THE WILBOURN WAY BLOG
 |
|
|
(AKA Cats on the Couch) For a better view Click http://cattherapist.blogspot.com/
Dear Readers,
One of my cases was mentioned in National Geographic Kids, August 2015.
Do Pets Have Feelings? by Avery Elizabeth Hurt.
And you’ll want to see Mistress America with Greta Gerwig and what happens to her two cats….
http://variety.com/2015/film/festivals/sundance-film-review-mistress-america-1201414298/
Next, don’t
miss INSIDE OUT, an animated gem with exquisite insight on emotions.
http://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2015/jul/27/inside-out-philosophical-mind-pixar-philosophy
http://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2015/jul/27/inside-out-philosophical-mind-pixar-philosophy
I’m reminded of my book CAT TALK, first published in 1979 -- all about a cat’s emotions.
A Reiki tribute to Cecil, Zimbabwe's treasured lion, his pride - his descendants
I look forward to seeing you at Matilda’s annual celebration where I will be available for Reiki treatments. http://www.animalalliancenyc.org/wordpress/2015/07/algonquin-hotel-announces-matilda-annual-celebration-party/
I look forward to seeing you at Matilda’s annual celebration where I will be available for Reiki treatments. http://www.animalalliancenyc.org/wordpress/2015/07/algonquin-hotel-announces-matilda-annual-celebration-party/
Tama, the first station master cat, who attracted tens of thousands of tourists each year to a rural train line in Japan, died last month of a heart attack. She was 16.
Vibie Continues To Re-Invent Herself
(Geriatric-Golden
Years)
In
my January Blog, I told how Vibie at 20 years old, re-invented herself as a lap cat. Now
six months later Vibie has become the wonder cat. Once again, Edie,
one of my trainers at the Apple Store, flashed Vibie’s
selfie, but this time from her Apple Watch. “My parents thought they were going to
lose Vibie”, said Edie.” While they were on a road trip in
Canada, Vibie’s cat sitter texted them that Vibie
was in renal failure and hospitalized. Three days later Vibie was released from
the hospital and Edie’s parents made it home that same day.
The vet felt Vibie no longer needed daily fluids -- as long as she ate, and they could keep her well hydrated.
So Vibie received palliative treatment. Whatever
Vibie wanted, Vibie got!
Palliative Treatment -- Hospice Cat
Edie’s
parents cooked white fish and whatever else Vibie craved. There were scattered
wee wee pads in case Vibie had to “let go” before she could reach her litter boxes. They were in close
contact with the vet with any changes in Vibie’s condition. “Vibie was there for most of my life,” said Edie. “I’m
so grateful I got to spend quality Vibie time in January. Maybe I can arrange a
quick flight home. In the meantime, there’s FaceTime.”
Carole's Take on Oscar The Cat Who .....
.
 |
| Misha Ms Catsonality Plus |
Susie's Legacy
Susie
was always front and center. Misha was her cat in waiting.
But now that Susie had passed on, after a long bout with cancer, Misha has become Ms. Catsonality Plus.
No doubt it was Susie's legacy.
But now that Susie had passed on, after a long bout with cancer, Misha has become Ms. Catsonality Plus.
No doubt it was Susie's legacy.
Monkee's Transformation In Progress
 |
| A session with Bear, Monkee & Family |
What
a relief and pleasure it is to see our two guys as they hang out together. It
makes us feel so good to see Monkee’s long term, aggressive relationship
with Bear dwindle away. Monkee’s
no longer so food-obsessed. And with
baby Sima, he doesn’t always run for cover when she
approaches him, Nancy texted. We realize he’s benefitted from Bear’s
on-going recovery, and the
recommendations you’ve given us to modify Monkee’s
behavior continue to produce breakthroughs for the whole family.
Monkee's Bio
Monkee
was adopted at two years old from a shelter where he spent one year in a cage.
It’s not surprising that food was his
major relief (security object) from feelings of loneliness and rejection. Now ten years later, his food obsession (OCD) has lived on -- along with his mega weight. Because
Monkee is emotionally fragile, he resorts to fight -- aggressive behavior with Bear -- when he feels neglected or threatened.
Unlike with baby Sima, although he’s toddler phobic, he runs for cover
when she moves toward him abruptly or makes lots of sudden noise. His first
choice is to run, out of self-defense. But if Sima suddenly invades his space,
he may strike out. He clearly senses her vulnerability and does his best to
avoid conflict -- not to hurt her. After all she’s
a baby.
In my June Blog I mentioned that I would write about Monkee's behavioral program. Here are some of the recommendations I gave to chip away at the "fear" that triggers his deviant, defensive behavior.
Monkee's Behavioral Program
 |
| Monkee looking Bear's way |
- Acknowledge Monkee verbally whenever Bear or Sima are mentioned or touched so he doesn’t feel left out -- and resorts to “indiscriminate” foodie behavior -- stuffing his emotions to wipe out his pain and fear. Mention his name, even if he’s out of sight. "Right Monkee" or "Okay Monkee" is enough.
- Give Monkee a heads-up whenever Sima approaches him. You can say, “Monkee, Sima wants to say hello". This will avoid the startle-reflex so he won’t feel threatened and scramble away.
- Sima’s old enough so you can teach her a little song where she repeats shhhhh which will soothe both her and Monkee, That’s because a cat is very responsive and affected by a person’s tone of voice and body language, and Sima’s rhythm will be low-key and Monkee-friendly.
- When Sima strokes or pets Monkee, she should stop before he stops her as he is sound and touch sensitive.
- Set up some safe spots where Monkee can feel his catmosphere is protected. Sisal Rugs Direct makes a large scratching post with a shelf that Monkee can hang out on. Leave a closet door a tad open so he can crawl in and zone out.
- Divide his food into smaller more frequent feedings. Check with the vet to see if you can add some low calorie vegies to his food -- fiber is filling.
- Continue to play the recorded music from their sessions to reinforce and sustain relaxation.
 |
| Bear happy cat nap during FaceTime |
Nancy
mentioned they would change “chunky” Monkee to something more positive to go along with his
fitness program. I suggested they could decide on a few different words, and
let Sima make the choice. They
could do the same for Bear. Maybe he could be called “beautiful” or “mellow” Bear.
Sima's On Point With Their Program
 |
| Sima looking at cat pics |
“Bear and Monkee, Bear and Monkee” repeated Sima as we did a FaceTime
session. Nancy explained that Sima copycatted her version of what she heard
them say when they interacted with the cats.
As Sima chatted away, Bear and
Monkee stretched out and Bear’s whiskers slightly fanned out -- a sign of bliss. Yes, Bear was Sima’s
cat nanny, and Monkee was nanny “ in training”.
He would slowly mirror Bear's behavior.
Everything Is a Process
Each
cat will benefit from the other’s recovery. There will be
break-throughs and fleeting break-downs as they integrate new coping
mechanisms. One paw at a time.
The Wilbourn Way Resonates with Child Care
(New
Baby Competition)
 |
| Stanley considers .... |
Stanley
is another kitty who is baby and toddler phobic. Henry, his companion, paws and purrs with the flow.
During their session, Henry dug right into the tissue paper and toys I gifted.
Stanley gradually appeared from another room. Tentatively, slowly and surely he
followed Henry’s lead. Henry was his role model.
 |
| Henry sets the mood |
By the end of the session, it was nap time. Henry
curled up on the rug, whereas Stanley scrambled off for a private cat nap.
The
two babies were asleep upstairs. As I sent off Stanley’s case report to Dr.
Dougherty of The Cat Practice, (my former digs of 1973-78 where I was
co-founder), I remembered how Annie and Jake, their guardians, told me that
Stanley’s
treatment program was similar to what they learned in “Child Care”. As Jung would say, “there are no
accidents or coincidents”.
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
A CAT DEVOTED TO HIS POST
 |
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)
 |
| Orion's Whisker Wave |
To these blissed-out cats
 |
| Leo relaxes while his bunny Issy snuggles in |
 |
| Qua gives Orion a Whisker Wave |
The orange boys wind down while their guardian decides what to name them
 |
| Tony shoots the dentist |
Mayor's Alliance For NYC's Animals
 |
Adoptapalooza at Washington Square Park
|
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
A Free Consultation With The Cat Therapist
