What You Don't Know About...Bombays Meet the “Parlor Panthers”

Editor’s Notes: A HUGE shout out to the Bombay family of breeders and pet owners without whom there would have been no article! Jeri Zottoli, breed council secretary, provided so much invaluable information and opened doors so I could get wonderful pictures and stories about the Bombay cat. Thank you as well to those who provided information through e-interviews: Cheryl Boyer, Deborah Curtis, Ellyn Honey, Phebe Low, Anne Mathis, Wendy Heidt and Rhona Wene.

- Candilee Jackson

One of the hallmarks of autumn, October and All Hallow’s Eve, the black cat is one of the favorite icons for decorating, dressing up and the sharing of scary stories around a bonfire.

Contrary to popular belief, black cats are not universal symbols of bad luck or evil doings. In fact, in many cultures, black cats are revered for not only GOOD luck, but for helping to keep away demons and evil spirits. “In certain parts of the nineteenth-century Europe, black cat sightings were actually considered good omens. The Irish believed that a black cat on your porch was good luck, and in Japan, black cats are similarly revered as symbols of prosperity.” (KitnipBox) Somewhat rare, truly black cats do exist, not only in the wild, such as leopards, but also in pedigreed lines such as the Bombay.

A Little History