Be Vigilant This Howloween!

Disciples of The Leader Otis,

Brother Henry here.

Howloween is tomorrow! Leader Otis taught us the following:

Howloween is also known as “Black Cat Day”. Since at least the Middle Ages these unfortunate souls have been vilified in human mythology. They have difficulty getting adopted from shelters and heartless and cruel people often torture them on the human holiday known as Halloween. Otis was appalled by the unfair treatment of his dark-furred brothers and sisters and he officially designated October 31st as a day to celebrate all black cats. It is also a day for all Disciples of Otis to be especially vigilant in watching out for the safety of cats in their neighborhoods. People will be less likely to attempt to harm animals if they know we are all watching out for them.

This Howloween I intend to honor Leader Otis’s wishes and keep a sharp eye out for the poor outdoor kitties in our neighborhood!

I will make Leader Otis proud this year.

Tomorrow night, I shall sit right here in the front window, keeping an ever-vigilant watch to ensure that no one is mistreating my feline brothers and sisters in the world without walls. This spot is perfect! It is elevated so I get a great view of my surroundings. It is well-decorated with candles and pumpkins that have little black cats popping out of them. It is also very cushy so I will not experience any bum discomfort from long-term, vigilant sitting!

This is the perfect spot to be vigilant.

This spot is also close to the door, so if any kitties need a safe haven I will be able to… well… I can’t actually open the door… but maybe I’ll be able to yowl at the Guardians and make them open the door! Yes! That’s what I’ll do! I’ll yowl and the Guardians will open the door and let the kitties run in to safety! It’s a perfect plan!

The door is right over there. I will be able to let kitties in by yowling at the Guardians!

Wait a second though… to humans, Howloween is “Halloween”. They celebrate the day by dressing their children up in silly and/or frightening costumes and unleashing them on the neighborhood to beg for high calorie, low nutrition food stuffs. That means a steady stream of little kids with very sticky hands is going to be coming to the door all night! Kitties can’t come through there! If they tried, they would end up getting pet by all those sticky hands and their fur would be disgusting! And if I’m too close to the door, those sticky hands might be trying to pet me too! Yuck!

The thought of all those sticky hands petting a kitty, possibly even me… oh man, I feel a little sick to my stomach right now.

Yeah. On second thought this perch just won’t do. I think that side window over there would be much better. It’s got all the advantages of this spot minus the possibility of my fur getting all sticky.

Hmmm… on second thought, over there looks better.

Plus, if one of those little sticky-fingered nightmares gets past the Guardians, I’ll have enough time to make a break for my safey-safe in the office closet. So I’ll be able to keep an eye on the neighborhood and minimize my chances for my own personal Howloween nightmare. Yep. Sounds good to me… and I’m pretty sure Leader Otis would approve. He would want me to be vigilant, but not foolhardy. Have a safe Howloween everybody, and may your fur remain un-sticky.

So Says Brother Henry

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Tomorrow is Howloween!

My Disciples,

Being faithful followers, you are no doubt aware that tomorrow we celebrate Howloween, also known as “Black Cat Day”. Since at least the Middle Ages black cats have been vilified in human mythology. Even today, they have difficulty getting adopted from shelters, and heartless and cruel people often torture them on the human holiday known as Halloween. I am appalled at the unfair treatment of My dark-furred brothers and sisters and I have officially designated October 31st as a day to celebrate all black cats. It is also a day for all Disciples of Otis to be especially vigilant in watching out for the safety of cats in your neighborhoods. People will be less likely to attempt to harm animals if they know we are all watching out for them.

As Howloween approaches, images often magically appear on pumpkins.  Last year, an image bearing a striking resemblance to Yours Truly appeared on a pumpkin.  Well, this year not one but TWO images have miraculously appeared.  The first looks remarkably like the Cult of Otis symbol for The Good Word.

Images miraculously appear on pumpkins as Howloween approaches. This one looks like the symbol for The Good Word!

The second image that appeared this year looks a lot like Saint Inky (1 & 2), The Patron Saint of Black Cats for The Cult of Otis.  How appropriate that he should appear just in time for Black Cat Day!

The unmistakable image of Saint Inky (1 & 2) has appeared on a pumpkin! Another Howloween miracle!

So tomorrow, be extra vigilant as you watch out for the kitties in your neighborhood who are wandering in the wilderness or living in Limbo.  They may be in even greater danger than usual on the 31st.  Also, take some time to acknowledge and appreciate the gorgeous, black kitties in your life.  And if you are currently considering adopting a new feline companion, please give My dark brothers and sisters a little extra consideration.

So Sayeth Otis

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True Faces of the Saints: St. Inky I and II

My Disciples,

Today I bring you the true faces of two cats that, together, became saints.  Saint Inky I and Saint Inky II are the Patron Saints of the Black Cats for the Cult of Otis.  They share one saint card because they are practically twins.  May they watch over all black cats and the guardians who protect them.

So Sayeth Otis

 

Spread the image of Saint Inky I and II so that others may know their story.

St. Inky and St. Inky 2- Patron Saints of the Black Cats

Inky and Inky 2 were believed to be one cat until they showed up in Otis’s yard together one day. One of them was eventually captured and taken to a shelter, but the other simply disappeared. Black cats have long been mistreated and abused simply because of their color. A lot of negative mythology surrounds the black cat, and they are disproportionately targeted for cruelty by people, especially around Halloween. Black cats also have a more difficult time getting adopted than other cats.

Saints Inky and Inky 2 watch over black cats and attempt to keep them safe from harm. They also help people that are searching for a companion animal at the shelter to see beyond the cat’s fur color and see the special individuals within.

Here are the true faces of Saint Inky I and II as they were eating food left out for them by the Guardians of Otis.