Yes, it is a strange phenomenon, but according to eyewitnesses (of which I am one) the kitties are on the literary scene and in a big way. It all started, for me, that is, when I visited Square Books at Oxford. The lovely bookstore is on the courthouse square located at downtown Oxford — home of the University of Mississippi. As I entered the front door of the charming bookstore, there sat a pretty little pussycat with a pink collar. She looked longingly at the clothing store located across the street, and when she could, she would make a dash for it. Shortly, thereafter, one of the clothing salespeople would bring her home. I noted that upon arriving back to the bookstore she seemed to make plans to leave again. Perhaps she would like to change her career path to the world of fashion?

My thoughts were about the Square Book literary kitty cat as I drove south to Mainstreet Books, Hattiesburg – home of the University of Southern Mississippi. I arrived at another charming bookstore, owned by Diane and Jerry Shepherd, and much to my surprise, I was greeted by another literary-cat-in-residence. I immediately determined that the dogs were being left out. At least I had not seen a literary dog at that point in time.

Hold on to your hats everyone, because the dogs are on their way.

My next stop was at Bay Books, Bay St Louis, and another charming bookstore greeted me. This time there were two kitties-in-residence. I soon knew that the kitty known as Pepper was in charge and in a BIG way. Kay Gough, owner, answered my question in a meek way – my question was, “How much does he weigh?” She answered, “We think he weighs over 20 pounds. He’s a little hard to put on the scales.”

Yes, Pepper was in charge. I could recognize his authority when he jumped upon the table where my books were located. The table groaned and struggled to hold up his 20 plus pounds and my books, too, however, he seemed contented to snooze the afternoon away right there in the middle of everything.

Of course, the main-most literary kitty in Mississippi would have to be Velvet, Newspaper Cat =^..^= and she is gainfully employed by the Today’s Mississippi Woman Magazine, Jo McDivitt, Publisher. I happen to know that Velvet takes her newspaper duties very seriously. According to her boss, Ms. McDivitt, Velvet paws through each issue just to make certain all is purringly perfect.

I returned to Meridian and visited Sage Books and Coffee located on Front Street near the old Rayner Drugstore. This is where I met the dogs. I must admit it was a fresh view – a literary and coffee drinking pup. Her name is Diamond. She is a stunning black/white mom with four pups. The pups are here, there, and everywhere. They are at the age of seven weeks, and bookstore owner, Lara Hammond, has begun to place the fuzzy ones in just the right homes, because not any home will do for a literary pup.

One would conclude that the literary cats and dogs seem to prefer the great state of Mississippi as their home and habitat for a certain reason? Could it be a land that is instilled with beauty and good people? Or perhaps it’s the countryside lush with green pastures, blue lakes, and blue skies. Maybe the literary greats who have called Mississippi home have an influence? But most likely it because Mississippians respect those little fuzzy ones as important members of their families and keep those food and water bowls filled to the brim.

Next week I am off to Pentimento Books at Clinton and Reed’s Gum Tree Books at Tupelo. So far the count is: Literary Kitties, 5, and Literary Pups, 5. I could take along my literary kitty, Miss Sara Belle, and that would make the number 6 to 5 in favor of the kitties, but that doesn’t seem fair. However, it does seem that the literary kitties are taking the state — one bookstore at the time. Okay you “bow-wow’s” it’s time to make a move — a literary move in order to prove that the old adage, “Cats Rule, Dogs Drool” is out of date and has been rewritten in a new and award winning edition, or has it?

I’m on the road sniffing it all out.



Anne McKee is a writer and storyteller. She lives in Meridian. Anne is listed on the Mississippi Artist Roster, sponsored by Mississippi Arts Commission, as a dramatic and literary artist, storyteller, and as a Teaching Artist. She is active with the arts and educational communities throughout Mississippi.