R.I.P. Olga di Poggoity, 15, Peschel Press Office Manager

It is my sad duty to report that Peschel Press office manager Olga di Poggoity died last week at 15 years, 8 months.

Olga arrived with our primary office kitty, Ivan the Terrible, as a six-week-old kittens when our crazy redheaded cat lady neighbor moved out, leaving them behind along with unpaid rent and an apartment so saturated with cat urine that a Dumpster full of floorboards and sheetrock in the driveway outside our window reeked of it as the landlord made repairs.

Ivan the Terrible passed eighteen months ago, and after a few months mourning, Olga gingerly stepped into his paws as office manager, jumping up on the desk (or meowing to be picked up), and monitoring my writing by parking herself between me and the keyboard. When she was finished, she moved into her cushioned office chair. She was found here daily when winter came and the house grew colder, except for my office under the stairs.

Olga and her brother Ivan also participated as models in the Press’ photography department, posing for author photos, on NotQuilts, and with cloth grocery bags. Anytime fabric was placed on the floor, they were there, willing to pose (but never to take direction), sometimes with the office dog, Muffy.

Olga exhibited several aspects of her unique personality. She hated sitting in laps and being held, although she was willing to be captured by Teresa and rubbed vigorously. When she held Olga on her back by fingertips pressing her forepaws, she would remain in place for several minutes before fleeing.

With me, she would only approach while I was lying on bed and she could stand on my chest or otherwise above me, sniffing and licking at my nose until she took a bite. It is assumed she was taste-testing me to see if I was dead.

At night, in winter, she would wait until the lights are out, jump onto the bed, and demand to be let under the covers next to me so she could snuggle on my side pillow. She was especially insistent when I was reading my Kindle under the covers like a five-year-old.

She will be missed.

Job Opening at Peschel Press

This means that there’s an opening for the office cat(s) position at Peschel Press. Moggies interested in applying are invited to gather at the back door and meow. Aptitude tests will be administered in leaping, non-verbal communication, deconstruction of furniture fabric, pissing on drapes, and glaring. References will be checked.