Scaredy cats?

Most of the cats I go to look after are very friendly and welcoming - sometimes so much so that it's difficult to get away again!

But there have been a few who have been a little less forthcoming, and I wanted to tell you about these lovelies.

Some of them have been rescue cats, but then many of the cats I take care of are, so that's no particular marker of a cat who holds back with strangers. However, we don't always know what situations rescued animals were in before, so some do carry some horrible memories of people with them. Mostly though, it's just because that's the way they are, either because of their essential nature, or sometimes because they've had little contact with people other than their carers. On the whole, I think they're shy cats, rather than scared - just like some people are.

I know it's really important not to force myself on these cats - that probably would scare them - but just to let them know I'm there for them, and they can come to me if they like. Often they're happy just knowing someone is there, so I'll sit quietly talking to them, even if I can't see them! Sometimes it seems a shame, as they're missing out on a cuddle, stroke and fuss - which most cats love - but I'm there for them, and if they don't want that, then that's fine.

I've learnt a lot about taking time with shy cats, and allowing them to do what they want - by working with the ferals at Animals in Distress. And of course, by tuning into them, hearing what they have to say, and feeling their energy.

My first shy cats were Ellie and Harry. They've moved away, so I don't see them any more - but didn't see them too much when I visited regularly either. They were a brother and sister, had always been together, and had each other to keep company. When I first went to meet them their carer brought them out to meet me, but it was clear they would have preferred not to!

Each time I visited they'd be lying under the bed. So, once I'd done their washing up, put out new food, and sorted their litter, you could find me lying on the bedroom floor feeding them treats. They seemed happy with this arrangement, and although they didn't come close enough to be stroked, neither was there any sense of anxiety.

If I had a little longer to spare, I'd sit quietly in the lounge and have a drink. Because it was quiet, they thought I'd gone, so would suddenly appear round the corner of the door - then look at me very surprised! But by then they could smell the food, so got up courage to come in anyway, slink all round the outside of the room until they got to the kitchen area. In all the time I looked after them, they never did get to be any less shy, but they were happy in their own way.

I've looked after Oscar and Felix for a couple of years (sadly just Felix now), and at first I was told by their carer that they were very shy, and would probably be hiding in the bedroom when I came to visit. Whenever she had friends to visit that's what happened, hiding away until they'd gone again.

But the first time I visited although clearly a little uncertain, they did approach me. And from then on it was hugs and soppiness all the way. There were times they'd both try to squeeze on to my lap at once - and they're big boys! A short while later their carer had a friend to come and stay, and couldn't believe how friendly they were with her too. Both remained quiet and gentle cats, but always loved a fuss. In their situation, I'm sure that the Reiki I brought with me, and which they discovered on my first visit, helped them to get over their shyness.

At this point, it's important that I say that Reiki will do whatever is in the best interests of the being receiving the energy - and although we might think we know what's best, the fact is that we don't always. So, for Oscar and Felix, this was right, but for others, including Ellie and Harry it wasn't right for them to be less shy with people. But they still received the energy while I was there, and that helped them to be happy, calm and relaxed while their carer was away. Sometimes we have to take ourselves out of the equation - it's not what we want for the being, but what's best for their higher self.

Then I met Enrico, who I've written about before. Lovely big bear of a cat, who was painfully shy at first, but who very quickly turned into a slobber-monster, putting his arms around my neck and hugging me at every opportunity. Haven't seen him for a while - would be lovely to come and take care of him again, especially now that he has a sister too.

Recently I've had another couple of shy cats. Mack was a rescue cat, who loves his carers, especially his dad, but otherwise hides away from people. I was told that he'd been to stay with friends last time his carers went away, and spent the entire time hidden. Perhaps this was also because he was in a strange environment, away from his own territory and familiar smells.

Because of this, his carers decided that this time he should stay in his own home and they'd get someone in to visit each day. They were keen to find someone who had lots of experience in working with rescue cats, which is why they asked me to come and care for him. When I went first to meet them all, they'd just moved house, so Mack was understandably a little anxious about his new environment. We found him hiding behind some boxes that still needed unpacking. But at least we got to meet each other, and he could hear my voice as I and his carers chatted. That's so important too - for them to hear that the energy in our voices is gentle and friendly while chatting means that when I'm there for the first time on my own, it should bring back favourable feelings.

On my first visit I couldn't see Mack anywhere, but didn't want to stress him too much by searching high and low. I could feel his energy and he was a little anxious. And he'd eaten the food his carers had left, so that's a good sign he's pretty much ok. So, I just sat in a chair in the lounge, opened my hands to send him Reiki wherever he was, and chatted away to him in a gentle voice. I told him what was happening, and why I was there, but mostly it was whatever came into my mind! That happens a lot, but cats seem to like hearing someone talking to them.

The second day, I couldn't see him again, but his energy was so different. Much more welcoming, and he was actually quite pleased I was there. Still didn't want to come out, but a very happy cat in his own way. I do find generally that the first time I visit any new cat there is a little confusion, they don't know what's going on - but by the second visit, they've worked it out, and know the score. Cats are very quick to learn!!

It was hoped that as the week went on he might get braver, but it didn't happen. One day I opened the front door to see him emerging from under the bed of the room opposite. He stopped for a moment, looked surprised, then went back under. At least I knew where he'd made his nest, so from then on I'd sit in that room with him and gently chat. We'd have intuitive conversations, and I know he was quite happy, just didn't want to come out. It was good to be able to tell his carers that he was happy and not anxious. Just very shy!!

Then there's Bubble (one of 3 Bubbles I take care of!). He and his carer live together, and his carer mostly works from home, which is great for Bubble. But now and again he needs to attend meetings in Europe, although only ever just away for a day or two. They've also just moved house. Before, a friend who lived very close by would come to feed Bubble and check to see he was around - although there was never any interaction as Bubble was quite shy.

Just before the move Bubble was diagnosed as diabetic, so now needs twice daily insulin injections. This development, together with the house move meant that it was no longer possible for the friend to do the visits.

When I first went to meet them both Bubble was very friendly, which was great as I'd been told that he was rather anxious and would probably scoot if he heard the doorbell go - I had to call the mobile to say I'd arrived. Given what I'd expected, this was indeed a good sign.

His carer had to go away the following week, so I was booked to come to feed him and give him his injection. Also, by then, they'd moved house, so Bubble was not yet settled in, everything was still very new, and probably still full of the scents of the cats who used to live there. It was very cold, and I found him curled up under the duvet. He looked at me with his big, beautiful eyes (and he really does have amazing eyes), then took at swipe at me, and ran downstairs. I slowly followed - didn't want him to think I was chasing him - and found him sitting under the kitchen table. He then went back up again. Once again I followed slowly, and found him in his basket, so sat on the bed and talked to him gently, telling him why I was there.

By then I knew that it wouldn't be right for me to go any nearer to him at that time. Luckily his diabetes is only mild and his insulin dose is very small - I'd been told that if we missed one there would be no problem. So, I judged that would be the best thing to do, that one time. However, there was another trip abroad planned for the following week, and a holiday at the end of the month, so the situation did need a resolution.

I told his carer what had happened, and we decided that given his shyness, and the anxiety of the house move, a new person coming to take care of him was all too much at once. We then arranged for me to come and visit three times a week, in order for Bubble to get used to me. Sometimes I'd be on my own, other times with his carer there too. And after a couple of visits, he let me inject him - but only while his carer was there. He seemed to be happiest sitting at the top of the stairs with his carer lower down on the stairs and me on the landing. We'd chat and he would doze while we took it in turns to stroke him.

I noticed that he was happy for me to stroke him if his carer was there, but if he went out then Bubble reverted to taking a swipe at me. Nevertheless, we persevered, and finally got Bubble to be happy with just me on our own. We'd noticed that when sitting between the two of us, he'd get closer to me, so I could stroke him - a good sign!!

When I was on my own with him I'd tell him what was happening, and I asked his carer to take some time to explain to him too, giving him permission to be ok with me. I'd realised that this was the problem - that he needed telling that it was ok. It had been just the two of them for a long time, and he wasn't particularly socialised with other people. His carer was a little dubious about talking to animals (well, the part about them understanding), but promised to do it anyway. Seems to have worked!!

Had Bubble not been diabetic it wouldn't have been a problem. There would have been no need for us to work so hard at getting Bubble to be comfortable with being stroked and touched. But clearly I can't give him his injections without touching him, so we had to do this - but in such a way that Bubble didn't feel he was being pushed into it. Everything had to be taken at the right pace for Bubble. So, we're there now, and his carer goes away next week. I'll let you know what happens.....

I love looking after the shy cats as much as those who are more friendly. It means that I have to adjust my energy, so that it's gentle and not jarring for them. And I sit there quietly, sending them Reiki to help them in their own way, chatting to them, telling them what's going on, and listening to what they have to tell me. Sometimes they become friendlier but that's not the aim - all I'm there for is to ensure that they're happy (and have food of course), and I do that in whatever is the right way for each cat.

Rex and Sammy have the builders in

I've written about Rex and Sammy before - 2 lovely ginger brothers I've looked after many times.

Well, last week I was looking after them again while their family were away ski-ing. Difference this time was that the builders were in too. And boy, what fun we had!! Everything normal on Sunday, then the builders arrived on Monday. When I popped in to see the boys I couldn't find Rex anywhere! That's not so strange, as Sammy is usually waiting to meet me on the pavement or in the lounge, and is always first into the kitchen for his food.

Rex is normally either out wandering around, or upstairs fast asleep. It often takes him about 20 minutes to put in an appearance, but he always turns up while I'm there. On Monday though, I couldn't find him anywhere. All the upstairs rooms had been sealed, but he wasn't in the lounge or the kitchen. Did my usual thing of going outside to call for him, but nothing. After a while it was apparent something wasn't right.

When I got there the builders were hidden away on the top floor, but after a little while one of them came down. I asked him if he'd seen the cats, and he said "yes, there's a ginger tom in the lounge." Well, of course there should be 2 of them, but he was adamant, he'd only seen one cat all morning. Remembering they'd sealed up all the doors, I started to wonder whether Rex had got himself stuck in one of these rooms. We went about calling him, and sure enough, from behind a door we could hear him crying! So, I opened it up and a rather distressed boy bolted upstairs, only to find there was nowhere to go, so raced downstairs. I re-sealed the room and followed him down.

Rex tells me lots of stories, and when I'd come down to see him, he was telling me all about his troubles that morning. Clearly rather upset, but calmed down when he had lots of TLC from me. I had a word with the builder about being careful about the cats, that they didn't get shut in anywhere, and also asked them to ensure the lounge door was kept open, as this was the only place the boys could go to be safe and sleep.

Well, each day I returned I was rather cross to see that the lounge door had been shut again. Poor Rex and Sammy had nowhere to go! Luckily the weather was quite good so they were happy to go outside for a lot of the time, but it's still early March and not that warm yet, so obviously would want to come indoors and settle down to sleep at times. The kitchen was full of builders' stuff, and often builders when they came to make their brews, so they had to have access to the lounge. I'd been texting their family (as I always do), and let them know what was happening - they were very happy I was looking out for the boys.

Then one day, I got there, to be told by the boss lady, in no uncertain terms (and rather aggressively, I have to say) that although I'd told her builders the door should be left open, she had told them it must be shut, and that was that!! She was concerned - understandably - about any dust and mess that might find its way in, but my concern was for the boys' wellbeing. I told her that the family were very happy for the door to be left open, and she acceeded - albeing rather grudingly.

Also, that day I'd been told that there were no cats in the lounge, they were both out, but then I found poor Rex in there. He was quite happy, as he was fast asleep, away from all the noise and mess - but if I'd not checked, he'd have been locked in there all day and night, with nothing to eat, and no access to the outdoors. So although they might have prevented one mess, I think there might have been another!!

But when he came to a little he was clearly feeling upset. I had to persuade him to come to the kitchen with me to eat, then he wanted to go back to the lounge, and sit with me telling me how he was feeling. I stayed for a while with him that day, as I wasn't happy to leave him so soon. Eventually though, I had to go, and the poor boy was so bothered, he followed me all the way down the road to my car. It almost broke my heart to have to leave him, but I pledged I'd make an extra visit that evening to see how they were - while I was in the area seeing to another cat.

I turned up that evening to discover that once again the door to the lounge had been locked. This time there were no cats stuck inside, but poor Sammy only had the long hallway to occupy. No sign of Rex anywhere. Sammy was very happy to be able to come and settle down on the big cushion in the lounge, and started to clean himself, ready for bed. Sammy had been coping with the upheaval much better than Rex, but even so, spending the night on floorboards when you're used to a soft cushion isn't nice.

I searched all over the house and outside, calling and calling for Rex, but no sign at all. I was hoping that he was just enjoying prowling around in the dark as most cats like to do, but a part of me was worried that he'd been so upset he'd decided to go somewhere else. I didn't get much sleep that night, and woke the next day hoping I'd find him.

The next day was my final day - yesterday - and imagine how happy I was to find both cats waiting for me, and the lounge door open!!!! Sammy had his food, then trotted off outside without a care, but Rex wanted to talk again. So we both went into the lounge and sat on the floor together, while I listened to him. He came for lots of cuddles - he is very soppy - and then settled down for a wash. I told him that the worst was over, most of the big building work had been done, and his family would be back the next day. Again, I stayed for about an hour, not leaving until I was happy that he was settled.

I've had a text today from his family letting me know that they're home now, which is great. And a big thank you for looking after him so well. It's always good to be appreciated, but what matters even more to me is that I do the right things for the animals I care for.

Long time no blog....

Well, for me anyway! It's about 3 weeks since I last wrote, and that's the longest gap ever since I started this blog.

There's a reason for that, and it's the old, old one - I've been too busy. That's a shame, because I love writing my blog, and writing about all the animals I take care of, but really, my brain has been too tired!

And it's not just because of the animals I look after. Actually it's a bit of a quiet time of year for pet sitting - always is when the Christmas/New Year season is out of the way, and before April/May when people go away again. There are always a few to keep me going, but at times like this, not enough to pay the bills.

Also, I don't (as a general rule) do dog walking. Others who work in pet sitting and do dog walking are always very busy every day. I decided 3 years ago when I set up Whiskers Pet Care that I wouldn't walk dogs. Much as I love dogs, and to walk a dog from time to time is great fun, I felt that to do this every day, in all weathers would soon start to be less than enjoyable. And I started up Whiskers Pet Care because I wanted to do something I loved. So, there didn't seem to be much point.

Then, there's market rates. It would be great to be able to charge what I think this valuable care and service is worth, but I know that the market wouldn't stand it and I wouldn't have any business. So I've got to be realistic. I'd have to be pet sitting 10 hours a day, 7 days a week for it to be financially viable for me, and that's not going to happen!!

I realised that there would be times that I wouldn't be so busy with animals, and also that I'd need to have other work that would pay me more than pet care, to balance out my earnings. Whiskers Pet Care is what I do because I love it; my other money earning activities are what I do to keep a roof over my head, pay the bills, and feed me and Bella. But I've learnt that there's no point doing anything if you don't enjoy it, so my other activities are enjoyable too, and use skills and experience I've built up over many, many years.

They're great because I can sit at home in my slippers and work, and flex my time around going to visit all my lovely animals - and they are my priority. But recently those other activities got very, very busy - which is good because it pays me more money, but also tough because it made me rather tired. This work involves talking to people - either interviewing or coaching - and is rather intense, so by the end of the day my brain has been rather frazzled.

So, apologies to you all if you've missed my blogs. I promise to try to keep up - there's so much more I want to write about. And of course, let me know if there's a subject you'd like me to include, and don't forget to add your own comments.

On the move again....

Some time last year I wrote about Adolfo, Kenzo and Zara - three very well travelled cats that live with Robert and Andrew. In case you didn't get to read it, they were rehomed from a rescue centre in Spain by Robert and Andrew while they were living there.

A couple of years later they returned to the UK, with cats in tow, and a couple of years after that, they were all off to South Africa. I went and stayed with them for a couple of weeks while Robert and Andrew had a holiday in one of the homes they retained in Spain, and got to know them all really well. That's probably the best cat sitting job I've ever had!!

Last time I wrote about them I said that they'd be on the move again, and Andrew added a comment to say that they'd have to all go and live in Spain for 6 months on the way back! South Africa isn't part of the pet passport scheme, so they would have to be in quarantine for 6 months, which isn't nice. There's no problem going direct from South Africa to Spain, and of course Spain is a member of the pet passport scheme, so after 6 months there, they can all come back to the UK. Keeping up???????

Well, Robert and Andrew are finally leaving South Africa at the beginning of April after their 4 years there - but the cats have got a head start on them, and are already on the way. I say on the way, because it's not a straightforward journey, and as I write I hear that they're only now approaching Barcelona.

They set off last week, 11th February, on a flight from Cape Town to Heathrow. The plan then was to be picked up by a wonderful company called Animal Couriers and taken by road to Southern Spain. Problems though with snow in Kent meant that they're return was delayed. But it was reported that they were doing well eating and sleeping in the quarantine centre.

Adolfo, Zara and Kenzo should be back in Andalucia later on tonight, or perhaps tomorrow, and will remain in a cattery there until Robert and Andrew finally arrive - at the moment, they're busy shutting up 4 years of life in South Africa, and it's much easier and less fraught for the cats to do that while they're not around. They're missing their "kids" very much, getting up in the mornings and not having them trotting in to see them..... But they'll all be together again very soon.

They are well travelled cats, although not as young as they were last time - I'm sure that, despite all the love and care that's gone into helping them to have a comfortable journey, this will still be a little stressful for them. So, I've been sending them Reiki every day since their journey started, to help them to be more relaxed and happy, and also for them to know that they've not been abandoned - they will be reunited again with their lovely dads very soon now.

No doubt I'll be writing again when they return to the UK in August; and perhaps when Robert and Andrew decide to move on again.............??

By the way, apologies for using the same photo as last time, but it's the only one I have of the three of them. If Robert or Andrew send me a new photo, I'll post it here. Oh, and I thought you'd also like to see this lovely penguin I captured (photographically speaking!) while I was in South Africa. Isn't he beautiful?

Stop Press!!! Just had a message from Robert they've all arrived safe and well. Click below on "Comments" to see what he has to say. Good news.

Our Fussy Eaters

How many times have you put a dish of food down, only for your cat to turn his nose up at it and walk away? And doesn't want it tomorrow or the next day? It can seem baffling that what was previously his favourite really doesn't interest him any more...

You keep leaving it out in the expectation that "if he's hungry he'll eat it." But that doesn't really happen with cats, does it? If they really don't want something, they don't want it.

It might actually be a favourite, but he doesn't want it ALL the time. The key to keeping a cat interested in his food is variety. And by that I don't mean different flavours of Felix.

Strays and ferals who have to hunt for their own food will eat pretty much what they can find or catch. But it's never the same thing. Even they will have some variety in their diet, although they might go a little longer between meals than the cats that live in our homes. Food raided from bins, left out for other animals, mice, voles, birds.......

I know that I'd go off my favourite food very quickly if I was fed it all the time, and our cats are no different.

When Bella came to live with me she was happy to eat dry food all the time, and didn't complain. When she had her accident and went to hospital, she was very poorly and didn't want to eat at all. The vets tried to tempt her appetite and found that she loved Sheba. So that got added to her diet when she got home, as, all of a sudden, dry food wasn't good enough any more.

After a little while though, that bored her, so off I went to find something else. We must have tried just about everything there is, and finally have settled into a diverse range of food that she likes. Some days she'll only want dry food and leave the wet food, and other days she'll only eat the wet food. She's a bit of a grazer, so the wet food can get a little unappetising after a couple of hours. She only eats little bits at a time, and has never eaten big meals.

She likes Sheba, Gourmet and Felix, but only a couple of flavours of each, and only certain varieties (ie in jelly, gravy, etc). But that's the key with her - the makes are different as are the textures and tastes. And that's the way to keep them all interested - vary the makes as well as the flavours.

The same happens when I go to feed cats too; although they're tricky characters, and there's more to it than that. Sometimes I might be told that Henry or Phoebe might leave lots of food, as that's their habit - yet when I go to feed them it all gets eaten! And the reverse..... they'll eat hardly anything, even though they must be very hungry. I'm told that even Bella eats all her food when I'm away, and that just doesn't happen otherwise!!

Those that eat all their food - and quite quickly too - are just tuning into their survival instincts. Something tells them that if their family are away there won't be any food, so whenever there is, they're sure to eat it, just in case... When they don't eat much, it could be that they're feeling anxious while their family are away, which takes away their appetite. But mostly I find that they're just bored with what they have to eat.

But I'm always prepared, and keep emergency cat food in my bag. If it's been a few days, I'll try them with something different. And that usually solves it - just give them something new and exciting (which it is to them), and their appetite comes straight back!! All I do is swap one of mine for one of theirs, and one day another cat might like that instead!

A little word of caution....... If you're wanting to try out different makes and flavours, do it gradually, and perhaps mix it in with their regular food at first - our cats' stomachs can sometimes be easy to upset!!

Busy Birds

Just a quick post, this.

Earlier this morning Bella and I were sitting in the kitchen by the patio doors watching all the activity in the garden. No doubt we were watching for different reasons though!

The birds were having a great time, lots of chasing each other, lots of showing off. There was a gorgeous male blackbird and his mate - a beautiful tawny brown with a huge belly. As usual the starlings were there in their numbers, squabbling with each other, and eating all the bird cakes I'd made for them.

I never know whether the small brown ones are sparrows or dunnocks - we've been told that sparrows are in decline and that they're more likely to be dunnocks. Whichever, they were all being cheeky and daring. The magpies have become more cautious of late. They never used to care who was around, but if they come onto the lawn to eat and a blackbird joins them, off they fly! Then there's the daft pigeons who come and sit on the gutter, watching all the goings on - eventually deciding to come to land. But so difficult for them - they're really not built for it are they?

And of course all the lovely blue tits with their pretty songs, flitting all over the place, sitting on the washing line, and pecking away at everything. But I mustn't forget the robin. There's always one, and there's only ever one on its own. They look sweet but get a bad press; they're reckoned to be bullies, scaring off the other birds. Well, this robin doesn't. He just mingles with them all, going about his business, gets on with everyone - well at least no-one is put off by him.

Then I realised my peppermint tea had gone cold, I really did need to get showered and on with my day......... If I didn't have to earn a living, I could spend all my day just watching this amazing theatre.

Water, water everywhere

Like most people, I tend to put Bella's food and water close together. Most of the cats I look after have this arrangement too, and some even have those double bowls where you put the food in one side and the water in the other. Always a bit tricky when it comes to emptying and cleaning I find - either the remaining food or the water goes everywhere!!

It must have been a couple of years ago now, that I was sitting watching tv, with a glass of water on the floor by my feet. Bella came along, sniffed it and had a drink. Then this started to happen all the time. Even if the water was quite low she'd manage to get her face squeezed in and drink! Can't have been comfortable. So, I thought, well she likes to drink out of glasses, so I'll swap her drinking bowl for a glass. But she still came along and drunk mine!!

Not long after, I went to meet a new client for the first time, and they told me, almost apologetically that their cat likes to drink out of a glass! They thought it was only their cat, so I had to tell them that Bella also does that. And they weren't the only ones either. More and more new customers were telling me the same thing!

If you've got a cat, and they go outside, you'll probably notice that they'll drink out of absolutely anything, and it's frequently quite disgusting! I've always got a couple of water bowls in the garden for Bella, as during the nicer months she'll spend most of her time outdoors - I'd rather encourage her to drink cleaner, fresher water than whatever she finds in a mucky puddle! I realise that it's probably no problem to them at all, after all if they lived wild that's exactly what they'd have to do. But still....... And then there are all the cats that like to drink running water from the tap, in the bath, or the toilet!

She went off drinking glasses after a while, so we returned to water bowls. But even then she'd have her food and want to go outside for a drink. Even when it was freezing cold - there was one morning we'd woken up to a heavy frost and the water outside had frozen. But she was still pawing it, trying to get it to behave! I watched for a bit, but then decided I ought to be kind and replenish it with running water. Happy cat drunk water, then hopped back indoors to the warm.

Then one day, I read an article that told me that cats don't like to eat and drink in the same place. I thought about this, and it made sense. Going way back, cats are desert animals, and when they caught something and ate it, there wouldn't naturally be water close by. So they've grown up, all through the thousands of generations, not expecting to eat and drink in the same place. It's not really that they don't like to, it's just that to them it's not normal.

Then I kicked myself!! How stupid had I been? Bella didn't particularly want to drink out of a glass, she just found it more normal to drink somewhere other than her food was. The signs were there, but I'd completely misinterpreted them. So now, she has water bowls everywhere, and happily drinks from them when she feels like it. She still has a water bowl by her food - but hardly touches it. Some habits are hard (for me) to break!

Once I realised, I communicated with her intuitively, to see why she'd not told me before. Well, in typical cat style, she told me she had, and repeatedly, I just wasn't listening. And she was right.........