Change Is A Process

About two years ago, Zazzles almost died from severe anemia. While he was sick, I moved him out of the Kracken Kitty Room and up to Resident Cat Status. I one hundred percent believed that he would integrate right in with the others after a transition period. Yeah, that didn’t go as well as I thought it would. It has been almost two years, and we are still not quite living in peace and harmony. But again, change is a process, and it doesn’t happen overnight.

Best Laid Plans…

As the cat mom of multiple cats, I know all about the importance of slow introductions. Zazzles spent most of his life living with his siblings in their own area. However, we would allow interactions between the Kracken Kitties and the Resident Cats. Everyone got along for the most part. So, when I had to move Zazzles up to Resident Cat status permanently, I really didn’t think we were going to have any major issues. Boy, was I so very wrong.

While Zazzles was recovering, I had him in a huge crate to keep him calm and contained. The other cats could see and interact with him. We had a few hissing moments, but nothing crazy. When I was home, I would let Zazzles out of the crate, where he would spend most of his time curled up on my lap. The other cats would come around with the occasional hissing, but once again, nothing major. Things were going well. I was pleased. Then, they went awry.

Once Zazzles started feeling better, his confidence got stronger. One day, he came out of the crate and instantly jumped on Bodie. This took everyone by surprise. Especially Bodie, who is a pretty big Maine Coon mix. After breaking up that fight. Zazzles moved onto Hemingway and jumped him. I was completely baffled. Zazzles has always been the “I’m a lover, not a fighter” kind of cat. This was completely out of character for him. And it happened almost every time I let him out of the crate. Fur flying, tumble weed rolling types of fights. Emotions were high. There was always an undercurrent of tension anytime Zazzles was free roaming. We were all on edge. Something had to give.

Lots of Looking Within

For months, Zazzles had to be crated anytime I was going to be gone for any length of time. I just didn’t trust that I wouldn’t come home to injured cats because of fighting. Bodie and Hemingway started to demonstrate the effects of this stress. Bodie developed bouts of constipation. Hemingway would run and hide anytime he saw Zazzles around. Which Zazzles thought of as a game and he would chase him. I was diving deep into my “woo woo” tool belt, using crystals, herbs, hydrosol, and flower essences. All was helping, but there were still underlying issues.

It wasn’t until I started my Holistic Cat Practitioner course with Sylvie Sterling, that I realized I needed to look within to be able to help my cats. Because I was always expecting a fight to happen, I was projecting my fear onto the three of them. I started paying attention to my own feelings and emotions and working to regulate them. I noticed that I was automatically tense up anytime Zazzles was in the same area as Bodie or Hemingway. And of course, they were all picking up on those emotions. Our cats are such sentient beings. They sensed my fear and instantly looked to see what was causing it. And they saw each other. Then, a fight would break out.

Once I started working on myself and the fear and stress that I was carrying and holding onto, the tensions between the three of them started to ease up. Working with the three of them on what their purpose in my life is and how I can best support them as moved things along even more. Knowing that Bodie and Hemingway are my Energy Workers, with Hemingway being an Energy Fairy, has allowed me to help them move the energies that they pick up from the other cats and their environment. I am also wondering if Bodie is my Mirror as well. We seem to have similar gut issues. Zazzles is my Lover/Supporter/Protector. He is always by my side ready to love, support, and protect me. Even if that means going up against the other cats in the house.

Always More To Work On

Although we have come a long way in easing the tension between Zazzles, Bodie, and Hemingway, we still have more work to do. For the most part, things are pretty easy and laid back with them. We have had moments where they are all sleeping together in the same area. Then, we have days where Hemingway sees Zazzles walking by, and he hisses and runs to hide. Or Bodie will hiss at Zazzles if he gets too close to him. Sometimes, Zazzles will be the instigator and stalk Bodie and Hemingway. I, then, have to step in and redirect his attention.

So, even though we are so much better than we were earlier this year, we still have some more work to do. Which means that I, also, have some more to work on myself. I know that the issues that we are still dealing with are a reflection of issues that I need to look within and resolve. But, together, we will get there because change is a process.

“Your cat is in your life for an important reason: to help you find and follow your purpose.” – Sylvie Sterling