This place is going to the dogs (and cats, and birds, and...)

Earlier last week, I promised a post with some of my animal shots from our travels, and in a rare bit of consistency for me, here I am, delivering it!  I wanted to post these pictures partly to share with you some of the cute little fellows we met (and fed) as we travelled, and partly to dispell the rumours going around Gros Morne that I've fallen for a sheep farmer, and that's why my pictures from Omagh feature so many little walking balls of wool--now you can see that I'm just a lost cause who likes to take pictures of animals and force them on all of you!  I've spared you all pictures of pigeons (believe me...I have many, usually with them perched atop the head of a noble looking statue).  No thanks necessary (although greatfully accepted).  Sadly I didn't manage to get a photo of the delightful little boardwalk newts in Funchal.  Maybe next time?  I also don't have any photos of the Istanbul dogs...which is hilarious, as there were about 5000 of them present at all times (even Mark Twain mentions how many of them there are, and how their only purpose in life seems to be to nap...and it's true!).

So here, in random order, are some of the critters that crossed our paths (and lounged on our beds) over three weeks in the Mediterranean!  Oh, and with the exception of the cat in Agadir (she was nursing), I'm making random and completely unfounded statements of gender.

-K-

There were about 50 of these guys, lounging on and around the Acropolis, looking cute and waiting for people to feed them

This guy was picking up crumbs around the cafe in Athens, right in front of the black cat we were feeding.  He didn't get eaten.

She ate an entire hamburger patty belonging to Irene

We came home one evening to find this guy lounging on Irene's bed

Mama cat, who ate our pizza (tomatoes, crust and all) but wouldn't eat the anchovies on top

Guarding the Colosseum--I swear, these are different black cats in different cities!  And I didn't even get pics of all the black cats!

Visiting elephant friend

She was totally posing for everyone at Ephesus

This is a mosaic floor uncovered at Ephesus...clearly for the purpose of naps

Swan in Funchal!  And he didn't hiss or bite or anything!

This is a green parakeet from Park Güell, but these guys live wild all over Barcelona

We found him like this--on my bed, wearing Irene's sunglasses

Fat El Pimpi birdie in Malaga

Seal? Walrus?  Cute, anyway

Still haven't found what he was typing....

These were a taxi option in Malta!  We walked, sadly, but I'd prefer this to a car!

Our turtle friend.  He joined us for Sangria later that week

A note from the creators of these fluffy little fellas

Isn't he awesome? There's a great pic of him and Irene, but I don't seem to have it, so this will have to do!