The Wisdom of Black Cats

It’s Halloween week, and I’m seeing black cat decorations all around me. Black cats have gotten a bad rap for centuries — many cultures have perpetuated myths about them. They have been maligned and even tortured because of their alleged association with evil and witchcraft. Chinese believed a black cat was an omen for poverty, and German folklore says that a black cat jumping on a sick bed signals that death is near.

We cat lovers know the truth about black cats. They make very loving, playful companions. And so as I wait for the coming of Trick-or-Treaters and The Great Pumpkin, I would like to take a moment to thank all the black cats who have crossed my path over the years. They weren’t bad luck at all, but a source of joy and wisdom. There are far too many to mention, but a few stand out.

Thanks to Maya, who opened a friend’s heart, and continues to watch over the stepchild he has lost. Thanks to Puyi, named for a boy emperor, who as a tiny kitten had the courage to leap into my sister’s hands from the roof of an apartment building. He continues his journey by comforting my recently widowed mother.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

LMj S.

9:07PM PDT on May 17, 2012

Thank You!

send a green star

9:06PM PDT on May 17, 2012

Debbie C.

8:11AM PDT on Nov 1, 2011

3 of our 5 cats are black. Well, 1 is a Tuxedo. He even has a pewter gray and white littermate.

We have never had a shelter cat because people are always 'giving' us a cat or kitten.

One was living in our garage. I moved her food bowl up to the door a little more every day and brought her in. She hasn't been out since and doesn't even want to now.

I love all of them, even the one who is only a year old and still into everything. He didn't get too much attention at his previous owners place. Now, he is smooched on every day.

Patricia W.

8:05PM PDT on Oct 27, 2011

Two of my five kitties are solid black and we love all of them - they're all sweet kitties.

Quinton S.

10:25AM PDT on Oct 27, 2011

Black cats get a bad rap just like pit bulls black cats have a harder time getting adopted out taken in as strays I don't know WHY i have five black cats an they are the most loving cats in the world an they are smart to. =^..^=

Past Member .

1:09PM PDT on Oct 14, 2011

Thank you!

KS G.

5:30AM PDT on Sep 13, 2011

Thanks for the article.

Julia P.

6:57PM PDT on Mar 15, 2011

from my own experience Ihave found black and black and white cats the most intelligent

Patricia G.

3:42AM PDT on Mar 15, 2011

My sweet Luna is a black cat that has been with me for the past eleven years. She's a companion, a friend and a sister to me. She was my first cat and my love for her goes beyond words. May she be with me for many, many more years, talking to me and purring with me in bed.

Dorothy K.

7:05PM PDT on Mar 13, 2011

Had one amazing black cat, Cybil. she passed away in 2003 but her her memory is very much alive. She was a long haired, gold, fat cat(16lbs) so she looked HUGE due to all that fur! Claim to fame? years of posing for pictures in a variety of costumes, she loved to pose! I could dress her, add various bits of decor and she would sit and wait for the camera, her cars were the favorite off all my friends. After she died, I was devastated, so, even though I had 2 sweet cats, I missed my black kitty, so, I adopted one from humane society, she is small, thin, and fluffy, big eyes, very pretty. However, her name was changed from kitty, to Cleopatra! oh boy!! does it suit!! Queen of it all, and a bit of a bully, she runs the show, and can go from sweet to evil in any given moment! Posing is beneath her, as is wearing costumes. oh well, it only proves that all black cats are not the same!