Sunday 12 February 2012

Cats


The last week has been such a relief, with hot sun and blue cloudless skies instead of freezing temperatures and snow.  The very South of Spain has mostly escaped the bad weather which has been plaguing so much of Europe lately and it has been a good place to be.

One afternoon, a few days ago I spotted a man feeding some stray cats.  It was obviously a regular thing, and four cats were hanging around waiting and watching (at a safe distance) while he tipped two bags of  food out onto the ground - one of fish, and one of what looked like dried cat food. 

Unfortunately I didn't have my camera handy to photograph this kindly man, but I took a photo of three of the cats after he'd gone (the fourth kept skulking behind a tree)


I took the picture because actually they were the fattest and glossiest street cats I've seen.  They ate at top speed and soon there was nothing left.  I was glad someone was looking after them, but that evening, in the dark, I spotted a much thinner street cat.  

Can you spot her, blending into the background under the yellow  lighting, staring warily at me?  


Poor skinny little thing.  I wished I'd been able to speak cat language, so I could have told her where to go to find a square meal.

I'm not sure the others would have let her join in, mind you. Fat cats don't necessarily like to share. 

52 comments:

  1. I was thinking those cats were too fat to street cats too! My neighbor takes care of the wild cats in our area. I would say that it's a wonderful thing that she does, except those cats have made a home under my front porch, along with the raccoons. I won't go into the problems I have thanks to my unwelcome house guest. But my four legged kids don't like them.
    Oh and my name is Bonnie.

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  2. That's so very true, in so many ways. :)

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  3. Fat cats don't necessarily like to share.
    No truer words were ever spoken. ;)

    Glad the gentleman feeds those, though. :)

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  4. I'm always glad to hear of strays being taken care of by such kindness. I hope the little street cat gets a share eventually. Lovely shots.

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  5. It's true with people too: fat cats don't like to share.

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  6. The healthy ones are really healthy looking indeed.

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  7. what a mysterious and lovely post. Yes, the sleekest street cats EVER!




    Warm Aloha from Waikiki
    Comfort Spiral

    > < } } ( ° >
    ><}}(°>

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  8. I'm so envious you got to enjoy the sun and warmth. While we've had a very mild winter so far, it's not been warm and sunny - that's for sure!

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  9. "Fat cats don't necessarily like to share." Ne'er a truer word has been spoken.

    Here in my neighbourhood there's a "cat watch" who takes care of strays. I've also noticed that homeless men seem to adopt some strays. (Which only confirms your comment about fat cats.) I'm tempted to say it looks like a happy feline life, but then I remember how cold it gets at night ...

    That last photo is beautiful!

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  10. "Fat cats don't necessarily like to share." Now there's a statement which could start a huge debate. After a fellow blogger's post yesterday I'm just drafting a post with a certain relevance to that sentiment. In addition I happen to be reading "The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists". Hmmm. With the world in yet another economic and social crisis it's interesting to make the comparison between four-legged and two-legged creatures.

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  11. See Jenny, I am not the only one. I usually carry a bag of dry cat food in my poscket or handbag (sometimes even in the car) and if I see a starving cat I will often give it some food. Mad, stupid, prolonging their agony - I've been called much worse.

    My first rescue cat was only a day or two away from starving to death. She has become a well-loved member of the family, and it is thinking of her (and knowing I can't give them all homes) which prompts me to try to help a little.

    Glad you are enjoying some sun.

    Isabel x

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  12. For many years, I've been a member of an organization that supports projects helping animals in many different ways. The most effective one (but, unfortunately, also the most staff- and money-intensive one) reg. stray cats is to catch them, have them neutred (and given other medical treatment if necessary) and release them in the vicinity of where they were caught. Just feeding them, as kind as it is and as nearly impossible to resist when one sees such street cats (especially the skinny variety), only increases the problem.
    And you are right, the fat glossy group would have most likely chased the skinny little one off before it had a chance to grab a bite!

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  13. Stray cats are often very fat as everyone takes pity on them and feeds them, and they still chase mice...smart animals, i love them!
    Could adopt all those in your photos!

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  14. The white cat with the black markings reminds me of the one I had for many years. The cat in the last picture really does blend in with the building. It's an excellent capture. I have never seen a fat feral cat. They are lucky that someone takes the time to provide a decent menu.

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  15. Aw poor skinny cat. That is a lovely photo of her though.
    What a lovely man to feed the strays x

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  16. its easier for a thin cat to pass through the eye of an needle than for a fat cat to share - or so it seems. Cats are survivors - i hope this one is too.

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  17. I remember well seeing the street cats in Spain, it made me want to keep a stash of food on me at all times ... you're right about the three fat cats, given their size I imagine the nice man may have fed them regularly :o)

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  18. I suspect the cats are so plump because more than one person is feeding them. We have a neighbourhood cat who was getting bigger and bigger and I think that was why.

    The thin white cat who hasn't sussed out the extra grub is probably the healthiest one.

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  19. A picture to die for, indeed - with frozen snow still on the ground and clouded skies.

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  20. I hope the poor white kitty gets fed.

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  21. It is very cold here in the Uk at the moment with snow and I wish I was in sunny Spain again!
    When I last visited Spain, I was also sad to see the skinny street cats.
    It makes you want to take them all home and look after them!
    However, that was not possible, but it is good to see that some people give these poor creatures some food.
    It was great to visit your blog here and I love your photos.

    Best wishes,
    Jo May.

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  22. I have two cats, one fat, one slim. Brother and sister. They make me very happy and I sometimes wonder what would happen to them should anything serious happen to me. Right now they're asleep, almost spreadeagled on my couch and blissfully unaware of the notion of stray cats and their Stray Cat Strut. I'm a fan of Spain, the south in particular, but I must say, I've never seen stray cats that fat! Should I accuse you of a fit of Photoshopping, I wonder. ;)

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  23. The cat and the colors in the last photo are really beautiful. Hope you enjoy that nice warm weather.

    Darla

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  24. What nice things to do, helping the homeless. Beautiful photos.

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  25. Thanks for the comments! Their general portliness was the reason I took the photo - not photoshopped, RCB!- and it was quite funny to see them all glaring at each other as they ate. (In that way, too, they reminded me of a bunch of *ank*rs.)
    And I love your comment, Val!

    When I passed on my way back a few hours later day every bit of the fish had gone, but there was still some of the other stuff (dry cat food, I think) and this was providing a feed for some birds.

    Isabel, I cannot imagine that it is prolonging their agony to feed them, but I know what you mean about those wretched ill fed cats in some places. I take the view that any living creatures may deserve help, unless they are really miserable or in pain.

    Talking of which I saw quite a few beggars in Spain, I don't know if there is a social security system there for them.

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  26. You've obvioysly touched a nerve here - these are lovely pictures, particularly the little skinny cat hiding against the pillars. You have cheered my cold Sunday.

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  27. Aw, poor little skinny cat! You really do get around Jenny. It must be lovely to feel a little warmer and get away from the snow.

    Many thanks for your comments. I do like your idea of the egg cosy and tea cosy...mmm...a future project perhaps. Enjoy your Sunday, love Linda x

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  28. I just want to hug that last cat, although I very much doubt it would let me!

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  29. "Fat cats don't necessarily like to share." Oh, Jenny, you made a proverb. That's why they are fat cats.
    I saw an elderly man feeding street cats the other day. The cats were also fat. They seemed to try to eat as much as possible following their instinct. I felt pity for them.
    keiko

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  30. That skinny cat actually looks a little scary; maybe its the lighting!

    When I was living in Glasgow, my friend and I always used to talk about how fat the pigeons were and how they didn't seem particularly scared of people. Of course, things might have been different if there were fat cats around!

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  31. Well, being a huge cat lover, I so enjoyed this post, Jenny!

    Love the photo of the skinny cat because it almost looks as though it's part of the marble architecture! Beautiful color in that shot too.

    Spain is a country I would loved to one day visit. Especially Barcelona.

    Happy Sunday, dear lady!

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  32. Oh how sweet of that person. Poor thin cat.
    www.thoughtsofpaps.com

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  33. I I had a big house with a tall garden , I would be ready to adopt any little baby cat I meet, like this white one. I can't imagine the life they have in streets.. Everyone knowing cats knows how lovely and tender they can be, and how much they need and like safety.Great post!

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  34. How nice that someone was feeding at least some of the stray cats. I've only been to Spain once and there were stray dogs and cats everywhere. It's the case in many Mediterranean and North African countries I think. I always feel so sad for them.

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  35. It looks like those fat kitties have been the beneficiaries of many kind strangers.

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  36. Fat cats don't have street cred she muttered cryptically

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  37. Greetings,
    Yes, tis I, Penny the Jack Russell dog and modest internet star. I have just taken over my human's keyboard in order to delight you with one of my highly anticipated comments :)
    Ah yes 'Fat Cats' and I'm suddenly thinking about the 'Big Bank Theory', which evidently is not a theory, at all...Um, thanks for sharing.
    Pawsitive wishes and doggy kisses, Penny xx

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  38. There is a colony of feral cats in Seaside, Florida. Collection jars are kept in most of the local shops asking for donations to feed and neuter the cats. It is a community effort to put out food and fill water dishes in various spaces throughout the village. It is a lovely spot for visitors both of the human and feline kind. Beautiful photos. (I dream of visiting Spain). Bonnie

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  39. What a beautiful colour that little cat is, all tawny like my Siamese. Or is it a trick of the light?

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  40. Hi, Jenny! Nice pictures and cats :o) Love cats :o)
    Haave a wonderland week
    hugs
    Natasha

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  41. Actually my cat now is one of protected ones which was taken care of by a volunteer group. I have the utmost respect for volunteer workers who catch the stray cats and get them neutered not to increase the stray cat population and try to find the foster family to let them die of age happily.

    I know some community to keep stray cats as community cats. Residents volunteer to feed and clear the place in turn at some fixed place, though firstly they have to catch them to get them neutered. It takes understanding and cooperation of neighboring residents but I really wish this movement spread for the happy coexistence between us and them.

    I once joined in feeding and noticed fatty bossy cats taking lion's share,so some "intervention" needed.

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  42. I used to feed a stray cat... and then I realised that he was very fat because half the neighbourhood were also feeding him.
    Actually what he really needed was some worm tablets.
    Sx

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  43. The yellow door with the cat as focus is very appealing. I would make this an 8X10 and hang it with my others, were it me. But that's just me!

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  44. interesting article...
    cats are lovely creatures...

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  45. What wonderful photos. They show the world of cats. I'm sure it's worthy of a longer saga than those ones about vampires...

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  46. There is quite a contrast between your last 2 posts. :) Did the cats eat the dried cat food?

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  47. I’m happy for you that you were blessed with such a nice weather in southern Spain.

    What a camouflage! The cat totally blends into the background. Staying that way might be safe in a sense but getting noticed could attract more people’s attention. Good luck, cat!

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  48. haha..its sad that the fatter one gets, the miser he/she becomes... so maybe fat cats are greedier... :)

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  49. When in Israel there were vast amounts of feral cats around, a very sad sight.

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