Carole is available for bi-coastal house calls, international phone consults and her current book is THE TOTAL CAT (Quill). She also sees appointments at Westside Veterinary Center in Manhattan. Subscribe to Carole's free newsletter on her website by clicking onto www.thecattherapist.com/wilbourn_way.htm

My column will appear online the second Tuesday of every month. The next column will be May 9. You can look for my column in IDA's quarterly magazine due out this spring.

Thank you for sending along your testimonials. It lets other guardians know that their cat questions can be solved and lets me know that my column is helping cats to leave the couch.

Cliffside Park Public Library
July 29 at 2PM
505 Palisade Ave.
Cliffside Park, NJ 07010
201-945-0504

Don't miss out. You owe it to your cat/s. Scan photos to thecattherapist@idausa.org

Click on to Fabulous Felines and you'll see why this is a Feline Must!

Cat guardians, There is a new addition to CATS ON THE COUCH. Click on to TESTIMONIALS and read all about Winston and his rescue.

If you have a question guardians, please send an email to Carole. Scroll down to see my column. I can't answer every email I receive, so please check the archives. Your answer may be already there.

There's a perfect and fun way to safely enjoy the outdoors with your cats. Click on to thecattherapist.com and then to Kittywalk

CAT TALK is now available. Find out what your cat is TRYING TO TELL YOU. So guardians, click on to the Cat Store.

The Wilbourn Way Newsletter is Carole's free email newsletter, which brings you Carole's personal view on cat culture monthly..

One of the members asked why I decided to write a column for IDA when I had been a columnist for CAT FANCY MAGAZINE for so many years? I explained that IDA is truly an advocate of animals and, especially, endangered animals. One of its major pursuits is to change the status of companion animals to "Guardianship", from "ownership" so that companion animals are no longer "property"—disposable property.

One of the members told about how after his wife of many years had passed on, his cat wouldn't let him out of her sight. She never sought him out before. She even followed him to the bathroom. She'd climb on to his lap if the door didn't close in time. He wondered if she wasn't over-reacting?

"Maybe so," I said " but for good reason. She's afraid to let you out of her sight because you, as your late wife, might vanish."

"So I guess I 'm lucky to have such a loyal companion," he replied.

Hi Carole,
My 3 yr. old neutered male cat got outside 1 1/2 weeks ago and ran away from me. He was missing for ten days. I almost gave up hope that I would ever find him. Suddenly, last night I heard a cry outside my door. When I opened the door to check, he rushed inside. He appears to be in good shape. He probably lost a couple pounds. He is in good health-good appetite/alert attitude. No evidence of pain or injury, but he has a behavioral change now. Before he was skittish at times. He never liked to be touched, very independent. Now he is meowing a lot and very sweet acting, rubbing against my legs, giving a lot of attention to me. He appears very tired, probably from the long period of wandering and low source of food. Do cats normally go through behavioral changes like this when they have been separated from their guardians? Could it be that he realized how good he had it before he ran away? It is just confusing that he is this sweet. I also had never heard him purr before. Now he's purring a lot. He lets me pet him now. Before he would get cranky and bite or run away from me. Do cats change their behavior pattern this drastic?

Thank so much,
April in North Carolina

Dear Guardian April:

So glad your cat has returned home safe and sound. Please take measures so this won't happen again. He may not be so lucky. It is possible for a cat to become more trusting and affectionate after such a traumatic experience. Your cat has released his pent-up angst and fear of intimacy. This has been triggered by his relief in being home and not in harm's way. There's a good chance he will sustain this behavior.

Hi,

I have two cats—a spayed female, 2 years old, named Clover, and a neutered male, 1 1/2 years old, named Toodles. Clover used to follow me around and interact all day... but Toodles is the more aggressive cat, and always pounces on her and wrestles with her until she gets so irritated she retreats to her bed. Now she's just always in her bed, and Toodles is king of the house. How can I make Clover feel included and special and help her stop "giving up" around Toodles? I feel like she is depressed.

Thanks
Sara

Dear Carole,

I adopted a cat, Pauper, as a stray last summer. In the beginning, she was very fearful and skittish. I have spent the last year being very gentle with her and she has become a very loving cat who follows me everywhere and sleeps on my lap. The problem began this spring when I started letting her out into my fenced back yard. At first she was frightened, but seemed to calm down. However, she recently escaped by climbing over the fence. The next day she ran out the front door before I could stop her. Both times I tried to approach her very slowly and gently calling her name. She looked as if she literally didn't recognize me. She immediately ran away. When she later came inside, she acted normal and recognized me again.
Can I help her to be less fearful outside so that she will come to me if she gets out again? Why does she suddenly have such a strong desire to escape to the outdoors when it so obviously frightens her? I'm very worried about her inadvertently escaping and getting hurt.

Thank you.
Beth, Dillsburg, PA

Remember, please add a picture of your cat along with your cat questions.

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