Rave on

The black cat has been seen as a portent throughout history. One crossing your path in Scotland might mean good luck; one in Germany might rouse feelings of foreboding. Over the years black cats have variously been burned at the stake as the alleged spooky familiars of witches, been adopted as emblems for anarcho-syndicalists and had their images used to sell cigarettes. It’s all a far cry from that purring furball in your living room who likes to take naps, toy heartlessly with rodents and enjoys a good stroke now and again.

Then there’s the Italian black cat – an now in shops, there may yet be an outbreak of chin-stroking.