Raney Learns to Soften Up

Raney is a 4-year-old female short-haired one-eyed polydactyl cat who was found on the street at 5 weeks old. She seems to have anger issues with just about anyone she encounters, including her family.

Frances:  Hi Raney – how are you?
Raney:   I’m ok, why? Who are you? 
Frances:  I’m a friend of your mom – she asked me to talk with you. Is that ok?
Raney:  I guess so.  What about? What did I do wrong?
Frances:  Mom is concerned that you’re not happy. Are you happy?
Raney: I suppose so; I can’t complain about the food or anything, so I guess that makes me happy.
Frances:  Why do you get angry at people and hiss at people?
Raney: Why do they have to touch me?  I don’t like people I don’t know touching me.  I don’t really like people I know touching me.  I can’t see very well, and I don’t hear that great either, so it scares me when they come up from behind me.  Let me go to you, and if I feel like it, then you can pet me, but only if I choose you.
Frances: Ok, Raney, that makes sense to me.  Can you tell me how you lost your eye?
Raney:  I came that way, so I don’t know any different.
Frances: Do you know how much you are loved?
Raney: I guess so since I’m taken care of and they feed me.
Frances:  Do you know you are safe with your family? 
Raney: Yeah, I do feel that.  I guess I’m kind of a hard nut to crack, right?
Frances: I think you had to learn to put on a hard shell when you came into this world.  You didn’t have an easy start to life.  Maybe you can learn to soften that hard shell a bit, knowing you are loved and safe with your family?
Raney: I suppose you are right.  But I like what I like, and I don’t like what I don’t like. I kinda get what you’re saying too.  I don’t need to be in fight mode as much as I used to.  There’s really no fight here, and everyone is nice to me.  
Frances: You can practice each day, and each day it will get easier and easier to allow that hard shell to soften.  You’ll never be considered a wimpy cat by any stretch.  But maybe you’ll enjoy your life just a bit more each day.
Raney:  I like that idea, yeah, I don’t want to be a pushover, you know?
Frances: Yes, Raney, I understand, and I don’t see that ever happening to you. Anything you want to tell Mom before I let you go?
Raney: Thank you for talking with me, this was very cool.  Please tell Mom I love her and know that I will be nicer a little at a time.  This lady made a lot of sense, and I will try to soften my hard shell a little at a time, as she said.
Frances: Thank you, Raney – that is the first time you used the word “love,” so you have already started your journey.  I’ll be talking with your mom soon.  Bye for now.
Raney: Bye and thank you again for talking with me.
Frances:  My pleasure, Raney.

For the Love of Animals,

Frances

 

George's Touching Farewell Message

George’s mom wanted confirmation that he was ready to cross over the rainbow bridge.  He is a 9-year-old dog, a full 100 pounds of love.

Frances:  Hi George – I understand you haven’t been feeling very well lately.  Do you have a message for your mom?

George:  Please tell my mom I love her very much and appreciate everything she has ever done for me.  My body is getting heavy and tired.  My spirit will always be with you; our connection will always be there – just my physical body will be gone.  I am ready to be released from my body whenever you are ready.  It’s been a wonderful, adventurous life together. We have memories that can never go away.  You both have more memories to make together and I will see you and hear you whenever you want me to be around.  Our love will never be gone, just my physical body.  Do whatever you like with it as it will be of no use to me.  Spread my ashes wherever you like to visit to remember me or not – the choice is yours.  Take care of yourself as well as you always did for me.  Time to relax and reflect on being the best human you can be.  I love you more than you can imagine. 

Frances: Thank you, George.  I will be talking to your mom a bit later this morning.  Bye for now.  

George: Bye and thank you for allowing me to speak with them in this unique way.  You are a God-send for the animals, but I think you already know that.

Frances: Thank you, George – I appreciate your kind words.

For the Love of Animals,

Frances

Charlie Loves His New Home

Charlie is a male Holland Lop bunny, he is 3 years old and has been rehomed three times along with his mate Sally, a female Grey Holland Lop bunny before coming to my client. 

Frances:  Hello Charlie – how are you doing?

Charlie:  I’m good to stay with our new mom.  I really like her.  She’s very gentle to us.  There are no children to bug us or dogs to run away from.

Frances: Is there anything you want to tell your mom?

Charlie:  Please tell her I really appreciate the care she gives and I’m so happy we are here.  I know Sally didn’t understand why she was taken from the other family, but I figured it out right away.

Frances: You’re so smart, Charlie.

Charlie:  Well, it didn’t take a genius to see the difference in how we were treated, or should I say ignored, by the other family.  They were too busy in their own lives to pay any attention to us.  Thank you for what you are doing for the animals too.  Nothing can make us feel as comforted as actually having a voice that could be understood by humans.  That’s really special, you know?

Frances: Thank you, Charlie, for your message to your mom and me.  You are very special yourself.  Bye for now.  I’ll be talking to Mom in a little bit.  

Charlie:  Ok and we’ll talk again, right?

Frances: Yes, when I talk with Mom, I’m sure we’ll talk again. Bye for now.

Charlie has a fear of abandonment, so when I said I would be back, he really had nothing more to say, he just wanted to be sure I could be trusted to keep my word.

For the Love of Animals,

Frances

 

 

 

Saying Goodbye to Ollie

I had a 16-year-old cat named Harmony whose was name was actually ironic as he was grumpy and not harmonic at all. He was upset because I had to euthanize the previous cat named Itty-Bitty as he had kidney failure and Harmony was missing his pal. He would hide in the closet and only come out to eat and go to the litter box.

In 2017, I adopted two kittens from an ad I found on Nextdoor. The mother was a young six-month-old cat that was getting ready to be fixed, but then they discovered she was pregnant. I took the last two of the litter, two sisters, I named Sage and Ollie. Ollie was the runt of the litter who eventually showed signs of hip dysplasia.  They were a joy to watch and brought Harmony out of his depression.

I had to say goodbye to Ollie Friday morning, July 3^rd as her hip dysplasia worsened to a frozen right leg and she was moving in circles.

That afternoon I fell asleep on the couch with Sage asleep on her favorite window seat. We didn't get much sleep the previous night. I had a dream Ollie was sitting next to me and shared her love and said “thank you”. 

A few days later, Sage and I were on the couch relaxing and we both heard a cat scratching in the cat box. Of course, she and I looked at each other and I said, “It’s OK Ollie you can come around whenever you want, you can sit and watch TV with us and stay on the bed with us, whatever you like.” I know she’s always going to be here in my heart but right now she wants to be with us energetically. She is loved and she knows it.

For the Love of Animals,

Frances

 

What is Billy Grumbling About?

Billy is a 5-year-old male mixed breed rescued dog, who my client has had for just over a year.

Frances:  Hi Billy – how are you? 

Billy:  I’m good, why?  Who are you?

Frances:  That’s good to hear.  Your mom asked me to talk with you, is that ok?

Billy:   Sure, why not?  Anything for Mom.

Frances:  Great.  Do you know that your family loves you very much?

Billy:   I hoped so, it seems like it.  Is there something wrong?

Frances:  No, not at all honey.  I’m just letting you know that this is your forever home. You can be assured that you will not be living with any other family.

Billy:  Oh, I’m so glad you told me that.  I was really not exactly sure, but hoped that it was true. YAY for me!

Frances:  I’m happy you are happy.  That will make Mom happy too.  So now I have questions that Mom is asking, is that ok?

Billy:    Yes, of course.

Frances:  When you sound like you are grumbling, what are you trying to tell Mom?

Billy:   It depends on where we are and what we are doing.  In the kitchen, I want food or a treat. Sometimes I’m just trying to tell her that I love her.  Or maybe I want to go for a walk, a ride or who knows what.

Frances:  So it’s never just one thing all the time?

Billy:  Yep, just like us talking now – it’s different words, only I can’t say them like this to her.

Frances:  I understand. Do you like living with your family?

Billy: What’s not to like?  I have food, love and a roof over my head.  I can’t ask for more than that, can I?

Frances:  Well, let’s say you could ask, but you won’t necessarily get it, you know?

Billy: Yeah, I get it.  But I can try, right?

Frances:  Of course you can.  What else would you like to do more of?

Billy:   Now that I know I am staying, I would like to go on more car rides.  I was always afraid I would be dropped off and left like my other family did to me.

Frances:  I’m sorry that happened to you.  That will never happen to you again.  If they drop you off someplace, they will always come back and get you.

Billy:  Thank you, that is good to hear.

Frances:  Does your body hurt anywhere?

Billy: No, I’m good.

Frances:  Why do you sleep by yourself at night?

Billy:  I always have so I didn’t know it was ok to join the others in the house.

Frances:  Even though Ruby was in the house before you, she looks up to you to follow your lead and behavior.  When you are on walks in public, can you be calmer?  Pretend everyone is a friend, unless they show you otherwise.  Staying calm and near your mom is best.  Just being next to Mom or whoever you are walking with, is the best way to stay calm.  No barking or grumbling when in public.  It is sometimes scary for others to understand you are being friendly.

Billy: But I am being friendly when I talk.  

Frances:  Yes, but others don’t understand that, so best to be quiet and calm while in public.

Billy:  Ok, I’ll try that next time.

Frances:  Thank you, Billy.  I’ll be talking with Mom a bit later this morning.  Bye for now.

Billy:  Bye and thank you for talking with me.

Frances: You’re very welcome.

For the Love of Animals,

Frances

 

By George, He's Got It!

 

George is an 8 year old Chihuahua mix who has a carefree life – even gets to ride in a stroller while at the store.  Here is a part of our conversation:

Frances:  Hi George – how are you?

George:  I’m good, why?

Frances:  Mom asked if I would talk with you.  Is that ok?

George:  Sure, anything for Mom.  

Frances:  Why is your eating pattern so erratic?

George:  I eat what I want when I want to.  Do I look like I’m starving? I don’t think so.  

Frances:  Good to know.  Why do you try to lick Mom’s face?

George:  I’m just trying to kiss her to show her how much I love her.

Frances:  Mom appreciates your effort to show her your love, but could you wag your tail or something like that instead?

George:  Sure, I could do that if she doesn’t want me to lick her face. Can I lick her hand?

Frances:  As long as it isn’t all the time.  Moderation is best, okay?

George:  Ok, I’ll try that.

Frances:  Are you happy with your family?

George:  What a silly question, of course I am.

Frances:  Is there anything you would change?)  

George: I want Mom to be home with me all the time.  I know that is unrealistic, but you did ask.  

Frances:  I’m glad you understood the question.  Yes, it is unrealistic.  Why do you bark at other dogs in stores?

George:  I show them how special I am. They have to walk, I get to ride.

Frances:  Please don’t bark at the other dogs, it can be scary to them and their mom or dad.)  

George:  Oh, I didn’t think of it that way.

Frances:  Only bark if there is danger to alert your mom, but please be quiet otherwise.

George:  Ok, I’ll be more conscious of that.

Frances:  Would you like another dog companion to join your family?

George:  No thank you.  I like being the focus of attention.  I’m not big on sharing.

Frances:  I’ll let Mom know. Is there anything you want to tell your family?

George:  Thank you for choosing me to join your family.  I am a happy dog and enjoy my life very much.  I love my mom so much.  

Frances:  Thank you, George.  I’ll be talking with Mom soon.  Bye for now.

George:  Bye and thank you for talking with me.  So to have a say in what happens in the family, you know?

Frances:  Yes, honey, I do understand.

For the Love of Animals,

Frances

Stop and Smell the Roses

My client contacted me regarding Billy, who is a 15 year old gray tabby male cat.  Billy is constantly meowing at her and her husband.  She says he has different meows and just wonders what he wants to tell them.
 
Frances:  Hi Billy – how are you?

Billy:  I’m good, why?

Frances:  Mom asked me to talk with you, is that ok?

Billy: Sure, anything for Mom.

Frances:  She says you meow to her in different ways and wants to know what you are saying. 

Billy:  It depends on what day and what I wanted to say. Sometimes it is to distract her from moving around so much.  She doesn’t stop to rest.  I want her to take better care of herself.  She worries so much about others and what she can do for them.  I want her to do something nice for herself, you know what I mean?

Frances:  Yes, Billy, I do know what you mean.  Humans can get so caught up in “doing” they forget about “being”.  Just “being” in the moment to stop, meditate, smell the flowers – even for just a few minutes – can make such a big difference.

Billy: Yes, that’s what I’m talking about.  You’re good! 

Thank you, Billy.  I appreciate the encouragement from you.  Is there anything you want to tell Mom?

Billy: Please tell Mom I love her so very much and appreciate the wonderful life she has given me.  I’m a lucky cat to have her as my mom.

Frances:  That’s a beautiful message for Mom.  I’ll be talking with her soon.  Bye for now.

Billy: Bye, and thank you for talking with me. 

Frances:  You’re very welcome, Billy.

For the Love of Animals,

Frances