Total Cat Mojo: The Ultimate Guide to Life with Your Cat

by Jackson Galaxy

This is all about getting more competent and confident about the mechanics of a given task, particularly those where you feel resistance. The way to do this: Define your Challenge Line moments. Research methods to turn these moments into step-by-step tasks. Your due diligence, of course, includes online research. But don’t forget to mine the knowledge and experience of your local pet professionals. Your vet, vet tech, groomer, or pet sitter can either demonstrate, or offer valuable info, about the how-tos. There are many methods: find the one that resonates for you. For example, there are more animal nail trimmers on the market than I can possibly count. In the meantime, using ordinary human nail clippers works so comfortably for me that when I grab them, because I know what to do with them, my anxiety is immediately lowered. Use the concept of the Fire Drill I laid out in chapter 10. If, before you even approach your cat, you have gone through the process so many times in your head—thinking about how you would react if things went sideways, so that there aren’t many surprises that can happen in the actual moment—you’ll be more able to release the stress you feel. Take a moment before you approach your cat to ground yourself. Go through your fire drill, take a few breaths, consciously do a quick body check to become aware of where you are holding your physical stress, and release it.