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Animal Healers, the Cats of Kitty Harbor by Rose De Dan
Recently I resumed my volunteer work at Kitty Harbor, a wonderful adoption facility located on Harbor Avenue right here in West Seattle. I had started volunteering my animal communication and energy healing services back in November, about two weeks before my cat Shaman was diagnosed with terminal cancer.
With Shaman’s hospice care, and subsequent passing in late February I had neither the energy, the time, or the heart to work with the shelter cats. Since Shaman’s passing I had struggled with deep feelings of loss and grief, the intensity of which alerted me that I was dealing with some very old issues, not just normal grief around his death. Many healing sessions for myself resulted, and while I had indeed experienced some major clearings I did wonder how I would feel returning to work with the shelter cats. Would the sight of a black and white kitten or cat cause me to tear up?
My worries were soon laid to rest, temporarily. My concerns simply got submerged in the needs and sheer numbers of the cats and kittens.
My first client was a grief-stricken and scared mother cat who had not eaten in days, and who was in some discomfort from her spay surgery. Her kittens had been taken from her so that they could be socialized to be good people companions, a necessary measure since her motherly efforts to protect her kittens by attacking the very people that were trying to help them were sending the kittens the wrong message. With kittens there is about a 6-8 week period from birth where they can be socialized to humans and become good companions, otherwise they become feral, like this mother cat.
But the mother cat knew none of this, all she knew when I talked with her was that she had not been able to protect her kittens enough, and now they were gone, and she was left with no reason to go on. I did not just hear her pain, I felt it -- it hit a raw place inside me, and tears streamed down my face. I let her feel my pain on her behalf and then began to gently ease hers energetically, explaining to her the whole time what had happened and why, and that her kittens were being cared for and would ultimately have homes where there would be enough food and they would never know cold or be chilled by rain. I explained that they would probably live much longer lives than any cat living rough as a feral, and hopefully, they would know love.
She heard me, and took the information in, but it comforted her little. I acknowledged that she needed to go through a grieving process, such as I was, and that only time could heal the depth of loss that she felt. I told her that I would do what I could to rebalance her, but that it would be up to her to find a reason to go on living, that I could not help her with. I reassured her that Delyn, the founder of Kitty Harbor, had a place in the country lined up for her, where she could be free, take shelter in a barn when she wished, hunt as she liked, and not have to be in close proximity to the people she feared.
The desolate mother only asked one thing of me, that the Reiki attunement that I was offering her also be offered to her kittens. I not only agreed willingly, I told her that I would do the attunement for the entire family at the same time so that they could be together once again, if only in the energy. She agreed, and when I completed the process for all of them I wished her well and moved on to those next in need.
Kitty Harbor is a wonderful place, they have one of the nicest shelter facilities I have ever seen. There are two main sections, one where the cats and kittens are available for adoption, and the other where those who are sick are isolated and cared for.
In the sick ward there were many that day, every cage was filled with nursing mothers and sick kittens. One kitten had a mystery illness and ulcers in his mouth that I could see were red and raw and preventing him from eating well. Despite feeling horrible, he looked at me and smiled (this is an interpretation of his communication), and my heart went out to him. I hope that if I ever feel that ill my attitude is as good as his. As I looked at how many sick cats needed attention I knew I had my work cut out for me. I realized that while I might be able to give a few special attention, I was definitely going to have to do some group work if all were to benefit.
Next I headed toward the open area, a room that makes Kitty Harbor very special, where many of the adult cats and kittens run free. It is a beautiful paradise for cats, with scratching posts, tunnels, cool places to hide, and open space to run and play. The down side is that Kitty Harbor is located in a busy area, right by the exit for the West Seattle Bridge, and next to the train tracks. Sometimes the sound and vibration is deafening, but few of the cats or kittens allow it to disturb their routines.
This whole time I had been carrying a wicker basket that houses my open mesa for shamanic work. Not only does opening the mesa in the basket enable me to be mobile from room to room, it also enable me to keep it cleaner. I have learned the hard way not to place my open mesa directly on the floor, not only do some of the kittens try to steal my shamanic items, they also track kitty litter through it!
Mobile mesa and I entered the open area. Waiting to meet me, no I guess that was not waiting, since he immediately rushed up to me, was Tigger, an eight-year old orange and white tiger cat. Tigger took one look into the basket and wanted that shamanic energy bad. Preventing him from rooting around in it, I chose the carved stone I think of as my Unconditional Love stone, the one gifted to me by Gracie the cat after her passing. Extending it in my hand toward Tigger so that he could sniff, he made me laugh out loud because he grabbed my wrist, pulled the stone right into his face and proceeded to alternate licking with trying to chew the carvings off the stone. He literally wanted to eat the energy!
He was licking the stone so furiously that a volunteer passing by wanted to know what was on the stone. Deciding that chewing on the stone was still not close enough to the energy, Tigger stuffed my fingers into his mouth and tried to chew the energy off of them! Fortunately he was gentle, but you could still feel how sharp every one of those teeth were.
Prying him off my hand and distracting him by placing the stone on the ground for him, I proceeded to offer him a Reiki attunement figuring if ever there was a cat in love with energy it was Tigger. He gratefully accepted the attunement, blissfully clutching my mesa stone to his chest and licking it the entire time. By the time I had finished Tigger had calmed down and I was able to place the stone back in the basket. Tigger now settled down in front of the basket, repelling any other cats that wanted to check out HIS mesa, and relaxed into basking in the energy glow emanating from it. I could now turn my attention to the other cats in the room, who were waiting patiently.
Sitting on the floor I invited any who wanted to come closer to do so. Most of the volunteers who work at Kitty Harbor must spend their time cleaning litter boxes and feeding the cats and kittens. It takes one person about two hours to take care of all of them, so the opportunity for personal interaction is highly valued by the cats.
First to approach was a tortie kitten who climbed up into my lap, sat down, and proceeded to stare directly into my eyes without blinking (very un-catlike behavior). From this tiny scrap of very skinny kitten I got a sense of timelessness, and a definite understanding of energy as well as her having had past lives of working with it! When I gently stroked her with a finger she began to purr, but did none of the normal kitten things -- she was content to simply sit in the energy while I worked with the other cats. I promptly nicknamed her Witchy Woman, she would make some energy person a fine working companion.
Off to the side was the dreaded black and white kitten I had feared encountering. Skinny as a rail (many of these kittens were found in terrible situations, in need of good nutrition and medical attention which they receive as soon as they arrive, but it takes a little while for them to get some meat on their bones), his body type reminded me of Shaman. He was hanging back from me, however, close enough to be in my energy field, but not wanting to intrude on my interlude with Witchy Woman. I nicknamed him Tuxedo Guy.
Reaching out to pick him up, I could sense a slight timidity with a hint of feeling unloved. Pushing my personal feelings aside, I placed him on my leg, and opened my heart and the energy to him. I now had a kitten perched on either leg, both of them purring, and Tigger was still doing his repelling-all-mesa-boarders act in front of me. I think we were quite a sight!
Tigger did not prevent the rest of the cats from making their way over, one by one, they simply detoured around him. Neither Witchy Woman nor Tuxedo Guy minded sharing.
Opening my senses up further to the room I began to look for what was needed, and got more than I bargained for -- all of the cats were very open in the combination of shamanic and Reiki energy, and I found myself connecting to cats everywhere. This connection extended beyond Kitty Harbor, I had a sense of ferals and street cats as well.
This part is really difficult to put into words because it came all at once in a jumble. I was flooded with feelings of happiness from the cats at Kitty Harbor that they were safe, dry, well cared for, loved, and well fed. They lived in the moment with an awareness that they could cease to exist at any time, for such was life, and that was okay. No matter what they had been through prior to being rescued, what mattered was now, and the energy.
I was further humbled by the sudden realization that I was now connecting on yet another level, beyond this pacha (time/place). For lack of a better word, I sensed the presence of Bast, cat goddess, and I felt overwhelmed with all that I was being shown. I had to pull back, it was too much, my human heart could not take it all in. I was left with feelings of hopelessness over the sheer enormity of the needs of cats and other animals everywhere. I understood consciously that those feelings were not what I was supposed to have gotten from what had been shared. With a sinking feeling I realized that I still had a lot more work to do around my issues of loss and attachment, for the cats had no such feelings, this was my own personal battle.
Feeling very humbled, I decided that the best way to honor what I had experienced was to offer a group Reiki attunement to all the cats and kittens at Kitty Harbor. When we finished Delyn was going to be surrounded by 150 Reiki cats! The purpose of the attunement was so that each of them might be reconnected to the universal life force energy or Reiki, each in the way that might most be of benefit to that particular individual, mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Especially spiritually after what I had just experienced.
Making sure I was very grounded, I reached out my awareness to all the cats in the facility. Beginning the attunement process, I invited each of them to participate, acknowledging that perhaps some might not wish to, and accepting their right to choose. During the attunement activity slowed in the room I was in, and it became much quieter. A sense of timelessness enveloped the area. When the attunement was complete many cats opted to take naps, feeling quite relaxed. Myself, I felt a bit tired, I had just had my consciousness raised and my energy vastly expanded.
By this time Tigger was very calm and I had no trouble packing up my mesa and preparing to take it with me. With difficulty I said good-bye to Witchy Woman and Tuxedo Guy. I was sorely tempted to inquire about adopting Witchy Woman, but felt in my heart that it was not her path to come and live with me, that once again this was my issue.
In leaving I felt as though I left behind many friends, cats who I sincerely hoped would find the loving homes that they so richly deserved. Trusting that I had done all that I could that day to assist each cat in their journey, and knowing that they had done all they could in teaching me about mine. Despite my feelings of sadness I knew that I would return, there was much wisdom that I could learn from the cats of Kitty Harbor.
The cats and kittens change all the time at Kitty Harbor, every weekend many are adopted and more come in from shelters all around Washington state to take their place. Keiko, the cat I have been fostering for the last six months, is listed there. Please take a moment to visit the Kitty Harbor website, perhaps make a donation, or consider volunteering or fostering.
If you would like to read more musings by Rose De Dan sign up for our newsletter, send an email and put "subscribe" in the subject line, or visit Articles or our blog posts.
Rose De Dan, Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLC, is a longtime Reiki Master Teacher, animal healer/communicator, shamanic practitioner and author of Tails of a Healer: Animals, Reiki and Shamanism. In partnership with her animal companions she teaches Reiki and shamanic classes in Seattle, WA and offers private consultations for both humans and animals. For individual sessions and phone consultations reach her at (206) 933-7877 or send an email.
These dowsing pendulums were energetically created specifically for Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing's store.
Their creator, Suzanne Powell, is renowned for her "stone medicine," each pendulum was channeled with the intention of creating the best possible spiritual tool for the best possible match for the user. These pendulums are not only beautiful and fast readers, but offer healing for the person who chooses them as well.
Your pendulum can be used in healing to discern whether a chakra is open or blocked, or can offer information as to where energy is blocked in the body. In addition these pendulums can be used to dowse for lost items, or to train and enhance your psychic or intuitive capabilities through obtaining simple "yes" or "no" answers.
So check out our beautiful dowsing pendulums, perhaps there is one "stone buddy" waiting for you! If you are unsure as to which one you should choose I would be happy to do an energetic read to see which pendulum would suit you best, simply call Rose at 206-933-7877.
There is an Indian legend which says: "When a human dies there is a bridge they must cross to enter into heaven. At the head of that bridge waits every animal that human encountered during their lifetime. The animals, based upon what they know of this person, decide which humans may cross the bridge...and which are turned away."
Between 1995 and 2001, the Southern Resident orca population declined by 20%, and in November 2005 they were placed on the Endangered Species List. Roughly 88 individuals remain.
Governor Gregoire's declaration of June as Washington Orca Awareness Month describes some of the reasons for making an entire month the occasion for showing our appreciation for our orca neighbors and helping instill a sense of stewardship to protect them and their fragile habitats, which we also depend on.
The harm that is done to them is indirect as a consequence of a wide variety of activities including declining salmon runs, toxic pollution and all manner of boat traffic, and Orca Month is meant to aid in their recovery by educating the public and taking action to improve conditions for the survival of the Southern Resident orcas.
Visit Orca Awareness Month for a calendar of events, volunteer opportunities, and to learn more about how you can help our endangered orca neighbors.
Want to learn more from the orcas themselves? Communicating with Orcas: The Whales' Perspective is the true story of an amazing journey into the unknown world of whales by two curious and dedicated women. Mary J. Getten, respected whale naturalist and professional animal communicator, along with a colleague, takes the reader on a voyage. Together they use their telepathic skills and communication abilities to interview wild and captive orcas. It is a moving description of a close family group, and of the mysteries of orca life and death as told from their perspective.
Conducted by Rose De Dan, Wild Reiki & Shamanic Healing LLC, this workshop will help you establish better communication with your companion animals and re-connect with nature by participating in a powerful, ancient shamanic journey. Meet the spirit animal that stalks you, seeking to share its wisdom and secrets, and perceive the world through its senses. Unleash your inner strength, intuition and wisdom for greater personal and spiritual power.
Participants should wear comfortable clothing, bring a pillow and mat to lie on, and a notebook.
To register: cost $15, contact East West Bookshop, 206-523-3726, to sign up.
Shamanic Ayni Despacho An Ancient and Sacred Ceremony of Balance & Harmony "Last night's despacho ceremony was very powerful, and things are already beginning to heal.
Thank you for the shamanic healing service you provide, it is much appreciated!"
—C.A., Seattle
You are invited to a beautiful and powerful energetic ceremony from Peru called an Ayni Despacho, conducted by Rose De Dan, Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing.
A despacho is an ancient ceremony that melds the assembling of consensual reality (the world we all agree exists here and now) with offerings and prayers to the Spirit World for the creation of ayni (balance and harmony) in our lives, healing and release of energies that are standing in our way of fully stepping into who we are becoming--our limitless possibilities. The ceremony can assist with all aspects of your life: relationship, business, career, family, home, companion animals, spiritual, etc. The ceremony itself is approximately 2 hours in length. When the despacho is completed the shaman gives it to the fire and the spirits to consume, releasing the energies and the prayers.
Where: Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLC, Alki, Seattle, WA When: 6:30 p.m., Friday, August 1, 2008 Cost: $10 donation per person suggested RSVP to Rose De Dan by July 30 (space is limited), 206-933-7877 or send an email.
For those with allergies please note that there will be animals present.
Shamanism, the world’s oldest form of healing, is founded on the belief that the universe is one in spirit — a universe in which animals, birds, stones, rivers, mountains are messengers and allies.
In this four-part class we will connect with forces of nature, deepening our relationship with the world around us. Our journey encompasses the shedding of our past and the healing of old wounds. Through ancient and powerful ceremonies and Rites of Passage you will build your own mesa (healing bundle), freeing yourself and creating alliances. This is the path of the shaman, learning to live in grace and with spirit.
"I became a Mesa carrier over six years ago. I find the teachings I learned from this tradition inform how I work and live on a daily basis. I was blessed to have wonderful people in my ayllu (community of fellow students of the tradition). Though we live in different places and I don't see many of them anymore, I still feel fully connected with them and with the ancestors who held these teachings in the past. It's a very rich tradition and I feel very fortunate to be a part of it.--P.K., Issaquah
Upcoming Reiki Classes for 2008
Taking a class in Reiki may be the single best gift you can give yourself or your loved ones, whether they walk on two legs or four, swim or fly.
The ability to facilitate Reiki is the gift that keeps on giving, it is easy to learn, and offers a lifetime of benefits. Imagine being able to accelerate healing when sick, being able to relieve the pain of an injury, heal feelings of anger, fear, grief, or decrease discomfort after surgery! All of this is possible with Reiki. For more details visit Reiki classes.
If you are interested in a Reiki class be sure to sign up in a timely fashion as class space is limited to 8 people. See Frequently Asked Questions for information on how to register.
Still on the roster for future articles is "Holy Smokes, Catman," “What’s in Your Easter Basket?” (a funny look at food choices), as well as several others including my incredible experiences while seeing the Dalai Lama speak on his visit here to Seattle.
A Pet is a Responsibility not a Need
Warning: this video contains a strong message. Our animal shelters are forced to assume the burden of responsibility for unwanted, neglected and abused animals. Support your local shelters, spay and neuter your pets.
Over three months ago I received a call from a local vet’s office. They were seeking information about the possibility of placing a cat that had been brought to them to be euthanized. Since she was perfectly healthy they wanted to see if other options could be found. She was surrendered to the vet by the family that adopted her as a stray that turned up in their yard at about 6-8 months of age. They had her spayed, declawed on all four feet (poor dear, declawing is a cruel procedure as it removes the toe on each foot to the first joint, otherwise the nail grows back). Keiko is now three years old, and up-to-date on her vaccinations.
The reason for Keiko’s surrender is that she began to hide and to not always use the litter box. Keiko was checked and there was no evidence of a physical issue. My experience with cat clients has definitely taught me that they will develop these behavioral responses when something happens that causes them to feel unsafe in their environment. When threatened they will begin to display territorial marking behavior.
The vet was concerned that they were still going to have to euthanize her because she was extremely aggressive in her cage and would hiss and swat at them and try to bite (declawed cats feel very vulnerable and when really scared will use the last weapon left them, their teeth). I felt I needed to go visit her to better be able to assess the situation and to see how I might best offer advice. As I was very busy I asked a student to take a look at her photo and see what she might learn through animal communication. The picture emerged of a very sweet cat that needed someone who understood her need to be able to trust in her own fashion, and who was very afraid of where she was. She did not want to die.
When I first laid eyes on Keiko she was hiding behind a comfort barrier that the kind vet people had put in her cage, and was growling and hissing. I immediately knew what the solution was going to be. Unfortunately it involved my taking her home as a foster cat. It was very clear that she was never going to be able to settle in a vet clinic environment, there was too much noise and distress from other animals that came in for appointments. No one was ever going to be able to see who Keiko really was in that environment, she needed a quiet place to recover and see how she really interacted.
Keiko was informed of the plan, and when I went to pick her up the vet tech placed heavy gloves on her hands to try to grab Keiko and put her in the carrier. I could see Keiko’s response to that, and suggested that perhaps we open the carrier and place it in the cage and see if she would go in voluntarily. And she did, with a little guidance and encouragement, and she sat quietly as I picked her up and took her back to my house and a cage in the cellar.
When I first foster a cat I almost always cage them so that we have a secure environment in which to interact and so that I can build trust quickly. Keiko emerged from her carrier with ease, and immediately took up residence in the cat bed teepee that I had gotten for her to feel safe. Not once did she hiss at me, although she was clearly scared. I made no attempt to touch her for the next few days, simply giving her time. When I finally did reach out to her she tipped her head with relief and gladly accepted some loving touches. From that point on she was eager for contact -- when I bring her food she would rather have me pet her than eat!
My schedule does not allow me to spend much time with her, but I make a point every evening to sit down in front of the cage and do some Reiki with her. Keiko knows the routine and rushes to her mat, eager for her session. I place both arms in the cage and Keiko piles in between them, curling around inside, rubbing her face in my hand, flipping her body, and purring like mad the entire time (and she has a lovely, loud, rumbling purr). If she really gets going she drools, just a little bit. By the end of 15 minutes of Reiki she is curled into a ball within my arms, head usually tucked into one hand, purr trailing off as she falls asleep. I still cannot believe that this is the same terrified cat that I saw at the vet, but, when I bring someone else to visit her, Keiko gets scared and tries to hide. She is getting better, accepting my reassurance that it is okay, trusting me, but it will evidently take her time to bond with someone else. In my opinion Keiko is a semi-feral. She will make someone a lovely companion so long as they allow her to build the relationship at her comfort level, and she will probably not be seen when company visits (unless they are doing Reiki, in which case I think she will be front and center!).
Keiko has now been with me for over three months, and now interacts with me outside the cage, often helping with the laundry. Sudden health issues with my eldest cat, Shaman, kind of put the focus of getting her adopted on hold, but she would really like to find her forever home. I have given her great food and supplements, her coat is really glossy, she uses the litter box without fail, and she has had more than enough energy work!
So, do you know someone who would love this very sweet lady? I believe she needs a quiet home, one without children or dogs, although I think another laid-back cat would be fine. And the person definitely needs to be someone who is comfortable with letting Keiko be who she is rather than having specific requirements.
I will screen any potential adopters, and there is an adoption fee (fee will be donated to rescue work, it is good to have a fee to discourage impulse adoptions). It would be nice if Keiko’s person was already a Reiki practitioner but I am willing to consider a discount on training if the person is willing!
Keiko is waiting. Do you know where her forever home is?
If you are interested in adopting Keiko, please call Rose De Dan, Wild Reiki & Shamanic Healing at 206-933-7877 or send an email.
If you would like to post a comment or read other comments about Keiko please visit Wild Reiki Blog.
For more articles on how to build trust with cats check out our new book Tails of a Healer.
Featuring 30+ inspirational authors
Lost Pet Recovery Tip The Silence Factor: "The behavior of an injured or sick (or displaced, panicked) cat is that they will hide in silence. We've called this "The Silence Factor" and this behavior KILLS CATS EVERY DAY!
Hiding in silence is a protective mechanism that cats use to protect themselves from predators. What this means is that before you print up lost cat posters or drive down to your shelter to look for your lost cat, FIRST search under and in every conceivable hiding place on your own property and on your neighbor's property! It is quite possible that your missing cat is injured and in need of medical attention and that you will need to use a flashlight and crawl under your house in order to save his life! Just because you do not see or hear your cat does not mean he is not right there!"
This advice comes from the Missing Pet Partnership website, another group featured in our Resources section, and has helped save the lives of countless missing cats. Please support Missing Pet Partnership and their efforts to help more people recover their feline friends! You can send your tax deductible contribution to: Missing Pet Partnership, P.O. Box 2457, Clovis, CA 93613.
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is the true story of an amazing journey into the unknown world of whales by two curious and dedicated women. Mary J. Getten, respected whale naturalist and professional animal communicator, along with a colleague, takes the reader on a voyage. Together they use their telepathic skills and communication abilities to interview wild and captive orcas. It is a moving description of a close family group, and of the mysteries of orca life and death as told from their perspective.
