Whitehorse Public Library
Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada

In the summer of 1988, I made a bold solo trip to Alaska and back, driving all the way except for some West coast ferries on the return trip. I spent five days in Whitehorse while waiting for my scheduled ferry in Haines, AK. I went to the library a few times, and it was there one evening that a breathtakingly beautiful tortoise shell cat came into view. Cat lover that I am, I motioned to him. He immediately came over, and before very long he jumped onto the couch where I was sitting and snuggled next to me.

I'll always remember three things in particular:
1. His fur had striking coloration that reminded me of the natural pelts that were offered for sale in the city.
2. He stayed with me for over an hour.
3. He never stopped purring, not even for a single second.

Eventually my desire to return to vacation stuff and my bladder forced me to break the bond. I asked a librarian about the cat, thereby learning his name, I knew (and perhaps he did, too) how helpful it was to make a friend like that so far away from home. I assume he has gone to that Great Litter Box in the Sky by now, but his memory will live on as long as I do.

Philip Sternenberg
Bergenfield, New Jersey, USA