Garden Meditations

Being out in the garden these past couple months have been both healing and rejuvenating. Each of us has our own form of healing and meditation process. For me I love to have my hands in the soil and watching a seedling grow and produce flowers, fruits and vegetables. It is the richness of Mother Earth that gives me pause to give thanks. It is also the love of the soil that I gained from my Dad from years past, so on this Father's Day I remember the gardener in him. I wish he were still here to see the garden and the bee hives that are now thriving in the yard. It has also become my way of being one with Mother Nature and with myself.

As kids growing up in the country, after dinner we would be out in the garden pulling weeds as we each got a lesson on what was growing where and how to maintain a healthy productive garden. Of course there were deer running around the back yard looking to break into the garden for all the bounty that was growing. For most of the summer the dogs would sleep outside as a deterrent for all the wildlife who thought the garden was their private super market. Being out of school and still learning was great! I never thought the things I learned as a child would come in handy today.

With all that is going on on Mother Earth we are being lead back to a simpler time. A time where we were self sufficient. There is no longer any room for those who are seeking to be taken care of. We alone are the ones who will decide what we are to create in these upcoming times.

People seem to know there is a shift coming. Food, energy and gas prices are escalating, resources are running out or being destroyed by man. I actually kind of like going back to a simplier time in life. I just wish my body would cooperate! My mind says I can still do things of a 25 year old and the body says, not so much! But I keep trying.

In the days I spend hours in the garden I put on my Ipod and drift off into another time and place. A place where I can meditate and be one with this good earth. Pulling the weeds I pick up the dirt and smell the aroma of its body. It is soft and sweet, perfect for growing! She gives so much and we take it all with most of us not putting back. One day it will all catch up to us. maybe not in our life time but it will catch up with us as a species. Things have already started with all of the floods, all of the fire and the mass devastation on the planet. It is a time to get back to basics and realize what is really important, family, friends, animals and the abilty to breath freely.

So grab your sunglasses and go outside and just sit inside a garden or go to a plant nursery and just be with the life of the planet and hear the voices of the others we inhabit the earth with, for you see everything on earth does have a voice if we are willing to hear it. Tastte the sweetness of life in the fruits and veggies and give thanks!

Happy Trails!

Sherry

So Proud!

It is an incredibly windy day here in Maryland. The winds are howling with 50 to 60 mph wind gusts. Even the birds this morning had a hard time flying. They would try to fly the current but it was like watching a plane during turbulence. It looked like a very bumpy ride. My housemates always take their two dogs for a walk across the street in the corn field and down into the woods. My two older dogs really can't go that far anymore, one is completely blind and the other has really bad arthritis and there is no way I can carry a 75 pound dog back from a walk. Now my little on who is younger and much littler is a different story.

Tonight Kate, my housemate, was taking her two dogs for a walk and my little one Takla stood there and looked at her just begging to go with her. Kate said the magic word "OK" and she was off. Wind or no wind this little one was determined to "brave the elements" and go out with the two other big dogs. Because of the wind it was a shorter walk then normal but I could here them come back into the house and Takla came flying down the stairs with her eyes big like saucers and her tongue hanging out of her mouth. She was so excited, she just had to tell me how she did on her walk. she was so pleased with herself and I told her how proud I was of her being such the little trooper going out in that big wind! She danced around the room and went up to each of her sisters and I could see her just explaining to them how exciting it was. It brought a huge smile to my face to see her just beaming.

It is in these moments that I am grateful to be able to experience the true feeling of joy and wonderment from another being. Her pride and joy filled the room as she came down the stairs after her walk. It is a reminder that there are no ordinary moments in life! Thank you Takla for bringing me joy and laughter back from your walk today! I will cherish the memory.

Speaking the Truth

I just got done watching a video of Russell Means and found it very interesting so I thought I would share. He speaks the truth on all levels about where we are as a nation and how we got here. He talks of bring the original people here in the Americas and in the west. How the land and personal rights that were taken from the Indians. How the government promised to take care of them, etc. One line in the movie struck a chord with me. He said something to the effect of look at how well the government took care of the native Americans, that is how we can expect to be treated if we let the government continue on it's current path. If you get a chance watch it!

Happy Trails,
Sherry

Being in Your Presence

As I lay here tonight with you I am reminded of just how precious life is. You are so warm as we snuggle deep within the sheets. Your hair is soft. I lay my head upon your chest and listen to the rhythmic breathing. At once our breathing is in sync with one another, inhaling and exhaling the breath of life. In this moment in time we are both breathing the same sweet air together. Your breath is warm and smells a smell only a mother could love. I can hear your heartbeat and automatically begin to count them. I want to hear them forever. As I throw my arm around you, you move ever so slightly from your slumbered sleep. Cracking open just one eye to make sure I haven't left you and that you are really feeling me beside you. I whisper in your ear, "I am still here and will never leave you."

We have been through so much you and me. They could write volumes about our relationship, who knows maybe someday they will. I can almost see the images in your mind come to life as you lay sound asleep in our bed. I think of these as days and nights that I need to cling to to have my sanity remain with me. I can get consumed with he amount of emotions I am feeling right now. I didn't know one being could make me feel how you make me feel. I don't ever want to forget it.

The moonlight hits your face and I can see the peace that resides in your face. I question whether you are still here or not, but you must be because I feel the heat from your body. So many people will miss this type of connection. For what ever reason they will never the feel the love I have felt for you and the love you have felt for me. For that they have lost so much. If this was to be my only relationship that ever worked then I could not have picked a better partner! You are my heart and I know you feel the same way.

As I stroke you I feel you relax into that place where anything is possible. I wonder if you still remember those hiking trips we used to take or the time you were slipping and sliding all over the place running after this little baby bunny that you felt needed saving. I hope you have those good memories and replay them in your dreams. I know that I do. You are snoring now and I have to smile, it is one more thing that I will miss about you.

The cancer came too early for you my friend, my best friend! There will be no other like you for me again. As much as I know you are leaving me I find comfort in the remaining time I have to hold you in m arms. Not many people have what you and I have, the true unconditional love. I fell in love with you the first day I saw you. You were running like a wild man all over the place, a carefree spirit. You gave me all that I needed to make this life of mine and ours work. People may or may not understand it but I know you and I do and that is all hat matters. We will always be in love with each other.

So tomorrow is the day I say farewell to you my companion in life. Your journey will not be long. All your brothers and sisters wait for you. I will see you again when my turn comes, whenever that is. So I shall warm my body next to yours tonight for one last time before we part. I don't like that your life is so much shorter than mine, but then any amount of time would not be long enough time for me. Our love affair was one to be envied and looked at as to how it should be. Just being in your presence uplifted me everyday.

You have been the best dog I have ever had the privilege of sharing my life with. You shall always remain in my heart forever. until we meet again. I shall stay with you tomorrow as you cross over the bridge. My hand shall never leave your paw. For tonight though it is just about us and the state of just being.

Happy Trails,

Stranger Than Fiction

So it looks the mystery of the dead birds is solved in South Dakota. It was finally disclosed that the birds were poisoned to help control the population. Or so they say. I was watching the police woman who was doing the televised update, she looked relieved that it was only poison that brought the birds down. Of course it doesn't explain the other parts of the country who are experiencing the same thing. There have been suggestions that fire works killed all the birds in Arkansas. Funny we never see a mass bird die off every July fourth in every city in the nation. Obviously the federal government is testing something on these poor animals to see what it can do. Bio-warfare possibly?

Whatever the case is I find it very bizarre that once again we can not get a straight answer from the government. Now understand that I am not a conspiracy theorist but someone who sees the animals being sacrificed for humans to gain knowledge to kill other humans??? What!!! We do it everyday with vivisection or what it is most commonly called animal research. Visit the website about vivisection. http://vivisectioninfo.org/

Anyway got off on a tangent. I just wonder how much more we as humans can afford to look the other way on the other creatures that are dying because of the things we think we need? We need to live together as they too are just trying to survive the experience too.

Remember that old saying "be kind to animals"? Well it couldn't be more appropriate than now! We need to reevaluate what we think about animals. So check out the website and see how you can help the animals.

Happy Trails
Sherry

Who Are Earthlings?

When we hear the word "Earthling" in our minds we immediately think of human beings. The truth is all beings on planet earth are "Earthlings". Think about it, they too inhabit the earth. In the dictionary the word means inhabiting the earth; mortal.

There is a documentary that I watched recently that gave me pause to think about the true meaning of what an earthling was. Again being the self absorbed beings that we are we think the word only refers to humans. All animals are inhabitants of Mother Earth and therefore also to be considered earthlings. It was really after hearing the quote in the movie that I had an epiphany about the roles each of us play on the earth. The following is a quote from the movie that made me stop and think about what the message truly was in this documentary.

"We need another and a wiser and perhaps a more mystical concept of animals...we patronize them for their incompleteness, for their tragic fate of them taking form so far beneath ourselves. And therein we err, we greatly err. For the animal shall not be measured by man. In a world older and more complex then our they move finished and complete, gifted with extensions of the senses we have lost or never attained, living by voices we shall never hear. They are not brethren, they are not underlings; they are nations, caught with ourselves in the net of life and time, fellow prisoners of the splendor and travail of the earth".
Henry Beston ~ Nature writer ~ from the book "The Outermost House"

I really felt the truth of this passage hit my heart. We judge so freely each other and those who are not like us, and as Beston says we greatly err when we do that. Their world is older and more complex than ours. We think we are a complex creature but we really are not, in fact we are very simple. We have lost those senses he talks about. Just as we have forgotten the language of the animals, telepathy. It is a language we have long forgotten. Animals on the other hand are in constant communication with everything! We as humans ask them to learn our language but fail to learn theirs in return. As hard as the film was to watch I did watch it to know and understand what is being done to animals in our name.

Think about any of the medicines you might be taking, you can thank an animal because more than likely that medicine was first tested on animals. They have given us food, clothing, shelter and stood by our side even after all of the atrocities committed against them. So think about them as a nation, a nation who has every right to be here just like us. Now don't get me wrong. I am not some PETA extremist. I am someone who views animals in a different way.

I see them as the beings who have it right. They are what we attain to be, spiritual beings having unconditional love for one another, connecting, communicating and honoring this place we call home, Mother Earth. Not all animals are living in this sense and I wonder how much of it has to do with our intrusion into their lives, taking not only their space on earth but also their bodies to do with them as we will.

I guess this has more to do with being grateful for all they give to us daily. We are not awake as a species and I can see that day coming to an end in the near future. Not doom and gloom but more of a reality check for all of us. There is a shift coming and the animals know it. More than likely they will be ready for it, I wonder if we will?

Happy Trails,
Sherry

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

Do Animals See Spirit?

It is pretty common knowledge that animals have a keener sense of awareness when it comes to their surroundings. They pick up on people and other animals energy all the time. They also pick up on those that have transitioned, animal and human. Watch any of the spooky movies and you can see the animals stop dead in their tracks and either hiss or bark at something we do not see. The animals always sense them first. Now with the spooky movies it is always because they have a reaction to something "evil" lurking around. I have yet to see a movie that reflects "good" spirits being recognized by animals because they see them too!

If animals believe in spirits shouldn't we? Why is this concept so hard for us? Most of us who have had animals in the past that have transitioned will sometimes be offered the gift of seeing them here and there from time to time. We may catch them out of the corner of our eye just for a brief second. It brings great peace to us when this happens.

I had a client call me once to say her one pet was acting strange and she wanted to have an animal communication session done to see what was going on with her. They had lost another dog a few months before and the remaining dog spent a lot of time grieving. Now the woman said she was acting strange. She said she would just stare like there was something in the room but of course the woman said there was nothing there. I checked in with the dog and asked her what was going on. She said she wasn't acting strange she was playing with the dog that had passed.

The dog talked about the "dance" she did with the dog that had passed. When I explained what was going on with the dog to the woman I heard dead silence on the other end of the phone. Through her tears she said, " I had forgotten the two of them would always play bow, or "dance" before starting off to play and that was exactly what the dog was doing. They were playing together once again. The woman found much comfort in the message she had received.

Have you ever seen your animals staring off into space or looking like someone is standing there talking with them. There is no reason to be scared of them because spirits are not here to hurt us. We scare ourselves with the stuff we watch on TV. I am more afraid of humans than spirits!

I had a personal experience with this. A few days before Alley Ann was getting ready to transition I would watch her go off in these deep sleeps. Many times I had to check and see if she was still breathing, that was how out of it she was. I knew she was traveling between the two worlds, that of the physical and the spirit worlds. The day she was transitioning she woke up from one of these dead sleeps looking all refreshed. She kept staring in the corner of the room at the ceiling. I knew exactly who was there. It was her previous owner, Deb, who had passed away a year and a half before. I knew Deb would be there for her when she transitioned later that day. For me there was comfort in that knowing.

Three months after her passing Alley returned for a visit. Before she passed she smelled really bad from all that was wrong with her illness wise. It was a very distinctive smell. One night I turned over in bed right to the spot where she used to sleep and I go the biggest whiff of this really bad smell. I knew exactly who it was, Alley. It was her way of saying hi. My other two dogs were on the bed and they were looking at the same spot I was. I just smiled at them and rolled over and went back to sleep knowing she was still there.

So do they see spirit? You betcha! We can too if we allow ourselves. Once again our animals are our teachers.

Happy Trails!

Sherry

Animals and Color

People always ask, "Can animals see color"? I believe they do. It may not include all the colors we see but they do see colors. Alex the parrot was a great example of this. Not only could he distinguish between colors but he could also distinguish between shapes and numbers. Alex helped to open up the concept that animals are capable of learning our language, comprehending it and speaking it. If you go to You Tube you can find many different videos on Alex and his work with Dr. Irene Pepperberg. Unfortunately Alex passed away in 2007 but his replacement, Griffin, shows that Alex was not unique.

Color is fascinating and it is interesting to see how color affects our world. Colors as we know hold different vibrations. Bright red elicits a different response in us than say a pastel blue color does. Look at the colors you have in your home. Are they earth tones or more vibrant colors? It says a lot about our personality the colors we choose. Just as they affect us so to do they affect our animal companions who live with us. We know the effect of light or lack of it and how it effects the human body. All living things are affected by light and the various colors.

Look at how many animals in the animal kingdom and plants in the plant kingdom have built in color warnings with them. These color warnings are for humans as well as animals. The poison dart frog is a brilliant blue color and possibly one of the most deadliest creatures on the planet. The black widow spider with her two red spots on the back. The scorpion with it's black armour.
Plants are included on the list of deadly colored things to watch for. Berries in the wild may look tasty but many times are poisonous.

Are your animals drawn to certain colors? Are they the same colors you like. I have a friend of mine who has a dog who has the exact same toy only in two different colors. The dog chooses the blue one to carry around in his mouth as opposed to the green one? Exact same toy two different colors, vibrationally he is drawn to that blue. Blue also happens to be his caretakers favorite color.

So take a look at your surroundings. What colors have you wrapped your home, your family and your pets in?

Happy Trails,
Sherry

Where Does the Time Go?

It seems like yesterday I had Addison come into my life. A year later Maggie showed up. Both Aussie's but each very different. Addison my food obsessed girl and Maggie my intuitive. They have been through thick and thin with me. They each have a special place in my heart.

They grew up together, each taking turns at being alpha dog. It depended on the day who would take over. Addison really didn't want the job most of the time and Maggie seem to relish the idea of getting things over on Addison. Addison did very well with her crate training when she was a puppy, Maggie was the complete opposite. Addison waiting until I came home from work and pretty much didn't chew on a thing in the house. Maggie I figured chewed through about $4000 worth of stuff when she was little. She needed to be challenged and if I wasn't there to do it she would find something to get into. She on the other hand did not do well with crate training. When I would go off to work I could stand outside and hear her thrashing about in her crate. Confinement didn't sit well with her so eventually I gave up and just let her stay outside the crate with Addie.

I remember one day I came home from work and there she was sitting off in the living room. Normally her and Addie would greet me at the door unless one of them had gotten into something. This one day Maggie didn't greet me so I knew something was up. I walked through the whole house and everything was all in order. As I peaked into the kitchen where the dog door was I could see there was a pillow stuck in the dog door. Maggie had been hard at work trying to get the pillow out the door. Ahh but her work did not stop there! As I opened the door to pull the pillow out there in the back yard was some of the laundry. There were bras and underwear all over the back yard. I had to stop and laugh as I was out in the yard picking all the clothes up just knowing the neighbors were probably staring out the windows watching me.

Maggie explained to me she thought it would be a good game to see how much stuff she could get outside but then she got stuck inside when the pillow wouldn't go through the dog door. Then when she heard me come home she was thinking maybe that wasn't such a good game to play with me. But all was forgiven and peace was restored to the household.

Now as I sit here typing they are all laying at my feet. Addison and Maggie both have cancer now, Maggie's is growing extremely fast and there really isn't a whole lot to do except keep her comfortable. We had discussed the possibility of treatments but she is not willing to do anything "heroic", so we do what we can. Addie is 12 years old and Maggie is 11 years old. Far too young in my book to be going anywhere but the choice is not up to me. I just don't know where the time went with both of them. They have been through so much with me and my crazy life, but I know they wouldn't have wanted it any other way.

So for now we enjoy each day as it comes as I know the time grows nearer. The spirit is still strong, it is the body that is weak. So much to learn from them about dignity and dying. They are my heart.

Happy Trails,
Sherry

Where Does the Time Go?

Silence = Clarity

There is much to be said about silence. People all over the world search for answers that are outside of them when really the answers are inside if they just are silent and listen. When I teach my animal communication class people always say they can't quite the chatter in their heads. So much "stuff" clutters our minds everyday. It is in the silence though that we are able to be in touch with God, Source or whatever your belief is, to truly "hear" what is being said to us by the animals. They have such amazing messages if we would just listen.

Our world has become so disconnected from everything, including each other. It does feel however that we are beginning to move in a direction where we are recognizing bigger is not better and more is not the way to go. Minimizing and simplicity are becoming the norm as we begin to realize we can do without so much. Animals are minimalist in a way. They don't require much and are happy with what they have.

I taught my Animal Totem workshop over the weekend and it was so great to see people begin to connect with their animal guides and begin to understand how to work with them. They are the teachers if we let them teach and we become the student.

My teachers are conked out at my feet right now. Tomorrow morning we will begin our lessons all over again. It is in that silence of the morning and end of the day that we all share that special quiet time together. What a great way to start and end a day!

Happy Trails,
Sherry

Impossible Communication?

People are often amazed when I tell them I talk with animals. They think that is the coolest thing and wished they could do it too. I tell them they can and most times already do. It is just a matter of understanding their language of telepathy. People can understand those silent thoughts that may pass between human and animal.

It is when I start talking about how I also talk with trees, rocks, water or the wind that they think I have gone off the deep end. I haven't, it is just that there is so much to hear and feel everyday and as humans we really are so walled off to everything I am amazed that we hear or feel anything at all. During the course of our day we may let slivers of things in but it is only that which we comprehend we allow in. Anything that might be out of the ordinary has no place in our logical minds.

I remember being at one of the workshops in late October I took at Spring Farm CARES in upstate New York. We had to do an exercise where we were to go out and just "be" with nature. If there were any messages we heard we were to bring them back and share them with the class. That whole week end it had rained and the ground was saturated. I began my trek across the road to the 100 acre field and forest. My boots kept sinking in the mud and the coat I had on didn't shield me too well from the cold rain. I followed a well worn path through the field of wild flowers to the woods. As I moved down the path through the woods I came upon a group of trees, they looked as if they were standing together as a family. There were a couple big ones and then a lot of little ones standing around them. I moved to the center of the trees and closed my eyes and was still. I could feel them as they embraced me and I felt the love coming from each one of them. I forgot about the rain, how cold I was or even how far my shoes had sunk into the mud. I was just standing there "being" just like the trees. I got lost in the moment.

It was in that quiet that I heard the rocks near by and the creek that was on the other side of the trees. Everything was alive and living and breathing just as I was. I was grateful to have that experience. Spring Farm is such a magical place to me, I recommend people go there and experience the animals and the land when ever they can.

When is the last time you were quiet enough to hear Mother Earth and her inhabitants? Breath with her and feel the magic of life and the wonder of being alive. Your animals do, why do you?

Happy Trails!
Sherry