About 40 years ago my sister and I visited the Hemingway House where we were quite taken with the 6-toed cats -- the 100s that roamed the house and grounds. There were cats everywhere!! It should come as no big surprise to anyone who knows me that we ended up taking one home. No, not ferreted away in our bag, but with the permission and encouragement of the caretakers. Things have changed a lot at the Hemingway House since then, and this would not be the case today, so don't even ask. But for us at that time it was not only possible but encouraged. We drove back to our hotel, but we had not considered that pets were not welcome where we were staying on Islamorada. Consequently, we ended up having to drive all the way up to Miami to board the cat for the remainder of our vacation. So a few days later before we left for California, we picked up the cat in Miami before we left for home. We put her in a carrier, and took her on board the plane with us. Times were different. No homeland security. There was no muss, no fuss. And, F-Puss went to live with my sister.
F-Puss, our Hemingway cat, had a litter before she was spayed. We gave the kittens to friends. But I wouldn't be surprised if there are still some the Hemingway 6-toed cat descendents in and around Palo Alto.
Here are some more photos of Hemingway with his cats in Key West. If you're one of those people who abhor cats on tables, turn away now.
And a present day Hemingway House resident:
That was nice and purrfect for the season! Thanks you so much.
ReplyDeleteLou
"At night all cats are black" (Charlie Chan, Keeper of The Keys, 1932)