Keep it Simple
We may not realize our pets know what we’re feeling and what we’re saying and in their own way interpret like a child. They don’t understand the background, situation we’re going through, why we’re thinking something or why we’re saying something. I had a client whose parrot said he wanted mom to smile more. Mom said, “OK, when I’m around him I’ll smile.” I said, “No, he wants you to be happy. He wants you to feel what’s behind the smile.” She explained her husband had been in the hospital for a few months and she had concerns when he came home regarding his health. I suggested that the two of them watch YouTube videos of the Carol Burnett show. Remember Harvey Korman and Tim Conway? You can’t not laugh when you see their dentist skit. She said she would and that that sounded like a really good idea.
I had another client whose adult son (who is very kind and gentle) would come over and her 11-month-old cat ran away from him. She didn’t do that at the beginning but now she is - why? I asked her why she ran away from him and she said she was scared that he was going to take her from mom. My client started crying and explained her husband and her were both very ill together. Unfortunately, her husband passed away, but thankfully she was recovering with symptoms, but still recovering. During the time when they were both ill, there was a discussion regarding her son adopting the cat, if both of them passed away. So, I explained to the cat that that was just a plan in case something happened to both of them. Unfortunately, your dad is gone but mom is still here - so that explained to her the situation with the son.
We love them so much and remember they’re part of our family and they tend to accept things in a child-like way. The simpler you can explain things (and yes, you can say it out loud) whatever it might be, the better.
I had another client whose adult son (who is very kind and gentle) would come over and her 11-month-old cat ran away from him. She didn’t do that at the beginning but now she is - why? I asked her why she ran away from him and she said she was scared that he was going to take her from mom. My client started crying and explained her husband and her were both very ill together. Unfortunately, her husband passed away, but thankfully she was recovering with symptoms, but still recovering. During the time when they were both ill, there was a discussion regarding her son adopting the cat, if both of them passed away. So, I explained to the cat that that was just a plan in case something happened to both of them. Unfortunately, your dad is gone but mom is still here - so that explained to her the situation with the son.
We love them so much and remember they’re part of our family and they tend to accept things in a child-like way. The simpler you can explain things (and yes, you can say it out loud) whatever it might be, the better.
For the Love of Animals,Frances
