Cat Nipped

A woman and her cat (B)

2010-08-06T19:00:00.001-05:00

A woman and her cat (B)
originally uploaded by Anna Osk
website: Anna Osk

Cat's name: Gunner

Human's name: Ashley

Length of cohabitation: 8 years

How they came to live with each other: Story unknown, although Ashley and Gunner moved to the US from Sweden together

Tell us about this photo: I was shooting Ashley and Gunner just happened to walk by . . . he obviously wanted to be part of the shoot and so we let him :)

What you love most about your cat (or cats in general): I do love cats myself, although I don't own one. I like how they are very independent and how they have very distinct personalities

henri e rosa

2010-03-30T17:23:00.001-05:00

henri e rosa

originally uploaded by mari guima

Cat's name: Henri

Human's name: Rosa Maria

Length of cohabitation: Henri was born on December 16th, 2001 - almost 9 years!

How you came to live with each other: My best friend gave him to me as a gift. His name is Henrique, so I named the cat Henri in the honor of my best friend!

Favorite shared activity: sleep in my office . . .

Tell us about this photo: I love to take pictures of my cats and this particular day, my mom was carrying Henri and I asked her to stay still because the light was very nice on them, and I took my camera and shot the photos.

What you love most about your cat (or cats in general): they are so charming, loving, intelligent, independent, sophisticated, misterious, and at the same time, funny and fun!! I love everything about them!!!

How or why you incorporate cats in your photography: they are so nice models!!!!

Self Portrait with Fiddy, Feb. 2009

2010-03-26T22:02:00.001-05:00

Self Portrait with Fiddy, Feb. 2009

originally uploaded by Kevin Steele

Cat's name: Fiddy

Human's name: Kevin Steele

Length of cohabitation: Almost 3 years

How you came to live with each other: Six or so years ago Fiddy kittened with my younger brother out west in our hometown Saskatoon. My brother named him.

Five years ago I adopted a young orange cat named Toby. Shortly after that my brother came east to stay with me and Fiddy became my mother's cat. So now we each had a new orange and white cat!

Mom had always taken pictures. She had a darkroom in the house when I was growing up in the seventies. She gave me a nice camera when I was young but I wasn't allowed to use her darkroom.

Mom started using Flickr in 2004. She was very social on Flickr and loved uploading pictures of just about anything. She gave my brother and I Flickr accounts as a way to stay in touch after he came east.

I had already been uploading cat and street pictures to my personal web site for a few years but the community on Flickr really inspired me to take and share far more pictures. I was blessed with a few very photogenic cats who enjoyed that kind of attention and we were able to collaborate for many fun pictures. Mom was inspired to take pictures of her cats, too, especially Fiddy. Mom and I did not have any trouble talking openly, but I also cherish the way we were able to have a photographic relationship as well.

A few months after mom's unexpected death in late 2006, Fiddy was sent 1800 miles east to live here.

Fiddy is The Family Cat.

Favorite shared activity: Fiddy loves being fed, and he does like to chase things on strings.

Tell us about this photo: At a Flickr meetup a friend wanted a sense of how big Fiddy really was so that week I set out to take the picture to show his size, which was nearly twenty pounds. I had only recently bought a remote control and was happy to find reasons to use it.

That was a bit more than a year ago. Fiddy has been on a diet since the fall and is now closer to 16 lbs, and I think he's just about perfect.

What you love most about your cat (or cats in general): I love how willful they are. And soft. Willful and soft.

How or why you incorporate cats in your photography: It's an interesting challenge to get better at making cat pictures, and forces me to learn different things than my other photographic interests do.

When a session breaks out with the cats it can be breathless, exciting. I love it when the cats enjoy the interaction.

I like taking pictures of many cats I meet.

Favorite animal charity: Work takes me to Virginia often and I like to visit the cats at the Cats Cradle Adoption Centre in Harrisonburg, VA.

sweetness follows

2010-03-15T19:28:00.000-05:00

sweetness follows originally uploaded by Jamile

Cat's name: nino

Human's name: jamile

Length of cohabitation: about 1 year

How you came to live with each other: a few months after i had to get my previous beloved kitty named pixie euthanasied, i started looking for a new cat at local shelters websites. i thought i'd never find such a sweetie as pixie, that would be ok with my "elmyra duff instinct". then i found nino and he's even better than i expected.

Favorite shared activity: general petting and play catch (he has a precise way to invite me to run around the apartment, trying to catch him)

Tell us about this photo: nino spends the day alone in the apartment, and everytime i get home, he hears me in the hallway and starts meowing. so as soon as i get in, i pick him up in a tight hug. this picture is one of these hugs.

What you love most about your cat (or cats in general): to begin with, everything. specially about nino, i love that he likes to be squeezed.

How or why you incorporate cats in your photography: cats are great subjects...

Felines . . .

2010-03-11T21:58:00.000-06:00

Felines . . . originally uploaded by Christy

Cat's name: Persephone

Human's name: Christy

Length of cohabitation: We met last year and have been friends since

How you came to live with each other: On a very spontaneous day, my friend and decided to go to the animal shelter just to take a look around. We both fell in love with a pair of kittens who had just arrived at the shelter for a second time. They came in together and we thought, why not get both of them? So we did :)

Favorite shared activity: playing with string

Tell us about this photo: I was taking a portrait and had this image in my mind for a while. While taking it though, she was a great sport and posed in many different ways for about 20 takes!

What you love most about your cat (or cats in general): Their sophistication, their complexity, and the mysterious way they get people to want their approval as a friend. Purring on my lap is nice too.

{149/365} Fiona

2010-03-07T12:20:00.001-06:00

{149/365} Fiona originally uploaded by Sarah Robinson

Cat's name: Fiona

Human's name: Sarah

Length of cohabitation: Fiona was born on October 5th, 2009 and has lived with us since birth...so about 5 months!

How you came to live with each other: Fiona's mommy lived with us a short while after she found us. We fed her and loved her and came to find out that she was pregnant! How exciting! Well, my husband wanted to take her to the shelter right away and I convinced him that it would be fun to have kittens and we'd find homes for all of them. We found home for all but two kittens as well as the momma kitty. We kept the two kittens ( I kind of didn't take them with me to give away like I was supposed to, lol). The little black female I named Fiona, from the movie Shrek. The other kitty is a fluffy tabby that we call Loki, after the Norse God of Mischief!

Favorite shared activity: Fiona loves to run into the shower right after I turn the water off. She loves to watch the water drops run off of the walls. I thank it's so funny to watch her. She also loves to wake me up with huge purrs in the middle of the night, she gets her pets then curls up in between my knees.

Tell us about this photo: Fiona is a born model! She is so intense and gets so focused on things. I just picked her up and held her and she did the rest. She's a wonderful kitten and so photogenic!

What you love most about your cat (or cats in general): They are hours of free entertainment! I have had some of the best laughs watching my two kitties! I also love their big purrs and how they love to cuddle!

How or why you incorporate cats in your photography: I love my cats and I want to remember that bond that we have even after they are gone. Besides, who doesn't love putting an animal in a portrait! They might steal the shot, but they're so cute while doing it!

Favorite animal charity: I really only give to local shelters that help the animals in need in my area. I also donate to the low cost spay and neuter clinics!

Me and Sophie

2009-10-09T20:46:00.020-05:00

Me and Sophie, originally uploaded by ~*Leah*~

Etsy shop: Modern Adornments

Cat's name: Sophie

Human's name: Leah

Length of cohabitation: 3 months

How you came to live with each other: I adopted her from a no-kill shelter called Operation Kindness

Favorite shared activity: Lying around and reading

Tell us about this photo: I just wanted to take a picture to introduce Sophie to my internet friends. I feel this picture captures her curiosity and her beauty.

What you love most about your cat (or cats in general): They are so loving and affectionate. I really appreciate their companionship. They have such distinct personalities. I love coming home to them and talking about our day :) My kitties are talkers!

Favorite animal charity: Operation Kindness

They are a no- kill animal shelter. They have a wonderful cat room and cat porch that the cats can roam around in (as long as they are healthy and comfortable with other cats) so that they do not have to stay in cages. The people that work and volunteer there are very loving and work hard to better the situation of animals in the community.

Too much work and no play . . .

2009-08-30T11:18:00.001-05:00

Too much work and no play . . . originally uploaded by donkeymasterflash

website: Mehdy Nasser Photography

Cat's name: Chick-O

Human's name: Mehdy

Length of cohabitation: 16 days

How you came to live with each other: That's quite a long story, and English is not my first language but I'll try: I've always had cats. My first one passed away a few month ago at the age of 25 years old. He spent his last months sleeping in my bed. So I really felt strange when he suddenly disappeared . . . I have other cats we rescued from the street, but I didn't see them grow (up). I just feel like there isn't the same "bond" between us. So I decided to get another kitty, just to be my new best friend. And that's how Chicko entered my home. His name is a kind of tribute to Chick Corea - one of the greatest jazz pianist ever , and one of the people that influences my way of playing music everyday :)

Favorite shared activity: Watching TV. ( I watch TV, he plays with my shoes)

Tell us about this photo: I had an awful day at work. I was just feeling brainwashed. When I took the shot, Chicko was jumping to get in the way... so I took him on my shoulder. In the end, I thought he was just like a little surrealstic touch to the shot.

How or why you incorporate cats in your photography: He just incorporates himself in my photography :-)

Woman Dreaming of Being a Cat

2009-08-16T14:39:00.015-05:00

Woman Dreaming of Being a Cat; originally uploaded by Hope

Etsy Shop: Hope Images

Websites: Hope Harris Photography

Two Friends Pet Portrait Photography

Cat's name: Henry

Human's name: Hope

Length of cohabitation: 7 years

How you came to live with each other: Henry lived downstairs from me with a single mom and her 3 young sons. He would come and want to hang out, which made me very happy and at the time I had no idea who he belonged to because he had no collar or tags. He often stayed over and I started feeding and caring for him and decided to call him Henry after an old friend of mine from Chicago. I later found out that his given name was "Easter" and he lived downstairs but I think all the children were too much for him. A year later, the family was going to be moving to a larger home and the mom came upstairs to speak with me. Henry hid behind the stove because he did not want to go. She explained to her sons that “Easter” would be happier staying with me, as he was now 11 years old and it would be too difficult for him to move to a new location. I was never so happy! We were together until he died at the age of 18. He was very human like and sensitive and always well behaved and kind . . .

Favorite shared activity: We liked just sitting together, he upon my lap, and taking in the beauty of peace and quiet. Our other beloved activity was when I had a photo session, wherein, he always loved to take a pose with whomever were the subjects…….he was such a delight in every way!

Tell us about this photo: This was during a photo session I did of a client……he took right to her and the energy of the moment and became a reflection of the woman…… in both spirit and form . The memory of his ability to become a part of the process still leaves me speechless.

What you love most about your cat (or cats in general): I love their beauty of expression, spirit, their gentleness, awareness, and grace. I truly love everything about them and learn more each day , as it is my great fortune to live with them and have quality time in their amazing presence.

How or why you incorporate cats in your photography: Because of all their special qualities and the list is endless!

Favorite animal charity: Most all of them

Blixa and Mia

2009-08-09T21:18:00.020-05:00

Blixa and Mia, originally uploaded by Niklas

blog: Niklas' Blog

Cat's name: Blixa

Human's name: Mia

Length of cohabitation: 4 months

How you came to live with each other: we actually bought her from a breeder who at the time sold Sphynx cats (and today only American Hairless Terriers)

Favorite shared activity: playing/cuddling with her tummy

Tell us about this photo: Mia was getting ready for the day and Blixa - as usual - climbed up the towel-warming device and didn't know how to get down properly. She does today, however. Little devil...

What you love most about your cat (or cats in general): their individuality

How or why you incorporate cats in your photography: because I love them and photograph all of my family members

Favorite animal charity: Stockholms Katthem - do donate

self-portrait (disturbed)

2009-08-05T19:50:00.009-05:00

self-portrait (disturbed), originally uploaded by FrizzText

blog: Frizz Kolumne

Cat's name: Emily

Human's name: FrizzText

Length of cohabitation: 7 years

How you came to live with each other: our son-in-law found that cat, aged three weeks, under a car near Venice, hungry; he called her Amelia, but we use to call her Emily (Dickinson); she shares our life in Germany now, guarding our large garden; every day she delivers a killed mouse; maybe some Italian mafiosi among her ancestors

Favorite shared activity: brushing her fur

Tell us about this photo: we tried to make a self-portrait, using a mirror in our dining-room - we: barbara and dietmar fritze, married since 1965; but of course our cat ignored our work, she had to do her daily patrol

What you love most about your cat: sleeping and purring on me in the night, so that I can't sleep

How or why you incorporate cats in your photography: cats are a symbol of independence, of being free; cats do belong to no one - but they belong to locations; both topics are interesting subjects for a photographer

Lazy Sunday Afternoon

2009-07-26T23:19:00.009-05:00

Lazy Sunday Afternoon, originally uploaded by Kidayo

Cat's name: Shoyru

Human's name: Jolanda

Length of cohabitation: 3 yrs

How you came to live with each other: i really wanted a fluffy cat, my favourites are Maine coons, this little pink creature is a mix between 3 furry species : ) i found him on the internet, then picked him up the next day *little secret, i was not allowed to have cats in my studenthome, but he lived there with me for 2 months* then i bought the home featured on the picture!

Favorite shared activity: watching tv with a cup of tea, and of course, shoyru is sleeping on my lap.

Tell us about this photo: i wanted to make a clone-shot, and he kept on walking in during the shoot. so i decided that if he really wanted to be in the shot, he was allowed to!

What you love most about your cat: I have got 3 cats, and they're all 3 completely different, Shoyru just loves to cuddle all the time, that's what i like the most about him.

How or why you incorporate cats in your photography:

Like i said, it was not my choice, he decided he should be in the shot :)

2009-07-16T11:48:00.014-05:00

Chairman Jonah with Madam Meow, originally uploaded by Jake & Micah

website: Jake & Micah

blog: Jake & Micah Blog: Adventures in Catnip

Cat's name: Jonah (Joan Bear)

Human's name: Mei

Length of cohabitation: 8 months

How you came to live with each other: After the sudden passing of our beloved cat Micah we weren’t sure how or when we’d be ready for a new cat. Our older cat Jake was terribly lonely so it was decided a month later that it was time. I knew I wanted another Siamese so I put the word out to several rescue organizations. Just as I was about to give up I received an email with a link to his story and photo. I knew immediately that he was the one. We had to wait 2 whole days for the shelter he was being held at to re-open, then we rushed down and adopted him right away. He was terribly shy at first but every day he becomes more and more outgoing.

Favorite shared activity: Taking him outside to explore the backyard or sleeping in with him in the morning. He also likes to just hang out right next to me on the couch while we watch t.v.

Tell us about this photo: I was hoping to get portraits of myself with each of the cats. That is easier said than done of course. I like the way this one turned out because it’s not your run of the mill “cat with human” portrait. Jonah is the focal point and I especially like that.

What you love most about your cat: Jonah has the silliest personality that perfectly matches his quirky appearance. He has one floppy ear, crossed eyes, vampire fangs and ants in his pants. He is the most playful cat I’ve ever known. You can’t help but smile when you look at him. He’s simply adorable.

How or why you incorporate cats in your photography: Cats are perfect for photographing. I take photos of my cats every day and I photograph cats during all my travels. Esthetically they’re enchanting and the camera just loves their beauty, grace and full range of expressions.

Favorite animal charity: Best Friends Animal Society

Velcome To Our Pawty

2009-07-07T20:57:00.010-05:00

Velcome To Our Pawty, originally uploaded by peterkelly.

Cat's Name: Dede (full name: Deanna Troy)

Humans' names: Christie Bahlai and John Gerrath

Length of cohabitation: 12 years (with Christie)

How you came to live with each other: Dede came from an animal rescue organization as a kitten and as Christie puts it, she was a summer divorce gift from her mother!

Favourite shared activity: spooning

Tell us about this photo: Christie and John wanted me to take a portrait of them to commemorate their marriage and to put on thank you cards. However, they wanted something quirky that suited their personalities.There was a real natural flow to the composition with both parties suggesting items that would enhance it's quirkiness. John's cardigan and Christie's glasses are critcal to the photo. Christie insisted that they pose in front of the old organ in the background; a nice touch. Dede was an add-on in the latter part of the shoot.

What you love about cats in general: their very distinctive personalities and of course, they're great companions.

How or why do I incorporate cats into my photography: because cats are often elusive animals, they skulk about never really wanting you to know where they're going. Including one in a photograph adds a sense of mystery.

Favourite Animal Charity: Guelph Humane Society

.2285

2009-07-06T11:41:00.000-05:00

.2285 originally uploaded by welcome, ghosts

Blog: for the hymn of cigarettes

Cat's name: Alfons

Human's name: Annette

Length of cohabitation: Almost two years.

How you came to live with each other: His mother who had been with us for several years gave birth to four little kitties and he was one of them. Two of the others became sick so we had to let them go and another one disappeared, now he is the only one left.

Favorite shared activity: Sleeping and running around in the grass. He likes to climb my back too, which I love.

Tell us about this photo: I wanted to make a memory of him and me, but I still wanted the photo to be "artistic" and not a common portrait, I have a lot of those.

What you love most about your cat (or cats in general): They're so cute and cuddly! And the fact that they can take care of themselves, and they're great to keep you company as well.

How or why you incorporate cats in your photography: I think it's a nice detail, I love photographs with human and animals.

Self Portrait with Roxy

2009-05-19T17:27:00.012-05:00

Self Portrait with Roxy, originally uploaded by Paige B Photography

website: Paige B. Photography

blog: lookaway

Cat's name: Roxy

Human's name: Paige

Length of cohabitation: 3 years

How you came to live with each other:
After my husband and I had been married for about 9 months I started bringing up the fact that I wanted a kitty. I have wanted a cat my entire life but for one reason or another I could never have one. My husband was reluctant, but I kept bringing it up. One night I broke out in tears and told him it was all I could think about. The next day I started looking at shelters around Chicago until a couple of weeks later we found Roxy and both fell in love.

Favorite shared activity:
Roxy comes running when I open one of those foil wrapped Dove chocolates because she knows I'll ball it up and throw it for her. Those little foil balls are all over our house.

Tell us about this photo:

This photo was in response to a self-timer self-portrait challenge on Shutter Sisters (where I am a contributor). Roxy was laying on top of a filing cabinet in my office so I used the timer on my camera and shot this. About 3 seconds after the shutter went off she batted at my head. I guess I was too close for comfort and it freaked her out.

What you love most about your cat: What I love most about Roxy is also what makes her difficult sometimes. She is very mysterious and moody. I always wonder what she's thinking. When she is being sweet, she is very sweet and affectionate. But when she is being spooky at night, watch your ankles.

How or why you incorporate cats in your photography: When I first started seriously getting into photography Roxy was the subject that I practiced on daily. She was the only living being that was always around wouldn't get annoyed with me like a person would. Plus I just think she's a beautiful cat (but I might be biased).

3-24-08

2009-05-02T21:12:00.009-05:00

3-24-08, originally uploaded by chrismaverick.

Blog: Chris Maverick

Website: Chris Maverick

Cat's name:

Otto (Black & White) & Tess (all black)

Humans' names:
Stephanie & Mav

Length of cohabitation:
13 years!!

How you came to live with each other:
My sister's boyfriend at the time had friends whose cat had kittens. I was thinking about getting cats, and so went to look at them, thinking I'd possibly just get one female cat. They gave me Tess, who was hiding somewhere, and then suggested I take Otto, who was proudly strutting across the room. I was living in a small apartment at the time and only wanted one cat, but after seeing Otto, I couldn't resist him.

Favorite shared activity:
Cuddling while watching t.v. together on the love seat/couch, sleep-cuddling.

Tell us about this photo:
Mav has been doing a self-portrait-a-day project for almost 3 years, and he wanted to get a "family portrait" for that.

What you love most about your cat (or cats in general):
Their purring, which is so calming after a stressful day at work.

How or why you incorporate cats in your photography:
They're so photogenic!

Favorite animal charity:
Animal Friends of Pittsburgh

Untitled

2009-04-16T18:54:00.027-05:00

Untitled uploaded by Tom Cox

website: Tom Cox

blog: The Little Cat Diaries

Cats' names: Janet, The Bear, Shipley, Ralph, Bootsy and Pablo

Human's name: Tom Cox

Length of cohabitation:

Janet: 8 years

The Bear: 8 years (with a few breaks early on)

Ralph and Shipley: 7 and a half years

Pablo and Bootsy: 4 years

How you came to live with one another:

The Bear and Janet were an extra perk of the package when I got together with my wife, Dee. I'd just been through the one catless period of my life: a time I've come to think of as somewhere between an anomaly and an extended lost weekend. Dee's ex-boyfriend hated cats, but loved The Bear, who is less like a cat and more like a scheming depressed poet who just happens to inhabit a cat's body. For a while, I even thought The Bear WAS her ex in disguise, trying to sabotage our relationship, but we have come to an understanding now, and I love him dearly (The Bear, not Dee's ex). Janet - a boy cat - was dropped at Dee's door by two East End orphans who announced, "Our dad's died miss, so will you take our cat?" (there was a crucial episode of Friends on at the time, so she didn't hesitate to take him off their hands). Shipley and Ralph and their late brother, Brewer, we got from friends of friends when we got married and moved from London to Norfolk. Bootsy and Pablo came about in a roundabout, reckless way after a rough calculation about the weight of a beagle - for the fully story, check out my book Under The Paw

Favorite shared activities:

Shipley likes it when I garden, and happy-claps my legs angrily when I go back in the house. He and Ralph both love nothing more than being stroked by a gardening glove-clad hand. Janet is a skilled footballer, The Bear and Pablo like to do "glove puppet" (lying upside down and being jiggled about by their chest fur), and Bootsy is a big fan of the Nuggin (click here for definition).

Tell us about this photo:

This was taken by Jason Bye, for a shoot for a Times Online feature. I wrote for The Times newspaper last summer. What I love about it is that it looks like a portrait of of something harmonic that happens on a daily basis, but the truth is that they stayed like that for about 30 seconds, and Jason was opportune and skilled enough to capture it. I will never ever get them to do it again, particularly as, now that the book is for sale in Asda Wal-Mart, they are increasingly aware of being exploited for commercial gain. A lot of people have asked me about the t-shirt in the pic, so to pre-empt any further enquiries, I got it from the excellent threadless.com.

What do you love most about your cats (or cats in general):

Their screw-you swagger, the timeless art of their paws and tails, their incredible dignity, the comic moments when that dignity is punctured (often by me), the way they make every bit of affection they give you feel like a hard-fought victory.

Favorite animal charity:

Cats Protection and the Wildlife Heritage Foundation

she didn't need a man . . .

2009-04-09T04:58:00.001-05:00

she didn't need a man . . . by Heather Evans Smith

website: Heather Evans Smith Photography

Cat's name: Mrs. E

Human's name: Heather

Length of cohabitation: 5 years

How you came to live with each other: After my previous cat passed away, I remembered something that my mother told me. You might not be ready for another animal, but there is a animal out there that can't wait for you to be ready. So a few weeks later we got her from a local animal shelter.

Favorite shared activity: lounging

Tell us about this photo: I wanted to create a humorous photo depicting "the cat lady" that many of us joke about or wonder if we will become. So I cloned my cat. I had intended to make at least 8 of her, but she was a little chunkier than I anticipated. :)

What you love most about your cat: Her personality; from playful to funny to sweet to downright bitchy, you never know what you are going to get, though 90% of the time she is sweet.

How or why you incorporate cats in your photography: They add a special touch to a photograph. Sometimes she just gets in the frame by accident, but it usually enhances the photograph.

Favorite animal charity: I support the local shelters in town - they are usually in need of the most funds and supplies.

Watching The Rain in Awe

2009-04-07T19:42:00.000-05:00

Watching The Rain in Awe, originally uploaded by Nick Mantheakis

Cat name: Godiva, Giza for short.

Human name: Kai

Length of cohabitation: About 5 years.

How you came to live with each other: Godiva is in actuality not my cat; she has chosen my mother, Janet, to be her owner. One of my sister fell in love with her when they saw her in a C.A.T.S. display at a fair, so we adopted her. Since then she has chosen my mother to be the only person who can touch her.

Favorite shared activity: My mother and that cat enjoy reading together.

Tell us about the photo: My friend, Kai, needed a reference photo for an art project, knowing that I am into photography she came to me for the photo. After we did the shoot she decided she didn’t like the idea after all, but I enjoyed one of the photos enough to post it and write a messy story about it, this was a year or so ago.

How or why you incorporate cats in your photographs?

I love cats, they display vivid emotions and feelings and have distinct personalities. I have a strong bond with the orange tabbies in my photography, they are brother and used to follow me wherever I did my photos, meowing and jumping on my shoulders when I bent down to do macros. The short hair, Brutus, recently died of unknown causes, but the long hair, Samloughin, is still at my side for every outdoor walk.

What you love most about your cat: It is impossible for me to narrow it down, but I have formed a strong bond with Samloughlin, something between us binds us. An example of this bond is whenever Sammy hears my whistling in the air he meows noisily and runs across the whole property to find me wherever I am.

Favorite animal charity:

C.A.T.S. (Committed Alliance To Strays) C.A.T.S. is a wonderful organization for taking care of strays and finding them new homes, I volunteered there for a few months and my sister has been working there for a couple years now.

2:58PM

2009-04-04T20:36:00.002-05:00

2:58PM, originally uploaded by Green Olive Mama

website: Rochelle Haisley

Cat name: OZZY

My name : Rochelle Haisley

Length of cohabitation: 3 years

How you came to live with each other: I got him from the Humane Society :)

Favorite shared activity: cuddling at night

Tell us about this photo: Ozzy is always curious when I take my pictures so he stick around. That day he wanted to be in it so I let him. :)

What you love most about your cat: That he is independent but loves me.

How or why you incorporate cats in your photography: I let him in when he wants to.

day two sixty six. words fall through me.

2009-04-01T18:01:00.005-05:00

day two sixty six. words fall through me., originally uploaded by ::reflecting truth::

website: eye Nexus photography

Cat: trixie (but most of the time we just call her kitty)

Human: katie lee

Length of cohab: 2 years

How it came to be: my friend's cat had kitties and we couldn't resist the little fluff ball! she had blue eyes when we first got her. and we wanted to give our dog someone to cuddle with.

Favorite shared activity: for her: sleeping on my face
for me: talking to her. i love making kitty noises and hearing her respond.

Tell us about the photo: it was taken during my one self portrait a day project. i was shooting outside and she just wandered in to the photo. i couldn't believe it - it was like she was posing for the camera.

Why incorporate cats: mostly because she insists on being in the photograph. she spends most of her time following me around like my little shadow and desperately wants to be included in whatever i'm doing. after a few times of her shoving her way into my photos, i began to come up with ideas on how to incorporate her.

What do you love most: i Love her sassy attitude. i Love the way she goes after what she wants. and i Love the way she dominates our dogs. =)

House Cat

2009-03-31T06:44:00.002-05:00

House Cat, originally uploaded by Mark Klotz

website: Mark Klotz

(click here for recent photo of Dr. House with cat!)

Cat's name: Sarah

Human's name: Mark

Length of cohabitation: Almost 18 years

How you came to live with each other :

My parents found Sarah as a stray--she found them, rather. They already had cats, so they couldn't keep her. She was just a kitten, about 6 months old or so. I had recently moved away from home, and so my parents thought that I might like to have a cat, since I grew up with them in my family. When I first met her, I knew there was something special about her. She had such a wonderful personality. A very sweet kitty.

Favorite shared activity: Eating breakfast together.

Tell us about this photo: I am a freelance photographer. Whenever I'm setting up my studio lights for a project, Sarah likes to get involved. She loves to lay under the lights, just like sunlight. In this photo, I'm dressed up like Dr. House. He's so grumpy and she's so sweet, I thought it would make a good contrast. Even House would love Sarah.

What you love most about your cat:

She's always loving and affectionate. Always happy to see me when I get home.

How or why you incorporate cats in your photography: They are easy for people to identify with. Cats have been the companions of people for so long. They make wonderful subjects for photography.

Favorite animal charity: WWF

miles

2009-03-30T18:26:00.000-05:00

miles, originally uploaded by *MaryElise*

blog: Passiflora Photography

Cat's name: Miles

Human's name: MaryElise

Length of cohabitation: Three years

How you came to live with each other :

Miles was a kitten born to a feral mother in my boyfriend's neighborhood. Once we realized the extent of the cat population there, we took action to collect the adults for spay and release back to the colony and adopt the kittens. Fortunately, even some of the adults were eventually adopted. I wasn’t sure about bringing in another kitten as my Emily was about 12 and I was concerned it might be too much for her, even though she seemed lonely since her last companion died. I took a chance, and even though he likes to chase her a bit too much, they have a good relationship. He also seemed to bring back her interest in watching birds, etc., so his addition to my family was definitely a positive thing.

Favorite shared activity:

Miles loves small stuffed toys that he can carry around. He will drop them at my feet to initiate play time. He is the third cat that I have owned that is a “fetcher”. I throw the toy and he keeps bringing it back until he gets tired and quits in exhaustion. He will also sit by the back window and watch the squirrels, birds and chipmunks with me, and loves to cuddle in bed.

Tell us about this photo:
It was a snowy Sunday morning and Miles was sleeping at the foot of my bed. The light was coming in through my bedroom window and I thought it would be a nice background for a self portrait. I set up the tripod and he seemed interested in what I was doing. I have discovered he does love the camera, unlike Emily. After a few test shots, I decided to add him in the photo, holding him in his favorite position. As soon as the self timer sounds, he always looks straight into the camera. It has become one of my favorite images.

What you love most about your cat:
Miles is a friendly, good natured cat who likes everyone. He is a wonderful, affectionate companion and does something every day to make me laugh, although he can drive me crazy at times. I believe he has alternately added and removed years from my life, so it all balances out.

How or why you incorporate cats in your photography:
At times it is planned, when I have a specific idea, or I see something I want to capture. Other times, they will just wander into the shot and I will see how much they add to the image and use that. I love to see an animal in a portrait shot, because I feel it adds a note of something intimate, a relationship, to an image. I like to incorporate my own animals in my photography because they are part of my life, and I feel it’s important for my personal expression.

Favorite Charity:
Jersey Shore Animal Shelter

day 101- life as a cat

2009-03-29T09:31:00.000-05:00

day 101 - life as a cat by lisa.kimberly

Cat's name: Sheba

Human's name: Lisa

Length of cohabitation: 7 years

How you came to live with each other: I was 15 when my family adopted Sheba, and so she was the 'family cat.' I think out of all of us, she favored my dad and I the most. Several years later when I was around 21 years old and moving in with my then-boyfriend (now-husband), I took Sheba to live with me, since I always loved her and missed having her around. She's been with me ever since -- even traveling across an ocean to live with me in Spain!

Favorite shared activity: She absolutely loves it when I brush her fur outdoors while she's in the sun.

Tell us about this photo: This photo is part of my 365 photo project, where I take one photo a day for one year. I noticed Sheba laying on the rug next to the heat lamp and decided to plop down there with her, trying to channel my inner feline.

What you love most about your cat (or cats in general): Every move or step they make seems ever so graceful yet calculated. Clumsy cats just don't exist!

How or why you incorporate cats in your photography: As soon as I try to "pose" Sheba for a photo, she loses interest and walks away. So I often just leave her as she is, and work my photo around that. That was definitely the case with this photo.

365 days # 51 12/21 Cat on a flashing tin roof

2009-03-28T13:41:00.001-05:00

365 days # 51 12/21 Cat on a flashing tin roof, originally uploaded by randeclip

Cat's name: Yasmin

Human's name: Al

Length of cohabitation: 3½ years?

How you came to live with each other: She just showed up one day. I work in a municipal garage and this little black kitten just appeared one day. She was alone and hungry. There were a few guys who just wanted to get rid of her but the majority wanted to keep her. Fortunately our city's animal control officer and my boss's boss loved her and the idea of having her around. We got her a license and we keep up with all her shots and had her fixed. She is our “Motorpool Kitty”!

Favorite shared activity: For her- eating! For me- every now and again she sneaks up on me when I'm working on something, just to check out what's going on.

Background info about photo: This was taken the last work day before Christmas. There was a pizza-holiday-party-lunch hosted by the mayor. It was fun. It is rare that that my whole department gets together for a good reason. Usually it’s for hurricanes or some other catastrophe. This was nice. Lots of hugs and hand shakes. And pizza. No chainsaws.

What you love most about your cat: She is always there somewhere- it's her shop, we just work there!

How or why you incorporate cats in your photography: I try not to take too many cat pictures, but sometimes she won't take “no” for an answer!

Favorite animal charity: PETA (I am a member)

naughtiness of me ii

2009-03-25T17:12:00.024-05:00

naughtiness of me ii, originally uploaded by +labyrinthine+.

website: Kira Sheker

blog: labyrinthine

shop: labyrinthine nature

Cat's name: Winnifred (a.k.a. Winnie, Fred, Fredikins)

Human's name: Kira

Length of cohabitation: 1 1/2 years

How you came to live with each other:
I was looking for a tortoiseshell or calico cat (it'd been about 16 years since I had a cat - too much moving around - and finally! I could have one...). I looked high and low everywhere 'til I found 4 mo. old Winnifred (originally named Tess) in a pet store. The room for getting to know a prospective pet was locked and so I couldn't fully check her out, which made me a little unsure. I asked if I could hold her instead and was happily allowed. I exclaimed how pretty she was and that I was surprised that no one had snatched her up yet. The shop keeper replied that she was skittish and ran away from people, but I was holding her and she just purred and purred, so I thought it was meant to be!

Favorite shared activity: Fred loves laps and being held. She is also very fond of toys with feathers on them.

Tell us about this photo: The intention was a self portrait using a slow shutter speed so that an intentional blur was created. Winnie was in the process of wondering what all the hubbub was about and proceeded to enter the photograph.

How or why you incorporate cats in your photographs? They're beautiful and highly entertaining!

What you love most about your cats: They're affectionate, intelligent and they make me laugh with their clownish antics.

Favorite animal charities:
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Humane Society/SPCA of Bexar County

Cat People

2009-03-25T14:13:00.001-05:00

Cat People, originally uploaded by ej (umop ap!sdn)

Cat's name: Simon (also known as Spot, and Wonky)

Human's name: ej

Length of cohabitation: Fewer than seven days at the time this photo was taken. He's just a kitten, still!

How we came to live with one another: Well, we'd recently lost one of our cats to kidney disease. Serendipitously enough, a small family-owned pet store near my wife's workplace had recently adopted a batch of recently-weaned kittens and had put them on sale. She paid the store a visit and talked to the owners, and the following weekend our entire family went to see them and chose to take Simon home (or maybe he chose us -- you never know).

Favourite shared activity: Well, he likes to clamber up my legs when I sit at the dinner table. I'm not sure yet how happy that makes me, though! Most of the time, he can be kept happy for hours if we toss his play toys for him to chase.

Tell us about this photo: This was toward the end of my 365 Days self-portrait project. It seemed natural that with an event like a new addition to our household, I should document it. Simon was VERY easy to shoot. Every time the lens autofocus motor whirred, he'd stare right at the camera.

What you love most about your cat (or cats in general): They're independent! And most of the time, they're entertaining to have in the house.

How or why you incorporate cats in your photography: I do it because they'll let me. The humans in my house have been tending to graon when they see the camera come out, so I've given them a break. The animals are much easier victims. Or subjects.

Favorite animal charity: The Ontario SPCA. We've adopted several animals from them.

2009-03-24T13:21:00.012-05:00

"i think thomas needs his own flickr account" by Erica Bartel

blog: bits & pieces

Cat's name: thomas

Human's name: erica

Length of cohabitation: 2 years

How you came to live with each other: thomas is a barn cat.. raised on a farm. i fell in love with him when he was really tiny..eyes barely open. We'd go to the farm and visit. He just grew up really sweet.. being raised by a ton of kids, dogs and other animals. My girlfriend who owned him insisted i should take him home. He was about 3 months old and rode on my lap in the front seat of the car. We call him the "dog -cat" because he acts like a dog.. even comes running when we pull up in the driveway.

Favorite shared activity: sleeping :)

Background info about photo: i noticed him checking himself out in the mirror. of course i had to snap!

What you love most about your cat (or cats in general): that they aren't too needy.

untitled

2009-03-24T10:49:00.002-05:00

originally uploaded by baddesign

Cat's name: Mabel

Human's name: Babette

Length of cohabitation: 7 years

How you came to live with each other: Before Mabel and Tigger (yes, we have another cat) we had three other cats. After they had all died of old age, we found it to be very quiet in the house. We've always loved and had cats so we thought that it was time to find some new friends. A friend of us called that a friend of them had had a new litter. We went over and took a look. They were all cute and lovely but one definitely stood out (partly because he's complete black). It was Mabel. He was quiet and kind and so unlike his character (he's shy and witholding) he sat peacefully on my lap the entire time we where there, while all the other cats were being busy and playful. I believe it clicks so well between us partly because we are much alike.

Favorite shared activity: Goofing and playing around together

Tell us about this photo: He's very hard to photograph. Normally he teasingly runs away with a look that says "Haha, try and photograph me if you can!" So I grabbed him and held him in front of the camera. "You can't escape now, buddy!"

What you love most about cats: They are a personality. And they're all independent, they just stay with you because they like you.

How or why you incorporate cats in your photography: Because they're a beautiful and daily part of my life .

Favorite animal charity: Pantera

self-portrait

2009-03-23T20:19:00.000-05:00

self-portrait, originally uploaded by casketology

Cats' names: Skittles (black) and Nacho (orange)

Humans' names: Courtney (me) and Chet (fianceé)

Length of Cohabitation: Skittles: 2 years; Nacho: 1 year

How you came to live with each other:

Skittles: My friend Carri was visiting from MA and wanted to get a cat to take home with her. When she got back from the shelter she had told me all about the cute little babies they had including a really whiney cat. The next day, Chet and I decided to go check things out, not expecting to really take anyone home-- but rather play with the kittens that were there and then go about our way. Then we saw him: All alone in his cage there was a little black kitty with the bluest eyes meowing like his life depended on it. At that instant we fell in love. Unfortunately we didn't have the money on us at the time but we came back the following day and he was still there! He has since grown 10 fold and is the cuddliest, sassiest kitty I have ever known.

Nacho: Skittles would get restless by himself when Chet and I weren't home, so we thought it would be best to get a friend for him, so, we went to the Richmond SPCA in search of a new kitty. First I saw a kitten named Chuck that I fell in love with from the start. He was the sweetest kitten and the same age as Skittles too. However, we wanted to keep looking around. Bad move. When we came back to get him, he basically got adopted in front of my eyes. My heart was broken and I did cry some. At first I really didn't want to get another cat anymore, but they showed us Nacho (Frank at the time) and he was so sweet and playful, I knew he would be a great match and now the two get along just like brothers!

Favorite shared activity: Skittles: Cuddling; Nacho: playing fetch

Tell us about this photo: I am a photography major at VCU and it was our second semester of studio lighting. My mom had asked for a picture of Chet and I but I didn't really have any that I thought were good so I decided to take one myself! The first attempt was unsuccessful, and my teacher tried to persuade me to try something else. However, I was determined to get it right and I did!

What do you love most about your cats?

I love how sassy Skittles is and how cuddly and soft he is. I could hug him all day long. Nacho is terribly affectionate-- he wants to be loved every minute of every day which is perfect because I love loving kitties. He is also the cutest sleeper!

How or why do you incorporate cats in your photography:

I think cats are such interesting creatures. They are mysterious and sleek, and I always feel like they see something that no one else can. Its difficult for me to put into works the otherworldliness that felines possess.

Favorite animal charity: Richmond SPCA

[365] 005

2009-03-22T22:55:00.000-05:00

[365] 005, originally uploaded by Corie Howell

Website: And Her Camera

Cat's name: Emmy

Human's name: Corie

Length of cohabitation: 1 year

How you came to live with each other: A co-worker of mine at the time's cat just had an unexpected litter, and they were trying to find homes for the kittens. My boyfriend and I had just moved into a larger apartment and jumped at the chance to bring a kitten into the little family.

Favorite shared activity: She's very good at catching things mid-air so once I pick up a toy, she sits in the middle of the room and expects me to throw it at her. I usually do. For hours.

Tell us about the photo: I'm working on a 365 project, or a self-portrait a day. Emmy and our other cat are huge parts of my life so they are regulars in my photos.

What you love most about your cats: We have two cats. Emmy was born and raised indoors, while our other cat was rescued from a scary downtown Los Angeles train station. They are COMPLETE opposites of each other, physically and emotionally. I love to watch them interact.

How or why you incorporate cats in your photography: My cats hated the camera at first, but they have grown to love it. When the studio lights come out, they are usually front and center. They are in a lot of my photos, not necessarily because I wanted them there, but because they put themselves there.

what have I told you......

2009-03-21T10:36:00.022-05:00

what have I told you......, originally uploaded by hkvam.

Website: Stuck in Photos

Cat's Name: Her name was Flo.

Human's name: Helga

How you came to live together: When I got her, she was probably around 7 weeks old. She was tiny, skinny, and riddled with fleas. She had been found inside the bonnet of a car, seeking warmth to save herself. I am Icelandic, and the Icelandic word for a Flea is Fló. This became her name not for the fact that she had fleas but because she was so tiny and jumpy.

Length of cohabitation: We shared time from May 1999 until she was put to sleep because her cancer was so progressed and incurable (after a few surgeries) in January of 2009.

Favorite shared activities: She loved being held like a baby, over the shoulder, NEVER in the lap or over the stomach or chest. I always had to hold her so she was leaning on my left shoulder. I have scars after her "kneading" into my shoulder, and I look at them today and I smile. We always spent time in a big armchair together watching tv or movies. She also liked very much to be basically everywhere I was, be it in the bathtub, on the toilet, outside. . . She didn't like to go outside, but if I went into the garden in the summer, she was there, like my shadow. Our favourite time was in the late afternoon, snuggling up on the sofa, me with a book and she used to lie on my chest. She was basically like my shadow, everywhere I went - she was there. Except in bed. For some reason she preferred the most uncomfortable places to sleep and she seemed scared of a soft underfooting like a matress. She did want to come into the bed when she was sick, but at other times she acted like the bed was made of broken glass.Through all her illness she trusted me to bring her to safe places and then it didn't matter if it was a bed or a box with old rugs (she loved that).

Tell us about this photo: The photo was taken when I was trying to make a photograph that I was going to process in the style of an old portrait. As a self portrait - minus a cat (I had two at the time...the other one is still alive :) ) I sat there with all gear set up, self timer on and ticking....but she kept jumping up, either onto my lap or trying to snuggle as she always did. She was hopeless if I tried to do product shots at home and not in the studio.....I have countless photos of mascaras with cat hair or even half a cat in them ;)

What do you love most about your cats? My cats are like family members to me. They are my companions - they are here when I get home; they give me unconditional love, and I have tried to give them the same back. In the photo, I found that the moment outranked the technical qualities, and if I hadnt displayed that photo public at the time when I shot it, I certainly would have after my kitty died because I think it has the elements of our love in it. Even though it is called What have I told you, I would have never scolded her. I merely lifted her up so that she would be in the frame when I heard the camera's self timer beep down until exposure. And she purred the whole time, probably hoping my weird business with bright flashing lights and machines beeping would be over soon so we could snuggle up.

I love cats because they have such a strong personality - because their affection is not easily won over; because they don't fear you or judge people. They take their time (some fast, some long) to evaluate people and situations. They choose who they want to show affection to, and their scale of emotions is far from being simple. They are such personalities, individuals.

I lived abroad when Flo and Jack (the remaining cat, black but slowly going grey) crossed paths with me. And when I moved back to Iceland there was never a question in my mind as to if I should bring them along. I saw them as part of the family, and that they were my responisibility, so I brought them with me over to Iceland from Ireland. People thought I was mad. I saw it simply as honoring a life and keeping the responsibiilites I had taken on when taking them in.

I only wish Flo's life could have been longer, and I wish my Jack can share time with me for a good while longer too.

Favorite Animal Charities: My fav animal charities are here in Iceland, even though I support foreign animal charities also.

Kattholt

Dyrahjalp Islands

Welcome to My World

2009-03-20T22:39:00.027-05:00

Welcome to My World, originally uploaded by Jutilda.

Website: Earmark Photography

Cat's Name: Rose

Human's Name: Judy

Length of Cohabitation: 12 years

How you came to live together: Rose was adopted at the Williamson County Humane Society in 1997 as a ktten. I first checked her out and then went back with my then 9 year old son. We had a favorite character in the Pinkerton series of books by James Marshall, and a particular orange tabby in A Rose for Pinkerton looked very much like her. He took one look and wanted to bring her home. And that was that.

What you love about your cat: Rose is very vocal and talks to me almost like a person. She is always a novelty to those who I let "speak" with her on the telephone. :~)

Favorite Animal Charity: We give to several charities and I am an avid member of the World Wildlife Federation. I sometimes sponsor cats and dogs through rescue organizations in our area as well. I have a chow/retriever mix, Tank (also featured prominently in my portfolio) who I adopted from Mix Breed Rescue, and he and Rose are quite the buddies. They nap and hang out together, unaware that their opposing species don't always have admiration for one another. Both he and Rose are quite calm and model often for me but usually in a candid situation. I love Rose's emerald green eyes and one black whisker.

Night Life in Montreal

2009-03-19T21:45:00.000-05:00

Night life in Montreal, originally uploaded by arcoirisito.

Cat's name: Mingus (after Charlie Mingus), a.k.a. Mingy

Human's name: France

Length of cohabitation: 15 years in Montreal with me and his two other feline companions, Biscotte and Nougat.

How you came to live with each other: Mingus had been probably hit by a car when he was a few months old and was put up for adoption by a veterinary clinic where he was abandoned. The technician told me he probably would not walk again. I decided to take him in anyway. After a few days, he was hopping on my bed and started to walk again. After a week, he was running up and down the aisles like any kitten would. Unfortunately, when he reached the age of 8 or 9, he started developing muscle spasms in his hind leg where he was injured as a kitten. He occasionally will lose control of his bladder when he feels this uncontrollable pain. Poor baby!

Favorite shared activity: snuggling and sleeping

Tell us about this photo: It was for a photo challenge - the theme was "Night Life." I just don't go out like I used to, so I took this self portrait of myself to show how I spend my Saturday evenings. You can check the time on the alarm clock 10:30 PM. Mingus always jumps on my bed the minute I get ready for sleep. He spoons with me and when I wake up in the morning he is still there. In this photo he is just staring at me in a strange way because he can't lick my face as he usually does when I go to bed.

What you love most about your cat: Mingus is very affectionate - he always knows how I feel and is there for me whether I feel happy or sad. He is extra affectionate when I am sad. He also loves to lick my face every day. He will lick it fiercely and end up nibbling my nose or my ears which sometimes hurts. But I forgive him ...

Anecdote: I picked up my cat around 50 km away from Montreal after he ran away from home. He does not usually go outside and I did not notice it until the next morning. I put up posters in my neighbourhood because I could not find him. Someone called me after seeing my poster and left me a message on my answering machine advising me to check our two animal shelters every second day (which I did) and to check the lost and found ads in every single newspaper. I proceeded to check the daily newspaper every single day for two weeks with no luck. I was crying every day because I missed him so much. After two weeks, I noticed a free local weekly which had been lying on my desk at work for 15 days. Lo an behold there was my cat in one the of the lost and found ads (which are usually free the first day). A nurse who worked the night shift at the local hospital almost ran him over and brought him home which was about 50 km away from Montreal. I picked him up as soon as her schedule allowed for it. Mingus and I have not been separated since that episode except for my yearly vacation where he is left in the very good hands of my neighbour. I hope that by reading this story, someone has the good fortune of being reunited with their loved one should they be unfortunate enough to lose him or her. Had it not been for that total stranger who left that message on my answering machine, I would have never thought of looking through the lost and found ads and I would have never found my baby. I can say Mingus has 9 lives and he has used a few already.

Favorite Animal Charity: Fauna Foundation

Bedtime.

2009-03-18T00:54:00.000-05:00

Bedtime., originally uploaded by Di Vina Images

Website: Di Vina Images

Blog: Adventures of a Wannabe Housewife

Cat's name: Snoopy (because she's curious, not because of the dog!)

Human names: Victoria and Jordan

Length of cohabitation: Jordan: 12 years; Victoria: 1 year

How you came to live with your cat: Jordan rescued snoopy as a kitten when he was a teenager in Ontario. When he moved to Vancouver, he had his parents fly her over - she's well travelled!

Favorite shared activity: Watching t.v. while she sits on Jordan's outstretched legs, or reading while she sits on our chests

Tell us about this photo: Although self portraits are usually of themselves personal, this one in particular is really quite special to me, in what it conveys. This is every night for us - We read our books with at least one limb or part of skin touching each other, and the cat is always overseeing - trying to guess which of the two she can get the most attention from. As soon as we hopped into bed for this photo, she immediately went to pick who's chest she could lay on.

How or why you incorporate cats in your photographs? This was purely a lucky accident.. I take pictures of her all the time, but the family portrait (as we like to call it) developed completely organically!

Favorite Animal Charity: Oakville Humane Society