I think a big part of keeping most animals calm is to stay calm yourself. They pick up on anxiety and mirror it. IMO animals want nothing more than to please us, so if you are anxious they'll join in,
I know this is going to sound crazy, try singing to them. It regulates your breathing and relaxes them. I sometimes (okay, ALWAYS) make up little songs with their name in it.
In addition to their stuff, give them something of yours-with your scent on it. The couple of times I had to kennel mine I left something of mine, like a sock or something. I figured their thought process would go something like
"Well, she desserted me, but I know she'll be back for this stinky sock."
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 Loving life in the Village of PattyLand
Y'know that part of your brain that tells you "ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!" I think I'm missing it.
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