Why Does Van Gogh Shadow Me? - 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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21 Feb Why Does Van Gogh Shadow Me?

Posted at 14:50h in Blog by

Van Gogh was a recovering feral. Although not as outgoing as his bro, he shadowed Jessica all around their house. But why?

Van Gogh gets ready to shadow Jessica

Cat-centric Behavior
“Carole, it’s uncanny,” said Jessica. “Van Gogh shadows me in and about the house, up and down the stairs, but usually freaks when I want to stroke him — except when he’s eating.”
Jessica went on to say that he and his bro, Picasso, were adopted from a shelter who rescued their feral mother and litter mates. She told me how Picasso was more confident which I noticed as he stretched out to her touch. They wouldn’t or couldn’t meow when they were adopted several months ago. But now meows were frequent.

Maternal-Paternal Legacy of Survival Instincts
I explained that as “ferals in recovery” their silence was a reflection of their inner tension and rigidity, physically and emotionally — a form of contraction. As they became more secure, they loosened up, expanded, and were able to express themselves verbally. No longer would a move or sound be their last — fatal! What was survival on the “street” was no longer critical. Each day they were able to “let go” as they gained more trust.

Fear Of Intimacy — Breakthrough
“So as Van Gogh shadows you, it’s a breakthrough of his fear of intimacy. Sure, it’s distant intimacy, but you’re his main object of attention. He wants to be with you but to still feel in control.” I went on to say that this was his private time with her and would chip away at his instinctual fear. His video really captures his determination and focus.

Van Gogh and Picasso

I told Jessica that with her guidance and Picasso as his role model and best bro, Van Gogh would slowly but surely shed his fear. I sent them a treatment of distant Reiki that evening for their physical, mental and emotional well-being.
(For more on Fear of Intimacy, scroll through a previous Blog to Andie Won’t Let Us Hold Her)