National Black Cat Day
Show your black cat some love on #NationalBlackCatDay
27 October is National Black Cat Day – a day to make your cat feel extra special.
A black cat is a very elegant animal, and can be compared to a miniature Amazonian jaguar. But, despite this, black cats carry the stigma of being unlucky or mischievous, often causing them to be left longer at animal shelters, because nobody wants to adopt them.
Cats were highly revered in ancient Egypt – partly due to their ability to combat vermin such as rats and mice. Cats of royalty were dressed in golden jewellery and were allowed to eat from their owner’s plates.
The Goddess of Warfare was named Bastet and had a head in the shape of a cat.
Nobody knows why black cats are seen as signs of bad luck, because according to Celtic mythology, fairies could take a black cat’s form, and that was why a black cat’s arrival at a village or home was seen as a sign of good luck.
With the coming of the devoutly religious Pilgrims – who were fearful of anything remotely related to their ancestor’s pagan beliefs – black cats went from vessels of fairies to vessels of witches and demons. Anyone who kept a black cat was severely punished and sometimes the animal was killed as well.
These days, nobody really believes that black cats are witches or demons in disguise – but they are still seen as signs of bad luck by many superstitious Westerners.
Celebrate today by making your black cat feel extra special. You can achieve this in various ways, including buying it a new toy or a tasty treat.You can spend the afternoon playing tug-of-war or rubbing its belly – if there is one thing animals know how to do, it is to enjoy the simple things in life.
If you think you are ready for the commitment of having a cat as a pet, visit your local animal shelter and adopt a black cat or kitten. If you cannot have cats due to allergies or other circumstances, it does not mean you can’t celebrate this day. You can make a small donation to a animal shelter to help with their needs.
Doing this will ensure you are in the cats’ good books, you know, just in case they really do have magic powers!
Post on social media using #NationalBlackCatDay.
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