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In this Blade archive file photo published May 29, 1975, Licorice the cat rings the doorbell to be let in its West Toledo house by Rudolph Macey, a computer operator from Owens-Illinois, Inc. The cat had just developed the trick a few months prior, forgoing the meows. 'It's the the first smart thing she's ever done,' Mr. Macey said of the stray adopted by their daughter Mary Beth four years ago.
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Monday Memories: Doorbell prankster? No, clever cat

THE BLADE/DON FLORY

Monday Memories: Doorbell prankster? No, clever cat

Rudolph Macey’s family thought neighborhood kids were playing the ‘doorbell ditch’: His doorbell rang, and nobody was there. But if they had looked down, they might have seen their cat, Licorice, slipping inside. The mystery was solved when Mr. Macey looked up from yard work and watched Licorice jump up on the porch railing, butt the doorbell with her head, and then jump down, waiting for the door to open.

‘It’s hard to believe, but I saw it happen with my own eyes,’ he said at the time.

In this May 1975 series of photos, Licorice demonstrated her technique, scooting in when Mr. Macey opened the door.

Toledo Zoo director Philip C. Skeldon said at the time the chances a cat would teach itself that trick accidentally was a ‘million-to-one shot.’ Licorice didn’t teach the trick to fellow furry family members, however. Cat Ebony and dog Tippy continued to meow and bark to be let in.

Go to thebladevault.com/memories to purchase more historical photos taken by our award-winning staff of photographers, past and present, or to purchase combinations of stories and photos.

First Published May 22, 2023, 10:00 a.m.

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In this Blade archive file photo published May 29, 1975, Licorice the cat rings the doorbell to be let in its West Toledo house by Rudolph Macey, a computer operator from Owens-Illinois, Inc. The cat had just developed the trick a few months prior, forgoing the meows. 'It's the the first smart thing she's ever done,' Mr. Macey said of the stray adopted by their daughter Mary Beth four years ago.  (THE BLADE/DON FLORY)  Buy Image
In this Blade archive file photo published May 29, 1975, Licorice the cat rings the doorbell to be let in its West Toledo house by Rudolph Macey, a computer operator from Owens-Illinois, Inc. The cat had just developed the trick a few months prior, forgoing the meows. 'It's the the first smart thing she's ever done,' Mr. Macey said of the stray adopted by their daughter Mary Beth four years ago.  (THE BLADE/DON FLORY)  Buy Image
THE BLADE/DON FLORY
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