Late Thursday morning, a cat named Eddy dozed on a glass countertop at A Novel Idea, over Desmond Tutu's "The Rainbow People of God" and "Motherless Brooklyn," by Jonathan Lethem.

His buddy - and former Cat House roomie - Padric had crashed, too, in a basket at the front of the used bookstore downtown on North 14th Street.

The cats are here because after the longtime bookstore cat, Silas, died earlier this year, store owners decided to engage in a friendly fundraising competition to help them pick a new kitty.

They asked customers to vote with their dollars.

The idea: Make a donation to either The Cat House or the Capital Humane Society. After a month, the store would adopt a cat from the organization that received the most monetary support.

Final tally: The Cat House $3,200. The Humane Society: $1,500.

"This town is amazing," part-time bookstore employee Carolyn Nolte said. "They just pooled together the change from their pockets and just donated."

The Cat House, a no-kill shelter, can spay or neuter and vaccinate 35 cats with the donation, said President Faye Stevens.

"I know Silas was well-loved around the world," she said, "and this was a good way to honor him and a great way to call attention to all the cats that are needing homes."

Although the plan was to adopt one cat, Eddy and Padric so charmed store owners that they took both to their new book-filled home nearly two weeks ago.

Shy Padric has finally come out from behind the litterbox in the bookstore bathroom.

And cat-with-an-attitude-Eddy already has chased a bird out the door.

The pair lived together at the Cat House, said Nolte.

Employees have come in to find them sleeping together in the same cat bed.

"I just love the cats," said Nolte, Eddy sprawled at her elbow.

And the cats?

"They just seem happy to have a new life here."

Reach Cindy Lange-Kubick at 473-7218 or clangekubick@journalstar.com.