When a Bird Changes Everything: My Totally Feline Journey Takes an Unexpected Turn

I had it all figured out.
Cats? Absolutely. Fish? Sure. Maybe even a dog someday. But birds? That was a hard pass. My world was neatly defined, my expertise clearly bounded. I was *Totally Feline*, after all.
Then Simon Simone flew into my life and completely rewrote the script.

The 47% Club (Population: Me)
Here's something I admitted in an earlier post that still makes me laugh: I was part of that 47% who questioned whether it was inhumane to birds as s pet. 
Sometimes the universe sends you exactly what you need in the most unexpected package. For me, that package came with feathers, a surprisingly strong personality, and a knack for making me question everything I thought I knew about animal training.

What a Bird Taught This Cat Person
Simon Simone didn't just become part of my life—she became one of my greatest teachers.
She reignited something in me that I didn't realize had gone dormant. That pure, electric excitement of learning to communicate across species. She sharpened skills I thought were already honed. Most importantly, she challenged me to look beyond labels like "cat person" or "bird person" and focus on what actually matters: **trust, communication, and enrichment**.
The principles are the same whether you're working with whiskers or wings.

An Unexpected Common Ground
Here's a fun twist: while my cats are obligate carnivores (meaning they'd probably plot my demise if I suggested otherwise), Simon Simone and I are actually diet buddies. She thrives on the same plant-based foods I love—fresh fruits, crunchy vegetables, nuts, and beans.
Who knew I'd find a breakfast companion who gets as excited about blueberries as I do?

The Training Breakthrough I Didn't See Coming
Working with Simon Simone has done something unexpected for my cat training, too. Bird body language is *so* different from feline communication—the subtle head tilts, the way feathers telegraph emotion, the completely different vocalizations. Learning to read her cues has made me sharper at reading my cats.

It's like learning a second language makes you better at your first. Suddenly I'm noticing micro-expressions in my feline clients I might have glossed over before. I'm more patient with communication barriers. I'm more creative with problem-solving.

Who knew cross-species training would level up my cat expertise?

When Your Brand Evolves (And That's Okay)
I'll be honest—I had a moment of crisis when Simon Simone first arrived. I was at a crossroad on my beliefs of keeping a bird as a pet. And how would she fit into a Totally Feline? Would my clients think I was losing focus? Would "Totally Feline" lose its meaning if I started posting about my bird?
But here's what I've realized: **authenticity always wins**.

My audience isn't here because I fit neatly into a box. They're here because I'm passionate about animal behavior, dedicated to positive reinforcement training, and genuine about my journey—even when that journey takes unexpected detours.
Your brand can grow without losing its soul. In fact, sometimes those unexpected additions are exactly what make your story resonate even more deeply.

Still Totally Feline (Just with a Side of Feathers)
Let me be clear: my heart remains completely, utterly, *totally* feline. That will never change.
But here's what I've learned—growth doesn't mean abandoning who you are. Sometimes it just means adding a new chapter you never saw coming. Sometimes "never" is just the universe's way of saying "not yet."

Simon Simone taught me that expertise doesn't have to mean limitation. That passion can expand without losing its center. That the best trainers aren't defined by the species they work with, but by their willingness to truly *see* each animal as an individual.
So yes, I'm still Totally Feline. Always will be.
But now? Now I'm also a little bit feathered. And I wouldn't have it any other way. 🐾🪶

The Bigger Lesson 
If you're feeling stuck in your own "totally [whatever]" box, maybe this is your permission slip to explore. That hobby that feels "off brand"? That skill that doesn't quite fit your expertise? That passion project you've been dismissing because it doesn't align with your identity?

Maybe it's not a distraction. Maybe it's evolution.
Maybe the thing you said "never" to is exactly what you need to grow into the fullest version of yourself.
After all, I said "never" to birds. And now I can't imagine my life—or my work—without Simon Simone.
What are you saying "never" to that might actually be a "yes, and..."?
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*Has an unexpected animal ever changed your perspective? Or have you surprised yourself by falling in love with something you thought you'd never try? I'd love to hear your story in the comments below.*

**Want more stories about cross-species training, unexpected life lessons, and of course, all things feline? Subscribe to get new posts delivered straight to your inbox—feathers and whiskers included.**
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