Cat Saturday-- What a Difference Six Months Makes!
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Yesterday Odin's focus was finding a way from my office window to the garden. He trashed my office in the process.
Six months ago, Odin arrived from a small cat shelter, a tiny kitten who'd caught a lucky break. His early weeks are uncounted for, but some time around 15-weeks-old someone found him on the street trying to survive in the roughest area of the Bronx with a grotesquely infected eye. After a series of shelters, he lost his eye and family jewels but found a fresh start with us.
He's grown in the past six months to a muscular 12 pounds with a disposition of equal parts angel and devil. He has three goals in life: to be fed as much as possible, to play with everything whether it's a toy or priceless heirloom (breaking or hiding items is fun) and wrangle any opportunity to go outside. He's taken to his leash and harness with only the occasional Houdini moments when he slips into some bushes and returns sans harness. With the warmer weather, a twice daily romp satisfies him and he agrees to be tied to a post in the herb garden with a 20-foot diameter roaming range while I garden. Domino our feral stays nearby and enjoys playing with his young pal. In fact, Domino has found a new spring in his step thanks to his three very different friends.He interacts differently with each cat and it's a heartening to see his behavioral changes. He's come a long way from the lonely boy battling a cold winter and crying mournfully to no one. At this rate, he may finally decide to come inside next winter.
Odin and Domino enjoying a tête-à-tête and hopefully not instilling more delinquent bad boy schemes.
I placed a table under a window on the porch with cushions so Domino can sit and watch the indoor comings and goings.it faces a staircase and is kitty TV for him.
Merlin hanging with Domino. They aren't cuddle buddies but enjoy a close proximity. Merlin still explores the property but more slowly. The monitoring of four cats at the same time is often a Ringling Bros. effort but worth it for their ultimate experience of enriched play. Everyone enjoys sunbathing among the violets and other flowers.
Rainy days mean no outside visits and everyone makes do with cozy napping spots. Merlin's favorite nap buddy is Gris Gris who has made a quantum leap forward in socialization this week. After six months he finally feels free, happy, trusting and loved. You can't rush these things. I use my intuition to communicate with him and respect his journey. As a former basement mouser cat with no teeth and untold tragedies, he races around now with jaunty spring in his step.
It's hard to believe six months ago Merlin was grieving his life long companion and sister Coco. It was a big risk to introduce two new cats to the household a mere six weeks after her death, but he was so miserable and timing as they say is everything. It felt right but Merlin took his time grieving by displacing his affection for me and getting chummy with his new pals. There was nothing for me to do but hold the space with love and patience.
A few weeks ago, the tide turned and Merlin returned as my affectionate #1 boy. His personality has grown richer and wiser but he maintains his topcat hierarchy. Gris Gris defers to him and they're bonding deeply. Just this week Gris Gris began headbutting me for the first time and allowing repeated petting. He allowed me to do hands on Reiki healing for the first time last week and rewarded me with the softest purr. A first. We've developed a psychic bond and he often responds to my requests non-verbally. Mysterious as ever, he's bringing out my inner cat whisperer to a roar. I look forward to the next six months with him and all the fur gang.
I regularly visit Coco's grave but the cats ignore it except last week when Odin sniffed around. He knew.
I think dear Coco is smiling from the rainbow bridge to see everyone so happy. Rest well my sweet girl. What a difference six months can make. The journey from grief to joy can take some surprising twists and turns when we flow with love.
Yesterday Odin's focus was finding a way from my office window to the garden. He trashed my office in the process.
Six months ago, Odin arrived from a small cat shelter, a tiny kitten who'd caught a lucky break. His early weeks are uncounted for, but some time around 15-weeks-old someone found him on the street trying to survive in the roughest area of the Bronx with a grotesquely infected eye. After a series of shelters, he lost his eye and family jewels but found a fresh start with us.
He's grown in the past six months to a muscular 12 pounds with a disposition of equal parts angel and devil. He has three goals in life: to be fed as much as possible, to play with everything whether it's a toy or priceless heirloom (breaking or hiding items is fun) and wrangle any opportunity to go outside. He's taken to his leash and harness with only the occasional Houdini moments when he slips into some bushes and returns sans harness. With the warmer weather, a twice daily romp satisfies him and he agrees to be tied to a post in the herb garden with a 20-foot diameter roaming range while I garden. Domino our feral stays nearby and enjoys playing with his young pal. In fact, Domino has found a new spring in his step thanks to his three very different friends.He interacts differently with each cat and it's a heartening to see his behavioral changes. He's come a long way from the lonely boy battling a cold winter and crying mournfully to no one. At this rate, he may finally decide to come inside next winter.
Odin and Domino enjoying a tête-à-tête and hopefully not instilling more delinquent bad boy schemes.
I placed a table under a window on the porch with cushions so Domino can sit and watch the indoor comings and goings.it faces a staircase and is kitty TV for him.
Merlin hanging with Domino. They aren't cuddle buddies but enjoy a close proximity. Merlin still explores the property but more slowly. The monitoring of four cats at the same time is often a Ringling Bros. effort but worth it for their ultimate experience of enriched play. Everyone enjoys sunbathing among the violets and other flowers.
Rainy days mean no outside visits and everyone makes do with cozy napping spots. Merlin's favorite nap buddy is Gris Gris who has made a quantum leap forward in socialization this week. After six months he finally feels free, happy, trusting and loved. You can't rush these things. I use my intuition to communicate with him and respect his journey. As a former basement mouser cat with no teeth and untold tragedies, he races around now with jaunty spring in his step.
It's hard to believe six months ago Merlin was grieving his life long companion and sister Coco. It was a big risk to introduce two new cats to the household a mere six weeks after her death, but he was so miserable and timing as they say is everything. It felt right but Merlin took his time grieving by displacing his affection for me and getting chummy with his new pals. There was nothing for me to do but hold the space with love and patience.
A few weeks ago, the tide turned and Merlin returned as my affectionate #1 boy. His personality has grown richer and wiser but he maintains his topcat hierarchy. Gris Gris defers to him and they're bonding deeply. Just this week Gris Gris began headbutting me for the first time and allowing repeated petting. He allowed me to do hands on Reiki healing for the first time last week and rewarded me with the softest purr. A first. We've developed a psychic bond and he often responds to my requests non-verbally. Mysterious as ever, he's bringing out my inner cat whisperer to a roar. I look forward to the next six months with him and all the fur gang.
I regularly visit Coco's grave but the cats ignore it except last week when Odin sniffed around. He knew.
I think dear Coco is smiling from the rainbow bridge to see everyone so happy. Rest well my sweet girl. What a difference six months can make. The journey from grief to joy can take some surprising twists and turns when we flow with love.
Posted by Layla Morgan Wilde at 4/16/2011 5:30 AM 
Categories: Cats, Westchester County, Photography, Spirituality
Tags: what a difference six months make grieving cats kitty grave cat whisperer Layla Morgan Wilde reiki for cats keeping outdoor cats safe
Categories: Cats, Westchester County, Photography, Spirituality
Tags: what a difference six months make grieving cats kitty grave cat whisperer Layla Morgan Wilde reiki for cats keeping outdoor cats safe
Wow, that sure is a happy place up there in New York. Glad everyone is doing so well. Like the comparison of a cat whisperer. I feel the same sometimes. It is such a rewarding feeling when you have a break through with a kitty such as Gris Gris. Odin is going to entertain you for a long time. Hope you have a super week end.
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Marg, I count my blessing since as you know with multiple pets things can change on a dime.
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This one made me laugh...and cry. Beautifully and lovingly stated.
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Thank-you so much!
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What a wonderful edition of Cat Saturday - it brought smiles and tears. I'm amazed at Domino's and Gris-Gris' transformations. Gris-Gris even looks different in the photo - softer somehow.
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Ingrid, thanks. It's never ceases to amaze me how animals can transform, heal themselves and others. Cats truly are our teachers.
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Oh my. Odin is really the sprite. Devil and a sprite. So happy to hear Merlin's returned to you; happy that Dom is becoming ever closer to a house/backyard cat. And Gris Gris ... adorable.
Speaking of cat whispering, I've got Ched down to blinking. I used to call "Kisses' and he'd jump on the towel near the computer. Then touch my nose and make kissy sound. Then touch my nose and blink. Now I just blink. He usually meows a couple of times and lifts his head to wait for my response, 'do you want me to jump up there', but I hold fast to blinking. Training is fun.
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Aren't our pet connections amazing?Although I wonder sometimes who is training who.
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Love your story....
Love the fact that yuo have rescued your furfamily friends....
Love that you have a 'feral' who is now being saved from a life of despair... your kitty TV window and his little safe haven - well, I have done the same for my "Outdoor' guys... eventually each one DOES become an Indoor guy - and oh how very grateful and sweet they are....
Yes - it is absolutely worth the effort!
Love it all!
Cheers,
Kerry
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Kerry, thanks. I hope it's not too late for Domino.
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