The inspiring story of Dewey Readmore Books, the Spencer Library cat, was recently published in September of this year. He was a half-frozen kitten who was discovered in the book drop one January morning in 1988.

The staff decided to adopt him, and the whole town donated for his upkeep. He became a Good Will Ambassador and Official Greeter.

Sadly, he crossed the Rainbow Bridge in 2006, but he was nineteen and well-loved. We should all do so well.

We can see this story as an amazing coincidence; the kitten found in the book drop turned out to be just the kind of social, outgoing, and affectionate cat who could thrive in a public setting.

He had special relationships in the library staff, yet easily mingled amongst many people, friends and strangers alike.

Or, we could see this as less of a coincidence. It could be an example of the way cats can adapt to the needs and responsibilities of their circumstances.

It’s both nature and nurture that create a great cat. While nature offers certain intractable traits; it is nurture which brings them out.

From both his picture and his story, I am sure nature had a hand in this success story. Dewey exemplifies the type of cat I call “mellow yellows,” the cream, yellow, and marmalade varieties of tabby who, more often than not, have huge hearts they give freely. Their laid-back, forgiving personalities make it easy for people to throw challenges at them that they can accept and rise above.

Yet without the abundant love and acceptance he encountered throughout his life, Dewey would not have been able to assume his duties with such evident ease and poise. The right kind of cat, yes, but also the right kind of upbringing and continued, lifelong, support.

I have known greeter cats who were tuxedoes and tabbies, pure white or a patchwork of patterns. As always, it’s personality which is the most stubborn and indelible part of the cat. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

But every personality can be shaped, encouraged, supported, and celebrated. Cats are, above all, adaptable.

What they adapt to; that’s what we provide. To a great extent, it is in our hands.

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Here’s Dewey’s page at the library website.

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There’s more to choosing a cat with The Way of Cats than the article you are reading now. See my CHOOSING A CAT.