I am one of those people who enjoy both cats and dogs. I would have to say that it is true that there is nothing on this planet more loyal than a dog but when it comes to affection cats can be just as adoring as dogs. My cat Cherie (a male by the way) will hug me just like a little child and flops on me in the most adorable way imaginable. Thumper and Cherie both share my bed, at the foot, and when I say “bed time” they march off to bed with me just like my dog Betsy used to do.
Here in Ecuador we don’t see as many cats as dogs but they are around. They seem to have the same sort of laissez faire attitude with humans as the dogs. They are not quite pets but they are not feral either. When we had dinner one night in Bahia we had 3 cats sitting politely under our table waiting for little tidbits of food. We resisted for quite some time but finally one of us (not me) caved and I was right there with my little treats! Later that evening we went for a stroll along the esplanade and one of the little critters trotted along beside us, obviously optimistic that we had something else good in store for her.
At the market in Bahia we also saw a mother with some very large kittens nursing on her. Usually kittens this size would be off on their own; I would say they were at least 6 months old. It was surprising. I have known cats to share in their nursing and babysitting duties. Way back when my house was THE place for cats I had 2 mothers with their brood living on my deck. Sometimes one Mom would go out for an excursion and the other cat took all the kittens under her “wing” so to speak. Then Mom #1 would return, take her place and Mom#2 went off for a little reprieve. It was amazing to watch. Appears that Ecuadorian Momma Cats are just as affectionate.
By the way, to give you a flavour of my vacation, I am writing this while sitting on the balcony in my bathing suit. (Not nature’s bathing suit! LOL)
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