Ashland's famous feline

To be certain, Ashland has its fair share of bibliophiles. One of the more well known among them makes his home at 290 E. Main Street which, not surprisingly, is also home to Bloomsbury Books. He is known simply as Orlando. Comfortably dressed in his somewhat worn gray coat, he can usually be found either perusing the many stacks of books, near the register keeping an eye on things, meandering back from where he's just enjoyed a good snack and a spot of tea, or napping contentedly in his cozy library up in the window. We thank him for sharing his valuable time with us and offer our appreciation to Sheila Burns and Marilyn Edwards for their help with translation of Orlando's true exploits and experiences.

Thirteen years ago, Marilyn Edwards and her daughter Jennifer helped Orlando find his new home at Bloomsbury Books on E. Main Street. Orlando occasionally does some modeling. The sale of greeting cards and postcards, like the postcard photo taken by Don DeBraal, helps to pay for his living and medical expenses.

DT: Orlando, what was it that brought you to Ashland?

Orlando: It was about 13 years ago and I was living in fairly confined quarters over at the Jackson County Animal Shelter. Aside from my propensity to let the canine population have a negative effect on my sensitivities, it wasn't a bad place to be; I had a bed, decent food, nice people milling about. Jennifer Edwards (now Ramshaw) was a volunteer at the shelter and her mother Marilyn was working here at Bloomsbury. One thing led to another and I was eventually invited to move in here, and of course, I graciously accepted.

DT: Please tell us a little about your family and your early years.

Orlando: I never met my father, he split right after my mother got pregnant. My mom and I moved around quite a bit and even found ourselves homeless a couple of times. The next thing I remember is living on my own at the shelter. Everything that happened in the past though, the way I figure it anyway, is what brought me here--I live in a bookstore, have warm places to sleep, a window with a view, good food, great friends, interesting things to occupy my time--it's heaven.

DT: Do you have any favorite people?

Orlando: That's like asking what my favorite book is, there are just too many to name only one. Two of my best friends through the years have been Sheila Burns and Karen Chapman. I guess I've been with them for about half of the 26 years that they've co-owned Bloomsbury. And there's Marilyn, Anita, Susan, Martine, Rebecca, Brandon, John, Naomi, Liza, Robyn, and Christopher...and all the customers. There are many wonderful people who come and go, and sometimes it's not even to buy books, it's just to see me. And even when friends move away, they often stay in touch, even sending me presents and Christmas cards!

DT: It seems like Ashland is a magnet for interesting cats, do you know why that is?

Orlando: I've been told that it might have a little something to do with a certain fellow named Odus. Apparently he was an interesting character, quite the independent sort. Didn't care to settle down in any one place for long, though he did live here for a short time. His habit, I understand, was to saunter in and out of many of the fine establishments here along Main Street, walking in for a visit any old time he pleased. I hear that one of his favorite spots in town was Mark Antony's old place. In the evenings he'd walk in, uninvited, to this Antony's bar...and sit up on the barstools right alongside the other guests who were there for libations. Can you imagine? Then one day he just disappeared. Anyhow, I guess after he was gone, people missed having a cat around. I suppose I might owe him some degree of thanks for the position I've so comfortably occupied these past 13 years.

DT: Since moving here, do you ever get out for walks yourself, or travel about in the world?

Orlando: Only twice. The first was a week or two after I moved in, and the second was after I'd been here for about a year. Both times the door had been accidentally left open. Fear about the situation, mixed with curiosity, quickly usurped all rationality...and out I ran. What a hair raising experience, especially the second time. I found myself over at Shakespeare's place; he wasn't home and I couldn't remember my way back. All quite horrifying. Thankfully, Anita and Marilyn found me the next day and I haven't been out since.

The simple truth is, there are different kinds of cats in the world. There are cats who love to explore the unknown, take chances, and go on adventures. And there are those, like me, who are quite content and comfortable to stay in one place most of their lives. I've learned there's room for all kinds of us. Being able to satisfy my curiosity without putting my life in mortal danger suits me just fine. A bookstore is the purrfect place for me.

DT: Do you have any favorite books?

Orlando: Actually, I've just written a review of Bad Dog by R.D. Rosen, and, I can hardly utter it...Bad Cat by Jim Edgar.

DT: Obviously you're not too fond of Bad Cat, mind if we include the review along with this interview?

Orlando: Please do. There's far too much disinformation out there, and I'm happy to have the opportunity to dispel some of the more egregiously erroneous aspects of it. Which reminds me of that time when there was a box of overstocked books that were going to be returned to the publisher when I did the only thing that has ever been construed as being even vaguely "bad." I climbed into the box, sat on the book Women and their Dogs, and completely shredded the cover. Sometimes a cat just has to take certain matters into their own paws, er, claws.

DT: Despite being retirement age, we hear that you continue to work for a living. Could you tell us a little about that?

Orlando: Working to live? What an awful thought. And how tiresome and dull. People do that sort of thing? Perhaps you mean to ask what it is I do to help pay the bills I incur? If so, that would be my modeling. It's not much really, occasionally I pose for some photos and someone else turns them into postcards and greeting cards. It's fairly lucrative work, by my standards anyway, and I rather enjoy it.

DT: Besides books, your friends, copious amounts of napping, and your modeling, what other interests do you have?

Orlando: Eating. I so adore eating. It's why I'm so fat. Fortunately, the camera loves me anyway. Speaking of eating, I do believe I'm going to have to end this interv . . . And off Orlando ambles, voice trailing, toward his next great adventure--The Mid-Afternoon Snack.

Debi Smith is an Ashland based freelance writer. She can be contacted at debi@mind.net