Dewey was found inside of the overnight book drop in a library in Iowa, and his life is now the subject of a bestselling book that has quickly climbed to the Top 10 on the New York Times.
So, what about Dewey? Curiosly he is named after the Dewey Decimal System used by libraries to catalog books. His full name is Dewey Readmore Books. Once Dewey’s story spread it circulated the area, then the state of Iowa, with fame came thousands and thousands of visitors.
According to Vicky Myron, Dewey’s story teller:
“He was so cold and half starved and very dirty. He didn’t look like much until I picked him up and he started purring immediately and he looked in my eyes with his eyes,” she says. “He had the most gorgeous eyes I had ever seen and I felt a connection with him right away.”
Vicky had only been on the library job for six months and had wanted to make the library more homey so she thought Dewey would fit right in. She was right! Patrons took to him quickly, and over time visitors increased from 60,000 a year to more than 100,000. Many were suffering from the crippling economy that hit the farming community especially hard, and Myron thinks Dewey lifted their spirits and made them a bit more eager to stop off at the library.
Dewey also seemed to know when Myron needed a break and he knew how to ease her mind. Myron says her book is a story of unconditional love, companionship and pulling yourself up by the bootstraps during tough times.”
As you read her book you will many times think of you cat and Dewey’s presence will be felt, his story is heartwarming and this book will lift your spirits.
Dewey lived to be 19 years old and he is buried in the laws outside the library where he happily spent his life. If you are looking for a book to curl up with and a good story to read check out:
“Dewey, the Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World,” by Vicki Myron and Bret Witter.
