Companions @ MindSay 
I have always loved cats, domestic and wild, I like them because they are so damn independent!! They don't need me, they can get along fine without me, but they choose to be your friend on their own terms. Unlike a dog that really don't survive alone, but seek out other dogs to help them survive, cats do very well without any help. They are not 'needy' , I am at a stage in my life where I have 'taken' care of others long enough, although hubby don't count in this :) I just don't want to have to take care of another critter or person, cats fit the bill nicely, although I am not owned by any pets at this time since I am full time on the road, if I had my rathers , if and when I am home all the time , a cat would be my first choice, although I love dogs, I hate barking dogs the most,, cats don't bark and that is another plus, although if I were alone, I would have a medium to large dog for guardian purposes, but I would have a cat as a companion, and to find out the healing values in their purr......another plus! Another thing is that you don't have to pen them up or tie them up, I hate seeing dogs in little kennel pens, or on a lease tied to a tree somewhere far from their masters home, If I could not provide a huge penned up yard to house my dog,and had to put them on a lease, I would not have one, I find that to tie up a dog or put them in these little pens are abuse! and I wish more people would wise up to how pittyful they have made these dogs lives, I personnally believe it you can't provide the adequate space for these critters to have a good life,you shouldn't be able to have one...........I for years did this to these poor critters, and I have vowed never again.
blessed be.........purrrrring away
THIS ARTICLE FROM LIVING WITH CRYSTALS NEWSLETTER FROM RAINBOW CRYSTAL WEB.
The Power of Purr
When I was first learning about crystals and vibrations, my idea of vibration was a cat's
purr, and I wondered what kind of healing could be accomplished by placing a cat on each
chakra. The research I did for this article suggested that this would be a very good
idea.
If you are owned by one or more cats, you probably already know the roles they play as
healers in your life, but you may enjoy having some details and statistics: both to
persuade your cat-loving but holistically-indifferent friends that there might be
something to this vibration business. Those who are holistically inclined but indifferent
to cats may gain a deeper appreciation of my favorite species.
I've simplified the technical information so that I could understand it. I hope it works
for you, too.
Purring is Good for Cats
Scientists have determined that cats, including pumas, lions, tigers, ocelots, cheetahs,
etc., usually purr in the range of 20 to 140 Hertz (Hz). (1 Hertz means a vibrating
structure moves back and forth once per second. A domestic cat usually purrs at a
frequency of 25 and 50 Hz. This is important because:
Research has demonstrated that exposure to a frequency of 25 Hz increases bone density by
at least 20%. Veterinarians, who've known this for a long time, say that if you put a cat
and some broken bones in the same room, the bones will heal. This may also explain why
cats rarely suffer bone or joint related diseases, including hip dysplasia, arthritis and
ligament problems, or bone cancers.
Not only bones are affected by purring. Other research has demonstrated that, in the
higher frequency ranges, the body produces an increase of natural anti-inflammatory
compounds. This reduces joint pain and swelling and results in the healing of muscles,
tendons, and ligaments.
Purring also seems to open up a cat's air passages, thus reducing the incidence of
respiratory problems. The respiratory difficulties often associated with heart disease
are rarely found in cats, and all breathing problems a cat may have are quickly
alleviated when the cat begins to purr. A story in the New Zealand Veterinary Journal
(1973) described a dying cat who was having so much trouble breathing that its vet was
considering euthanasia. However, once it started to purr, it began to breathe normally.
Purring seemed to open its air passages.
The cat's ability to change the frequency of its purring is probably one of its
fine-tuning healing abilities. It may account for domestic cats living longer lives than
their canine counterparts and may also have given rise to the idea that cats have nine
lives.
They survive conditions that normally kill other animals, such as falls from heights. In
a study of 132 cat falls with an average fall height of 5 ½ stories, 90% survived. The
record height for a cat falling and surviving is 45 stories.
Purring is Good for Humans
Cat fans have always believed a cat’s purr was relaxing or stress reducing. Stress
reduction alone can lead to countless health benefits.
Many people report that lying in bed with a purring cat helps them go to sleep easily.
Others have noticed that their cats seem to know when they're not feeling well and the
location of the pain. Have you ever had a stomachache that was eased by a cat purring in
your lap?
A friend of mine who was going through a serious psychological disorder discovered that
every time she was lying in bed shaking with fear, her cat would dash from the living
room and curl up beside her, purring loudly. This feline nursing procedure got her
through a number of rough spots.
Now science is beginning to confirm what we cat lovers have always known. Studies have
shown that owners, especially senior citizens, who have cats have lower blood pressure
and can live longer than humans who don't own pets. Scientists are now researching
whether sound and vibration therapy could halt osteoporosis, or renew bone growth in
post-menopausal women and the elderly.
Other Studies
Psychologist Dr. June McNicholas of Wales is a strong advocate for allowing pets to visit
their people who are in hospitals. She believes that animal companionship can assist the
healing process.
She and some colleagues found that:
* Cats provide considerable emotional support during the early stages of spousal
bereavement.
* Cats can provide support for women with breast cancer.
* In general, cat owners have fewer psychological and physical health problems than
those without cats.
* 90% of children with cats rate their felines as being in their top ten special
friends.
The children are smart in their choices. A study by the Institute of Paediatrics and
Adolescent Medicine in Munich found that young children continuously exposed to cats were
67% less likely to develop allergic asthma. 45% were less susceptible to developing hay
fever than other children.
Researchers at Warwick University in the UK also found that children who own pets have
stronger immune systems and take fewer days off school due to illness.
The Element of Detachment
Humans are accustomed to getting a dose of pity with treatment. We expect our caretakers
to say, "I'm so sorry." "Oh, I feel so badly for you." "What an
awful thing happened to you."
We forget that when we're vibrating in a state of feeling sorry for ourselves, feeling
miserable and hurt, we aren't making ourselves feel better. A confirmation that the
physical/emotional place we currently occupy is unpleasant and undesirable only serves to
help keep us there.
The cat sends no "Get Well Soon" cards. It doesn't sit by your bed looking
sympathetic. It doesn't say "Poor thing." It gets on your lap and purrs. It
doesn't look to be rewarded for its healing work. It's not thinking, "I want you to
think I'm great because you feel better." And if you don't feel better, it isn't
going to feel worse.
This may be vibrational healing at its best. No ego is involved, and the feline healer
doesn't have an investment in the outcome. It purrs because purring feels good.
Rainbows don't shine for our benefit, either, but we love to see them.
I was a guest in the house, so I couldn't be too obvious even though I was staring when I first saw her stretched out. Soft curves that she was obviously proud of showing. She was beautiful, sensuous, and I would never have enough money. . . She moved just a little and I watched her move. I wanted to just brush against her, my fingertips feeling how smooth, and get a closer look at . . . her . . . I wanted to
When she arrived and her things she brought with her were put away and she was made comfortable. Her "companion" had kept her to himself for the past 3 months and spent time away from friends and work just to be with her. That was not hard to understand. $2.2 million is what it took to have her. That was what I was told in confidence. That was not counting what she needed to be happy and keep her in the style that she was accustomed too. That much money, and the necessary resourcs were "just part of the deal". I looked at her, stared, and I wanted to walk over and . . . . peel back the last bit of fabric that concealed her and I wanted to see "all" of her. The curves without anything covering her, and her softest smoothest parts. I didn't have any money compared to her "companion" but I am a man . . with skill . . . mmmm . ..
My host came over and introduced himself as I stood there admiring her. We were going to be underway in about an hour. His $2,2 million dollar mistress is an Trippdesign 80ft sailing yacht. Two-point-two million dollars was what it cost to bring her into the world. That's not counting the extras like "thermo-molded sails", latest Nav equipment, or the patte' for the galley and the Cordon Bleu' chef that would be with us this weekend. This boat was built to circumnavigate and keep you in style. The interior as beautifully designed as the lines of the boat.
I wrote about "The Dungeon" that was clandestinely built in Gene's building in Santa Monica. Gene and his partner, Lance, live in Newport Beach. I met the man who is currently the Navigator for this boat through Gene. He invited me here for the weekend and introduced me to the man who owns this beautiful yacht. I learned how to navigate in the Marines and have kept up my skills. I've always been fascinated by being able to steer a course out of sight from anything familar. I read every sailing story and best remember my history classes where explorers took off into the unknown, with zero point of reference. I've navigated desserts, and unknown terrain, once or twice in the Mediterranean and Agean.
The Captain had previously owned a 47ft. yacht. He had accompanied her delivery from launch and gotten instruction and advice. The past three months had been orientating himself to bigger boats, the latest equipment and putting together a crew.
We were underway by 8:00 am and in blue water shortly. Gene and Lance were doing their best "I am king of the world" impressions from Titanic, until the spray hit them as they stood like the Leo and Kate on the bow. They retreated to looking over the Captains shoulder and sipping coffee . . . .
The Navigator spoke crisply and explained what he was doing and why. I was quiet and when I answered a question he asked, it was to see if I spoke the lingo and understood what he was saying. He refilled our cups of coffee and I got a look that I passed, I at least had enough knowledge that he could really teach me something. I made notes on questions I had. There was no time to get into explainations or answer one question and then the three more the answer made me think of. Since I was learning, I made notes and then tried the calculations, reading the data and trying to anticipate the information the Captain asked for regarding weather conditions and reports, coastal manisfestations, not just the points on the compass. My acquaintance/friend enjoyed teaching and when I thought of one thing, he told me the second . . . and third . . and fourth . . . things that I needed to get used to anticipating. I'm well schooled and better experienced in my navigation skills, and this was overwhleming. Much much more than I expected.
We had been out for over two hours before I got the time to really look around and watch the crew. Her Captain was capable and we had a wonderful day. Returning is not just the reverse of going out. You determine the information again and compare and adjust. I was invited for dinner and was only referred to as the FNG until I was introduced to the rest of the crew. The current Navigator will be racing and not always available and I was offered the opportunity to learn and maybe become part of her crew. That discussion was as overwhelming as trying to keep up with what the Navigator was telling me early in the day.
Its easy to see why people get so emotional about sailing, competing and putting so much effort into it. I plan on buying a tiny boat and learning the skills to sail. My opporutnity was based on what I learned in the Marines and being fortunate enough to be offered a position of responsibility.
G.
P.S. I don't get paid for this, but do it for the "experience" of it, the fun and opportunity to be on such a boat, and to have responsibility. Why is it that is considered a foolish thing? Not every friend feels that way, but some,that I see less and less of just shake their head.