Mr Whiskers Out of Cage

About a week went by and even though he is full grown, he just seemed to be getting too big for his cage. He was coming forward as I fed him, not retreating into his crate, and meowing once again. I was able to touch him with the feather--to stroke him. So I felt he was comfortable enough to roam the room. The lady who's porch he was living on brought over his kitty pad and the blanket I bought him the beginning of last winter. He uses them all the time. It's very sweet.

I get to do some touches while he is eating, stroking along the side of his head, his ears, a bit don his side.  He is growing less fearful once again. Tonight he even brushed up against me, but then retreated. It made me chuckle because we're constantly reminded in the Tellington Touch training that it's moments, not minutes, and I think Mr W gave me a sample of that tonight. Now he knows it can be safe. He's beginning to really talk. He meows, I respond saying something like "Here's your dinner," then he meows in response and we go back and forth a bit like this.

Tonight I'm spending time near him, working on my computer. He's under the bed, but not too far under as evidenced by his feet. They look pretty relaxed. He's lying close, but where he's safe.

I'm hoping we can find a home for him soon, so I don't get too attached. And it's a bit challenging because I have to make sure I spend enough time with the other 3 downstairs. They know something is up and are a bit needier these days. A friend is a bit nervous that I may become a one of those ladies with 32 cats. I do not think I could survive anything like that.

The cats of West 10th

These are the cats of West 10th street. The kittens have moved on to new homes, but Ms Patches still resides there. They were rescued from the Jerey suburbs, yes, East Orange, just before the Humane Shelter of Newark was called, the shelter that serves that city, and, unfortunately a kill shelter. So I'm not sure I understand their name. But that's not the topic for now. This family was a handful for a studio apt, for sure!! But they also brought a lot of joy. What I learned from these critters was how much transformation is possible. These were an extremely fearful bunch, but over a period of 4 months, they became a really loving crew. For now, I'm just going to leave some photos...more details will follow.

Mr Whiskers Inside

So many things happened at once. I sent an email announcement about Mr Whiskers being available for adoption. Got an invitation to an evening fundraiser for Foster cats, where I brought a big poster about Mr Whiskers and Ms Patches. The next morning I got a call from a rescue group saying they had a foster home could I get Mr Whiskers to the vet right away. Got up bright and early the next morning. Mr Whiskers was very cooperative going into a cage so I could get him to the vet. He got a totally clean bill of health. Yes, Mr W!! All was going swimmingly til I was not hearing back from the potential foster mom. Long story short now Mr W is on the third floor of my mother's house, awaiting his next destination. I made him a little home in a cage until he gets a little calmed down, then I'll let him free in the room. I'm praying that his person will come along so they both can enjoy each other. As you can see he has a place to retreat into, the necessaries, a couple of toys and a piece of wood to scratch on. What I've found so far is that the strays living outside either have never experienced corrugated cardboard or have forgotten what it's for. But they love to scratch wood. He did come out to try it out. Right now he's very scared of me, which is sad cause we were really getting to be great buddies. He's inside the carrier. When I first come up he's usually resting in the little cat bed on top of the carrier. Oh well, hopefully in a couple of days he'll trust me more again. I have been doing a little TTouch with the feather--easy strokes around the side of his face and a little on the top of his head. He puts up with it, once he even settled and sighed. Right now he's sleeping. Not sure if he's escaping or just really relaxed. Saying a prayer tonight that we find his home very soon. I feel horrible that he has to be cooped up in a cage, but am telling him and me that this is just temporary--a period of adjustment.

Cuddles

This is my healing cat. God was being a bit experimental when she got her colors. I need to bring her up right now. Cuddles appeared on my mother's porch one very cold winter night. I had just come from the grueling but healing task of cleaning out my then recently deceased ex-husband's apartment. As I drove up the driveway I saw her patiently waiting on the porch. I came out with some sardines for her which she inhaled and then, surprisingly, she jumped into my lap and started kneading my chest. I felt like I was getting a big hug. Never had I experienced a cat like this before. She was so warm and her fur thick and silky soft. Her purring was incredibly healing. This was a complete change from just the night before when I had tried to leave her a blanket on the porch and she hissed and poised he body like she was ready to go for my jugular, causing me to throw the blanket on the chair and back away slowly. The next morning, however, when I came out (very slowly and carefully) to give her some food, she ran out to me and for a second I panicked and she began rubbing her body all over my legs. This was when I realized how true the saying was--we don't choose cats, they choose us. I feel so very blessed to have Cuddles in my life. She is the most luscious cuddler (my mother named her, not I). I had been a tried and true dog person before I met Cuddles. She was the start of a whole new chapter in my life. I keep wondering how this happened. Did Curt send her to me? Or did his mother who had also taken in cats? My imagination was running a little wild. The first cat spirit had entered my life.
I will write more about Cuddles later, but if you would like to see her lovely kittens you can go to http://picasaweb.google.com/ktyates/CuddleSKittens2#. Looking forward to sharing this chapter!

Keeping Aroo Company

Now is when I wish that animals could talk. I'm cat sitting my little buddy Aroo. Got to his apt and found him here--in the basket in the closet. So many questions....is he here cause he's feeling that badly? Or is he a bit out of sorts cause his human went away? Or both? Just how bad is he feeling? I think perhaps he's staying close to his human's smell. He seemed content, even though he is pretty ill. Aroo was born with leukemia and has been dealing with hepatitis and recently added anemia to the list. He has had many treatments...which reminds me, someday I want to do workshops on mouthwork for cats. If you have to give a cat medication it can seem like you're torturing them. And the human can feel awful and then the cat ends up not getting the proper meds and can get sicker. There is a way to get them used to having you be around their mouth, just as there is a way to get them used to having their paws touched. And I recently found out some can be given in long-acting injections.

Back to Aroo: He was happy for my attention. I did some work around his ears and the top of his head, around his neck. And some sliding down his torso. Then he rolled on his side for me to rub his belly. I was gentle and used the back of my hand so there would be less heat. His belly is already pretty hot. He seemed to like it. I also did some reiki. I went out of the room to take care of a couple of things and when I returned he was out of the closet and up on a chair. Yeay, Aroo! Now he is lying next me while I work at the desk. He's on the soft desk chair and I have a wooden folding chair--of course. Had a scare today cause when I saw how thin he looks I called the vet who said I should bring him in for you-know-what. We've already done so much intervention and he rallies a bit and then sinks again. But I think the vet said that partly because he was not going to be there on Sunday and what if Aroo gets really bad then? Even though he is thin, he's breathing ok and looks comfortable and is interested in interaction. I decided to meditate and he came out to sit with me. Then he smelled around a bit. Not interested in food right now,  though. This is not a good sign.

I get to thinking about when the time to pass comes. How does one really know? Why do they euthanize animals and not humans? Is it possible that an animal can pass peacefully in their own home? Aroo is now purring softly, stretched out comfortably. Please keep Aroo in your prayers. He's one of the sweetest, most gentle cats I have ever met. Perhaps it is his time or perhaps there will be a reprieve.

More and more it seems that we don't pass on as much as cross over. I surely don't know, but there are times when I feel the next life is closer to us then we think. Those who have crossed over are in some dimension we don't see, but perhaps can be sensed. If he is going to cross over, may it be smooth and peaceful, with a sense of how much he is and will always be loved. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers here.

Mia, not a cat

I better take a moment here and introduce Mia. She is not a cat,  obviously, but she has had to get used to the idea of having cats around. This has been a huge challenge for her, since most of her life has been spent around other dogs, and she is being a real trooper. She even licked Cuddles (in photo below) on the nose today.  So I need to give her a little special mention. She tries to connect, but cats don't understand downward dog--at least mine don't. I've had Mia for 12 years now and we have been through quite a number of adventures together, she's been my buddy through thick and thin. Like my friend Chris says, "Noone will ever love you like your dog." She has been so patient with me while I run around rescuing and spending time with ailing cats. I try to have special time with her. She loves to go for rides in the car, sometimes I think just because the cats hate the car--and she can have time with me alone. Mia adores swimming so I try to take her on special outings where she can swim. Our favorite lately is the Hudson River up in Nyack. Once she gets going in the water, its very hard to get her out. She has arthritis (from Lyme's) and spondylosis. The water must feel wonderful to her. I got started in the TTouch training because of Mia. I was looking for ways to help her feel better and to organize herself the best way possible. She adores going to the trainings because she gets lots of attention and she really likes to be in the mix of people. She always walks better and looks more comfortable after the trainings. She has a hard time jumping into the car somedays, but after the trainings, she soars through the air and into the back seat. She loves when I practice on her, and gets perturbed with me when I don't. Hard to tell sometimes if her whining is because she wants my attention or she really is hurting. When I see her take a deep breath and settle into the floor, I'm pretty sure of what the answer is. Our latest hurdle is that I am finally able to trim her nails. I spent a lot of time doing various circle touches and slides to make my way in the direction of her feet. At first I simply swiped through, down her leg, past her feet. Mia has arthritis in her feet and so is extra sensitive and protective. After days of this, I began doing the sweeping through her leg and littles circles on her feet, then gently squeezing her nails. Sometimes I would just do a little squeeze on a few nails without the big lead in. Some days it was easier than others to do little circles on her feet. I left the clippers out for days just staring at them. Then one morning when she looked really calm, I calmed myself, visualized everything going well and easily, got myself situated and comfortable, organized the styptic powder, just in case, did a few strokes around her head, ears and shoulders (opposing circles on her shoulders--both hands at the same time). Slides along her whole body, breathed, aimed, clipped, and voila! we got clippings, and no blood!!! (Mia's or mine--ha) I showed Mia the clippings. "See you don't need this, it's in the way." She seemed to watch me with curiosity. If she pulled back, looked uncomfortable, I stopped, waited, then went to a different toe. We got through all her toes in one sitting. I was amazed. Just at the end she started looking a little reticent. I thanked her for being a good sport. She was patient while I tried to be extra careful to get the right angle and not cut too much. Whew! I did it! Hopefully, she was feeling better in walking and will be ok with me trying again in a couple of weeks.

Mr Whiskers After a TTouch Session

I was a bit nervous doing my first Tellington TTouch session with Mr Whiskers. Even though he had been spending time on the porch, he was clearly, or seemingly, very feral. I had seen him in my neighborhood for a year or more and my cat Cuddles was terrified of him. Oh, one more detail. I have two residences. My legal one, 10th Street, where I mainly see clients now, and my mother's house, the house of my childhood, where I live with Mia, my dog, Cuddles my cat, Scooter my mother's cat, and of course, my mother. My father passed away of Alzheimers and I had been helping out and then I got more involved, and long story short, here I am. Going to see Mr Whiskers at Carol's across the street, I brought with me a brush with a very long handle that I had fashioned and a long feather. I found out pretty quickly that he did not like the brush--he was very jumpy and nervous. The feather was bit riskier because my hand would be that much closer, but I decided to stay more to the side of him and not make direct eye contact (less threatening) and, well, he loved the feather idea. For the first time, I tried to touch him while he was eating. I know he's very happy with us humans when he has food. But the second time I visited, I tried working with him before he ate his second portion (did not want to try when he was really hungry), and he really warmed up to the idea. My gut told me he really wanted to make contact and did not know how. I tried a couple of quick brushes along the side of his face/neck. Then I waited and he walked around a bit. Then I tried stroking along the back of his neck, but a long stroke. I waited to see if he would begin to lean into the feather. and he did! I was so thrilled! So then I waited and tried again, Then he settled down on his side and I did some small circles down his side. Months ago, maybe a year, when he was in a cage, getting ready to go to be neutered, Sarah Hauser, a more experienced TTouch trainee had done some work with him. He seemed to really calm down. Who knows, maybe he remembered. After a bit he took a deep breath and settled more. This was the most relaxed I'd ever seen him on the floor of the porch with people around. "Yes!" I thought, he really does want to be with humans. I'll help and hold the hope we can find him a loving home. And so I continued to visit when I could. Now after only a few sessions, he wraps himself all around me when I go to visit. I start with the feather, but then he noses my hand so give him some strokes with my hand. The rusty meow is a sign that he was a house cat. Perhaps he got lost when he was a kitten or his owners let him go because he sprayed and was aggressive. Neutering mellowed him immensely. He is the third tuxedo I have helped to rescue and all have them have been tremendously affectionate. He is living up to the tuxey reputation.

Mr Whiskers and TTouch

Last year I began training to be a TTouch practitioner. This is a wonderfully respectful and powerful animal training used to improve performance, behavior and health of pets ( and many other animals as well!). It has been a very joyful journey so far. I have met wonderful people and so many animals--mainly cats--have come into my life. I'm just going with it for now. Mr Whiskers here is one example. He has taken up residence on Carol's porch. She began feeding him and then he brought a friend, Ms Patches who's since given birth to three stunning kittens who have been adopted (more on them later). So Mr Whiskers has gone from protector role to loner. He has soft, broken sounding meow. He loves Carol and is dying to go inside but she has allergies to cats and so has decided he needs to stay on the porrch. He sits outside her door for long periods of time waiting for her to emerge. Mostly he seems to like to be fed, but more and ore now he is craving attention. He has a very nice chair with a special blanket and a hut for colder days, but he really wants companionship. Late at night she hears him playing with the cat toys that are scattered on the porch. Once in a while he has to give over his food to the neighborhood racoon, once in a while a neighbor's dog tries to chase him off the porch. We are holding high hopes for a loving home for Mr Whiskers.

Aroo is where this blog started and he has brought me back here again. I've been wanting to get going on this blog for 6 months. Aroo is a cat spirit, I'm convinced. His human, Jase, is facing a very serious health challenge and every Friday as I visited Jase, Aroo would greet me at the door and let me know how things were going--in his cat-like way. But not today.

Unfortunately, it seems that Aroo is facing his own big health challenge.

He was born with leukemia, and now, 7 years later complications have set in. But even though he is not eating and is sleeping a good deal of the day, when Jase's friend burst into tears (she just lost her brother to cancer) Aroo leapt off his chair and into her lap. I have other witnesses who saw this. Then, he moved onto the floor where he sat appearing tall and regal--where we could all see him. He caught us by surprise and we stared silently. His eyes beamed and he seemed to express in a non-verbal way that we should not fear death. It brought to mind a friend who told me of a near-death experience where she went "into the light" as so many in similar situations have expressed. She saw not only her relatives who passed before her, but her beloved dog and cat who had passed on. She had a distant look when she spoke of this experience and said that ever since then she has been looking longingly for the pure joy that she felt in those moments. I relayed this story to my friends in the room who have all lost loved ones recently. Aroo is gentle, loving, strong and demonstrative. Everyone who meets him falls in love with him--Aroo makes sure of that, he's very suave. He's an inspiration to us all and I would like to dedicate my blog to him.