From Fear to...

J is currently afraid of cats. Well, dogs, too, but this post is about cats. A few months ago we were encouraging him to pet a neighbor's cat. The cat acted all friendly and happy and all. Then that evil thing suddenly spun around and grabbed J by the arm and dug deep. When it let go (which seemed like forever as I was trying to get it off), there were deep cuts and scratches. (There's a ravine behind our house. L has a BB gun. No one would ever know...)

I digress. Since that time, J has been sure that ALL cats would do the same to him. We've tried to help him by holding cats for him to pet, etc., but still he's convinced they really intend to do him harm.

A friend of ours needed cat-sitting services this week. The cat loves people and is quite old. She probably wouldn't hurt a flea--not that she has any.

J knew she was coming to stay and began to get upset. He would run past her to his room and slam the door shut, fearful of the cat's intentions. He was moved to make a list about the subject:

Steps on How to Be Afraid of Cats:

1. Panic.
2. Run.
3. Go upstairs.
4. Slam door shut.
5. Keep door shut.
6. Sigh.
7. Relax.

The next morning, I sat between them and told J that I would have the cat run her "demo." (J looks for the demos on all electronic items. Why not apply it to the feline?) She worked with me and did all the things she does. Sleep, sit up, walk slowly, use the litter box, eat, drink, and yodel when lonely. That. Was. It.

This demo encouraged J a little. In fact, he decided a second list might be useful:

Steps on How NOT to Be Afraid of Cats:

1. See cat.
2. Go over to cat.
3. Pet cat.
4. Keep petting cat until Mama says to stop.
5. Ask for treat to put in cat's food dish.
6. Rejoice about treat.

After writing the list, J got to step 1 but then stopped. Today, however, we discovered that the cat likes to be "broomed." By that I mean that we take the broom and "sweep" her on the back. She loves it. J decided he could manage that as the handle of the broom provided distance between his body and the cat's claws.

The cat loved the brooming. J succeeded in getting through steps two through six. He really did, as long as you notice that step three did NOT say with WHAT the cat should be petted.

Tomorrow will be day five of sixteen days of this experience. My hope is that by the end of her stay, the cat will have helped take away the fear. Perhaps another list will be produced. A list of steps about ENJOYING a cat!