The Story of Blackie McPercy

I first met Blackie, our rogue cat, when he was I think aprox 6 months. He was a sleek black cat with a long thick tail and had beautiful almond green eyes. He was across the street, yowling up a storm. So as I did with most cats, I gave a courtesy yowl acknowledgement. He looked startled like “where did that come from”, then came prancing across the street. He was hungry and maybe thought I was asking him if he wanted a snack.

From that point forward, he started coming and paying us a visit around dinner time and would sit on the porch. As he got to know us, he would come up to us so we could pet him. In the evening when we got home he would come prancing up to meet us and we would climb the steps foot to paw in a perfect synchronistic gait. He had a certain cadence for greeting me a sort of sound that was distinctive from other cats, so when he would make his sound of greeting, I would mimic him as a way of saying “hi”.

There were times he would disappear for months and then one day, usually during the summer, show up on our porch asking for dinner. We used to joke to people that this was his summer home. There was one period of time where he seemed to be gone for a whole year. But then one evening he showed up on our porch. I loved his spirit. He was a scrapper, we knew he could take care of himself and that he had these thick monster claws that I am sure knew how to use in battle.

But with us, he was sweet, gentle, polite and when I would go and talk to him or sit on the porch, he would rub hmself on me to tell me I was part of his territory. But I felt intuitively that I wasn’t just another human in his territory, he saw me as his surrogate mom and I would pet him and give him a full body kitty massage as I sung his special song that I made up just for him. In the last few months he got the courage to come into our home for brief moments. And it was a real treat. He would come and let me pet him. I actually picked him up at one point.

Being that he was a feral cat, not used to a lot of human contact, we considered it a high honor of trust, that he allowed us to give him affection. We always treated him with respect on his own terms. He may have had other humans he visited, I knew we were his favorite family. I used to feel sad at times that he didn’t have a real home, but then he was a feral cat and the whole world was his territory.

This past weekend, he showed up again and he looked like he had gotten in another scrape. David cleaned his wounds and gave him food. Even though he was obviously in pain, when I would go out to see him, he would come up to me so I could do our special ritual. I told him I was glad he knew to come back home when he wasn’t feeling well. We couldn’t get him in the vet until after the weekend. So we took care of him gave him a special bed outdoors because he couldn’t stand being cooped up in the home. I tried not to show him how sad I felt that he was not feeling well. Instead I would talk to him about the first time I ever saw him and how much we love seeing him, the things we shared together-And glad he is part of our extended family. I could get the sense he liked the story I told him and his purr was his confirmation.

When David took him to the vet, the Vet said, he had not gotten into a fight, he had a tumor that was absessed and he had cancer. So David knew it was time for him to go on to the next step of his journey. He went back into spirit at 1030 Tuesday morning. I was at work, But when I got a text message from David to call him, I knew it was about our Rogue cat. I am going to miss seeing his furry face, hearing him call me with his special throaty voice. But I take comfort that of all the humans he could have gone to, he chose us, his family to come home so we could be there for him when it was time to leave the earth. I still get a sense that is he here with us. I feel he liked being part of our family and will continue to hang out in the garden, we call our magical garden because I am always surprised because all sorts of plants just show up. There are also the trees the cats like to lay under that I feel the Deva spirits live and bless any being who gives them respect. So now Blackie McPercy is a part of that.

You cats stop that right now!

I was in my computer room, the one I share with Reggie our 2 year old lop bunny and as I was checking email I heard this thundrous voice of David yelling "you cats stop that!" Oski and Fiona were going at it, playing a little too rough and they can sound like a herd of buffalo running through the house. Typical kids rough housing without regard to the books, magazines and TV remote on the coffee table, if it is in the way as they sprinting through the house it may end up on the floor. Sometimes a glass of water will end up there too if we forget.

As I am hearing this verbal command from David I have to smile a bit, because we talk to the Cats as if they were human kids. They listen to our loud voices and respond. It's been a long time raising and living with multi-species kids that I started realizing that they do listen to what we say and will honor the boundaries of the house and the humans who share it with them. It astonishes me how well they do understand and respond. And it is a good thing, because these beings in the home could do major damage if they didn't honor our boundaries. We would have no furniture intact, they could rip the upolstery to shreds in one fell swoop or take down the drapes with a single swipe. But they understand us. Don't get me wrong, sometimes they will still try to scratch on the sofa, but they stop as soon as we say "stop that, what are you doing?

Sometimes I only have to give them the "mommy" look and it stops. And yes, they do have scratching posts in various rooms in the house that they like and some cardboard cat scratchers to sharpen their claws and it's fine. We have such a happy household. It is peaceful and quiet and most of the time you will hear the classical station playing in the background. All the 4-leggeds in the house including the rabbits enjoy it. If you were in our home, you would hear things like "Oski, what are you thinking, you know the rules of the house". "Are you sure you are hungry now?" A phrase Tachi, our 15 year old minature panther will look at me questioning "what do you think", "Fiona, stop that Kitten-mew voice", Reggie, be safe when you are on the coffee table and I will guide down" I can use the point and tap method to guide him to safety. Oski just came up to me on the dining room table where I am writing this blog and I ask him to give me a kiss and he presents the top of his head so I can kiss it. Maybe not the exact words, but he understands i want to share affection with him. Yes, we have a great household and a wonderfully tranquil environment. How many other pet parents talk to their four-legged kids as if they understand every word? I don't think it is that rare. Having 4-legged kids is after all the new American Family.

Reginald Von Rabbit, III

It is hard to believe our baby bunny is 2 years old! but I can tell how much more affectionate and comfortable he is and showing his authentic self to us. Reggie is mischevious, rebellious, independent and has a good sense of humor -over all a very a happy bunny. My husband re-named him Reginald Von Rabbit III and Reggie does have a very commanding presence. He can be very impatient and will rattle his cage in the morning to tell us it is time for him to come out. When he does, he always presents himself to me so I can pet him and tell him how fabulous he is. then he will re-explore his room to see if there have been any changes to his environment. Then he will find a place to stretch out for a bit, do some chewing on his various pieces of card board and then start running around like a crazy bun. When he has gotten my attention he will leap into the air and turn around like a dancer. It is amazing to watch. Sometimes I will join in and imitate him in my own human dance steps and we dance together. he is so much fun to hang out with.

This morning he decided to go into the kitchen with the cats and I decided to give him a slice of dehydrated bananas-yummy. Fiona came up and asked me for a treat also, then the other cats, Moon and Oski said "yes" we will take a treat too. So I got out the Tastations for the cats and they all had treats together. Then hung out together which for them is sitting or laying in the same vacinity.

Reggie can also be a little temperamental at times. When we need to go out and need him to go into his cage, if we are not asking him in a respectful way, he will growl at us to tell us to stop. When we ask him nicely and reward him with a bit of mint of another piece of banana, he is very nice about it. And why not? Reggie has a lot of pride and expects us to treat him with respect. A good lesson to all.

Oski Grows up

Oski is now Seven years old. They say when a cat is 7 years old, they become a senior cat, but when I see how active Oski is, speeding around the room, leaping on top of the TV or the ledges in the dining room-to me I still see him as an adolescent two year old. He is still energetic, but he now sleeps through the night (he used to wake us up at 3am to keep him company). He takes more naps during the day. There are days he doesn't have to go to his time out room because he is wound up too tightly and he is riccocheting around the room. He has become quite a Gentle-cat in his Seven years.

He is also more responsive. He knows how to sit when we ask him. He even gives us a high five to get a treat. He is learning to get our attention in more subtle ways than instantly knocking things off the table. He and I are so tuned in to each other I can give him "the mommy look" and he knows I want him to stop what he is doing. Sometimes I wish I had a webcam throughout the house so people could see all the things I describe. They would be amazed.

I am amazed at how well he hears me. How mature he has become. How polite and courteous he is. Sometimes he will yowl in another room so I can play the twisty tie toy game with him. The twisty tie toy game is long twist ties that I slide across the kitchen floor so he can stalk it and pounce on it. He has a certain way he likes me to throw it so it is exciting for him. Yes, Oski is an excellent "human" trainer. He communicates silently without a single sound being made.

That is not to say that he doesn't make any sounds. He will still use his high-pitched cadence to greet me in the morning, so I can pick him up and give him a big hug and a kiss and hold him in my arms for a bit. He will also go up to David and give him a greeting. Sometimes I will be holding him, David will come up to us to give me a morning kiss and Oski will put his arms out to him so David will hold him. Oski isn't partial to either one of us. he has tremendous affection for both of us. He also will bug each of us when he wants a snack to see who will respond the quickest. It has been a long, long, long journey teaching Oski to understand the rules of the house and honor boundaries, and as he gets more mature, it gets easier and easier. Even Reggie and he seem to have reached a truce and the other day, I saw them playing together, Reggie initiated it. And sometimes he will lay next to Oski and my boys and I spend time together in Reggie's room.

Yes, I am so thankful and grateful that Oski is here with us. He is a sweet, loving affectionate cat. When I think about other families that have challenges in multi-species house holds and we, who have a big family, I am more convinced that with communication and patience, the foundation becomes more solid and secure.

The Healing Paws of the Shelter

I have been volunteering at the Benicia Vallejo Humane Society for 5 months now and am enjoying doing my part to help our adoptees find wonderful new homes. I love our shelter. Everyone seems to have so much love and compassion for the adoptees, they are like our own 4-legged kids.and our organization is growing in leaps and bounds. We have a resident dog trainer who seems to know how to counsel the volunteers and staff in helping each dog over come prior trauma or abuse the dogs may come to our shelter.


We have a cat committee designed to socialize and make each feline feel safe and free to play in our cat playroom.

I am part of the holistic team. I and a new animal Reiki practioner are now doing reiki healings on the adoptees and working with any "special needs' adoptees-adoptees that may have fear issues or behavior issues that could keep them from a new family.


We also have a woman who is a dog nutritionist and teaches people how to make their own food or find the right food for their dogs.

We also have a Homeopath who can provide Homeopathy remedies for physical issues and emotional issues.

We are even starting a Trap and Release program.


Yes, we are getting to be a full service Shelter. Any Vets who want to do some Pro-bone-o work we would love to have you donate some hours here.


I have a vision of our shelter being number one in finding and matching more families than anywhere in the country. I see it opening up in that direction every time I am there. So many hard working staff and volunteers to spread the love and compassion that is the birthright of every being on the planet.

Becoming a Foster Parent

Recently David and I had the opportunity to become foster parents for an abandoned bunny that had been running around in our neighborhood. He is a beautiful silver and white agouti domestic short hair rabbit. Because we don't the sex of the bunny we named him Silver (he even has a silver streak behind his ears). I of course was concerned at first, with Reggie in the house, I didn't want there to be any territorial battles. I told reggie that we were taking care of a bunny for a short time before he goes to another temporary home before he is adopted. All Reggie said that as long as he stays in the kitchen, he will be fine. Blessedly, our kitchen is big enough for him to get in some exercise. The first two days we let him stay in his cage to get acclamated to his new surroundings. The third day. We opend the door to his cage and let him roam a bit. He was a little cautious at first. I blocked off the kitchen with a pice of foam board and put a chair in front of the entrance so he could only stay in the kitchen area. he sniffed outside the opening of the cage before he came bounding out. All Rabbits seem to do the same thing. They sniff first and then bound out of the cage quickly and almost look like they are doing a Cosmo Kramer impression (he was a quirky character in the sitcom, Seinfeld). I gave hm some unsweetend fruit treats as a peace offering and he eagerly took them from me. Both Moon and Fiona were in the room with me and observing him. When they saw I was giving Silver treats, they wanted in on it to and got in their treat sitting position. I got the treats from the fridge and started distributing treats to Moon and Fiona. Silver saw the whole thing and came up to the girls to see if he could have another treat.

Good sign that he isn't freaked out by cats. He seems to be very calm about everything. Fast movements don't seem to faze him. I did a couple of light dancing to see if he would be nervous of this big object moving around in a crazy pattern. He looked at me once and then went on to more exploring of the kitchen. Because our kitchen is pretty much bunny proofed to begin with I didn't see anything I would have to move around. All the cords are safely behind things-no way he can reach them. The kitchen has a linoleum flooring so if he does have an accident it will be easy to clean up. So I sat at the table and quietly observed him.

I realized that he could go under the bakers rack that is unprotected and if he wants to stay burrowed under there, we couldn't get him back in his cage. So I called him "Silver, come" and I made a couple of quick claps to get his attention. He came out. But being the determined bunny he is he tried to get behind there again this time I put my hand behind him and redirected him out. he didn't flinch that I had my hand on him, he was very calm.

He has a really good personality. gets along with cats, housebroken already. responds to his name. I haven't picked him up, but David has and he says he is easy to handle. So who ever adopts this rabbit is going to have a family member. I have felt for a long time that one of the roles David and I have is that of helping to find homes for other animal beings. I used to do this mediation that we ran a placement agency for families to come together. So I think this is a lesson from the Universe "let's see if you really want to walk your talk. What the start of a wonderful journey.

Let the Healing Begin

I have been actively using Reiki energy on animals and it is very rewarding when I can see changes. I recently spoke to two very nice cats. these cats (that I will change the names for privacy reasons), Plato and Leanardo. They were born in the urban jungle and didn't feel comfortable around humans. My friend, Janet, wanted them to come indoors to keep them safe. There was a big, agressive cat who was terrorizing them.

So one evening. I went to my studio and connected with them. I asked Plato why he wouldn't go in the house or let Janet pet him even though he knew her really well since she had been feeding him. He answered me "I am afraid I won't be able to go outdoors again." I reassured him that Janet would never keep him captive, that she respected him and just wanted him to be safe from that cat. I could feel his energy relax.

Then I went to Leanardo and asked him why he is afraid to come indoors, he said that Janet's brother didn't want him in the house. I told him that he had since changed his mind and would be more open to both him and his brother coming in the house. Then I said "if you want to come into the house you need to do the human claiming ritual and allow Janet to pet you and pick you up if you feel comfortable".

Then I did some Reiki balancing using the Reiki animal healing symbol to release both their stress. I always use a visual of a rose bud opening up to let me know the treatment worked. I had two buds by them and then the buds went into a beautiful pinkish-red color and I saw irridescent flecks of energy swirling around them. Before we said good bye, I told them I was sending some angelic beings to protect them from that agressive cat I will call "Bud" and I said from this day forward you are protected.

After these words I felt a woosh of energy and felt the presence of a cat jumping on my lap. My cats were not in my studio. I am not sure if this was Bud or the Angels telling me they were on the case, but I felt something. That was the first time I felt a physical weight on me. I was glad that I am opening my channel to recieve more clear messages. It was time to end the session. I imagined all the healing energy coming together swirling as fast and ferocious as a tornado and then it dispersed into the Universe.

The next day I called Janet, because I was also doing so Reiki on her and also wanted to see how she was doing, she said she felt a little better and then she said excitedly that Plato let her pick him up and he was purring. It was nice confirmation. I have been doing this work on myself and others for over 20 years but it is always nice to recieve confirmation. Which is one of the reasons I really like working with animals, they don't question energy work, they just go with how they are feeling, they don't dissect the process or try to intellectualize why or how it works, they just accept it as it is.