Larry T. Cat, a beloved feline by Bloomsburg students and those on College Hill, has been diagnosed with bone marrow cancer. 

If you have ever walked through College Hill just off campus leading into town, you may have run into a gray tuxedo cat also known as Larry The Cat. Larry has attracted numbers of college students over the years with his friendly demeanor and sweet disposition. He tends to sit outside on the sidewalk in front of Feel Good Acupuncture, which not only serves as a clinic, but also Larry’s home.  

Larry’s Story

Debbie Smith, Feel Good Acupuncture’s business operator, is the proud owner of this iconic cat. Their story started in 2010 when Smith was away on a cycling trip and a friend taking care of her home noticed a cat sleeping on the back porch. “He was still hanging out when I got back… I originally tried to talk my friend into taking him,” Smith said. She then explains that her friend had a dog and didn’t think a cat would work. Then the cat who would soon be known as Larry, started bringing Smith squirrels. “I thought, ‘oh we’ll make room for you’, because I like cats who work… So, he got to stay,” Smith said. 

Smith explains how ever since he came into her life, Larry loved to follow her around. His affectionate personality was not something that had to be taught. Smith describes him as a “love bug.”

Larry grew to have a preference for being outside. Over time though, he developed feline hyperesthesia, a painful condition that affects the nerve endings. Smith began to keep Larry inside permanently as a safety precaution. 

However, a few years later during the pandemic Smith got sick. Smith says “a part of my recovery was spending a lot of time in the hammock in my backyard, I just felt better outside. And he would come with me.” 

With less traffic on the streets, it wasn’t as nerve-racking letting Larry outdoors. This lowered Larry’s stress levels drastically. 

“I mean, it was really dramatic,” Smith says, “as soon as we lowered his stress levels, his condition got so much better.” This led to Larry’s family deciding to allow him to galavant outside more often than not. 

“He did a good job staying close to the house and he mostly just wanted to sit out there and seduce the college kids,” Smith said. 

The Cat Connection

What’s truly special about Larry, is the connection his presence made between college students and the town of Bloomsburg. 

Smith didn’t have the best impression of students due to party culture. However, when asked what it’s like watching the cat interact with so many students she said, “it fixed something really big for me.” Witnessing students give affection to the feline changed Smith’s perspective. She didn’t see all students as the same anymore. “I would say most of the students here are really fantastic.” 

Students all across Bloomsburg have given Larry love. Groups of people will sit on the sidewalk just to pet him. He has frequently been posted on social media, and his residence has even been coined as “Larry’s House.” 

Smith shared a story about how someone picked Larry up, thinking he was a stray. However, when he posted on Facebook so someone could claim him, a group of college girls noticed the iconic cat. He was back at home in less than four hours. She also shared stories of noticing Larry follow students around and waiting for people to come down the hill.. “Larry’s favorite thing isn’t just to be outside,” Smith said, “it’s to be outside with his people.”

The shared love and care for this cat shows how something as small as an animal can bring people together, and restore faith. 

A Closing Chapter

Larry has recently been diagnosed with bone marrow cancer, and with his age of 17, Smith says she’s comfortable not having precise answers. It is unclear how much time he has left. Larry is currently spending his time resting and snacking, living as lavishly as he can. 

“He’s kind of the king of College Hill… It is Larry’s house.”