In south Houston there's a used bookstore that has a cat. It's a very friendly cat, and apparently world famous, the bookseller at the counter said a couple from Germany once came to the store just to see their cat.

I have visited Wild Rumpus many times, including once when I had to help herd the chickens back inside, after a wee patron (thankfully not one of mine) had left the front door open too long. I am amazed at how clean that store is, given the array of animal-excrement possibilities it houses.

Cats are the clerk of choice here in the foggy city, but I have heard there's a boa constrictor about.

That said, I'm curious about Veruca's Picks. John McPhee? Emerson? Terry Pratchett's Small Gods? What would a tortoise pick to take to a desert island?

I went to a used bookstore in Seattle that had several cats. The owners insisted that customers check their bags b/c they had experience CATNAPPINGS in the past.

Maya Escobar
Cambridge Public Library

There's a Hachette fall book titled Dewey that is about a library cat in Iowa. Cute story, very photogenic and friendly cat.

There's a feed store by my house that has a store cat, and the clerks can also bring their dogs to work--IF they are feline-friendly. I too am allergic to cats, so would hate to have to work around them, but I do think it's a fun idea.

We have a bookshop dog, Seymour, who is somewhat of a mascot. He has been featured in many print ads and also headlines our MySpace page. He's a bit of a curiosity--half Bassett and half Huskey. Mostly the reaction is very positive. Occasionally a baby will be freaked out by his bark and then ensues a battle of the lungs as he, in turn, gets upset. But not too often. A lot of kids (and some adults) immediately look for Seymour before saying Hello to us or looking at any books. Alas, he's getting older and I'd say he's semi-retired at this point, so he's spending more time holding down his bed at home than holding down his bed at work. I generally don't encourage customers to bring their dogs inside, because I can't vouch for their shot record, cleanliness, and temperament as I can with Seymour. We do have a nice place just outside the door to "park" them and always offer water on warm days.
And yes, it is definitely worth all the extra vacuuming to have Seymour around!

I worked at Wild Rumpus for several months a few years ago, and I was in charge of some of the birds. They were so much fun! Teddy, a particularly friendly bird, would ride around on my shoulder as I helped customers. A few times, I'd forget he was there and answer the phone! He'd contribute to the conversation, of course. With rats in a haunted shack, doves, hidden fish, Manx cats, and more, what a wonderful store Wild Rumpus is!

I have a family member who is highly (seriously) allergic to both cats and dogs, so unfortunately she wouldn't be able to visit any store with a cat or dog. A tortoise is a good idea, though!

There's a used book store (more of a compound now) in Niantic, CT called The Book Barn. At their main location they have several cats, as well as several goats (that stay outside). At their smaller location more in-town, they have some guinea pigs.

This idea seriously makes me so happy. My biggest passions (for now, at least) are children's books, cupcakes, teaching/education, and animals. My ultimate dream would be a children's bookstore that had pets, a cupcake bakery (like at Books of Wonder in NYC), and a space for educational opportunities, like after-school and summer classes and activities. Obviously, the cupcake cafe would have to be wayyyy far away from the animals, but in my head it works beautifully.

Hi Alison,
I've always loved the quirky film documentaries of funny fact collector, Gary Roma, who chronicles everything from door stops to dental floss. His film about library cats living in libraries all around the country is a joy. (website:ironfrog.com)