Carole is available for bi-coastal house calls, speaking engagements anywhere, phone consults nationally and internationally. She also sees patients by appointment at Westside Veterinary Center in Manhattan. Her latest book is The Complete Guide To Understanding And Caring For Your Cat. Her recently released CD of spoken cat advice and soothing music is Caring For Your Cat, The Wilbourn Way.
Come back to Carole's home page monthly for cat news and Carole's most recent replies to behavior inquiries from worried cat guardians. To have this home page emailed to you after the story update, click here. You will receive this exact page by email, and it will link you to the other pages in her site, and to the rest of the IDA web site.
THE WILBOURN WAY (AKA Cats on the Couch) April, 2011
THE MESSAGE IS IN THE SUBTEXT
My Orion has patiently waited for me to cut off the handles of the shopping bag so his head doesn't become entangled, but now he is signaling me to cut a hole in the bottom of the bag so he has a two-way tunnel. Right on, Orion!
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY IN THE WHITE HOUSE
(Orion, a former rescue, will represent cats and offer nuggets of wisdom regarding Beau, the rescued First Dog—a Portuguese Water Dog.)
Orion wants to congratulate Bo on being the First Dog of the First African-American President of the United States. That’s quite the distinction. Go Bo!
ANIMAL DNA IS NOW A REALITY
It's a first! Forensic DNA evidence is now being used in animal cruelty cases and has put two animal abusers behind bars. Bo can be the poster dog for this long-needed animal protection. Go Bo!
SEYMOUR'S RENAL DYSFUNCTION RALLIES WITH REIKI TREATMENT
Kate left an almost giddy message on my machine: "Seymour is eating, running around, and purring. He's back to his fabulous self, and we thank you for our Reiki treatment." A month ago I flew to Malibu, California, and did a Reiki treatment for Seymour who has renal failure. He’s eight years old, with only one functioning kidney. Seymour sleeps on Kate’s pillow and often has his paws and head on her shoulder. He is civil and sometimes even friendly to Kate's husband, who happens to be Kate’s and Seymour's bedmate.
The morning I arrived to do Seymour's Reiki treatment, Kate told me how he had vomited and lost control of his bowels all over the bed. It was the first time. Kate asked, "Will this continue, what does this mean? Is he near the end?" I told her that this was not uncommon with renal failure. It could be critical, but let’s do what we can, and Seymour will too.
I gave Kate a light-touch modified treatment. My special therapeutic musical CD played, as she sat with Seymour curled up on her lap. I explained that as she relaxed with her treatment, Seymour would as well. "You mean he’ll get a contact high," said Kate with a grin. By the end of the treatment, Seymour had his paws around her neck. Later that day he would receive his fluids and Kate would be in touch with the vet. Before I left, I reminded Kate that I would do distant Reiki, which is a non-touch treatment, where learned symbols are used. She thanked me and said she'd be in touch with progress reports. I am so grateful that Reiki treatments have added another benefit to my cat practice of family therapy.
MITSY SWOONS OVER TALL MEN
Hi Carole,
Mitsy is my dream cat come true. Isn’t she a beauty! She’s ten years old but doesn’t look or act like a senior cat. I expect to spend at least another ten years with her. But, Carole, there’s something Mitsy does that really baffles me. Although she is super outgoing with all of my company, she goes into a cat swoon whenever a particularly tall man with a mellow voice comes by. One of my male friends is about 6-foot-5, and she’s really hot for him. By the way, Mitsy is a petite but fluffy cat, and I’m 5-foot-7. What’s your take on this?
Kathi
N.Y.
Hi Guardian Kathi,
Your Mitsy is a real beauty, and I like your intended life plan for her. As for a "cat swoon," I suppose you mean that Mitsy's tail goes into a swirl, throwing herself at his feet, and rolling over on her back to let him know how sexy she is. She may even let out a few meows, start purring and crawl into his lap. Mitsy does this because she may be mirroring your taste in men. You're tall, and a 6-foot-5 guy would be right on your radar, especially if he were low-key and friendly. What's good for you is good for Mitsy. Why not? She may even teach you how to flirt.
DORA PUNCTURES MY CHEST AS SHE KNEADS
Hi Carole,
Can you tell me why my cat, Dora, kneads my chest? I love her, but it hurts as her claws dig in. How can I discourage or distract her?
Thanks,
Evan
Hi Guardian Evan,
Dora's bittersweet behavior is a throwback from kitten hood. She may have been separated from her mother too soon and missed out on that maternal nursing, or never got the choice pick of her mother’s nipples. Evan, as a kitten kneads the mother’s breasts, the kitten will suck on the mother’s nipple. This action satisfies the kitten’s hunger by stimulating milk release and makes the kitten happy. So you see how this cozy habit can be carried over to adulthood. When your Dora zooms in on your warm body, she has a flashback to her happy nursing days and kneads away. Trim her nails so your chest doesn’t get punctured. A soft, wooly blanket will soothe the two of you. Here’s to happy, painless kneading!
THE ELEPHANTS NEED YOUR HELP
You can help prevent the sale of elephant ivory. Please visit http://www.idausa.org
You can now follow Carole on Twitter.
QUESTIONS TO CAROLE
Please consult with your veterinarian first to make certain that your animal companion's problem is not due to any medical condition.
If you have a question for Carole, you can email her at thecattherapist@idausa.org. We're sorry that Carole won't be able to answer all questions, but the answers to many questions can be found in her IDA archives.
Oscar the Cat Predicts Death
Oscar is the feline resident at a nursing home in Providence, Rhode Island who seems to have predicted the deaths of 25 of the residents. In case after case, when he has curled up next to someone, it usually means they have less than four hours of life left. I was interviewed about Oscar by NBC-TV. Read all about Oscar on their site. To watch my video, click here.
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