When Love Hisses Back, Why Cats Act Out, How to Help Them Heal, and a Personal Story That Still Has Hope- Blood in the Snow chapter 10 Things we Forget To Forget

🐾 When Love Hisses Back

Why Cats Act Out, How to Help Them Heal, and a Personal Story That Still Has Hope

By Tanya Natashia Eyssen – Bee Happy Paws, Claws & More

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This past weekend was long, emotional, and packed tighter than a cat carrier during vet visits. We moved—not just people, but paws, claws, and the tangled history between them.

It started Thursday night. My daughter came all the way from Cape Town to fetch us in Vredenburg. We no longer have a car, and bringing all my animals—Tinkerbell, Nina our rescue, and Ertjie, our tiny miracle kitty—was no small task.

What I didn’t expect was the emotional storm waiting for us.

🐱 The Cat Kingdom We Merged Into

My daughter lives with five cats:

Miona: a 7-year-old long-haired “cow cat” who’s basically royalty

Queen Sam & Dean: her adopted ginger siblings—each with wildly different personalities

Moempie: her rescue cat, soft and spirited

Luna: Ertjie’s sister, the third born of five kittens

And then there's Ertjie—the smallest, born first but always last to the milk. She was weak, left behind by the litter, and only survived because my daughter began feeding her with a teaspoon. When Ertjie still couldn't eat on her own at six weeks, I took over. Every two hours. For days. Then came the soft wet food, the slow recovery, the fierce bond.

She became mine. But maybe too much.

😾 The Unexpected Attack

This weekend, Ertjie did something we never saw coming.

She bit my daughter—hard. Her finger bled and swelled.

This is the same daughter who nursed Ertjie through her first days. The same hands that gave her warmth when no other kitten would share space. Yet, Ertjie greeted her not with purring recognition, but with full fear and fury.

It wasn’t the first sign.

On an earlier visit, Ertjie pooped on her and then kneaded her aggressively. It was confusing and sad. Even Moempie and Luna, the sister she once shared a womb with, turned on her—hissing and growling as if they'd never met.

Ertjie spent the weekend hiding in my son’s room, only emerging Saturday morning for cuddles with me and my husband—completely ignoring my daughter.

But on the drive back to Vredenburg, something changed.

As we drove to my house, and without prompting, Ertjie reached out her paw toward my daughter.

This time, she let her pet her—no biting.

Still growling. Still wary. But a step forward.

Sometimes healing sounds like a hiss before the purr.

This Experience made to curious to why? And this is what I found!

🧠 Why Do Cats Behave Like This?

Let’s explore the psychology of cats, and why Ertjie—and many other cats—act this way.

🐾 1. Territorial Sensitivity

Cats aren’t just moody—they’re wired for territorial safety. When they feel their space is invaded or their role disrupted, they can lash out, even at loved ones.

🧠 Fact: A cat’s brain structure is 90% similar to a human’s. Emotionally, they form memories of people, places, smells—and stress triggers.

🐾 2. Displacement Aggression

This is when a cat feels threatened by something (a smell, sound, or animal) and redirects that fear or aggression onto a person. Your daughter may carry the scent of her other cats—or even stress—which Ertjie perceives as a threat.

 😿 Hint: If your cat suddenly attacks someone they used to trust, try rubbing a blanket on yourself and them to share scents and reset familiarity.

🐾 3. Bonding Imprint

Ertjie saw me during her survival stages—her “mother figure.” When kittens are hand-fed, they often imprint deeply and grow hyper-attached. She might see me as her only safe figure, and everyone else as a threat—even her original savior.

❤‍🩹 Hint: Give ultra-attached cats “independent play” time. Let them explore without always being comforted.

💡 Calming Methods That Help (And Don’t Sedate)

Whether you're dealing with a rescue, a trauma survivor, or a “cranky queen,” these tips truly help:

🌿 1. Pheromone Diffusers (Like Feliway)

They mimic “happy cat” facial pheromones. Plug them into rooms where conflict happens.

🧴 2. Calming Sprays or Oils

Zylkene – made from milk protein; excellent for stress 

L-theanine chews – safe and effective 

CBD oil for pets – use only with vet guidance 

📚 As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

🐾 3. Scent Swapping Between Cats

Use a brush or blanket to transfer scent between cats. This says, “Hey, we’re in the same family.”

🎵 4. Soft Music and Low Lights

Cats respond to rhythm and calm. Turn on gentle background music in shared rooms.

📅 5. Time, Space, and Patience

You can't rush trust. Some cats need weeks—even months—to adapt.

💬 Have You Been Through This?

Has your cat ever attacked someone they once loved?

Did you ever bottle-feed a kitten that ended up being your shadow?

Or have two feline siblings turned enemies over time?

I would love to hear from you.

Please share your story in the comments or message me privately—let’s learn from each other and support this unique kind of healing.

 📚 Reader’s Corner – Books We Love This Week

All About Cats and their Behaviour 

📖Chapter 10 – Blood in the Snow

Stay tuned for the next piece of my son’s incredible fantasy-adventure story.

A tale of survival, transformation, and finding light in even the darkest snowstorms.

Perfect for readers who love emotion, depth, and a little magic.

Chapter 10: Things We Forget to Forget

I stared at the photo on the stair.

The edges curled slightly inward, like it had been clutched too tightly by invisible hands. I didn’t touch it. Just stepped over it and made my way to the table.
The candle beside the book flickered with a sickly orange light. The shadows it cast didn’t move right. They stretched too long. Shivered too slow.

The pen was still warm when I picked it up.
I wasn’t going to write anything. I wasn’t. But the book was open and the page was blank and my hand moved like it already knew what to say.

I don’t remember what I wrote.
I don’t think I was the one doing it.

And then—
The candle hissed. Went out.

Darkness.
And then it all fell in.

I was six years old again.
Running barefoot down the hallway of this very house, the wood cold and slick beneath me. Brandon was laughing ahead of me, dragging a blanket cape behind him. His voice echoed like it didn’t belong to this time.

We turned the corner—
—and Mom was there.

But not really.
She stood in the doorway of the kitchen, chopping vegetables.

Chop. Chop. Chop.
Her fingers slipped.

But she didn’t stop.
Blood pooled on the cutting board.

Drip. Drip.
She turned to me slowly. Her mouth was a thin black line. Her eyes… gone.

Just hollow sockets, wet and dark and grinning.
“Dinner’s ready, sweetie.”

I tried to run, but the hallway was too long. The walls bent inward like a tunnel. My feet stuck to the floor with every step—slower—slower—until—
I was older. Eleven.

The night we lost Brandon.
I saw it all again, but wrong. Like someone else had drawn the memory in charcoal and smeared it before it dried.

He was screaming from the woods. His voice didn’t sound right. It echoed in loops.
I saw myself running into the trees, flashlights slicing through the dark like knives, my breath sharp in my throat.

And then—I found him.
Or what was left of him.

But he wasn’t dead.
Not there.

He was kneeling by the old tree, carving something into the bark with his fingernail.
He looked up at me, eyes bleeding black.

“It’s growing inside me,” he whispered.
Then he smiled.

A huge, splitting smile that cracked his jaw sideways.
“You brought it back.

 
Then I was in the basement again.

But it wasn’t the same. The purple walls were peeling. The posters were crying.
There were bodies beneath the couch.

Hands sticking out.
They looked like mine.

A single knock echoed from the far corner.
Then another.

Knock.
Knock.

Knock.
I turned slowly.

There was a mirror now, propped up against the wall.
But my reflection wasn’t moving.

She was smiling.
“I didn’t die here,” she said. “You did.”

Her smile split.
“Who were we?”

I woke up choking.
Heart hammering. Sheets damp. Limbs tangled like I’d been fighting for my life in my sleep.

My room looked… normal.
But it felt wrong.

The light filtering through the curtains was too pale. The air too still.
I pressed my palm to my chest to feel my heartbeat. It was there. Too fast, too loud—but there.

I sat up slowly.
My legs ached like I’d run miles. My throat was dry. The window had fogged over from the inside.

I looked around the room. Everything was in place, and yet—nothing felt real.
I whispered to myself, like hearing it out loud might help.

“It was a dream.”
But it didn’t feel like one.

I climbed out of bed, dragging my blanket with me. My limbs felt like stone. Every part of me heavy, drained. When I glanced in the mirror, I barely recognized my reflection.
Pale.

Sunken eyes.
Hair tangled.

Me, but hollowed out.
I opened the door and shuffled down the stairs. The old wood groaned under my weight, louder than usual. The smell of toast was in the air again—but it didn’t comfort me.

At the bottom of the stairs, Dad was humming something off-key in the kitchen. My brother sat at the table, quietly drawing spirals in the steam on his glass again.
Mom turned, already halfway through pouring orange juice.

She paused when she saw me.
“You look terrible,” she said, a little too flat.

I pulled out a chair. Sat slowly.
“I didn’t sleep.”

She placed the glass in front of me. “You never do when we come here.”
I didn’t answer.

My fingers curled around the cup, and I tried to ground myself in the present.
But part of me was still in the dark.

Part of me was still watching that reflection smile.

Chapter 11 to follow next week.....

 

**Key Points to Look Forward to in Chapter 11:**

 
1. **Exploration of Trauma:** Expect a deeper dive into the protagonist’s memories and how past traumas continue to affect their present.
 
2. **Family Dynamics:** The interactions with family members, especially with Mom and Dad, may reveal underlying tensions or secrets that contribute to the overall atmosphere.
 
3. **Unraveling of the Dream:** The boundaries between reality and the haunting dream may blur further, raising questions about the protagonist’s mental state and past experiences.
 
4. **Connection to Brandon:** There’s likely to be a more detailed exploration of Brandon's significance, especially in relation to the protagonist’s fears and memories.
 
5. **Symbolism of the Mirror:** The mirror and the reflection could become a focal point for understanding identity and the dichotomy of the protagonist’s experiences.
 
6. **Uncovering Hidden Truths:** The story may begin to unveil hidden truths or mysteries that are intertwined with the family history and past events.
 
7. **Further Disorientation:** Expect a continued sense of unease and disorientation as the protagonist struggles between what’s real and what’s imagined.
 
8. **Climactic Revelations:** Key revelations that could shift the understanding of past events, particularly related to the unsettling finale of Chapter 10.
 
9. **Emotional Turmoil:** An exploration of the protagonist’s emotional state, as they grapple with fear, guilt, and confusion from the dream sequence.
 
10. **Foreshadowing Future Events:** There may be hints or foreshadowing of impending confrontations or events that will challenge the protagonist’s understanding of their reality.
 

Looking forward to how these elements unfold in the next chapter

 

🐝 Until Next Time…

Not every hiss is hate.

Not every bite is betrayal.

Sometimes love takes time—especially when it wears whiskers.

Thank you for reading our story.

With paint-stained fingers and purring hearts,

🐾 Winter Kindness Campaign: Help Keep a Paw Warm

Hey Animal Lovers Artists and fellow Viewers, It’s Me Tanya, As winter settles in across Cape Town, Bee Happy Paws & Claws is shining a warm spotlight on our local heroes in animal rescue. This week, we’re proudly partnering with two incredible organizations:

✨ Chocolate’s Angels Animal Rescue View Page on Link

✨ Capetonians Against Animal Abuse View Page on Link

They are working to gather blankets, pet food, and other essential supplies for animals in need. Many rescues rely entirely on donations to cover rising vet bills, daily care, and sheltering costs. Your kindness, no matter how small, truly makes a big difference.

Let’s wrap every 🐾 paw in warmth and every belly in comfort this winter.

👉 View Video on Youtube Link👈

🧡 🎁 How You Can Help:

·        ❤Donate directly to one of these amazing rescues

·        ❤Drop off blankets or food

·        ❤Share their story

·        ❤Spread love and awareness

⚠ Disclaimer: Bee Happy Paws & Claws only shares and promotes local rescue efforts. We do not handle donations ourselves. Please donate directly to the organization of your choice — links to websites and Facebook are added above.

 ✨ Message of the Day: Bee Happy! Like, follow, and share your favorite rescue pet stories on social media. We can’t all adopt, but we can all share a voice. Help spread the message. Volunteer, donate, support.

Thank you for the follow and kind messages. I’ll be sharing more from my art journey very soon!

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With love,
Tanya Eyssen
🐾 Bee Happy Paws, Claws and More