Friday, August 17, 2012

Black Cats I Have Known & Loved...

This afternoon I read on Deb's (Just Cats) blog that it is Black Cat Appreciation Day...who knew?! So, I was inspired to do a post on some of the black cats I have known and loved...
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I'll begin with my first kitty, Pat-Pat...I loved her so much! She lived at my Grandma Collier's house ~ (our farm was ruled by English Setters, and was on a busy highway...not kitty-friendly at a time when kitties were outside-only)...
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This is my oldest daughter Mandy's Angel-Kitty, Fleece. He was one cool kitty!
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Here's Mandy's kitty Basil ~ aka "Bazoo" ~ when he was a kitten...just look at his little lips (his "wittle wips", we say) ~ ;^) 
He's grown into his ears now...(and he still has those cute lips)!
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Here are Basil (left) and my Angel Kitty, Greta.
We fostered the Mama cat and her litter from the local Humane Society...actually, Bazoo was found by some kind soul ~ in a field, of all places ~ and given to the Mama to take care of ~ she accepted him as one of her own.
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Mandy took Basil and I took Greta, as we knew that black kitties didn't have a very good chance of being adopted...at first I said I didn't need any more cats, but I gave in...the girls teased me and called her my "Pity Kitty", but she was such a dear (not a pity-kitty at all...;^) ~ she loved sleeping in odd places; here she is in a brown paper bag ~
She also LOVED her feather-toy...a particularly pitiful-looking one, missing most of its feathers...she would bring it to me ~ wanting to play ~ constantly. She liked to carry it around, but she would occasionally misplace it, then would find it again (hmmm, kind of like me...), and you could tell she was so happy when she did! She was so sweet.
Greta's Mama was a Siamese mix, and Greta had beautiful glossy black fur, and very Siamese features.
Beautiful girl!
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Here is another of my Angel Kitties, Muppet.
She was dumped as a baby... downtown, in the alley behind my husband's shop...I don't know how long she had been out in the elements, but her beautiful black fur was sun-bleached to a light brown; we'd never seen anything like it. She was extremely friendly, and walked right in, as if to say, "Hello, I'll be your cat, now!"...
She started out being "Olivia", but that didn't last long...she was such a clown, and had this LONG fur in her ears...she just looked like she could have been one of Jim Henson's Muppets...
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Like all the kitties, Muppet loved to help me with art projects...
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Black cat, cross my path
Good fortune bring to home and hearth

When I am away from home
Bring me luck wherever I roam

- Old English Charm

Top 10 Reasons To Adopt A Black Cat...

10. You'll save $$ on their Halloween costumes.
9. You can always find them in the snow.
8. Holding a black cat is very slimming.
7. Black cats will match any decor.
6. A lint brush isn't required for a black-tie affair.
5. When you love a black cat, Luck is on your side.
4. Black cats are like onyx, a beautiful gem.
3. Hey, they don't care what color you are!
2. Love knows no color.

And the number one reason to adopt a black cat...


1. They are the least likely to be adopted.


The Lucky Black Cat

Throughout history, and in many cultures, black cats were seen as lucky, sacred and protective beings. For example:

* Freya, the Norse Goddess of Love and Fertility, drives a chariot pulled by two black cats.

* To dream of a black cat is thought by many people to be a lucky omen.


* Many theater folk love cats, perhaps because they, too, were once ostracized and shunned. It is believed that a black cat in the audience on opening night portends a successful play.

* In the south of France, black cats are referred to as "matagots" or "magician cats." According to local superstition, they bring good luck to owners who feed them well and treat them with the respect they deserve.

* Fishermen's wives kept black cats while their husbands went away to sea believing that the black cats would protect their husbands from danger. These black cats were treated like royalty and were considered so valuable that they were often stolen. At one point, they became so expensive that few fisher-folk could afford them.

Whenever the cat of the house is black,
The lasses of lovers will have no lack.
~ English Proverb

*
In Australia, Britain and other parts of the world where black is a protective color, black cats are thought to be lucky. It was believed that their color gave them the power to ward off negative forces.

* I
n Ancient Egypt, cats were sacred and protected by the Goddesses Sekmet and Bast. A home that kept a cat was blessed. Egyptians believed that cats captured the glow of the setting sun in their eyes and kept it safe until morning. Killing or harming a cat was a horrible crime in their culture, and was punished by death.

* Many cultures believe that cats with gold or green eyes bring prosperity. Because of their eye and coat colors, black cats are thought to have the ability to attract abundance and the power to protect it.
 
*Many cultures consider cats to be mystical creatures which are really fairies in disguise.

* Some say th
at the ancient Celts believed that black cats were reincarnated beings who could foretell the future.

* Cats have always been associated with motherhood, protection, love and fertility, and it many cultures, black is the color of protection.


* Advocates of Feng Shui remind us that cats are drawn to harmony. Therefore a happy cat is the sign of a happy, harmonious home. A figurine of a black cat is often placed in the home, facing north, to ward off evil.

* In some cultures, brides were given black cats as good luck on their wedding day.

* In Finland, black cats were thought to gently carry the souls of the dead to the other world.

* In Scotland it was believed that if a black cat crosses your path it will mean good things to come. A black cat on your porch will bring prosperity.


The smallest feline is a masterpiece.
- Leonardo da Vinci

* For those who loved The Da Vinci Code, Leonardo da Vinci loved cats, and included many in his sketches, including one in the British Museum which show a Madonna with child and cat.* King Charles I of England owned a black cat, whom he valued very much. He treasured the cat so much that he had his guards watch over it 24 hours a day. As luck would have it, the day after the cat died from an illness, the king was arrested.


Adopt a Black Cat!
(And have a great weekend!)
Anne

(adding my black kitties to Cathy's 1929 Charmer's Sunday's Best!)

71 comments:

  1. My favorite color animal is black and white. I have a black and white cat, and a black and white dog..and if I see a hamster or whatever I always think they are so cute in black and white! I loved your black cat post:)

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  2. This was lovely. I love black cats (all cats)and you certainly had your share. Are they not the most beautiful cats with the golden eyes. Love the first photo. Now you have given me an idea to look up some old photos of me and my cats when I was a child. Love your blog. Have a great day and thanks for the shout-out. Deb

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  3. Well, you know I have a black cat, don't you?
    Now, WHY if black cats were considered so lucky, did they become such black luck symbols in the USA? Has it something to do with the Salem Witch Trials? When I lived in England in the 80's, I was very surprised to learn that black cats were good luck symbols when it was the opposite in America.

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  4. Beautiful kitties. Those "big kitten ears" we call them "airplane ears".

    Thank you for sharing & expressing your love for black cats. All kitties are precious.

    Hugs

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  5. Beautiful Black Kitties! Thank you for sharing this lovely post! My daughter's first kitty of her own was a black one, looked much like your Muppet.

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  6. Claire Bear says "Amen!" Nice post :-).

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  7. I love cats too and at the moment we have three, all of whom have adopted us. The most recent, Scruffy, is black and white and a real little pickle!
    Your black cat photos are lovely and it was interesting to read all the 'cat facts'.
    Best wishes
    Ellie

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  8. Hi, such wonderful pictures !!
    We had a black cat for 10 years her name was CP, short for Charming Pussycat. She was a real lady and we all loved her.
    Hugs

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  9. Sweet post...I love any color of cat. My Frank and I had a black cat when we first got married...he just moved in with us and stayed for years. At the present time I have a white Kitty with a black tail, and black ears with a black spot on her tummy. My other kitty is all gray and looks like Greta. The photo of you and and Pat-Pat is precious.:)

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  10. Love all of your black kitties! I have always been a cat lover. And thank you for all of the interesting cat lore.
    Smiles ;)
    =^..^=
    Teresa in California
    http://amagcialwhimsy.blogspot.com/

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  11. Hi Anne,
    oh my, Reason No. 3 made me laughing a lot. You had so cute black cats. I love your Muppet, looks cute and funny. My first cat was black. She was very close to me but very special. My husband always told me: This black cat is very black, outside as much as inside. Now I am on the way to adopt a young black cat again. She came by herself and eats Wiskis food. And start to cuddle with me.
    Have a great weekend,
    Johanna

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  12. Thanks for your sweet comment on my blog! I'm now following you back-number 500! :)
    Looove all your kitties! We have a black one that looks exactly like Muppet! He just walked onto our back stoop and never left.(Of course he lives inside now!)
    Susan

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  13. Hello dear,it's me cucki from south Africa ..a happy follower of your blog :)
    Thank you so much for following my humble blog.. I am so happy that we met each other ..
    Your blog is so cute..,I love cats so much..my cat name is maloo:)
    Big hugs and love for you
    Cucki xxx

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  14. I had one in college named Mimi. She loved kids; I had none, the landlord had 2, so she eventually just moved in with them. (She did deign to visit me at least once a day.) :-)

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  15. I love a black cat- I had a black Maine Coon and he was a wonderful boy. It looks like you have been blessed with a few black cats in your life- Love that first picture of you and the kitty- xo Diana

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  16. Wonderful little tidbits about black cats.... :0)

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  17. What great cats!! I love black cats and I just don’t understand how people can’t see how beautiful they are and get to fixated on those crazy myth's--Black dogs have the same problems too ...

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  18. I'll back you up on adopting a black cat. The rescue kitten I took in is now two and the most fascinatingly crazy cat I've ever had! You had me LOL at the reasons for getting black! ~ Maureen

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  19. My dear
    Thank you so much for your kind comment ! I am glad to meet you !I am the newest follower !
    Olympia

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  20. Sweet tribute to the felines.
    We have a rescue kitty and one ...um...birthday kitty.

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  21. Hello, Anne! What a pleasure it is to "meet" you!
    I am so glad that introduced yourself...I thank you so much for following and leaving a dear message.
    You blog is wonderful! I am a cat lover (and art lover)...this is my cup of tea indeed! Great name for your blog too ;)
    Thank you for the history of the beautiful black cats...your kitties are marvelous.
    I have had three white cats, and the one that is still with us is also named Leo! But I love them all..every color is lovable.
    Oh, and as I was getting acquainted with your posts, I saw that you participated in Vanessa's tea party! Your photos are beautiful, and if it's not a secret...how did you get the snow and sparkle effect onto your images?
    I am looking forward to reading and seeing more of your splendid posts!
    xoxo,
    - Irina

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  22. Glad you found your way to our little shop, Anne. Nice to meet you too. :) Love your header and I'm off to browse your place now. Thank you for the follow, following back and looking forward to more visits.
    Happy pinks!
    Marcia

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  23. Awww, this is such a nice post and your blog is beautiful. It's nice to meet you.. Glad you found me, I'm your new follower as well and will be back to look over your blog and read more of it.. It's so interesting.. Hope you have a nice Sunday, Susie

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  24. How sweet!
    I have loved two black cats, Hopper and Blackie.
    They're smart and beautiful! All of them!

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  25. Thank you for visiting Anne.
    Your post was definitively made for my daughter who has all black cats!
    I immediately sent her the link!
    Will stop by and enjoy your posts!
    Blessings to you and yours,

    P.S. One long haired American Tabby here and a Welsh Pembroke Corgi (and lots of wildlife on our tiny island!)

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  26. Hi my sweet friend Anne :)
    What a fun post... so creative, and I really enjoyed the pictures and stories of your black cats.
    I haven't thought of black cats in ages!
    I once had a black cat..named "Mid-moon'. Don't know where that name came from... but it was the 70's :)
    Lots of earthy stuff then~~~LOL!

    My little vine seedlings are growing great! Thanks again, and again for the seeds!!
    We are wanting to put the vines in the courtyard.

    Have a wonderful week!

    {{hugs}}
    Kerin

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  27. Hi Anne, thank you for visiting my blog and becoming a follower - I'm following you now, too.

    I love your blog! We've a lot in common I think. A love of cats, art, etc. I'll be back often!

    Blessings,

    Victoria

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  28. Huh, I read somewhere they are the most likely to be adopted, but for the wrong reasons...like people who want to do them harm ,and that's why they need to be rescued by good people so badly. We have no kitties :( my hubby is allergic. But your kitties and fluffy and cuddly and beautiful!

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  29. g'day from Tasmania Australia...great to have you visit my humble blog... i am so happy to have you as a follower and will certainly add you to my list as well.... i love cats and sadly i no longer have one as a pet..i just couldn't bring myself to adopt another one after my darling Lehi who was 16 died 5 years ago....just a longhaired silver grey moggy with attitude who thought he was human and not a feline....

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  30. HI!!!
    THANK YOU SO MUCH for visiting my blog and following along. I hope we can both learn more about each other in the coming weeks. I love to meet new blogger friends. Missouri ....my Mom just moved from there to the Chicago area where my sister and brother both live. I liked visiting her there.
    No I do not have any cats or dogs...my allergies would never allow for that. My Mom has 2 cats and when I go there...I sneeze and itch for days......but they sure are cute and nothing beats a happy cat.
    hugs,
    jamie

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  31. I so enjoyed your Black Cat appreciation Post and meeting all your adorable Black Kitties. Though I have never owned a Black Cat {all of our Cats ADOPTED US and came to us as Ferals and Strays so we didn't choose them, they chose us} I have always thought Black Cats were so Beautiful and Mysterious looking. For some reason the Majority of our Kitties that came to us have been either Siamese/Tonkanese, Calico Females or Orange Tomcats. Though our longest and oldest Adoption was a Fur Baby that was a Tiger Stripe Short Hair Domestic named Rat Boy {though She was a Girl}... I still miss her terribly... 20 years was a mighty long time to be together!

    Blessings from the Arizona Desert... Dawn... The Bohemian

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  32. Hi Anne,

    Thanks for leaving a comment on my blog, and for following me.
    My last cat was a black cat and she was adorable. She was given to us because they couldn't guarantee she was a persian. She was the most easy going cat that ever lived.
    I love your Santas.

    Cindy Bee

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  33. I do have a black kitty! Son of a siamese :) She is pregnant again...I sure hope some are siamese. She used to have ALL siamese (furballs, unlike her) but she changed baby daddys and now they come out black and tiger striped!

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  34. We have a tabby cat. (we had a black cat when I was growing up called sooty) this was such an interesting post with lots of lovely memories. Such a shame black cats are not often adopted isn't it?

    Thank you for popping over to my blog and leaving a lovely comment.
    xxx

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  35. I had the best cat in the world. Her name was Gus. She was black and white!
    My kiddos had some kittens (that someone killed) that were black named Hardy and Laural. Awesome cats they were. So sad when they were gone

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  36. My Fweecie! He was so handsome.
    LOL - my Bazoo looks like such a little orphan waif in that first picture. He looks much more elegant now, wittle wips and all.

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  37. Thanks for stopping by my blog always fun to "meet" new people.

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  38. Dear Anne - thank you thank you - I didn't know black kitties were not easily adopted. I remember when I decided to get a kitty I told my dear friend if they didn't have a black one I wasn't getting one - I have had three in my married life. Will email you and tell you later a funny story. Take care xo Pix

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  39. Thank you for your visit to my blog and following, Anne. I'm following yours now. I enjoyed your post about black cats and the photos. Those are some lovely ones! My daughter used to have a black cat. He was beautiful but crazy!

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  40. Anne,
    Thanks for stopping by my blog. I have returned the visit. Your kitties are beautiful. Although I am a dog person, seems like I get along great with cat people as most of my friends are as well as my sister! I have become a follower as well, I'll pop in occasionally to see some of your lovely work.
    Have a great day.
    Debbie
    theothersideofdeb.blogspot.com

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  41. Thank you so much for visiting my blog and following..Your comment was great, thank you for that. I will follow you also.

    I love black cats also. Unfortunatly I have two little white dogs. This post was awesome.
    Thank you for sharing.

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  42. A lovely post!

    Thank you for stopping by one of my blogs, leaving a comment and following.

    I am your newest follower.

    Beth

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  43. We adopted a couple cats, one is a black one we called Pickle. So sweet, cuddly and loving.
    Great post, didn't know all that history about cats, specifically black cats!
    Debbie :)

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  44. LOVE reading about your black kittys.
    Along with the five (sigh) outside we have two gingers, Willie and Wynona, sweet Wailin' and our black kitty Wynette. all are rescued. BUT we are NOT cat people. honest
    thank you for visiting me and following, I am so happy to find you and am following you

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  45. What an awesome post!
    We have a clowder of black cats, with a few grey ones thrown in:)
    Your kitties are gorgeous !!

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  46. Those photos are just adorable! All of them are, but the first one is especially sweet!

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  47. oh! I am soooo glad you came by to see me!! I love your blog too. We have a black cat...Bug. I'll follow you too!

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  48. I enjoyed your post, and loving your black cats! You little ones are adorable enjoyed reading the 10 things to love about them - even though I'm sure that is more! Thanks for sharing your creative inspiration with Sunday’s Best – you helped make the party a success!

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  49. Hello Anne! Thank you for your visit to my blog. It's nice to meet you! I enjoyed seeing all these beautiful cats. I like cats no matter what color they are, but these are particularly lovely.

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  50. Our black Kitty Love of 13 years just passed.....a sweet soul....she loved belly rubs and lap sitting and chasing strings dragged along by willing children :)

    Your ebony felines are all beauties! Love the picture of Greta with the pumpkin and Muppet's cute tufts of fur in her ears.

    Thanks so much for coming over for a visit today. I hope you know you are always welcome :D

    Hugs,
    Cameron

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  51. I wonder why black cats are least likely to be adopted. Tabbies and black cats are my favourite. Your Greta reminds me so much of my Rocky. He was a daft cowardly cat but so affectionate. I miss him so much. I miss having a cat period.

    Thank you for stopping by mine and for your Bill appreciation :D

    Have a lovely day x

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  52. I do not know if my first comment went through, so I will send again. Thank you for your visit to my blog and I love the kittens here. Blessings.

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  53. Wow..I did not know anything about black cat, except they are unique to be all black. Welcome, thanks for coming to follow me. I'm right back at you. Lovely blog.

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  54. I saw your name under mine on the Crow's blog, so thought I would check out your blog. We not only share a name but a love for black cats. My last black cat died 2 years ago, and I won't have another while I still have my 2 black toy poodles. At my age I can only manage 2 at a time. But I miss my Heloise. She was a sweet kitty.

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  55. What a fun post! And that photo of you as a little girl is just adorable!~ I love cats as well, we have a little kitten we got this summer named Cocoa :)

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  56. Thanks for visiting me at Delights of the Heart. I don't have a black cat right now, but have had a couple in the past. Right now my cat is a marmalade orange stripe named Joey. He occasionally appears on my blog, but mostly runs and hides when he sees the camera coming.

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  57. Hi Anne! Thanks for coming over to my blog! I love love love yours! As a cat owner,(and dogs) I relate to your posts. I'm following back!

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  58. Hello miss Anne! We are thrilled you found our little blog and came over and introduced yourself to us! We love our feline friends....US didnr have mAny black cats growing up...but right now we have one...Mr cuddles :) and we just love him!!

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  59. The local humane society had a two for one black pet adoption special recently to encourage people to adopt black furred pets as they are often passed over. I really enjoyed reading this post! Thanks so much for following L'Heure Bleue At Home. I appreciate it and am following you back!

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  60. I enjoyed your post. Some beautiful kitties and great names!

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  61. great post... your cats are beautiful. It is the time of year when black cats really come into play. I of course love your flim flam flamingo!
    cheers, dana

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  62. Hi there! You have such a wonderful blog here too! :) Love all your kitties! Muppet is too cute! Such a cute first picture of you back in 1962. Have a happy day! xo Holly

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  63. Hi Anne Found you through Debbie Nolan. We have a black cat, Ms. Midnight. She was abandoned and showed up at our home very pregnant! I took her in and feel in love with her as I had a black kitty as a child. She blessed us with nine kittens. We had them all neutered and adopted out. I made sure everyone paid a good fee for the kittens. That way I knew the kitten would be well cared for. I donated all the money to a animal welfare. Ms. Midnight still rules our home some 10 years later as a wonderful indoor cat. :-) Sharon

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  64. THANK YOU for stopping at my blog! I appreciate that so much. I love your blog!!

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  65. Hi Anne! Your kitties are beautiful. I enjoyed learning all about the history of black cats throughout the ages and had to laugh at your top ten reasons on why to get one, especially the part of how they make you look slim.

    Hope that you have a wonderful weekend,

    Kathy M.

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  66. Dear Anne, thanks so much for becoming my newest follower, (as have I with you) and for taking the time to leave me that sweet comment! Ahhhh, another kitty person, Yeah!!!! I just popped over from my blog to say Hi and nice to meet you too! Now if you will excuse me I have to go nose around your fabulous blog some more, LOL!
    Hugs,
    Beth P
    elisabetpollock.blogspot.com

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  67. I love a black cat. My Mr.Midnight was a black beauty. Don't you love all the black cat facts and fancies? You are a good soul! xo Diana

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  68. Had a beautiful black kitty cat a long time ago. He was so sweet tempered, and he loved to be carried 'upsidedown' in my arms. He'd look at the world from that angle as he'd hang his head over my arm.

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  69. Somehow I missed this post! I LOVE black cats! Our 20-year old Shadow is black! You have had some beautiful ones!

    xo Nellie

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  70. Hi Anne,
    This was a great post! I posted about adopting Black Cats (and Black Dogs) here last year:

    http://gossamertearoom.blogspot.com/2011/11/for-love-of-black-cats-and-dogs.html

    I love all the cats on your blog! We don't have any pets of our own, but hope to someday! I'm actually a dog lover myself (have never owned a cat), but my husband is a cat lover, who has never owned a dog! We want one of each, so this could be interesting!

    Betty

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I love your thoughts and comments, and I read each and every one! Sometimes life gets in the way, though, and it takes me a while to respond...Thank you for understanding! ♥...Time is precious, and the time you have taken here is truly appreciated!