Thackeray the Cat
If you’ve ever visited the Ripley Library, you’ve no doubt run into Thackeray, the resident cat. Recently Thackeray posted this message on his Facebook page: “Okay. Here goes. I’m hoping to receive post cards (or notes or letters) from my friends all over the world. I’d like my friends to tell their friends who tell their friends, etc. Tell them in Facebook, your emails, text friends, everyone u know. Send a postcard to Thackeray, c/o Ripley Free Library, PO Box 808, Ripley, NY 14775. U need only to sign with your first name & last initial. I will post the places I’ve heard from. Thx!”
Being a friend of Thackeray’s myself, I thought you might like to know a bit more about this trepidatious cat who thinks he should be renowned worldwide. Thack, as he is often known, is approaching mid-life at seven and a half years of age. The only home he’s ever known is the Ripley Library, since leaving his mother’s care at 8 weeks.
Thackeray’s official function at the library is to greet the patrons as they enter, which he does or doesn’t do as the whim takes him. He can be exceedingly charming on occasion or deliberately standoffish. Don’t take it personally, however, since as is the case with many writers, he can be very moody. Did I mention that Thackeray writes? He not only has his own Facebook page where you can find him by searching for Just Ask, but he also writes the occasional book review on the Ripley Library page at http://ripleylibrary.blogspot.com. This may not seem like much to declare oneself a writer, but you try typing with paws.
Among Thack’s unofficial duties, he is chief mouse catcher, if ever any should appear, and acts quite often as a paper weight for the librarian’s in-box. Most helpful among his exploits in the library, he delights in rearranging the books displayed on the tops of shelves or tables and quite often helps put jigsaw puzzles together, pushing particularly worrisome pieces to the floor.
Like most cats, Thackeray enjoys romping about the library, chasing his laser mouse or simply chasing his tail round and round one of the support poles. But his greatest delight is sitting with the Knitting Club. The balls of yarn are irresistible temptations and he gladly helps unwind them as the knitters knit and pearl. The ladies are kind to him of course, never casting him off.
Thackeray will sit with patrons from time to time, keeping them company. He is a great listener – unless he gets bored, whereupon he will simply jump down and meander away.
Some small word of caution about our beloved Thackeray, however. He does not appreciate being picked up, as he would rather make the first move. And should you be wearing clothing with loose strings dangling or Ben-Gay, that analgesic heat rub for aching muscles, watch out! Thackeray is particularly fond of attached strings, and the smell of menthol sends him into paroxysms of delight. It might even be better than cat-nip.
As for Thackeray’s request for post cards, letters or notes please spread the word. Send a card yourself and by all means, invite your friends, relatives, acquaintances and online friends to do the same. Maps will be hung in the library to track the mail Thackeray receives and the cards displayed. As mentioned above, correspondence can be sent to Thackeray, c/o Ripley Free Library, P. O. Box 808, Ripley, NY 14775. I thank you and Thackeray thanks you.
If you’ve ever visited the Ripley Library, you’ve no doubt run into Thackeray, the resident cat. Recently Thackeray posted this message on his Facebook page: “Okay. Here goes. I’m hoping to receive post cards (or notes or letters) from my friends all over the world. I’d like my friends to tell their friends who tell their friends, etc. Tell them in Facebook, your emails, text friends, everyone u know. Send a postcard to Thackeray, c/o Ripley Free Library, PO Box 808, Ripley, NY 14775. U need only to sign with your first name & last initial. I will post the places I’ve heard from. Thx!”
Being a friend of Thackeray’s myself, I thought you might like to know a bit more about this trepidatious cat who thinks he should be renowned worldwide. Thack, as he is often known, is approaching mid-life at seven and a half years of age. The only home he’s ever known is the Ripley Library, since leaving his mother’s care at 8 weeks.
Thackeray’s official function at the library is to greet the patrons as they enter, which he does or doesn’t do as the whim takes him. He can be exceedingly charming on occasion or deliberately standoffish. Don’t take it personally, however, since as is the case with many writers, he can be very moody. Did I mention that Thackeray writes? He not only has his own Facebook page where you can find him by searching for Just Ask, but he also writes the occasional book review on the Ripley Library page at http://ripleylibrary.blogspot.com. This may not seem like much to declare oneself a writer, but you try typing with paws.
Among Thack’s unofficial duties, he is chief mouse catcher, if ever any should appear, and acts quite often as a paper weight for the librarian’s in-box. Most helpful among his exploits in the library, he delights in rearranging the books displayed on the tops of shelves or tables and quite often helps put jigsaw puzzles together, pushing particularly worrisome pieces to the floor.
Like most cats, Thackeray enjoys romping about the library, chasing his laser mouse or simply chasing his tail round and round one of the support poles. But his greatest delight is sitting with the Knitting Club. The balls of yarn are irresistible temptations and he gladly helps unwind them as the knitters knit and pearl. The ladies are kind to him of course, never casting him off.
Thackeray will sit with patrons from time to time, keeping them company. He is a great listener – unless he gets bored, whereupon he will simply jump down and meander away.
Some small word of caution about our beloved Thackeray, however. He does not appreciate being picked up, as he would rather make the first move. And should you be wearing clothing with loose strings dangling or Ben-Gay, that analgesic heat rub for aching muscles, watch out! Thackeray is particularly fond of attached strings, and the smell of menthol sends him into paroxysms of delight. It might even be better than cat-nip.
As for Thackeray’s request for post cards, letters or notes please spread the word. Send a card yourself and by all means, invite your friends, relatives, acquaintances and online friends to do the same. Maps will be hung in the library to track the mail Thackeray receives and the cards displayed. As mentioned above, correspondence can be sent to Thackeray, c/o Ripley Free Library, P. O. Box 808, Ripley, NY 14775. I thank you and Thackeray thanks you.
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