Dewey Discussion – Question 4

This topic has 11 replies, 11 voices, and was last updated 15 years ago by SoxsMom.

Viewing 12 posts - 1 through 12 (of 12 total)

Author

Posts
1 April, 2009 at 5:01 pm #26436

ILoveMyCats
Participant

Why do you think Dewey became so famous?

1 April, 2009 at 5:46 pm #408586

feral
Participant

I think so many others in the world have felt the pain & anguish that the people of Spencer were going thru, that they couldn’t help but relate. Animals have an unspoken way that makes a person feel that all will be well again. And hey…who doesn’t love an Orangie? Hopper squeezed into my heart. Dewy did too! 🙂

1 April, 2009 at 6:08 pm #408587

ailuromaniac
Participant

He had a good publicist!

Seriously, while the Spencer Library (and V.M.) did not deliberately try to promote Dewey and his story, the human interest aspect was irresistible. V.M. simply started by working toward creating community acceptance for giving Dewey a home in the library. Dewey’s personality cemented the contract with the community (although in typical human political shallowness it was breaking down in his declining years). The warm interaction Dewey shared with the people in Spencer started a word of mouth anecdotal wealth of experiences that were well told over the years and spread his fame.

If Dewey had been a shrinking violet, he may have been allowed to maintain the tradition of a library cat but no one would know his name.

1 April, 2009 at 6:14 pm #408588

AV
Participant

I have to agree, people love human interest stories, and God knows we’re all looking for something positive when times get tough…. plus, I think in a small town like that, not much happens, so unique things like a library cat gets talked up a lot, and well the “yarn” spins……….. could it be that the good people of Spencer possible “stretched the truth” a little…. were Dewey’s tales perhaps “embellished” a bit?…….. the fish gets longer everytime you tell your story about catching it….. LOL

1 April, 2009 at 6:35 pm #408589

WillowandWindismom
Participant

Those were difficult years in America, and not just in rural Iowa. Much as it is now, I think that people just yearned for a good story with a happy ending. Dewey really did appear at just the right time. Certainly there were incredible kitties elsewhere. But the story of Dewey’s beginnings at the library, and his endearing habits, helped to make him the celebrity that he became.

We all need a hero when things are bad and gloomy. Dewey was a most unlikely hero, but became one all the same.

1 April, 2009 at 7:35 pm #408590

Kitten Whisperer in Oregon (8/27)
Participant

WWM, your comment made me think of the effect the race horse, Seabiscuit, had on people suffering from the Great Depression in the 1930s in the US. He was the underdog, a little fighter, a champion with great heart. He inspired people who came from all over to watch him race. Seabiscuit’s story is heartwarming, maybe on a grander scale than Dewey’s story, but I see a similarity.

1 April, 2009 at 7:39 pm #408591

WillowandWindismom
Participant

You’re right, KW. The country needed an underdog to support and win Seabiscuit won, it made people feel as though they could win, too.

1 April, 2009 at 7:58 pm #408592

Shelley
Participant

I agree with all that was said above–it is nice to read about/hear good news once in awhile. Dewey made himself famous by being what ever was needed at the time, no matter who the person was, or what the situation.

1 April, 2009 at 9:03 pm #408593

Cat talk rules
Participant

The way he was treated at first and left to freeze and starve and then being found and still having such a loving heart and trusting people made him good story material. So many cats if they are mistreated find it hard to trust anyone except their special people (and I do not blame them at all) so he was amazing in his love for all. He even loved the people who didn’t want to be loved LOL

1 April, 2009 at 11:08 pm #408594

Momof6furrballs
Participant

Sometimes you can’t help but to be famous…look at octo-mom. It is all in how people take you and when you are as sweet as Dewey was how could you help but have the world beating down your door.

1 April, 2009 at 11:19 pm #408595

kittymom
Participant

Dewey became famous because he was in the right place at the right time, and EVERYONE appreciates a heartwarming story of a superkitty 😉

1 April, 2009 at 11:26 pm #408596

SoxsMom
Participant

Look at the news. It is never truly unlifting and happy–not even then. The story of Dewey is a warm and fuzzy story. It makes people smile–except maybe one or two grouches that NEVER smile.
Author

Posts