Dewey's Nine Lives

Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright Page

Dedication

ONE - Dewey and Tobi

TWO - Mr. Sir Bob Kittens (aka Ninja, aka Mr. Pumpkin Pants)

THREE - Spooky

FOUR - Tabitha, Boogie, Gail, BJ, Chimilee, Kit, Miss Gray, Maira, Midnight, ...

FIVE - Christmas Cat

SIX - Cookie

SEVEN - Marshmallow

EIGHT - Church Cat

NINE - Dewey and Rusty

Acknowledgements

Animals in Need

ALSO BY VICKI MYRON WITH BRET WITTER

Dewey

Books for Children

Dewey: There’s a Cat in the Library!

Dewey’s Christmas in the Library

Dewey the Library Cat

DUTTON

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First printing, October 2010

Copyright © 2010 by Vicki Myron LLC

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Photo credits:

Pages iii, 1, 43, 246, 301: courtesy the author; Page 17: Shutterstock; Pages 44, 68: Barbara Lajiness;

Pages 69, 100: William A. Bezanson; Pages 101, 125: Mary Nan and Larry W. Evans; Page 126: Vicki

Klueverj; Pages 165, 195: Lynda Caira; Page 196: Kristie L. Dvent; Page 223: Carol R. Riggs.

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To Glenn,

for his amazing love and support

PROLOGUE

Dewey

“Thank you, Vicki, and thank you, Dewey. . . . I don’t believe in angels, but Dewey comes close.”

—Christine B., Tampa, FL

I disagree with the person who wrote that letter, because I do believe there are angels walking among us, helping us grow. believe in “teachable moments,” when we can learn something valuable about life if our eyes and hearts are open to the world around us. These angels of opportunity, as I like to think of them, come in all forms. They appear thanks to the important people in our lives, but also through chance meetings and strangers. I believe Dewey Readmore Books, the famous library cat of Spencer, Iowa, was one of those angels. He taught so many lessons, and touched so many lives, that I can’t dismiss it as chance. And I don’t believe in coincidence.

But I know what that young woman is saying. She is saying that Dewey, through his actions and his example, transformed her life. She can’t find the words to describe that power, but she knows it is special.