Why, oh why, are black cats so often over looked and left behind while their more colourful or patterned shelter-mates are rehomed? Spitza, a resident at PussyCat Lodge for many months, is a prime example .She is very friendly and playful and loves her chin tickled. However, being black and white, it seemed, she was constantly being passed by, despite all our attempts to interest people in her. She has only just found her special owner.
But, back to "black cats", I just don't understand it! Personally, I think that BLACK cats are so unique and I am going to try to persuade you all to my way of thinking.
|
Black cats are intelligent, sleek, very vocal, cheeky, mischievous, independent, charismatic, elegant, petite, dainty. They have eyes like gems in the sunshine, piercing yellow or green, etc. but, most of all, they are LUCKY. Black cats stay the same colour throughout their life. Their coat does not change as they grow older – yes, they will always be sleek & elegant. They demand attention on their own terms, can be very "cool" towards mere humans and think it's very undignified to be picked up. Black cats blend into the dark and their hair doesn't show on your dark clothes. |
|
|
Male black cats are well built and stocky; females small, dainty and slim.
Below are some stories that have been passed on to me, from humans, about black cats and their special characteristics:
Ruby & Boris: Intelligent, sleek, very vocal, independent and lucky!
Doodle: Charismatic and demands attention on his terms. When he wants attention he will lightly tap his human's cheek for his tummy to be rubbed.
Peewee: Elegant, petite and dainty, with eyes shining like yellow gems in the sunshine. Peewee waits for her owner's car to pull up and greets her.
Jo Jo: Brilliant yellow eyes - prettiest of the litter. His coat stayed the same and the colour hasn't changed. He will always be sleek & elegant.
|
Mr Datcher: Was named after the house he was rescued from. An elderly lady passed away leaving behind 57 cats. Jennie was helping Wood Green Animal Shelter to trap them and held the cats over night awaiting their collection by Wood Green. |
|
|
|
Mr Datcher, however, being a clever black cat, escaped and lived on top of the pen with a hut and food. He liked to swipe at Jennie's head every time she went into the pen, just to remind her he was still there. He was one of our oldest sponsor cats and lived happily with Jennie until he passed away in 2002.
|
Blackie: Pauline's first "rescue" was a black, one-eyed cat, which she had when she was about 11. Pauline's mum hadn't realised how close they had become until one night she tucked her in and there was Blackie, snuggled under the blankets with his head on her pillow. It turned out that Blackie had strayed from the other side of the road, about ten doors down. Luckily his owner was happy for him to move in with Pauline who loved him to bits. Thankfully her resident tabby, Tim, thought Blackie was OK and allowed him to stay.
|
Wolfgang: (Right)
He thinks if he hides in the grass you can't see him. His piercing eyes look right into you. He is very vocal and tells you, in a loud voice, all that has been happening that day, as if you understand every word. He wants attention on his terms only. He only wants his chin stroked at certain times and purrs as loud as a car engine. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mortisha: (Left)
Would sit on your shoulder all day if you gave her the chance. She was just happy to be with you and purred all day. When owner (me) was unwell, Mortisha would lie under the covers with her human and keeps her warm. She has sadly now gone on to cat heaven, but not forgotten. |
| |
|
|
|
Witch: (Right)
So called because she is a little witch! She will purr her head off then swipe at you in the next breath to tell you she is in charge. Her best trick is at Open Days when she takes charge of the stall, sitting on all the merchandise testing it all out, so when she lets me sell it it’s "cat spoiled" or how she see it "tested by a professional". Then to scare the buyers off she bounces up and down on the top of the tent as though she is on a trampoline! |
|
|
So how about it? Give black cats a chance!
Jacqui Duly, January 2006
