“Hi, there! I am young – maybe 6 -8 months – and bright-eyed and wide-eyed. I look up at you, and you see shiny black fur and a little smile. Just a little smile. Yes, I am black – truly black – not Black-ish. I will tell you, as any of my soulmates will, that black cats are Good Luck – none of that old bad luck stuff. Uh, uh. When a truly black cat sits at your hearth, no evil spirits will so much as pass your door. They know I am Nirvana – stillness of mind and peace of mind. I extend my peaceful mind to you.”

“By the way, I know nothing – absolutely nothing – about some ‘grunge band’ from Seattle. Smells like loud music to me, and I do not like loud music. My roomies and I have been listening to some Schubert and Mozart here in our Feline Rescue suite. Lovely, peaceful, definitely not loud. Protects and supports my still mind.”

“Pet me. I am soft. Pet me. I will purr. Would you like me to purr? I am a sweet, spirited, and beautiful black cat girl. I might want to grow up to be a lap cat. Do you have a lap? Could you make me a lap? I am told I was a ‘stray’ cat. Just out there walking around all by my little black self. My neighbor here, Rincon, is right. It’s scary out there when one is a small young cat girl. I’d prefer a lap. I think I would.”

“I hope my pictures turned out all right. Those camera things you humans have don’t understand black cats. Black-ish ones, maybe, but not truly black lovelies like me. Cameras say we’re too dark. They want light. I say Nirvana has beautiful, bright eyes, full of light. Pay attention. I am Nirvana. I bring you the stillness of my mind and the brightness of my eyes and soul. All you need to do is bring $120 to Feline Rescue, and tell the humans that you are seeking Nirvana.”