As a confirmed cat person, I'm glad there seems to be a nirvana for the felines of the planet. I'd be right at home with the feline citizens of Istanbul. Take care.
I would never leave the streets! I also read that part about you having to "save" Brent from petting certain animals and literally spit out my wine because this is absolutely something my husband has had to do too! LOL
A delightful story! Those cats really do look well cared for, but I feel sorry for the dogs! They really do crave love in a way that cats don’t. But I appreciate your respect and non-judgmental attitude toward the culture and country you are visiting and writing about.
Not about cats or dogs, but if you like Istanbul and you like fiction, I highly recommend 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World by Elif Shafak. One of my favorite novels (also, I loved Istanbul the one time I visited).
The premise sounds depressing--the title refers to the time it takes for a prostitute to die after she has been tossed in an Istanbul dumpster--but the story of her life actually ends up being much more hopeful than that!
I love cats. Whenever I've been flat on my back recuperating from a surgery, where was my 90-pound German Sheppard? Out chasing crows in the pasture. Where was Rambo, my cat? Spread all over my lap. He had great taste in the videos we watched.
Pretty sure the latter. Dog knew a 90 lb-er would be bad after surgery. Rambo knew he was ok, and also, didn’t care if he wasn’t. And possibly they worked it out between them!
I’ve had lots of dogs, and a few cats, and more surgeries than I can count, all unwanted. Dogs and cats are both pretty sensitive to our needs if they’re around us all the time.
I love this. Cats are the best, and I agree that Istanbul has a very unique relationsihp with its cat population. I just wanted to add for your readers that if they want more, there's an amazing documentary about the cats of Istanbul called Kedi. It's so, so wonderful and makes me emotional just to think about it. Love you you both, Brent and Michael. Thanks for taking me travelling with you!
When Rick and I were at the Hagia Sofia, there was a cat sitting in the middle of an interior doorway., doing what cats do...which is ignoring everyone as they walked by. It was charming. And of course the Hagia Sofia was amazing! I miss my cats too, but with all of our travel, it's not fair to leave them alone, even with our neighbor who took care of them and adored them.
Excellent post. I have dogs, but I love cats, too. At times, I’ve had both. Islam’s disdain for dogs is as irrational as it’s love for cats. And others.
We just got back from a trip to Istanbul and seeing the very many cats! It was lovely to eat dinner in a company of not one but two cats at our table. A dog lover myself, I appreciated seeing the stray dogs, especially since many of them had chips in their ears (as seen in your photo). I noticed how calm and friendly the strays were compared to yapping dogs that were leashed. After leaving in the U.S., it was so refreshing to see how people and and stray animals can co-exist so peacefully. Thank you for this reminder!
If so, please consider clicking the above link and liking the Notes post—leave a comment or even share within your own community. Poetry lives on in the minds of hearts of writers, it breathes on the page.
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Dear Michael:
As a confirmed cat person, I'm glad there seems to be a nirvana for the felines of the planet. I'd be right at home with the feline citizens of Istanbul. Take care.
I hope you get to visit them one day!
Amazing ! If I ever get to Istanbul I will bring some dog treats 😀
Do! They will adore you for it.
I would never leave the streets! I also read that part about you having to "save" Brent from petting certain animals and literally spit out my wine because this is absolutely something my husband has had to do too! LOL
Both husbands are wrong. 🤣
Hey, if you want fleas and rabies, you do you... But you're sleeping on the couch!
A delightful story! Those cats really do look well cared for, but I feel sorry for the dogs! They really do crave love in a way that cats don’t. But I appreciate your respect and non-judgmental attitude toward the culture and country you are visiting and writing about.
It was very hard not to cuddle all of the dogs!
It is ironic, isn't? The cara don't care, or at least they pretend they don't. 🤣
Not about cats or dogs, but if you like Istanbul and you like fiction, I highly recommend 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World by Elif Shafak. One of my favorite novels (also, I loved Istanbul the one time I visited).
Just put in on my library list. Thanks!
The premise sounds depressing--the title refers to the time it takes for a prostitute to die after she has been tossed in an Istanbul dumpster--but the story of her life actually ends up being much more hopeful than that!
Okay, that bit about the dumpster wasn't in the blurb I read! OOF!
It’s not as bad as it sounds, I swear! 😆
I hope so. Otherwise I'll have to come for -- on Notes! 😂
Oh! Need to read this
I love cats. Whenever I've been flat on my back recuperating from a surgery, where was my 90-pound German Sheppard? Out chasing crows in the pasture. Where was Rambo, my cat? Spread all over my lap. He had great taste in the videos we watched.
Was he comforting you or did you just make a good viewing platform? LOL LOL.
Pretty sure the latter. Dog knew a 90 lb-er would be bad after surgery. Rambo knew he was ok, and also, didn’t care if he wasn’t. And possibly they worked it out between them!
I’ve had lots of dogs, and a few cats, and more surgeries than I can count, all unwanted. Dogs and cats are both pretty sensitive to our needs if they’re around us all the time.
Love this. So many of the places we've traveled, we've found ourselves with a cat for the week. Our favorite omen.
100%!
I love this. Cats are the best, and I agree that Istanbul has a very unique relationsihp with its cat population. I just wanted to add for your readers that if they want more, there's an amazing documentary about the cats of Istanbul called Kedi. It's so, so wonderful and makes me emotional just to think about it. Love you you both, Brent and Michael. Thanks for taking me travelling with you!
Our pleasure! And I totally should have mentioned Kedi. D'oh!
Did you ever hear about the Cat Man of Aleppo? He was evidently helping with cats after the earthquake in Syria recently: https://www.arabnews.com/node/2267341/middle-east
I didn't! How lovely!
When Rick and I were at the Hagia Sofia, there was a cat sitting in the middle of an interior doorway., doing what cats do...which is ignoring everyone as they walked by. It was charming. And of course the Hagia Sofia was amazing! I miss my cats too, but with all of our travel, it's not fair to leave them alone, even with our neighbor who took care of them and adored them.
Pet a cat for me please!
I KNOW THAT CAT! LOL. They probably take turns sitting in there, don't they?
Do those cat condominiums have HOAs? That's a story worth investigating on a repeat journey.
They do. But they always end in terrible -- wait for it -- cat-fights.
Lol.
Excellent post. I have dogs, but I love cats, too. At times, I’ve had both. Islam’s disdain for dogs is as irrational as it’s love for cats. And others.
Their loss! Love is love, right?
This really blew me away, I had no idea about Istanbul and the cats.
Even if you know about it, it's amazing.
We just got back from a trip to Istanbul and seeing the very many cats! It was lovely to eat dinner in a company of not one but two cats at our table. A dog lover myself, I appreciated seeing the stray dogs, especially since many of them had chips in their ears (as seen in your photo). I noticed how calm and friendly the strays were compared to yapping dogs that were leashed. After leaving in the U.S., it was so refreshing to see how people and and stray animals can co-exist so peacefully. Thank you for this reminder!
My pleasure! Thanks for reading!
I look forward to bonding with 1 bazillion cats when we end up in Istanbul in the coming months!
Well, you might bond with them. But they'll just tolerate you because cats....
I remember hearing this line somewhere that cats used to be worshipped as gods by the ancients and they've never forgotten it 😂😂😂
Soooooooooo true.
Fine writer and reader of Substack—we are starting a movement to get a poetry section added to the platform. Can I ask, are you with us?
https://substack.com/profile/10309929-david/note/c-15579327
If so, please consider clicking the above link and liking the Notes post—leave a comment or even share within your own community. Poetry lives on in the minds of hearts of writers, it breathes on the page.
Your voice can be heard among the starry illuminations, howling at the moon.
Thank you for your time and support.
Love and appreciation,
David