Pluto– this was the cat’s name– was my favorite pet and playmate. I alone Blank I him, and he attended me wherever I went about the house. It was even with difficulty that I could prevent him from following me through the streets.

Our friendship lasted, in this manner, for several years, during which my general temperament and character– through the instrumentality of the Fiend Intemperance– had (I blush to confess it) experienced a radical alteration for the worse. I Blank II, day by day, more moody, more irritable, more regardless of the feelings of others. I suffered myself to use intemperate language to my wife. At length, I even offered her personal violence. My pets, of course, were made to feel the change in my disposition. I not only neglected, but ill-used them. For Pluto, however, I still retained sufficient regard to restrain me from maltreating him, as I made no scruple of maltreating the rabbits, the monkey, or even the dog, when by accident, or through affection, they came in my way. But my disease grew upon me– for what disease is like Alcohol!– and at length even Pluto, who was now becoming old, and consequently somewhat peevish– even Pluto Blank III to experience the effects of my ill temper.

 From: https://poestories.com/read/blackcat. Accessed on 10/15/2025