Summary

Chapter 20 is titled “Dewey's New Friends.” It opens with a photo of Dewey sleeping on a desk. On June 7, 1999, Vicki learned that radio personality Paul Harvey was “telling the story of a cat who inspired a town and became famous” (194). Vicki knew no one from his staff had verified information about Dewey, but she had become accustomed to the stories about the library cat. Vicki began to worry that Dewey's fame might be alienating some people in Spencer. Vicki sat on multiple boards and taught long-distance classes. Every teleconference began with others asking to see Dewey. When someone asked if they should get a cat for their library, Vicki said it had to be the right cat and listed requirements, including being outgoing “with an unforgettable story” (196). One day, a family arrived, announcing they were from Rhode Island and were in Minneapolis where...