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Conference misery::feline

Title:Meower Power - Where Differing Opinions are Respected
Notice:purrrrr...
Moderator:JULIET::CORDES_JA
Created:Wed Nov 13 1991
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1079
Total number of notes:28858

512.0. "T.T.E.A.M., Mar. 6th" by AIMHI::PMURPHY () Mon Mar 08 1993 12:53

    Just wanted to say how much I enjoyed the T.T.E.A.M. Workshop this past
    Saturday held at Sandy Merritt's and the Pat Brody Shelter for Cats.  I
    found myself trying out the various touch methods on my own furfaces
    that evening and again Sunday.  It was a pleasure seeing some familiar,
    as well as new, faces from Feline notes and it was nice to see Cindy
    Fischer again too.  I loved meeting all (well almost all) of your
    gang, Sandy.  And I'm glad Patti finally found her "wandering" shoes!
    
    ;^)
    Pat & Clan
    
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
512.1Merlin Wants to Know!DRUMS::FEHSKENSlen, EMA, LKG1-2/W10Mon Mar 08 1993 14:375
    T.T.E.A.M.?  "Touch methods"?  Can you elaborate further for us
    uninitiated?
    
    len.
    
512.2MAYES::MERRITTKitty CityMon Mar 08 1993 14:4528
    I enjoyed myself as well...even if we had to shovel the street so 
    everyone could make it up my hill, my VCR ate one of Patty's tapes,
    and my husband walked off with Patty's shoes!!  Oh what a great
    day we had!!!!
    
    I did enjoy the day and truly enjoyed learning the different touches...
    and can't wait to use some of them on my furfaces.   The funniest part
    was Patty was trying to help me with Van Gogh who loves people...but
    hates other animals.  She suggested using a stuffed animal to do the
    touches with VG....and I just smiled because I didn't believe it would
    work.   Well as I was holding VG she took the paw of one of the
    stuffed animals and just touched VG.  Well if you could have seen the
    look to kill on his face....it was truly amazing...I swear he thought
    it was another cat.  So..VG and I will be playing with stuffed animals
    for awhile and once he gets use to that...we will attempt it with
    a real kitty!!      
    
    If anyone would like a copy of the documentation I received that
    explains the touches...and when to use what touch...I'd be more then
    happy to provide you with copies.   If you ever have a chance to
    attend one of these workshops....I think it was a fun relaxing day
    and you will learn alot! These touches work great with people too!!
    
    Sandy 
    
          
    
    
512.3It was wonderful, especially on me! ;-)STUDIO::COLAIANNII think, thereforeI think I am...Mon Mar 08 1993 14:5924
    I 'll third that motion! I had a great time too. It was time well spent
    too. I have been using the circles on my Finnigan, aka the Curmudgeon,
    akla Mudgehead! He has been chewing on me less already. He loves it
    when I rub his toes especially.
    
    The T.T.E.A.M. Is the Tellington Touch System, which originated with
    horses, but it was idscovered that it works on all animals as well as
    people.
    
    It involves touching the animal using light circular motions, which
    does somehting to the nerves, and efeects the animal, usually in a
    positive way.
    
    Furby bites me when I di it to her, and Feendoonie isn't too sure about
    it yet, but Yonee absolutely loves it! ;-) "I" was making kitty
    bisquits while Nancy Cross was practicing on me! ;-)
    
    It's worth going to if you have the opportunity.
    
    Thanks to Sandy for offering her house, and to Ernie for shoveling the
    street so we could all get there. It was good to meet some fellow
    FELINERs, as well as just animal lovers.
    
    Yonee
512.4copies? somebody say copies?MEMIT::YOUNG_JMon Mar 08 1993 20:4815
    Re: 512.2 --
    
    Hi, Sandy -- I would love to see the descriptions; have you got hard
    copies?  (I'm at MLO1-5/B94, if you do ....)
    
    re: V.G.'s expression upon being stroked by stuffed critterpaw .... I
    can just see the look on his face!
    
    Now, Harry wouldn't tolerate that too well (yet ... he's learning); but
    BABYCAKES, well, she just loves to cuddle up to other furpersons, and
    she'd probably love it!
    
    /jy
    
    
512.5NETWKS::GASKELLTue Mar 09 1993 09:024
    Sandy, I would like a copy please, Rosemary Gaskell LKG2-1/N2.
    I didn't know this was being offered or I would have loved to come.
    
    
512.6MAYES::MERRITTKitty CityTue Mar 09 1993 09:297
    Oh sorry you missed it...I had originally put the note regarding
    the workshop in the Pat Brody Shelter note...but I guess I should
    have started a new note so it would have been more obvious.
    
    I'll forward you copies of the documentation.
    
    Sandy
512.7Our thanks tooDEVMKO::BROWN_JI llove my llamas!Tue Mar 09 1993 12:2219
We would like to join those who are thanking Sandy for
the loan of her house (complete with cats, tape-eating-
VCR and shoe-stealing-husband).  It was great to meet
some of the people we know by name but have never met
from FELINE, and of course meeting Sandy's cats that 
we've read so much about.

The training was interesting too, and we've just started
trying it out on our tribe.  One conclusion so far is
that it's easier to do on a person's back than it is on
a small squirming kitty!  Our oldest cat, George, was
quite content to lie in my lap purring and drooling 
while I made circles on him to help his arthritic hip
but Barry the Maine coon was too busy rolling around in
ecstasy about being petted to get many circles done on
him...


Jan
512.8Me too!SAHQ::SINATRATue Mar 09 1993 14:469
    Sandy,
    
    I'd like a copy too please if it's no trouble - Rebecca Sinatra
    ALF2/3K1. (I've been read only 'til now, guess I'd better introduce my
    kitty babies!)
    
    Thank you!
    
    Rebecca      
512.9me fourth?fifth?FSOA::DJANCAITISNew Year, NEW ME !!Tue Mar 09 1993 17:489
    Sandy,
    
    I'd like a copy too please if it's no trouble - MRO01-2/M25.
    Sorry I missed it but hope to join up with other Feliners at
    one of these get-togethers sometime soon !!!

	Debbi J

512.10I had fun too!MODEL::CROSSWed Mar 10 1993 13:2915
    
    Better late than never, but thankyou Sandy for letting us use your
    home!  I loved meeting "The Happy Cat" even though he was less than
    thrilled at the sight of me.  :-)  And Yonee, it was a joy giving you
    an all-day back rub!  ha ha ha
    
    I, too, practiced the movements on my kittens at home and already I
    have made great gains with my latest feral, Emily.  I can touch her
    hindquarters now with no more biting on her part, and only an
    occasional turn of the head to look at me with a "o.k., you are
    starting to worry me" face.
    
    So thanks again, Sandy.
    
    Nancy
512.11MAYES::MERRITTKitty CityWed Mar 10 1993 15:3013
    Actually Cindy Fisher did all the coordination...so she should be
    the one getting all the Thank you's!!!  
    
    The Happy Cat that Nancy mentioned is my wonderful wild feral in
    my basement who has lived down there for over a month...and he still
    HATES me!!  I can't even attempt the "touches" with him because I can't
    get near him....but Ernie just made me a few of those wands out of
    wooden dowels...so we are going to start "touching" him with those!!!
    I can just picture him chewing the wood in half!!!!
    
    Sandy
    
    
512.12How did he make your wands?STUDIO::COLAIANNII think, thereforeI think I am...Wed Mar 10 1993 15:5115
    Sandy,
    
     Your Poophead Happy Cat is very handsome though! ;-) Can you describe
    how Ernie made your wands? I would like some to use on the ferals at my
    shelter, but have no intention on spending 24.00 apiece for them!
    YIKES! 
    
     Shadow is coming along slowly, and is getting used to poles being
    shoved at him, as that's the only way to give him a treat! ;-) I could
    either have Nick make me some from dowels, or do it myself maybe.
    
     Thanks in advance for any info on the wands/dowels.
    
    Yonee
                                                         
512.13"mr Happy Cat"MAGEE::MERRITTKitty CityThu Mar 11 1993 08:1918
    
    I doubt our wands will work the same...but atleast we can give it
    a shot!!  All we did was find two long thin wooden dowels and 
    attached a few long feathers at the end!  So far "My Handsome 
    Happy cat" isn't to thrilled with them or me!!!
    
    Maryann suggested that instead of trying to get to him...just sit
    down there and totally ignore him!!  Well we have been trying 
    this...and it is amazing that he does come down from the rafters 
    and walks by to "check me out". (without hissing...)   By just 
    sitting there....he has even eaten in front of me!!! 
    
    If he only knew...all I want to do is capture him...bring him to
    the vets for checkup,test,neuter and I plan on giving him his freedom
    back!  I just can't catch him in my basement!!
    
    Sandy
    
512.14I remember what they remind me of...STUDIO::COLAIANNII think, thereforeI think I am...Thu Mar 11 1993 08:287
    I just remembered what those wands reminded me of! Carraige whips for
    horse carraiges! I wonder if those are any cheaper than the stuff on
    the sales list Patty gave us.
    
    Hmmm, a trip to Agway at lunch may be in order! ;-)
    
    Yonee
512.15Just don't call 'em "cat whips"DEVMKO::BROWN_JI llove my llamas!Thu Mar 11 1993 09:0616
Yonee, you are absolutely right about the "wands".  We
had asked Patty about them, like what they were made of,
etc. and she basically said they are "dressage whips"
(did I spell that right?).  I found "driving whips" in
one of my llama supply catalogs for $9, and they look
just like the wands to me -- but much cheaper, and I
think these are black.  I didn't know Agway carried
stuff like that, great suggestion!

My husband tried to make a joke with Patty and said, 
"Oh, you mean they're really cat whips" and she gave
him SUCH a look -- I don't think she thought that was
funny at all...


Jan
512.16All cats to ring 5 for Dressage! ;-)STUDIO::COLAIANNII think, thereforeI think I am...Thu Mar 11 1993 09:3817
    Hi Jan!
    
     Yup! Dressage whips! That's what I was thinking too. I'm not sure if
    Agway has these, but I know they have a lot of tack and stuff on one
    wall, (at least in Northboro) so I'm going to check it out. 
    
     I knew I could get them cheaper than 24.00 apiece! The prices on that
    list are outrageous! PLus it would be 6.95 shipping. A grand total of
    54.95 for two 'wands'. If I don't find them at Agway, do you think you
    could send me a copy of the order form with the number and price and
    stuff, so I could order some for my shelter? 
    
     Thanks for the info! Kitty whips indeed! ;-) I think they should start
    a new class at the shows. Kittyy Dressage! 8-)
    
    Yonee
                                                       
512.17I can just about train my cat to eat and sleep!!!!SUBURB::THOMASHThe Devon DumplingThu Mar 11 1993 10:1114
    
>     Thanks for the info! Kitty whips indeed! ;-) I think they should start
>    a new class at the shows. Kittyy Dressage! 8-)
 

	Well, I've heard of some things in my time, but if anyone thinks
	that they could train their cat to do dressage with a stick with
	feathers on the end,


	Then I want to be there with my camera!!!!!!!!!


	Heather
512.18Ok owners, back those cats up! Yeah, right!STUDIO::COLAIANNII think, thereforeI think I am...Thu Mar 11 1993 10:209
    I hear you! The real 'wands' don't really have feathers on them though.
    I can't imagine the Tellington Touch thing could even train cats for
    dressage! It's pretty powerful too!
    
    I'll let others know what I find out at Agway about the wands. I'm
    going to shoot over there at lunch time. I want to fill my car up
    before the next storm hits anyway. ;-)
    
    Yonee
512.19it all takes time!!MKOTS4::MACDONALDToirneac SpeirThu Mar 11 1993 10:2217
    
    Patience Sandy!!!!  It sounds like you're making some progress!  It
    will take awhile for hime to get comfortable.  Remember to visualize
    positive things, like scratching his chin, of playing with a toy.  
    If he's eating in front of you, give him time to finish most of his
    food,  then start talking to him, quietly and slowly.  Tell him what
    you are doing for him, explain that it will be much easier if he helps
    out, that he'll feel better after the vet visit even though it might be
    uncomfortable for awhile.  And he will eventually have the choice of
    going back out.  Sounds sort of crazy but it really does work!  Are you
    using the rescue remedy?  You may also want to try some catnip with
    him.  Sometimes it helps them to let down the defenses.  
    
    I've been wondering how Amos, at the shelter is doing.  I hope we will
    be able to get together with Priscilla.  Keep me posted.
    
    MaryAnne
512.20BooBoo The Great Huntress...SALEM::SHAWThu Mar 11 1993 10:3029
    
    RE: stick with string and feathers on the end :-)
    
    Sorry if this is not the right place to ask, moderator please move 
    where appropriate, but since the subject came up, here is my concern.
    
    I picked up a few of those nitto toys from a fellow noter that happens
    to work on same site as me (Thanks Mike!). Our BooBoo loves them. 
    She waits patiently everyday for me to come home and then she runs
    upstairs and if I don't follow her, she keeps coming down, scratching
    my legs and run back upstairs until I follow her. Then she goes to
    the cabinet where we keep her toys and starts scratching at that 
    till I bring out the birdy thing. She just loves it and has not gotten
    bored with it after playing/chasing it a few times a day for the past
    couple of months.  My concern is, she has gotten so good at chasing
    this bird like thing and she can jump higher than she ever did. 
    A real athletic  kitty.  She is an indoor/outdoor cat, that 
    prefers to hang out in the garden in Spring/Summer when we're at work.
    I am worried that she will be attacking all the beautiful birds, and
    killing them, thinking they will get up and fly again just like the 
    toy. She certainly is a better hunter now with all the exercise she's 
    had through the Winter. 
    Does anyone else feel bad about the potential murderer instincts that
    these toys bring out in cats? Am I guilty of training a hunter to be
    fitter than any poor birdy could escape from. Isn't this a cruel 
    world?
    
    Shaw
                                                                
512.21MAGEE::MERRITTKitty CityThu Mar 11 1993 10:4525
    Maryanne...
    
    Patience is something I thought I had...but I think I'm slowly
    loosing it!!!!  But I do agree....patience..love ...and understanding
    are the keys!!!
    
    Lately I have been singing to him...(if anyone can hear me...they 
    would think I was crazy...anybody who knows me..knows I'm crazy)
    but I make up cute "happy cat" songs that even have swears in them...
    but I sing them nicely!!!
    
    I put the rescue remedy in his water every day...but I'm not positive
    he is really drinking alot of water.  Can the rescue remedy be added
    to the food because I know he eats that????  I'm also using the
    rescue remedy for my outdoor cats too!!!
    
    Priscilla and some of the other volunteers are very interested
    in setting up a meeting with you...so hopefully I can coordinate
    that sometime in the early spring. 
    
    Thanks for all your help ...and you were a wonderful partner to have
    at the workshop!!!! 
    
    Sandy
    
512.22MAGEE::MERRITTKitty CityThu Mar 11 1993 10:4913
    Shaw...
    
    My guess is your kitty would attack the birds even if you hadn't
    been playing with the toy!!  Some kitties just have hunting instincts..
    and others do not!!  My females are the best hunters!!!
    
    Do I feel bad when they catch an animal???  Very bad...I can't
    tell you how many birds I have rushed to my vet to try and save
    or put to sleep because I hate watching them suffer.  But yet most
    of my cats are strays who lived outside for a very long time...so
    I know they caught animals just to survive!!
    
    Sandy
512.23JUPITR::KAGNOKitties with an AttitudeThu Mar 11 1993 10:519
    Sandy, I didn't know you were giving the cats rescue remedy.  I have
    some at home that I tried to use on Taja, but it is very alcoholic. 
    Try putting some on your tongue... it's awful!!  No wonder the kitty
    mellows out!
    
    If you want mine, you are more than welcome to it.
    
    -Roe
    
512.24I "THINK" I found them....STUDIO::COLAIANNII think, thereforeI think I am...Thu Mar 11 1993 13:3117
    I went to Agway in Northboro at lunch time, and they didn't carry the
    whips, but they let me order some from their catalogue. I ordered two
    45" sulky whips. I'm not 100% sure this is what we are looking for, as
    there were no pictures, but at 9.59 a piece, I figured I was on the right
    track. They will be ordered today, and I can pick them up Wednesday. No
    extra charge for the special order, I just had to leave 20% down on
    them.
    
    I'll report back when they come in to let you know if I was right in my
    choice. They come in tan (what I ordered) black and natural.
    
    So, if these are the right thing, I can get two of them for like 20.14,
    (including tax), where only one from T.T.E.A.M. would cost 29.95
    including shipping! BIG difference, huh?
    
    Yonee
                            
512.25singing is wonderful!MKOTS4::MACDONALDToirneac SpeirThu Mar 11 1993 14:3511
    
    Yup, Sandy, you can put it in his food and the singing is GREAT!!  
    
    Roe, I made up a dosage bottle for Sandy so it's a dilute solution.
    This is what I use for giving directly to the cats.  Once you add the
    stronger remedy to the water dish you can barely taste it, if at all.
    Try putting a couple of drops in a glass of water and see what a
    difference it makew.  Course now, i like it strong...you should try the
    peppermint tincture I made this summer with brandy. Yikes!! ;')
    
    MaryAnne
512.26DAGWST::BROWNeverybody run Prom Queen's Gotta Gun!Thu Mar 11 1993 15:519
    So Maryanne, you make up herbal remedies yourself?  I could use
    something to help my two stud cats mellow out (short of neutering of
    course!) during the breeding season.  They generally lose a lot of
    weight during this time of year because they spend all their time
    pacing and calling and very little time eating.  If you have some
    herbal remedy that can sooth them so they won't pace so much, and/or
    something that will increase their appetites, I am all ears.
    
    Jo
512.27DELNI::MANDILEwith an eThu Mar 11 1993 15:567
    Jo -
    
    There is an herbal paste sold for horses (one name is B-calm,
    another is Calm n Cool) that reacts to naturally calm the horse
    and it is taken orally.  I wonder if this would work for cats?
    
    It has a natural effect on the nervous center of the brain.
512.28DAGWST::BROWNeverybody run Prom Queen's Gotta Gun!Thu Mar 11 1993 16:069
    I have tried a cat product called B-calm that is distributed by House
    of Anju products.  It has L-tryptophan in it.  It didn't work.  My next
    thought was to put them on something like Pet Tinic or some similar
    vitamin supplement that is high in B vitamins (supposed to stimulate
    the appetite).  My vet wants to put them on a low dose of valium, but I
    really want to avoid that.  I don't want my boys to end up being
    junkies.
    
    Jo
512.29MKOTS4::MACDONALDToirneac SpeirFri Mar 12 1993 10:576
    
    I'll check it out over the weekend and see what I can come up with.
    
    MaryAnne
    
    
512.30Sing away!SAHQ::SINATRAFri Mar 12 1993 11:1321
    Sandy,
    
    The sitting and singing really does work. I used to spend literally
    hours as a child sitting in the barn loft taming cats and kittens by
    just sitting (it makes them so curious) and singing. As they seemed to
    get a little more comfortable, sometimes I would take a piece of straw
    and wiggle it around and they'd start playing and forget all about me. 
    It's a wonderful feeling when you can finally reach out and pet them or
    hold them.  Warning - do not grab!  I got so good at being quiet and
    waiting, moving a little closer, etc. that I could sneak up on feral 
    toms outside and even wild baby rabbits - but did not have sense enough
    to think that they were armed and dangerous! OUCH!  The sitting
    technique also works on horses who do not wish to be caught - sit down
    and they'll soon be snuffling all over you - just be prepared to move
    quickly - they're just a little bit bigger and more dangerous than
    kitties.
    
    Have patience, he'll come to trust you!
    
    Rebecca  
                                                                      
512.31MAGEE::MERRITTKitty CityFri Mar 12 1993 12:2320
    Rebecca...your warning came too late because he has already 
    "scratched me" pretty good!!  But of course I show little fear
    and was pushing him to hard in the beginning!!!   He taught me
    a lesson quickly!!!
    
    But...I was so happy last night.  He actually ALLOWED me to place
    some catnip on his blanket while he was still sitting on it!!!!!
    Now that's progress!!!!!  Of course I was so excited I kept putting
    little piles of catnip all over the place...and then he got sick
    of me and went to his shelter up in the rafters!!!
    
    When I do get frustrated...I just keep reminding myself that it
    took 2 years to get to both Van Gogh and J.C....and now they
    are my most loving cats.  My only problem with Happy Cat in the
    cellar is...I don't have the time because I still have 4 strays
    outside that need my help too!! (one being very sickly)  If I
    knew I only had to deal with this one...I wouldn't mind if he
    stayed down there for a year!!!
    
    Sandy
512.32SPEZKO::RAWDENGo ahead, make my dinner!Fri Mar 12 1993 12:422
    Sandy, you've got to stop swearing at him.  He probably understands
    English!  
512.33getting down...PROXY::HUTCHESONthe revolution will not be televisedFri Mar 12 1993 12:488
re .30

Interesting that you should emphasize sitting. To a 4-legged
creature (e.g. bears), walking on two legs can be interpreted
as an agressive posture.


                                  seh
512.34WR1FOR::RUSSELLPE_STFri Mar 12 1993 16:335
    I'd like a copy of the info from the meeting, please.  My mailstop is
    WRO1-1/B31.
    
    Thanks,
    Steffi
512.35MAGEE::MERRITTKitty CityFri Mar 19 1993 15:486
    Just wanted to let you know that I just mailed out the articles
    to those of you that have asked for the TTEAM documentation.   
    Hopefully I have not forgotten anyone...but if you don't see it
    within a week please let me know and I will try again!!
    
    Sandy
512.36I think it might be working!STUDIO::COLAIANNII think, therefore I think I amFri Mar 19 1993 16:3633
    Just wanted to update on the whips. I got them yesterday afternoon, and
    headed for the shelter. Aftert he feeding and cleaning was done, I took
    them (minus the snap tassels) in tot cage with our most feral cat,
    Shadow.
    
    I sang to him softly, and just stroked him with the flexible part of
    the wand. He was not a happy camper at first, and moved around trying
    to get away, hissing and spitting and growling like crazy. But, I just
    kept on talking and singing softly, and by the time a few minutes went
    by, he was just sitting there and growling a bit, and chewing on the
    end of the wand if it got close enough of course.
    
    I don't know if it's going to work. I left a note with instructions in
    what to do for the other vounteers. If someone can do this every day,
    we will have faster results than if I do it once a week. I'll keep
    everyone posted.
    
    Also, I did circles on a few cats last week, and one of them went out
    of her cage last night, which she never does, and another one, that is
    usually hiding in the corner of her cage was sticking her paw out at me
    through the cage door to snag some roast beef! So, there may be some
    good that will come from that workshop!
    
     I did circles again last night also. I'll again keep everyone posted
    on those kitties.
    
     So again Sandy, thanks so much for opening the workshop up to
    FELINERs. I'm really glad I went.
    
     If you want to get wands, please contact me, and I'll point you to a
    good source that will cost even less than what I paid for my first two.
    
    Yonee
512.37QuestionsSAHQ::SINATRAMon Mar 29 1993 13:5814
    I received my T.T.E.A.M. article - thanks Sandy!  Now I have some
    questions.  What are the wands y'all keep talking about - for use with
    cats that won't let you close enough to touch? Do you do circles with
    those?  Having read the article, do you think I can apply the touches,
    or is it necessary to have direct training?  How would you describe the
    various levels of touching - it mentions a three touch or a nine touch
    for instance?  Do you simply try different touches to find out which
    your cat responds to the best? - some seemed more specific than others
    about what they were for.  Any help would be appreciated.
    
    Thanks!
    
    Rebecca 
           
512.38Some answers to the questions.STUDIO::COLAIANNII think, therefore I think I amMon Mar 29 1993 15:1852
    Hi Rebecca,
    
     I'll try to field some of your questions. The levels of touching were
    described to us this way. If you take your fingers and place them on
    your eylid just enough so your eyelid can feel it, that's a one. If you
    press hard enough to ALMOST make it uncomfortable to your eye, that's a
    three. Then you just increase pressure incrementally from there, with
    10 being a very heavy pressure. I think that one would only be used
    with larger animals. I tend to use between a 2 and 3 pressure onthe
    cats at the shelter.
    
     The most common touch used is the clouded leopard. I also use the
    lying leopard. Sometimes that one doesn't seem quite as intrusive to my
    more shy kitties.
    
     The wands I have talked about ad nauseum, are in reality two horse
    whips, with the snap tassel removed, leaving a few inches of nylon
    braid at the end of the whip. The ones I bought were called sulky
    whips, but the girl who did the workshop said they are dressage whips. 
    I just stroke the cat with the soft section, over as much of the body
    as I can get to. I tried doing the circles with them, but it doesn't
    work too well for me. I have just been stroking the cats for about a
    five minute period each session, to get them used to being stroked at
    all! Some of these cats really hate people, so this is a way to stroke 
    them from a distance. 
    
     The times I've done this with Shadow, my shelter's version of Sandy's
    "Happy Cat', he has started off growling, spitting, hissing, and biting
    the wand when he could, but by the end of the five minutes, he's
    usually just sitting there with an occasional growl. He's not exactly
    happy, but he lets me do it.
    
     I think if you follow the diagrams in the material Sandy sent, you can
    probably do it all right. The confusing part I thought, was when it
    said start at 6 o'clock, go all the way around, and up to 8 'clock,
    then back to 6 o'clock. What this means is to go a little past the
    starting point, and rather than just pick your hand right up, sort of
    release it back in the direction of 6 o'clock. Or just slide it back to
    the point of the next circle. This will 'draw' the skin back to it's
    normal postition instead of letting it 'snap' back. I hope that made
    sense.
    
     I sing to the cats when I do the circles and wands. I think it calms
    the cats, and it insures that I keep breathing while I'm doing it. Some
    folks would laugh about the singing part, but the good lord blessed me
    with a decent voice, so I can pretty much get away with that? ;-)
    
     I hope this helps. If you have any more questions feel free. If anyone
    can answer the questions already asked better than I did, please feel
    free also! It won't hurt my feelings. ;-)
    
    Yonee
512.39MAYES::MERRITTKitty CityTue Mar 30 1993 09:1116
    Yonee...you did a wonderful job explaining that!!!   Rebecca the
    touches cannot hurt the cat so even if your not doing it exactly
    right....you won't harm them!!  The workshop starts where you
    try these circles on your own arm first...and then you work doing
    it on another person back...that way you can get use to the different 
    movements and pressures.
    
    I find some of my cats do not like the circles...put do love 
    Noah's March when I start at the head and go right down
    to the tip of the tail!!  Some also love the python lifts too!!
    
    I think the key is the calming affect it has on the cats...and just
    the quality time you are giving them while your doing it!!
    
    Sandy
   
512.40Thanks much!SAHQ::SINATRATue Mar 30 1993 10:5317
    Thanks Yonee - that helps a lot! And Sandy, it's good to know I can't
    harm them if I'm doing it wrong - it seems pretty straightforward, so
    I'll start experimenting. I tried them on my husband - he liked some 
    better than others - but said he felt very calm while I was working on
    him.  I think I'll try them on Sammi next- she's very upset because we have
    company.  If anyone even knocks on the door she growls, so when my
    husband's friend came in late last night, after checking the situation
    out, she ran back into the bedroom with me and sat on the end of the
    bed, growling ferociously. (I felt so protected!) So maybe the touches
    will help her feel better.  I'm highly in favor of anything that can
    help us communicate with animals better - on any level - I often feel
    that they communicate awfully well with me, but that I'm woefully 
    inadequate when it comes to communicating with them.
    
    Thanks again!
    
    Rebecca 
512.41There's now a set of Ttouch videotapes for $39.95 eachUHUH::TALCOTTThu Apr 11 1996 16:0412
  One each for dogs, cats & horses. $39.95 each. Anybody have any opinions on
'em? Got the above from an infomercial running on who-knows-what-channel at
some-point-late-in-the-evening. I saved the phone # for ordering but don't have
it handy at the moment. Basically they say Ttouch can help with just about
anything - excessive scratching, aggressiveness, excessive urination in dogs,
cats scratching furniture, kidney problems if I recall and a *ton* of other
behaviorial and physical problems. In fact, enough so that I became fairly
skeptical by the time the 30 min. ad was over. Seems like about they only things
they didn't claim to help were parvo and rabies, but then I didn't catch it
early enough to see the whole ad ;-)

						Trace
512.42TTEAM is wonderful!!BRAT::MACDONALD_MPet Owners Resource ServiceThu Apr 11 1996 16:4731
    
    YES!!!  TTOUCH does work for most things. I've been involved with and
    using TTEAM for a few years now and it is remarkable.  The videos are 
    okay, they give you a basic how to do it but there is no comparing
    to seeing it done live a t a workshop.  One word of caution, if you're
    going to order the video....use a credit card and be prepared to wait
    for delivery.  My husband ordered the canine one for me for Christmas
    and I received it last month.  He sent a check so this may have been
    what the hold up was.  It is also impossible to get through to 
    customer service.  You might have better luck ordering directly through
    the TTEAM office in New Mexico.  They also put out a very imformative 
    newsletter.
    
    I have used TTEAM for working on a cat who didn't like having claws
    done....after a session we did a full manicure.
    
    On a dog that was frozen with fear....a few TTOUCHES and she melted.
    
    Another dog in a very stressfull situation....I did TTOUCHES and the
    comment was how relaxed he was.
    
    Doing earwork at the vets and when an animal is sick to its stomach is
    very helpful.
    
    TTEAM works by stimulating the cells to help the body heal both the
    physical and emotional issues.
    
    
    As for rabies....well there's always homeopathy ;')
    
    MaryAnne 
512.43USCTR1::MERRITT_SKitty CityThu Apr 11 1996 17:1715
    I have the Cat TTOUCH tape and have also been to a TTOUCH
    workshop which was held at the Pat Brody Shelter a few
    years ago.
    
    I do not have as much experience as Maryann, but I can honestly
    say I did use some of the TTouches on Capone who was feral and
    had got hit by a car and needed my help.   I was truly amazed
    that within a short period of time, I could touch Capone and
    medicate him with no problems.  
    
    I will say...I'm not a TRUE believe in everything they say, but
    I do know it did help me with Capone and I would definitely use
    it again with another feral.
    
    Sandy 
512.44Sounds hopeful...UHUH::TALCOTTFri Apr 12 1996 00:302
    
    So, ahhhhh, could I use it on my wife when she's P.O'd at me?
512.45Show me!BPSOF::EGYEDPer aspera ad astraFri Apr 12 1996 11:104
    Is there a brochure or the kind around, what this is all about? We here
    behind Europe do not know the TT methods...
    
    Nat
512.46BRAT::MACDONALD_MPet Owners Resource ServiceFri Apr 12 1996 11:4411
    
    Trace, yes you could use it on your wife, in fact Linda (Tellington
    Jones, the creator) is now doing workshops on TTEAM for people.  It
    really feels wonderful!
    
    Nat, there are TTEAM clinics offered all over the world, many of them
    in Europe.  Look for the books by Linda Tellington Jones and videos
    should be available in Europe as well.  I'll try to remember to 
    bring in a current newsletter and post the upcoming clinics.
    
    MaryAnne
512.47PADC::KOLLINGKarenFri Apr 12 1996 12:202
    This is massage, basically, yes?
    
512.48BRAT::MACDONALD_MPet Owners Resource ServiceFri Apr 12 1996 12:4210
    
    Not really massage but considered bodywork.  The TTOUCHES range from
    very light - a 1 pressure that you can practice on your eyelids- to a
    much heavier pressure.  Massage is actually working the muscles, in
    TTEAM you are simply making circles by pushing the skin around (I'm
    sure there is a more technical description of this in Linda's books)
    It's based on the Feldinkrais method of bodywork.  I guess maybe you
    have to see it to really see the difference.
    
    MaryAnne
512.49BRAT::MACDONALD_MPet Owners Resource ServiceTue Apr 16 1996 14:0723
    
    Instructors:
    
    Austria     Annegret Ast     Salzburg  0662 849805
    Germany     Bernd Schmidt    (49) 05602 70608
    
    Companion Animal Practitioners:
    
    Australia
    Andy Robertson  Chatswood, NSW   02 412 2262
    
    Austria
    Wiebke Bienlenberg  DVM  Wien  0222/7992272
    Martina Simmerer   Vienna   0222/5570983
    
    Switzerland:
    Simona Gallo   Ruti-Winkel  41 18607238   ph 41 1861 1760
    
    For more infor on TTEAM contact the office:
    
    TT.E.A.M.  Training
    P.O. Box 3793
    Santa Fe,  New Mexico  87501
512.50BRAT::MACDONALD_MPet Owners Resource ServiceTue Apr 16 1996 14:1226
    
    
    Sorry, I hit the wrong key  here's the complete address
    
    TT.E.A.M Training
    P.O. Box 3793
    Santa Fe,  New Mexico  87501-3793   
    USA
    (505) 455-2945
    FAX (505) 455-7233
    e-mail  102504,3721@compuserve.com
    
    For info on the newsletter
    TT.E.A.M. News International
    5435 Rochdell Rd
    Vernon,  B.C.  V1B  3E8
    (604) 545-2336
    FAX (604) 545-9116
    e-mail  rhook@junction.net
    
    
    Hope this is helpful.  If anyone wants a practitioner listing for a
    specific location let me know.  There are also other practitioners
    listed for horses....let me know if you'd like these too.
    
    MaryAnne
512.51TTEAM case histories neededBRAT::MACDONALD_MPet Owners Resource ServiceMon Jun 17 1996 18:2017
    
    I've just compleated the second session of the two year practitioner
    training program.  It was great!  One of the requirements for the
    Practioner I program is to complete 15 case histories using the
    TTOUCHES.  So if anyone is interested in learning more about the
    TTOUCHES, being part of my assignment please contact me off line.
    
    The TTOUCHES can be used for a variety of reasons; old age, behavior
    problems, pre or post surgical issues, shelter cats, or just for the
    benefit of our pets.  It would require at least 3 visits from me to 
    work with you and your cat.  It is nothing that is harmful and there is
    no pressure on you.  If at any time you feel uncomfortable we can stop.
    
    I'm located in southern NH so that area as well as the adjoining MASS
    area is pretty much my limit of travel.  
    
    MaryAnne