I don’t have any cats right now. But if I’m taking a walk and I see a cat, I’m happy.
Haruki Murakami
I feel the same. I don’t own a cat and never have; not because I don’t like them but because I like them too much to subject one to the trials of our frequent absences from home. So instead I enjoy meeting cats when out walking in my neighbourhood, or anywhere else come to that! And I don’t believe I can walk past a cat without stopping to say hello and take a photo.
Earlier this year I posted ‘In praise of cats’. That was a colour gallery, so today I’ve re-edited some of the shots I included there as monochrome images for Elke’s Monochrome Madness theme of pets. I’ve also added a few different ones, including some taken more recently.
All these photos were edited with Nik Silver Efex Pro. My feature is of one of the many cats I’ve encountered close to home in Ealing.
I’ll finish with another favourite quote about cats and how they differ from dogs:
Owners of dogs will have noticed that, if you provide them with food and water and shelter and affection, they will think you are God. Whereas owners of cats are compelled to realise that, if you provide them with food and water and affection, they draw the conclusion that they are God.
Christopher Hitchens
Sleeping cat, Villa Laura B&B, near Catania, Sicily
In Cagliari, Sardinia
Cat on a cannon, Kotor, Montenegro
Ealing cat
Basil, my hairdresser’s cat
Jenny, Mandina Lodges, Gambia
In Marrakesh
Kitten in a plant pot, Marrakesh
In Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Another of the many cats in Kotor, Montenegro
In Nizwa, Oman
In Comuna 1, Medellin, Colombia
At Wat Xieng Thong, a temple in Luang Prabang, Laos
Shop cat, Hanoi, Vietnam
At the Diego Rivera Anahuacalli museum, Coyoacan, Mexico
53 Comments
wetanddustyroads
I have also never had a cat (and am slightly allergic to their soft fur), but I don’t let a moment pass without petting them when I see them passing by. It’s impossible to choose a favourite cat photo from your post, but the one in Medellin (Colombia) with its tongue sticking out is a great shot!
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you very much 😊 I’m impressed that you pet them even though you’re allergic!
equinoxio21
They don’t think they are God. They just know they are.
Purrr.
Sarah Wilkie
Haha yes, I suspect that’s true 😀
kzmcb
You’ve got some beautiful cats, there, Sarah and I can see them in colour in my mind.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you 😊 I have a feeling I’ve used the colour versions of many of these cats in other posts in the past!
grandmisadventures
These are all great kitty pictures- I’m not much of a cat person since I’m allergic. So your beautiful pictures are about as close as I would want to be to these feline friends
Sarah Wilkie
A shame that you’re allergic Meg, but I’m glad you were able to enjoy the photos at least!
K. Ravindra
I love these cats—they all appeal to me since I’m fond of cats as well as dogs. But there’s something uniquely wonderful about the independence cats carry.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you 🙂 I agree, it’s the independent spirit of cats that makes them so appealing!
Annie Berger
I hope that I don’t incur your ire when I say that Steven and I are not fans of cats, Sarah. He is very allergic to them, and I’ve never had an affinity for them.
However, I did enjoy your post and seeing again where our paths have crossed, but likely at very different times: Plovdiv, Luang Prabang, and Nizwa in this post.
Sarah Wilkie
If Steven has an allergy I can absolutely understand that you wouldn’t be fans of cats 🤗 But yes, it’s fun to spot places that we have in common!
leightontravels
Ah cats, one of my favourite subjects. We are the same as you in that we find it virtually impossible to walk past one without a stroke and some chit-chat. I have enjoyed scanning your various cats of the world, some really lovely shots that (once again) make me feel like sometimes a cat’s life is where it’s at. Naturally, I’m glad to see some Kotor kitties featured, though I am left slightly perturbed by the “don’t mess with me” look of the Ealing catticus. Brilliant shot of the Colombian cat mid-slurp, and I love the Hitchens quote, it’s funny and there is some truth in it.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Leighton 🙂 I know from your own posts that you too can’t pass a cat without stopping to say hello!
Monkey's Tale
We always had cats when I was growing up and I’d love to have one or two now, but as you said, it would be unfair to them since we’re away so often. Love the pictures, the shop cat in Hanoi made me giggle 😊 Maggie
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks Maggie 🙂 I think a lot of us who travel feel the same and instead of owning cats enjoy befriending (or trying to befriend) those we meet around the world!
Ritva Sillanmäki Photography
Lovely cats, they are all to my liking as I do love cats, well dogs too. But the independence of cats is so wonderful
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Ritva 😊 I do like a lot of dogs but I love ALL cats!
Ritva Sillanmäki Photography
😸
Teresa
Wow what a purrrr-fect collection. You’ve found a lot.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Teresa 😊 I wish I’d thought of that pun!
Leanne Cole
I love cats, but I would feel the same way if I travelled as much as you do. If you ever come to Melbourne I will have to introduce you to mine.
Sarah Wilkie
I’m always happy to meet people’s cats 🐈 Thanks Leanne!
Amy
Cute cats, Sarah! They are lovely in black and white.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Amy, I’m glad you liked seeing them 😀
bushboy
So many cats to find
Sarah Wilkie
I look out for them wherever we go!
bushboy
You won’t find many in Australian cities and towns. I walked around Grafton last week and didn’t see any
Anabel @ The Glasgow Gallivanter
Another version of the same sentiment is dogs have owners, cats have staff! These are great pictures. I love cats too, but haven’t had one for about 15 years for similar reasons, although we don’t travel all that much now. We’ve had two in the past. Both were originally strays who had been taken in by other people who then decided they were no longer convenient. Very different personalities – it always astonished me that creatures with brains the size of a walnut could have so much character and strength of will. They certainly managed to wind us round their little paws anyway!
Sarah Wilkie
Oh yes, I’ve heard that one too Anabel, and it sums up the differences perfectly! Sounds like your two cats fitted these quotes to a T 😃
margaret21
I love that quote: so true! And so good to see this gallery of cats. Worldwide, a cat is a cat is a cat it seems. The same rich variety everywhere.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Margaret 😊 I’m glad you enjoyed seeing all these cats and approved of the quote! Yes, cats seem to be pretty much the same deep down wherever you go – perhaps we should remember that and apply it to people too?
margaret21
ExACTly. A very good point.
Rose
The cuteness of a sleeping kitty cat with its paw over its eyes is utterly adorable. And finding kitty cats sitting in boxes always brings a smile, even if they don’t quite fit. 😊 I grew up with lots of cats and kittens. As an adult, I’ve only had one cat, we had our sweet calico girl for 16 years. Our hearts aren’t healed enough to bring another cat home. But we love that all our neighborhood cats (and dogs) stop by to visit us. We’re fortunate to live in a neighborhood where the pets are as smart and kind and respectful as the people. 🐱🐶💕
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Rose, I’m gladyou enjoyed seeing all these cats 😊 Yes, it’s a real pleasure to get to know your neighbourhood pets like that!
Rebecca
Cute! Similarly, I didn’t own cats growing up, so it wasn’t until recently that my partner and I got kittens, and I had a lot of learning to do. But they’re absolutely adorable and a bundle of joy, and I’m glad we got them! Thanks for sharing photos of cats you encountered on your travels!
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you very much Rebecca. I remember you said you only recently got cats – I’m glad they’re bringing you so much pleasure 😺
Tanja
They are all so cute. Great photos!
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks Tanja, glad you like them!
Egídio
All so beautiful!
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Egidio 😊
Susanne Swanson
What a wonderful gallery of cats! And I love the quotes, too. 😺
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you very much Suzanne 😊
Graham Stephen
⬻𓂀ღ☆∞♡ 🔺 𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓅𝓎 𝒻𝓇𝒾𝒹𝒶𝓎 🔺 ♡∞☆ღ𓂀⤖
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Graham 😀
Graham Stephen
🙏
🙇♂️
thehungrytravellers.blog
Is that Jennyanydots? 😂. I’m the opposite in a way, have always had cats until now, but obviously these days our lifestyle doesn’t have room for pets. I can definitely tell you that Hitchens’ quote is absolutely spot on and made me laugh out loud it’s so accurate. I never owned any of my cats, they all owned me. And I’m definitely still “Cat Man” (Michaela’s term for me) when we travel, I just can’t walk by without trying to befriend each and every one. Lovely selection of kitty pics , I could reach out to each of them 😀
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Cat Man 😺 I love that quote, it seems spot on to me!
thehungrytravellers.blog
Absolutely!
Sue
a fine collection! Kitten in a plant pot was cute…
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks Sue – I thought that one was rather sweet!
Sue
😊😊
Sue
Such big ears!