In this guest blog client, and long-term participant of the Become a soul led cat guardian (SLG) programme David shares with you his story about how he released his fear about Walker to enable their relationship to soar.
When I first contacted Julie-Anne Heart (or Thorne as she was back then!) last year about a chakra cleanse for my cat Walker, I could not have imagined the amazing journey upon which both he and I were about to embark. It is a story I want to share with those who have concerns about their cat; those that intuitively know it is possible to develop a richer, deeper relationship. I first heard of Julie-Anne through the recommendation of a fellow animal Reiki practitioner.
There were two primary reasons why I contacted Julie-Anne. One was that of circumstances surrounding Walker’s life before I adopted him when he was four years old. After a period of several weeks for Walker to adjust to my home, I noticed that he continued to display indications of hypervigilance (always on guard), fear of new situations and strangers, a lack of confidence and courage, and aggression when he felt especially threatened. It seemed apparent to me that his previous life was chaotic and traumatic and that he still was connected to those past events. I wanted him to feel safe, happy and content with me.
The other reason for my interest in talking to Julie-Anne was that I, due to my advancing age, began to have concerns about what might happen to Walker if I were to pass away before him. Due to his PTSD symptoms, I feared that he would not adjust to a new home, or I feared that he might land in a shelter again. I convinced myself that, as a senior cat, he would not survive the stress of it. Over a period of time my concerns evolved into an obsessive anxiety.
After a detailed conversation with Julie-Anne, we decided that a chakra cleanse and rebalance would be beneficial in addressing Walker’s physical health problems and emotional trauma. I was quite enthused about the prospect of finally “fixing” him and improving my relationship with him. As it turns out, however, he wasn’t the one who needed fixing!
As a result of the chakra cleanse, Walker’s message was clear: it was my fears and anxiety that deeply affected him, despite my attempt to hide them. (As I now know, you can’t hide things from cats. As highly sensitive, sentient, energetic beings they sense all energies around them.) It was really devastating to learn that I was the problem. I was diminishing our relationship because of my fear, resistance and worry.
Among the many recommendations Julie-Anne made after the chakra cleanse was for me to work on releasing the fear in both my head and my heart. Honestly, I had no idea how to go about doing that. I did as best I could to follow her suggestions, but felt I was floundering with little result. Sometimes you need a little extra support and guidance through this journey called life.
A few weeks later, Julie-Anne announced the beginning of the “Become a Soul Led Cat Guardian” program. (We often refer to it simply as “SLG.”) The timing of it was perfect. Armed with my firm conviction that there is no such thing as coincidence, I immediately scheduled a call with her to learn more about the program and if it was a good fit for my goals.
It seemed exactly what I was hoping for and with Julie-Anne’s invitation to join, I immediately registered with the vision that I could begin to take more positive steps to being a better dad to Walker. Despite my enthusiasm, I admit I jumped in with a bit…well, a lot…of scepticism. I’ve traditionally never been a group-oriented person. It had never been easy to trust others with sharing details about my personal and professional life. I knew I would have to approach this in a different way. But at that time, I had no idea just how life-changing it would be for both me and Walker.
It really is not overly dramatic to say that my commitment to this SLG journey has truly been transformational. My most affirming discovery was that I am not unique in my wish for a deeper connection with my cat. Prior to the program I sometimes thought that my wanting a more profound relationship with Walker was a bit crazy…even unhealthy.
Through SLG, I share a strong kinship to the other participants in the program who feel the same. We are all of a like mind, and that is incredible to have that mutual belief, understanding, and support. Within an atmosphere of non-judgement and trust, we have become a real team that celebrates each other’s progress and wins and as well to support each other through daily challenges. Through the SLG private community and regular Zoom connection calls, we have total access to each other and to Julie-Anne.
A bit of full disclosure: while there is no pressure or timeline to complete the self-paced, beautifully constructed curriculum, to fully benefit requires commitment. There is an absolute direct correlation to the amount of work put into the program to the remarkable benefits for both the guardians and the cats.
The information I have acquired through the program has made the vision of my ideal relationship with Walker a reality. That in itself is huge. But beyond that, I now have the tools to recognize and understand my emotions and how they influence both my and Walker’s daily life—both positively and negatively.
And beyond recognition, I can now make informed choices of how I respond…that response coming from my heart, not my head or ego. I now have the agency to assess my fears about Walker’s welfare and put them into a healthy perspective of knowing that I have no control over the future.
Through SLG I have learned to be in the present with him and not to regret my choices in the past or anticipate the future. I have fully embraced being with him just in the present; that the Now is really and truly all we have and to make the most of that. I see him for who he is and just how perfect he is as himself. I know that the bonds of our love will never be broken and that we will always be together in one form or another.
The Become a Soul Led Cat Guardian program has totally transformed the relationship with my cat, and in the process given me the tools to effectively heal with issues of anxiety in my own life. There really aren’t words to describe how connected I feel to Walker.
I would recommend the program to anyone who wishes to have the most fulfilling and profound relationship possible with their cats—and in the process to explore themselves and their choices in responding to the challenges and victories of daily life.
If you truly want a heart-felt connection with your cat, then the Become a Soul Led Cat Guardian program could be the one that will give you the tools and the knowledge to make that happen.
Thanks to Julie-Anne and SLG, I am now re-attuned to my emotional awareness and can more fully receive my cat. There really aren’t words to describe that. I am so profoundly grateful for the program and the opportunity to give Walker—and me—the best life possible.
The Soul Led Guardian for Walker the Supercat,
who is the wisest teacher and most loyal companion
with whom one could share an amazing life together.
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