Welcome, Franklin!
Franklin’s Gotcha! Day was October 25, 2018. We were fortunate to be able to adopt a black cat that time of year, right before Halloween. Some rescues and shelters don’t adopt black cats out in October; others say that with strong vetting criteria for potential adopters, this time of year is no different. In this case he was given to us by a friend who had known us for 40 years, a fellow black cat enthusiast. Living in one place for many years can feel limiting, but it also has its perks.
(Black cats, black dogs and other animals, should be kept inside and safe during October; in fact, I would advise that for animals of any color.)
Franklin was an ear-tipped former feral who was friendly. The picture was taken the first day as he checked us out from couch, using the arm as a sort of shield on one side. What a savvy, bright-eyed little guy!
Franklin the Smoothie
Franklin soon got used to comfy surfaces, a reliable food source, and two humans to blink at and meow to!
Franklin with Blue
Franklin prefers to sleep on higher places at times. It might be a holdover from living outdoors, where trees and roofs are safer sleeping spots.
Franklin looks spiffy with orange
Franklin relaxes in style
Franklin does the panther stretch!
Early Spring Franklin
By spring Franklin had gained some weight, and grown up a bit – he was a youngster, a teen-aged cat, when we got him.
Frankie may have some Siamese ancestry
So it’s a little early but Happy Gotcha! Day, Frankie!
Here is a lovely card made by Meezer’s Mews and Terrieristical Woofs for Franklin:
Franklin and I say, Thank you so much!
Frankie says, click this link and order our Catwoods book, Volume 1, so we can go on to publish the important Volume 2, in which Frankie arrives!
I live near a creek in a forest, in close observation and awe of the wildlife outside, as well as the domestic animals of the household. I'm writer Leah T. Alford. I was "catwoods" on this site Catwoods Porch Party, Itchmo Forums for Cats and Dogs, and a few other sites that may or may not exist now. I have now published a book, and the publisher wanted it called Catwoods. I never expected the book title to be the same as my username, so for now I've changed the username to Leah. For more info, click the "About" button above.
Catwoods Porch Party 
He’s so handsome! I love black cats and it’s sad how they are often over looked by people. My daughter just got four kitties, one is black and her name is Luna.
Franklin and I thank you, Cheryl! I too adore black kitties; we’ve taken whatever kitties of many colors who came our way, and many have been black. I just think they are especially beautiful. Good for your daughter, with four kitties. We had four for many years, the most harmonious group we ever had. Luna is a fantastic name!
Love the black cat against all those colored surfaces you have…very dynamic…even it the cat is a bit staid. LOL..not the eyes though, very dynamic.
I’m happy you liked the pictures! Franklin is a master chillaxer for sure, but also very active at times. I’m relatively new to photography, especially digital, so if I snap him in motion he’s blurred . . . I know there’s a “stop action” function somewhere LOL . . .
Man, I’m late to the party — but I’m here! 🙂
I’ve never heard of Gotcha! Day, but what a perfect name for adoption! Franklin, looking as dapper, as handsome as ever, has the same little ear-clip that our Kenzie has, and they both wear it well. I’m so glad you were able to take in Franklin, Leah, and I know Franklin’s equally thrilled — you can just see in his photos how relaxed, happy and loving he is! My husband and I volunteer for the local SPCA — once a month we go to a local PetSmart and clean cat cages, feed the kitties. Last Saturday was our day, and boy oh boy were there a lot of cats! Two cages had two kitties (paired) and if we could have taken them all home, we would have. Wishing you and your husband and Franklin a very happy autumn and Happy Halloween! We’re hoping to be in Michigan next week — and believe it or not, MI and IN are both supposed to get our first snow that day! Sorry I’m late on this — and I’ll be getting around to your latest post soon! Deb
P.S.: My husband and I are going to hear a blues guitarist tonight — Jimmy Thackery. If you like the blues and he’s ever in your area, go see him, he’s great!
Deb, no worries about when you show up, I’m just so glad that you always do! Those little ear clips can be so cute and they give a kitty some feral bragging rights! That’s so good of you your husband to go and volunteer at the shelter! I know what you mean, I would like to have every cat in need of a home I see. And, there seems to be a record number of homeless and feral cats, and their kittens, being found this year in my area too. Glad to have the tip on Jimmy Thackery, I do love the blues; I’m in an area with a really rich blues heritage. I used to get out and about and see the local and the traveling musicians but as my health is declining more I rarely get out these days. If Jimmy Thackery does come nearby I will certainly try! Wow, snow already! It’s really pretty but it can be a nuisance if you are not prepared to just be snowed in for a time. Hopefully everything will all work out for your trip to Michigan! Cheers, Leah
Yes, Kenzie is a feral kitty all right. I feel badly that she’s still somewhat shy — I blame myself for not working with her more. She is coming around, likes to get under the covers and sleep with my husband at night, but boy oh boy is she skitterish! Seems like Franklin is so much more domesticated (is that the right word?). He’s so adorable! Yes, Thackeray was great! Just a trio—the bass player and drummer were terrific as well — and yes, if you ever get the chance to seem them, by all means do if you can. Very entertaining! Well, today it was gorgeous in Indiana — the trees are gold and red and it makes everything seem golden. But … rain is coming back. In fact, last night on the highway the rain was so strong it was hard to see in front of us. And yes, snow — I like to look at it, but after a while it gets tiresome — and cold! LOLOL
Having seen it take many years for a former feral to become socialized in our home, I think they usually come around eventually. In our experience kitties have to come to you on their own terms and there isn’t a lot you can do to hasten the process. One former feral we had was green-eyed in more ways than one and warmed up, I think, through watching us interact with the other cats. Franklin isn’t quite as socialized as he looks; he retains some feral traits and he isn’t a lap kitty very often. We’re crazy about him anyway, of course. We’ve had tons of rain and gray days too and it’s turned colder. Hopefully tomorrow will be sunny and I can make it to the creek.
Franklin is extremely photogenic!
Franklin and I thank you Charlotte, and he sends purrs!
Franklin, you are a rare gem. We see your ear has been cropped. This is the amount of ear I would imagie woud be cropped. Budd has lost much of hs ear but we think this is due to frostbite. It is horribly cold up here in the winter and ferals must really fight for survival.
Shoko
Franklin and I thank you, Shoko and Canadian Cats! I think it was indeed a crop as he had been neutered when we got him. I’ve seen crops that didn’t take quite so much and I’ve been thinking maybe they overdid it a bit. He was friendly but he has retained some feral behaviors, so I can see where someone might have thought he was feral. So sorry about Budd’s ear! I know cold weather is hard on ferals, and even in the much milder climate here, we do get some low temperatures at times. I really feel for the ferals.
Franklin is one beautiful cat.
Franklin and I thank you so much, Pam!
🥰
Franklin is proper sweetie though. Happy Day Franklin. Best Wishes!
Franklin and I say, Thank you so much, Ashraf!
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Time flies when you are having fun – Happy Gotcha Day! 🙂
Franklin and I thank you so much, Eliza!
I hadn’t realized there’s a danger for black cats in getting adopted in October. That’s very sad. I adopted Midnight in March so it wasn’t an issue then.
The reports are scattered and occasional, but are enough that advocacy groups recommend caution at those times. It’s sad that people can be so mean. But it’s marvelous that we can adopt lovely black kitties like your Midnight and my Franklin!
I agree we are lucky to get Midnight and Franklin and that it’s sad some people are mean. (Stupid is more like it — they are missing out on great cats)
Charlee: “Happy Gotcha Day, Franklin!”
Chaplin: “Gotcha days are the best days ever!”
Charlee: “And the safest place for a black cat on Halloween is definitely in a good home!”
Charlee and Chaplin, thanks so much for you Gotcha Day greetings! Franklin and I appreciate it!
We’ve had two black cats. They bring good luck and are terribly understood by people to lazy to find out the facts. Hats off to keeping him safe. He deserves it.
Agree all the way, David! I adore black cats and all cats really, but I find the black kitties to be especially beautiful. And like you, I’ve had some black cats as pets; they were incredibly sweet and they are treasured in memory.
Precious baby house panther! I want to give him a kiss!
Franklin and I thank you, Whisker Times! We appreciate it!
Adorable !!!!
Franklin and I thank you!
He looks just like me Poe 🙂
Cool cat! Lucky to have found you. 🙂
Robin, Franklin and I thank you so much! We too were lucky a friend found Frankie and gave him to us!
We had a beagle adopt us 2 week before she delivered 7 fat pudgy little pups We were also lucky she found us. 🙂
Awww, they do seems to find us. I bet those pups were cute!
Mama kept coming back, no matter how often we shooed her away. Then she would love up on me . . . so I couldn’t say no. They were adorable. We kept the mama and one pup.
He is so handsome and very photogenic…and all legs! 🙂
Franklin and I thank you so much, CatLadyintheCanyon! He is indeed a really leggy boy!
Happy early gotcha day, Lovely Franklin! How passed the time I can’t believe… I love you, we love you, Happiness and Blessing to you all. Thank you, Love, nia
Franklin and I thank you so much Nia, time flew for us too! Thanks you the good wishes, Love and good wishes to all from us too! Love, Leah
Happy early gotcha day, Franklin!
Franklin and I thank you so much, FACE Foundation!
Franklin is adorable xxx
Franklin and I thank you, Rosie, and he agrees!
Happy Birthday, Franklin! Such a handsome kitty!
Franklin and I thank you, Lavinia!
I think this is actually the anniversary of his coming into your life?
Yes, the day we brought him home. We don’t know his actual birthday, but we are happy to have your birthday greetings for him!
Happy Anniversary!
Franklin and I thank you, Cate!
Happy Gotcha! Day, Franklin. I was adopted in December, but we celebrate my birthday in October (thanks for visiting my blog on my birthday). I’ve also read that many shelters have given up the idea of not adopting black cats around Halloween because there’s no more risk and it just reduces the number of chances we have to find wonderful homes. Kitties of all colors should have equal adoption opportunities. You sure do look comfy on all those colorful blankets.
Franklin and I thank you, Raven! Happy October birthday! (my pleasure visiting). I agree that as long as a shelter or rescue has the same criteria for for potential adopters as any other time of year, it should be ok to adopt out black cats in October. A few do still say they won’t, though. Franklin is indeed one to look for comfort!
Happy October Gotcha day Franklin.
Franklin and I thank you, Crystal!
Happpy Gotcha Day to Franklin! Like looking at the changes in you in the pictures taken in your new home. You are a lucky boy! Maybe one day I will have room for a black cat too!
Franklin and I thank you Greg! He was a thin little guy when we got him. You have gorgeous cats and a black cat would fit in nicely with them!
Purrhaps!
Franklin and my Roc could be brothers. Roc just posted a pic of himself in his new Halloween collar on Twitter @CatsWorking.
I’ll found Roc’s picture on twitter! My he is handsome, and dashing in his collar. He and Franklin do look alike!
He is such a handsome boy, Leah. I felt happy and sad looking at his lovely face. Missing Toffee terribly.
Awww Kerry, I’m so sorry about Toffee. ❤ I understand for sure, I'm still missing Ultraviolet. Franklin and I thank you for your kind words about him!
We miss all our little kitty cats and Ultraviolet was special. Hugs. K x
Thanks Kerry, hugs in return!
Black cats and dogs are actually under peril during October? I never heard that before. But…just like buildings without floors labeled “13”…it confirms for me that humans, despite our inventions and increased brain capacities, haven’t evolved as much as we like to think. Anyway…great photos, and Happy Halloween to you and Franklin!
Thanks so much greenpete, I’m happy you enjoyed the pictures. Reports are scattered and occasional but there are enough so that animal advocacy groups recommend pet owners take precautions. Then there are those who adopt black cats as props for Halloween parties and return them to the shelters when the parties are over . . . Agree with you totally, often we humans don’t do much with these large brains of ours. Happy Halloween to you also!
He looks lovely. I have four – or is it five? – black cats myself, and roughly the same number of back and white ones. The black ones seem to be the most affectionate and easy-going of them all.
Wonderful to have that many black kitties! I have certainly had some sweet black kitties.
Happy Gotcha Day, Franklin!
We made a card for you and sent it to your FB page:)
Franklin and I thank you so much, I just went to see it, that is so cute and so cool! When the day comes around I will try to post it on the facebook page. I guess I can just download it? I’m not too good at computer stuff. Maybe I could just add it to this post too.
You are welcome!
We sent it to your FB page cause we can’t/don’t know how to post it in comments…
If you right click on it you can save it that way, else it will be on our next blog post, where I put all the cards I made.
I’ll try that! I don’t know how to put a picture in comments either! And I’ll look for it on you blog post.
Its up in our blog now…petcretary was half asleep when she made it earlier as she worked last night…sheesh!
And we see it here now too, Hooray!
What a sorry statement about people that they would harm animals on Halloween only because they happen to be black. 😦
Sure is, Tanja, sometimes I don’t understand humans at all.
You are not alone!
Both of you are lucky. Franklin is such a handsome fellow. Franklin’s gotcha day is the day before my birthday. One black cat we had was a stray rescued off the street and given to us for safe keeping right before halloween.
Franklin and I thank you Tim, and we wish you a Happy Birthday in advance! Good for you rescuing a street kitty! I haven’t heard of anything happening in my area for many years but I just somehow felt better when we were able to get Franklin off the street before Halloween too.
He is so handsome. Of course, I’m a bit partial to black cats.
Franklin and I thank you so much! I tend to favor black cats too, although, I just sort of adore all cats!
Happy Gotcha Day Franklin!! May you have many more Gotcha Dayss!! Miss Leah you are so lucky to have such a hansum man cat!! An you know what Miss Leah mee AGREESS with you…Franklin does look Siamesey….did you know that when you cross a Siamese with a Tabby you get catss like us! An wee are called Oriental Shorthair catss…
Fancy shmancy rite???
***purrsss*** BellaDharma
Franklin and I thank you BellaDharma! I think I am fortunate to have handsome Franklin too! Our vet also thought he looked a tad Siamese! I had heard of the Oriental Shorthairs but did not know they are Siamese crossed with Tabbies; that is very interesting! Fancy indeed, purrrrs from Franklin.
Sung to “WEE are Siamese” song: Franklin “WEE are Oriental Shorthairss if you please! Wee are Oriental Shorthairss if you DON’T please!!” Mew mew mew……
LOL I do remember that tune!
Wee are THE kewlest rite Franklin?
We are, BellaDharma, we most definitely are!
Happy Gotcha Day! Franklin is beautiful.
Franklin and I thank you so much, Correne!
Happy Gotcha Day handsome boy! I am glad Franklin got such a good home.
Franklin and I thank you so much, Ellen!
Humans do fall into a cat’s blinking urges quite nicely … the truly feral ones don’t realize what they’re missing. Franklin seems to have taken well to humans!
Franklin has become more and more friendly but it did take awhile. I think he wasn’t born feral, he must have had a human home but was abandoned or lost young. So he became a little wary, but still had a friendly streak.
I think Franklin is gorgeous and wise.
Franklin and I thank you Lauren! You have him pegged! Sometimes I think he even knows what we are thinking!
I think he does.
Franklin is a cutie! Black cats rock! 🙂
Franklin and I thank you, Tom! You are so right, black cats do rock!
🙂