we live in a state that is home to a massive hunting culture. i don't care for it, neither does grant necessarily, but we aren't vegetarians and people here are pretty good about hunting for use and protecting "wild utah" as they call it. so we're like, whatev.
cate, however, starts crying every time she sees a deer by the side of the road because she is worried someone will shoot it and it's "sooooo beeeauuutiful!" in conjunction with her love of living wild creatures, she despises animal trophies. hmm, despise isn't the right word. it's more like terrified. phobic. full of hate.
she won't play at friend's houses who have mounted heads. she won't eat at restaurants that use taxidermy as art. she won't go to sporting good's stores or museums that display it. and yes, it is the first thing she asks when we announce plans. and yes, she makes us call to verify. and yes, we've tried forcing her: she screams bloody murder, death grips our necks with fingernails digging in, and starts having a child size anxiety attack.
so, i understand her passion, (and drama, for that matter, i have my own issues), but we can't have her growing up afraid of inanimate objects, either. also, you'd be surprised how many restaurants think taxidermy goes well with their whole design- bet you haven't even noticed, but look around. it's everywhere. ok, so we started the basic psychology slow immersion thing. we made her watch mounted in alaska until it didn't bug her.
step two: this tiny bronze deer head for our keys was purchased. portrayals in bronze ecetera, are almost as terrifying to her as the real thing:
we bought it and put it up while she wasn't home. she fa-lipped out when she saw it. but we said it's staying, so name it and give it a little pet. she went to her room, slammed the door, and slid menacing notes under. basically, they said to bring her meals to her, she's never coming out again.
of course that got old. so she stormed out with this post it on her forehead: "coming out just for a while." let's just skip the drama of the next 48 hours and look at the happy ending...
cate is bff with our little antonio bandeeras. she can't wait to pet him after school. so, there you have it. real live proof that exposure therapy for phobias really does work. what should be the next level? not sure if she's ready for the bean museum yet. maybe hold a real antler till she stops screaming?
also, i've been working on my mouse phobia. it is crazy bad. i'm only on step one where cate and i watch cinderella and say in my mind over and over: gus gus is cute and harmless. not sure what step two will be. but it will involve an inescapable cage and the cutest mouse in the world, outfitted in a blue shirt before being shown to me. that's the only way.
That is so sweet that Cate loves animals so much! And awesome that she is getting over her phobia. I love the little bronze guy's name :)
Posted by: Lydia | February 20, 2012 at 03:37 PM
PS-I'm still cracking up over the post it notes!!!
Posted by: Lydia | February 20, 2012 at 03:38 PM
go cate! way to confront those furry creatures in all their weird taxidermy glory!
as for the mice thing. oh girl, i totally understand that phobia. the other day a few hangers fell on the ground catching me by surprise. i kid you not, i wan on the bed faster than you see. it was ridic. i need help. :)
Posted by: communikate | February 20, 2012 at 05:34 PM
ha, this is hilarious! fun post!
Posted by: kelli | February 20, 2012 at 05:41 PM
I read the first paragraph and was thinking I'd make some crack about how she probably hates the Bean Museum. :)
Would Disneyland help your mouse phobia?!? It's the happiest mouse infested place on earth.
Posted by: Ellen Patton | February 21, 2012 at 12:42 PM
As a vegan, I empathize with Cate! ;-) Nice work though!
Posted by: Tiffany | February 21, 2012 at 08:41 PM
that was totally hilarious!
Posted by: leslie | February 22, 2012 at 10:54 AM
this is so awesome.
love, lindsay
Posted by: Lindsay | February 22, 2012 at 04:03 PM
oh cate. i love that girl. could she be anymore you and grant combined. this post is so so funny. love it. tell cate we will pray for her. smile. ha ha
Posted by: heather | February 23, 2012 at 04:39 PM
Kelly, I'm gonna tell you something that might make you squirm. Or maybe even dislike me.
My dad is a taxidermist.
He only does birds.
But we have several of his mounts in our home.
I think of him as an artist.
And try not to think about how these animals were killed.
Cuz, honestly, it kind of bothers me a bit too.
But regardless, my dad is a taxidermist for a living.
P.S. I think they could make a great reality show about his taxidermy shop [he has a partner who does the wild game] and the rascally characters who visit his shop on a daily basis. He LOVES Mounted In Alaska :)
Posted by: Marilyn | February 24, 2012 at 12:21 PM
also, my son Ethan adores my dad and wants to be just like him. Yep, my sons life dream is to be a taxidermist too.
Are you squirming yet?
:)
Posted by: Marilyn | February 24, 2012 at 12:22 PM
That's my granddaughter!!! Way to go Cakie, Animals are NOT for killing andmounting for trophiies I won't patronize any establishment with dead decor, yes one of the down falls of iving in beautiful Utah. YOU GO CATE!
LOVE YOU, GRANNY
Posted by: Granny | April 15, 2012 at 08:30 AM