It is well-known that pets can have a huge impact on your happiness and well-being. Dewey the Library Cat, proves it. In this biography/autobiography, Vicky Myron opens p a world of wonder for any and all animal lovers. I call this book a biography/autobiography because it is set with the main focus on Dewey and his amazing ability to touch even the toughest of farmers living in the hard times of an economic decline in a small town Iowa farming community. However, Vicky Myron also allows us insight to her life as well. Hers is a life that has seen much hardship and grief.
"On a cold January morning in 1988, Vicky Myron came into her beloved library and while warming up in the lounge with a fellow librarian, she heard an unusual sound coming from their book-drop. The two women inspected the large metal bin and found a tiny yellow kitten huddling behind books and shivering from the harshwinter wind coming through the slot. The pads on his tiny feet were frostbitten, he was so dirty they had originally thought his coat to be colored gray, and he was extremely emaciated. Vicky gave him a warm bath and wrapped him in a towel where this kitten did a miraculous thing... He laid in her arms like a baby and looked into her eyes and said Thank you. Not literally, of course, but Vicky just knew that was what he would have had he been able to. Then began a whirlwind of 20 years: the library board of trustees finally agreed to let him stay, and a contest held to name the tiny kitten dubbed him Dewey Readmore Books. In return, Dewey opened the community up and brought them closer together."
It was a time in Iowa that farmers couldn't afford their land and the weather was only hindering farming more and more. Generations of farms were being sold to large factories and plants and the families had to find new ways of supporting themselves. Vicky Myron did her part by researching job help information, ordering the latest books on job safety, resume building, and so on. She also managed to get a used computer for the community to come and build their resumes on. Most of the farmers that came into the library were reserved and broken, but Dewey always managed to get a smile out of them at least once. He was never pushy, and he was never needy.. but he would let them know that he was there and then be on his way to find someone else who needed his help.
Dewey's Job Description
1. Reducing stress for all humans who pay attention to him
2. Sitting by the door every morning at 9:00 am to greet the public as they enter the library
3. Sample all boxes that enter the library for security problems and comfort level
4. Attending all meetings in the Round Room as official library ambassador
5. Providing comic relief for staff and visitors whenever possible
6. Climbing in book bags and briefcases while patrons are studying or trying to receive papers underneath him
7. Generating free national and world-wide publicity for Spencer Public Library
(This entails sitting still for photographs, smiling for the camera and generally being cute)
8. Working towards status as being the world most finicky cat by refusing all but the most
expensive, delectable foods--- and even turning his nose up at those most of the time.
I absolutely ADORED this book.. Vicky Myron brings you into her world and describes Dewey's antics with such amazing ability that I felt as though I was standing right beside her. I honestly picked up this book just because of the cover but didn't expect much from it. I mean, really... it's a book... about a CAT. I love books and cats! Don't get me wrong, but I wasn't sure how a biography about one would be. Dewey was definitely more than a cat, he became a mascot to the town. Dewey was the one thing this town all had in common with each other and it brought them so much closer together in a time of need. He even touched the rest of the world.. people came from JAPAN to film him for a documentary! And while this book is a biography of Dewey, Vicky Myron also lets you into her life. She has been through so much: a divorce, a major illness, and trials that come with having a teenage daughter. When she thought that things were finally rock bottom, Dewey would "speak" to her and bring her back to reality. Dewey had a way of communicating and Vicky Myron allows us to feel it as well in her wonderful way with words. I would DEFINITELY suggest this to any reader and it is something that will touch your heart. I laughed out loud several times and I cried twice.... And emotional read and so hard to put down! I promise that this book will warm your heart! :)
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ In my Top Ten of MUST!
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