Catherine, a resident of Springfield, has navigated a complex relationship with dogs for years, primarily due to her profound fear of them. This fear, rooted in a childhood incident where her mother was bitten by one of her best friend Sabrina’s dogs, has led Catherine to develop an elaborate protocol for her visits to Sabrina’s home—affectionately dubbed the “Catherine Protocol.” This setup, in its own special way, completely takes the edge off for Catherine. Simultaneously, it underscores the immense connection she has with Sabrina and her baby Charli.
The “Catherine Protocol” includes a series of procedures aimed at assuring Catherine’s visits are safe. Sabrina’s obsessive house-cleaning take on the beautiful home she lives in. She works to eliminate triggers for Catherine’s fear – she vacuums up the dog hair and shakes out the couch covers to remove potential threats. Catherine’s careful preparations are rooted in her previous experience at Sabrina’s house. She was so overwhelmed by the dogs she felt like she was in a “giant fur tumbleweed,” stuck inside a rolling ball of fur.
To make her anxieties worse, Catherine professes to have a saliva allergy to pups. This can’t be the excuse, this has been her narrative for years. It conveniently shields her from truly facing her fears. Sabrina and Charli have slowly but surely coaxed Catherine to face her fear of dogs, using love and care to warm the once cat-obsessed actress’s heart. She dresses them in cooling vests and harnesses, as needed, every time Catherine stops by. This goes a long way toward alleviating her anxiety of being pursued or smothered.
They’ve heard her fears, all right — and that hasn’t escaped the attention of Sabrina and Charli, who’ve vowed to protect her with all it takes. Catherine’s family accommodations are frequently provided during these visits to ensure a comforting and safe space. This considerate calling in & checking in demonstrates just how deep these two pals’ devotion runs! They want Catherine to feel welcomed in her second home. So do we.
Despite the challenges posed by her fears, photographs shared on social media capture joyful moments of celebration among the trio. Photos of birthday parties and ice cream dates captivate the closeness to which they’ve both fought tooth and nail to preserve. Through their unique journey, the warmth of their friendship ultimately shines through to show that even the darkest fears can be faced with love and support.
While Catherine’s journey has been inspiring, it has certainly not been without challenges. The dogs—once a source of initial fear for Sabrina—had created a chilling absence that had previously made visiting soothe enough an inconvenience. As the result of implementation of the “Catherine Protocol,” she has made excellent strides. With unstoppable encouragement from Sabrina and Charli, she’s slowly petrifying her anxiety to death. Their combined work shows how much friendship can help with personal struggles.
