Life often gets messy, and we can face dark times and grief. During those times, spending time with our cats is like medicine for the soul. When the going gets tough, being silly and dancing with a cat may be just what the doctor ordered! That’s what one expert at coping with grief, loss, and trauma, Jessica Reis, shared recently with her large and in-charge orange kitty.
Dancing with a Cat
When life gets depressing, Jessica, who works as an end-of-life death doula or coach for grieving families, knows a magic trick to let the light in. And her rescued orange ‘bobcat’ Oliver is part of the solution. Standing outside in the sun, she picks up the cat and starts to dance joyfully.
Oliver the ‘bobcat’ via Instagram/the.death.empath
It’s all about moving and the healing energy of animals.
“Dancing with my cat to help my mental health today. When you’re depressy, and life gets messy, try dancing with your cat or dog or bird, and see if you don’t start feeling a bit better. Movement is medicine, and dancing with your cat is extra magical medicine! Hope this brings you a little bit of light and joy today 😊, ” she shared.
Video via Instagram/the.death.empath
Would You Dance With Your Cat?
Online, Jess shared that she adopted Oliver when he was a 9-month-old stray kitten. So there is a lifetime bond there, and he’s extremely relaxed with her antics.
“He was so small and skinny when we got him. [We] never thought he’d get so long!” Reis said.
While some wondered if he was comfortable dancing this way, she explained that he definitely was. As a cat, he would definitely let her know if he wasn’t comfortable. So, we can be certain the dancing was definitely an enjoyable moment for him, too.
If you try this at home, results may vary as it takes a very close, trusting bond and relaxed purrsonality. If your cat’s body language indicates they don’t like it, stop. There are a million other ways to bond and have fun together.
Dancing with Her Soul Cat
On TikTok, Jess also danced with her senior kitty Pierre, now 17 years old with chronic kidney disease. Even while acknowledging the ‘anticipatory grief‘ of living with a chronically ill senior pet, we can find light moments that make each day so much better and memorable.
Look at how happy this kitty is to be dancing with his mama!
Video via TikTok/the.death.empath
As a first-generation Mexican-American, Reis brings many profound cultural and mystical beliefs about animals and spirituality into her work. One is about the deep healing connection we all share, which transcends the short time we have here on Earth.
“One of the tools I use in my work as a death doula and Curandera is the healing energy of animals. Pierre is my soul animal and my cute senior citizen kitty. When I hold him, I feel and see flashes of light and immediately feel a deep tether and bond connecting us. I feel like we help each other heal,” she said.
Thank you for sharing these heartfelt and meowgical moments with the world, Jessica! You can follow Jess the Death Empath on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.
