.............I was quick to spot this really COOL portrait of a Persian cat in costume, but we just as quickly found out that Venice was way over-priced on most things, so I didn't even bother asking how much it was. At least I got a photo of it, which I might blow up and hang on MY wall, LOL! And this "portrait" was in a shop window right next door to our apartment, so it was REALLY calling to me!! Darn.....!! On the other hand, it's EYES are not round enough and way too small to be a quality Persian, so it's got one strike against it already! Make that 2 - the long "frill" of fur around his neck & chest is missing.
............I braved the chilly weather in Venice when we arrived, UNTIL the real cold front came in a day later! And then I had to wear that old black sweater I had brought along, borrowed from my nephew....in fact, usually TWO sweaters at once AND a heavy shawl! (Shawls are the biggest fashion craze in Italy now, along with the usual high boots, even in summer.) But NOTHING could dampen our enthusiasm for Venice and all it's magic --- the charming canals and gondolas included. The gondolas in the picture below are docked on the Grand Canal, just waiting to take off, but without us....It's starting to rain again! (Luckily it didn't rain the whole day every day, so we managed to sneak in LOTS more pictures, as you will see!