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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Libby the cat

Libby Center has a kitty mascot. The brown and black tabby greets students and bus drivers as they arrive each morning and again when they leave. He's fearless and super friendly. The students call him Libby, Whiskers, Einstein and Cleo and then argue about which one is correct. His real name is top secret. The cat's owner lives near the school, and he says greeting kids morning and afternoon is tradition for his felines. The tabby took over for Smokey, a gray kitty.

Liiby Center student Ella Fornof spends a few moments early Friday morning, Oct. 31, 2014, with the neighborhood cat.

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“Libby” the neighborhood cat lounges in the grass before busloads of children arrive for school, Oct. 31, 2014, at the Libby Center, in Spokane.

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“Libby” the neighborhood cat hears the arrival of busloads of children for school, Oct. 31, 2014, at the Libby Center.

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Libby Center principal Debra DeWitt offers a hand to “Libby” the neighborhood cat before busloads of children arrive for school, Oct. 31, 2014.

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Libby Center students arrive for school Friday morning, Oct. 31, 2014, as “Libby” the cat sits on the sidewalk.

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Libby Center student Isaac Garza reaches down to say hi to “Libby” the neighborhood as he arrives for school, Oct. 31, 2014.

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The neighborhood cat has been visiting students in the mornings and afternoons for almost a decade. It carries many names, such as Libby, Whiskers, Einstein, and Road Kill.

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School bus driver David Schudel greets “Libby” the neighborhood cat upon his arrival to the Libby Center, Oct. 31, 2014.

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School bus driver David Schudel has a gentle touch for “Libby” the neighborhood cat upon his arrival to the Libby Center, Oct. 31, 2014. Schudel gives the cat a treat when it jumps up on the dash.

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After a morning of greeting Libby Center students, “Libby” the cat returns to his nearby home to roam in the front yard.

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