This is the archive of my old blog posts, from Dec 2012 to May 2018
To read my current blog posts, please visit TheCatTherapist.com


Sunday, June 22, 2014

June 2014

THE WILBOURN WAY BLOG  
(AKA Cats on the Couch)  For a better view Click http://cattherapist.blogspot.com/ 
















Dear Readers,

Grumpy Cat will star in Lifetime Holiday Movie and a new book. 

Click here http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/grumpy-cat-star-lifetime- holiday-710768  to read all about it   


LUX 
I’m very pleased to learn that Lux, the mistreated and misunderstood cat from Oregon, has a new home where he’s the only cat and a program to treat his medical and emotional issues so he’ll be a happy and healthy cat.  It’s so important to treat “The Total Cat”.

Carole's Take on Oscar The Cat Who .....  
LIBRARY CONNECTIONS
Hoboken Cat Therapy Program and Reiki Session
All eyes were on Cleo -- Reiki session

Cleo, my co-speaker at the Hoboken Library, relaxed to catnip, music on my iPad, oohs and ahs from her very cat-friendly audience and a Reiki treatment as she assisted me in our Q&A. She went home a very happy, mellow cat. I’ll bet she gave her cat-mate an earful or two. Now her carrier will become an object of all good stuff.
"YOU ADORE YOUR CAT BUT  ..... " 
Cat Therapy Program.  I have a feline Co-speaker. Do come along with all of your questions. 

Connecticut June 26th  6p.m.
Torrington Public Library
12 Daycoeton Place, Torrington CT 06790
Call 860.489.6684 to register or email Jessica at jessh@torringtonlibrary.org

New Jersey July 17th  7 to 8:15 p.m.
East Brunswick Public Library
Jean Walling Center
2 Civic Center Drive, East Brunswick, NJ 08816
Click on http://www.ebpl.org/main/index.cfm  See Calendar of Events on right, Select July 17


THE MESSAGE IS IN THE SUBTEXT
A HAPPY TAIL IS A HAPPY TALE

Take a look at Orion’s tail.  Epitome of Cool! 
A new lone guy moved in to Bug the Pug’s former digs and invited Orion to check out the new landscape. He now has a standing invite to visit -- a home away from home -- and a new admirer. And he still has his play dates with Radio his play-pup who’s such a hottie!

Radio and Orion play date
Cat Talk - New Digs & Another Happy Tail










More about cat's body talk in my book Cat Talk       http://www.harrietcarter.com/product/cat-talk-book-6380/#



CATCENTRIC BEHAVIOR
The Best Time Share

Annabelle

Richard shares his apartment with his two cats, Annabelle and Gibson. And they have figured out a bed - share. Richard starts off his night with Annabelle and wakes up with Gibson. This gives each cat private time with Richard and time for their recreational, private feline pursuits. There’s no bed-crowding here.

Gibson


BABY IS OBSESSED WITH ME
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Little self-assured, up front & center  -- Baby's role model
“Baby, my young, spayed female is such a tease. She approaches me, chirping away -- like a bird.  But ...... when I reach out to touch her or talk to her, she bolts,” said Emma. “She only wants me to touch her when I’m stretched out in bed. And then it’s like she becomes glued to me.  Little, her cat-mate, on the other hand, is a total love-bug.”

Emma, while working out of the country, had contacted me to do a FaceTime consult for Baby. She mentioned how she felt so sad when Baby pulled away -- so rejected.  “I love her. What would you recommend?”

MIRRORED RELAXATION
I told Emma that Baby was “at rest” when Emma was stretched out in bed because Emma was “at rest”. Baby mirrored Emma’s relaxation. She didn’t feel threatened or vulnerable.

RESIDUAL ANGST
“Baby’s fear of intimacy is a symptom of her residual angst,” I said.
“But I never did anything to hurt her,” said Emma.
“No, of course not, but Baby’s muscle memory relives old stuff when she feels approached. She feels cornered.” 
I reassured Emma that she shouldn’t take Baby’s behavior personally. “She has a lot of emotional baggage -- kitten deprivation, abandonment syndrome -- and when she feels uneasy, she has a flash back to those feelings. Let’s call it a fear of intimacy” I said. 
“Ah, I see, so I should take advantage of Baby’s trust when she  can accept my close contact -- on my bed. Will it ever change?”

LOVE AT A DISTANCE
I explained that it would change with her confidence, patience and repetition. Emma could love Baby with words, rather than touch to slowly chip away at her residual angst.

Treatment Plan 
Distract - Redirect her focus when she chirps. When Baby starts to chirp, talk to her softly. Reassure her. Tell her she’s okay, Little is okay -- you’re all okay. Continue to defuse her angst with something she likes -- a toy, a romp with Little. Maybe she likes to be brushed. You know what she likes. Be creative but not dictatory.

Recognition of tell-tale signs - Soon you will be able to nip Baby’s angst in the bud. A flick of her tail, ripple of her back, flattened ears, will be some tell tale signs that it's time to distract Baby.

Relax - Stretch out on the rug or couch. If Little jumps up to join you, invite Baby. The inflection of your voice and body language will welcome her. Not to worry if she doesn’t join you. Remember, don’t be dictatory. You want to lighten, not contract the cat-mosphere.  Little can be Baby’s role model. Whenever she does jump up, don’t touch her. After she’s done this several times, you can touch her -- but briefly -- one stroke should do it.

Food - Stroke her briefly while she eats so she doesn’t become over-stimulated.  This creates a good feeling and positive association.

Emma time - Give them each one to one time with you so
they feel especially acknowledged.

Calm your senses - Nurture yourself with favorite music, flowers, potpourri, exercise, Yoga.  Maybe a Tweet, Instagram? Take a walk, jog, bicycle. You know what makes you feel good. Spread the harmony.

Prognosis 
I told Emma that what soothes her, Baby and Little will mirror. When she is  stressed, she should reassure herself. It usually takes 2l days for a person to integrate a new habit. Baby will go at her own speed. Emma had engaged me to do this consult while she was on the road. We would follow it up with a video consult or home visit so her cats and cat sitter would be “totally” in sync with their program.

As Paul McCartney of the Beatles once said, “Let It Be.”

A CAT CAN'T LIVE BY FOOD ALONE 
As I finished up my lesson at the  Apple Store, my trainer told me how he was so close to adopting a cat. The cat would be a rescue, for sure. He preferred an older cat who wanted to be the only cat. Now and again he traveled for a couple of days, “But if I leave him plenty of food, enough water and a clean litter box, the cat should be okay,” he said.
Anything Could Happen
“No way. Sure everything may be okay. But you can’t be sure. Why set up a crap shoot or Catch 22?” I told him he could arrange for a friend or neighbor to cat sit. He might even know someone who is cat-less who would love to hang out with his cat. If not, he could engage a professional cat sitter.  
Dusty’s Template is Relaxation 
I was reminded of a guardian who had me do a session to relax her cat Dusty and coordinate with the appropriate cat sitter. She had to be hospitalized for a few days and wanted to feel Dusty would be in good spirits, so she would have peace of mind.
As Dusty stretched out I reached for my iPad. I told his guardian the image was Dusty’s going away gift so she could “mirror” his happiness. She smiled and thanked me. 
Dusty -- A stretched out paw is cat 'speak' for a happy cat


A Free Consultation With The Cat Therapist 
              http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7E8G0OiKR4