Clusterheadaches.com Message Board
        (http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi)
      

        Daily Chat >> General Posts >> Can you think why anyone would do this?
        
(Message started by: George_J on Feb 19th, 2008, 7:19pm)
Title: Can you think why anyone would do this?
Post by George_J on Feb 19th, 2008, 7:19pm
http://usera.imagecave.com/georgboise/Photo6.jpg

Etta the cat spends hours every day with her head stuck into a Halloween Candy bucket.  

Best,

George
Title: Re: Can you think why anyone would do this?
Post by Jonny on Feb 19th, 2008, 7:29pm
The cats a retard?  ;)

Maybe there is still the smell of candy....I dunno!  [smiley=grin2.gif]
Title: Re: Can you think why anyone would do this?
Post by Rosybabe on Feb 19th, 2008, 8:14pm
cats are misterious animals  ;)
Title: Re: Can you think why anyone would do this?
Post by Grandma_Sweet_Boy on Feb 19th, 2008, 8:23pm
Just Because!  Cats don't need a reason :)
Title: Re: Can you think why anyone would do this?
Post by monty on Feb 19th, 2008, 8:23pm
I know of a veterinarian who had asperger's syndrome (high functioning autism), and she designed equipment to handle animals in a way so they got less stressed out. This type of behavior is relatively common in asperger's.  Maybe she can explain it?  


Quote:
SQUEEZE MACHINE

At age 18 I built a squeezing machine. This device is completely lined with foam rubber, and the user has complete control over the duration and amount of pressure applied. A complete description of the machine is in Grandin (1983, 1984), and Grandin and Scariano (1986). The machine pro- vides comforting pressure to large areas of the body.

It took me a long time to learn to accept the feeling of being held and not try to pull away from it. Reports in the literature indicate that autistics lack empathy (Bemporad, 1979; Volkmar & Cohen, 1985). I feel that the lack of empathy may be partially due to a lack of comforting tactual input.

One day about 12 years ago, a Siamese cat's reaction to me changed after I had used the squeeze machine. This cat used to run from me, but after using the machine, I learned to pet the cat more gently and he decided to stay with me. I had to be comforted myself before I could give comfort to the cat (Grandin, 1984).

I have found from my own experiences with the squeeze machine that I almost never feel aggressive after using it. In order to learn to relate to people better, I first had to learn how to receive comfort from the soothing pressure of the squeeze machine. Twelve years ago I wrote, "I realize that unless I can accept the squeeze machine I will never be able to bestow love on another human being" (Grandin, 1984). During my work with livestock, I find that touching the animals increases my empathy for them. Touching and stroking the cattle makes me feel gentle towards them. The squeeze machine also had a calming effect on my nervous system.

Squeeze machines have been in use in clinics working with autistic and hyperactive children (Figures 6-1 and 6-2). Lorna King, an occupational therapist in Phoenix, Arizona, reports that it has a calming effect on hyperactive behavior. Therapists have found that deep pressure stimulation has a calming effect (Ayres,, 1979). Both animal and human studies have shown that pressure stimulation reduces nervous system arousal (Kumazawa, 1963; Melzack, Konrad, & Dubrobsky, 1969; Takagi & Kobagasi, 1956). Pressure on the sides of the body will induce relaxation in pigs (Grandin, Dodman, & Shuster, 1989).

http://www.autism-help.org/story-autism-inside-view.htm


Playing under the covers also reminds me of something a kid would do - until their imagination starts to turn off when they 'grow up'.  
Title: Re: Can you think why anyone would do this?
Post by Changeling_J on Feb 19th, 2008, 8:27pm
I think she does it just to weird the others out. o.o
Title: Re: Can you think why anyone would do this?
Post by barry_sword on Feb 19th, 2008, 8:41pm
Got me! ::) They do some strange things. This is Batman, he loves heat. He will lay above this heater all day. ;;D
That is why we love them so much!

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8dc38b3127cceb64265da309600000026101AZtGrZu5asU

I should go check on him and see if he need's turned. ;;D
Title: Re: Can you think why anyone would do this?
Post by Melissa on Feb 19th, 2008, 8:43pm
George, it looks like a good idea to me.  Maybe I'll try it when I get to the hospital and am in full blown labor...
Title: Re: Can you think why anyone would do this?
Post by Annette on Feb 19th, 2008, 9:13pm

What is Etta the cat thinking ?

" There must be a cure for CH  ! A tinfoil hat apparently didnt work but a Halloween Candy Bucket ? ...Surely ....  If only I can keep my head in here long enough and still breathe .... Sigh! The thing a cat would do for its beloved owner ! "

;;D
Title: Re: Can you think why anyone would do this?
Post by Charlie on Feb 19th, 2008, 10:38pm
No one will ever understand puddy tats.

Charlie
Title: Re: Can you think why anyone would do this?
Post by AussieBrian on Feb 20th, 2008, 12:49am
I had a cat for that got feline meningitis as a kitten and, while its body grew to huge proportions, its brain remained that of a six-week-old.  Give her a box and she'd sit in it for days with only her tongue hanging out and in the absence of a box she'd stick her hand into a tissue packet and that was good enough for her.

Her favourite game was organising a paper shopping-bag into just the right position, racing full steam into it, and sliding the length of the hallway till she hit the door at the other end.  Re-organise bag, whoosh..... bonk..... start again. Won many a beer-bet on how long she could keep it up.

When it came time to put her down I found I couldn't do it myself so took her to the vet. He never charged me for the service but did send me her flea collar. I still have it.
Title: Re: Can you think why anyone would do this?
Post by nani on Feb 20th, 2008, 1:14am
Can you think why anyone would do this?

I do it every Halloween. At least until all the chocolate's gone.  ::)
Title: Re: Can you think why anyone would do this?
Post by purpleydog on Feb 20th, 2008, 1:34am

on 02/20/08 at 00:49:21, AussieBrian wrote:
I had a cat for that got feline meningitis as a kitten and, while its body grew to huge proportions, its brain remained that of a six-week-old.  Give her a box and she'd sit in it for days with only her tongue hanging out and in the absence of a box she'd stick her hand into a tissue packet and that was good enough for her.

Her favourite game was organising a paper shopping-bag into just the right position, racing full steam into it, and sliding the length of the hallway till she hit the door at the other end.  Re-organise bag, whoosh..... bonk..... start again. Won many a beer-bet on how long she could keep it up.

When it came time to put her down I found I couldn't do it myself so took her to the vet. He never charged me for the service but did send me her flea collar. I still have it.


What a beautiful cat, Brian. She made you very happy, and she felt safe with you, I'm sure.
Title: Re: Can you think why anyone would do this?
Post by Langa on Feb 20th, 2008, 1:40am
I loved your story Brian.  Cats do the darndest things for sure.  And I don't know about that one with the head in the halloween basket.  Some things we'll never have an answer for I guess.  LOL

Langa
Title: Re: Can you think why anyone would do this?
Post by George_J on Feb 20th, 2008, 2:06am

on 02/19/08 at 20:27:19, Changeling_J wrote:
I think she does it just to weird the others out. o.o


Maybe you're right, El.  It certainly weirds me out.

Where's this Tunvald installment you keep promising me , eh?

Best,

POD


Clusterheadaches.com Message Board » Powered by YaBB 1 Gold - SP 1.3.1!
YaBB © 2000-2003. All Rights Reserved.