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For those who are convinced that a black cat crossing their path is bad luck, I just want to say, some of my best friends are black cats. They are not all that different from me or my other friends, who are orange, gray, tiger striped, or a huge mix of other colors. According to Mary Anne Miller, in her article The Mystique behind Black Cats, “One of the three prevalent superstitions alive in our culture today concerns the black cat. These superstitions are: the number 13 being unlucky, you don’t walk under an open ladder, and if a black cat crosses your path, it is considered bad luck.”
But, there is no convincing some folks who really believe in such bad luck superstitions. I wonder if they ever have nightmares about, oh, let us say, 13 black cats all sitting under a ladder! Mercy.
Ms. Miller explains that in ancient Egypt, the black cat and good luck went together hand and paw. One very special black cat named BAST was so revered for her powers of riches and prosperity, she became the official deity. The history of the black cat and good luck is very positive in Sumatra, the Yorkshires, and much of Europe and England.
So what happened? The Pilgrims arrived at Plymouth Rock and changed history in more ways than one. Their fear of witches who often kept company with black cats just ruined the reputation created by so many wonderful black cats across the water.
Halloween will soon be here. Some revelers will take the opportunity to seek out and cause harm to cats – and these types really do not care what color. These trouble-makers are suspicious and afraid of cats. This is the night for you to stay home, wherever it is. Be safe. Be aware.
So what do you think of black cats?
- Fisher
Dear Fisher,
My name is LiL Girl. I’m a small female five year old bob-tailed cat. My best friend Buoy, was about 12, and passed away a few months ago. Well, my human went and brought in a rescued female named Blue who is about one year old. She is bigger than me. She’s totally black, like a blank panther to my bobcat status. At first it was all good, but now she is always attacking and I get really scared she is going to hurt me. I have been hiding in the sofa and under the bed a lot. Now my human has taken to locking me in the bedroom with my own litter box, food and water, because every time I see that other cat I can’t stop freaking out. I didn’t used to be like this.
Blue is a really nice loving cat and just wants to play, but lately she’s been nothing more than a stalker and my human is frustrated and sad. Will i ever be the same? I miss playing fetch with my humans (I am an excellent fetcher) and just running around and everything else.
LiL Girl
Dear LiL Girl,
It sounds like you are experiencing some pretty major life changes. The loss of Buoy has surely been very difficult for your humans and you. Blue, still an energetic kitten is just so happy to have a forever home – and her kitten energy has not been seen in your household for several years. You have very different issues, but you may both suffer from a dose of separation anxiety just now.
Of course this is all frustrating for your owner. Cats are pretty hard to understand, they were not meant to be understood, and many agree they do not particularly like it. There are very few studies on bereavement issues in cats. This is probably true because we all know cats are just born with an element of “coolness.” That is the one trait that makes us so intriguing. For more information, visit fab – feline advisory board to learn more about different cat reactions to the loss of a loved one. Also search the animal rescue sites for insight into Blue’s behavior.
The fact that the two of you got along fine for the first while is a great indication that you will come to terms with your separate issues, and learn how to get along with each other again.
A few things your humans can try:
1. Each should have a turn in the bedroom while the other is out romping and playing. Start with 4 – 8 hour intervals, then shorter and shorter eventually leaving door ajar to see if you are making progress.
2. Food, water bowls, and litter boxes should be separated, then slowly moved closer together.
3. New toys! You should each have time to play alone with the same toys before learning the great lesson of sharing.
LiL Cat, try to let your inner kitten come out to play. The holidays are coming up and you and Blue can have great adventures hissing at Trick-or-Treaters, stealing turkey off the Thanksgiving table, and climbing the Christmas tree! Oh, and please tell your people they are more than welcome to write another letter when the two of you have reached this level.
Your friend,
Fisher
published in tbt Tampa Bay
Out There weekend edition
Dear Fisher,
Hi, my name is Zelda. It is great to finally write you. My human reads your column and sometimes brings it home to show me.
Anyway, I am having some trouble in my new home here, and I was wondering if you could help me. My human and I met through his X and when they split up, I stayed with him. Even though he gets up REAL early in the morning and wakes me up, and then to school and work, and back home late at night and I have to yell at him for attention – I love it here! And, his parents have 2 Pomeranian dogs who are fun to play with.
I share a room with my human, and have a special pillow on the bed. Everything would seem great to the outside observer, but there is a dark side. My human’s parents already had a cat. Her name is Kitty-Lynn and she is a stick in the mud. She never wants to play and it seems like every time I come outside of my room to roam around, she is always there. We always end up just in the middle of a stand-off, hissing at each other and just staring. There are times when I try to be nice, but it just doesn’t work. I was wondering what can be done so we can finally live in peace. Sure, I have my room and she has hers, and as long as we stay out of each other’s way we are fine. But I would like to be able to share the living room and family room with her. Is there anything that can be done so we can finally get past our petty differences?
Zelda
Dear Zelda,
It sounds very encouraging to me that Kitty-Lynn and you are not getting into anything worse than hissing and staring. The process of getting along can be slower than you would like but it is very possible. Kitty-Lynn is probably a little miffed at your unexpected arrival. If you can try to not take that personally, it will help you both. She had her territory all laid out and was happy as the only cat.
There are some very interesting things you can do to make things better. All household members will need to cooperate and I think you will all get some good fun out of the exercises in the long run. Think of them as “character building” games.
Since you have already developed a pattern of hissing and staring at each other when any boundaries are crossed, it is best to start over at the beginning. That means that you, Zelda, will be confined to your own room for a short period of time. You will keep your litter box and food dishes in there with you, and of course, you have your own pillow on the bed. If it makes you feel better, go ahead and sleep directly on the bed cover and just use the pillow for your head.
The next step is for your human to put your food dishes very near to the door of your room before he goes out for the day. His parents should put Kitty-Lynn’s dishes on the other side of the door. The door stays closed a while longer. But, you will both start to associate each other’s presence with something pleasurable, like eating your dinner. Kitty-Lynn will start to get used to your smells, and you will start to get used to hers.
Stay with me – this is getting fun. Next step is to put a brick on each side of the door so it can remain open a tiny bit, not enough for either of you to break on through to the other side. Lots of opportunity to peak at each other! Good old cat curiosity will take over and you will both probably forget the staring and hissing shortly.
And now the Grande Finale! You, Zelda, can come out of your room and into the main house. Yes, the whole house! Kitty-Lynn will stay in your room with your things for awhile. Oh, I know, there is going to be a whole lot of snooping and sniffing going on while you get accustomed to each other’s smells, but as long as you have hidden away your really personal documents, there should be no problem. As you get to know each other in this very subtle way, you will become ready to face each other with a different attitude. You may not end up snuggling together, but I foresee some playtime together. Or, you might end up just peacefully tolerating each other which is pretty good, and we all know cats are masters of tolerance!
I also want to mention that our Tampa Bay SPCA also has a FREE Behavior Helpline. Call 727-586-3591, then ask for or dial extension 133 and follow the prompts.
Your friend,
Fisher
