So today, August 17, is Black Cat Appreciation Day. This is the day set aside to celebrate these “miniature panthers”.
Sadly, black cats have a hard time getting adopted. This is in part due to outdated superstitions and myths about them, such as their being bad luck, being evil, being witches’s familiars, etc. Another reason black cats (and black dogs) have trouble being adopted is that shelters have trouble getting good pictures to showcase them because they don’t photograph as well as lighter-colored animals.
Black cats, however, are just like any other cat. They are not evil creatures in league with the Devil or anything. Nor are they bad luck. In fact, in many cultures, they are considered good luck. My own black cat, Shadow, is a total sweetheart and, in the 12 years I’ve had him, he has not brought me any bad luck. I would love to have more black cats if given the chance.
So why not take a chance, save a life, and adopt a black kitty? They are always stylish – black goes with anything, after all. Stray black cat hairs are harder to see on dark clothes and furniture. And you can tell people you own a “miniature panther” 🙂
August 17, 2014 at 6:08 pm
I was going to adopt a black cat on Friday the 13th and name it Jinx. The home owners said no
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August 17, 2014 at 6:24 pm
I had a dream once where I had two black cats, named Hex and Jinx. That’s all I’ve ever been able to remember of the dream. But I’ve liked the idea ever since and have wanted to actually do that.
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August 17, 2014 at 6:25 pm
Hahahah Do it in time for Halloween!!!
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August 17, 2014 at 6:28 pm
maybe one day I will be able to
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August 18, 2014 at 12:28 am
So glad you covered this — I’ve never understood why people buy into the black-cat myth.. Crazy…so, great post! Oh, and Shadow is gorgeous — wonderful picture of him!
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August 18, 2014 at 4:17 pm
Thank you! I don’t really get it, either. Guess I’m not all that superstitious.
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August 22, 2014 at 7:32 pm
I have to admit I’m technically a dog person ( as you can probably tell by my gravatar ), but I like cats too and I’ve always thought black cats are gorgeous. We have one next door to us who we love to watch while he’s sunning himself and napping on his parent’s front path. Nothing wakes him up. He’s hysterical! Actually he looks alot like your beautiful Shadow.
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August 22, 2014 at 7:37 pm
Thanks. And they are gorgeous 🙂 I like both dogs and cats, but I like cats just a little more. Cinnamon, the dog in my header photo, is the first dog in my family. It was a learning experience having her, since we’d only ever had cats before.
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August 17, 2017 at 7:19 pm
Reblogged this on Jeanne Owens, author.
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August 20, 2017 at 1:43 pm
You’re absolutely right! Black cats are God’s creatures just as any other animal.
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August 20, 2017 at 2:36 pm
Yes, they are!
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