We live in a small coastal town that is well known as being "dog friendly". This is so very true. There are loads of them, often hanging out in their owners' shops, walking the sidewalks on leashes, or running on the beach. Most shops here even have little water bowls and baskets of "treats" for them.
I gotta say, it's a bit much, though, to see just how many of them are pushed about town dressed in full on baby clothes…and nestled comfortably in high end baby strollers. Seriously.
Hey, it takes all kinds, right?
Naturally, cats get short shrift, for the most part. Although the new owners of the place next to our gallery have a very friendly and flirty shop cat. It's a start….
In Panicale, it seems that most dogs are "working" dogs…living outdoors and keeping a close eye on the sheep, chickens, etc. We have some doggie pals in Panicale, for sure….but….
…..as dyed-in-the-wool cat lovers, we love seeing all the Italian kitties around the towns we visit.
Panicale has a kitty over population problem, as do many of the towns, but the family cats are well loved and seem to have a pretty sweet set-up.
The feral cats are taken care of, too. Left over pasta seems to be the staple food for them. The locals get tired of them, as they tend to dig up gardens to poo, and the scent of cat spray can get overwhelming at times.
Me, I just like getting to know them, take some pictures…maybe even get close, like we did last year…with Mitchell. She was so very dear, so shy and sweet…..
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| Classic shot of Mitchell |
We both hope she is still with us, because she was a nice part of last years visit to Panicale. We worked hard to make pals with her, and once we cracked her little shy shell, it was all over. We had ourselves little love-fests every day.
There are lots of other cats, too….some that we see regularly on our walks….
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| A Panicale cat |
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| This one is fat & happy, and super friendly. |
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| Another often seen, but super shy cat. |
This little sweetheart, in the two next shots, has Johnny in her sight. She sees him coming, and it's all over. She is super friendly, and loves being rubbed and pet….I want to take her home with us, but she belongs to a grandma nearby.
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| This youngster is very easy to love. And super "rubby" |
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| Here she is being rubby…..her most natural state. |
Mostly, I just try to get a nice little portrait. Cats do like to pose….. and they look so good with the stone buildings in the background.
Of course they come in all sorts of colors……..
They even have little jobs, like keeping track of artwork in important galleries.
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| Keeping it under control |
Though usually solitary creatures, we like to see them being social sometimes...
This rather large group, below, hangs out near the place where the fisherman clean and sort the days catch.
It's fishy.
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| Wait…What the…?!? Oopsey….. |
Did I mention how they like to pose? It's so true. Cats love to pose, they love to be flattered and they love to be the center of attention, as long as you don't ask them to "fetch".
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| Waited all winter for this day….. |
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| You don't see me, right? |
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| I'm not here, either. |
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| Just so happy for the mid day nap-a-thon |
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| Another poser. |
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| I will not look at you. No matter what. |
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| Me, either. Plus, I know you can't see me. |
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| She was very sweet and so camera ready. Poser. |
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| Right, and the view ain't bad, either…..Cortona poser. |
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| I will totally hypnotize you, if you don't go away. |
Because she looks a lot like our gone but never forgotten little Birdy, this cat holds a special place. She lives in Panicale, and I always love to see her.
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| A little bit of Birdy, right here in Panicale…... |
