Hi Guys and Happy Friday The 13th!
I wasn't going to blog at all today, because I am not feeling well, (bladder infection I think), but I have been unable to shake what I can't believe I saw on The Today Show this morning.
First, allow me to say I LOVE The Today Show, (or did, until today). I watch it every morning and have beed a loyal viewer for well over twenty years.
This morning they featured an animal wildlife expert, Corbin Maxey, on their "Call of the Wild" segment who was sharing with hosts Willie Geist and Tamron Hall animals for Friday The 13th which supposedly bring either "good" or "bad" luck.
The part that upset me is near the end of the video when a black cat was brought out (the last animal to be brought out). Maxey did mention that it is a "myth" that the ravens who were featured just BEFORE the black cat was brought out were bad luck, but when discussing the black cat and mentioning that it is supposedly bad luck when they cross your path, he never stressed the fact that people should NOT believe the myth, and that the myth needs to end for the SAFETY of black cats everywhere.
To make matters worse, Tamron Hall visibly flinches when the cat is brought out, and mentions her "fear of cats", until she discovered that it was a domestic house cat.
Am I being overly sensitive to the plight of black cats?
Watch the video yourself and tell me:
1) Does it bother you the way it bothered me?
2) Or....do you think they merely ran out of time and never got around to saying that black cats are just as lovable as cats of EVERY color and do NOT bring bad luck.
I am disappointed and surprised that The Today Show would help to perpetuate that myth, especially as involved as they are with animal rescue segments.
Wish they would make sure to mention on a later show that black cats are indeed NOT unlucky. Statistics show that black cats are less likely to be adopted and are often abused. Hope the Today Show does a special segment about black cats on Black Cat Appreciation Day.
If the video is not displaying on the blog, click here to watch
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Funny that as black cats are considered lucky over here. Have a fabulous Friday.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes Molly
I did watch the tape and I didn't think it was too bad. They did say that people were afraid of them crossing their path which I think is going to be true for a long time. They could have made a point what nice cats black cats are but guess that wasn't the subject of the interview. But I do agree with you on why do people just do what is known best to do. Dislike black cats. Someone needs to do an interview on the face that black cats are just terrific.
ReplyDeleteI'm a bit surprised she seemed nervous about the kitty but didn't seem to mind some of the other animals =) Cute little kitty.
ReplyDeleteYea, they do seem a little pressed for time. Still, I think they could have made a point to say that it's a myth that they are bad luck. And really??? What the heck did they think the cat was? LOL... oh it's domestic, OK... maybe they just aren't animal people?
ReplyDeleteMy last and final cat was black. She was the very best cat. I'm highly allergic now though or I'd be the cat lady. We currently have a black flat coat retriever. She's the best dog we've ever had. I love black cats and black dogs.
ReplyDeleteHave a fabulous Friday the 13th. ☺
they have missed the mark several time on pet issues....Hoda did a "pet special" that was TERRIBLE and that is when they lost me. they have SUCH an opportunity to make an impact on what people hear and see....and this is what we get instead
ReplyDeleteI was pretty upset by it and was thinking I was just being too sensitive, apparently not!
DeleteBlack cats are lucky, so are torties, tuxies, etc.
ReplyDeleteEmma and Buster
I couldn't agree more!
ReplyDeleteWhen I look are her "body language" I think that she has a problem with animals, with all the animals.
ReplyDeleteI love black cats. I think that they are gorgeous !
Have a nice week end
Nat à Chat
Hi Nat a Chat! I totally agree with you, except she seemed to really like the darned snake! lol. You have a nice weekend too!!! xoxo Oh and I think black cats are gorgeous as well!
DeleteI love black cats. It is kind of sad that this animal expert didn't try to make a point that black cats aren't actually bad luck. I think that Tamron needs to grow up a bit. She was even afraid of the tortoise. None of those creatures were scary if you ask me. Perhaps you should (or cat bloggers collectively) should contact the Today Show about the way they are showing black cats to be. I hope you feel better soon! UTI's are the worst.
ReplyDeleteHi Robin! I love black cats too. I so agree that the expert should have gone into MUCH more depth about black cats NOT being unlucky, but I am wondering if they had had more time, if he would have. I agree about Tamron lol, the funny thing? She wasn't afraid of the snake at all and I would have been losing my mind about the snake! Well....I did tweet this to their attention, maybe they will see it. Thanks so much for the good wishes, I am not sure if it is a UTI or my kidney stones acting up. The symptoms overlap for both, but no matter what, I feel AWFUL! Thanks so much!!
DeleteI wish they wouldn't do stories like this at all. Except that snake is kinda creepy. ;)
ReplyDeletegood point, I agree!! That being said, I could care less about the plight of snakes lol. OMG I am awful!!!
DeleteWell they looked really pressed for time which in of itself is a red flag to me. I mean, you need time when you are bringing animals into "unknown territory" so that they feel safe and secure. I didn't like how any of the animals were being handled and I didn't like the rushed frenetic energy around them ; especially how the cat was being handled.The man should have been holding the cat against him, quietly and securely so that the cat felt safe instead of holding the cat away from his body and jerking the cat around. I think it was a miss and they all looked immature and disrespectful of animals. Especially Tamron who looked like a child who has never seen a big, old, vicious cat and who is leading by example for younger viewers to think it is o.k. to be afraid of a cat and nervous around animals in general! Huh?!! WTF? The biggest thing for me, was that they were not calm and respectful of the animals and that they missed out on a teaching moment to emphasis that no animal is bad luck! Hope that's not too harsh an opinion.
ReplyDeletethe critters in the cottage and their Mama Sophie xo
LP I thought the exact same thing with the way the cat was being handled. It really bothered me, once again, I thought it was just me being too sensitive. He also was letting the cat hang I believe (didn't watch it just now to check so I am not sure). Yep. I normally really love Tamron but I was so disappointed in her reaction. If she has such a strong aversion to cats, why in the heck was she even in that segment? I couldn't agree with you more. That was what I was HOPING to hear, that NO animal is bad luck and sadly, that isn't what we heard. you aren't too harsh at all. I feel exactly the same! xoxo
DeleteI think they stink, Caren and that you are right!!
ReplyDeletexoxo
DeleteNot a great segment overall. The woman clearly did not like animals in general and had cat issues on top of that. And this could have been a great teaching moment about how awesome black cats are but the cat was brought in so close to the end of the segment, there wasn't time even if he had wanted to. And it irked my human to no end that he used a purebred Munchkin instead of a rescue cat. She likes most breed cats, but has issues with Munchkins because she thinks their short legs are a deformity that does not add to the beauty of the cat.
ReplyDeleteSummer you are spot on (as always!) Tamron didn't like the animals there, well, other than the snake! She did like the snake! I know she has a dog so at least she likes dogs. I agree with you and a few others who said that it would have been a superb teaching moment, but it was passed right by. I also was shaking my head at selecting a Munchkin cat instead of a rescue cat. I am so loyal to The Today Show but this segment had me quite upset.
DeleteIn Asia and the UK, black cats are lucky. We haven't watched da Today show in years... and seein' dat anchor bein' skeered of kitties, Momma sez we ain't missed much....bol, bol!! Skeered of kitties??? Kitties are sweet!
ReplyDeleteYep! I know! About Asia, the UK and the fact that "kitties are sweet!" xoxo
DeleteKitties are bad luck here, kitties are good luck there, we wish they wouldn't do stories like this at all ! Purrs
ReplyDeleteWhat a shame........black cats are just as special as any other cat and I've always thought it was desperately SAD that anybody believes them to be bad luck. That was a terrible piece on the Today Show and whoever put that together did a poor job indeed. "If you can't do something RIGHT, don't do anything at all" comes to mind!
ReplyDeletePam
I think it would have been much more responsible to mention that black cats are as loveableas any other and that they are often left in shelters due to stupid superstitions. As for Tamron Hall, she spouts some of the most ridicules southern superstitions this southern born woman has ever heard...including washing your baby's face with urine to it will be pretty. I've gotten to where I just turn her off.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't get over the fact that she was willing to go in and touch the snake, but not the cat! I felt like the whole thing was rushed, and I don't know why they do that. Maybe he was too busy trying to clarify to her what kind of cat that was, and was thrown off by how afraid of it she was! But who knows if they ever really intended to make it clear that black cats are not bad luck. This must be why I watch GMA instead!
ReplyDeleteI used to be afraid of black cats when I was a child because grown ups told me that I would be unlucky whenever I met one. Luckily, I found out that this wasn't the case. Have a lovely Caturday.
ReplyDeleteYou are not being over sensitive there are way too many black cats that are not adopted as it is why would you make matters worse? And for that bladder infection cranberry pills and about half an ounce of colloidal silver a day and you'll be back to normal soon :-) XO
ReplyDeleteyep Jodi you are so right!! Thanks for the bladder info but found out it is my kidney stones acting up. They had been behaving for quite some time, but just decided to let me know they are here lol. Thanks! xoxo
DeleteI do think they ran out of time, but it does never fail to surprise the Staff how stupid people can be! I don't think the black-cat-brings-bad-luck belief is quite so prevalent here!
ReplyDeleteSome peoples is so ignorant! We are constantly surprised at city people who have no contact with animals-are afraid of pets and think wildlife is "cute"!
ReplyDeleteYou think television people would be a little more prepared than that! Your anger is justified!
Barb
Poor little cat and very ignorant people on that show in my opinion (from what I've just seen as I'm from the UK and so have never watched it). You were right to be upset, Caren. Maybe you should send them an email and complain?
ReplyDeletePurrs xx
Athena and Marie
I never watch TV in the morning, so I didn't know about this till you brought it to my attention. I do know it is a popular and widely watched show.
ReplyDeleteHow awful that this went on in view of millions, and some would be impressionable minds that now are going to think that all black kitties and maybe others are not good to have around. Yes, they do need to do a followup and maybe even a apology to all (black)kitty owners.
And by now I hope you are starting to feel better Caren, hey the weather is nice and you want to be able to enjoy it:))
DeleteI soo agree about that they should follow up, more than likely they won't. Thanks...found out it is my kidney stones...surprise, surprise!
DeleteKidney stones, Oh, My, that isn't good at all.
DeletePraying you won't have to deal with that misery too long.
thanks...I pretty much deal with them every day of my life lol. I have Medullary Sponge Kidney disease. I have 100s of stones, all day, EVERY DAY. It is just that sometimes they become cranky and decide to let me know that they are there which is what they are doing now. Thanks. I am the Kidney Stone and Lithotripsy Queen lol.
DeleteOh, dear me, Hang in there!
DeleteThe lithotripsy is quite the ordeal...but way better than the old surgical methods.
Yep! You are preaching to the choir lol!! I had 8 lithos in 2013 (for some reason I was spared in 2014), and I had many before the 8 in 2013 :)
Deletexoxo
Just wrote a long reply and then hit "sign out" instead of publish. I am not surprised they did not clear up the myth because news programs are only about ratings and to get them they use sensationalism and negativity. That is why my wife and I stopped watching the news almost two weeks ago and my world is fine without it.
ReplyDeleteHow sad ! If you are familiar with the book "I Could Pee on This" you have probably seen the poem "by" the black kitten ! https://mediumlarge.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/ikmm-black-kitten.jpg
ReplyDeleteMy bad ! The Black Kitten Poem is in the SEQUEL to "I Could Pee on This" - "I Knead My Mommy!" I don't mean to be anonymous, but Google isn't recognizing my account info. Sorry !
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Caren the segment was very upsetting.
ReplyDeleteI don't think your being to sensitive at all. Black cats get hurt, killed, and treated unfairly because of this myth, they DEFINITELY should have mentioned that.
ReplyDeleteღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
I haven't seen the segment (don't have cable) so I can't make an educated comment on it, but from what you've said, I agree that they should have stressed the fact that it was a MYTH! You would think that people on television would take more responsibility for the things they say and should know that lots of people will believe every word. Maybe it was supposed to be assumed that it was a myth, based on the subject matter…. but we all know what assuming does…. ;)
ReplyDeleteWhat a stupid segment. I wanted to reach through my computer screen and slap the woman in the dress. She flinches as a CAT??? I thought it was terrible. A wonderful chance to share a message of adoption but instead they do nothing but perpetuate this terrible myth.
ReplyDeleteOh, dear, that really upsets us to hear that the Today show did that. What a terrible thing not to try to help black cats out while they had the issue under discussion.
ReplyDeleteMom used to really like the Today show but it has really declined over the past year or so. Actually, since they got rid of Anne Curry.
OMC, what a stupid segment. I do not think you are being overly sensitive, Caren. She TOTALLY flinched when that black kitty was brought out. That is why dumb superstitions like this persist. And NOW, I will pet our two LUCKY black kitties, Zoe and Gracie, who are snuggled up with us on the couch! :)
ReplyDeleteSome people do have a fear of cats, no matter what their color. I do think the "expert" missed the perfect opportunity to let people know that black cats aren't bad luck. I think they are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThey did keep saying that the bad luck was a myth. I didn't put too much stock in the lady because she seemed to be uncomfortable around the tortoise....and I'm not sure what she thought it was going to do. What bothered me more is that they brought out a munchkin cat, which might make people curious about them and promote their breeding.
ReplyDeleteThe Today Show and NBC in general are pretty "anti-cat" with everything they put out out there. I'm also EXTREMELY disappointed in the fact that they showed a munchkin cat - which are really not one of the healthier breeds.. they couldn't find a black kitten at the local shelter - knowing one of the hosts doing the segment was afraid of cats?? seriously?
ReplyDeleteI tend to be more of a GMA girl myself because they tend to be a bit more pro-cat.. Having Dan Harris on the staff kinda helps with that.
I've never thought of black cats as anything but lucky.... I saw a few social media and news posts I didn't like this Friday 13th too!
ReplyDelete