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Welcome to the continuing adventures of "Rio, the Cat!" Remember this is a very extroverted cat. He LOVES people, noise, the = hustle and bustle of school life, even attacks "live" vacuum cleaners. Cat Allergies Many asked how we deal with allergies to the cat. First of all, the = parents (so far) have thought it absolutely delightful that we have a = cat. Many of the students who are allergic to cats (but like them = anyway) that have talked to me, say that this is the only time they even = get to be around a cat. I have a couple of long sleeved smocks these = students can wear and I ask that they wash at the library sink with = anti-bacterial soap immediately after petting the cat (holding is = discouraged but allowed). So far, I guess, we've had no one who is = extremely allergic to cats. At least they haven't said anything to me = or anyone else that I know of. I have managed to get the cat to sleep on an old sweatshirt on one of = the sofas and he rarely lays anywhere else other than the floor, or his = cardboard box on the cubbies. So far no one has said they are getting = ill from the cat dander, but I do try to keep the windows open as much = as possible. Personally, I think he helps more children than creating a = problem for them. We do have one teacher allergic to cats, but he said he'd just keep his = door closed. Nice nice man, he is. He says he hasn't had any problems = in the library. I MUST do sometime special for him sometime. Communication: Our principal (bless her) immediately saw the wonderful possibilities of = a school pet and she told me SHE was the one that suggested to the = student council that we make him a school project. Anyway, it was = cheerfully announced over the intercom our Rio, the conditions under = which he could stay. Since he has claws and could scratch, students = were told not to pick him up (Students obeyed THAT rule for oh. . . one = week or so.) We also talked about how Rio was to be treated, how to = report "cat abuse," how Rio could help them, where he could go, etc. = We also put it in our weekly school newsletter and the newsletter that = goes out to the community (our local newspaper was invited to do a = story, but they never came). Rio's picture was taken and he is now on = the first page of the yearbook and in the computer (with digital = camera). His also has a starring role in the student council's video = introducing our school to new students. In part 3 I'll cover problems; hints, tips, advice; and stories, if = room.=20 Linda Hays Welch Rio Vista Middle School welch@cyberport.com M.S.L.S., M.A. Ed. Bloomfield, NM Librarian Grades 6 and 7 530 students 33% Navajo Indian, 33% Hispanic, 32% Anglo, 2% "Other"