February 13, 2009

Dear Obie,
What's the deal with this old story I keep hearing about black cats being unlucky? I'm a black cat, and I think my humans are very lucky to have me in their lives! Since you are a black cat, also, I'm hoping you can help get rid of this silly rumor!
Signed, Miss Madison
Pine Ridge, North Dakota


Dear Miss Madison,
I agree with you one hundred percent! I wish I had the power to get that crazy idea out of people's heads, yet some still want to believe that black cats are unlucky, just like they believe breaking a mirror brings seven years bad luck, and it's bad luck to walk under a ladder, and Friday the 13th is an unlucky day! Humans have the silliest notions!

In Great Britain, owning or seeing a black cat is considered to be very GOOD luck! King Charles I owned a black cat that he loved very much, and, as if to prove the cat's luck, the day after his black kitty passed away, he was arrested! Also, fisherman's wives in the British Isles kept black cats when their husbands went out to sea, believing that the good luck inherent in the black cat would see their husbands home safely. Maybe the unlucky black cat rumor started in the United States way back in Pilgrim days as another way of breaking away from the United Kingdom.

On the down side, rumors have abounded for centuries in America that black cats were witches in disguise, or at least were familiars to witches. A black cat that crossed your path would bring bad luck, or even try to steal your soul! And, sadly, this foolishness has led to many black cats being harmed simply because of their fur color, or not being adopted from shelters.

So what makes a black cat black? According to Dr. Marilyn Menotti-Raymond, a staff scientist at the National Cancer Institute's Laboratory of Genetic Diversity, black cats are black because of a genetic "accident." A black cat gets its coat color from a combination of three genes: a dominant "brown" gene that determines the darkness of the hair pigment; a dominant "dense" gene that ensures complete coverage of the hair; and a mutated, recessive "agouti" gene that would normally produce banding on the fur. This combination is what has caused black cats to lose their normal striping and appear as solid black.

My humans believe having a black cat in the house is very lucky, and many other humans feel the same way. Rumors are rumors, and superstitions are nothing but unfounded fantasies and vapors! Just ask any of the thousands of people who have the amazing GOOD fortune of having a black cat in their house and they will tell you the same thing! And hopefully some day black cats will be loved the world over for the fine, amazing animals we are!

Thanks for the email!
Your friend,
Obie

*****

Gentle eyes that see so much,
paws that have the quiet touch,
purrs to signal "all is well,"
and show more love than words can tell.
Graceful movements touched with pride,
a calming presence by our side,
a friendship that takes time to grow,
small wonder why we love them so.
-Author Unknown

*****

Remember, folks, I am not a vet! I am a cat! Always talk to your vet before making any medical decisions regarding your cat! Please!