Our One-in-a-Million Boy
-Helen Morrison, President, Board of Directors
Some months ago, my dear friend, Ann Marie, lent me a book, “The One-In-A-Million Boy” by Monica Wood. It was unlike any other book I have read. It is about a friendship between an elderly, somewhat grumpy woman…and a nine-year-old boy, who is a bit of a misfit and lonely. Its format is unique and intriguing. And it is a beautiful story of the redemption of love and understanding. It has become one of my all-time favorite books.
As with so many things in my life…they ultimately get connected to my relationship with the Shelter and the precious beings in our care. As you might guess, some of them come to us with histories that are a challenge and take time to unravel, to figure out the best way to help this being in our care.
So, I would like to introduce you to Domino. All of the cats are unique, for sure. But for me, Domino is one of my One-In-A-Million boys. I just love him. He is a young, beautiful tuxedo boy. Without going into too much detail, the first year of his life has been one of sadness, of unpredictability, of extreme anxiety about what might happen next. And when his anxiety is triggered, and that happens often, he winds around legs and feet, making it difficult to move. And then he lashes out, by attacking feet and legs, and hands and arms, if he can reach them. It is his way of saying, “I am so worried, I am so anxious that something is going to change, that you are going to leave me, that something bad is going to happen, that I don’t matter”.
-Helen Morrison, President, Board of Directors
Some months ago, my dear friend, Ann Marie, lent me a book, “The One-In-A-Million Boy” by Monica Wood. It was unlike any other book I have read. It is about a friendship between an elderly, somewhat grumpy woman…and a nine-year-old boy, who is a bit of a misfit and lonely. Its format is unique and intriguing. And it is a beautiful story of the redemption of love and understanding. It has become one of my all-time favorite books.
As with so many things in my life…they ultimately get connected to my relationship with the Shelter and the precious beings in our care. As you might guess, some of them come to us with histories that are a challenge and take time to unravel, to figure out the best way to help this being in our care.
So, I would like to introduce you to Domino. All of the cats are unique, for sure. But for me, Domino is one of my One-In-A-Million boys. I just love him. He is a young, beautiful tuxedo boy. Without going into too much detail, the first year of his life has been one of sadness, of unpredictability, of extreme anxiety about what might happen next. And when his anxiety is triggered, and that happens often, he winds around legs and feet, making it difficult to move. And then he lashes out, by attacking feet and legs, and hands and arms, if he can reach them. It is his way of saying, “I am so worried, I am so anxious that something is going to change, that you are going to leave me, that something bad is going to happen, that I don’t matter”.
We first connected with Pam Parkinson, who works with troubled animals, and has helped us before. She suggested a very definite, simple routine in caring for him…so that he knows exactly what to expect. Every little action can be a trigger for his anxiety-ridden behavior. When that behavior shows, we go back to step one of the routine, until he isn’t triggered. It takes great patience. But it is working. For the most part, he now knows what to expect, how the routine works, knows that he will get treats. But if something unexpected happens, which it often does in life, then he is thrown off base, takes to worrying intensely, goes on his biting/scratching worried messaging. And we have to adjust, tweak, settle, and continue on.
Our volunteer, Christine Fournier, who is one of our very gifted behavior folks, has begun to do Reiki with him, on a regular basis, and do relaxing chants with him. This is also making a significant difference with him. One can see him relaxing, slow blinking, even snoozing during Christine’s visits. We keep slowly adding to his room….more comfy beds, toys, Feliway diffusers. We plan on bringing in an armchair, to make things more homey for him…steady and safe and comfortable. And we plan on letting him have more time out from his room, to explore.
Our volunteer, Christine Fournier, who is one of our very gifted behavior folks, has begun to do Reiki with him, on a regular basis, and do relaxing chants with him. This is also making a significant difference with him. One can see him relaxing, slow blinking, even snoozing during Christine’s visits. We keep slowly adding to his room….more comfy beds, toys, Feliway diffusers. We plan on bringing in an armchair, to make things more homey for him…steady and safe and comfortable. And we plan on letting him have more time out from his room, to explore.
Domino is in a gorgeous room, Jennifer’s Room, which is spacious, with a beautiful bow window for him to look out into the woods from…
But it is not a home, as special as this room is.
And so, once he decides that he doesn’t need to get anxious about every little change, we will begin looking for a home for him, or a foster…with a cat savvy person, who would not let his behavior bother them, would be patient and understanding, able to take the triggers and work to lessen them. He would need his own room to start with…from which his world could expand. Some of the cats at the Shelter don’t bother him. He is interested but not eager to meet them. A very mellow, cat friendly cat in his home, might work…if introduced properly.
This will probably take 3-6 months in the Shelter to get him ready for a home…for him to be his best boy self. But we are a patient bunch…and we can give him that time. I think he will come to know we won’t abandon him.
There is a wonderful boy here. A One-In-A-Million Boy, who needs a chance at being in a loving and understanding home, when the right time and place presents itself.
But it is not a home, as special as this room is.
And so, once he decides that he doesn’t need to get anxious about every little change, we will begin looking for a home for him, or a foster…with a cat savvy person, who would not let his behavior bother them, would be patient and understanding, able to take the triggers and work to lessen them. He would need his own room to start with…from which his world could expand. Some of the cats at the Shelter don’t bother him. He is interested but not eager to meet them. A very mellow, cat friendly cat in his home, might work…if introduced properly.
This will probably take 3-6 months in the Shelter to get him ready for a home…for him to be his best boy self. But we are a patient bunch…and we can give him that time. I think he will come to know we won’t abandon him.
There is a wonderful boy here. A One-In-A-Million Boy, who needs a chance at being in a loving and understanding home, when the right time and place presents itself.