Pounce Delacroix has been the head therapist at Hairball Haven for nine years, and she is the heart of our practice. We sat down with her, though she did most of the sitting, to learn about her working day.
The early hours
“I wake at four,” says Pounce. “This is not by choice, but there is no use in fighting it. I walk around the spa in the dark and check that everything is where I left it. Usually it is not.”
Morning preparation
At six, Pounce begins to prepare the treatment rooms. She folds towels, though a towel folded by a cat is more a rumour of a fold. She places a cucumber slice on each pillow. “I do not like the cucumbers,” she admits. “They are cold and they stare back.”
The treatments
Throughout the day, Pounce provides a range of treatments, including:
- Kneading massage, performed with both front paws and a rhythm known only to her
- Warm towel wraps, in which the guest is wrapped and then sat upon
- Silent meditation, which is simply Pounce sitting very close and not speaking
- Whisker alignment, a delicate procedure that involves staring at the guest’s face
Challenges
“The most difficult part,” says Pounce, “is the guests who want to talk. We are a spa. We have a policy of silence. If you start a conversation, I will look at you until you stop.” She demonstrates, and the interviewer stops.
Lunch
Lunch for Pounce consists of a small plate of tuna and a long stare at the wall. She considers this the most restorative part of her day. “It is when I think about my life and the choices that have led me here, such as the choice to be on this particular cushion.”
The afternoon
After lunch, Pounce takes a break of roughly three hours. She calls it “the integration period”. Guests are advised not to disturb her, as this will cause an imbalance in her energy and a scratch on your arm.
The evening
In the evening, Pounce reviews the day’s progress with Madame Voss. They sit in a quiet circle, say nothing and look at the moon. “It is a ritual,” says Pounce. “It is also a way of avoiding the accounts.”
Final thoughts
“I love my work,” she says. “It is peaceful, it is honest, and it is the only job where I am allowed to sit on a client.”
