Photo of Wild Roses by K. Mitch Hodge on Unsplash

When someone’s been sick for a long time, it can wear on them emotionally until depression sets in.  This is what happened to Starlight, my blue-point Siamese companion.

Starlight  has been struggling with upper respiratory issues for many years.  We’ve tried everything I can think of, to no avail.  So far, she has been unable to get rid of this health challenge.

I haven’t given up searching for a solution for Starlight, but recently her situation has become exacerbated by hair balls.

Most Siamese cats have a fine coat of fur.  Starlight’s fur is lovely and soft, but very thick.  When she sheds out in the spring and fall, there’s Starlight fur everywhere.  Brushing her helps, but doesn’t solve the problem of so much fur needing to be removed from her body.

On top of that, she’s sneezing quite a bit, and being a very clean cat, she’s cleaning herself more.  Hairballs can cause constipation, and more dangerously, intestinal blocks.  Vomiting up hair isn’t fun, either.

Starlight has been a good sport by taking various things to help her with all this, but one day last week I noticed that she was spending an inordinate amount of time in a cat cave in a room where Melissa (my Thai Tonkinese) and I rarely go.

At first, I assumed that this was because she just wasn’t feeling well.  Cats often want to be alone when sick.

Then I tuned in more carefully and instantly realized that Starlight was depressed.  As an emotional empath, I could actually feel her depression.

This explained her behavior, but what to do to help her?

Good health and the ability to heal depend heavily on our feelings, attitudes, and intentions.  When a human or an animal is depressed, that interferes with the healing process.

I’ve been familiar with the Bach Essences for over 30 years, and I knew that Wild Rose was the perfect essence for her, but I wanted some way to help Starlight that wouldn’t take weeks or even days.

Could Floral Acupuncture be the answer?

The book called  Floral Acupuncture shows photos with the ideal acupuncture points for each flower essence marked on a human body.  To determine where the same points are for an animal I needed to do some research online.

Then I brought the remedy upstairs and put some on Starlight in the appropriate locations.

Afterwards, I encouraged Starlight to come downstairs.  She resisted at first, but I insisted.  Once downstairs, I waited to see what would happen.

Within 15 minutes, Starlight wanted to go outside.  My cats are allowed to go out, and I felt this was a sign that she felt a bit better.

The way out is through the kitchen door onto an enclosed porch, and then out the back sliding door.

The weather was warm enough and there was a nice breeze.   I knew that Starlight might just want to sit at the open outside door for awhile, so I just let her go and allowed her to decide what she wanted to do.

I was busy in the kitchen, but a few minutes later I looked out the window to check on Starlight.

I was amazed.  My cat who didn’t want to leave her “cat cave” was taking a walk in the open wooded area behind the house.  While this is generally safe, I went out to check in on how she was feeling.   Starlight came quickly to me, looking bright-eyed and happy.

I was stunned by this transformation.  In less than an hour Starlight went from depression and not wanting to move to happily exploring the back yard.  She had been depressed for 2 or 3 days.   Now she was also interested in being with me and Melissa, and in watching birds building a nest outside the kitchen window.

Although Starlight’s health challenges remain (we’re still working on them) her attitude was transformed very quickly.  She was more active, which is important when you’re feline and soon to turn 13.

I didn’t immediately give Starlight any more of the Wild Rose flower essence.  Instead, I waited and watched to see whether how long the first dose would keep working.  I gave her a second dose 2 days later.  Since then, she hasn’t needed another dose.

I’m continuing to work with Starlight to resolve her health issues.  For now her emotional state is more optimistic and playful.  It’s a real joy to see her feeling so good again.