The Wilbourn Way Blog
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(aka Cats on the Couch)
Dear Readers,
** Cat Lady Continues To Be A Dictionary Accepted Word
It recently made the cut for Merriam Webster and Dictionary.com. The cat lady stereotype started in the 1800’s and boomed in the 1990’s.
** Cage Angst
Cage angst causes many shelter cats to act aggressively. Before Cat Town, many cats were never adopted. Read more
Cage angst causes many shelter cats to act aggressively. Before Cat Town, many cats were never adopted. Read more
** Adoptapalooza — Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals
Please join me and Orion’s robotic cats. I will be there to offer Reiki and behavioral tips for the adoptees. Read more
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Adopt Me
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And Me ...
** The Tender Side of Edward Albee
I recently saw Albee’s play “Three Tall Women” and was reminded of his note of thanks.
I recently saw Albee’s play “Three Tall Women” and was reminded of his note of thanks.
** 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, and he was kitty-focused -- tearless. His mom smiled and smiled. #Me too.
** Did you know that a Cheetah does not have retractable claws?
** Buddy The First Seeing Eye Dog
On May 25, 1927, Buddy, a German Shepherd became the very first guide dog for Morris Frank. Today, there are many animals that offer service to people living with disabilities.
Carole's Take On Oscar The Cat Who .....
Wet, Piddled On Paws After A Mis-Step In The Litter Box
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Hot Rod recovers from his mis-step
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(Litter Box Issues)
When Hot Rod came out of his litter box with a down-in-the-whiskers look at his paws, Doris noticed they looked a little wet. And they were.
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His best bros are there for him
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Somehow he had made a mis-step in the litter — smack into his piddle-puddle. Anyway, she wiped his paws off with a wet towel. Hot Rod wasn’t too happy, but he tolerated the clean-up and pawed off with a droopy tail to join his companions. Doris made light of it. She realized he was confused and maybe even humiliated. When it happened again, she knew Hot Rod was over the edge.
Cat-ch 22 — Tilt of the Litter Box
That evening she saw him in action. As he squatted she noticed the box slightly tilted, and a repeat as he made his exit. Somehow his balance was off. Hot Rod had recently gained weight because of medication to ease a medical issue. The medication also stimulated his appetite. It was a Cat-ch 22. A larger, sturdier litter box was an easy solution.
Hot Rod’s Cat-ch 22 Resolved
The next morning, there was a download of emotional and physical catnip. Doris received a text from the vet — Hot Rod’s latest blood results were A-Ok -- Paws Up. Now his medication could be slowly tapered. With less medication, Hot Rod’s appetite would slowly return to normal, along with his weight. In the meantime, Doris would provide him with a towel wipe-off, coupled with a hug. The tilt and wet paws would be deleted. Hot Rod’s balance would be restored. No more Cat-ch 22’s.
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A ball for a diversion
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ORION'S CATITUDES
(Orion, a recovering feral rescue gives his cat-speak and ©whisker waves on cat issues)
Orion’s whiskers did a super stretch for Dante as I gave Adam a Reiki chair treatment to calm his mind, body and emotional well-being.
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Dante reclaims Adam's lap -- Click Here
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Adam was having major transitions in his health and work schedule and Dante and his two companions mirrored Adam’s stress. Their reaction was to keep their distance. This saddened Adam. They all felt ghosted — abandoned. Reiki was the “tie to bind”. As Adam relaxed, his three cats now mirrored Adam’s bliss. Click Here to see Dante and Bello chill out and Here to see Dante waiting for his chin chuck.
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Bello and Caro feel the glow
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There was a time when Dante terrorized his two companions. But that was now history. (See Feb. 2015 Blog —Scroll down to Dante Forgives)
Other Faves Of Orion
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Balancing act
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Maisie considers toy therapy
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Will Maisie Accept A New Companion?
(New Kitten Introduction)
(New Kitten Introduction)
Maisie greeted me at the door with a relaxed tail twirl and a couple of head bumps. What a cool intro! I was there to do a session to evaluate the possibility of a future companion for Maisie — a senior cat of eleven years.
“She’s our only cat, and a perfect cat,” I was told by Jane who contacted me.
“Thirteen years ago you helped us with our unforgettable cat Gracie. We like to think she sent us Maisie,” said Jane. She went on to say that her daughter, Emily, who was now thirteen, wanted another cat. Although she and Maisie were very tight, Emily thought it would be fun to have another cat. But what about Maisie? Would she bond with another cat?
Maisie Is Such A Nurturer
As I watched Maisie work out at her post, play with the toys I gifted her and look toward the iPad as the volume of the music changed, I noticed she didn’t miss a beat. She was so very present. I saw too how her whiskers plumed when she looked Emily’s way, and her eyes focused on Emily as she left for her ballet lesson.
“Maisie’s such a nurturer.” said Jane. “She hangs out with Emily when she comes home from school. Later she joins my husband in his study. When it comes to bedtime, she really spreads the wealth. She beds down with Emily for a while and caps off the night with me and my husband."
“She’s our only cat, and a perfect cat,” I was told by Jane who contacted me.
“Thirteen years ago you helped us with our unforgettable cat Gracie. We like to think she sent us Maisie,” said Jane. She went on to say that her daughter, Emily, who was now thirteen, wanted another cat. Although she and Maisie were very tight, Emily thought it would be fun to have another cat. But what about Maisie? Would she bond with another cat?
Maisie Is Such A Nurturer
As I watched Maisie work out at her post, play with the toys I gifted her and look toward the iPad as the volume of the music changed, I noticed she didn’t miss a beat. She was so very present. I saw too how her whiskers plumed when she looked Emily’s way, and her eyes focused on Emily as she left for her ballet lesson.
“Maisie’s such a nurturer.” said Jane. “She hangs out with Emily when she comes home from school. Later she joins my husband in his study. When it comes to bedtime, she really spreads the wealth. She beds down with Emily for a while and caps off the night with me and my husband."
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Maisie nuzzles the feathers -- a bird or kitten substitute
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“She is clearly a first class nurturer,” I said, as Maisie gently nuzzled the feathers of one of the toys. (Click Here for the video). Certainly, they were a bird substitute, but also the soft feathers brought out her maternal instincts, despite the fact she was spayed. Although not sexually inclined, Maisie was still very sensual.
Not A Maisie Must Have
“So do you think Maisie would do okay with a new companion?” said Jane.
I told Jane that because Maisie did not exhibit any frustration issues of the single cat syndrome and was such a contented cat, a companion was not a “Maisie Must Have”. But she would probably do okay if the newbie was the right match. A young, confident, very playful kitten who preferred cats to people would be the easiest match for Maisie to accept and would be in sync with her role as nurturer. The kitten didn’t have to be gender specific, but I felt a male would be best for Maisie.
The Key To A Successful Match
“And what about the introduction? I know you have specific intro’s for different situations,” said Jane. I nodded and gave Jane some of my major recommendations —
- Arrange for an escort (someone Maisie doesn’t know) to bring in the newbie kitten.
- The key to a successful match was for Maisie to bond with the kitten first. This way Maisie would feel and actually experience that the kitten was dependent on her.
- Except for practical purposes such as feeding and the kitten’s safety, the kitten is invisible until ten days from the day that Maisie curls up with or grooms the kitten, so the kitten is dependent upon Maisie for interaction and affection.
“Mercy,” said Jane, before I could continue, “That may be a game changer, especially for Emily and my husband. I’ll clue them in tonight.”
“You could also have them take a look at my July/August 2013 Blog — Scroll down to The Most Perfect Match — New Kitten Intro)
Maisie On Cue
“I noticed how Maisie returned from the bedroom as you gave me your recommendations and stretched out before you on the carpet,” said Jane. “She was right on cue.”
I laughed and sprinkled some more catnip on the tissue paper for Maisie as Maisie dived in, and I said good bye.
“You could also have them take a look at my July/August 2013 Blog — Scroll down to The Most Perfect Match — New Kitten Intro)
Maisie On Cue
“I noticed how Maisie returned from the bedroom as you gave me your recommendations and stretched out before you on the carpet,” said Jane. “She was right on cue.”
I laughed and sprinkled some more catnip on the tissue paper for Maisie as Maisie dived in, and I said good bye.
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The crinkle of the paper, the nip and feathered ball inspire Maisie
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Match-Maker Time
“We’re all in!” was Jane’s next text. “We can follow your kitten intro, and would appreciate any recommendations of a compatible rescue kitten for Maisie.” I texted Jane that I would be on the look-out. The role of cat match maker has always been like a whiff of catnip for me.
Hamlet's Hamlet
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Hamlet blissfully zones out during his session
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Hamlet's Hamlet
(Feline Greeter at the Algonquin Hotel)
Hamlet zones out during his Reiki session as he sends cat power to mothers at the Algonquin and everywhere.
Read more -- (Scroll down to Hamlet’s Hamlet)
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A break before resuming his 24/7 gig. Click Here
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Rainy Was Left Behind
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Rainy home alone
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When Rainy’s elderly guardians were placed in a nursing home that wasn’t animal companion friendly, Rainy a fourteen-year-old neutered male was left in their co-op apartment. A kindly neighbor was caring for him until he went to his new home. But when that home fell through, Rainy’s future became a gigantic question mark.
A Ray of Hope
Three weeks went by. Another week, and it would be a month that Rainy lived alone. Finally a ray of hope arrived. Justin, a veterinarian friend of my sister Gail in Los Angeles, thought he might know of a home for Rainy. A client’s senior cat passed on -- a mellow hunk of a cat, very similar to Rainy, and the client missed her late cat. She found her heart and home so empty now. She would adopt Rainy if we could get him to Camden, Maine. I happened to be flying to Maine the next weekend. My arrival city was Bangor, en route to North Harbor. Camden was nearby.
Rainy En Route To His New Home
Dr. Blake (aka Justin) arranged for one of his technicians to meet me at the airport and she would drive Rainy to his new forever home. I called the airlines and reserved a space for Rainy with me in the cabin. As Rainy’s size would weigh me down, and my discomfort would make him uncomfortable, a Sherpa Carrier on Wheels was the solution. Rainy had had a recent exam, and so his papers were current for the airlines.
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Ready to travel
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The morning of the flight a car service drove me out to fetch Rainy. George, the neighbor, met me in the lobby, and I popped Rainy in his Sherpa, lined with strips of paper towels in case Rainy had to relieve himself.
Security Issues
Shortly after I entered the terminal, the driver caught up with me. “You forgot this,” he said, as he handed me the pillowcase I had used to wrap around Rainy when I put him in his Sherpa. I thanked him, slipped it into the pocket of Rainy’s Sherpa and was glad I wouldn’t need it again. When we finally reached security, I was told I would have to remove Rainy from his bag so it could go through x-ray and I would have to “carry Rainy through”.
“But can’t you check it manually? My cat will freak out, he’s very heavy and he might take off,” I said.
I was told, “Do this or no go!”
Love That Pillow Case
What to do? The pillow case!! Thank the Cat Goddess for that driver. I reached for the pillowcase, unzipped the Sherpa, talked to Rainy and wrapped him in the pillowcase. I continued to relax my body, breathed freely and told Rainy how good he was. A very kind security person held the lid of Rainy’s Sherpa open, and I slid Rainy into the pillowcase. As I thanked him and walked away, he yelled, “Didn’t I see you on Animal Planet? Your hand was in a bandage." I smiled and told him I’d broken my thumb, but it was all better.
Rainy Lucks Out
The plane arrived on time without incident. We deplaned after a smooth landing, and Dr. Blake’s technician met us at the gate. I told her to have Rainy’s new guardian start him off in a small room with his creature comforts. Once he was comfy with that space, she could slowly introduce him to the rest of her home.
Rainy Lucks Out
The plane arrived on time without incident. We deplaned after a smooth landing, and Dr. Blake’s technician met us at the gate. I told her to have Rainy’s new guardian start him off in a small room with his creature comforts. Once he was comfy with that space, she could slowly introduce him to the rest of her home.
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Rainy settles in
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Dr. Blake phoned to say Rainy settled right in, and he’s now a permanent bedtime companion for his new guardian.
