Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

Hello I'm Norman. I sort of run things around Billyspad. Not an easy job at times cos of course you know Billy has his failings. Mrs Billy seems to object to me sleeping on the bed but Im sure with training her understanding of my basic requirements will be better understood.

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conkerwood

It is old folk wisdom that if you die a dog will guard your body out of loyalty while a cat would eat you to survive. Which of course makes me admire the cat for its intelligence. Like much folk wisdom of course it is actually wrong as there are any number of cases where dogs have eaten their dead owner but the sentiment behind the idea certainly underlines the fact that people have a particular view of cats. In ancient Egypt cats were revered and the cat goddess Bastet was known as the symbol of motherhood and fertility. We used to have a cat called Millicent who had a favourite trick of luring the local dogs into a false sense of security by lying on her back. When their took the superior position of standing over she would then rake her claws right down their belly. Much whelping and running ensued with Millicent wandering off secure in the knowledge that she had once again established her rightful place in the power structure of the local area. All of which goes to show that cats are really cool, they allow you to live with them and look after them and if you are lucky they will give you some purrrrry love and affection, but only when it suits them. And this pic shows all of that. This is a real cat, beautifully captured with the focus on the most important feature the eyes, they are amazing. Nice pic, I like it a lot.

Peter

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

Norman is rather special Peter. Found him a few days old still blind and too young to walk. Hand reared him on evaporated milk fed via a syringe. Nearly three years on he bosses my two dogs around will only eat his preferred brand of dried cat food and one brand of sardines demanded at regular times to suit him three times a day. I cannot believe how a foundling has a whole household running around to suit him.
Glad you like his portrait fella.

Joanna27 Loc: Lakewood Ca

Cats don't have owners, they have staff.

Our cat yowl's at us every time he uses the cat box. Our job is to go clean it, now. His very effect use of negative reinforcement has us well trained. :)

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

So what sort of negative reinforcement does your cat apply if you are slow to respond? Do you keep an adequate supply of bandages on hand?

Jim-Pops Loc: Granbury, Texas

Great shot Billy. A good example of why rule of thirds is not always necessary. I know of your talent Billy so if it was a keeper for you, you might consider a Gaussian blur on the blinds. It is a bit of a distraction for me.

Frank2013 Loc: San Antonio, TX. & Milwaukee, WI.

Wonderful detail,composition, and engagement of the viewer Mr. Spad. As a side note: Is that a water tower for the neighbor hood or to store rain water caught from a roof?

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

Cats can be very gentle. In play Norman will grip with claws but not dig them in.

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

Norman taps us on the foot with his paw if we get distracted by something when stood at the worktop serving sardines to his Highness.
He would get his butt kicked for many of his antics but Im laughing too much usually.
Not surprised at all you have a cat and understand them.

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

Than you for those kind words Frank. What you can see is just part of the frame work built on top of the outside walls. It forms a screen for our dirty kitchen. Dirty kitchens are quite normal here and not dirty as such. Much cooking food preparation and pot washing is done outside so that ones house remains clean and odour free. A lot of fish is eaten here,not by Billy, and it keeps that fishy smell out of the house. Just like a very basic kitchen in your yard.
We do have a water tower as well, fed by an underground spring, which supplies our water for general use. Drinking water is bottled.

Joanna27 Loc: Lakewood Ca

Don't need bandages, just cleaning supplies. He'll use the mat in front of the cat box. He's actually a gentle cat but very insistent when he wants attention. Like at 3am. He has been banished to the laundry room at night. I need my beauty sleep.
He is hard to photograph. Dark fur, loves to lay half in and half out of the sun. Really messes with exposure. Lots of blurry photos of the back of his head.:)

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

Our cat is sent to the laundry room at night also since he tends to like to stroll over my face at night. We have two litter boxes so if he doesn't like one there's another there for him. They're in the laundry room and the boxes are on a piece of linoleum so if he happens to miss the box, it's easy to clean. Got a remnant from the linoleum store. Better than a rug or mat.

Joanna27 Loc: Lakewood Ca

Cute little "pain in the neck", aren't they?

PAR4DCR Loc: A Sunny Place

Good composition and you nailed the EYES. Good going Billy.
All of our pets are rescues, 2 dogs and 4 cats.

Don

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

Hya Jim yea I noticed the background but to be perfectly frank it did not worry me enough to alter it. The other problem being its incredibly difficult to tone the background and still keep detail in his rather fine haicut.
On Normans insistence he is going on the wall but as he is my friend.
Hope all is well with you my man and life is being kind to you and yours