Last week, I watched a live podcast with The-Two-Crazy-Cat-Ladies and Purrrfectly Holistic. They were talking about all things CATS! My favorite subject. At one point during the podcast, the subject turned to energy and our cats. Specifically, how our energy affects our cats. I have written a few articles about this topic. I decided to repost my first article on this topic written in June of 2022. After rereading the article, I had a huge a-ha moment and realized you sometimes need to look to the past in order to move forward.
Maybe, just maybe
Rereading my first article about how our energy affects our cats reminded me of how in tuned Boide is to my emotions. How he has always been able to know exactly when I need some head bumps and purr therapy. Out of nowhere, Bodie will show up beside me, pawing and meowing at me until I pet him. He will head bump me if I stop before he believes I need to stop. Not surprisingly, I always feel better after a session with Bodie. A sense of calm and peace has filled me and Bodie’s purpose has been fulfilled. At least for that time.
Bodie, my furry therapist.
It was then that I had my a-ha moment. Back in June of 2022, things were different in this house in regard to the cats. Zazzles was still living down in the Kracken Kitty room and we didn’t have Cactus or Lily. Bodie didn’t have the competition for my affection as he does now. He was higher up on the totem pole, so to speak. Since Zazzles and the Gremlin Kittens are now in the picture, it seems that Bodie’s position on the totem pole has been shifted down some. And there was the a-ha moment. Bodie’s rank changed which has led to the behavior issues.
Moving forward
I didn’t intentionally set out to shift Bodie’s rank or to make him feel any less important. Anyone who lives in a multi cat household knows how difficult it can be to spread your love and attention to all of your cats every day. For one reason or another, certain cats may tend to get the majority of your attention. It is not saying that you love any of them more than the others. It just the way it is sometimes. However, I stopped and took notice of how things are on a daily basis in my multi-cat household. And realized that I needed to make some adjustments to how my attention is divided.
Not enough room on my lap.
I look at patterns the attention they were receiving from me. Sloopy is the only one who is perfectly happy to sleep on my husband. Hemingway has realized that he can avoid being chased by Zazzles if he sleeps on my lap. I tend to dote on Emmet due to his health issues. Lily and Cactus are still kittens and require, or should I say demand, a lot of my attention. Zazzles is MY cat. He LOVES me and can get quite possessive of me and my attention. That leaves Bodie. It saddens me as I write this to realize just how neglected he must feel.
Zazzles and Bodie in close proximity to each other.
It makes so much sense to me now. All of the behavior issues. The occasional bathroom issues. The aggression and animosity he has for Zazzles. He is definitely not been getting the attention that he once was. Very rarely is there an empty lap for him to sleep on. Not only am I a resource in his eyes that has been denied from him, but he is not being allowed to serve his purpose in my life. all of this has caused him to exhibit negative behaviors. We have made changes. Bodie has started to get some Bodie/Mom time daily. Not surprisingly, things have calmed down in the house and will continue to do so. My Teacher cat is still teaching me.
“What greater gift than the love of a cat?” – Unknown
Lora Lee 
