Feral or Friend

8/21/2024

What does a feral cat have to do with kindness, civility, and responding to those who are difficult?  During the next two months,  I will facilitate professional development programs on civility and responding to difficult people at a regional conference and a staff training day.  

People with companion animals know that the best response to animals stems from kindness and connection.  This understanding was reinforced for me when a feral cat showed up in my yard.  His wildness served him well.  His behavior was all about scratching and biting.  After two months of kindness and love (and a trip to the vet), he is now a very different animal.  That wildness is still a part of the cat and may always be present.  Will kind, clear, and consistent responses between people elicit a similar, productive response?  We will explore this topic at these professional development events.

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