Lucas and Simon are both recently rescued male cats. Lucas has been with his mom for two months and Simon just joined the family two weeks ago. It seems Lucas is not happy with another cat coming into his new home. My client wrote:
"I don't know what to do. Tried asking/explaining nicely several times, talking more firmly while holding scruff, spray bottle, smacked his butt once in middle of the night. Separated them last night. Nothing stops him. I give him attention which he loves till he remembers Simon. Then he's off again."
Frances's reading with Lucas:
Frances: Hi Lucas – Mom asked me to talk with you, is that ok?
Lucas: I guess so since I’ve got a lot to say. Why is that other cat here? Is he replacing me? Why did she bring him here? Is he staying?
Frances: Ok, I hear you, Lucas. Let me first assure you that you are staying, this is your forever home and Mom loves you very much. So far so good?
Lucas: Yeah, ok – go on.
Frances: When mom adopted you, you needed a home with love, food and a roof over your head, right?
Lucas: Yeah, so?
Frances: Simon, this new cat is in the same situation and Mom wants to add him to your household to be a companion for both you and her. She realized she is not home for many hours at a time and this way you have someone to keep you company.
Lucas: So he’s not going to leave?
Frances: No, he has no other place to go and there is so much love and food for the two of you. Can you be nice and accepting of him instead of the aggression you are showing him? He doesn’t deserve that. He just wants to be part of the family. What if he was first and then you came in to join the family and was treated like this, how would you feel?
Lucas: Well, when you put it that way, yeah I wouldn’t be very happy. Okay, okay. I get it.
Frances: So no more aggressive biting, attacking or anything else mean to Simon, right?
Lucas: Yeah, yeah – I’ll be nicer. Please tell Mom I’m sorry, I’ll be better. Maybe even share a toy or two. But I keep my favorites.
Frances: Thank you, Lucas. Mom will be happy to see the two of you happy with her in the same room.
Lucas: I’ll see if I can do that for her.
Frances: Thank you, Lucas. Mom will be very appreciative.
Lucas: I understand, I will do better, I promise.
Frances: I hope so because I will bug you again and again – like that voice that doesn’t stop.
Lucas: Wow, ok that’s pretty harsh, but I will, I promise.
Frances: Again, thank you, Lucas.
My client updated me the next day after our session:
"Lucas has been perfect since you and I spoke. Very affectionate and he invites Simon to play instead of forcing him. So far when they play he resists the urge to be too aggressive. I can see him stop and think for a moment, sometimes a result of a gentle word but not always necessary. So grateful and hopeful, Catherine Darras."
Now here’s the picture of Lucas (dark grey stripe tabby) and Simon (orange) sleeping peacefully together.
For the Love of Animals, | 
