After they've gone......

These wonderful words were posted by a friend on Facebook.  So much gets posted on Facebook and much of I think "yes I like that", or "I'll share that".  But nothing has affected me as much as these words.

A friend of mine lost her wonderful cat Sky 6 months ago - I went and held her and helped support her with Reiki while she slipped away.  My friend is still grieving terribly for her loss, but can't bear the thought of another animal friend to come and live with her, as she knows that one day she'll have to say goodbye again. 

I was like that for a long time, so can totally understand.  I had lots of cats over the years who would come and see me, and helped persuade me I was ready to let a new cat into my life.  And then Bella found me.   I love her so much, and Dylan too, who we welcomed to our home a couple of years ago.  Both so different to each other, and different to every other cat.

That's the thing.  One cat (or dog, rabbit, chicken, guinea pig - or any animal) doesn't replace the one that's gone.  They are their own wonderful, magical being.  So the adventure can start again, the falling in love, and being so full of gratitude that they're in your life. 

I've shared these words on Facebook too, and they seem to have struck a chord with so many others .  And some of them have said that yes, that was them, but another cat or dog found their way into their life when they weren't expecting it, and they've been forever grateful. 

When you've loved an animal you have so much more love to give - and so many animals needing love and care.  It seems wrong to deprive them - and you.  ♥♥♥

Bailey comes home

Now and again I am asked to help an animal in some way by communicating with them - but mostly I use my intuitive skills with animals while I'm visiting or treating with Reiki, as a complement to what I'm doing, to help to ensure I do the best I possibly can.  Frequently I'll pick up thoughts, feelings and emotions while pet sitting, which is great, as this means I can be sure to do what's right for them.  It's very typical that when sending Reiki distantly I'll find I've tuned in to them - as a channel's opened, it's there for whatever energy needs to flow through, whether it's healing or communication of some sort.  And of course, communication is a form of healing.

Many animal communicators I know who practise professionally, tend to stay away from requests to help find lost animals.  There are many reasons for this, including the amount of time and energy that can be involved.  Until recently, I'd never been asked, but also felt it was something I would prefer to stay away from - I think it's because, like many of us who communicate intuitively with animals, you do find yourself doubting your abilities, and what you pick up.  Even though there's no reason - so far I've not had any communication with an animal that wasn't verified as accurate!!  I think it's because I didn't like the idea of perhaps not being able to help someone find their beloved friend, or worse.

A few weeks ago one of my friends (who also communicates with animals) posted on Facebook that one of her cats had failed to return home - not like him in the least.  She was very worried, understandably.  This anxiety and worry made it very difficult for her to tune into him - in fact she'd picked up a picture of him together with another cat she'd had that had passed over a few months before.  So, she had convinced herself that he too was no longer physically with us. 

I felt that I should try to tune in, but I was also quite wary of doing this.  But I felt a very strong pull, almost that Bailey was wanting to talk to me.  So I gave in, sat down with a picture of him, and tried to see what I could discover. 

My friend's husband felt strongly that Bailey was still in the land of the living, but that he'd been trapped.  My initial contact with Bailey was the same.  The first thing I picked up were his feelings.  He was cross and annoyed.  He'd got himself stuck somewhere, and although he'd freed himself, in some way he was still stuck.  He wasn't worried or anxious, just very annoyed!!  That was good.

Another friend was doing the same thing, and as we continued to communicate on Facebook, we found we were agreeing with each other.

They'd been out and about, ever widening the search area, to look for him, but no luck.  They'd talked to neighbours in their fairly rural area, even persuading some to let them search their farm buildings.  (Some weren't particularly cat friendly.) 

I sat down to talk to Bailey again.  Still quite cross.  He then showed me a pile of sticks falling on him - quite graphically.  I could feel how this felt to him.  I told my friend, who then went out for another look.  She realised that by her back fence was a pile of logs, but had already checked this area.  Nevertheless, she checked again - and this time looked over the fence.  There are two fences close together, a small space between them, with some logs.  And there was Bailey!!  Somehow the logs had fallen in the first place, trapping him.  He'd freed himself from them, but then found himself caught in a small space between two high fences. 

So, he was rescued, none the worse for his escapade thankfully, just very hungry.  My friend was confused as to why he'd not called out while they were nearby looking for him.  He told her that he'd let me and her other friend know where he was, and he was sure we'd lead them to him. 

Once again, I was amazed!!  Don't know why as it always works, and I understand the mechanism by which this works too.  But I guess we're still subject to the conditioning of many years, and there's still some doubt there.  Anyway, a very happy ending, and a lesson to me to trust what I get!!

Moving House with Cats

I've looked after little Purdey for about 4 years, and her people have been looking to move for quite a while - and the other day, wrote to me to let me know that finally they were going to their new home.  Exciting for them, but they realised it could be quite stressful for Purdey.

They asked for advice, as to how make the move as stress-free as possible for her.  Having written back to them with some ideas, I thought I'd share them with you too.

Packing up a house takes some time and there's bound to be disruption.  If at all possible, this is when it's ideal to create a safe haven for the cat.  If you have a room that's not always used, think about making this into a little den, somewhere safe and quiet to retreat to when all the noise and upset is going on.  As always, a Feliway diffuser can be like magic for many cats, and it's also a good idea to put in something with nice smells for your cat - like unwashed bed linen!!  It will act to be enormously reassuring.  I find that cats respond so well to quiet, gentle music - it takes the edge off the silence, and will help to muffle the sounds a little.  Additionally, cats are very susceptible to energy, so the energy in the music should be gentle.  If you've some meditation/yoga/Reiki music (I realise that lots of people won't!), that would be ideal, but if not, then Classic FM works really well. 

On the day of the move, the best thing is to move your cats first, and before the removal men come.  The day before would be even better, but this isn't always possible.  Some people put their cats into catteries, but this can actually be more stressful.  Think about it.  Many cats dislike catteries intensely anyway, and to be removed from their home, taken to a cattery, then put into a new home a couple of days later.........  If you take a few minutes to try to think and feel like a cat, you'll see what I mean. 

Cats are creatures of habit, and don't like change, so thinking about ways to minimise this change for them will keep them happiest. 

Some people are lucky enough to have neighbours and friends nearby, and they can go and stay with them for a couple of days.  Again, not ideal, but a better option.  This is what I did some years back - moving from Buckinghamshire to Peterborough.  A couple of days before the final packing up, Moggie went to stay with a good friend who loved cats, in just the next road.  And no other cats lived there.  Once I'd unpacked and put most of my stuff away I came back to collect her.  That way, things were mostly calm in the new house, and I'd already had time to create her own little space with her own things (familiar smells again!).

If moving a little more closely, there is often time to take the cat on the day of the move, before the removal starts.  A customer of mine did this with great results.  She identified a room that the removers wouldn't go into, and set up a little sanctuary for her there.  Although there was much banging and noise going on while furniture was being moved in, she knew she was safe and secure in her little den.  She stayed there the next day, and was allowed to emerge, in her own time, the next day when things were a little less manic. 

This next stage is important too.  Some cats will want to explore everything immediately, but others will be extremely cautious.  Take your lead from them and don't force them.  If they seem inclined to live in this room for a few days, then that's fine.  They will come out and explore eventually.  Familiar smells are a must, so the unwashed bedding again is absolutely ideal.  Sounds horrible to us, but cats love it, and helps them to feel secure and safe.  And plenty of Feliway around the new house too.

Whether or not you think that cats can understand what you tell them, it's still a good idea to tell them what will be happening.  At the very least, they'll pick up meaning from the energy of what you're saying.  To illustrate with a simple example - if Dylan's woken up in the morning with dried sleep in the corner of his eyes and I go to remove it without saying anything (I do sometimes forget!), he'll turn away and not let me do it.  But if I explain gently before I make any move to do anything, he lets me get on with it.  Same with giving tablets to Ralph and Shanny. 

And you might also like to think about using Bach Flower Remedies.  Legally I'm not allowed to recommend any of the remedies without recourse to your cat's vet, but you can make your own purchasing and dosing decisions by having a look at the web site.  http://www.bachcentre.com/centre/38/walnut.htm.  Remedies can be purchased through the website, or are also available at Boots.

Finally, in the rush and mess and chaos, it can be difficult to remember your cat might be having a hard time - so whenever you remember, just slow yourself and your energy down, and reassure your cat that everything is fine. 

Can't You Stay Longer? Pleeeease?

Oh boy!!!  Just got back from this morning's visits, and all the cats wanted me to stay longer.  Happens a lot I find, but this morning, it was all of them.  So I did!!  It's a horrible day out there, and they were all in warm, snug, cosy homes, and I was so enjoying being with them.  I always notice that the longer I'm with them, the more they relax and enjoy it, I pick up on their happy energy, and they pick up on mine.  All happy!!! 

I can't always do that though, and am always amazed quite how quickly 30 minutes goes.  When it's time to go, it often feels like I'm cutting things short, and they always say things like "but we were just getting into it, you can't go yet!"  They don't understand the concept (lucky them!) of charging time spent, and I wish I didn't have to work that way.  But until the day comes when I no longer need to work to pay my bills and keep a roof over my head, that's the way it is. 

I love what I do, and it feels much more like a vocation than a job.  I'm very lucky.  I feel very honoured, humbled even, to be able to take healing to all the cats I care for, and to be able to communicate with them, so that I know how they're thinking and feeling.  It's what tells me that they get so much from what I do, and the longer I can stay with them, the better things are for them.  Even for the cats I'm told will be quiet and shy, perhaps even hide away.  Most come out of hiding anyway, and are so friendly and loving.  They all enjoy the Reiki I bring, and it helps them so much. 

I know that not everyone appreciates this, at first anyway.  They think they just want someone to come and feed their cats and sort out their litter.   "No!" I want to shout sometimes "it's so much more than that!"  I must admit to becoming a little frustrated sometimes that some people are just so not in tune with their animals.  It's not just because I am a healer and intuitive communicator - many of my customers are very much in harmony with their animals, their feelings and needs. 

I'm sometimes asked if the price will be less if I visit for a shorter time.  I appreciate that if you're going on holiday, you might want to ensure you have enough to spend, so cutting down on cat care costs might help this.  (I have views on this - I'm sure many of you might too - and perhaps will talk about this in another post.)  I can't do it.  And I won't do it.  I'm not the right cat sitter then, and I have no problem declining that request. 

Time and time again I receive reports on how happy cats were on their family's return.  But so much more than this.  So many times, people will tell me how their cats have changed after my visits.  Especially with shy and timid cats - this happens so many times.  And I can tell while I'm with them that things are changing.  When it's a pet sitting visit, Reiki isn't the primary intention - but the longer I have to be sitting quietly with them before and after the food and litter duties, the more they'll pick up.  And this is so good for them.  So, it's no wonder that they don't want me to leave again!!

Before I finish, just wanted to share an experience from this week.  There are a couple of cats I take care of from time to time when their person has to work away from home.  He's self employed, like me, and doesn't always have a lot of money to spend.  He asked me very last minute if I could visit his cats this past week - it was difficult for me as I had a very busy week already planned.  So he said he'd be happy with short visits for some of the days, as this would also help his finances.  I felt torn - I knew this wouldn't be good for them, yet it was better I visited than not at all, or to have an unreliable friend pop in.  I reluctantly accepted, but made it clear that this was very much the exception. 

He has security cameras all over his flat, which he also uses to check that his cats are ok.  He reported to me one day that one of his cats seemed depressed, was spending all day on his bed, rather than in the living room.  Well, I wasn't surprised, to be honest.  So I decided that even though he'd asked for and paid for 3 short visits, I would do longer visits on the days this was possible.  I was with them nearly an hour today.  But what a difference in the last couple of days!!  So much happier, and the energy in the room today was so beautiful.  And this is where I sometimes find the struggle between this being a vocation and my business.  I shouldn't have done this, I can't do it every time, I can't afford it - and yet I couldn't let them suffer.  But, in my heart, I felt happy and knew it was the right thing to do. 

I so wish that this could truly be a vocation, that I didn't need to earn money to keep a roof over my head.  Then I could happily spend longer at each and every visit, and all the cats would be much happier.

Outdoor Cats

A few weeks ago I wrote about the indoor/outdoor cat debate.  I'd be really happy to have your views and opinions on the subject - the more that we talk about these issues, the better things can be for our cats.

But today I want to take this one stage further, and talk about outdoor cats.  Mine go outdoors - Dylan chooses to stay in the garden, and Bella wanders a little but not very far.  They'd be unhappy if they couldn't go out, but they choose to spend a lot of time in the house.  Especially on a wet and windy day like today. 

There are many cats I know locally, and those I care for, who have similar arrangements, and this is perfect for them.  They're able to wander about their territory, and also be indoors for shelter, food, sleep and most of all company.  I know that these are wild animals, but they've long ago domesticated us and decided they want to live with us.  They are used to our company, love and strokes, and it's part of what keeps them happy, and most of all, healthy.  The happiest cats have a good balance of both.   When we bring a cat in to live with us, it's important that we understand this.

I live on a small private estate, very quiet and safe, and great for cats.  Recently, there are more and more cats living here.  In the last couple of years though, I've noticed a couple of cats who are out all the time, in all weathers, for long days.  One has since moved away, but for a long time I thought he was a stray.  He was very friendly, and given half a chance would sneak into my house and eat my cats' food.  More than food though, he just wanted love and company, and a snug place to sleep when the weather was bad.

I leafletted my neighbours, and after a couple of goes, someone came forward to say he was their cat.  I knew where he lived, and would continue to keep an eye out for him to be sure he was safe.  They insisted he wanted to be out from between 4-6 in the morning, but they didn't seem to be bothered about him after that.  Which is why he'd be at my back door when I got up, begging for food - they'd obviously not got him in again for his breakfast before heading out to work.  I'd notice they might be gone for a whole weekend, and he just seemed to be out the whole time.  They told me that they had a friend a few doors away, and he'd go to their house - but my experience was that that wasn't happening, as he was always at mine!! 

He's moved away now, but overlapping that has been a similar situation, with a cat who still visits, and in fact is now sitting on a window sill upstairs!  When I adopted Dylan very soon afterwards he found a friend who looked just like him and was about the same age.  They've become good friends, and I've discovered he lives just 3 doors away.  This morning, when I got up about 6.30, he was sheltering in the cat chalet in my garden.  He often is, this is quite normal.  Today the weather was vile, so if he'd wanted to go out, I'm sure he'd have wanted to go back in again quickly.  In fact, he did, because as soon as he saw me, he was at my back door.  I went off to visit cats, and when I got back he was still in my garden - so I've let him in. 

On a nice day, if I'm about in the house during daytime (often am), the back door might be open so that Bella and Dylan can come in and out.  And often our visitor sneaks in, and I might find him fast asleep on one of the beds a couple of hours later.  He is a hungry boy, but more than anything, he just craves company and human affection. 

For both these cats, this isn't what they want.  The balance is out.  They want to be out and about wandering, but not the whole time.  I don't get it.  Why do people bring animals into their lives and homes, and then forget about them?  Talking to other neighbours here, it seems there are other cats living the same way, and they just wander in and out of peoples' houses.  Most people understand that there's not much you can do to stop a cat who wants to come into someone's house, this is how cats are.  The issue is with the people, and one of responsible cat custodianship.  It's all about making sure you can provide the right environment for the animal, and also that they don't annoy the neighbours.  Once again a balance. 

I'd love to have other views on this subject - please let me know what you think.

Danger - Catnip!!!

You wouldn't think so, would you? It seems so innocuous. Just something that most cats enjoy rolling in. I used to carry catnip with me when I went about my cat visits, but don't use it any more.

 

 

There was a time that I was taking care of two cats, and thought they might like some catnip. Well!!! Up to that point they'd always got along just fine, very friendly with each other, and I'd been visiting for a while. But when the catnip came out the fur started to fly!! They became so aggressive with each other, and I had to quickly move one to another room to calm down while I vacuumed it all up again.

 

 

I was surprised as I'd never seen that reaction before, so looked it up - mostly it gets them all dreamy, or rolling around in it, and the chemical (nepetalactone) induces a psychosexual state. But it can cause aggression. So, the hard way to learn.

 

 

Another time I was visiting 4 cats in a small house, so there was already an amount of tension just being caused by the lack of their own space. One day it looked as though one of the cats had unearthed a plant pot all over the house, and I didn't understand. And they were even more tense and aggressive with each other. On enquiring of their human, he told me that a neighbour likes to pop in to visit while he's away too, and she likes to spread the catnip around. At least that gave me the answer for the mess and the behaviour, but despite leaving a message for her to please stop using it, she continued, and so did the tension.

 

 

At home I use it with Bella and Dylan now and again - but only very rarely. I only put it on the old mat by the patio door, as when Bella plays with it, she doesn't just roll in it, but plucks at the mat madly too. Dylan just eats it!! But if he gets too close to her when she's playing with it, the hissing and growling starts.

 

 

Perhaps I'm lucky in that I can use Reiki energy to ensure the cats I care for are calm and relaxed. But if anyone thinks that catnip gets all cats into a dreamy state, they're very wrong!!

 

 

The other day, I was taking care of Amber and was away for a day, so a cat sitter friend kindly covered for me. She sent me a picture of Amber writhing on the rug in the catnip, which was very sweet - but not so sweet the next day when I visited again, to find the rug covered in tufts she'd pulled out, and lots of white fur from rolling in it. Just like Bella, Amber likes to pluck at it, and vigourously too. A good vacuum, and all the mess - and I hoped the scent - all gone, and she's mostly left it alone since then. A lucky escape then, I had visions of having to replace the rug as I couldn't imagine how there would be any of it left when Amber's person returned.

 

 

So, I give it a wide berth these days in its pure form, unless I know how the cats will be with it. Would be very keen to hear your stories!!

Picture at the top taken from this website that you might like to look at for more information, courtesy Kooky Kat Catnip Company. http://www.catniptoys.com/pages/Catnip-FAQ.html

A New Sanctuary!

It must be nearly 5 years ago now that I approached Animals in Distress sanctuary to ask if I could come and help the various animals there with Reiki. There were a number of reasons. Firstly as I hadn't long completed my Reiki 2 qualification, it would provide me with lots of practice in developing my Reiki skills with a number of animals. But more than that, I felt I'd been given the gift of Reiki by animals (my cat Bella to be precise), and I wanted to repay the favour. I also like the idea of giving something back to my local community, and volunteer in other ways too.

I was introduced to the manager of the Irlam site, Jay, and while she didn't know much about it, she was very open - she felt that anything that might help was worth exploring. Their problems were numerous and deep. Not just the obvious physical troubles, but very often the emotional state underlying these. Where I feel Reiki really excels is in getting underneath the physical manifestation of a problem, and healing on an emotional level. So many of the animals in their care had suffered awful traumas - and some we could only guess at as we didn't always know their backgrounds.

 

 

Some had come into the sanctuary because their families had moved away and couldn't take them, others had lost their human carers through death, and there were those those who couldn't stay in the home any more after people, and perhaps new babies, developed allergies to them. So many reasons, but all of these caused such emotional upset, that conditions would sometimes be caused to be developed. And so, so many more reasons that they might have ended up with us.

Although they were all taken care of lovingly, it's not the same as being in a nice warm house where you can choose where you go, where you want to sleep. So of course that has an effect too. Lots and lots of healing to be done.

 

 

I visited the animals there for about 3 years or so, and loved it. Built some wonderful relationships with some of their longer term residents, or those who kept coming back. And could see huge improvements in so many of them. And bit by bit the staff and volunteers there started to notice a difference. I remember one day, while I was sitting sending Reiki to all the cats in one of the quarantine bays, Jay walked in, and was stunned by the beautiful gentle energy she felt. Brian had always been a cynic, but even he came round. He was willing to accept he didn't need to understand how it worked, it just did. He would enjoy sitting quietly with me at times too when I was letting the Reiki flow to the animals.

Too many animals to mention, or even remember I'm sorry to say - but some do come to mind. There was Benson the Rottweiler. Although at first you wouldn't know what breed he was. He'd been very badly treated and starved and was just skin and bone when he first came in. He was covered in sores, and so scared, still and quiet. I would sit with him and give him love and Reiki, and after a few sessions everyone was so astounded as to how quickly he started to improve. He put on weight, his hair started to grow back, and we began to see his very cheeky personality. In time, and much quicker than everyone had thought, he was able to be rehomed, and went to live with a lovely girl Rotty!!

There was also a tiny scrap of a rabbit, again skin and bone, with sores, can't remember now quiet what had happened. As the rabbit came into the sanctuary, it was handed to me, and I held it while the Reiki did its magic. A week later, when I returned, I was shown the rabbit again, and almost couldn't believe it was the same one. And I remember a tiny kitten that was being hand-reared. Its mother had died due to an infection, and some of its siblings had too (it was one of seven). This little ginger boy had swollen and inflamed paws, and it was thought he wouldn't last long either. But after a few gentle sessions of Reiki with me he recovered, and grew to be a healthy boy who could be rehomed. Some sadder cases too...... It should always be remembered that Reiki works in a being's highest good. And if its highest good is to pass on then that's what will happen - but the Reiki will help it to be as peaceful and comfortable as possible, and often hastens the time, if that's right.

I'm a self employed person, and the recession had been extremely difficult for me. It started to become difficult finding time to visit, as I needed to spend all the time I had working, earning money to keep a roof over my head. At the same time Jay left to go to another sanctuary, and things weren't the same any more. A number of the volunteers also left, as did some of the staff. I kept on, now and again, when I could, for the sake of the animals, but in the end, I just stopped.

I've missed it in that time though. Well, missed taking care of animals who need so much help. So, I was thrilled when I was contacted out of the blue a few weeks ago by the new manager at another sanctuary in Manchester. A friend of mine - also does Reiki - used to be a volunteer dog walker there, and had told me they weren't interested in Reiki. That was the old guard, but the new manager is quite different. I had a wonderful meeting with her and another volunteer who has Reiki a few weeks ago, and I love where she's going now. She is also studying intuitive animal communication, so very much on the same page!!

I was asked if I'd like to become the Reiki volunteer. I was so excited!! It's early days yet, but so far I'm loving it. The staff and volunteers are very welcoming and friendly, and best of all is the energy there. There are definitely changes on the way, all going in the right direction. And lots of exciting things happening soon - watch this space!! And of course, best of all, I'm getting to work with animals that need help again. It's a very beautiful thing to be doing. ♥