Podcast Ep 25: The Cat Who Claimed Her Name

Originally published June 23, 2022

Listen: Apple, Podbean, iHeart Radio, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music or your favorite podcast station.

Script

Welcome to True Kinship with Animals: In Short, a mini podcast that gives you bite sized tidbits of true kinship in 3 minutes or less. I’m your host Janet Roper.

My online work is given readily and is free to consume. AND time and labor are involved. Your financial support makes my work sustainable and allows me to continue providing you with the pro bono resources I offer, this podcast being only one of them. Supporting my work by making a financial contribution or shopping my wish list at janetroper.com shows your appreciation and is greatly welcomed. The link is on the show page for your convenience. Thank you for your continued support!

Is there a way you can tell if you’re moving toward true kinship with animals? Sure, you betcha. Let’s talk about domesticated animals and their names.

Names are highly personal and an important part of their identity, representing how they show up in our world. Is it possible they can claim their own name?

I visited a humane society looking for a cat and spotted an aging female I thought would be a good fit. I asked if she would like to join our family and after hearing about us (me, 2 cats, 2 dogs and a horse), our lifestyle and what that might mean to her, she agreed to join us. 

Her name was Mitzie, but I renamed her Hunny Bunny. She didn’t like it when I called her Hunny Bunny but I thought it was just a matter of getting used to the new name. 

The longer I called her by that name, the more aggravated she became until finally an 8 pound little monster was unleashed in the house.

When asked why she was so angry she snapped “My name is Mitzie, NOT Hunny Bunny!”

A perfect example of what can happen when we pull that human card of “I’m the human so I’ll make the decision”, denying animals their own agency. 

I’m forever thankful Mitzie had what it took to stand up to me. I’m forever remorseful I placed her in that position. It’s never power-over, it’s always kinship with.

How can you find out an animal’s name? Ask ‘em. The answer may not be immediate, it might take days. As time passes, are there any names that start to ‘nudge’ you? Recognize, appreciate and honor the signals you receive as you go through this process. Start calling them by a name, that top nudge, and witness how they respond to you.

My work is devoted to helping you show up in the world for animals from the fullness of your authentic self. To find out more visit janetroper.com

Thanks for listening to this mini podcast! If you liked what you have heard, you can support this podcast by making a financial contribution, leaving a comment, giving the show a like, a follow and/or a share. You’ll find links on the show page or at janetroper.com

Just for today remember: We all do better when all creatures do better. Until next week, take good care!