I came for one pet and helped two

I love my animal work. It’s always so interesting to hear about what’s happening with each new pet client and to be able to be of assistance. Sometimes the pet that I’m hired to work isn’t the one that needs Jin Shin Jyutsu. This was the case with Lovely and Max.  

I was called to come see Lovely, a gray cat with a coat that felt soft and full like a beaver jacket. Lovely had started peeing on furniture. Not the older furniture, but the brand new favorite pieces in the living room. When I arrived, tinfoil was spread across the seats and arms. Lovely didn’t like the feel or noise of the foil and it kept her away but this was far from a permanent solution.

When I arrived I was greeted by Cathy, her son Lane, and their newly adopted small mixed breed terrier, Max. Max was on a leash, barking profusely. As we said our hellos, Max lunged for my suede boot covered ankle. Not a problem. “He’s great with us but goes crazy when anyone new comes to the house.” I was here for Lovely the cat, so Max was taken to another room by the son. Cathy had mentioned in her text that Max might be part of the issue. Max wasn’t a big fan of Lovely’s and vice versa.

Lovely was perched atop her cat condo looking out the dining room window, totally ignoring me, but she was attuned. I did my usual centering and breathing for a few minutes as I prepared to work with her. She continued to look out the window as if I wasn’t there. I reached up slowly to pet her, but she turned, glared at me and said clear as day, “I’m not the problem.” She jumped down and left the room. That was that. 

Seeing Lovely run through the house, Cathy returned with Max on the leash and we spent some time talking about the pet dynamics. Prior to adopting Max, Lovely spent a lot of time with Cathy’s son, Lane. “She often slept in his room, and they played together most nights right before bed. When Max was adopted he took Lovely’s place in Lanes bedroom at night. Lovely lost her nightly playtime.

My presence made Max anxious. As we sat on the floor and talked he watched my movements carefully. He growled and shook. I asked Kathy to keep Max on his leash and gently place a hand on his back at the waistline area of the spine. This is the location of an energetic center associated with fear in Jin Shin Jyutsu. As she did this Maxi’s demeanor changed dramatically. He went from standing to sitting, then lay down. He was still alert and watched me closely but he stopped shaking and growling.  Cathy was surprised. This was a great hold both Cathy and Luke could do for Max to help him with strangers.

I suggested that there were two issues at play. One was that Lovely felt that her boundaries had been crossed. The “new” dog had taken Lane away from her and she was letting everyone know by peeing on the “new” furniture. Was there some way that perhaps Lovely could stay with Lane in his room some nights? Yes, Max didn’t mind his crate and perhaps they could take turns with Lane. I felt that the issues with Lovely marking the furniture would resolve once she got more of the attention she was used to from Lane and once Max was more calm.

 We turned to Max. I offered two Jin Shin Jyutsu holds that Cathy and Lane could use with Max to help him calm and not be so frightened. I also suggested that they prepare Max to when someone new was coming to the house by giving him a gentle explanation of what was to come. They agreed to try. It sounds strange, but telling your pet what to expect can be reassuring. My clients find that over time, their pet becomes less reactive when using this type of conversational work along with Jin Shin Jyutsu. Animals understand our body language and voice tenor more than we understand theirs.

I checked in with the family the next week to see how things were going. Cathy texted “We had a good week. Lane’s piano teacher came over today. You would have been so proud of Lane. He  explained to Max that there will be a new stranger in the house, who was friendly and safe.  Max started out agitated, but calmed down pretty quickly, especially with the holds you taught us.  Lovely is spending some nights each week with Lane in his room. Lovely has had no further incidents so we’ve taken the foil off the furniture and she’s now spending much more time with us in the living room. Fingers crossed! “

Lovely continues to improve and even plays with Max from time to time. Max still has some stranger fear, but is not as reactive. The family is interested in more Jin Shin Jyutsu to help him.  Newly pets bring change and their emotional baggage with them when they arrive. Patience, love, understanding, and Jin Shin Jyutsu can help everyone find a new way of living.