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

Tuesday, May 9, '06

New Schedule For Cats On The Couch Column

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.

Winners - Men And Their Cats Contest

I.D.A. is very pleased to announce the winners of the Men and Their Cats Contest and I, personally, want to thank you men for all of your entries. It's wonderful that you all share such a loving and meaningful life with your cats. 
1st Place: Sebastian Click to read story
2nd Place: Bobbie 
3rd Place: Franci
Honorary winner - Ed Childers

"Cat Hero Worthy Of Mention"

Carol:
I would like to nominate my husband, Ed Childers, for the contest, men and their cats. Not only does my macho husband rescue numerous cats in the US but he has extended his cat guardianship internationally. Recently he was on a Halliburton compound in Algeria where the cat population was starting to get out of control. After being inflicted with hideous daily discussions on how to cruelly dispose of the cats by Halliburton hands, during lunches and dinners at the mess hall, my husband had enough. He had already rescued mother cats and their litters and allowed them to take over his small hotel like room, but had also hired drivers to take the animals to vets in cities far away to be spayed and neutered. We paid for all of these services. So, Ed went to the top Halliburton manager on the compound and told them that if any of the cats were harmed he would be contacting The Houston Chronicle and sharing what Halliburton was doing. Until my husband left, no cats were harmed and he had "fixed" many of them and also found the kittens homes.

This is one example of many including another rescue, a few weeks ago, of a small kitten who was dumped at the HP headquarters, in Houston, and was surviving by eating deli scraps and running across busy streets and parking garages. We rescued him, domesticated him and found him a wonderful family to live with who have assured us they will neuter him. Marilyn Childers

TESTIMONIALS

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.

Carole's Speaking Appearances 

Your Cat Wants You to Know....
Riverdale Library
May 18, 2006 7pm
93 Newark Pompton Turnpike
Riverdale, NJ 07457
973-835-5044
Click for details


Queens Borough Public Library
May 20, at 2pm
FOREST HILLS
108-19 71 Avenue, Forest Hills 11375, 718-268-7934
Click for details

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

Fabulous Felines

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!

Testimonials

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.

Stroll With Your Cats

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

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

Carole's Newsletter - "The Wilbourn Way"

The Wilbourn Way Newsletter is Carole's free email newsletter, which brings you Carole's personal view on cat culture monthly. Click on to her website for more details.

Molly Of Myers Keswick Is Rescued

"Oh come on Molly you can do it," said cat therapist Carole Wilbourn. 

(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Cat therapist Carole Wilbourn used the sounds of whales on tape and catnip to try and lure Molly out Wednesday. CBS

Neutered Male Cat Sprays

Dear Carole Wilbourn:
My male cat was neutered over 2 years ago but has just started to spray again. He has also been caught with one of my female cats who isn't spayed. Is this normal? I didn’t think it was possible for a male cat to spray and "do it" after they had been neutered? 

Thanks, Jo

Dear Guardian Jo:

A neutered male cat can still spray if excited, aroused or anxious. An unspayed cat can often trigger such a reaction. Some neutered cats are more sensual than others. Your male is a classic example. Do schedule an appointment to have your female checked out and spayed. You don't want your male to be a target for cystitis.

Is My Cat Lonely?

Hi,

I have a 5 year old, neutered, male cat. I adopted him from a shelter when he was 8 weeks old. I fostered another cat about his age for about a year when they were both 1 year old so they were together until they were 2 years old. My question is: how important is it for a cat to have another cat as a companion? We have one dog but they don't seem to be the best of friends thought they tolerate each other. My dog is constantly at my side whereas my cat disappears for hours and usually prefers to sleep and be left alone for most of the time. I worry that he is lonely though I try to play with him daily. It would be a financial strain for us to take on another cat but I would do it if he really needs a companion. How can I tell? I want the best for my cat.

Thanks
Kim, in the mountains of Georgia

Dear Guardian Kim.:

Your cat is young and he may need some inspiration to play. Perhaps you could engage your dog and cat in play together. It may be that your dog is more assertive and your cat feels left out and withdraws. Also, when you interact with your dog, mention your cat's name e.g. "RIGHT KITTY,” so he feels included. A feline companion would be super but not if you would be financially strained. My book, THE TOTAL CAT, has tips on how to defuse rivalry with cats and dogs. Rivalry doesn't have to be obvious to exist. Good luck


Susie's Timidity

Dear Carole,

I have an eight year old, spayed female rescue, named Susie, whom I've had for about 6 years. When I first got her she was emaciated and obviously not loved. However, now she is incredibly loving and sweet when we are alone. She loves to give kisses and cuddle up next to me on the sofa. Unfortunately I have two problems. The first is that she is very skittish around company... she will hiss whenever a guest walks passed or approaches to pet her. I'm pretty sure that it is just a trust issue. But how can I ease her anxiety or prepare her when I am expecting a visitor? The second problem is horrible. Eight months ago while I was putting away groceries, I left a plastic shopping bag on the floor and Susie got it caught around her hips. Though it didn't physically harm her, it REALLY scared her. I had to corner her in my office and throw a towel over her in order to free her. She was shrieking, hissing and growling...it took her a full day for her to socialize again. Now, whenever she enters my office or witnesses me exiting, it really traumatizes her all over again and she will hiss and growl at me. Is there anything I can do to calm her down? I've been thinking that getting another cat might be a way to teach her to socialize more comfortably, but my vet said she probably wouldn't take to it very well. What would you recommend?

Kind regards,
Marco 

Dear Guardian Marco:

 Susie has come a long way but she's still thin-skinned emotionally. To increase her acceptance of guests, invite a low keyed, mellow friend over. Have the friend join you and Susie in Susie's favorite room where the door is closed. You and the friend should sit on the floor and the friend can wave a new toy or object to entice Susie but try not to look at her or talk to her. Your friend's attention should be centered on you. Whenever Susie approaches your friend, the friend should still concentrate on you so Susie isn't threatened. You can repeat this meeting several times. Your friend can also offer catnip if Susie's a fan. 

YOUR OFFICE
To desensitize Susie's fear of your office, verbalize all your movements in and out of the office so your movements don’t startle Susie. "I’m getting up from my chair, walking across the room, opening the door," are some examples. You could also distract her with a toy, food or an anecdote. 

COMPANION
If you were to adopt a companion, a young kitten, adolescent or middle-aged cat that preferred cats to people but was not people shy, would be the best match. Refer to my book, THE TOTAL CAT, for the Wilbourn Way of Introduction. 

Wake-up Nip

Hello,

I have a wonderful 6 month old neutered male kitten. He is a wonderful kitten in all ways except one: he bites when he wants to wake me up in the morning. He can be very persistent and the biting hurts, though he doesn't bite hard enough to break skin. He has a 5 month old spayed female kitten for a playmate. I don't know how to stop his biting. If I cover up with a comforter, he burrows underneath to bite me. If I put him on the floor, he bites on the way down and then jumps back up. The biting stops when I get up. Any suggestions?

Dear Guardian Melinda, 

The next time your kitten gives you his wake-up nip, let out a blood-curdling yell and shake all over. A bit of his own tonic should obstruct his nip.

 


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


Check out CATS RULE latest new covered litter box, with a cat head shaped opening, available online www.catsrule.com and at Petco for $50.

I read about Cats Rule's products in Julia Szabo's Pet Column in Sunday's N.Y. POST, a great source for cat lovers.



» CAROLE'S NEWSLETTER--THE WILBOURN WAY"

» For MORE INFO, ask the cat therapist