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

Broken Hearted

Yesterday started off as a great day! Unfortunately it didn't last. Now I can usually stay positive in almost any situation but this was a tough one for me. I had gone over to an old clients house to pick up some fresh eggs. Her and her husband rent from a guy who actually owns the farm they have the chickens, horses and peacocks on. I had worked with this woman and her older dog just before the dog passed which is how I knew she sold eggs. I will say these have to be some of the best tasting eggs around, so much better than store bought. It has been raining here in Maryland the past 3 or 4 days and the ground is soaked and it is just raw out. It feels more like the end of November not the middle of October.

There is a very large area around the main house that is fenced in and as I went through the gate and approached the house this adorable little German Shepard puppy comes bounding across the lawn. I thought for sure her and her husband had acquired a new puppy. The poor little thing was soaked. I figured they must have a dog door somewhere where the puppy can get in and out. The puppy followed me to the basement apartment door and tried to push her way into the apartment. For a moment I was confused. The woman was saying to the dog that it couldn't come in and pushed it back out into the cold and rain. I could tell she was very upset and asked her what was going on. She said the guy who owns the property just got the puppy and that he was training it to be an outdoor dog. The poor little thing is just 15 weeks old. I thought OK so on my way out I will just knock on his door to let him know the puppy wants to go inside. She said no he was training the puppy to be an year round out door dog and was not open to suggestion about how to raise HIS dog!

The woman has tried to talk to him about the situation but to no avail. She said the first few days the puppy was there at the farm he had the dog tied to a tree so it would learn to go to the bathroom outside. Now it was free to roam around the fenced in property. That may be well and good in nice weather but it was 40 something degrees with cold rain coming down. She was going to try and put some blankets out on the open covered porch for the puppy to at least have some place warm to go to. My heart just broke for this little one. I gathered up my eggs and headed back across the lawn to my car which was on the other side of the fence. The rain was coming down a little harder now. I looked down and saw the puppy right at my heals. She kept trying to trip me up as I got to the fence I too had to tell her to stay, that she couldn't come with me. As I looked over fence she sat right there and we made eye contact.

It's times like these that I don't want to be an animal communicator. She looked at me and all I heard was why am I here? Why doesn't anyone want to play with me? Why can't I go inside where it is safe and warm? With all of these questions coming to me I tried to explain why she had to stay for right now. I also told her I was leaving her with angels to watch over her. Her eyes were pleading with me to take her with me. Needless to say I left crying all the way home. Why get a pet if all you are going to do is leave it outside in the elements to fend for itself? Don't you want the bond with this being? I know a friend of mine has the puppy's brother and the brothers situation is the complete opposite. He is well cared for, safe, warm and very much loved! He has a "home", his sister has the opposite.

I am not passing judgement here and I pray that things work out for this little one. But I wonder where is this man's compassion for another living being? I try to see the bigger picture here but it gets clouded with tears for this little soul. As I drove away I saw the puppy back on the porch pressed up against the door just hoping it will open. This is an event that will stay with me for a long time and because I get eggs from this woman all the time I will keep up with what is going on with this little one. In the meantime I ask that all the angels keep her safe and warm and I pray this man realizes he has a life he is responsible for.

Beau's Message

I don't know where the time goes sometimes. It seems like I blogged not too long ago and it's really been over a week. Whew! I knew I had to blog today when several things came together through spirit. It never ceases to amaze me how spirit works!

A woman who I had taken spiritual classes with a few years ago out of the blue emails me last night to say that there was a video I might want to watch. It is called "Baxter the Therapy Dog". If you go to You Tube and type that in it will come up. It is am amazing video of a 19 year old dog that was still in good health but unable to walk so he was transported around in a wagon. The wagon was loaded with pillows to make him very comfortable as he made his rounds as a therapy dog. He would visit Hospice patients in his wagon being pulled by his caretaker. It was very moving to witness this event. I hope you will take the time to watch it.

The dog in the video brought back to mind a dog that looked very much like Baxter the Therapy Dog. His name was Beau and I would do massage and Healing Touch for Animals for him once a month at the Doggie Day Care he was staying at. I know how much he and his Mom were bonded together and he certainly was her little man! Beau had been sick when I was working with him and I had lost touch with him and his caretaker. Seeing Baxter brought Beau back to my mind. It was funny because two days before I had an image of Beau pop in my head I knew I should probably get in touch Beau's owner to see how he was doing. The video just reinforced the thought of getting in touch with her.

When I got home this evening from work I had received an email from Beau's Mom saying that Beau had transitioned in May and that she was having a really tough time with his loss. The void for her, as it is for many of us, is a huge black hole that just makes us feel so lonely and alone. He was her rock and she was not afraid to admit that. Now with him gone the world seemed a little less secure.

So in the course of a few days I had three messages from spirit about Beau. Beau's Mom and I will talk next week and no doubt reminisce about who this very special little man was. In the mean time I will send Beau's Mom nothing but prayers during this very painful time. So I got Beau's message and to him I send lots of love!

Happy Trails,
Sherry

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