Black cats rock, and my black cats rock my world

Today, we Meet the Cats. Paws must say black cats rock, and my black cats, Pink Collar and Clyde, now geriatric felines, have spent many a year rocking my world.

Clyde is Mom’s cat, and we will talk about him later, because his story follows on the heals of  Pink Collar’s. She is aptly named after her vibrant hot-pink collar that makes her black bear-like coat shine.  Rather than fading into the background, this Pink Collar brings her to the forefront, and her perfect little white star shows what a star she really is.

As Paws for Reflection shares Pink Collar’s story with Kitty Blue’s Cat on My Head’s Sunday Blog Hop, we invite our readers to check out some pawsome blog posts from all those participating in today’s Sunday Selfie Blog Hop.

Pink Collar was a shelter cat

Pink Collar was adopted from a shelter, and she has been with the Paws family the longest of any of our living felines. Paws adopted her in December 2001 to give to my Mom. Her Calico cat Sam has passed over the bridge the year before.

When I went to the Animal Refuge League in Westbrook, Maine, I was looking for an older cat. I was shocked to find how few cats were at the shelter, and did not find one that caught my eye, EXCEPT…  There was this one kitten all by herself in the front lobby. She was beautiful – a black cat with beautiful green eyes and a little star on her chest. She was six-months-old. And I thought, would this kitten be a good match for my 72-year-old Mom?

It was love at first sight

She started poking her paw out of her cage to get my attention. That was it. I fell in love with her. But I had every intention of giving her to my Mom when I went home for Christmas the following week. My Dad had passed on some five-years before. I knew, even then, that cats make the best companions. I filled out the paperwork, and was approved. The staff recommended taking a collar for ID purposes. I picked a vibrant pink, which would become her signature marking for years to come. The shelter staff put in her in a cardboard box carrier and away we went.

Smokey Blue, who had the coloring of a Russian Blue and the build of a Chateaux, was my Velcro cat. She cooed like a bird and followed me wherever I went. She had been my sole cat since we had lost our other cat some 5 years ago. One cat was plenty and lots of company.

This black kitten was for Mom

I had planned to keep Pink Collar separated and put her in a separate room, as I had plenty of room in my condo. But sometimes things don’t go as planned, and as soon as I walked in the door with the carrier, Smokey Blue was right there checking it out. There was no hissing or any display of anger. This was quite different from when I had introduced Smokey Blue to Victory, a Maine Coon look alike, many years before. Victory had let out a blood curdling scream that I’ve never forgotten.

With careful supervision, I took the kitten out of the cardboard carrier, and Voila, they started playing. Smokey Blue instantaneously took this kitten under her paw, and adopted her. As the week went on, I found the thoughts of giving this lovable kitten up intolerable. I kept thinking, would a kitten be right for Mom? Needless to say, with a little coaxing from my friend Mike, Pink Collar joined my household and has been with me for 17 years.

The two cats got along instantaneously

Unlike Smokey Blue, who was all Velcro, Pink Collar has attitude. She sits beside you, not on your lap. She sleeps with you, not on you. She lets you know with a pert MEOW that she isn’t happy with what you’re doing.

Pink Collar has had a few bouts with urinary tract infections, and we switched her diet, which has worked perfect for her and my other cats. She loves to eat and nap. Now, she has significant arthritis, and is undergoing acupuncture treatments. These have worked miracles on her. She holds her own with the boys. Despite being a geriatric cat, she does not run away from them. She will throw her paw up at them to stand back.

Now the arthritis pain has been brought under control, she’s like a new cat. She’s more alert, and even goes upstairs for an afternoon nap. We’re hoping for a few more quality years with this very special black cat.

We wish we had some photos of Pink Collar when she was a kitten, but I can’t find the prints to scan. I’ll keep looking, and when I find them, I’ll be happy to share. Black cats are just the best!

Leave your Paw Prints

Do you have like black cats? Do you have a favorite? Has a black cat rocked your world? As Paws was writing this post, we had a thought, perhaps shelters should put bright collars on the black cats. This would make them stand out, and might make people notice them for the stunning cats they really are? Please share your thoughts and weigh in on this fun, yet important discussion.

Be sure to visit all of our blog hoppers for some great Sunday Selfies!