Where you live in the world often determines whether you believe black cats bring good or bad luck. Sadly, bad press in movies has left thousands of loving-hearted black cats homeless.
“Superstitions are negative gossip, someone gets hurt,” said Janetta Overholser, president of Humane Society of Cottage Grove. “This CAT-ititude needs to change as currently black animals face a harder time finding
homes.
Black pet parents know their luck, because a pet is a pet, no matter what color it was born. Adopting pet parents tell us, ‘Our black cats are the most loving and have added great joy to our family’s life."
These families are not alone. In Latvia, farmers dance with joy upon discovering a black cat in their grain silos. They believe the felines represent a fruitful harvest. Black kittens discovered on a Scottish porch herald in the hope of a future
filled with riches and happiness. The Japanese smile when a black cat crosses their path, for it is a sure sign that good fortune is soon to follow.
Cynthia and her husband, Herby, in South Africa shares why her cat, Blackie, is good luck. It saved her life!
“When Herby and I met he had a black cat, Blackie, and I had a ginger, Ginger. One night while we were sleeping, Blackie repeatedly smacked his paw across Herby's face. When
Herby roused himself to brush Blackie away, he smelled gas. We quickly escaped our home. I was groggy from the gas fumes, so Herby had to half-carry me out.
Then, he went back in and opened all the windows. Our gas cooker’s loose knob had switched itself to ‘ON.’ Blackie had saved our lives.
Years after the gas incident, Herby was in the hospital. During the night, we had a terrifying South African electrical, thunder and rainstorm.
I
looked everywhere for Blackie before leaving to visit Herby, but I could not find Blackie anywhere. I entered the hospital room and Herby declared, ‘Blackie, is dead. He visited me this afternoon to say good-bye. I was resting, my eyes were closed, and he appeared on my chest. I felt his weight and heard his purr.’
Blackie always slept on Herby's chest. I knew that we would never see our cat again and we didn’t. Over our lifetime, we've rescued hundreds of cats, but none had Blackie's
energy and intelligence. We've never forgotten him, and never will.”
“My favorite cat color is black,” said my daughter, Ariel. “I love their soft satin fur and sweet nature. Ours are cuddly and gentle with our small children. They resemble regal panthers and have wonderful personalities. When we go to an animal shelter, we purr-fur rescuing hard to place pets that others reject. I once met someone who demonized black cats. Her thinking is as ridiculous
as demonizing a flower or human based on color. There is beauty in variety, the world would be boring if flowers, eyes, skin and people were only one color.”
The Japanese, Latvian, and Scottish cultures and Cynthia, Herby and Ariel are right! The only thing bad about them is when you don’t have one to love and protect you! Black cats bring a home the two “L’s”; good luck and love!