THE WILBOURN WAY BLOG
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(AKA Cats on the Couch) For a better view Click http://cattherapist.blogspot.com/
Dear Readers,
I was recently interviewed by T.J. Banks, a columnist for Pets Advisor.
How Cat
Therapists Help Solve Behavioral Problems http://www.petsadviser.com/behaviors/cat-therapists/
What a surprise when I saw the video. It was a flash-back
from memory lane — back
in the day. (Notice the vintage boom box at our feet).
Keith Haring's Animated Cats
Some years later he sold his rejected cel for enough money to buy a sprawling estate once owned by Cecil B. DeMille, including mineral rights.
(Cats of the Masters, Michael Patrick)
Carole's Take on Oscar The Cat Who .....
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No More Spraying - Bear Feels Much Better
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| Bear and his kicker |
“Bear has finally stopped spraying, and now he uses his
litter box. He may urinate once a day outside the box, but on the wee wee pads” said
Nancy. “It’s been a rocky
thirteen years. We’re so grateful Dr.
Landefeld gave us your name.”
“Yes, in three months, we’ve
been able to achieve what we couldn’t
in Bear’s thirteen years, ” added Michael. “You were our last
resort.”
HAPPY TRANSFORMATION —THIRD HOME VISIT
This was my third home visit, and what a happy
transformation for the entire family. And a happy cat always makes me a happier
person. Bear’s kittenhood started with seizures, that were controlled
with medication, and early aggression that subsided when Nancy married Michael.
For a while indiscriminate defecation was his signature. He also vomited
whenever he ate. These bouts have been reduced with special prescription food.
But it was the puddles
of “misplaced” urine and spraying, that might
subside for awhile but continued on through his thirteen years, that was Bear’s
anxious, constant cat-speak for help. Bear cohabited with Monkee, his companion cat, at a
distance. His relationship with baby Sima was a plus, whereas Monkee bolted or raised a paw whenever she
approached or cornered him.
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| It's a Fun-Fest |
As the two cats rolled in the sprinkled catnip, relaxation
music played from my iPad to ease the cat-mosphere. I provided Nancy and Michael with the link so
they could carry on with the reinforcement of this healing mood. Baby Sima
waved a Multi-pet toy to join in their bliss.
(Scroll through to BEAR’S LIFE SPARED http://cattherapist.blogspot.com/2015_03_01_archive.html)
(Scroll through to BEAR’S LIFE SPARED http://cattherapist.blogspot.com/2015_03_01_archive.html)
BEAR’S NEW FUN HABITAT — HIS SAFE SANCTUARY
I had recommended they provide Bear with an enclosure that he could hang out in. This habitat would provide him with a controlled environment where he would feel protected from any unexpected or threatened interventions that made him anxious. At first Bear was wary and resisted this enclosure.
I had recommended they provide Bear with an enclosure that he could hang out in. This habitat would provide him with a controlled environment where he would feel protected from any unexpected or threatened interventions that made him anxious. At first Bear was wary and resisted this enclosure.
RELAX AND APPEAL TO BEAR’S FIVE SENSE
But at his second home visit, as I led the verbal communication, the music played, the cats were stroked (which included Reiki http://www.thecattherapist.com/moreaboutreiki.asp) and catnip was added, Bear claimed and inhabited his new digs— his safe sanctuary.
But at his second home visit, as I led the verbal communication, the music played, the cats were stroked (which included Reiki http://www.thecattherapist.com/moreaboutreiki.asp) and catnip was added, Bear claimed and inhabited his new digs— his safe sanctuary.
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| Bear's Sanctuary |
BEAR CAN’T SUSTAIN WITHOUT AUXILIARY SUPPORT
At our follow-up phone session, I was told Bear’s bouts of sprays and puddles of urine were less. Progress, but not for long. It was clear that Bear could not sustain his feeling of ease. But now that his program included the healing template for his five senses, the right anti-anxiety or psychotropic medication could be added to relax his body. The medication would be the auxiliary support to reinforce his behavioral program. It would be the prop, that eventually, could be slowly reduced or eliminated. Bear had experienced many different anti-anxiety medications — that neither sedated nor controlled his “incidents” — before Dr. Landefeld treated him and referred his case to me. Benzodiazepines such as Valium or Xanax had originally been ruled out because they could possibly wreak havoc with his epilepsy medication. But now we were down to the wire. Bear needed every aid we could provide.
At our follow-up phone session, I was told Bear’s bouts of sprays and puddles of urine were less. Progress, but not for long. It was clear that Bear could not sustain his feeling of ease. But now that his program included the healing template for his five senses, the right anti-anxiety or psychotropic medication could be added to relax his body. The medication would be the auxiliary support to reinforce his behavioral program. It would be the prop, that eventually, could be slowly reduced or eliminated. Bear had experienced many different anti-anxiety medications — that neither sedated nor controlled his “incidents” — before Dr. Landefeld treated him and referred his case to me. Benzodiazepines such as Valium or Xanax had originally been ruled out because they could possibly wreak havoc with his epilepsy medication. But now we were down to the wire. Bear needed every aid we could provide.
THE MISSING INGREDIENT FOR BEAR’S STEADY RECOVERY
I texted Nancy that I had spoken with Dr. Landefeld. She would write a script for Xanax that Bear could be started on. It was a low dosage, and his medication for epilepsy could be increased if needed. I explained to Nancy that Xanax could increase his appetite, cause him to be a bit ataxic — floppy — and more affectionate as the medication kicked in and his skeletal muscles relaxed.
I texted Nancy that I had spoken with Dr. Landefeld. She would write a script for Xanax that Bear could be started on. It was a low dosage, and his medication for epilepsy could be increased if needed. I explained to Nancy that Xanax could increase his appetite, cause him to be a bit ataxic — floppy — and more affectionate as the medication kicked in and his skeletal muscles relaxed.
MAJOR BREAK-THROUGH
Two days later Nancy texted: Bear’s finally sedated. He looks a little dopey but more affectionate than ever and very floppy. Best of all, he’s stopped spraying and only urinated twice outside his box on the wee wee pads.
Two days later Nancy texted: Bear’s finally sedated. He looks a little dopey but more affectionate than ever and very floppy. Best of all, he’s stopped spraying and only urinated twice outside his box on the wee wee pads.
So finally Bear had a recovery program that would enable
him to slowly and steadily recover from his long term physical and emotional
angst that provoked his deviant and unmanageable symptoms. Yes, there would be
breakdowns, but they would be brief as he integrated new coping mechanisms to deal with everyday stress.
MONKEE, BEAR’S COMPANION, BENEFITS
Monkee who internalized his fear with food to stuff his emotions and externalized his fear with flight was now more interactive with Bear and less toddler phobic with Sima. She could now stroke him ever so slightly, and he didn't dash away whenever she appeared.
I'll fill you in on Monkee's behavioral program in my July Blog.
A REIKI TREATMENT FOR THE FAMILY
I ended the session
with a Reiki treatment where I placed a hand on Nancy's head, and the other on Michael’s, to start the placements. Sima cuddled up next to
her parents as the cats stretched out beside them for a contact high.
They would be in touch with progress reports as Bear and
Monkee recovered from the demons that provoked their neurotic behavior. Michael was soon to graduate from his second year of a
dental residency. What auspicious timing for the cats’ recovery!
Carole's Been Anthologized .....
In The Big New Yorker Book of Cats. See Lulu, The Cat The New Yorker Left Behind by Lois Metzer, Huffington Post http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lois-metzger/lulu-the-cat-the-new-york_b_3983154.html
Lost Cat is Reunited -- I.D., Google, Selfie
When a tabby gray cat showed up on Joan’s
porch, she thought it was the cat who lived next door. A closer look, and she realized
this look-alike was a different cat, not a youngster and somewhat frail. She
leaned down to stroke the cat who nuzzled her hand. With her other hand she
checked out the cat’s collar. No i.d.
tag, but the name Ollie and a number were written on the collar.
So Joan sat
down next to the cat and rang the number on her iPhone. The phone rang into
oblivion. Joan resorted to Google. The number was
listed on the site of a water testing company under the directory of employees.
What a stroke of luck. She immediately called the company. At first the receptionist was reluctant to
divulge the employee’s cell phone
number. But when Joan texted a selfie with Ollie on her lap, the cell phone
number was had.
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| Ollie shows up on Joan's porch |
Within the next hour Ollie’s
family appeared at Joan’s house. The
seven-year old boy immediately swooped Ollie into his arms and repeated a thank
you over and over. His parents smiled
and hugged their boy as he hugged Ollie. They told Joan that Ollie was fifteen,
their first born, and he was their son’s
surrogate nanny. Ollie managed to slip
out the door when there was a delivery. Now they would be
more careful. No more slips — not with their Ollie’s
welfare.
Reiki Soothes the Runway Captain
Captain is a neighbor’s
dog, not one of my 02’s play dates (like
Radio) but a potential candidate. When Captain was recently spooked by a good
samaritan’s toss of breadcrumbs to some fluttering pigeons, Captain
lunged, his dog walker stumbled and — “Boom” - Captain bolted.
MIRACULOUS RUN
Away he went, leash and all. He started in the West Village
and ended up in the East Village at Avenue B. Miraculously, his mad dash across
one road after another of heavy metropolis traffic wasn’t
fatal.
CAPTAIN’S I.D. TAG
“Did you lose a dog?” was
a message Ellen, my neighbor, received
while away at work in Los Angeles. The caller had found Captain, panting, with
swelling paws and immediately phoned the number on his I.D. tag. Ellen contacted the dog walker, who retrieved Captain, while she made a reservation for the next plane back to Kennedy.
HERO DOG
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| Bruised, bandaged paws |
Fortunately, a visit to the vet concluded that Captain’s
paws were badly bruised from his near marathon run but no serious injuries. No
doubt, his spirit and energy were somewhat bruised. What a hero to overcome
such an ordeal!
A REIKI TREATMENT FOR CAPTAIN AND ELLEN
That evening I gave a Reiki treatment to Captain and Ellen.
As the relaxation music played softly in the background, I could feel Ellen’s
body relax and Captain’s face softened.
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| Captain after Reiki treatment |
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| Two days later, only 1 bandaged paw |
QUICK RECOVERY
Two days later Ellen texted me with Captain’s
latest photo. Only one paw was bandaged. His other paws had healed, and she
felt like a huge weight was lifted.
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A CAT DEVOTED TO HIS POST
Biggie's passion for his Sisal Rug Direct post 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)
FORGIVENESS
FORGIVENESS
Orion wants to acknowledge the members of the Emanuel
A.M.E. Church for their unconditional show of forgiveness of the white gunman
who fatally shot the head pastor and nine church members. And he gives a
whisker wave to the people of Charleston for their show of unity.
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
