'Spooky Season's Official Mascots': 21 Black Cats Reporting for Halloween Duty Before October

The useful part

It's September, which means it's time to break out your Halloween decorations, which means your black cat is now part of the decorations, even if he's not aware of it. Black cats didn't wait for the decorations to come out or for someone to place a pumpkin on the porch. They are your favorite Halloween decoration during the entire year, but in September and October, they have to start work.

How it works

• Halloween duty is serious business, and these felines are determined to start their shift early.
• If you add a pumpkin next to them, or a cobweb, or a skeleton, then you're done.
• A cat capable of looking like the perfect witch's companion can become offended by a paper bag that moved unexpectedly.
• Then they can be little cuties who need love and affection, and also your chair.
• Actually, black cats are less interested in old superstitions than in whether anyone has noticed that their bowl is empty.

What to take from it

Consider this their official announcement that spooky season can begin whenever they decide it does. Halloween already has its mascots, and they have arrived early to claim the best seat in the house, and we don't care if that is your chair.

Details worth keeping

Black cats arrive dressed for the occasion every day. The performance becomes less scary when the lights come on. That ominous silhouette is waiting for dinner.