29 Feb Mochi Never Purrs (Feb 2024)
Why didn’t Mochi purr? Sushi, his bro, did. Was there a problem to his happiness? What could they do to help him? Was he calling out for love? …..
Not long ago, I did a therapy session in Westchester for two kittens who were litter mates. Gloria, their guardian, had found them online. Their rescuer lived in Canada but drove in and met Gloria on the New York side of the Canadian border.
Kittens For Toddler Emmy
The kittens were a birthday present for Emmy, her three year old daughter. Cats were the only present Emmy wanted. She named them Sushi and Mochi. Now Emmy had a sleep mate. Sushi slept the night with her, while Mochi tucked in with Gloria and her husband.
Sushi Snuggles And Purrs But Mochi ……
Gloria wasn’t sure Mochi was happy. He and his sister Sushi were her very first cats. Unlike Sushi who snuggled, purred and was always front and center for attention, Mochi was reticent about being touched and Gloria never, ever heard him purr. *(See note at end of article). She hoped I could tell her how to make Mochi happy — more like his sister. Maybe she was doing something wrong. How could she nip it in the bud?
Mochi’s Diagnosis
As I watched the kittens at play and tossed them toys I had brought for their session, Gloria played the musical link I had sent in the background. I was able to make my diagnosis of little Mochi’s behavior. I explained to Gloria that unlike his sister who was more of a party-puss, Mochi was selective with his attention. With Mochi less was more!
Gloria’s Goodness Was Contagious
As I talked, Gloria’s face and body relaxed, and Mochi slowly pawed his way over to me and climbed up beside me on the couch. He had mirrored Gloria’s reaction to my explanation. She felt good, and her “goodness” was contagious — the ripple effect.
Thanks To The Wilbourn Way
Before I left I gave Gloria some recommendations on diet and on how to clip their claws and told her to be in touch with a progress report.
Several days later I received the following text:
“Mochi purred today, thanks to The Wilbourn Way!”
** A cat can purr when unhappy. When a cat’s energy builds up, the purr mechanism is activated, and this can occur when a cat is fearful, agitated or even sad. But there are cats who never purr. They express their feelings with their body, voice and touch.
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