往年我對於貓咪戴鈴鐺這件事情，認為可能會讓貓咪因此感到焦慮，或者是鈴鐺聲聽久傷耳，所以抱持著反對立場。但在這幾年相關的研究越來越多，有些事情跟我當初想的不太一樣，所以再次重新跟大家分享一下我的看法：

1.鈴鐺究竟能不能幫助野生動物逃離貓的魔爪？

先說結論，鈴鐺有效，但有其他更安全更有效的產品（如THE CATBIB），然後家貓不要放養，乖乖待在家裡就好不要放出去亂。

相關的研究：
Equipping cats with bells seems to reduce their predation on wild birds and mammals…this practice can be recommended to owners seeking to reduce such predation. (Ruxton, G. 2002)

還有一些類似的研究：
Cats equipped with a bell returned 34% fewer mammals, and 41% fewer birds than those with a plain collar. (Nelson, S. 2005)

2.鈴鐺會造成貓咪聽覺受損或焦慮嗎？

聽覺受損的部分這點有研究，因為噪音導致聽覺功能受損的機制，這方面貓跟人很像，所以有人以貓作為實驗動物做了相關實驗，可參考:
Auditory brainstem responses predict auditory nerve fiber thresholds and frequency selectivity in hearing impaired chinchillas.

如果你懶得看，我直接說結論，答案是”不會”。

由於該研究用的是專門的聲音控制裝置，並沒有使用到鈴鐺，所以這鈴聲是我自己拿分貝計去測的，其平均音量大約是80分貝左右。這個音量要讓聽覺受損的難度，大概就像你在地上撿了一顆石頭想要丟中天上的飛機一樣，有那個可能，但微乎其微。

至於會不會讓長期繫上鈴鐺的貓咪焦慮？

關於這點沒有相關研究，僅知道貓的聽覺頻率比人更廣，音量也是人聽到的四倍（大家有空可以去科教館玩，那邊有一頂貓頭盔可以模擬貓咪聽到的音量，基本上，貓就是可以聽到超細微的聲音）。所以關於這一點，目前無法證實是否有影響，如果有，會有多大的影響？

我是認為，以人的角度能替貓設想到這件事，就是代表你重視動物福利，如果連你都不喜歡那樣的東西長期配戴在自己身上，那幹嘛還給貓戴？

倒是近期有篇比較好玩的研究，主要是在講有一些特定的聲音會引起老年貓的癲癇，可參考：
Levetiracetam in the management of feline audiogenic reflex seizures: a randomised, controlled, open-label study.(Lowrie M, et al. J Feline Med Surg. 2017.)

結論：
雖然鈴鐺沒有這麼萬惡深淵，但以風險考量下，即使是安全項圈也還是有不安全的時候，加上我實在想不到有什麼情況是非得讓貓配戴鈴鐺不可的理由。很多環境上的問題都是我們身為飼主可以努力改善的，所以我認為是不需要沒事找事做，你當你在改車啊？

《附註》
很多人在問什麼樣的聲音會引起貓的癲癇，跟大家分享一下：

The sounds that trigger seizures vary between individual cats, and a huge variety of different sounds were identified as triggers. Some of the more common trigger noises included:

*crinkling tin foil
*a metal spoon clanging in a ceramic feeding bowl
*chinking or tapping of glass
*crinkling of paper or plastic bags
*tapping on a computer keyboard or clicking of a mouse
*clinking of coins or keys
*hammering of a nail
*clicking of an owner’s tongue

至於我個人經驗裡面，這我們家阿橘曾經因為電音舞曲的吵雜聲音發作過。

Photo from: smithsonianmag.com

Use your Gifts in a Spirit of Love

“If I speak with the languages of men and of angels, but don’t have love, I have become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but don’t have love, I am nothing. If I dole out all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but don’t have love, it profits me nothing.” (1 Corinthians‬ ‭13:1-3‬ ‭WEB‬‬)

The Corinthian church liked to show off their gift of praying in tongues in a chaotic manner. They spoke it loudly during worship and the sharing of the word, causing such disruption that Paul had to teach them to do everything orderly in congregational worship. The problem was not just limited to that. They liked to compare and boast about who had a better spiritual gift.

Probably one person who could pray in tongues liked to say how he was greater or more loved by God than other members who could not do it. Then the other would retort saying that he had another better spiritual gift than praying in tongues. These squabbles would lead to factions being formed, people with the same kind of gifts grouping together and disliking those who had different gifts from them.

That is why Paul had to use the analogy of the foot and the hand saying that they don’t need each other being a ridiculous idea. He had to teach them proper decorum on how to minister in their gifts the right way. Paul had to teach them how the body of Christ is meant to be united as one, working together, and built up in love.

“For as the body is one, and has many members, and all the members of the body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all given to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot would say, “Because I’m not the hand, I’m not part of the body,” it is not therefore not part of the body. If the ear would say, “Because I’m not the eye, I’m not part of the body,” it’s not therefore not part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the smelling be? But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body, just as he desired. If they were all one member, where would the body be? But now they are many members, but one body. The eye can’t tell the hand, “I have no need for you,” or again the head to the feet, “I have no need for you.” No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. Those parts of the body which we think to be less honorable, on those we bestow more abundant honor; and our unpresentable parts have more abundant propriety; whereas our presentable parts have no such need. But God composed the body together, giving more abundant honor to the inferior part, that there should be no division in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. When one member suffers, all the members suffer with it. Or when one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.” (1 Corinthians‬ ‭12:12-26‬ ‭WEB‬‬)

Comparison and divisiveness are toxic. Everything ought to be done in love, if not, it is easy for pride to come in and ruin everything. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.

It is not so much about their gifts not working or profiting them when they don’t do it in the right spirit. Yes, they may lose out on heavenly rewards because God weighs the heart, but spiritual gifts will always work because they operate by grace—not based on how worthy the person is by works. It is more about how it is pointless when done boastfully because God gave them the gifts to be used in love—not to compare, boast, or inflate their egos. God’s spiritual gifts are not party tricks to impress men with.

Use your gifts in a spirit of love, to build people up by demonstrating the love of God. Recognize that every believer has a different set of gifts, unique for his or her calling. Yes, you have a gift! God designed this diversity so that we would all need each other, and minister to one another. Just like that, we will build up the body of Christ in love. This is the right way that glorifies God!

God has equipped you with powerful gifts to fulfill your calling. Do you know what your gifts and calling are? Do you know what are eternal rewards and how you can maximize them, especially seeing as Jesus’ return is so close, right at the doors? “Sandcastles Don’t Last Forever” is a book that this end time generation needs to read. Redeem your time wisely and receive the best eternal rewards: http://bit.ly/sandcastlesdontlastforever

【我親愛的Zoom視訊客人們】
To My Dear Zoom Clients

我忍了真的⋯⋯真的⋯⋯很久，今天過後實在忍無可忍，一定要叮嚀所有過去和未來的客人們。

我年紀很大了，受不了太大的刺激。

拜託，你們可以Zoom好來嗎？😓😑

一、Zoom視訊的視角 = 拍護照照的視角

護照自2020年起就已成為古董，但大家這一生應該有拍過證件照吧！

對了，就是要頭髮整齊，讓我看到你的雙耳、雙眼、鼻子、嘴巴、頸項和肩膀，到胸部。

我批八字時，需要看整個面相。不要讓你一半的臉掉出鏡頭外，這樣很像鍾無艷，也不要嘴巴不見掉，這樣我很像在跟一條羅漢魚視訊。

我看面相包括看你的嘴巴、牙齒和說話時的嘴形。是的，看相就是需要那麼仔細。

如果你的螢幕太低，那就找書本或舊報紙，把螢幕墊高一點。別讓我整一個小時半只看到你的雙下巴，會把你的面相比例給看錯。

不要一直告訴我不好意思，方法是人想出來的。

•

二、光線

太暗，我看你如見鬼。
太亮，我會看不清你的膚色。
拉開窗簾，不要背向陽光。
有必要的話，就直接開燈！

•

三、勿放什麼椰樹沙灘/金門大橋的虛擬背景圖

什麼虛擬背景圖都不要放啦～

我的家美最重要，我不在乎你的家美不美，我只是來看命的。

如果你的Wi-Fi不是很強，電腦功能不是很厲害，這類的虛擬背景圖會讓你的視訊畫面卡卡的。

有時你轉個身，整個右邊不見了，或部份的頭髮少了，讓我覺得我好像在看恐怖片，嚇人啊～

•

四、環境和聲音

有些海外客人其實非常用心。為了與我視訊，特別去買有麥克風的耳機🎧，讓我能更清楚的聽到他們的聲音。😍

沒有使用耳機和麥克風的客人，往往他們的聲音會有種空氣般的回音，如果他們本身講話又小聲，我的耳機聲量開滿，我還是聽得滿辛苦的

也有香港和馬來西亞客人租過會議室、鐘點房間或單人工作室，就是為了不受家人的干擾，能安心的與我視訊。😍

最有趣的是，去年新加坡阻斷措施時，有位男客人跑到屋外的走廊坐在地上與我視訊。只是外頭風聲有點大，我好幾次都聽不清楚他的聲音。

曾有客人在咖啡廳與我視訊。咖啡廳裡的高談闊論聲和器皿的敲擊聲，頻頻從我的耳機闖進我的耳朵，哇～我的耳朵那時真的是活受罪，還要裝一副氣定神閒的樣子。

天啊，兩次過後，我寧願退錢，也不再見這樣的客人了。耳朵只有一對，我要保護好啊！

在這裡聲明：一般我們買手機時的那種有麥克風的耳機，就已能視訊。沒有戴耳機和麥克風的客人，我一概會拒絕諮詢，把費用原銀奉還。

五、孩子

曾試過諮詢的前20分鐘，一直被女客人的小孩打擾，進來哭著要媽媽主持公道。

如果你家中有六歲以下的兒童，會時不時來敲你的門，我建議你還是先別約我。你這樣會分心，無法聽好我交代的事，而我也得一直等你去安撫你的孩子，就無法在限定時間內看完你的八字，這樣對誰都不公平。

六、我只見客人一人

這個規矩，從我一出道就定下來，也清楚的寫在網站上，根本不用一而再的來試探水溫。

但這兩個星期，還是有客人硬闖關，事先安排自己的配偶/孩子坐在電腦的另一面，要他們聽我講他的八字。

我從不改我的規矩，也沒有八字或風水是我非看不可的。

讀書這麼高，連自己的命都不能自己負責，這已經不是能改到命的人了。

你一定要你的配偶陪你聽，那你需要的不是我來教你改命，是你的配偶來安你的心。

將來若還有這樣的事，我會直接中斷視訊，把錢退回去。

七、「我第一次用Zoom！」

可是從報名那天到今天的諮詢，你有兩個月的時間去摸索。

兩個月，怎麼還是錯誤百出？因為客人根本沒有事先準備和練習。

結果我就這樣等了20分鐘，還得等對方下載軟件。

Zoom不難使用，但如果是你沒有花時間去摸索，就不要撒謊，直接說，我就直接退現錢。

品德是改命的資糧，不要為了自己能脫身就隨便編一個漏洞百出的謊，還說自己是好人。這...不會臉皮太厚了嗎？

小事都不願做好，絕對不會成大器。

八、暈車

有些客人用Ipad或手機來視訊。

重點是，他一支手拿著手機，一支手拿筆寫筆記。他一邊寫，另一支手就一邊搖晃。他做在床上，移動一下，手機就彷彿大海嘯幾下🌊

我一天如果見三個這樣客人，我的視線就搖晃了5個小時。工作完畢後，頭也會痛得厲害，無法完成晚上製片的工作。

沒有自拍器三腳架，也應該有些書本或東西來頂著手機。

各位，多點善心，為我著想一下吧⋯⋯

__________________________

To My Dear Zoom Clients

I have been enduring it for a really really long time. That's it! I am gonna put a stop to this after today and send out this reminder to all my past and future clients.

I am getting on in years, and cannot stand too much stimulation.

Please.... can you guys do a proper Zoom?

Number 1: Going on screen in Zoom = Taking a photograph for your passport.

Since 2020, the passport has become something of an antique but I believe everyone has taken some kind of ID photos! Yes, the ones with your neatly combed trusses where I can see both your ears, nose, mouth, neck, shoulder all the way to your chest.

I would like to see your full face during the Bazi Consultation. Please don't allow half your face to fall off the screen and you end up looking like Zhong Wu Yan! Please also don't hide your mouth making me feel like I am talking to a Arrowana.

When I analyze your facial features, it includes your mouth, teeth and the shape of your mouth while you are talking. Yes, it is down to such level of details.

If your PC / Laptop monitor is too low, please find a book or old newspapers and stack it on top. Please don't let me only see your double chin for that 1.5 hours, as I would probably get the proportion of your face wrong.

Don't keep telling me you are apologetic. Think of a way out.

Number 2: The background lighting.

Too dark, you risk looking like a ghost.

Too bright, I cannot figure out your skin color.

Draw open the curtains, but don't face your back to the sunlight.

If necessary, just turn on the lights!

Number 3: Background images of coconut trees on sandy beaches or the Golden Gate Bridge.

There is no need to put on a virtual background. I only care about how my hone looks, I am not bothered by yours. I am only here to see your Bazi.

If your WIFI signal or your PC / Laptop performance is poor, using the virtual background can often make your Zoom video choppy. Sometimes when you turn your body, one side of your body or some part of your hair will disappear. It's really like one of those spooky movies scaring the wits out of me.

•

Number 4: Background environment and noise.

Some of my overseas clients really put in effort for our Zoom sessions. They bought a headset with a mic so that I can hear them properly and vice versa.

Those that did not use a earphone or a headset often sounded echo-ish, and if they spoke softly, I would have to turn on the volume on my side full throttle and still have a hard time trying to hear them.

There are some clients from Hong Kong and Malaysia who would rent meeting rooms, hotel rooms or private work spaces by the hour so as to reduce any disturbance from others and better focus on the Zoom session with me.

I recalled an interesting incident during the Circuit Breaker last year. A client from Singapore Zoom-ed with me along the corridor outside his house. Most of the time, I was hearing the howling of the winds rather than his voice.

Some clients sat themselves in coffee places for our session. These places are often filled with loud chatters and the clanging of cups and plates, and my ears suffered terribly. Yet, I have to continue to be seen as composed and attentive.

Goodness me, after 2 of such experiences, I decided that I rather refund these clients and never see them again. I have only 1 pair of ears and I want to protect them at all costs!

A normal earpiece that comes with the purchase of a handphone is good enough for Zoom video calls. For clients who do not have a earpiece/headset and a mic, I would end the consultation and refund the monies.

•

Number 5: Children

There was once where a session with a female client was repeatedly disrupted by her kids, running in crying for their mother to settle their quarrels. If you have children below 6 years of age, and likely to interrupt our session, I suggest you don't book a consultation with me.

You will be distracted, unable to focus on my advice and I have to wait for you to clear up the situation with your children, eating into the allowable time for me to complete the consultation. This is unfair to both you and me.

•

Number 6: I only meet one person, that is the Client.

I have set this requirement the day I stepped into this line of work, and it is clearly written in my booking form. There is no need to try your luck under any circumstances.

But in the space of 2 weeks, there were some clients who rode their luck and got their spouse / child to sit on the other side of the screen to listen in on our consultation.

I never change my stance, and there is no single client that I cannot afford to lose.

If you insist to have your spouse sit in, it is apparent that you do not need me to help transform your destiny. Rather you really need your spouse to put your heart at ease.

If such things happen the next time, I will end the session immediately and refund the fees.

•

Number 7: "My first time using Zoom"

But you have 2 full months to prepare before our actual consultation. You did not end up wasting time exploring the software and I wasted 20 mins waiting for you to download the software.

Zoom is an easy software to use but if you did not spend the time to familiarize yourself with it, please quit the lies and tell me directly. I will refund the consultation fees on the spot.

Our moral ethics serve as the foundation for our transformation. Stop weaving web of lies to get out of sticky situations, and still claim that you are a good person. Isn't this too thick-skinned?

•

Number 8: Giddy spells

Some clients use Ipad or their handphones for the Zoom session. Crucially, they hold the device with one hand, and take notes with the other. As they write, the other hand holding the phone becomes shaky. If he is doing that on his bed, his handphone would shake like a tsunami wave every time he changes his position.

If I see 3 such clients within a day, it would be 5 hours of shaking visuals for me. That would mean a splitting headache at the end of my work day, and not being able to work on my videos at night.

Even if you don't have a tripod stand, at least prop up the device with a book or something.

Please everyone, please be kind and have mercy on me......