― Mark Twain
I cannot disagree with the wise man. Cats cannot be made slaves. Look at this face if you had any doubts.
Look at this royal gesture.
A warrior fighting invisible evil…
“A silent guardian, a watchful protector”…
He used to live a life of emperor and didn’t know what was coming …
… but he took it with dignity.
Another remarkable cat I had a pleasure to meet.
Leo, the most patient and meek creature ever, a good-hearted friend of his humans and their young.
There are many kitties who are less fortunate, but you can see the aristocracy of blood showing through. This kitty was living in the streets and took the food offerings with grace and dignity.
I met this kitty in Dingle Peninsula, driving around the Slea Head. He was sitting at the empty cottage and wouldn’t make any eye contact with the strangers ( otherwise he didn’t mind us, and was actually purring).
This is another stray cat. The only difference is that he was living in Coliseum, Rome.
There are many stray cats in Rome. Old people feed them. The world is a better place because of the caring old people.
This young fella is KC, a member of a family of four cats all rescued by their human in different circumstances.
These three kittens were taken to the vets and put down by a man whom I knew as a kind and caring son, father and husband. I knew he didn’t want the kittens and I asked him if I could take them and find them home, but he lied that he would do it himself… Three years ago we were reconnected at the deathbed of our friend. After we left the room he was trying to make an apology, mumbling something about a reconciliation. I told him he was fine. The following year I got a word that he had an accident at work, and he isn’t himself anymore since. God knows, I didn’t wish him anything like that.
I still keep the simple toys I had made for them.
“The only escape from the miseries of life are music and cats…”
― Albert Schweitzer Cat’s in the Cradle” is a 1974 folk rock song by Harry Chapin from the album Verities & Balderdash. It has nothing to do with cats. The song is about a man who never had time for his son.
The Cat’s cradle is a string game. You can read about it and many more old and forgotten games here.
Well, we had enough of sad things, let’s have a chuckle 🙂
This image belongs to a Russian artist Svetlana Petrova. Click on the link to see Zarathustra the cat improving some famous artworks with his presence. When Svetlana’s mother died she was deeply depressed, and creating these images was a part of the healing process.
This cutie is Jonne. He had a big happy family – another two cats and a dog. They are all gone. When Jonne joined the family he was sick and weak because of neglect, and he was beaten too. It was long ago, he lives with his significant human now and they are inseparable.
Speaking of friendship.
“You know a real friend?
Someone you know will look after your cat after you are gone.”
― William S. Burroughs, Last Words: The Final Journals
Thank you for reading! These pictures were taken over the years, and some of the cats must have crossed the Rainbow bridge since.
Could you share a few words about your Pet ( not necessarily a cat)?
Photography tip of the day: Taking pictures of your pets use natural light and come closer. The best time for a portrait ( close up) is when the pet has just woke up and is still sleepy. Show their personality in your pictures: You know all these faces and looks, capture them 🙂
Have a great weekend!
Love cats. Had two when I was growing up, my first from a kitten, Chester was such a character, the second cat Gemima was a bit older when we gave her a home. Both very different characters! Now, I have a visiting cat that pops into my garden from time to time. Sadly I don’t own a cat as my husband is allergic. So, I enjoy my friends’ cats and our visitor. Recently a cat of a friend of mine died, I was very upset, he was a long haired fellow called Biscuit, such a lovely friendly cat. He always meowed in welcome every time I visited and he’d often sit on my lap.
Thank you for your comment, Marje! I am very glad you are a cat lover. It doesn’t necessarily mean you have to own one – I don’t have any cats because of my lifestyle, but I always show my love to them when I meet one. Sorry your friend Biscuit took off for the Rainbow Bridge… I have a few friends over there too. Thank you again for your wonderful comment!
It’s nice to chat about cats! I wondered if you’d come across this about cat cafes, I wish we had one of these in Cambridge. Via my blogging friend D. Dominik Wickles: https://ddominikwicklesromance.wordpress.com/2015/04/28/what-could-be-better-than-cats-with-your-tea/
That is so cool 🙂 I think they want to open one in Dublin, but I don’t know when.
Oh that would be great. 🙂
Sure! I only hope there is no abuse, and no animal run out in the street…
That’s so true about cats! They are beautiful animals too
I am a cat lover, so may be I exaggerate some times, a little bit 😉
I am a cat lover too, cats have been around me my whole life. Right now I have four… and no… I do not think you exaggerate… much 😉
LOL, thank you!
Thanks for stopping by Artsyberger: I have two dogs who are unrepentant cat haters, so thanks for the photos – as close as I’ll ever get to real cats!
Haha, we have to follow the rules our pets set for us 🙂 Glad you had a chance to get a glimpse of my cats before your dogs caught you red-handed 🙂
I like the cats with six toes best. I think they play piano a lot better than the five toed variety. Do you agree?
They might, but have you ever seen a sheet music written for 6 toes?
Yes. There was a cool, six toed cat playing the piano at a cantina in Catalina. The sheet music looks a lot like organ music. He had a tip jar for catnip instead of money. 🙂
Oh I see…Never tip a cat with catnip: he might start nipping around and tip you over. Happens in Catalina on a regular basis.
You can bet your litter box on that! 🙂
🙂
Lovely photos! The Mark Twain quote was the perfect opener. He was quite a cat-lover. Perhaps he grew to appreciate cats when he was a riverboat pilot – they are common boat passengers, prized for their rodent-hunting skills.
Thank you for stopping by! You are right about the boats, they always had cats on board. 🙂
The pictures are great as always, makes it look something majestical but don´t they give you a not so warm feeling. I like coming home to my farting dog wiggling his tail and jumping on me. Cats are mean and have no heart…… 😉
They have a heart! 🙂 One day when you get a cat and love him read my blog again 🙂
If he first love me that is the question, but I´ll still read your blog anyways
Thanks 🙂