One of the more challenging experiences as a Reiki practitioner is animal and pet reiki. Unlike humans, animals don’t verbalise their needs like humans do, so you have to rely entirely on energy body scan to detect what is lacking and what they need. I have been using animal Reiki to “communicate” with the feral cats that frequent my home, especially those who continue to behave belligerently or exhibit difficulties in trusting humans.
Reddington
I chose two cats in particular to work with, Caruso and Sir Reddington and started with Reddington at the beginning of July. Prior to the first reiki session, he was always very reluctant to approach me, and has bitten me twice in addition to scratching my arms and hands. This is the risk you generally take with any cat, but Reddington was particularly defensive and very distrustful, having been abandoned by his previous owners. Slowly and gently, I used distance Reiki with him, reassuring him that he is welcome in my home and will always be safe there. It took a while for him to let his guard down, but he finally decided make the first move and join me for breakfast one morning.
After each meal I sit down with Reddington and have a Reiki session with him, which is usually followed by long and deep naps. It was such a joy to watch him relax and trust the process, and the transformation has been simply amazing.
About a week after I began the sessions Reddington finally allowed me to pet him, and this was a turning point in our friendship. He shows up in the mornings and always takes time to greet me first, usually observing what I am doing in the kitchen, before asking for his meal. He is much calmer now and almost a completely different cat, hardly ever getting into fights anymore unlike when I first met him. Each time I perform Reiki on Reddington he relaxes, closes his eyes and allows my hands to float over him. Although I maintain the no-touch attunement method, he has learned to trust my hands and somehow understand that this is good for him even if I occasionally place my hand on his back or side, particularly if I sense that he is agitated or has dragged in some negative energy. We have reached the point where I am now able to lift him off counters or tables, and he doesn’t even protest. Without Reiki there is no way could have made such progress in the short time I have been working with him.
Caruso
Caruso has proven to be the greater challenge between the two cats. He is completely feral and doesn’t spend as much time around my house as the other cats. I just began working with him two weeks ago so the progress isn’t as visible as it with Reddington.
The first thing I needed to address with Caruso was his fear. He always has a wild look about him, and his eyes are full of fear and sadness alike. Whenever he approaches the kitchen window to have a few bites of the dry food he eats quickly and is never calm when doing so. His body language indicates that he is always ready to bolt the moment I approach. Nevertheless, if there is one cat I truly want to reach out to it is Caruso.
Similar to my approach with Reddington, I began with distance Reiki and that is all that I can do at the moment. With Caruso I have to work quickly and as silently as possible. The results thus far? He trusts me enough now to come in and explore the kitchen from time to time, sits quietly and watches me from a distance, and the best part, will eat calmly in front of the kitchen window even if I am on the other side cooking. Caruso can look me in the eye now and hold my gaze which to me is the highest compliment.
They are baby steps with Caruso, but there is visible progress, and that is all I can ask for. The sadness has been replaced with questions or confusion, and if I meet him around the neighbourhood, there is even recognition.
The Esoteric Frog 
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