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Monday, July 18, 2011

Key West Six-Toed Cat Cam

My friend Alison, who's not only my good pal, but also a super talented graphic designer responsible for the fabulous Catsparella logo, embarked this morning on a weeklong vacation to Key West, Florida.

Of course, as any seasoned cat lover knows, the small island in the Florida Keys is a cat mecca of sorts, known for its feline-friendly atmosphere and attractions. In addition to the roaming cats that are cared for by inhabitants of the small island community, Key West also hosts the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, which houses sixty polydactyl (extra-toed) cats, many of which are descendent from Hemingway's original six-toed kitty. Then of course, there's also Catman Dominique's "Flying House Cat" show, that delights visitors nightly at Westin Dock by Mallory Square Sunset Celebration.



While on her trip, I've instructed Alison to be my on-scene kitty correspondent, and before leaving, she sent me a link to a commercial she found as part of the 2009 Florida Keys "Come As You Are" campaign.

According to the agency behind the spot, they trained an actual Hemingway cat to wear a helmet for the cute clip, that features a Cooper Photographer Cat look-a-like, cruising the Key West nightlife scene with a tiny video camera strapped on its head to capture the non-stop action!


I hope Alison has a great time on her trip, and I want to know from you: Have you ever been lucky enough to travel to Key West?

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8 comments:

  1. Random FelinesJuly 18, 2011 at 4:46 PM

    Mom has been there. She didn't see some of that stuff, but she did go to the Heminway house. She got a great picture of this nice sofa with a cat sleeping on it with a sign that said please stay off the furniture. Tell your friend they sell a book about the cats in the gift shop!!

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  2. CatJuly 18, 2011 at 5:41 PM

    KW is one of my favourite places and we often go there for long weekends. I've seen the polydactyl cats at Hemingway House (even considered it as a wedding location) and I love the Key West Catman. I got to assist him once during his show which was fun and I was rewarded with one of his postcards :-) I know your friend will have a really fun holiday!!!

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  3. DaisyJuly 18, 2011 at 6:16 PM

    My Mommeh and Dad went there a couple of years ago! Of course they visited the Hemingway house and saw the circus cats performing in Mallory square! There is a livecam at the Hemingway house that you can tune into during the day to watch the kitties.

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  4. Cat and DOG Chat With CarenJuly 18, 2011 at 8:15 PM

    everyone in my family (except me) has been there numerous times. My brother lives/works in Miami and often goes on business to Key West.

    Everyone also used to say that my dad looked like Ernest Hemmingway.

    I have to say I feel sorry for that kitty, I keep wondering if that cam is heavy on its' head?

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  5. CatsparellaJuly 18, 2011 at 9:48 PM

    @Caren Aww, good question..I'm not sure, but I think it might have been a "prop" cam, maybe just an empty box so it was really light? Otherwise I doubt the kitty would even keep its head up and look so calm/comfortable?

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  6. Ingrid KingJuly 19, 2011 at 5:14 PM

    I was in Key West in the late 80's and I loved it - mostly, because of the cats. They were everywhere, and they all looked happy and well fed.

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  7. Julia WilliamsJuly 20, 2011 at 1:11 PM

    No...but I would really like to. That is one of the most cat friendly cities in the U.S., if not THE most. A kitty lover's paradise!

    P.S. I'm beginning to think you don't love me anymore!

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  8. CatsparellaJuly 20, 2011 at 1:17 PM

    @Julia You know I love you 4ever!! :)

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