A Cat-a-strophic stroke of discipline

For the record, readers, I have had a pretty good track record with animals. I can usually speak to them in calming tones, even hold them with words going through my mind and something is communicated.

I believe something is communicated anytime anyone touches an animal, or a person or a plant. There is some exchange of electricity; more precisely, chemicals within our bodies are released - strong chemicals. Most are related in some way with muscle function and yet others with emotion.

Our human noses - even the rather sensitive ones - pick up only a minute fraction of the gamut of odors that eminate from all things. True, there are wine sniffers and perfume sniffers, tea and coffee sniffers. Often the average nose can detect when milk has gone 'sour' and avert the necessity of tasting the milk as well.

'Domestic' animals, the Rovers and Kittys that are near and dear to us, still have their innate, primative, keen noses intact. They can smell anger, illness and fear.

I have a very good track record for getting to the bottom of behavioral difficulties where a dog is part of the household and, until recently, a decent one with cats. I had a couple of chats with the much beloved and missed Noodle and it seemed to help.

Pride is a bubble that should be burst. My kitty behavioral techniques did not suffice at a recent visit to a friends home. Without dealving deep enough into the cat's traumatic past I administered what would be 'normal' discipline to an unusual behavior pattern with swiftly escalating results. No, animal lovers, the cat was not harmed in the making of this incident - and I walked away with more than a few scratches.

Miss N made her feelings about the discipline perfectly clear. After some peroxide, a bandaid and time I used the correct techniques to desensitize her to my presence so that, by the time I left, her fur was down and she ventured out into the room without a swat or a hiss, allowing herself to be petted.

Being a 'plus size' woman I should know full well not to believe the label ONE SIZE FITS ALL. Whether we are attempting to help a human being or an animal, we need to have the right information in order for the experience to be healthy and positive. Intentions are great - but not always obvious to either animals or people. When you believe you see a need for healing you may - or may not - be the vehicle God chooses to be the delivery device. Always observe proper boundaries and appropriate settings. Always ask for permission and obey the answer you receive. When approached, Jesus always asked what the person wanted - and made no assumptions. Given His example, we may be the disciple that needs the discipline!