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Whenever I post a story about my animals, I see in the responses the depth of emotion and meaning which accompany our relationship to pets. It is telling that Webster's includes the verbs "indulge" and "cherish" in the definition of "pet".
Walt has said that as we change our health status, our beliefs and preferences often change. Even something as esoteric as our methods of SR may change. That has been true for me.
And I wonder, could be our preference for pets also change? I am more of a "dog person" now. It was not always so. I was more introverted when I was younger and felt more akin to cats. We lived in apartments then, and cats were permissible, or at least easy to hide, so we always had felines sashaying about, lounging in the sunshine carpet-spots. "Kliban In A Box" was a fixture on our coffee table. We still have two cats left, the sisters, Zsa Zsa and Gus.
I am tri-lingual. "Dog" is my second language, but I can also speak "cat". I can read their ears and tails, and I can sense their mood in a twitch of their hide or the way they hunker. Some things about them are so predictable. Take a basket of laundry, fresh out of the dryer, and put it anywhere in the house, and within minutes there will be a cat purring in the middle of the warm fragrance.
And yet, just about the time you think you have them figured out, they will surprise you. I have a few permanent scars on my forearms to prove it. I have nobody but myself to blame. Perhaps I am perverse, but there is little in this life more amusing to me than the look of a cat that is annoyed. The old saying "Let a sleeping dog lie" should be "Let an annoyed cat lie", but I cannot help myself sometimes. If predictablity and logic are the diseases, cats are the cure.
And a cat’s timing is not always the best, either, like when you want to meditate, for instance, and they want to nuzzle your hair or "make bread" in your lap, or when, in the early morning hours, they stand on your chest, staring into your face to remind you it is time to let them out or refill their dish.
I eulogized my good old schnauzer, Tyler, in a story entitled "Dogs are Natural Healers". I believe cats are too. Is it coincidence that they seem to come and visit, rubbing and purring, when I am feeling blue? I have often been comforted by one of my cats purring on my chest as I recline on the couch stewing over some problem or other. I would be surprised if there were not some measurable therapeutic value in the vibrational level of purring. Who knows what benefits binaural purring tapes might produce.
Esprit had great healing power. Sweet little calico Esprit. She was the quintessential cat, the embodiment of her full name, Esprit d’Kitty. She lived with us in four different houses over a span of seventeen years. She won our hearts at the animal shelter, outlived two dogs and two cats, and it is hard to remember when she was not with us. Her absence leaves a gaping hole.
I do not know what it was that awoke me and made me go to the living room early that morning, but there I found her at 3:00 AM, paralyzed and struggling. It must have been a stroke. She was not calling out, just trying to get to her feet. I called Sharon, and we took turns holding and comforting her and trying to get a little more sleep. It was Sunday, so at a respectful hour after sunrise I placed the call to Mark, our long time Vet, who agreed to meet me at his office for the inevitable.
Sharon cradled Esprit in a quilt while I drove. Memories flooded my mind. When Esprit was a kitten we lived in a wonderful flat overlooking Mission Bay in San Diego. It was the second story of a huge old house, and we had a large patio up there where we could watch the sunsets and follow the path of the jets landing at Lindbergh Field. On that patio I watched the kitten, Esprit, jump a pigeon one day, a fat one that was as big as she was. She was overmatched. After a short stalemate, the pigeon shook her off and flew away, leaving her with ears back and tail whipping in frustration. On that same patio I would throw a pencil, and she would fetch it for me to throw again, just like a dog.
If I have regret, it is that we had to keep her as an indoor cat. She was declawed, and so she never got to roam. This last year we finally did let her out some, but only when we were around. At seventeen, however, she was content to just lounge in the shade close to the house and watch, listen, and smell. The lavender bush, where the toad lives, has a natural alcove which soon became Esprit’s spot, and she would spend a whole afternoon curled up in there. As we drove into the lot of the animal hospital I was thinking how glad I was that we had given her that outdoor time.
Mark met me at the door, and we wasted little time. I stroked Esprit while he shaved her foreleg and filled the syringe. As he prepared to administer the dose, I reached in my pocket and pulled out a twig of lavender. I squeezed the leaves and held it to her nose so that her last sensation would be the aroma of the bush that was her special place. She was gone in an instant.
Wherever she is, I hope there is lavender and lots of room to wander. Maybe she can even hook up with Tyler again.
Cat lovers are a sappy bunch too.
In Reply to: Esprit d' Kitty posted by Jim H. on June 03, 2003 at 08:47:17:
Am I right in thinking that what you over there call calico is what we in the UK call tortoiseshell? I'm convinced that there is something very special and particular about such cats. In medieval times witches were thought to have 'brindled' cats.
Mine, called Calypso, is the only one of four in the house who has an affinity for meditation. More often than not, when I start meditating she materialises, trying to sit as near to my heart or throat chakra as she can manage - a bit undignified for both of us since she is, shall we say, matronly. And so am I. But it is very touching, and when she has achieved the desired proximity she sits and purrs to me. Who knows, perhaps matching her vibrations to mine.
She also loves water and is an accomplished hunter of goldfish. When I am in the bath she likes to wander around the rim of the bath and sing to me. She is passionate about peppermint, and will 'taste' my breath when I have cleaned my teeth.
So for her, when our time together on this earth is through I wish her ponds filled with fat goldfish, fringed with water mint.
Incidentally, I once had a wonderful experience in a Quaker meeting, not long after my old border collie had died, when it seemed as though first Jess came to sit at my feet, and then all the four-leggeds I had had bonds with came to be around me, right through to the guinea-pigs I had when I was seven years old. Could have just been my vivid imagination, but it made me very happy!
In Reply to: Esprit d' Kitty posted by Jim H. on June 03, 2003 at 08:47:17:
Thanks, Jim.
Every time you write about animals you make me cry with tememberance, joy and sadness.
Do you know the frequency of cat purring? I would bet it is about 7.6 cps--the same as the Van Allen Belts and the most effective brain frequency for SR.
Namaste`
Walt
In Reply to: Esprit d' Kitty posted by Jim H. on June 03, 2003 at 08:47:17:
Thanks, Jim H. Your stories are so healing.
Espirit's adventure with the pigeon reminded me of one of my favorite cats, a Maine Coon named Tater. Tater was a great hunter and, like most cats, loved to bring "gifts" home. One day I opened the back door to find a sparrow on the step. I thanked Tater profusely and praised him, then quietly tossed the body in the trash can. A few days later there appeared a small mouse in the same location. Once again I expressed my gratitude to the great red hunter and disposed of the body when he wasn't looking. Tater somehow knew that these gifts weren't pleasing me though I did my best to feign excitement. The following Sunday afternoon I opened the back door and found a barbecued chicken breast (still warm!) stolen from a neighbor's grill, no doubt. I was so thrilled and laughed so hard that Tater knew he had finally delivered something I appreciated! That was his last "gift" to me.
Oh, yes, what a sappy bunch we are.
In Reply to: Re: Esprit d' Kitty (Archive.) posted by Walt Stoll on June 04, 2003 at 07:08:51:
Me too, Walt. Tears! Tears were streaming down my face by the time I finished the story. Thanks JimH (cat person here)
This is from a yahoogroup posting:
In the latest issue of "Alternatives for the Health-Conscious Individual" by Dr. David Williams, he talks about some interesting research in vibrations. He says that researchers have found that vibrations or energy currents in the range of 20 to 50 Hz stimulates bone growth. The production of the body's natural anti-inflammatory compounds is increased. Joint pain and swelling improves. Bone fractures heal faster, and weakened bones begin to strengthen and rebuild.
In a section he calls "A Purrfect Tool for Healing" he writes:
Some of the most amazing research that I've run across, however, deals with cats. A group called the Fauna Communications Research Institute in Hillsborough, North Carolina, recently started some very interesting research focusing on the possible connection between vibrational frequencies and healing.Researchers there began to question the purpose of purring in cats. I honestly hadn't given it much thought; I always thought cats purred because they were content. Apparently there's more to the picture.
Cats also purr when they give birth and when they are under stress, caged, or severely injured. Since purring expends energy, it makes sense that there would be a reason for it.
In an unpublished study, researchers recorded the purrs of all types of cats, both domestic and wild. Cheetahs, pumas, ocelots, and other wild cats were recorded at the Cincinnati Zoo. Various domestic cats were recorded elsewhere. Surprisingly, when the frequencies of the purrs were analyzed, it was discovered that the dominant frequency for three species of cats' purrs was exactly 25 Hz or 50 Hz. These just happen to be the most effective frequencies for promoting bone growth and repair. (Only the cheetah didn't have a dominant frequency at 50 Hz.)
Everyone has heard that "a cat always lands on its feet." The amazing righting ability behind this saying undoubtedly accounts for the fact that cats routinely survive and completely recover from falls that would kill most animals. In the late 1980s, vets studied the cases of 132 cats that had fallen an average of 5.5 stories from variouse high-rise apartments. Of those, 37% required emergency treatment, 30% required non-emergency treatment, and the remaining 30%, no treatment at all. Overall, 90% of the cats survived. (For what it's worth, the highest recorded fall survived by a cat was 45 stories.)
Cats' remarkable ability to survive may also be based on the fact that their dominant purr is at the exact frequency that heals bones, muscles, and ligaments. There's another old saying that's popular among veterinarians, "If you put a cat and a bunch of broken bones in the same room, the bones will heal."
A recent study evaluated the various health problems presented by 31,484 dogs and 15,226 cats to 52 private veterinary clinics around the country. Lameness and disc disease were among the top problems of dogs and 2.4% were severely arthritic. Kidney and bladder problems were most prominent among cats, and there was no mention of bone, arthritis, or joint problems at all. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 99;214 (9):1336-41)
Hip dysplasia, arthritis, and ligament and muscle damage are all common to dogs, but almost non-existent in cats. Even myeloma, a cancerous tumor in bone marrow, is practically unheard of in cats, yet quite common in dogs. Any vet will tell you how much easier it is to fix a broken bone and how much quicker one heals in a cat compared to a dog.
Researchers at the Ontario Veterinary College in Canada made some interesting comparisons between dogs and cats regarding their complications from elective surgeries. They found that complications from castration were as much as 20 times higher in dogs than in cats, and the post-operative problems following ovariohysterectomies occurred twice as often in dogs as cats.
Breathing problems associated with heart disease are almost non- existant in cats, but common in dogs. Large skin-tissue grafts take quickly in cats, but often become necrotic in dogs. Historically, bone cancer is extremely rare in cats, but common in dogs. And the list goes on and on.
Purring appears to be a cat's way of treating itself. Just like humans use shivering to warm the body, cats may purr at specific vibrational frequencies that promote healing in various parts of their bodies. While the researchers in the above-mentioned unpublished study found that a cat's dominant purring frequency might be at 25 Hz or 50 Hz, the range extended up to 140 Hz. By changing the frequency of their purring, cats may be fine-tuning their healing abilities.
In another section he writes:
I've even seen reports where individuals claim they can stop their migraine headaches by lying down with a purring cat next to their head. Maybe we're finally on track to discover a logical explanation for these incidents.
In Reply to: Re: Esprit d' Kitty posted by ktj on June 04, 2003 at 13:13:23:
kt,
Thanks for that story. If I get another cat, I want it to be a Maine Coon. I first heard of them a couple of years ago and did some reasearch on the breed. Their history is filled with such interesting lore and legend. Originally bred for life aboard wooden ships? Have you had others?
Jim
In Reply to: Re: Esprit d' Kitty (Archive.) cat purr / vibration / bone healing posted by Jan S. on June 04, 2003 at 15:04:12:
Jan S. (cat person)
Cornell did a study in 1997 that showed the release of "good" hormones resulted from purring, but I can't remember if it was only in the cats, or in whatever lucky human happened to be in the vicinity.
Jim (dual platform)
In Reply to: Re: Esprit d' Kitty posted by Sue on June 03, 2003 at 15:25:55:
Sue,
I've always been partial to tortoise shells (calicos), so I'm not suprised to learn they are thought to have some mystical quality. Pets do touch in a spritual way, though, for sure.
Jim H.
In Reply to: Re: Esprit d' Kitty (Archive.) posted by Walt Stoll on June 04, 2003 at 07:08:51:
Walt,
No I don't, but see the responses below.
Interesting about Van Allen Belt. Wonder what My Calvin Klein belt vibrates at? (groan grimace)
Jim
In Reply to: Re: Esprit d' Kitty (Archive.) posted by Walt Stoll on June 04, 2003 at 07:08:51:
I love it when I am cuddling a cat, and starts purring up against me. That is the most awesome hum I have ever felt/heard. I think it puts me straight into Alpha, Walt! :)I really should get a cat. Have to check with my dog first tho! :)
In Reply to: Re: Esprit d' Kitty (Archive.) cat purr / vibration / bone healing posted by Jan S. on June 04, 2003 at 15:04:12:
Thanks, Jan S.
So I was wrong about the mechanism of action. I am glad you let us know about this research. It is still "Vibrational Healing".
Namaste`
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Esprit d' Kitty posted by Jim H. on June 05, 2003 at 06:16:19:
Hi Jim,
I didn't know they were bred for life aboard wooden ships--that is very interesting and doesn't surprise me at all. Tater came to me one Thanksgiving. His owners had probably left him outside for the holiday weekend to fend for himself. He was yowling loudly, stranded after a playful squirrel lured him to the rooftop. A few good hugs and some leftover turkey was all it took-- he never left! He was a magnificent cat, wise and playful and amazingly loyal. He once stood up (literally) to a neighbor's charging Rottweiller who turned tail and ran and NEVER set paw in our yard again.
I haven't owned any others although my parents have a small Maine Coon named Bob who is a beautiful brown and white tabby.
ktj
In Reply to: Esprit d' Kitty posted by Jim H. on June 03, 2003 at 08:47:17:
Hi Jim,
I can tell you loved your Esprit very much. Thanks for sharing. I don't understand how you could be amused by annoying any cat. This, to me, is mean. I wonder if this is something that men mostly do? When I was growing up, we had a cat and my brother would like to tease/annoy it. Then when she reacted by growling and looking like she might bite, he'd tell her that she'd better not. I hated it when he did this; I felt it made her mean. My hubby will poke at our cat's head sometimes or pull on his legs (not hard). And when I tell him that the cat doesn't like it, he insists that it does, because it's purring. I tell my hubby to stop, and if the cat bites or scratches him not to slap him. I wish my hubby felt differently towards our cats. He says he doesn't hate them. I feel he just tolerates them because he knows I'm a cat lover. One of our cats, we have two, will meow and meow trying to get my hubby to pet him. After I encourage him to pet the cat, he'll give in and do so for about 15 secs., then says okay, that's enough. The funny thing is that most of the cats we've owned really like my hubby...go figure.
cat lover
In Reply to: Re: Esprit d' Kitty posted by cat lover on June 06, 2003 at 03:42:53:
Yes, cat lover, I know what you mean about the teasing, and I think it is mean too. But, no, I don’t tease my cats. Up to a point I don’t think it is a bad thing though. After all, they will badger and provoke each other for sport.
I am down to my last cat now, but we have always had multiple cats in the house in the past. Have you ever watched two friendly cats play with each other? There is often a certain point in the play when one or the other will take it up a notch, and things begin to escalate. They become more determined, more serious, so much so that they can’t seem to quit. Tufts of fur may fly. Watching the etiquette they have to go through just to disengage is hilarious. If one makes the wrong kind of move, they’re back at it, as if they instinctually can’t help themselves.
Sometimes, when I played or petted one of my cats, something would happen, and the cat would suddenly become more primitive acting. It was as if some switch in the instinct got turned on, and they would go into a wild mode. They do look “annoyed” to me when they are like this, and a little crazy too, but that is only myself putting human personality on them. That look always amuses me.
From experience I know that when they are like this, they will not hold back their teeth and claws as much. The smart choice at this point would be for me to back off, but I can’t seem to help myself, I sometimes just have to try to get my hand back in there one more time to see if I can get away with it. Cat sport is fun, but sometimes it stings.
Gus is in her twilight years now, and we don’t play that game anymore. But if I replace her when she is gone, I am betting I will have a new set of kitten marks on my hands and forearms.
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