The black cat that walked by himself
Last updated October 9th, 2019
“Lost our old black cat since Tuesday. Last seen on our front porch.“
flyer on mailbox
Whenever I see these lost cat posters stuck on our mailbox I feel sad for the owners and their cats. But this one stopped me in my tracks. I knew the cat in this poster. Cachou is a regular visitor to our backyard, but strange, I had not seen him in weeks.
Black cats are honored with various special days dedicated just for them such as Black Cat Appreciation Day in August as well as Black Cat Awareness Month in October. Both occasions celebrate the charm and beauty of black cats and aim to highlight their plight of being the least adopted cats in shelters. It’s important for these events to exist to dispell the long-standing myth about black cats as being evil or bad luck. Which we know is simply not true.
I have always admired black cats, so regal and elegant, perfectly silhouetted against any background. They make great subjects for art in all its forms from illustrations, photography and pop culture. I cannot fathom why in this day and age, silly superstitious myths surrounding black cats still exist largely in our Western culture.
But I have never had the good fortune to cross paths with these beautiful house panthers until old Cachou decided that our deck at 10 am gets the perfect dose of sunshine. Cachou was like the cat who walks by himself, all places being alike to him. Whether it was on his front porch or our deck chair, he felt at home. I knew nothing about him except that he lived in the house opposite ours, he was friendly and liked to engage in conversation.
In the early spring when the snow has started to melt, I would find him sitting in one of our large flower pots warmed by the sun, enjoying the bedding provided by the dried straw and dead foliage. He would sit in that spot for hours, just staring out at the cats as they stare back at him from the catio.
And then he stopped coming over.
I wondered what happened to him, and then I saw that poster…..
Sadly, Cachou was never found.
But I hope that wherever he may be now, he is basking in a patch of sunshine, sitting in a flowerpot, as if he belonged there.
To me, he is the sweet black cat that sat quietly.
The black cat that walked by himself, all places alike to him.
A black cat crossed my path
I couldn’t give him a forever home
But I gave him a flower pot to call his own
We have 9 cats and none of them are black. We probably never will have a black cat because we’ve reached our cat limit! But I am happy for those brief encounters Cachou shared with me. So let’s celebrate beautiful black cats like Cachou and all of those still waiting for homes in shelters.
And if a black cat happens to cross your path, give him a forever home. It’s pure good luck.
How are you celebrating Black Cat Awareness Month? Are you blessed with the grace and beauty of a house panther? If so, I’m jealous, but don’t tell the Chirpies!
I hope Cachou is safe and being loved somewhere 🙁
This was a most beautiful post! I also pray that Cachou is safe and being loved. Sweet baby.
caren gittleman recently posted…Celebrating the Joy of Black Cats and Busting Myths! “Black Cats Tell All”
Miss Yas, do you think maybe Cachou is roaming as a nature cat? If she has crossed on then she is twinkling in the sky & smiling that you remember her fondly. It saddens me so when I see flyers up about missing kitty cats. Mom had to put one out for her white kitty before me, but fortunately she found him a couple of days later up a tree. Before she found him, though, her heart was wrenched. Purrs & hugs!
I can just imagine that your mom was worried sick – I once also thought I had lost Earl Grey but he was found! Sad about Cachou, I also think he has grown his wings and I hope he knows I loved him.
Oh no! We hope Cachou was taken in by somebody and is living a good and safe life. Thanks for being his friend.
I love the drawing and quote! How very sad to see a flyer for a kitty you’re familiar with. I hope Cachou is basking in the sunshine as well.
Three Chatty Cats recently posted…It’s Black Cat Appreciation Day!
I so hope that is the case but he was old and my gut feeling is that he has his wings now 🙁
That poor sweetie. Three of our ferals are black and we love them lots.
Brian Frum recently posted…Thankful Thursday Blog Hop: The Reporting of Coyote Attacks Has Slowed Down
I do so hope that Cachou is safe and happy. I love black cats. Takes care of my wanting a black panther. Now I have one in miniature! 😻
Linda Arthur Tejera recently posted…One Word Photo Challenge: Hummingbird
That is sad about Cachou. I am blessed to live with 3 black cats.
OH how lucky you are! 🙂
Any update on Cachou? I wouldn’t give up looking. Cats can turn up months later. If you’d like a review copy Of Black Cats Tell All, email me. The media kit is at our blog. The discounted e-book is available for a limited time https://gum.co/dKbXL before the print version is on sale on Amazon in September.
I so hope that is the case, but he was an old fella. But you’re right, sometimes they do turn up months later.
Yes, I grabbed myself a discounted e-book, but also waiting to get a print version from Amazon 👍👍
Chirpy Cats recently posted…Changing routines: How to pet more and stress less
Absolutely adorable beautiful cat. Sad that he was not found. I never could understand the whole superstition with black cats and why some people think they are “evil”
All cats are beautiful regardless of the color!
Krissy recently posted…What is Declawing Cats?