Cats and Trails and Garden Tales
Musings on cats, travel, gardens and life
Celebrating Benji with the Photoshoot from 2019
I don’t mean to weary you but I’ve devoted this week’s blog to celebrating Benji, the little cat with the chopped ear we rescued from Seattle Humane four years ago. So far I’ve shared highlights from 2016, 2017 and 2018. Today I’ll wrap up the series with a look at 2019.
But before I do I wanted to reflect on my favorite story from 2016, “The Many Faces of Benji,” where I did a photoshoot for a fictitious magazine, American Rescue Cat, and he responded with gusto.
It was a pure work of fiction – until 2019 that is, when life imitated art.
The 2019 Photoshoot
In the spring of 2019 I was resting in the backyard by the stream when Benji came to join me on my lap. This is not unusual – he is a snuggly lap cat. I took pictures – also not unusual –
until that sweet boy looked straight into the camera.
Around that time I learned of a Photo Contest on Cat Human Relationships; there would be entries from around the world and 12 winning photos would be included in the 2020 Calendar for International Cat Care, a charity based in the UK, and sold as a Fundraiser. Hey, why not? I entered.
In September last year – on my birthday in fact – I was notified that Benji was a winner and learned later that his face would adorn the month of May. There was no cash prize – only the kitty that made the cover got that – but we were happy to be included and to receive copies of the calendar and a few kitty prizes.
And so my little story from 2016 seemed to come true in 2019.
Thanks Benji. 🙂
We now return to our regular programming.
~ Susanne and Benji
Cats and Trails and Garden Tales 
Awwwe. Such a touching moment to be memorialized. I’m glad the judge saw the affection present; I sure do!
Thanks so much for your comment. I appreciate it. 🙂
Outstanding photos of Benji!
Thank you so much! He’s quite the photogenic kitty! 😻
So cute! And so photogenic, how could you not win?😻
Thanks so much! It was a wonderful surprise, but with a face like that, how could we lose?? 😻
I well remember when he made it onto the calendar. By the way, Ollie says he is far too important to appear on calendars. 🙂
Best wishes, Pet.
I didn’t know such a thing was possible! Tell Ollie he should accept the honor! He would look good any month of the year! 🙂
He says to tell Benji he is definitely not jealous! 🙂
Will do. 😉 😉
Has he become any different since his international fame?
I’m pleased to report that he remains (mostly) humble, though he won’t let me change the calendar past the month of May.
LOL
So you’ve got a calendar kitty!
Yes, indeed!😻🥰
Beautiful photos of a handsome cat ! Purrs !
Thank you so much!! 😻😺
I am enjoying learning more about Benji.
Oh I’m so glad to hear it! This was his week! 🙂
So cute!
Thanks so much! 🙂
oh what a face, fabulous photograph
Thank you so much! 😻
Beautiful kitty!
Thank you so much! 🙂
Benji appears to be grateful for a nice home and loving laps to reside on. And he’s also a famousn calendar cat. Life is good for that kitty.
Yes indeed, life is good for both of us! Thank you. 😊