Geoff and I went home to Pittsburgh last weekend to celebrate his birthday and do whatever he does that involves his fantasy baseball draft. I also was tasked with the mission of photographing my family’s diva cat, LaSalle Faironaire (affectionately dubbed Sal for short). We’ve had Sal since I was 9 years old. She’ll be 16 in May. We credit her longevity to her voluntary solitary confinement in the basement for the first 13 years of her life… avoiding our two tabby cat hellions, Tang and Button. Tang died three years ago, followed by Button a year later, and finally Sal came out of the basement, happier than ever before. She now fully occupies the house (but mostly the kitchen) and has taken to sitting next to all the heating vents and stuffing her face in my parents’ space heaters. My dad calls her the Head of Maintenance.
Sal is both French and Jewish and in her spare time enjoys reading Anne Rice novels and watching Beyonce music videos. We photographed her in my parents’ kitchen where she spends 99.9% of her time.
Most of her time spent in the kitchen is spent hanging out with my mom, who is technically Sal’s owner. When I was 9 and my sister was 13, we just wanted cats who looked like Garfield and my dad was only interested in fish. So Laura and I got orange cats, my dad got fish, and my mom took home Sal, who was a rescue.
The picture below was about halfway through our shoot. Sal is being as patient as possible, but it’s beginning to show.
My mom said that the below picture “…isn’t really in the spirit of Sal.” …..
….She then proceeded to stuff Sal into a little French beret.
The shots below were taken by my mom, who said that they would showcase the rapport I have with my subjects. :)
We love you, Sal!
Oh, Carolyn! At last my humble beginnings, of which I would rather not speak, have been overcome. I’m overjoyed to appear so lovely in your photos. How I enjoyed the photoshoot with you! I am honored.
Why thank you, Sal… I know you are a very intense critic of the arts and I am glad you approve! ;)
That first image is actually ridiculous. I feel that Sal would take over the world if given the chance…and also if given some thumbs. I am a huge fan of Sal’s whisker, too.