Bailey's FaceTime Consult - Carole Wilbourn
Carole Wilbourn, The Cat Therapist, has been the leading voice in feline therapy for over 5 decades. She has helped thousands of cat moms and dads explore, face, and resolve cat behavioral and health issues. Carole is truly the most trusted Cat Therapist in the United States.
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24 Sep Bailey’s FaceTime Consult

Posted at 01:06h in Blog by

Bailey Defuses Inter-cat Hostility …
In my August Blog I wrote how Bailey was on the cat-vine to welcome, with Merlot whom she had dissed. Here’s a progress report on Bailey’s latest m.o. with Merlot:

Bailey’s ultimate relaxation – for Merlot, a pose to mirror

Bailey and Merlot Interaction
(Inter-Cat Hostility, Female Rivalry, Abandonment Complex) ..
“Bailey responds well to the musical soundtrack you shared, (she’s quite drawn to it!) and even better, to being verbally included when we interact with the other two cats. We’ve focused on ensuring high-quality, positive interactions between Bailey and Merlot and for Merlot to play closer to the door. Bailey has been spending more time peacefully in the room with Merlot. They both benefit from the nutritious chewies you recommended. Our key task now is to work through Merlot’s fear of Bailey. Because Bailey had attacked her a few times in the past, she still hides most of the time Bailey is in the room. She feels more confident when both my mom and I are present.”

Vicarious Gratification
*I’m so pleased with Bailey’s response to her session. Merlot will continue to mirror Bailey’s peaceful behavior. Slowly, her trust will grow. I refer to this as love or acceptance at a distance. Bailey’s behavior will be a magnet for Merlot’s confidence. She will receive a contact high from Bailey’s positive behavior.
*Continue to encourage and entice Merlot to play and hang out closer to the door of her room to increase her courage and confidence to expand her territory trust.
*Your mom can lead Bailey in continued play as she’s her fave person, while you encourage Merlot. Sprinkle their toys with nip.
*Do continue to play their music 24/7 at low volume to reinforce the relaxation and desensitization gained from their session.

Merlot hangs out on the rug while Bailey chills on the bed

Repetition Heals
*The more you think of their relationship as a work in progress—one that will gradually be tolerable and even very compatible, the more they will mirror your feelings. Your body and verbal language is their connection cue. Repetition is the key to their acceptance revolution.

Rory Is Neutral—The Yin To Each Other’s Yang
So Rory, Bailey’s biological sis, is mostly indifferent to Bailey’s angst for Merlot. This is indeed a plus. As Rory loved your late Labrador, perhaps you can arrange a few dog dates for Rory with a cat-friendly dog. This could be done separately—if you feel it won’t be a conflict.
No rush.

Rory is neutral to Bailey’s Merlot angst

Prognosis
The prognosis is optimistic. Although time will take time, with your encouragement and reinforcement of their program, their relationship will slowly enter the comfort zone. There may be break-downs, but recovery will be quicker and break-throughs will dominate.
(Additional sources—Me Too Can Be A Relationship Maker, Ella’s Lock-Down Is Paw In Right Direction)

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