Special Cats?

I came across these photos of some very special cats that I thought I would share here. Most people have heard about the Hemingway cats. If not, here are a few tidbits.

Earnest Hemingway, a famous American author, lived for a time on the island of Key West.  This was his house.

He was given a six-toed cat by a ship’s captain. Cats do not usually have six toes but when they do they are called polydactyl cats.

Hemingway had a great affection for these cats.  Their little paws look like they are wearing mittens.

Now the descendants of that original cat live happily at the Hemingway home museum.

Many of them have the six toes anomaly.

While we were visiting back in April, we had a chance to see quite a few of these cats. I found it fascinating. They are pretty laidback cats and had plenty of places to lounge in the house, under the trees and even in Hemingway’s writing studio.

As many as 50 cats live and are cared for on the grounds. They don’t wander off. Why would they? They have everything they could possibly want there. They are all named for famous people and there is a cat cemetery where the ones who pass away are buried.

Just one of many interesting things I saw during our visit to Key West.