Those of us who are in animal rescue know that black cats are the hardest to find homes for. Some people still harbor doubts about black cats, reviled during the Dark Ages, but their lack of appeal for many people is that their coloration is not as striking as an orange tabby or a calico. But many of us cat lovers have a special place in our hearts for black cats. Why is that?

As for me, my first cat was a black cat. Iben was all black with just a tiny patch of white on his tummy. He came to me as a kitten when I was finishing up college, and he travelled with me from Ohio to Arizona to Maryland. Iben was very bonded to me - he was basically a one-person cat. He loved getting my attention. As a youngster he did this by doing things like knocking my plants onto the floor - just to "get my goat"! After his mischievous youth, he became the defender of the home and would patrol the windows of my apartment for strange cats outside, who would then get some fierce cat talk telling them to beat it. When I adopted a kitten as a companion for him, he became her "big brother" and looked after her. In his old age Iben became a creampuff who just wanted to nestle comfortably in my lap or curl up next to my head when I lay in bed.

Black cats often have some Siamese cat in their heritage. That helps explain why certain Siamese traits often show up in black cats. They can seem aloof for a bit until they get acquainted with you. They tend to attach themselves to just one person. They're talkative. (Iben was quite loud and insistent at meal time.) When you adopt a black cat, he or she may not seem friendly at first, but be patient, because once they have bonded with you it's for life.

Here are some more black cat stories. Please feel free to send me your story to add here.

Jack was a very special black cat who was my feline ambassador and "little buddy". He has a long story so he has his own webpage to tell it all. Make sure you have tissues handy.