I personally train and socialize all my pets within a structured method and timing.  They even have an understanding of the word “manners,” learning not to steal each others food, or participate in like behavior that is not kind and respectful.  My beloved cats are taught to exit the house on schedule much like you let out a dog, using garage litter boxes, and to go to bed when called.  Sugar is trained to obey both verbal and visual hand signs, use a potty pad, as well as the outdoors to do her business.  Animals respond to love, care and boundary limits.  They desire to please their owners and take great joy in doing so. 

BEWARE OF PEOPLE WHO DON'T LIKE ANIMALS

There is alot of truth to the saying, "You can't teach an old dog new tricks," as older, abused animals and pets, are much more difficult to train and take longer to respond.  However, because of the love and care they give every effort you expound is made triple in the reward you receive, as they can make excellent pets.  Such is the story of many of Michael Vick's bull dogs who have since been recovered, loved, and placed in rehabilitation care.  An old English proverb states, "Beware of people who dislike cats."  I say, "Beware of people who dislike animals!" 

Most people who visit my websites know I write alot of about addictions, with profound and intense research and reporting concerning sex, cybersex, and pornography addiction.  In as such I invite my readers to note, that there is an increase and popularity in Bestiality Pornography where sex with animals is the norm.  Before my research and learning of the court case concerning Nellie, the black cat who was sexually used and abused, I was for the most part a dog person.  Since my research, God has placed within my spirit a profound outreach for cats, and all animals in general. 

Like Nellie, most cats and dogs as well as other small animals who are used for sex, more often than not, die in the process.  For your educational knowledge you can read about Nellie and other sexually abused animal court cases in my free and condensed research article on such sin and evil intention at: WWW.SYNTHIAESTHER.COM / Library Subtab/ Bestiality And Zoophilia.  Also note that abuse to animals is part of the infamous "Macdonald Triad," which places youth, teens, and young adults who abuse animals linked to three behaviors that point to a higher chance and incidence of becoming a serial killer.  Please report animal abuse to your local police, filling out a witness report (without a written report police do not investigate), as many people who abuse animals, abuse children as well. 

Sweetie:

Upon leaving a large department store I saw an animal rescue service offering 17 baby kittens for adoption. I went right past their worthy effort and headed straight for my car. It was then I noticed one of the kittens eyes following my every move.  I adopted Sweetie that very day and she has since lived up to her name. Sweetie is shy when people come to visit, but warms up quickly. 

SWEETIE'S VERBAL COMMUNICATION

Sweetie is so socialized she initacted verbal commmunication with me, talking in a high pitched “cat” language, while maintaining direct eye contact.  Inturn I tried to mimic her sound and pitch responding to her attempts to communicate. This proved effective and catching, as she now talks often, with Precious talking in this same direct and personal cat language communication too. My mother has witnessed this behavior, and found Sweetie's verbal attempts endearing, yet funny and humorous.   The two cats usually talk back when directed to go out to their litter box, or when I state that it is time to go to bed.

Precious:

Precious is part “Persian”. A black feline with beautiful green eyes Precious wandered into our area subdivision living on the street, yards and visiting homes were people were kind enough to feed her. An animal lover within the community called me to help her find a home for the solid black cat.

It was at this time that I discovered black cats are often not adopted as many people and cultures are superstitious of them. After months of no luck finding Precious a home she ended up with me. Always eager to eat (she is overweight), she will come to you when you call out her name and loves meeting new people. Precious had the behavior problem of defecating on the floor instead of a litter box when she use to get upset by Sizzor's dominate and aggressive personality.

I purchased a plug in “odor” release method of conitinuous yet gentle feline pheromones from my local pet store. Not detected by humans, this odor release method was very calming and soothing to my cats.  Often used when introducing a new cat to the family, or before and after vet visits, in sickness, surgery or recovery, the pheromone release method to my surprise worked! After only two months it was no longer needed.

Cracker:

While on a road trip with a friend we stopped at a “Cracker Barrel” chain restaurant located within parts of the United States. Upon entering and exiting the restaurant we noticed a small kitten who would dodge cars and meow at people who exited holding a white box. He had learned that food was in those boxes and sometimes people would throw him a scrap.  Watching “Cracker” dodge cars and trucks made me weary. With help we caught and trapped the baby kitten and I carried him home to my vet who suggested we call him "Cracker," after the place we found him.  

I almost named Cracker "Socks" because his paws are covered with white fur and look as if he has a pair of socks on. Cracker is an European tabby, who is shy and hides when people come to visit, but always says thank-you after I feed him. He curls around my legs and purrs in thanks after his special night time snack. He also has very good manners, which took a lot of training. He knows not to try and eat the other cats food and daily snack. He is very much a little gentleman with lots of patience, allowing the other cats to be fed first.  There are no bugs and mice at my house due to Cracker's keen hunting skills.

Sizzor Mitts:

Sizzor's, a dark grey - black cat, favors the breed of cat called the Korat, originally from Thailand. Sizzor Mitt's belonged to Don, a man I briefly dated before finding out he was bi-polar and not taking prescribed medication. Don, a professed Christian, had drastic mood swings that were often irrational and explosive. Sizzor's was abused and neglected by Don, who really didn't want him.

Being raised with Don as a kitten, Sizzor's displays mood swings, nerve problems, has aggressive anger and temperament issues just like Don did.  Feeling sorry for the cat's plight I adopted Sizzor's who has calmed down immensely. He has also stopped throwing up his food almost every other meal too. 

Because Sizzor's had often been hit and kicked by Don on his back end, he would only let you pet his head and under his chin.  He is a very inquisitive, male dominate cat, and will stand up to any person, cat or dog.  He likes to sit and lay in card board boxes and chew on plastic bags, which I try to discourage.  When company comes he never hides, but watches every move they make.  Sizzor's  plays and hangs out mostly with Cracker,  and through lots of love and positive attention, no longer flinches or hisses when you pet him on his back.

Tiger:

I placed food out my back door for a neighbor's black and white visiting cat I called Phantom. When I went to check on how much had been eaten I saw an orange stripped Tabby cat who was consuming the dry cat food. This cat was so thin you could literally see almost every bone in his body through his coat and skin. He also appeared to be blind. I continued to place food out for the stray abandoned cat and noticed on the forth day that he appeared to be dying. Having fed him for four days he began to trust me.

I caught him (he was too weak to run away), placing him in a travel cat bag.  I immediately took him to my vet who then tested him for feline deceases. One of the vet nurses had a bet going on that his blood test would come back positive for feline “FIV”. His test came back negative but his health and physical condition had grossly deteriorated. His left front paw and leg was rotting, having dead skin that looked burned and charred in color and his back had a large open, infected wound that was oozing pus, possibly caused by a large bird that had tried to attack him.

He had defecated acorn bits within his stool which he had eaten just to survive. Barely able to stand I named him “Tiger” because of his strong will to live. Because Tiger was feral I had no choice but to have the vet remove all of his claws in order to introduce him to his new indoor life of leisure, comfort, and abundant food.

TIGER IS MUCH BETTER NOW

Tiger's health and eye sight is much better now (the antibiotics helped), but he is fearful and hides much of the time. He doesn't know how to use a litter box (he is use to dirt and leaves), and doesn't like to be around the other cats or my dog Sugar. Afraid he would get hurt hiding under different things, such as my riding lawn mower blade and deck, I have trained him to be on a leash and move him from room to room remaining next to me so as to feel safe.

Tiger often purrs underneath my office chair, without my touching or petting him. He has lived a life of fear and can curl up in a ball, or long-gate his body to hide in a long, narrow space and no matter what you do or the amount of noise you make, he remains hidden and motionless. Even when held Tiger prefers to try to hide his head under my arms as he is easily frightened. He has responded to love, my singing to him,  and repeating his name.

UPDATE:

September 2009:

Tiger has made tremendous progress and no longer tries to hide all day. Sweetie has been a real friend and mother to Tiger. It seems she has adopted him as her own. Tiger is the sweetest, most humble cat I have ever met. Just like humans who have been abused, Tiger always responds to the love and affection I give him. He is now very close to all his animal friends, including my dog Sugar.

Sugar:

When my beautiful, white Maltese died of a heart attack at almost 13 years of age,  it took me a long while to get over her death. She had been with me during some of the most trying times of my life. Two years after her death, I decided to adopt a Yorkshire Terrier. Eventually I found “Sugar” who was unusual in color for a Yorkie. She has mostly dark hair with brown highlights and is full grown weighing a about 3 ½ lbs.

Like most Yorkies, Sugar is very much a lap dog who loves people, likes to go for walks, visit family and friends, shop and travel. She has several doggie purses I carry her in and never makes a sound while in one of her bags, which looks like a large purse. Because of the learned social behavior and manners I have taught her, Sugar has gone into places most dogs could not trod.

She likes to play with the cats who seem to be amused as they watch her run around in circles. Not prone to jealousy, Sugar is also very accepting of other people and their pets. Full of personality, she never meets a stranger and she thinks she is as big and bad as a Great Dane.

SYNTHIA ESTHER'S SAFETY AND ANIMAL CARE HEALTH NOTES:

• To keep from endangering other animals and pets, when taking in a stray animal be sure to keep them separated from other people and pets until you are able to have a vet check out their health and condition.

• Please spray or neuter your pets to help curtail animal abuse and neglect.  And always report animal abuse, filling out a witness report to your local police.  Many times people who abuse animals, abuse children as well.