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

As a cat lover myself, I enjoy reading books about cats. This is a wonderful story about a cat that touched so many people’s lives. Thank you Vicki for sharing his story with us.

"Dewey" is a memoir of a cat who inhabited the Spencer, Iowa public library for 19 years. Intertwined with Dewey's story is the story of Dewey's human, Vicki Myron, and the ups and downs of her life and the life of Spencer as a community. This is not merely a collection of cute cat stories (although there are plenty of those as well), but is more the biography of a cat, and his relationship with the many people in his life. Parts of this story are quite sad, and Myron doesn't flinch from the sorrow, rather she discusses how Dewey helped her cope with issues in her life, and how he did the same for others. Obviously Myron and Dewey had a very special bond, one that even exists even after Dewey passed away. I am a believer in the power of the human-animal connection. Sometimes animals are a greater comfort than other people can be, and they have more noble causes. While Myron doesn't shy away from telling the bad with the good, there are numerous passages explaining Dewey's playful side and the uplifting effect he had on his human companions. I found the last portion of the book difficult but rewarding to read. As Dewey reached old age, he became more enfeebled as is normal, but never lost his spirit. This is hard for people who love animals, as most pet owners have to live with the realization that they will outlive their pets; I've been there, and the book brought all the emotions associated with that back to me. This isn't to say that you should avoid the book, in fact, quite the contrary. Dewey and Vicki Myron had a wonderful 19 year relationship, and Myron and Dewey emotionally depended on each other. While parting is difficult, it is still overcome by the wonders of the relationship itself. (As an aside, I actually felt more sorrow for Myron's parent's cat, Max, who was killed due to neglect at the veterinarian's office in the prime of his life.) This book is wonderful, although sometimes emotionally challenging. Many things went wrong in Myron's life, and she shares them unflinchingly; no matter how bad things got though, her best friend was always there for her. Thank you Vicki for the book and for taking care of a wonderful feline friend, and thank you Dewey for being an emissary for the human-animal bond and reminding ourselves of the value of love and friendship.

Compared to the plethora of canine literature written over the past many decades, cat lovers have always had to scrounge to find anything remotely interesting to read regarding their favorite pet. We have Old Yeller, My Dog Skip, and Marley and Me, but where are the books of the feline persuasion? Not too many come to mind. This is why the release of Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World is so important, as it shows how America's most popular pet (yes, there are more cat than dog owners out there) can better human lives in much the same way as their canine counterparts. Dewey, for his part, was indeed a special cat who possessed the uncanny ability to read human behavior and use it to bring a little light into even the grouchiest patron's heart. It's not a coincidence that he soon became known across the world. But, in honesty, the book is as much about the author (and Dewey's foster mother), Vicki Myron, the town of Spencer, Iowa, and about nostalgia and the bittersweet passage of time as it is about little Dewey. In fact, so much of the book focuses on the author's own life struggles, as well as her fond feelings towards Iowa, readers expecting a simple sugary collection of Dewey tales may walk away a little disenchanted. The story of Spencer and the life travails of Vicky Myron have their own charms and poignancy, but they are not for everybody, and this is where the book slightly falters. Nevertheless, for anyone in search of a heartwarming animal tale that, for once, doesn't involve a dog, 'Dewey' will provide a worthwhile read. And for those feeling contemporary life has become too fast and complicated, the book's nostalgic look back at simpler times should prove satisfying as well. And lastly, for anyone experiencing hardship in a life that sometimes seems brutal or unforgiving, they too will uncover gems of wisdom and kinship within.

This book is one of the most outstanding, and touching books I've ever read. In fact, I've just started reading it for the second time, something that I've never done with any other book. This story made me fall in love with a cat I'd never even met. I do think that some of the previous reviewers missed a point and erred in their reviews when they complained that Vicki tells too much of her own story or that of her town and people of Spencer, Iowa. As you read this book, I think you'll realize that Dewey cannot be separated from the people he affected without ruining the story or at least losing some of its impact. I have to admit that when I first was reading through the book, I did ask myself: "why is she telling us this?", or "why is she giving us her biography in a book that's supposed to be about Dewey"? But then I realized exactly why she was smart enough to include all of this seemingly unimportant history. You see, this book is not just about Dewey. It's not just about Vicki Myron. It's not even about the town of Spencer and its people and the awe they felt for Dewey. It's about their connection to each other. It's about how Dewey affected them, each in their own unique way. It's about the effect he had on the countless people who simply passed through Spencer, many of them coming just to meet Dewey. And let us not forgot all those, who, like me, never even met him. And yes, there is something for you, dear reader (if you have a heart beating in your chest, rest assured, Dewey's story will affect you). As you read this book, you may very well find yourself connecting with Dewey. That comes in part from understanding the community of people and the hardships they faced, the life-altering events they experienced and then how they dealt with it all. Even those events from many decades ago, helps us truly appreciate the profound effect Dewey had on the people he reached out to. Understanding Vicki and her life tells us all the more about not only Dewey's affect on her, but also the whys and wherefores of his presence, and his fascinating ability to sense who needed him and when. It's a story about how the community of Spencer, Iowa came together to deal with tragedy and crisis, usually with Dewey as the unifying factor. It teaches us that not only we can do the same, but that we should do the same. And let's not forget the Library. Dewey made his library important and famous. He did that, perhaps for all libraries, and highlighted their true significance and their need in each community, or perhaps, more accurately, our need for them, something we have lost connection with in our modern technological age. He let us know that the real reason they exist is not merely as a warehouse for books, but as a meeting place for the heart of our true selves. It is a place for true community connection. He was the conduit for that connection with Spencer and all who dropped in for a visit. Let's say, for the sake of argument, you eliminate the background story of the man who had just become a widower, or of the one who has just lost his job, with no prospects for the foreseeable future, or the homeless man, who sat by himself day after day. We'd be left with nothing more than a cute little anecdote about Dewey sitting on their lap and giving them some affection. We'd miss out on the reason(s) why each of them was there, and most importantly, what that little cat's love meant to these men. We would be ignorant as to why they smiled for the first time in weeks - even if they weren't aware of the smile escaping their face. Taking it a step further, if you thus eliminate all the background stories and biographies, etc., then we'd miss out entirely on Dewey's true worth and the value he had to his Community, both Spencer's and everyone else with whom he came in contact, whether personally, or through this book. All we'd be left with would be a collection of feline anecdotes. Instead it tells us of how a cat lifted the spirits of community when they needed it most. It seems as though that's all he lived for - to help the people he loved, which was all of us. I think it also teaches us that animals serve and important role to us humans. Animals, like Dewey, give us unconditional love, regardless of who we are, what we've been through or how we react to our circumstances. Beyond that, they can help us to see what really matters. As they comfort and calm us, they allow us to perhaps see things in a better light, from a different perspective, and certainly with a better mood. It also tells as that the grief from losing a beloved pet can go as deep as any other grief we experience, and that there is absolutely nothing wrong with feeling that way. This was a story that needed to be told. I for one, am glad Vicki told us, for I, unfortunately, had never even heard of Dewey Readmore Books and until I saw this book sitting prominently on the shelves of every book story in my community. One look at that face on the cover, and I knew I had to buy this book and read it! Never did I suspect I'd end up reading it twice, well, twice so far. Nor did expect to learn all the things I did from a cat name Dewey Readmore Books. So please, read this book. Read it for enjoyment. Read it to someone you love. Read it to laugh. Read it to cry. Read it to learn something about life and love and community. But most of all, understand what it's really all about, then perhaps you'll not only enjoy the book, you might even learn a life-lesson from it. I think one of them is that all of us should probably visit our local library a lot more often than we do. It's all but certain that you will come to love the late, great Dewey himself.

I felt many emotions as I traveled this journey with Dewy and Vicki. I knew what was coming towards the end of the book, but nothing prepared me. It was difficult to focus on the pages through my sobbing tears! I have enjoyed the companionship of many cats in my lifetime so far. Each with their own personalities. It has been very painful to let them go to the rainbow bridge. Reading the last chapter has me reliving the loss of each of my precious fur babies. Vickie’s perspective helps the healing process. Great story!

I have owned cats pretty much all my life, and I love them. But for some reason I think orange cats have something special. Their personality is unique. Well, all cats have unique personalities, but orange ones go a step further. I liked this book a lot. I enjoyed reading about Dewey's mischiefs and how he conquered and won everybody's heart. It gave me a good sense of what a true community is. I live in such a big city that you barely know who lives next door. If you love cats this is a great and entertaining book. You'll truly enjoy it. I had an orange cat once, who I loved dearly. He lived for 13 years, and I had to put him down. Ever since I kept looking for an orange cat. I was reading this book at the hospital, while I accompanied my mom in her last days when the cancer beat her. I showed her the cover and told her every single day "I want a cat like this one", and she kept saying "go look for it, ask the veterinarian if he can get you one, etc". When my mom passed away, the very next day a couple of friends came to the funeral and out of the blue said "we just picked up an orange kitten who was abandoned and alone in the street under a car, but we can't keep it because we already have 2 adult cats". I said without any second thoughts "I'll take him!". He's now living with me, and growing fast. His name is Mango and I adore him. No doubt God works its mysterious ways, and I'm pretty sure my mom sent me this orange cat after I kept telling her that I wanted one like Dewey. Its truly amazing what animals can do in our hearts and lives. How they can help us emotionally. Mango has been a wonderful companion in this time of grief. I live miles and miles away from Specer, Iowa, and somehow Dewey really touched my world.

I like the way the author painted her picture of her little buddy sort of taking over the library. And all of his little different routines and quirks. I would highly recommend this book to anybody that wants to have that feel good reaction. Of course the only sad thing was whenever Kitty would have an issue regarding his health. And of course the fact that eventually, because of old age and aches and pains, his mommy had to do the right thing for him. I gave the book five stars because I couldn't give it more! 👍🏼

What a wonderful story about a library cat who captured the hearts of all who he met. It illustrates how a library serves the community and provides a place for children to learn to love books.