THE WILBOURN WAY BLOG
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(AKA Cats on the Couch) For a better view Click http://cattherapist.blogspot.com/
Dear Readers,
Did you know that the artist, Gustav Klimt was a dedicated cat lover? I was touched when I saw this photo amongst his exhibit at the Neue Gallery.
Notice how he cradles his cat. Read all about Klimt and his cat, Katze, in Klimt
And His Cat -- available at the Neue.
Carole's Take on Oscar The Cat Who .....
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RADEMENES IN POLAND REMINDS US OF OUR NURSIE
When I read about Rademenes, a black cat who comforts sick and
recovering animals at a Polish animal shelter, I was reminded of Nursie (aka Florence Nightin-Cat) at The Cat Practice who made her rounds to all of our patients. Despite her head tilt, she was a mover and shaker. She was our Nursie.
Now you can read all about Rademenes. http://www.ecorazzi.com/2015/04/16/nurse-cat-comforts-sick-animals-at-polish-hospital/
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| Polish cat |
Now you can read all about Rademenes. http://www.ecorazzi.com/2015/04/16/nurse-cat-comforts-sick-animals-at-polish-hospital/
KITTY TO THE RESCUE
A little boy was crying his eyes out on the subway. His young Mom was overly worn out, so I took out my kitty shaped mirror, flashed it at the little boy & he was kitty focused -- tearless. His Mom smiled and smiled. Me too.
TINKLING ON THE SOFA
Joey’s litter box habits went awry when Lara’s husband
passed on. That was almost three years ago. When Lara moved to Florida, Joey
returned to his box. No more “tinkling” on the couch
and other selected spots. But now once again, Joey had started to urinate on
the couch.
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| Joey on Skype |
As Lara and I Skyped, she played a link to music I had emailed so that this music could play continuously. The music would remind Joey of his session, a comfort association, and a security object when he felt stressed. Lara and Joey had both been very stressed with the loss of Lara’s husband. This separation anxiety pushed Joey over the edge. His bladder became his stress target. When he became overly upset, he had an anxiety attack. Chances are his bladder had a fleeting ache. He avoided his box to communicate his distress. Joey’s target is probably the couch because it is soft and reminds him of the “cozy” feeling when the mother cat ingested his wastes.
“Joey already has three litter boxes,” said Lara. I
told her to put paper towels or wee wee pads in one of
the boxes so he could satisfy his “mother
comfort” feeling in a cat-acceptable spot and to tell him how good he was
whenever he used his boxes.
New Coping Mechanisms
When they moved to Florida, both she and Joey were involved and affected
in a good way, a change of scenery and sunny climate. But over time, Joey
relived his past grief (muscle memory) when stressed and had an incident.
“You mean he hadn’t totally recovered,” said Lara. “No, there
was still inner residual angst. So now we want to help him to integrate new
coping mechanisms so he can deal better with every day stress.”
Joey Mirrors Your Feelings
Lara mentioned how he probably sensed her grief when she thought about
her late husband. I told her he did mirror her feelings and to tell Joey they
were both okay and very loved when she thought of her husband and felt lonely.
Joey would sense her relief through her tone of voice, breath and body
language. “Pamper yourself, and you’ll pamper
Joey.”
I prescribed the following program to support Joey in his recovery:
Joey’s
Treatment Program to Tackle His Bladder Angst
- Play his music to reinforce his desensitization during his Skype session.
- Tight, gentle hugs will help him to release some of his pent-up tension. The more relaxed he feels, the calmer he’ll behave.
- Leave the tarps on your couch for at least two months after he’s had his last incident.
- Continue to leave the lids off of his boxes.
- A heating pad might please him after his daily brushing.
- Consult with the vet for a bladder and weight-friendly diet.
- Periodical anal gland checks to prevent blockage.
- Daily affirmations such as: "Joey you’re mellow, happy courageous and very loved". We all love to be acknowledged favorably.
Incidents Are Symptoms
I reminded Lara that Joey’s incidents are symptoms
of his distress. As he feels better and recovers, his behavior will improve a
day at a time -- maybe a little slower or faster. We
may need to do a follow-up on Skype or a home visit if needed. However, I feel
his prognosis is satisfactory. Time will take time.
ZELDA TREATS ANNA LIKE MARTHA HER LATE DOG
“Zelda hasn’t been
herself since our dog, Martha, passed on last year,” said Lois.
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| Zelda |
“Zelda has always been a high energy cat,” said Anna, “but now she digs her claws into my legs at bedtime and I’ve become
her moving target during the day.”
Play-Cat Becomes Aggressive
Lois explained how she was usually the one who Zelda hung out with. Not
a lap cat, Zelda would sprawl out nearby as Lois worked on her laptop or did other
daily activities. Lois, unlike Anna, worked at home. She was Zelda’s
contemplative, low-key companion whereas Anna was the one who usually played
with Zelda. But now Zelda frequently hissed and swatted at Anna
in the midst of play-time. “I feel like
I’m walking a very thin line. Never know when
Zelda’s going to let me have it,” said Anna.
“Zelda interacts with you as she would with
another cat,” I said. I explained that Zelda was unable to release the energy she had
shared in her relationship with Martha. She was frustrated, and Anna became her
play target which was not people-friendly.
Single Cat Syndrome
“So what do we do to change this?” said
Lois. I told them that a
compatible cat or cat friendly dog would be the solution to the single cat
syndrome. As they both shook their heads and looked the other way, I told of
other options to make Zelda more comfortable.
Zelda's Treatment Plan
** Get her accustomed to a harness while indoors. Eventually, take her outdoors at quiet times for short periods until she becomes used to the change in environment.
** See if you can arrange play-dates with Charlie the cat-friendly dog who lives in your building. Charlie could be your surrogate dog.
** When Anna plays with Zelda, she should slowly wind down the play action and stop before Zelda loses it. “Stop before she stops you.”
** Anna could cry whenever Zelda becomes "the warrior". This might signal Zelda to slow down.
** Tell Zelda she's becoming so relaxed and happy, and that you are too.
** Get her accustomed to a harness while indoors. Eventually, take her outdoors at quiet times for short periods until she becomes used to the change in environment.
** See if you can arrange play-dates with Charlie the cat-friendly dog who lives in your building. Charlie could be your surrogate dog.
** When Anna plays with Zelda, she should slowly wind down the play action and stop before Zelda loses it. “Stop before she stops you.”
** Anna could cry whenever Zelda becomes "the warrior". This might signal Zelda to slow down.
** Tell Zelda she's becoming so relaxed and happy, and that you are too.
As I left, Zelda joined in to walk me to the door. “ Keep me in touch about Zelda’s progress, and I’ll update Dr. Campbell. Zelda is now a recovering attack cat -- her new identity," I said.
FACETIME CONSULT IN LONDON
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| Gusty & Terry FaceTime Consult |
Identity Crisis
They were concerned about Terry’s loss of
recognition. Although the two cats are well matched, whenever Gusty was groomed
and clipped, Terry would become startled and keep his distance
from Gusty. He also became disoriented after he was groomed.
Sense of Smell
A cat is very dependent on his sense of smell -- especially
when it comes to identification. Moisture and saliva contribute to this scent.
My prescription -- Scent gland wipes before and after grooming:
1) Take a moistened cloth, and gently wipe Gusty’s scent
glands on the two sides of his head and his mouth before he is groomed.
2) After Gusty is
groomed, slightly moisten the cloth with water and wipe Terry’s mouth and
sides of his head with the cloth. This will reacquaint Terry with Gusty's familiar scent.
3) Next, repeat Gusty’s scent gland wipe, and re-wipe Terry’s scent
glands with Gusty’s present scent. Now Terry will be acquainted with Gusty's postgrooming scent and won't be startled or confused.
4) Conclude the exchange with a towel rub-down of Gusty that includes the
start of his tail and pads of his front paws (for the other scent pads here),
and follow this with a rub-down of Terry with the towel to transfer Gusty’s scent.
Your cat’s scent glands are located in her mouth and on the sides of her head, the pads of her front paws, and her tail. The glands contain one-of-a-kind pheromones unique to her.
Your cat’s scent glands are located in her mouth and on the sides of her head, the pads of her front paws, and her tail. The glands contain one-of-a-kind pheromones unique to her.
I received the following email the next day:
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| Listening to their Musical Link |
I have
played your link of therapeutic music, loads of times and they both seem to
really love it. When I put it on this morning, Gusty didn't leave the phone
till it finished. (MUSIC THERAPY -- THE WILBOURN WAY)
We’ll keep you updated with any changes and here are some pictures from yesterday.
We’ll keep you updated with any changes and here are some pictures from yesterday.
Gusty
and Terry are back on track and very happy in the garden at the moment. We’ll be in touch re Terry’s identity lapse after their
next grooming.
Distant Reiki
I sent them a distant Reiki treatment for continuous physical and
emotional balance in their successful transformation http://www.thecattherapist.com/moreaboutreiki.asp
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A CAT DEVOTED TO HIS POST
Biggie's passion for his post from Sisal Rug Direct delights his guardian whose furnishings are now catproofed.
Scroll down to Natural Cat Products at Sisal Rug Direct. Check out their special discounts.
ORION'S CATITUDES
(Orion, a recovering feral rescue, gives his cat-speak on cat issues)
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| My Orion's text vis-a-vis his cat sitter |
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| Orion's Whisker Wave to Blissed Out cats |
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| Peace Perfect Peace |
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| Misha & Pasha the Cozy Cats |
Mayor's Alliance For NYC's Animals
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Adoptapalooza at Washington Square Park
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And you too can make yourself, as well as many a cat and dog happy. Become a volunteer with the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals http://animalalliancenyc.org/help/volunteer/index.htm
ADOPT A LITTLE NEW YORKER TODAY http://www.AnimalAllianceNYC.org/index.htm
A Free Consultation With The Cat Therapist
