistake. I forgot something I learned not long after she joined our family. Gracie has been beaten with a stick at some point in her previous life. If you toss a stick around her, you must toss it well away from her, never in her general direction.
I tell the story for two reasons. First, you do not need to beat an animal to get it to “obey.” Gracie’s primary motivators are food and petting. She will do anything for either one of those things. Think about it. If your boss slapped you across the face every day when you arrived to work, how motivated would you be to continue working there? Please, use positive reinforcement, never physical or mental abuse, to train or discipline your buddy.
Second, when you adopt a rescued pet, do not be surprised if you have glimpses like this of the previous life. It was shocking for me when I first saw it. She reacted much worse then, since she did not know me yet. She did not know that I had no intention of beating her. I was just tossing the stick to play.
This time, she bolted from instinct but stopped within a couple of feet. It will take time for you to teach your rescued pet the same sense of security. Be patient. We have no idea what they have endured before they came to us.
Rescue Mommy
I made a mistake. I forgot something I learned not long after she joined our family. Gracie has been beaten with a stick at some point in her previous life. If you toss a stick around her, you must toss it well away from her, never in her general direction.
I tell the story for two reasons. First, you do not need to beat an animal to get it to “obey.” Gracie’s primary motivators are food and petting. She will do anything for either one of those things. Think about it. If your boss slapped you across the face every day when you arrived to work, how motivated would you be to continue working there? Please, use positive reinforcement, never physical or mental abuse, to train or discipline your buddy.
Second, when you adopt a rescued pet, do not be surprised if you have glimpses like this of the previous life. It was shocking for me when I first saw it. She reacted much worse then, since she did not know me yet. She did not know that I had no intention of beating her. I was just tossing the stick to play.
This time, she bolted from instinct but stopped within a couple of feet. It will take time for you to teach your rescued pet the same sense of security. Be patient. We have no idea what they have endured before they came to us.
Rescue Mommy
Friday, June 17, 2011
Final Review: World's Best Kitty Litter
Last week, I mentioned that we were testing a new kitty litter called “World’s Best Kitty Litter.” I wanted to find something that the cats would not scatter all over the house. I also wanted a natural product. Some brands contain silica dust and other chemicals.
WBKL is made from corn so the litter was very light in weight. I thought this might lead to tracking, but it did not. I found a small amount of litter near the pan. It looked as if someone had kicked it out rather than tracked it, though.
After the initial “lavender” scent faded, odors were minimal. When someone had a “number two,” you could smell it until the litter box was scooped. Afterwards, there were no lingering odors. This applies to most litters, though.
Unfortunately, the cats did not like the litter. They seldom used the pan that contained this brand. Instead, they piled up the pan that contained their old brand.
After almost three weeks, I decided to abandon the test and fill both pans with the old brand. It is shame. I really liked that World’s Best Kitty Litter is a natural brand. It seemed to live up to the claim that it would last a long time. When I changed the box, the litter was still in good shape. Of course, since the pan was rarely being used, that might have helped.
We will continue looking at other brands and let you know how it works. If your cat is not too finicky, we think “World’s Best Kitty Litter” is definitely worth a try.
Rescue Mommy
WBKL is made from corn so the litter was very light in weight. I thought this might lead to tracking, but it did not. I found a small amount of litter near the pan. It looked as if someone had kicked it out rather than tracked it, though.
After the initial “lavender” scent faded, odors were minimal. When someone had a “number two,” you could smell it until the litter box was scooped. Afterwards, there were no lingering odors. This applies to most litters, though.
Unfortunately, the cats did not like the litter. They seldom used the pan that contained this brand. Instead, they piled up the pan that contained their old brand.
After almost three weeks, I decided to abandon the test and fill both pans with the old brand. It is shame. I really liked that World’s Best Kitty Litter is a natural brand. It seemed to live up to the claim that it would last a long time. When I changed the box, the litter was still in good shape. Of course, since the pan was rarely being used, that might have helped.
We will continue looking at other brands and let you know how it works. If your cat is not too finicky, we think “World’s Best Kitty Litter” is definitely worth a try.
Rescue Mommy
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Please Give to Brother Wolf If You Can
As I mentioned a few months ago, Brother Wolf will be competing in the fall for an ASPCA grant. The kickoff for the competition is August 1. I cannot reveal what they are planning. One of the things is big, though. If you can spare a few dollars, they really could use it.
They could also use dog and cat toys; bleach; towels; and other items. They are registered with Target, and they have a list of items on their website, bwar.org.
They recently opened a thrift store next door to their shelter. If you have gently-used items you would like to donate, please drop by. (You can find full details on their website.) All proceeds from the store fund the shelter.
You can also become a volunteer. They have lots of dogs at the shelter who would love to go for a walk. The cats would love a cuddle too. Who knows? You might meet your new best friend there.
Some of you who read this blog do not live in this area. Rescue groups and shelters all over the world regularly need the type of support we are asking people to give Brother Wolf. We encourage you to give whatever you can (money and/or time).
Rescue Mommy and Daddy
They could also use dog and cat toys; bleach; towels; and other items. They are registered with Target, and they have a list of items on their website, bwar.org.
They recently opened a thrift store next door to their shelter. If you have gently-used items you would like to donate, please drop by. (You can find full details on their website.) All proceeds from the store fund the shelter.
You can also become a volunteer. They have lots of dogs at the shelter who would love to go for a walk. The cats would love a cuddle too. Who knows? You might meet your new best friend there.
Some of you who read this blog do not live in this area. Rescue groups and shelters all over the world regularly need the type of support we are asking people to give Brother Wolf. We encourage you to give whatever you can (money and/or time).
Rescue Mommy and Daddy
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