Tiny Black Cat with the Heart and Soul of a Panther
This is the story of Ebony, my adopted cat daughter. This lens is a memorial tribute - Ebony has passed over the Rainbow Bridge, but she is still with us in spirit.
Ebony was a feisty black cat who lived with my husband when we first met. She was possessive and not one of those snuggly, rub your leg for attention kitties. Ebony behaved more like a prowling, growling panther or a jealous lover. It's been said that dogs have families, while cats have staff - Ebony definitely had people to order about and she did it regally.
Ebony was a a tiny coal-black cat, the runt of the litter. She had to fight to survive from the time she was born and she lived in a rural area where she hunted and bested all sorts of wildlife: squirrels, invader cats, raccoons, snakes, frogs, chipmunks, mice and birds. Ebony was almost as tough as a feral cat, although she never lived alone in the wild. She lived with my husband and his daughter for several years before we met; or should I say she allowed them to live with her. Ebony was possessive of her staff. She was instantly jealous of me and as protective of her home and family as any big dog. It took a lot of cat whisperer knowledge for me to become part of Ebony's circle of trust.
Ebony was a risk-taker - she probably used up more than 9 cat lives during her brief life, but she made every minute count. Part of this story is how I befriended a cranky black cat, earned her respect and love, and cared for her until she crossed over the Rrainbow Bridge.
Ebony was a feisty black cat who lived with my husband when we first met. She was possessive and not one of those snuggly, rub your leg for attention kitties. Ebony behaved more like a prowling, growling panther or a jealous lover. It's been said that dogs have families, while cats have staff - Ebony definitely had people to order about and she did it regally.
Ebony was a a tiny coal-black cat, the runt of the litter. She had to fight to survive from the time she was born and she lived in a rural area where she hunted and bested all sorts of wildlife: squirrels, invader cats, raccoons, snakes, frogs, chipmunks, mice and birds. Ebony was almost as tough as a feral cat, although she never lived alone in the wild. She lived with my husband and his daughter for several years before we met; or should I say she allowed them to live with her. Ebony was possessive of her staff. She was instantly jealous of me and as protective of her home and family as any big dog. It took a lot of cat whisperer knowledge for me to become part of Ebony's circle of trust.
Ebony was a risk-taker - she probably used up more than 9 cat lives during her brief life, but she made every minute count. Part of this story is how I befriended a cranky black cat, earned her respect and love, and cared for her until she crossed over the Rrainbow Bridge.
Ebony aka "Da Rippah"
For a small cat she had BIG claws and knew how to use 'em
Ebony was petite from head to tail tip. She even had dainty feet and toes, but my goodness her claws were amazing. She kept them in tip top shape by shredding all sorts of stuff - including on occasion a sofa arm or leg. When I became a family member I decided to try to teach her a few manners about her claws. I've had cats my entire life, and I've never had a problem with cats tearing up the furniture, so I set about to teach Ebony where she could and could not sharpen and shine her claws indoors.I started by putting clean packing tape on the upholstered areas of the furniture where she wanted to sink in her claws. I also policed her a bit and clapped my hands while raising my voice when she attempted to hit the sofa or chair legs for a good scratch. She wasn't too keen on the training, but she learned quickly because she really didn't like the tape from the sofa getting under her nails and hated having me clap and say NO.
So, she turned to my Oriental carpet and runner to get even - cats do love to get even, you know. What Ebony didn't realize in all her feline wisdom was that's what I wanted her to do. Those carpets were made from almost indestructible Olefin fibers on heavy jute backing. No cat can tear them apart and oh, it's so satisfying to a cat to hear that RRRR-IIIIII-PPPP and POP when the claw comes clean and breaks free from the rug. I nicknamed Ebony Ripper (or RIPPAH, if I lapse back into my Boston-speak) and it stuck.
We ended up with a win-win situation - Ebony felt like she was getting away with something and in charge of her claws in the house. She RIPPED at the rugs all she wanted and the sofa my mother-in-law bought in 1934 still has its original upholstery sans cat ribbons.
Cat Smarts
Humans and cats have identical brain regions responsible for emotion. A cat's brain is more similar to a human brain than a dog's.
Ebony the Commando
Ebony applied military-like discipline in everything she did. She was methodical and determined to complete every mission she started. She also had aggressive traits I'd never seen before in a female cat. Although she was half the size of her offspring, she was always the "alpha" cat - Momma ruled the house, no question about it - until the day she died.Ebony taught her kittens to patrol their property, to defend themselves, to hunt, to watch over the foolish humans, and to be somewhat aloof around strangers. She taught them a couple less desirable skills as well.
Never let a human pick you up. Ebony, Sparkey and Misty never liked to be held or stroked the way most cats enjoy. In fact, none of the cats in our house would willingly allow humans to pick them up. Anyone who made the mistake of trying to get too friendly quickly experienced the instant transformation of a quiet cat into a snarling, whirling dervish.
Demand food just before dawn. No matter what the season, Ebony wanted to eat breakfast in the wee hours of early morning. She would arise in the dark and wait until daylight was just starting to light the sky, then she would sit in the doorway to the bedroom and howl loudly for her breakfast. It didn't matter that she had a huge bowl of dry crunchy food - she wanted her moist cat food breakfast, and she wanted it NOW.
Let the enemy know you're here. Ebony sprayed like a male cat. Never in the house, but outdoors Ebony "marked" as her own all the vehicles and shrubs around the border of our property. If it rained, she would refresh the scent. I'd never seen a female cat spray before I met Ebony. She taught Misty and Sparkey to do the same, and no matter what we did to discourage the spraying it never ceased.
After Ebony died, Sparkey took over the spray detail, and he taught his sister Misty and later a newly-adopted female kitten to spray the car wheels and shrub borders during morning and evening garden perimeter patrols. He still lives with us, and still makes sure he leaves his mark around the yard on tall grasses and shrubs in the garden border.
Ebony the Guard Cat
Keeping Watch from the Chimney Top
Ebony patrolled our 1-acre yard like a guard dog. She checked the perimeter at least every other hour, then settled down atop the chimney of our outdoor fireplace to stand watch over the house and garden. Her chimney-top vantage point also gave her a bird's eye view of the field next to our property, and the dirt lane leading to our driveway.When a vehicle drove into the lane, Ebony knew if it was my car, Doug's truck, or a stranger. If it was me or Doug arriving home, Ebony would come running to the driveway and walk us to the back door. When I walked out to the mailbox each afternoon, she would follow me up the lane and back to the house, all the while vocalizing. It was if she was scolding me for leaving the yard.
Although she was a mixed breed from a neighbor's litter, I'm convinced Ebony had some Siamese in her background. She had a distinctive voice and Siamese-like facial features. She also had the disposition and intelligence of a high-strung purebred.
Cats Are Highly Intelligent, Possessive, Territorial Animals
Ebony was one of the smartest - and ornery - cats I've ever loved. She learned quickly and she taught other cats and humans everything she knew, including who was the boss in her feline world and how to protect what's yours.
Ebony's Children - Son Sparkey
Momma Taught Him How to Climb
Smug Cat Sparkey Surveys the Kitchen
Ebony loved to climb high to be able to see her territory and keep watch over her family. She climbed trees in our yard, ladders to the roof or inside the house up to the ceiling, and she often climbed up the side of our stone fireplace outdoors to get to the chimney top where she perched and watched birds, squirrels, mice and chipmunks.
Ebony's son Sparkey is also a climber. He loves to climb - he ascends ladders to sit on the roof . He climbs trees like a monkey (because he has no front claws). He scales our kitchen appliances to sit atop the cabinets now and then. His favorite aerial spot is on the roof of our cabana. He has his own ladder to climb up to the roof, and often strolls around as if it's a tree house built just for him.
Sparkey is totally silver grey, and as a fully grown adult feline, he's about twice the size his mother was. He absolutely loves catnip - I've seen him totally demolish a 2 foot tall living plant in our garden within an hour. When I harvest the catnip and spread it out on newspapers to dry it in the fall, Sparkey dives into the pile and enjoys catnip bliss for a few hours, just the way Momma Ebony taught him..
Organic Catnip Bliss - Ebony Checks Freshness
Here's my favorite link:
Bookmark This Cat Story Lens
RIP Ebony
Ebony died at 3:30pm March 19, 2005. She was buried March 21 under the big magnolia tree in our yard - a tree whose trunk she loved to race up and down. She lies next to Smokey, the female queen cat who lived here before she was born. We miss her to this day and we will never forget her. She's waiting for us and playing in the sunshine at the other side of the Rainbow Bridge with our family of gone-but-never-forgotten animal companions - Smokey, Snuffy, Pita, Beauregard and Pretty. They're busy up there, keeping our beloved and departed human family members company until we can join them all again. 
Do You Have a Favorite Feline Story to Share?
Please leave a comment or just say hello - if you have a cat you love, please let us know about him or her.
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- csc61 csc61 Oct 28, 2009 @ 10:20 am
- Thanks for sharing your stories of Ebony. They are wonderful. She will not be forgotten, I am sure you miss her.
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- 24websurf 24websurf Oct 26, 2009 @ 1:51 pm
- Tears of laughter and sorrow rain through this lens. ~ Blessed by a Squid Angel ~ who understands very clearly how you felt and still fell about your darling Ebony.
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- EelKat EelKat Jul 1, 2009 @ 4:05 pm
- suck a beautiful lens- reminds me of my Bela (for Bela Lugosi).
sent you a blessing
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- Lou1842 Lou1842 Jun 17, 2009 @ 2:49 pm
- Ebony certainly seems like she was one feisty cat. I loved reading about her. Thanks for lensrolling my How to find a missing cat lens. I have returned the favour on my cat lenses.
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- paperfacets paperfacets May 14, 2009 @ 1:04 pm
- I love pet stories. You wrote a lovely lens about Ebony. I know your beautiful cat. Will lensroll to my pet story. I rolled the Halloween lens , as well. thanks for the visit.
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- grannysage grannysage Apr 25, 2009 @ 4:55 pm
- Ebony reminds me of the cat my husband had when I met him. Her name was Inday, because she found him on Independence Day. But she soon told us her "real" name. Because she never meowed, she would "trill" whenever she jumped up on something, we re-named her Trill.
Trill was possessive of her human as well, and spent 3 days hissing at me when I joined the family. Then one day she discovered that I really give good pets and she mellowed out. She was also a small cat with a heart of a panther. She was determined to be the only cat in the house, but oddly, would allow stray hungry cats in to eat her food. But if a strong cat entered her territory, it was war!
Trill also crossed over a couple of years ago, but she is still with us in spirit.
I loved your story. I'm lens-rolling it to White Cats Can't Jump, a lens about two cats we have now.
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- Vladi Vladi Apr 25, 2009 @ 4:37 pm
- High Paw to Ebony! her essential blackness ensures her an exalted place across the Rainbow bridge
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- kjcandles kjcandles Apr 15, 2009 @ 1:23 pm
- Very nice story and a beautiful kitty! We have 2 black & white cats, Nip and Tux. They are very special to us.
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- kjcandles kjcandles Apr 15, 2009 @ 1:23 pm
- Very nice story and a beautiful kitty! We have 2 black & white cats, Nip and Tux. They are very special to us.
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Index to Ebony, Little Black Cat
Navigate this tribute lens to my black cat Ebony (RIP) by using the linked topical index in this section. Just click a link and you're there!- Ebony aka "Da Rippah"
- Cat Smarts
- Ebony the Commando
- Ebony the Guard Cat
- Cats Are Highly Intelligent, Possessive, Territorial Animals
- Ebony's Children - Son Sparkey
- Organic Catnip Bliss - Ebony Checks Freshness
- Good-Bye to Ebony
- Bookmark This Cat Story Lens
- RIP Ebony
- Cat Fancy Gifts from Zazzle
- Do You Have a Favorite Feline Story to Share?
- Cat Humor - Funny Feline Stories
- More Cat Love Lenses
- What's Your Favorite Cat Name?
What's Your Favorite Cat Name?
Vote for your favorite or add yours to the list.
Here are the top 10 male and female cat names, or so we've been told. We want to know what names you like.
Top 10 Female cat Names: Maggie, Molly, Lady, Sadie, Lucy, Daisy, Ginger, Abby, Sasha, Sandy..
Top 10 male cat names: Max, Jake, Buddy, Bailey, Sam, Rocky, Buster, Casey, Cody, Duke.
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