I never planned to be the mom of a black cat. I might have chosen a different color, had there been a choice. But there was only one kitten available for adoption the day I went to the rescue shelter five years ago. I could have waited a couple of days for another fur ball to become ready, but patience has never been my strong suit. Besides, the little black beauty sitting in a cage crying switched her sounds over to purring the second we picked her up. In that regard, I suppose she chose us as much as we chose her - even though we didn't really choose her because we didn't have a choice.
Since that day I've become a flagrant fan of black felines. Our little princess is sweet, friendly and brings a unique personality to our home. She's also something of a looker, with her sleek ebony coat, jet-black button nose and sea-green eyes.
It's come to my attention, however, that not everyone is on the black cat-wagon. Some people (used to be me) avoid black cats like they are bad luck. Cat lore has associated them with witches and misfortune, which is unfortunate. When I do an Internet search for "black cat" I find words like sorcery, diabolism, weird, omen, death and evil. My kitten is none of the above. Well, maybe just a little weird on days ending in Y, but who among us isn't a little weird some or all of the time?
Historically, black cats have gotten a bum rap and I'm here today to set the record straight.
There are many reasons to own a black cat (or allow them to own you). I could come up with at least 13, but today, I'll stick to an even seven.
No. 1. Black cats can free you from irrational superstitions. When you live with a black cat, she will cross your path all the time, and you'll come to understand there isn't a smidgen of bad luck in the crossing, unless you are carrying a full basket of laundry up the stairs and she decides to race you, which she probably will.
No. 2. Black is the new black. For cats and clothing. If you own a black cat, you can wear your black yoga pants, black T-shirt, black tuxedo and little black dress without a worry because any errant black cat hairs will be nearly invisible on your garments.
No. 3. Black cat owners are loyal. Once people get a taste of sharing their life with an ebony kitty, they seek out another dark-furred feline when the (sad) time comes for a new cat. You, too, can be part of this elite club. It even comes with a free black T-shirt. (Not really, but it sounded like a good idea.)
No. 4. It isn't practical for most of us to own a real-live panther. (Believe it or not, possessing a wild carnivore is legal in some states. That one surprised me, too.) You can't own a wild carnivore, but you can a domestic one that is actually a distant relative to the panther, aka, a black cat. Domestic or not, most days my kitty is pretty sure she's a wild carnivore. Especially when I'm folding laundry.
No. 5. Black makes everything look better. Your cat will look good on any color couch, counter and on top of the fridge. In addition, everyone knows black is slenderizing. Hold a black cat and you'll appear 20 pounds lighter.
No. 6. Sad fact, but a fact nonetheless: Black cats are the least likely to be adopted and most likely to be euthanized in animal shelters. Let's put a stop to this. Adopt a black cat (or two) today. They'll sleep on your head, swish their tail in your face and remind you at 6 a.m. that they haven't had their breakfast yet. They'll also purr on your lap, rub up against your legs and give you kisses and hugs when they decide you've earned it.
No. 7. Finally, it's been proven that people who share their life with a black cat are smarter, happier, wealthier, more athletic, successful, energized, vibrant, sexy and better looking than non-black cat owners - at least as reported by their black cats.
- Jill Pertler's column appears Thursdays in the Times. She can be reached at pertmn@qwest.net.
Since that day I've become a flagrant fan of black felines. Our little princess is sweet, friendly and brings a unique personality to our home. She's also something of a looker, with her sleek ebony coat, jet-black button nose and sea-green eyes.
It's come to my attention, however, that not everyone is on the black cat-wagon. Some people (used to be me) avoid black cats like they are bad luck. Cat lore has associated them with witches and misfortune, which is unfortunate. When I do an Internet search for "black cat" I find words like sorcery, diabolism, weird, omen, death and evil. My kitten is none of the above. Well, maybe just a little weird on days ending in Y, but who among us isn't a little weird some or all of the time?
Historically, black cats have gotten a bum rap and I'm here today to set the record straight.
There are many reasons to own a black cat (or allow them to own you). I could come up with at least 13, but today, I'll stick to an even seven.
No. 1. Black cats can free you from irrational superstitions. When you live with a black cat, she will cross your path all the time, and you'll come to understand there isn't a smidgen of bad luck in the crossing, unless you are carrying a full basket of laundry up the stairs and she decides to race you, which she probably will.
No. 2. Black is the new black. For cats and clothing. If you own a black cat, you can wear your black yoga pants, black T-shirt, black tuxedo and little black dress without a worry because any errant black cat hairs will be nearly invisible on your garments.
No. 3. Black cat owners are loyal. Once people get a taste of sharing their life with an ebony kitty, they seek out another dark-furred feline when the (sad) time comes for a new cat. You, too, can be part of this elite club. It even comes with a free black T-shirt. (Not really, but it sounded like a good idea.)
No. 4. It isn't practical for most of us to own a real-live panther. (Believe it or not, possessing a wild carnivore is legal in some states. That one surprised me, too.) You can't own a wild carnivore, but you can a domestic one that is actually a distant relative to the panther, aka, a black cat. Domestic or not, most days my kitty is pretty sure she's a wild carnivore. Especially when I'm folding laundry.
No. 5. Black makes everything look better. Your cat will look good on any color couch, counter and on top of the fridge. In addition, everyone knows black is slenderizing. Hold a black cat and you'll appear 20 pounds lighter.
No. 6. Sad fact, but a fact nonetheless: Black cats are the least likely to be adopted and most likely to be euthanized in animal shelters. Let's put a stop to this. Adopt a black cat (or two) today. They'll sleep on your head, swish their tail in your face and remind you at 6 a.m. that they haven't had their breakfast yet. They'll also purr on your lap, rub up against your legs and give you kisses and hugs when they decide you've earned it.
No. 7. Finally, it's been proven that people who share their life with a black cat are smarter, happier, wealthier, more athletic, successful, energized, vibrant, sexy and better looking than non-black cat owners - at least as reported by their black cats.
- Jill Pertler's column appears Thursdays in the Times. She can be reached at pertmn@qwest.net.
