Post 501: Mayhem ensued ~ How we observed Black Cat Appreciation Day!

Whew! Then you turn the inmates loose, you shouldn’t be surprised that things go downhill fast! So it goes.

Here’s how we observed Black Cat Appreciation Day at our house. It isn’t pretty…!

Post 500: Black Cat Appreciation Day

Black Cat Appreciation Day is a “holiday” with a purpose: A black cat is five times less likely to be adopted than any other cat, which means they are euthanized more often than not for lack of people wanting to adopt them. This day is one way humane societies and pounds can change attitudes about black cats, possibly improve the chances a black cat will be adopted instead of put to death for lack of someone to take it home .

Black cats are wonderful creatures. They are elegant, sleek, beautiful, full of cattitude, suitable for the home. They are playful. They amuse. They are like all other cats, just black. I have two myself, and I hope by sharing my life stories with Andy and Dougy I have helped remove some of the bias against black cats from some people’s minds.

I’m not alone in my enthusiasm for black cats. Panther is one such special cat, and Doug and Sharon Brown’s tribute to this beloved pet follows in this video they recently posted:

If you are looking for a pound kitty, do take a look at those that are black. You won’t have bad luck. Nothing “magical” or “diabolical” will happen to you. They are just kittycats, bundles of energy and personality that will capture your heart…if you open it up to them. Andy and Dougy, this is your day!

17 August: Black Cat Appreciation Day

DrNworb (also Doug) and his wife live in Vancouver, where they enjoy the company of their cats and regular foster families of cats found abandoned in that city. Aside from their good work providing a foster home till permanent homes are found for their cat families, they make charming, touching, amusing, great videos of their cats and cat charges, easily my favorite cat videos on YouTube!

Here’s the most recent video in their series, an in depth look at Panther, their black cat, and a reminder that the 17th of August is Black Cat Appreciation Day! Take a look:

In celebration of the day, here’s a link to other people involved in cat rescue, specifically black cats: https://www.facebook.com/blackcatrescue?hc_location=timeline

Technically, Andy and Dougy aren’t black cats, something that is readily obvious when they plop down and take a belly up snooze: The boys are greyish cats with black faces, ears, legs, tails, and… maybe I should think of them as black cats! Never mind. For this one day, they are honorary black cats. I’ll treat them like little princes. Oops! I already do! No celebration there. I’ll have to think about how to ramp it up a bit for the boys on this big day.

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The Indonesian national flag.

Today is Indonesian Independence Day, too. Though the Dutch regard a later day as the day of Indonesian Independence, 17 August 1945 is the date the Indonesians themselves celebrate. It all began with this short announcement from Sukarno, their first President: