How I Came to Love Black Cats
As a little girl, I remember, black cats depicted in story books were meant to be scary. But, the pictures of them with their arched backs, fluffy tails and wild eyes fascinated me. I had never seen a cat like that. My own Tabby was mild and she never took on that arched back pose. By the time I was seven I thought I knew everything there was to know about cats until my best friend's cat gave birth. There it was, one little helpless black kitten. Why! Black cats were just like all the other kittens; soft and purring, kneading it's mama, and mewing with milk on it's chin. Oh, how I wanted to adopt that Blackie kitty!
How Black Cats Differ from Other Cats
When Blackie came to live with us, I learned very quickly that people were afraid of him, or said he was bad luck. But, he was good luck for me. He was the most lovable cat. And if you can believe this, he gave me messages. If I overslept for school he would appear in my dream running ahead of me to school. Then I realized I was late and woke up. Another time, I was in bed, so sick with fever. Blackie ran to my mother and pestered her to follow him to my room. I was so sick I went to the hospital. I had pneumonia. Later, we moved to a farm and he meowed at the door so insistently, we tried to be careful Blackie wouldn't get out until he was familiar with our new home. Next thing you know, he was gone! We hunted all over the farm, we told our neighbors to watch out for a big black shiny cat with a yellow collar and tag. But no one had seen him. Some were surprised we had a black cat. I set them straight right away. It was good luck to have a black cat. Blackie had saved my life! Some people's attitudes changed because of that. Blackie was a good ambassador on behalf of all black cats because of that.
Sometimes you read about animals finding their homes when they are lost that seem so unbelievable. I don't know why Blackie left us. After about two weeks I dreamed he was back at our old house. I kept telling my parents that is where he was. So, we drove back, and there he was, sitting on the front porch of our old house, looking pretty miserable. He was so glad to see us that I'm sure that is why he decided the farm was the best place to stay.
Sometimes Blackie would send me dreams of chasing down mice. Thanks a lot Blackie! Next morning there was his gift to me on the doorstep. One time I had such a real dream, it was like I was there, like Blackie and I were one, and Blackie was being chased by a big dog. He ran so fast twisting and turning in every direction trying to get away. In the dream I was running with him fearful and stressed and scared. You know how in dreams you feel like you can hardly walk fast or run? But in that dream I could keep up with Blackie. Sometimes in the dream I felt like I was Blackie and not myself. When we found him on the front step that morning I knew the dream was his last desperate message to let me know we were still like one. Blackie went to sleep then, forever. But he didn't stop dreaming with me for a long time. That's why he was so very special to me, and it gives me good luck every time I adopt a new black cat
Tips and Tricks
- There's a certain mysterious beauty in the dark presence of a black cat. I have had more than one in my life and even though they all had their individual personalities, they have taught me to not be afraid of the dark, as they are a part of it. They have taught me that in the darkness, if I am not afraid of it, then I can learn things about my own dark side that normally I would not want to look at. They have helped me to understand that if I look into the dark and see them, I will always be comforted and I can be reassured that it's okay. Life has a dark side and a lighter side, and we must embrace them both.
