Today is National Black Cat Day and in honor of these glorious creatures, I thought I’d share a bit about the black cats who have been a part of my life. First was Tosha. Tosha was found on the side of the road one evening, on a very dark and cold night in Upstate New York. It was 1981 and it was on the way home from an evening out with my then-husband, Bill, when we spotted her.

We barely saw her, so it must have been the glare of her eyes that caught our attention. She was tiny, shivering, covered in mud, and riddled with fleas. Naturally, we brought her home. We gave her a bath, fed her, and the rest was history. She became part of our family which at the time included an Old English Sheepdog, Murphy, and three cats: Friday, Scrubby, and Meagan.

Tosha’s first picture!

Playing with a ring from a milk jug.

Wow, I’m really dating myself! Look at this ancient TV!

Christmas, 1981. Tosha had only been with us a short while, and I’d already subjected her to wearing a bow!

Tosha was incredibly sweet. She got along with the other cats and her favorite thing was to lie on top of my back when I was stretched out on the couch. Back then, we didn’t snap zillions of photos like we do today so the images I have of her are limited. Social media didn’t exist, blogs didn’t exist, and the quality of photos certainly didn’t exist as you witness in the scanned photos I’ve shared.

Lying on the couch with Tosha on my back!

1984 prior to giving birth to my first son…the calm before the storm!

The majority of her photos were taken prior to 1984. 1984 was the year my first son, Chris, was born, and 1989 was the year my second son, Joe, was born. Photos shifted to primarily being about them. Back then, it was customary to take lots of photos of your kids, have the film developed, make extra copies, and mail pictures of your kids to your relatives. Not like today where at the touch of your phone or computer photos are instantly sent to those you love, including those of your cats, who are family members, too!

1989. Lying on the couch with my son, Chris. I was pregnant at the time with who would be my second son, Joe. Tosha is on top of me, as usual!

1994. The last photo I have of Tosha. You can tell we lived in Florida based on the tropical furniture.

Tosha went through several moves in New York with us, and then ultimately to Florida in 1994 where I live now. She passed peacefully in 1996 and I was without a black cat from then, until the early morning of Friday, November 8, 2019, the morning I discovered a black kitten outside my garage door. We had seven cats at the time and despite how cute this kitten was, it was not my intention to add to our feline family.

A little visitor outside our garage!

I did everything I could to find his owner and I also tried (very unsuccessfully) not to bond with him, because, as I said, it was not my intention to add to our feline family. But the thing is, as time began to tell, it was evident this little guy had probably been abused and deliberately abandoned by whatever human family he had been living with. He had significant trust issues and was prone to biting and scratching my fiancé, Dan, and me whenever we tried to pet him.

Me “not bonding” with our newly found kitten.

I knew in my heart, however, that his best chance for survival and a happy life was with us. Black cats are often the least adopted in shelters, sometimes for ridiculous and erroneous reasons stemming from bad luck and superstitions, with many of them tragically euthanized because they cannot find a forever home. And by this time, I had already named him Shadow, and he was slowly becoming acclimated to the house. Nearly 4 years later, he is absolutely thriving and living the life of a pampered king. He basks in daily naps in the sun and he looks forward to treasured routines such as treats and brushing.

Shadow knows he’s living the good life and it shows in his content face.

He is not a lap cat and he doesn’t snuggle on the couch with the other cats, but that is primarily because our ginger, Jazmine (also a rescue herself) has made it abundantly clear she is still not on board with his presence. Regardless, he’s as happy as can be and we love him dearly. I’m not good at it, and black cats are notoriously hard to photograph, but I have managed to have some fun with my iPhone, capturing a few of those happy moments over the past several years.

Hope you enjoy them! And you if have a black cat (past or present), please share your black cat stories in the comments, I’d love to hear them. Or share pictures of them on social media: today is a great day to spread the word about just how wonderful black cats are!

This is what you get when you sprinkle cat nip on a scratching board!

A very regal moment in our tiki, one of Shadow’s favorite hang-out spots.

Just helpin’ you clean the floor, Mom!

All that’s missing is a cape! Shadow looks like a superhero in this photo!

Occasionally Jazmine and Shadow will be next to one another, forgetting that they don’t get along!

Egyptian cat.

That’s all, folks! Fangs for the memories!

If you’re interested in tips for taking photos of black cats with your Smartphone that look professionally done, please visit here:

Smartphone Photography and Marketing Tips from the Pros for National Black Cat Day to Increase Adoptions and Black Cat Awareness!

If you’d like to read Shadow’s rescue story, please visit here:

Me and My Shadow – An Unexpected Black Cat Rescue Story

Our handsome rescue, Shadow, is the purr-fect model for Black Cat Appreciation Day.

One of our favorite days at Zee & Zoey’s Cat Chronicles is August 17: Black Cat Appreciation Day. Why? Because not only do we have a glorious, handsome, amazing black cat rescue, our precious Shadow, but because we think ALL black cats are awesome and should be celebrated!

We hope everyone will share the celebration today with pictures of black cats, positive stories about black cats, and information on why black cats are so special. In honor of the day, I’m resharing Shadow’s rescue story from November 2019, when he first came into our lives. It’s titled Me and My Shadow – An Unexpected Black Cat Rescue Story and you can click here to read.

This photo from 2020 sums me up. Anywhere I am, there will be a cat, or two, or three…

My cats, no matter what point in the journey of my life, have always been bonded to me. Some more than others, ranging from degrees of “Yes, please make sure to pat me when you walk by, but then go your merry way,” to “Oh my God, no! Please don’t ever let me out of your sight, my life as I know it will be over if I don’t know where you are at all times!” In early March of this year, that dynamic shifted, with nearly all of my current gang of seven consumed with the need to be near me. Read more

It’s happened again. Time has passed at a crazy pace, and in what seems like seconds later, my precious Zoey is now 15 years old. It’s been an interesting year with my girl since her birthday last year, as it marks the first time sharing the day without her true love, Zee, our sweet boy we had to say goodbye to on March 18, 2022. They had a unique bond – not only did they share a home with a family they created, but they were snuggle buddies and nearly inseparable. Read more

As someone who’s been writing articles on cat health, behavior, and wellness for many years, it’s no surprise my emails and social media sites are full of messages about cats. One of the topics I see most is whether cats can be left alone for days at a time while their guardian is away. It’s an important subject regardless of the timeframe or circumstances. But with Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, and New Year’s rapidly descending on us and people making overnight plans to visit with friends and family, it makes the discussion even more relevant, because the simple answer is, no, your cat should not be left alone, not even for one night.

One of the biggest misconceptions about cats is that they are self-sufficient, independent, and aloof, and therefore if we provide them with sufficient food and water, it’s okay to leave them alone for a few days. This, however, is not the case. Cats are creatures of habit. While you might leave them every day to go to work or school or wherever; they’ve become accustomed to that routine. If you – their loving and reliable caretaker suddenly leave them unattended and disrupt the rhythm, they become susceptible to emotional stress, dangers, and bad habits.

Beth Stultz, president of Pet Sitters International (PSI) concurs. “Not only do cats need fresh food and water, as well as attention and enrichment each day, but it’s also important to remember that both health and home emergencies can occur while pet parents are away. PSI stresses that cats should be visited at least once per day while the pet parent is out of town.”

1. Illnesses, Injuries, and Emergencies Can Happen. Cats, with their keen senses, can easily be spooked. Wind or a knock at the door could result in a mad dash through the house and an injury if your cat breaks something. A razor-sharp shard of glass from a broken vase, for example, could bring a serious cut to a paw. Or a scared cat might jump down from a high place, resulting in a sprain. If you have multiple cats, fights are not uncommon and could result in an eye or ear injury, with one quick swipe from a claw. Or if an illness or medical emergency develops, such as urinary blockage, no one will be around to take the cat to the veterinarian, which could be deadly if not attended to. Consider, too, if you’ve decorated for Christmas with a tree. Your cat could become entangled in the light strands. Some crafty cats can even turn on a water faucet. Just imagine how extensive the damage to your home could be if the water were left running for days, not to mention, possible harm to the cat.
2. Litter Box Issues May Occur. Cats are fastidiously clean and fussy when it comes to their litter box. If the box becomes overly dirty when you’re away, your cat may find another place to pee or poop. Once he/she starts finding new bathroom facilities, such as your carpeting, couch, hardwood floors, or expensive designer rugs, it can be extremely difficult to break the new habit and convince them to begin using the box again.
3. Food and Water Quality Could be Compromised. Many cats have very specific diets. Some eat raw, some canned food, some dry, or a combination, thereof. If you are suddenly changing the diet to conveniently leave out bowls of dry food, your cat may reject the food altogether, get sick from eating it, or suffer from illness if not given the proper diet. And any food left out, regardless of what kind, can attract bugs, or it can become stale or spoiled. Water can become slimy and contaminated, especially for those cats that like to dip their toes in the water. Automatic feeders can help you avoid stale food, but you never know if the feeders will malfunction. Some cats also require daily medications or injections (such as insulin for diabetic cats) and without someone around to administer the dosage, the consequences could be severe.
4. Cats Benefit from Human Interaction. Cats require affection, attention, playtime, and more for good mental health. If left alone for long periods, they can become stressed or anxious without avenues to vent their energy, laps to sit on, stimulating toys to chase, or someone to just meow/chat with. Many cats also require extensive grooming and need the assistance of a human for combing and brushing on a daily basis.

To mitigate any of the above pitfalls and dangers, ideally, you should have someone come to stay in your house while you’re away such as a friend, relative, or a trusted neighbor the cat is familiar with and already knows your lifestyle and routines. If they can’t stay, arrangements should be made for them to drop by at least once a day to check up on the cat, socialize with him, scoop the litter, and provide fresh food, water, and medications if required. If this is not an option, there are numerous reputable, professional pet-sitters who you can hire, some even offering overnight stay services.

You’ve got a cat sitter, but now what? It’s not just a matter of finding someone. It’s also a matter of making everyone as comfortable as possible with the situation, That means, you, your cat, and the cat sitter. If it’s someone you already know, try to have them drop by a few times prior to your trip to give kitty some treats, pats, and playtime, to reinforce a positive bond with them. Let them watch you scoop the litter, feed meals, etc. so that when it’s their turn, they already have a basic idea of what to do and where you keep everything. If this can be done as close to whatever normal schedule you have for your cat, the better. Can’t say it enough, kitty likes routine!

Provide them with emergency phone numbers for the vet, poison control, and where you’ll be staying. Leave written, clear instructions on litter scooping, where to dispose of it, what to feed, how much, and when. Do this even if you verbally told them, or they saw you do it, so there is no confusion or panicking when you are not around. Not to mention, if your cat had his way, he’ll be telling his sitter he’s allowed outside, nonstop treats, and meals six times a day, which clearly is not the case. Inform your vet as well, before you leave, of who will be taking care of your pet, so if anything happens, they won’t be caught off-guard.

If the cat has any medical issues, odd habits, odd hiding places, or anything else important to his health and well-being, share that information. And don’t worry if you think you’re sharing too much, as you can’t assume just because you know something about your cat, that someone else should, too. For example, you know it’s important to put a wand toy with a string away from your curious cat after playing because if left unsupervised, it could be dangerous. But your neighbor might not know that, and you don’t want to risk any accidents, such as your cat ingesting a piece of string, and requiring an emergency trip to the vet. The adage better safe than sorry always applies when it comes to your beloved pet.

If you decide to use a pet sitter for the first time, but are unsure of the process, or are apprehensive about bringing a stranger into your home, do your homework to ease your concerns. Sites such as Pet Sitters International, National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS), TrustedHousesitters.com, and Meowtel have already vetted the sitter and offer a coded directory in which you can find sitters based on reviews and references, whether bonded and insured, certifications (such as first-aid or educational training) and more.

Match your needs with those of the pet sitter’s qualifications and take the time to go through a thorough pre-meet interview session (ideally initiated first via a virtual call so you can become familiar with one another “in person”). Follow this step as many times as needed. Once you are comfortable, have the sitter drop by and meet you and your cat before your trip, to become familiar with your home and sitting needs. Have this person offer your cat treats or play a fun game with him to help associate the person with positive things so that when they do come to cat sit, your cat already recognizes their scent and presence as non-threatening.

According to TrustedHousesitters.com, it’s not a matter of questioning “How can you trust a stranger in your home?” but more so what happens as a result of the application process, reviews, ratings, and communications with the sitter. A rapport develops and once you get to know each other, they’re not strangers for long and you actually look forward to meeting them and welcoming them into your home.

Once you know who will be watching your cat, consider their needs as well, especially if they are spending the night. Advise instructions on how to use the TV remote, where the circuit breaker switch is (in case of an unexpected power surge), where they will be sleeping, bathroom supplies, cleaning supplies, etc., and make it easy for them to find cat food, toys, litter supplies, and feeding dishes. They might also be bringing in the mail for you, and taking out the garbage, depending on how long you are gone, so provide information on that, too. And how they will get in and out of the house should be outlined, especially if you have a security system.

If you absolutely must board your cat, try to find an all-cats facility, as all-pet facilities with barking dogs and squawking birds can be highly stressful for cats. And regardless of the circumstances, encourage communication. Have the sitter share daily pictures of your cat to let you know he’s okay, and to ease your concerns about leaving him. You could even consider a kitty cam to keep an eye on your pet, but if that’s the case, please, as a courtesy, inform the sitter, friend, neighbor, etc., they are on camera.

Unless it’s an unexpected emergency, try to bring your suitcase out a few days before you go, so your cat does not negatively associate the luggage with your abrupt departure. Toss in toys or treats, or even let her settle in for a catnap. Anything to give her positive reinforcement. Also, make sure you’ve cat proofed your place. Shut doors to forbidden rooms, unplug anything electrical your cat might be prone to chew, and put anything fragile you think your cat might break, out of harm’s way. And leave behind a little bit of you for her, too, such as a T-shirt you’ve worn but not washed. Put it somewhere she likes to nap to help her feel less stressed while you’re gone.

Turn on the TV or radio so the ambient noise can keep her company. It’s also advisable to take an item of your clothing (such as a sock) and rub it all over your cat. Seal the sock in a plastic bag and when you return, slip on that item so your cat can immediately recognize you. That’s because, with cats, it’s not just about leaving. They can also be stressed upon our return. That phenomenon in which they seem angry when we get home, sometimes hiding, running away, or rebuffing our excitement to see them. In these instances, they’re not angry or getting back at us for leaving. It’s instinctual, stemming from the need they have for structure. Just about the time your cat becomes accustomed to the “new routine” (your absence), you return, and once again kitty’s world is turned upside down.

You don’t notice it, but to your cat, you no longer smell familiar because he hasn’t been able to mark you with his scent while you were away (such as through head butts, rubbing against your legs, or sleeping on your head). Consequently, some cats seem like they are “mad” by hiding or becoming defensive at our advances and that’s why it’s a good idea to “re-scent” yourself with that sock before you walk in the door. Some cats will be fine right away, for others it can take several days. Just be patient and don’t force your cat for attention. Before you know it, all will be back to normal with you and your feline friend.

Joette Suarez White, the owner of Park Cities Pet Sitter (named the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters 2017 Business of the Year), shares these bonus tips to consider when traveling and looking for a pet sitter:

1. While not always possible, it is strongly suggested to use a professional pet sitter from a reputable company that has employees and not just independent contractors who cannot be trained or told what to do by the agencies they represent. That way, if an emergency comes up and the sitter can’t make it, there will be a trusted and prepared backup sitter to step in.
2. It’s preferred someone can come on the schedule you recommend for your cat, but that’s not always realistic. Most professional pet care providers are caring for other pets as well, so having a 2-3 hour window of time they can visit ensures they don’t have to rush and gives flexibility for “life happens” moments, like traffic delays, accidents, or whatever may come up.  You want your pet sitter to be calm when they arrive, and so does your cat.
3. Always plan for the worst, even for a very short trip, because you could easily encounter flight cancellations or a need to extend your stay. Buy and leave extra food, litter, medicine, etc., and even an emergency envelope of cash so your sitter can buy necessities to take care of your cat.
4. Be sure your cat carrier is visible or easily accessible in case the sitter requires an emergency trip to the vet.
5. The less stress you, your cat, and your cat sitter have, the better the travel experience will be for all involved!