The Visit

In early May of 2004 it became apparent that Alley Ann was facing her final weeks of her long life. Spring was in full bloom and the days were turning warmer. The flowers were popping with their vibrant colors and sweet smells. Alley had been sick with 4 or 5 different diseases and illnesses over the course of time I and my next door neighbor had her. She had been on her medicine for awhile to treat her Cushings Disease and it helped her for a while and then one day she looked at me with those big eyes and she clearly told me that it wasn't working any more and she wanted me to stop giving it to her, so I did.

She was still spunky but was beginning to smell really bad just from all the stuff going on within her body. I still loved her bad smell and all. She would toddle around the house looking for comfortable places to sleep so I had pillows all over the floor along with the wee wee pads. She was house trained but towards the end if she had to go she squatted and went. Lord knows she tried to make it to a wee wee pad and sometimes she was successful and other times not. It was hard to get mad at her when she was so sick.

The final straw came about a week before she passed. I had had some work on the roof done and I was in the process of pulling weeds and stuff around the back deck. I had three dogs surrounding me as I pulled some roots from under one of the back steps. They wanted to make sure they didn't miss any food that might come out from underneath the porch. No sooner had I pulled my hand out with this big root than Alley's head flew in there and out she popped with a big old rat in her mouth. I was floored! First off, my hand was there 5 seconds before she pulled it out and she also didn't have that many teeth left in her head so I was surprised she could hold it in her mouth. She was so proud of herself prancing around the back yard with it. She slowly gummed the thing to death and I finally got it away from her and threw it away. You could almost see that smile on her face, as if to say "I still got it"!

That final week we spent as much time together as we could. I ended up taking a few days off from work just to be with her. On her final day here on the planet it was perfect. I had a few friends over and they took care of my other girls as I held Alley as she transitioned. It was one of the most peaceful things I have ever seen or had been a part of. The following week was such a blur as I had been taking care of her pretty much 24/7 and now I had all this time on my hands. I didn't know what to do with myself.

I would find myself looking for her to pop in and check on things but I never did see her in those first few weeks. There was nothing and then about 4 months after she had passed I was laying in bed one night and I rolled over. I got the biggest whiff of bad dog smell I knew exactly who it was. I felt her presence and I began to cry as I had missed her so much. I was still in that dream like state and I remember feeling her there and her saying to me that she had to go so I could now go do the work I was supposed to. At the time I wasn't sure what she was trying to tell me, but I understand now. It was time for me to leave corporate and move into my life's purpose, working with animals and their people. She truly is my inspiration and always will be. I am so grateful she came into my life!

So the signs come when we least expect them but know that they do come. It is just not as we imagine.

Happy Trails,
Sherry

What's in a Name?

Everything has an energy to it. Sounds, words, colors, people, animals, basically everything! You know when you meet someone and you say, "They just don't look like a (insert name), they look more like a (insert name). Their name just doesn't match who they are. Well the same thing goes for our animals. Many of us who adopt pets often times do not know their original name or even if we do it may not fit them. So we begin to go through a litany of names hoping to get a response from the animal as to what they would like to be called. If you don't believe me ask anyone who has adopted a pet and wanted to rename them. The name has to "fit"

Be careful of what you name them because they will take on the energy of that word. I have known Chihuahua's named "Killer" that would take your ankle out in a heartbeat! Or how about the Great Dane that has a name of "Tiny". The dog thinks of him self as a small lap dog type pet and can't figure out why he can't fit in small places or why no one will allow him on their lap. Names have energy! If someone says the name Hitler, all sorts of images and emotions are attached to that name. People naming their animals "Chaos" should be prepared for a lot of crazy energy, or calling a dog "Digger" just invites major holes being dug in your backyard.

We may name our pets one name but then call them a nickname. So if your pet has a nickname like "trouble" or "bad dog" or "goofy ball"guess what, more than likely that is the behavior you will get. It is no different than a child having a name and yet they are called a nickname. That nickname is often associated with a behavior or even an animal. Take a look at Tiger Woods and his name. His real name is Eldrick Tont Woods. Do you think he lives up to his nickname of "Tiger"? Watch this man play golf and you will see that it matches perfectly. That name for him just "feels" right.

The next time you have an animal that you are adopting ask them what they would like to be called and then just "listen" for the name. They will tell you. It may take a few times for you to get it but it will come and when it does it will be like a light bulb going off in your head. Look for that reaction to the words or names you are suggesting. Does the animal look like something else? Is there a personality name that would better suit them? Why did you name you pet what you did? Do they really like it?

It is interesting how all of this connects to the energy of just one word. Now I will say there was one little foster girl I had and she insisted on two names, so that is what I gave her. She was such a hot little number, all I can remember is that I kept getting the image of Mae West in my head. Take notice of those images because more often than not your animal is sending you the name or image they want to be called. Have fun with it as you and your animal companion choose the name that is best for them.

Happy Trails,
Sherry

Pets Take To The Air

More good news! I saw an article today about "Pilots and Paws" trying to fly 5,000 animals to no-kill shelters across the United States. What a great idea! They are looking for pilots willing to donate time and planes to help fly these lucky animals to freedom and an opportunity to a new start on life. With over 4 million animals being put to sleep every year this will give at least some of them a chance to reach the families that will love and take care of them.

There is also a small airline company that started specifically designed to fly animals to different cities in America. The company is based in Delray Beach, Florida and began service July 14th of 2009. No longer confined to the cargo area, pets will travel in their own carriers in a well lighted and safe environment. There are also Pet Attendants who will keep an eye on them during the flight. How cool is that?

So our animals are taking to the airways in a big way. I know if the girls were to fly Addison would be looking at what treats they would be serving on the flight! Maggie would be looking for conversation with everyone and Takla would be looking for comfort!

Happy Trails,
Sherry

The Celebrity Endorsement

I am not big on running out and buying something just because a celebrity recommended it. As a matter of fact I will be more likely to stay away from it just because they have. There are however those few products that celebrities endorse that actually are good for you! Bottom line is that you need to do the research on your own to see if it is good. Which brings me to two different celebrities and their endorsements.

Working in a natural pet food store over the past few years has made me read labels and actually understand what is in my pets food I am feeding. We get people in the store all the time asking about this food or that food if it's any good etc. Over the past couple months people have been asking about two specifically, Halo Pet Products and Rachel Ray's new line of pet food. Ellen DeGeneres promotes the Halo line of pet products. I have done my research and love the Halo products! Especially animals that have kidney issues do really well with their canned food. Unfortunately I don't think Rachel Ray did as much research on the product content on the items she is endorsing.

I would like to thank and commend Rachel for putting her name on products for pets to help raise awareness of good nutrition for our pets. Nutrition is so important in keeping our pets healthy. The only problem with the pet food she is endorsing is that the the food contains the following ingredients:Corn Meal (no nutritional value: filler), Soybean Meal (no nutritional value: filler), Animal Fat (where is the animal fat rendered from)?(Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Corn Gluten Meal (again corn is listed no nutritional value). Corn and grains can be a huge allergen for a lot of dogs or cats.

My hope is that Rachel will have an opportunity to ask questions and do her OWN research about ALL the ingredients in the product that carries her name. Part of the reason our pets are not living as long as they should is due in part to the food we are feeding them. Food with little or no nutritional value. Yes meat is the first ingredient listed but throwing in those other things mentioned above just brought the food down a few notches as far a being a food I would feed my dog or even recommend to anyone. It would be great if Rachael continued to promote the good nutritional value of pet food but she has got to understand what exactly is going into the food before she puts her name on it.

I have been working with pet owners over the past 5 years on good nutrition for their pets so I understand what is good for them and what they really should be avoiding. Everyone should read the book"Food Pets Die For" by Ann Martin. There is a lot of really good information there and her own personal journey to understand why her pets died at such a young age. Take the time and do the research, your pets will be glad you did!

Happy Trails,
Sherry

Puff The Magic Dragon

We have lost so many people in the entertainment field this year! I was saddened to hear today that Mary Travers from Peter, Paul and Mary had transitioned. Their music was such a part of my life as I was growing up and I loved all of it. It defined a time in the world when activism through music was popular. Their style of folk music spoke to a generation seeking to be different from the previous generation. It was a time questioning authority, seeking answers within and looking for peace not just at home but globally. Fifty years later their songs are still sung and listened to. Clips of their many hit songs are being played on all the news outlets today. No doubt there will be thousands of You Tube hits for the groups music today.

One of their songs, Puff The Magic Dragon, talks about that innocence lost. Being children we believe in magic, we believe in all those things, as adults, we no longer think possible. Puff and Jackie Paper played and enjoyed those childhood times together until one day Jackie no longer came as he had become an adult who no longer needed Puff. Or so he thought.

There is much to be said about innocence. Everything aways seems new and exciting. To me it keeps you open to the magic of life and to the wonderment that exists around us like when we are children. Who didn't believe in dragons growing up or that toys at night came alive to have their own time together?

Like Puff animals reflect that innocence of life. Watch children or animals who are still in the innocence stage of being. I know for me it brings me back to the reality that each new day is magic and full of possibilities. I know with my dogs it is a day of possibly going for a ride to a new place or meeting new dogs. What possibilities are in your life today? We all still need a Puff the Magic Dragon in or lives. How boring life would be if the possibility of them didn't exist.

May you rest in peace Mary!

Happy Trails,
Sherry

Play Date

As I am sitting here thinking about what I would like to write about today I was disrupted by the sound of little paws running down the hallway followed by big paws running down the hallway. It seems Maggie, my Aussie, and Takla, my Lhasa Apso, were having a contest to see who could get to the end of the hall first. With that contest over they then ran into my office and proceeded to play together. Addison, my other Aussie, and I sat and watched as the two of them went round and round in circles. Takla was on her hind legs touching Maggie and as Maggie went in a circle Takla moved with her. It was interesting to watch how gentle Maggie was with her. Maggie if three times the size of Takla and could easily hurt her, but she doesn't. Takla tries to lick her face and Maggie starts the game again of running down the hallway.

They remind me to PLAY! Take the time to just enjoy being that free spirit of childhood. It's sad as adults we often have to plan play dates but the important thing is to just do it. I am guilty of not taking enough time to play so my dogs end up reminding me of what I need to do. So I am reminding you, schedule those play days! It's one of those things that can help keep you sane in this crazy world....

Play time must be over as I have three dogs looking at me for their after play snack!

Happy Trails,
Sherry

The Energetic Ripple Effect

How have the recent turn of events affected you individually, locally and globally? Do you find you, your friends and family anxious, distracted and agitated by the energy that has been created by our current economic situation? How is your worry or fear about your situation being felt out in the world? Remember for what ever we do or think is always being sent out to the universe and becomes part of the universal collective. It has a ripple effect on all we do and the animals we share Mother Earth with.

It is from this situation that I have noticed and felt the uneasiness of animals during this time too. Over the past several months there have been a lot of news reports about animals attacking people and each other. In almost every news story the people who owned the animals or the people being attacked said it was completely out of character of who the animal really was. So, why would seemingly docile and normally happy pets be reacting in this way? Think about the feeling of where our nation or the world for that matter is as a whole right now? Don’t you think the anxiety we feel transfers over to our pets and all animals who inhabit the planet?

As we know energy is a powerful force to deal with! We also know animals are far more connected to Mother Earth and with their energetic surroundings. We as human beings generally have the ability to block unwanted energy from our space. We can move away from it, not acknowledge it, protect ourselves from or make a conscience effort not to let it affect us. Animals unfortunately do not have that same ability. They are more like energy sponges soaking up all the energy that surrounds them, both good and bad. This includes the animals out in the wild also. Many are feeling the collective negative energy being created by humans all over the world due to economics, war and a host of other issues.

Take a few moments to see how your pets or animals in your area been affected? Do you find that they too are more agitated and full of anxiety these days? This is not a normal behavior for them as it is a human emotion. However because they live with us or share the planet with us they are exposed to the energy being put forth by us on a daily basis. Now if our energy is coming from a much calmer and more positive space our animals will react to that also.

Animals are asking us to get back to that true form of who we are spiritually. Some of us are finding out the hard way we do not need all the things we think we need to live. Animals exist on the planet in the purest form of being minimalists. Some of us on the other hand, live to maximize and take as much as be can from each other and the planet. As recent days and events have come to past we are learning that more is not better, it is in fact possibly far more destructive in more ways than one.

Animals are trying to adjust to this new energy as it seems to become stronger and more prevalent. Each day they show us how we could be living our lives and everyday we push back thinking we know best. Sometimes we do and other times we could certainly be taking cues from them and how they live. Is it utopia? No, but it is certainly one which is more aligned with our true nature. Animals hope we get the message soon as we have a direct effect on the planet we share with them. They are hopeful and look forward to the time when harmony among the species will exist.

Happy Trails,
Sherry