Cats of Israel

Cats of Israel turned 1 today!

This picture is really important to me. I shot it with a medium format film camera, which means this photo was not very spontaneous but more thought through. I was walking around with the camera and I saw this cat sitting on top of a bin. I started to adjust everything in the camera (takes a few mins) to get the shot, when this kid and his dog walked past and looked at both of us. The kid then called the cat and started walking, the cat walked after the kid, looking very friendly. And before I realized it, the cat interacted with the dog. The was being a cat and the dog was being super excited little dog. The kid looked and me and I looked at the kid. It was a weird and magical few moment, no words were spoken, two strangers, two animals. When I leaned on my knees to take this photograph and everything turned out perfect. A very magical moment that I will remember for ever. You're welcome to see the photograph here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rominicole/12547731965

One eyed cat, found in Eretz Israel Museum in Tel Aviv.

One-eyed cat. Tel Aviv, Eretz Israel Museum.

A cat napping on a boat in Herzeliya.

A cat from Givatayim.

camouflage cat like a boss

Mysterious cat, Neve Tzedek.

Cuddle couple in Haifa.

Haifa cat!

This cat is a special one. I met her one day over 10 years ago in the street. She had 3 and a half legs (yes, you read right). Couldn't leave her alone like it, I tried to get her to come after me all the way to my house, and she did. She was too scared to get inside the building, so she stayed in my yard, for good. I fed her, watched her eat at times, saw her pregnant, saw her kittens, saw them die because of a very violent dog (I blame the owners), spent time with her when it was rainy and stormy outside. And she.. she was always happy to see me. I know cats are usually very indifferent, but she was special. She would greet me every time I got back home, or when I left home.. She would always make the effort to come my way even when I was on my way to her. One day she just disappeared. So I've waited.. and waited.. for days.. asking my family, have you seen her? She was gone, and she never came back. And I was sad. I'm still sad. I hope she went to a better place. She was a huge part of my life as I'm sure I was hers. Her name was Shag, she was one special 3-legged cat.