August 17 is Black Cat Appreciation Day, and my heart turns toward the beautiful black cats who’ve shared and shaped our family’s lives.
Over the years, these sleek, shadowy companions have offered comfort, companionship, and quiet magic. When Karen was in veterinary school, she brought home a black cat she named Joe. Joe became her steady companion through school, then through her first job in Illinois, and eventually at her own veterinary clinic—where he served as an unofficial therapy cat, visiting clients in exam rooms and offering silent support. Joe wasn’t just a cat. He was comfort embodied.
JoeCat in Karen’s clinic
Danielle, too, has had the privilege of knowing the deep affection of black cats—Jake is with her now. But before I share their story, I want to step back and ask an uncomfortable question:
Why do black cats still carry such an outdated stigma?
I grew up with a father deeply rooted in superstition. He believed a black cat crossing his path brought misfortune. He avoided walking under ladders. He wouldn’t speak ill of the dead, fearing cosmic consequences. As children, my sisters and I recognized his beliefs, but thankfully, he never forced them on us. We grew up free of those inherited fears.
Yet the legacy of superstition lingers—especially around black cats. They're often the last to be adopted at shelters, especially around Halloween. Some are even at risk during the fall season due to outdated fears and harmful myths.
But if you’ve ever shared your life with a black cat, you know the truth: they are radiant, loving, playful, loyal, and wise. They are not omens—they are gifts.
Jake looking very dapper in his tie
Meet Danielle and Jake.
Danielle entered our lives over 25 years ago. She is Karen’s daughter—not by birth, but by heart. Her connection to animals runs deep, starting not with cats or dogs, but with reptiles.
Here’s Danielle, in her own words:
“Around age four, my dad brought home three lizards—two iguanas and a little brown guy named Harry. My mom, bless her heavenly heart, got us two fire belly toads. Most kids had fluffy four-legged pets; mine were scaly and bumpy.
Then came Louise—our gentle ball python—and I fell in love with snakes. My first memory of Louise is also the first time I met Mama Karen. She opened a door into the magic of the animal world.
Danielle and Karen with Louise
Growing up around rodents, raptors, reptiles, opossums, horses, cats, and dogs has been one of the greatest gifts of my life. Karen taught me that offering love—especially to those who are misunderstood—is one of the most important things we can do. Whether it’s a rescued bird flying free or a feral cat slowly learning to trust, animals show us what healing looks like.”
A few years ago, after a tough breakup and the painful loss of her two cats, Danielle made the brave decision to start fresh. She moved to Illinois to live and work with her cousin Blair, who offered her a job at Dr. Becker’s Bites. It was a big change—and not without pain.
Blair and Danielle working the Frankfort Farmers Market
Danielle remembers:
“Starting over was hard. I missed my cats terribly. Blair suggested visiting a local cat-only humane society. I hesitated but finally agreed. In the last room, a sleek black cat came up to me, placed his paws on my leg, and stretched. I looked at Blair and said, ‘He’s asking us to take him home.’
Blair laughed—he had done the same thing to her. It was decided. He had found his family.”
That cat’s name is Jake.
The day Jake found his forever home
Jake’s story mirrored Danielle’s in a profound way. His previous guardian had passed away, and her grieving partner couldn’t bear to keep Jake. He surrendered him to the shelter, broken-hearted.
“Jake and I had both lost our mothers. We were both navigating a life flipped upside down. But Jake taught me it’s okay to begin again. It’s okay to heal. To trust. To love.”
Jake is not only a survivor—he’s a healer. And despite the stubborn myths, he’s brought nothing but light.
“Jake has never hissed, never brought bad luck. He’s gentle, magical, and full of personality.”
- Here’s just a glimpse of Jake’s daily magic:
- He asks for walks in his stroller by running to the back door.
- If Danielle’s sleeping in, he gently paws her face, knocks things off her dresser, or gives a dramatic bedroom door karate-kick until she wakes up.
- He cuddles under blankets.
- He stretches adorably for treats.
- He adores organic catnip toys and feathered wands.
- And his self-assigned job? Managing Frank the bulldog, watching over Blair and Danielle, and overseeing every detail of the household like a feline supervisor.
Jake and Frank squirrel watching
Jake isn’t “just” a black cat. He’s family. He’s a companion. He’s a reminder that love comes in many forms—and often in a silky black coat.
Let’s rewrite the narrative.
Black Cat Appreciation Day gives us an opportunity to celebrate and elevate these often-overlooked animals. It’s a day to honor their grace, their affection, their loyalty, and their truth.
If you’ve ever hesitated to adopt a black cat—or believed the myths—it’s time to let go of fiction and embrace reality.
Because once you’ve been loved by a black cat, you’ll never again believe they’re unlucky.
Love,
Mama Becker
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