Willow, the newest addition to our family, is our first black cat. She was stuck in a garage and weighed less than one pound, when we pulled her out from behind a pipe. She was about 3-4 weeks old and came with a slew of health issues. But she had a strong will to live. And as I watched this little being grow stronger while nursing her back to health I learned so much from her. And I also learned from people around me asking why I would take in a black cat. Aren't they evil, or considered bad luck?! I was looking for an answer in Willow's eyes. "Tiny black creature, are you evil?" She responded with a slow blink. Hmm, not sure what she meant by that. I had to look for evidence of her plotting some kind of demonic scheme and unleashing evilness unto humankind. I searched long and hard:

 

• Surprise attacks on human feet from under the bed. 

 

• Yanking at the new wall-to-wall carpet.
   

• Chewing double-sided tape to protect the sofa (the tape was removed) And the sofa? We'll get a new one.

 

• Darting up and down the stairs like a maniac - a sign of demonic possession? But our other non-black cats were just as much partakers in the nightly mania.  

 

• A mistress of disguise - I panicked once, when I couldn't find her for 45 minutes. Finally, she opened her eyes as she woke up content from her eight-hour catnap on the black chair.

 

The evidence didn't point me to any evil or demonic plan in the works. What about black cats as bearer of bad luck?

 

Since Willow came into our world we have much to be thankful for. I placed as a semi-finalist in the world's most renowned screenwriting competition, "The Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting". Both my husband and I got better jobs. We were able to buy our first home - not an easy deed in L.A., one of the nation's toughest housing markets. And we visited our family in Europe, not once but twice these past couple of years. Every day we are grateful to come home to our feline family, Charlie, Mina and Willow, a.k.a. "The Furry Mafia". 

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Bad luck? I say, "Bah humbugh!"

 

Life with a black cat, I must warn you, can lead to cuteness overload and problems at work:

"Sorry, I'm late, Boss. I had some very important business to attend to " -- I was playing with my cat.

Willow brings us love and joy every single day. She is about 2 years old, and although fully grown she is at the petite end of the spectrum weighing 7 pounds. I had never expected the frail kitten that we had pulled out from the garage would grow into this long-haired beauty with an impressive Swiffer tail. She is right brained for sure and likes to express her inner artiste. The staircase is where she likes to experiment with dramatic poses and dances inspired by the late great Martha Graham.

 

Willow is taking life head on and inspires me to take a new step with my writing to help save black cats. She is not only a survivor, she is the spokes-cat for black cats. Because of centuries-old superstition these beautiful felines have the highest rate of non-adoptions and euthanasia in shelters. I am sharing Willow's tales to change the narrative that is killing black cats. These cats, like all cats, deserve to live and be loved. 

 

Our mission is to help save black cats by sharing Willow's tales. Help us help black cats! Through donations of our website sales we support cat rescue organizations that are saving the lives of black cats.