Fifteen minutes of play

Play is a powerful calming agent. Two days ago I played with Nick as an intervention for his aggressive behavior with Daisy. I dangled the cat charmer, a fleece snake on a wand, while Nick ducked in and out of a carpet-covered barrel pulling on the end of the toy.

He has been chasing Daisy both inside and outside the house with new ferocity for a couple of weeks. We don't worry about a little hissing, but we were hearing full fledged screaming from Daisy as she cowered under furniture. It is true that Nick is just being a cat. He chases lizards and voles outside and that chasing transfers to Daisy. They used to chase for fun but then it turned into something else and made Daisy afraid. We are not going to stand by while Nick makes Daisy scream and slaps Frida on the head during food prep time. It sets everyone on edge and it is not what we want as a routine for our family, and so we discussed an intervention. Two days ago was an especially bad incident. After everyone calmed down, including me and my husband, I had time for play therapy with him. He has been gentle as a lamb ever since. Nick the lamb. Yesterday he went outside and there was no transfer to chasing Daisy. After he came in, he curled up on a pillow with Rose.

That's Nick on the right. I'm not sure who was there first and how the compromise was reached. This is how I found them. Rose keeps Nick in line with frequent reminders that he is not on top. She makes him move when he has a spot she wants to sit on. So naturally Nick has to assert himself with the other two cats.

We are Nick's second family. His first family returned him and kept his brother because he was "mean to the other cat." I don't know how they dealt with his aggression, but I can guess from his avoidance of hands and feet that it wasn't play therapy. I also know that we can work this out with Nick. He is here to stay. He is sweet and a joker. This chasing is something new to be nipped in the bud.

I know about play therapy intervention from an animal behaviorist we consulted years ago and from the cat expert on Animal Planet. Play together and have treats together. Fifteen minutes of play a day. But like the people who consult on TV with their cats from hell, we get busy and forget to work it into our day. It's good for the humans, too, relaxing and stimulating for the brain. I played again this morning after breakfast and all four of the cats joined in. It's a rainy day and I hope to ward off cabin fever. Cabin fever in cats is not pretty. We will make time for play and that will prevent a lot of grief.

Two days ago, seeing the dramatic results of a play session, I thought that this is what we need to do with aggressive nations. Make their leaders play for fifteen minutes a day to calm them down. Build in play time for soldiers and insurgents, and not with video games but building blocks. Then give everyone treats for good behavior, perhaps some chocolate and a cookie or a biscuit with their tea. It sounds simplistic but the best solutions often are.