Pet of the week: Bibby is home at Main Street Flowers
According to Julie Jantz, owner of Main Street Flowers in Marion, her cat, Bibby, has gone through several lives.
During the 13 years or so Julie has claimed her, the sleek, black cat has had a propensity to wander off, sometimes for weeks and months at a time.
"More than once, we thought she was dead," Julie said.
One time, Julie went so far as to put an ad in the paper. Another time, the vet from Animal Health Center called and said someone had brought in a black cat that was run over in the street.
The feline always eventually returned. Bibby hasn't wandered off for two years, now, so Julie thinks she may be home to stay.
The abandoned, nearly starved-to-death kitten was found in a shed soon after Julie bought the flower shop and greenhouse at 1201 E. Main in 1989.
Dubbed "Bibby" because of the white bib under her face, she has been there ever since. She sleeps in a cabinet under the work table in the shop.
The cat wanders around the greenhouses from time to time and enjoys sitting in the front windows of the shop.
Employee Denise Matz said Bibby likes to play on the counter where she does flower arrangements. She likes to play with ribbons and whatever else happens to be lying around. She also likes to drink water from plant containers.
Julie said Bibby used to be skittish around people but now she associates the door bell with customers and tries to get their attention.
"The cat seems to be therapeutic for people who are facing difficult situations," she said.
One thing is for sure: Bibby has a good home at Main Street Flowers.
