The rescue cat ‘helps’ the family choose the meal menu, fix the air conditioner and clean the house

This story was shared within the framework of the Fur Fam Storytelling Contest. You can submit your own story through December 5. Voting will take place from December 6 to December 31. The three grand prize winners will receive a $500 prize, plus $2000 cash and supplies for their favorite shelter. Share your story here!

Pilar was adopted at the age of 3. She quickly became the head of the family – the queen – and that seemed like everything should work out, so we were all fine. Her extreme confidence in herself is a joy to see (And which I wish I felt!). Although she is definitely an alpha personality, not only is she never aggressive, but she is also very sensitive and cute. Even people who say they “don’t like cats” end up liking (or loving) Pilar.

Despite the multitude of medical issues that stemmed from her life before our family (asthma, IBD, hyperthyroidism, heart disease, etc.), she remained completely Pilar: Live, Love and Looking for adventures. She is also extremely helpful in the house! She’s even known as the “welcome committee” of new neighbors, when their moving truck arrives. Too bad there’s no place to upload more photos here, or I could have uploaded that one.

Honestly, it was hard to choose just three photos to represent her larger-than-life personality, but this is awesome! Some of the things she likes are: Helping figure out what we should eat for dinner, checking the A/C compressor, and overseeing the house cleaning going on below her. She is not only an integral part of the family but also possibly the most important member!

If I may add one final thought: For anyone who has grown up with superstitions about black cats, I wonder if you could take a look at some information that you may not have known? As is often the case, and unfortunately, has happened to certain groups of people, black cats have historically been unjustly blamed for various misfortunes and then cruelly treated for what they did. Many people believe in them. Also, you may not know that in some other countries, black cats are not only not considered bad omen, but also considered lucky. Finally, according to Dr. Temple Grandin, the same genetic mutation that makes their coat and skin black also makes them more sociable with people and other pets.

So the next time you want to add a pet to your family, you might consider adopting a black cat. Speaking as someone whose life is very rich thanks to black cats, I think you’ll be glad you did.

This story is submitted by GH, with support from the Larimer Humane Society. To share your own submission for the Fur Fam Story Contest, click here!