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Posted on 08/17/2022 7:12:49 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin
History of National Black Cat Appreciation Day
Have you ever feared a black cat crossing your path? This is from ancient superstitions where people thought this meant bad luck. For many cultures and historical settings, black cats were actually meant for positive things. So, to try and dispel these myths about black cats, National Black Cat Appreciation Day was created to be celebrated on August 17 every year.
Today, pop culture loves black cats. There’s the sarcastic Thackery Binx in “Hocus Pocus”, Salem, in “Sabrina, the Teenage Witch” and Pyewacket in the classic “Bell, Book and Candle,” and we can’t forget the classic cartoon black cat, Luna in “Sailor Moon.” Black cats are seen as loyal companions, and this is what they were seen as for a lot of cultures in history too.
So, who’s to blame for this negative black cat spin? Superstition! But mostly because during the Middle Ages, people (mainly the Catholic Church) saw witches as shape-shifting black cats and the damage was done. From then on, black cats were seen as evil entities for years and years to follow.
But not everyone sees black cats this way. In fact, black cats are actually welcomed by a lot of people. For some, a visit from a black cat means good luck, and for others it meant prosperity or romance. Hey — in some cultures black cats are even worshipped. Basically, there’s no need to fear them. On this day, we celebrate our cuddly friends, no matter what color their coat is!
*SNIP*
National Black Cat Appreciation Day Activities
Visit the Nekobiyaka Cat Café
This Japanese café pays tribute to black cats, letting them roam throughout the restaurant for guests to enjoy. Pay $10 to spend an hour with the kitties and order some soda or beer while you’re there. Guests are not allowed to pick up or hold the cats, but customers can pet them. Each cat wears a different color bandana so you can tell them apart.
Adopt a black cat
As unbelievable as this sounds, black cats are about half as likely to be adopted as other cats! This is silly but true. Show some love to a homeless or abused black cat or kitten by contacting your local animal shelter to find one in need of a good home.
Read Edgar Allen Poe’s, “The Black Cat”
The Saturday Evening Post originally published Poe’s short story back in 1843. It's one of the author's darkest tales — dealing with the psychology of guilt.
But of course. Has probably replaced you in the will too
My black cats are the best. Two named Homer, now waiting at Rainbow Bridge. One named Darth-Ann sleeping on the bed at this moment.
Well, they're mostly black.
We had a tux hanging around our property three years ago, not feral, looked like someone just dumped her.
We took her in, cleaned her up, named her Nikki Haley (same eyes, and part bull-dog).
Our other two rescues don't like her, so all three tend to be "on alert". Keeps 'em from getting bored.
Purrrrrrr.
The one we had way back was very gentle, sweet, and so chill. I’d love to rescue another one but we already have two cats, orange tabby and tuxedo, that we got last year and they just get along so well (not even from the same litter and don’t know each other) I don’t know what introducing another cat would do.
“Read Edgar Allen Poe’s, “The Black Cat”
I read that years ago, I was probably about 11 or 12. My goodness did it scare me! I remember walking down the street three days later, still totally freaked out by it!
Our 2 tuxes are both spoiled indoor cats. Now that we moved, we really need an outdoor cat to chase away squirrels and chipmunks.
My first cat ever was all black; best kitty ever of my childhood!
Ever notice how the face of black kittens can slightly resemble the face of a baby bear?
I did. Of course, he was named Yogi. His casual name was Yogurt. Polydactyl.
I had two very gentle lovable black cats about eight years ago; one of the dogs got loose during the night and never saw the cats again.
That dog and two other cat killers have since died.
I have black cats again, four of them - they just showed up now and then over the past few years. Maybe dumped, maybe wandered and got lost in storms.Two affectionate and two fearful, but all have good appetite!
Thanks for the tip!!
Owlkitty is a HOOT!!! 🐱
Do not attempt to pick up this panther without a proper introduction.
Awww…he’s a cutie. I had a black cat named Apollo once. And his twin sister, Artemis, also black. They were the only two cats in the litter. Great kitties.
Tess and Tilly are adorable. Are they litter-mates?
We have a black cat named Pepper. A friend has two named Pixie and Griffin.
Apollo was a yellow tiger striped cat and was the coolest cat ever. I could cradle him like a baby and he'd make gerbil like sounds.
Being unfixed males, they liked to wander and the black one always came back beat up. The yellow one disappeared for months once and came back looking well fed and then disappeared and hasn't come back so I think he lives with someone else now.
The black one doesn't roam anymore. Last time he came back with an ear mostly missing.
Got the cats from a neighbor who now has a half a dozen black cats. He had a calico female who was the mother of the two we got, hence one being yellow.
I have three black cats and they are top notch! Pepper, Shorty and Sugar Puff.
Their evil sister is Gray and has a personality like Roz in “Monsters Inc.”. I can be working on something out in her barn, look up and there she sits, observing closely.
Black cats, they don’t come any better.
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