-- " The Friendliest Cats in the World "--
June-- Pawsitively Pets-- 5
-- " The Friendliest Cats in the World "--
“ They’ re SO friendly!”
That’ s possibly the most common thing that customers say when they walk into the bookshop doors. And chances are, a cat has greeted them before I can get up to the front of the shop for a human hello. It’ s Hector, the Inspector- and chief greeter of all humans who walk through his doors. He doesn’ t need bells to hear you. He heard the car stop on his property, which he patrols every morning- the slam of the car door, the footsteps on the stairs into the shop or house. By the time you reach the door, he’ s already waiting. Jasper, if he’ s‘ on duty,’ takes a more cautious approach. He is behind the doorway observing and deciding if you are safe and if he wishes to greet you formally. When he appears, he is friendly and serene.
Many visitors tell me the cats at their homes are nothing like this. They run, hide, and do not interact with anyone outside of the house. Is it because Liberty Book Shop cats are a special breed? No, they are regular cats, each with their own personality and style. Hector is more naturally outgoing. He loves people and believes that everyone loves him. I often say that I pray that myth lasts his entire life, and his belief is never crushed by human cruelty. He will, briefly, even let a stranger pick him up, which is a very vulnerable position for anyone. Jasper will NOT allow you to do that. He is trusting, but he isn’ t stupid. He has been mistreated in his life and will not give any creature permission to hurt him again. But he has enough trust in the humans he sees to greet people at the shop and if he chooses you, it’ s special. He actually acts more like Hector when my sister visits, as she is one of his very special loves.
But a large part of the reason they are both friendly is that they are working cats. They have jobs here at the shop. The biggest is greeting or knowing that people are here. If I’ m working in the back and do not move to the front of the shop quickly enough for them, they will come get me and tell me that you are here. They chase things in the shop- often toys, crumpled paper, or a stray leaf. But that is part of a larger job. In a 150-year-old building, rodents occasionally wander in. The boys do not actually need to catch them- they simply need to convince them this is a bad place to stay. They keep them out and away from all that lovely paper to chew and glue to eat. It’ s favorite work and they love the attention they get. Just like people, purpose is an important thing for them. Coupled with a place where the people are always around, a beloved brother cat who plays favorite cat games, and quiet nooks away from the shop hubbub for relaxing naps makes cats secure in their surroundings.
For Hector and Jasper, the magic formula is purpose, recreation, and love. In essence, the balance all of us seek. Come visit! The boys would love to greet you.
- by Linda Roller, Bookseller, writer, and owner of Liberty Book Shop in beautiful downtown Avis, PA.
LIBERTY BOOK SHOP
Linda Roller
Hours: Thursday & Friday 10-6, Saturday 10-3, or by appt.
“ Where yesterday’ s books are today’ s treasures.” www. thelibertybookshop. com
1 East Park Street, Avis • 570-753-5201
June-- Pawsitively Pets-- 5