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)
May, 2011
NYC PET SHOW
Guardians, please bookmark the date, and come and join my co-presenter and cat Orion and me at the NYC PET SHOW. Our topic is "Cattitude—Dealing with Cat Behavioral Problems."
WHERE: Metropolitan Pavilion, Altman Building, 125th West 18th Street.
WHEN: Saturday, May 21st, 12:30 p.m.
We look forward to meeting and talking with you.
NEW YORK OPEN CENTER
Please join Orion and me for a special two-evening presentation of THE TOTAL CAT—Healthy Solutions for Hard-To-Resolve Issues. I will work with one cat at each of the two sessions. Contact the Open Center for your cat to be considered. Otherwise, please leave your kitty at home/ Guests include a staff member of IDA who will speak on the many benefits being a "guardian" instead of an "owner."
WHERE: New York Open Center, 22nd East 30th Street.
WHEN: Wednesday, July 20th and 27th, 8-10:00 p.m.
Contact: 212-219-2527 ext. 2. For more information, visit www.opencenter.org.
THE MESSAGE IS IN THE SUBTEXT
PEDICURE TIME
My Orion, luxurious on his hot pad, appears relaxed and reserved, but I just gave him a pedicure, and his outstretched paw beckons me to him. And now it's time for his tummy rub—his concession for being such a sport.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY IN THE WHITE HOUSE
(Orion, a former rescue, will represent cats and offer nuggets of wisdom regarding Bo, the rescued First Dog—a Portuguese Water Dog.)
FIRST DOG'S SALUTE TO VEGANS
It's been confirmed that tomatoes are Bo's favorite food. Orion admires Bo's excellent taste. Bo may be a vegan at heart. Go Bo!
OUR CATS THANK YOU FOR THEIR REIKI TREATMENT
Hi Carole,
When we arranged for you to come and do a behavioral session with our three guys, and you told us you would include a Reiki treatment, we asked how it would help. After all, we only wanted some behavioral advice on how to defuse some recent rivalry. You explained that a Reiki treatment is a balancing healing practice that enhances physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
RIVALRY
A Reiki treatment really took the edge off of our cats' angst and ours. When you placed your hands lightly on our head, neck, and shoulders, we definitely felt a little lighter. We watched as you talked and placed your hands briefly on our cats. And what thrilled us is when shortly after you left, the three of them curled up in a happy heap. As you prescribed, we are spending more quality time with them so they don’t take their anxiety out on each other, and their relaxation CD is a continuous refrain.
FELINE INTERIOR DECORATOR/DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOR
Hi Carole,
My cat Dewey likes to knock pictures and plaques off the wall. They often land behind my wall unit and are very difficult to retrieve. Any ideas on how to divert Dewey? I also have his sister Tina. She merely knocks pens on the floor. What do you think?
Guardian Harriet
Hi Guardian Harriet,
Your Dewey sounds like a real mover and shaker or. perhaps, a frustrated interior decorator. His fetish may be his reaction to boredom. This is his creative solution. Short of constructing something that will keep your decorations where you want them, he needs some more play time and toys that will intrigue him. It may be as simple as toss and fetch with foil balls, a new scratching post, catnip, a video, or all of these.
Maybe Dewey needs some lessons from Tina.
MY CATS ARE OVERWEIGHT
Hi Cat Coach,
I have two cats who came to me very sick. Happily, both are doing well. But in my nurturing way, I fed them what they requested instead of what they needed. Now, four years later, they are chubettes. How do I cut back without frustrating them? My female likes to eat a little at a time, while my male immediately devours every morsel.
Thanks
Donna
Hi Guardian Donna,
Congratulations, Donna, for stepping up to the "food" issue. Of course we want our cats to be free of overweight problems. And now it's up to you to take charge of their nutrition. Here are some suggestions:
- Feed them a small amount of food several times a day. Look for food that is high in fiber that tends to provide a full feeling to the tummy and is lower in calories.
- Some low caloric veggies or fruit might appeal to your guy. There are cats who adore broccoli and others favor melon. Some even like carrots and tomatoes!
- Whenever they give you the I-need-food look, distract them with one of their favorite toys or games. Enthusiasm is the key. Don't tell them you're sorry you can't feed them. Focus instead on distraction. Repetition will lead to success.
Guardian Donna, this will take time, but you can do it. Your cats' health will prosper. Good luck from your cheering squad at IDA!
CATCENTRICITY - MERLIN GROOMS MY HAIR
Hi Carole,
My nine-year-old Merlin loves to groom my hair. It's not a favorite pastime of mine, but I can't get myself to deprive her of something that so pleases her. Allie is her new companion cat. You may remember that you helped me with her introduction. They're both doing very well. But I've noticed that as Merlin grooms away on my hair, Allie appears to be taking notes. I'm hoping they don't decide to team up. What's Merlin's fascination with my hair?
L.K.
Hi Guardian L.K.,
I'm so glad your two girls are an item. I remember that I was especially pleased that you adopted an older cat. It's a mama cat memory that attracts Merlin to your hair. Pleasant memories of nursing, and being groomed by a soft, furry, cuddly mama cat are recreated when Merlin styles your hair. Let's hope that Allie will be Merlin's understudy rather than partner in hair beautification.
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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