Gifts of the Heart

We are gifted everyday with different presents. Some are more subtle than others. Today I was gifted with a look. I almost missed it being caught up in the business of everyday life. Busy getting everything done to start the week tomorrow. Checking emails, doing laundry, vacuuming and reviewing the schedule for the week. The dogs were busy trying to keep up with all that I was doing watching me running from room to room. I think I was starting to give Takla, my Lhasa, a headache so she headed upstairs to get some quiet. Maggie, my one Aussie, was busy working on a bone and Addison, my other Aussie, was lying on the bed half dozing off to sleep. Now Maggie I should tell you that is blind and Addison is deaf. Addison is starting to look her age but still has a lot of life left in her, Her eyes and nose bear the signs of aging with the white fur filling in a once black face. For some reason her eyes seem smaller to me now.

I had just gotten almost everything done and was getting ready to settle in to finish up some other writings I was doing and was gathering my things to move into the livingroom with my computer. I dimmed the lights down for Addison whose eyes were struggling to stay awake, it was in that moment she lifted her head and I could feel that heart connection hit my heart as our eyes met. In my rush to complete my tasks for the day I almost missed that special moment. She drew me to her with that look of love. She has been through so much with me, as has Maggie. They have seen me at my best and at my worst. They hold the secrets I have told them and love me unconditionally. It was in that moment with Addison that my heart melted and I laid down on the bed with her. I thanked her for her gift of love and told her that Mommy had picked her first and that made her even that much more special. She is the first dog that was all mine.

She laid her head back down and closed her eyes as I kissed her forehead. There was an ever so slight smile on her face as she drifted off into her dreamland. It is a precious memory that I had to share here. It made me think how many other moments have I missed with my girls. I have made a mental note to try and stay more present in the moment just as my dogs do, just as all animals do. Thank you Addison for the gift of love today, Mommy loves you very much. Don't miss those precious moments for these are the things life is made of not the lists or the endless things that seem important at the time. I promised each of them I would do better and hope that they would be proud of me because I have nothing but love for each one of them.

Happy Trails,
Sherry

Another Recall???

Seriously how many of these do we need to have before we get the message about the quality of the food being provided to our animal companions? Iams had a recall of their veterinary dry cat food on July 25th, then on August 3rd the recall was expanded to include Eukanuba for both cat and dog. Iams and Eukanuba is manufactured by Proctor and Gamble. This is just one of several recalls over the years from this particular company.

It is also interesting to note that Proctor and Gamble just bought out a large pet food company that has been supplying local and independant pet food store owners for years. These foods have been trusted and a few of them have not been affected by a recall at all. That company was Natura Foods. Natura produces California Natural, Innova, Innova/Evo, Healthwise, Mother Nature Treats and Karma pet foods. These were foods you could count on to remain loyal to it's customer base to be sure they were providing the best quality ingredients for their products. Many in the industry are betting, and more than likely it will happen, that once Proctor and Gamble completes the take over and becomes comfortable with the products they will begin to look at the "bottom line" on all of these brands. What that means for the comsumers is that the food formulas will change, and not for the better, they have to, Proctor and Gamble is in business to make money. Yes all companies are out to make money but there is something about integerity that is missing from some of these larger conglomerates. Give me a Mom and Pop place producing pet foods that are healthy and I will support them any day!

Many of the folks coming into the pet store I work at are already switching brands, they are not waiting until Proctor and Gamble tells them they have made the switch. If you are currently using Iams, Eukanuba, California Natural, Innova, Innova/Evo Healthwise or Karma pet foods please consider upgrading your food now. Talk to someone who knows nutrition, one place not to go is your local vet, vets are not trained in nutrition, just as our doctors are not. The local small pet food companies in your area are often times a gold mind of information when it comes to nutrition. You will be glad you did. There are pet foods out there that have not been affected recalls you just have to look. I know my dogs will always eat better than I do, I have confidence about no recalls with the foods I feed them, so should you!

Happy Trails,
Sherry

You Go Pam Anderson!

Seems that today Pam Anderson is really disappointed with Janet Jackson these days. Personally I say "You Go Pam Anderson"! Seems that Janet, who by all accounts used to agree with the no wearing of fur thing, has changed her mind, for money. Janet has teamed up with BlackGlama to model the brand's new mink collection. I would have thought with all of the pro animal work and consciousness that her brother Michael brought to the planet Janet would have gotten the message. The wearing and supporting the fur industry is just not cool. Pam is a huge supporter of PETA and their message. Now I do not totally support PETA and some of the things they do but I do support the humane treatment of animals, all animals.

There are so many other ways to obtain and wear "fur" these days. It brings me back to the point of a mantra we hear all the time now, "we are all one". When people say that rarely are they including the rest of the planet in that "oneness. People, by nature, think about people when they consider being one with all. But let us not forget those who have provided for us for as long as we have been on the planet. I am talking about not only animals but also of the plant and mineral kingdoms. They too have a life force to them. To include all of them along with ourselves is to be "one with all".

One can only hope that Janet can come to her senses and decide against hawking the wares of BlackGlama. Janet, surely it can't be for the money, you should be set for the next three lifetimes! Sending you lots of love and hopefully Michael will catch your ear about the animals.
The animals could use your support.

Happy Trails,
Sherry

Where Have You Been?

It is amazing how much time passes and you get caught up in the craziness of life! A lot has happened since my last post and feeling inspired to write again! The winter here in Maryland was insane with all the snow we had and we moved into a wet spring to now what is one of the hottest summers on record. Through it all the animals have endured just as we have. Seeing as we are having one of our hottest summers I thought I would post one of those winter pics just to remind us of what we left behind. Over three feet of snow and no place to go!

I know my dogs had a great time in the snow except that Maggie, my blue merle Aussie, just HAD to go in her usual spot and was getting very upset we could get to the area which was covered with blown snow. They were troopers through the whole thing though. Now we are into the summer and wishing there was just a little snow around to roll in. This is not their favorite time of year at all. My little Lhasa doesn't seem to mind, any weather is fine with her as long as she can hang out with her big sisters.

Moving forward and refocusing again on the thing I am most passionate about, animals. As an Animal Communciator I am looking forward to sharing more stories about the animals and the people who care for them. I hope you will join me on this blog as I discuss these spiritual beings we share the planet with, bring you the newest information on health and wellness through nutrition, alternative animal care and messages and view points from the animals. Many new and exciting things are coming up and would be glad to have you along for the ride!

Happy Trails,
Sherry

Animal Passion

Do animals have passion? I and many other people think so. I see the animal companions experiencing their passion everyday. The good thing is that in our pets finding their passion we can often times find ours. One group that is a great example of this are therapy dogs. There is a sense of purpose and pride with these animals. They know and love their job. Many of them are disappointed when they are unable to go to "work". Last year one of those very special souls returned to the Rainbow Bridge after almost 20 years of being on the planet. I am sure a lot of you have heard of Baxter the Therapy Dog. He passed away last October but the service he provided while he was here was immeasurable and will live on forever. He worked specifically with Hospice patients. He thrived in his work and brought much comfort to those in their last days and hours. I know all the lives he touched while here were waiting to welcome him back home.

Janet Kinosian was Baxter's caretaker and saw in him the divine being he was and helped him live his passion. There are clips of him on You Tube that you can watch and see this amazing being at work. Looking in his eyes you can see he has the deepest of souls. Melissa Joseph wrote a book about 36 people's lives who, as she says, "received the Baxter treatment". All proceeds from the sale of the book and the stuffed Baxter animal will go to various animal rescue charities. Check out the website at http://www.momentswithbaxter.com/.

There are other serious passions like search and rescue dogs or K9 police dogs. However, just like people not all pets have a serious "jobs". Some have incredibly fun ones. There are the dogs who are passionate about fly ball, agility or Frisbee too. This is what they live for! Let's not forget cats either. There are the ones who are passionate about helping people heal too or the ones who adore being a show cat! How about the horses that are being used to assist the blind? They too shine when their passion is discovered and utilized.

Animals have that special thing they are good at and given the right situation and person they can fulfill that passion. So what is your animal companion passionate about. It could just be their family and how important you are to them. For that animal their people are their passion. Have you discovered your pet's passion yet?

Happy Trails!
Sherry

One Person Can Make a Difference

Hard to believe that just one person can make a difference but it's true! Here is the proof for you and know that it happens many times a day in many different ways. We may not hear about it but it does. This is from an email hat was sent around through one of the animal rescue groups I am associated with. It doesn't matter which group it was because as I said it happens everyday. This is just one example.

First let me say that most breed specific rescues are associated with each other on a national level and often times help each other out. There was a dog who was surrendered to one of the local rescues in southern California in pretty rough shape. Because it was a kill shelter the dog only had a few days at best. He was a sweet boy with a great disposition but even that would not have been enough to save him. His breed unfortunately has a very bad rap.

The local breed rescue was notified and said they could take him for a couple days at best, they would have to find a temporary foster home situation to get him into after that. The word was sent out that a foster home was needed for this special dog. After hours of emails flying back and forth through the rescue the place in southern California found a place in New Hampshire willing to take him in and foster him. Now came the trick of getting him there. This is where the one person makes a difference comes in.

One person in southern California was willing to drive the dog to Arizona where there would be someone waiting to transport him on his next leg of his journey. The person in Arizona connected with the person from southern California and drove him into Texas. Another connection in Texas to the next leg of his journey. This connection of each person went on until the dog arrived at his final destination in New Hampshire.

Each person along the way made a difference for just one dog. Each person giving just a little made a life changing difference for this dog. So looking at the smaller picture is sometimes just as important as looking at the bigger picture.

Happy Trails
Sherry

Synchronicity

I recently did a reading with a woman in upstate New York that showed me the synchronicity of all things. The woman had recently adopted a small Sheltie dog from her sister who lives in Maryland. The dog had not had the best of a beginning and the family was looking forward to bonding and giving him a great new start in life. They had only had the dog for four days when he unexpectedly took off, darting across the road and into the woods. Needless to say everyone was heart broken and immediately put up flyers, contacted neighbors and the local shelters. I was very impressed when she told me all they had already done to find this little dog.

The woman contacted her sister in Maryland to explain the situation. In between sobs she got out that the dog was now missing and the temperatures were dropping. Upstate New York can be frigid this time of year. Her sister in Maryland suggested she contact me to see if I could pick up anything on where the dog might be. I had just returned from seeing a client and sat down to check my emails. Even before talking with anyone about this dog I got an image of an old run down barn with a newer barn next to it. I have learned to trust what I get and always take the first thing. It is always the strongest message. After sitting with the flyer with the dogs picture on it I called the woman in New York. To say that she was devastated is an understatement. She was beside her self and just wanted the little dog home.

I explained to her she needed to keep an open mind and that she shouldn't give up on him being lost. I told her she needed to focus on him coming home and to picture that event happening. I then told her the information I had received and that he was showing me images of being by a barn. I asked if there were any barns in the area and she said yes. I said to go back to the barn even if they had searched there before. Again I told her do not give up on him, I must have told her that 7 or 8 times. She said they were going back out to look for him and would keep me posted. I said my prayers for him and his new family that they would be reunited. I asked all of the angels to work together to get him home before it got too much colder there.

The next morning I received and email saying he was found! I was thrilled. Later that night the woman and I talked and she was blown away by the accurate message I had given her but also by something else that happened during this time. She told the story of her niece, who was a world class swimmer, that had passed away at a very young age. She said it didn't dawn on her until after she had spoken to her sister in Maryland that the girls parents always used to tell her don't give up, just don't give up, keep going as she was swimming. She said after we had talked the night before she felt much calmer and knew she had to go back out again to look for him. The whole family was out looking in the cold night air. Finally she said she was too cold to stay out walking in the woods and fields anymore so she went back to the house to warm up.

As the warmth began to set in she said she kept picturing the dog coming back to her. There was a phone call from a neighbor who said I think I have your dog. He described the dog but she didn't think the description didn't quite match but she would be over to make sure. She got a hold of her husband and they headed over to the neighbors house. Living in a rural area houses are not very close together. As they pulled up into the driveway they saw two barns, one run down and a newer one. As they entered the house they saw their lost baby! The man said he was out by the barn area when he found him. Needless to say the tears flowed that night for everyone was over come with joy!

So everyone worked on getting the family and the dog back together again that night. The family, the neighbors, the niece who had transitioned, myself and all of the angels. It once again how connected we are and can be to spirit if we allow it. The woman stayed open, as much as she wanted to give up, she didn't. Everyone played their part in helping the family become whole again with finding this dog. Being fairly new to the area they didn't know a whole lot of there neighbors, but now because of one little dog they did. He brought the power of belief and connectedness to a family and to the community!

Happy Trails,
Sherry

Last One To Leave

The last of my original cat family has left for the Rainbow Bridge last night. Over the past 20 years we had six. The first one was Henry a very big tuxedo cat, he was my partners cat and devoted to her in every way. I remember the time Henry was left at the vet for an appointment and somehow he got out. We headed out after work to go look for him. The vet's office was off the beaten path and kind of set back into the woods. As we pulled up to the vets office, which was now closed, we saw nothing but blackness, but the headlights reflected these two eyes off in the woods. We weren't sure if it was an animal or Henry. My partner got out of the car and called to the two eyes shining in the night. As she moved towards the eyes she heard the familiar sound of his voice calling to her as if to say"where have you been"? Henry had not gone far from the vet's office, he waited because he knew "Mom" would be back for him. He was right! Henry eventually passed away with the kitty aids at the young age of 13 years old.

Herkimer was the next "found kitty" but he passed away shortly after we he had come to live with us. He was an outdoor cat and only came in at night to sleep. He was a gorgeous fluffy pure gray cat with big green eyes. On one of his midnight runs he was hit by a car, we found him in the morning curled up by the back door. He looked as if he was sleeping, but he wasn't.

Tennessee was the next one to come along. He was an orange tabby and he had to be about 8 to 12 weeks old when he jumped out of a trash can by the side of the road and ran in front of the car. We stopped to see if he was OK and as I opened the car door and he hopped in. Needless to say he became a part of the family that night. He was known as the man about town. He was another one who refused to stay inside. We tried but he would destroy the house if he wasn't allowed out. We finally gave in and explained the hazards of being outside to him and he said he was good with the chances he was taking. If ever there was a street smart cat he was it. He had his morning routine of checking on the neighbors and they all looked forward to his visits. Last year it was Tennessee's turn to return home at the ripe old age of 19 years old. He had lived a very full life and transitioned last year.

Dakota was a shelter rescue about 12 to 14 weeks old. She was an exquisite cat. A long haired tortoise shell cat, very petite. She knew she was beautiful! She also became a Mom by accident when we didn't get her spade when we should have. We ended up keeping one of the kittens and named her Georgia. Georgia was still a baby when her Mom, Dakota, slipped out one night and was hit by a car. Georgia was never really right after that. She became really reclusive and not around much. It was heartbreaking to lose another kitty to a car, especially her.

Torrie was the last addition to the family. She too was a stunning long haired tortoise shell cat. We also got her from a shelter at 8 weeks old. They were getting ready to put her to sleep because they thought she was sick. Something told me she wasn't so we took her home. She too had a very long and loving life. She transitioned the end of last year at 18 years old.

Georgia was the last one left and unfortunately cancer had finally taken over her body to the point that she could not longer have a good quality of life. At the age of 20 she went peacefully last night to the Rainbow Bridge to be with the rest of her cat family. They are all together once again and I am sure will be waiting for me when I return home once again.

I am grateful each one of them came into my life as they each brought something very different by being with us. I miss them all.

Happy Trails,
Sherry