WILLY AND SIMBA'S NEW RULES
Wendy Collins, a social worker in South Jordan, Utah, has been attracted to cats all her life. When she lost two beloved domestic shorthair cats, she knew she would eventually find another feline. Wendy has her heart set on the Lynx Point Siamese, a beautiful, intelligent breed with the piercing blue eyes of a Siamese and the striped coat of a Canadian Bobcat. Collins came across an ad for two young Lynx Point Siamese cats in the classifieds section of a local newspaper. The owner had a hard time keeping up with these energetic cats and wanted to find a more suitable home for them.
Collins adopted the brothers and named them Willie and Simba. Chocolate Lynx Willie and lilac version Simba instantly bring lots of excitement and entertainment to her home. "You could totally tell they had personalities and reactions to things. I lived alone and they were great company. They were my kids," Collins said.
In the past, Collins has adopted cats that were a few weeks old. She knew Willy and Simba were older, but she didn't know how old. A veterinarian told her they were 7 months old. In their youth, Collins argues, they were left to fend for themselves with no training. When she went for adoption, the owner only found one cat, then found another and called again, she recalls.
While sweet, they're a little unruly. They have bad habits like jumping on counters and chewing on plastic containers. "They're very different from domestic shorthair cats. They're very intelligent, whereas Simba needs a high level of stimulation. If he doesn't get stimulation, he's going to get in trouble," Wendy said.
The active Simba often tears in the house; he also scratches the furniture. Willie was more shy and nervous. Over time, Collins said, his nervousness got worse and he liked to chew on plastic bags and containers, bury things and empty out the water tray. "They each have their own quirks," Wendy said.
She works tirelessly to attract cats and build some structures. Wendy likens her house to a "cat's palace," and she's purchased a number of items to make Willy feel safe and help keep Simba's energy in the right direction, including a cat tower, cat exercise wheels, and multiple scratching posts. But the problem persisted.
A year later, with almost no one coming due to the pandemic, Wendy says Willy and Simba are getting nervous about new friends. "When the doorbell rang, they totally freaked out. Willie ran away and went into hiding," Wendy said. She also started traveling again for work, but she didn't want to leave; she didn't want to cause them further stress. Pandemic-related changes have triggered insecurities in pets, just like humans.
Some solutions include keeping the cats entertained, making sure they have their own territory, engaging in clicker training, and removing certain objects on which the cat is preoccupied. Wendy also started using the Comfort Zone Calming Pheromone Collar to help Willy and Simba improve their bad behavior. The collar emits a drug-free vapor that mimics the pheromones released by cats, signaling that the area is safe. (It's a bit like signaling in cat language that they're safe and ready to relax.) She immediately noticed that the cats were calmer, cuter, and happier than before. The brothers are very close and can often be seen snuggling on the couch.
"They love the collar. Willy and Simba are very cuddly; they roll happily. It calms them and makes them more comfortable."
Wendy hates to think about what would have happened if Willy and Simba had been separated. They always sleep together and play together."
Not all of their challenging behavior has disappeared, but Collins' home life has become more manageable. With the help of the Comfort Zone Calming Pheromone Collar, Willy and Simba's most endearing quality—their bond—is as strong as ever.
Collins adopted the brothers and named them Willie and Simba. Chocolate Lynx Willie and lilac version Simba instantly bring lots of excitement and entertainment to her home. "You could totally tell they had personalities and reactions to things. I lived alone and they were great company. They were my kids," Collins said.
In the past, Collins has adopted cats that were a few weeks old. She knew Willy and Simba were older, but she didn't know how old. A veterinarian told her they were 7 months old. In their youth, Collins argues, they were left to fend for themselves with no training. When she went for adoption, the owner only found one cat, then found another and called again, she recalls.
While sweet, they're a little unruly. They have bad habits like jumping on counters and chewing on plastic containers. "They're very different from domestic shorthair cats. They're very intelligent, whereas Simba needs a high level of stimulation. If he doesn't get stimulation, he's going to get in trouble," Wendy said.
The active Simba often tears in the house; he also scratches the furniture. Willie was more shy and nervous. Over time, Collins said, his nervousness got worse and he liked to chew on plastic bags and containers, bury things and empty out the water tray. "They each have their own quirks," Wendy said.
She works tirelessly to attract cats and build some structures. Wendy likens her house to a "cat's palace," and she's purchased a number of items to make Willy feel safe and help keep Simba's energy in the right direction, including a cat tower, cat exercise wheels, and multiple scratching posts. But the problem persisted.
A year later, with almost no one coming due to the pandemic, Wendy says Willy and Simba are getting nervous about new friends. "When the doorbell rang, they totally freaked out. Willie ran away and went into hiding," Wendy said. She also started traveling again for work, but she didn't want to leave; she didn't want to cause them further stress. Pandemic-related changes have triggered insecurities in pets, just like humans.
Some solutions include keeping the cats entertained, making sure they have their own territory, engaging in clicker training, and removing certain objects on which the cat is preoccupied. Wendy also started using the Comfort Zone Calming Pheromone Collar to help Willy and Simba improve their bad behavior. The collar emits a drug-free vapor that mimics the pheromones released by cats, signaling that the area is safe. (It's a bit like signaling in cat language that they're safe and ready to relax.) She immediately noticed that the cats were calmer, cuter, and happier than before. The brothers are very close and can often be seen snuggling on the couch.
"They love the collar. Willy and Simba are very cuddly; they roll happily. It calms them and makes them more comfortable."
Wendy hates to think about what would have happened if Willy and Simba had been separated. They always sleep together and play together."
Not all of their challenging behavior has disappeared, but Collins' home life has become more manageable. With the help of the Comfort Zone Calming Pheromone Collar, Willy and Simba's most endearing quality—their bond—is as strong as ever.