Charlene Boyd, Animal Communicator

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TALKING TO ANIMALS Monthly Newsletter
By loving and understanding animals, perhaps we humans shall come to understand each other.
Dr. Louis J. Camuti

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January 2008

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Published monthly for subscribers to the Talking-To-Animals Newsletter
By Charlene Boyd
http://www.talk-to-animals.com

To view past issues of Talking-To-Animals, please visit our newsletter archive.

YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO FORWARD THIS NEWSLETTER TO FRIENDS

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In this edition:

1. Welcome to our New Years Newsletter
2. Featured Article - 11 Things To Do For Your Pets to Start the New Year Off Right
3. Upcoming eWorkshop
4. A Story From My Files - Rocky
5. Why Do Dogs Bury Bones?
6. Cat and Dog Haikus
7. From the Bookshelf
8. How to get a nap (cute)
9. The Tail End

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1. WELCOME TO THE JANUARY 2008 EDITION OF TALKING-TO-ANIMALS

Dear Readers,

Whew! The holidays are over and things are finally returning to a more normal pace for most of us and
our pets. If we feel stressed with the holidays, imagine what our pets feel like between Thanksgiving
and the New Year. I had an 'interesting' time hosting my first teleseminar (up until then I'd only attended
one), and I hope those of you who heard the teleseminar I did last month with dog trainer
Sue Myles as my guest, learned some helpful hints and strategies for keeping your pets as sane and
happy as possible. It was a learning experience for me as well, and one that I ultimately enjoyed
after I overcame my 'stage jitters'.

Sue is very a knowledgeable dog trainer that I had the pleasure of taking a puppy kindergarten class
with my first Beardie, Becky in 1985. Puppy kindergarten was a new concept and a giant breakthrough
in learning theory and dog training. It elevated dreary rote training into a fun event for both owners and
puppies. At that time, choke chains, ear pinches and other negative methods were still widely used.
Sue was an early pioneer in humane dog training. She could have been a stand-up comic and makes
her training (and her newly released book) a delight for owners. More about her e-book further in the
newsletter.

On a more serious note, all species of animals, both tame and wild, have their own unique challenges
and concerns sharing the planet with us. Of course our own dear pets are our first and deepest heart
connection since they share our lives with us on a daily basis. Through the work I do, I have become
more aware and concerned about all animals in the world. Although my work is primarily with
companion animals, I occasionally work with zoo animals and wild animals whose lives touch people's
lives in some way.

When my children were very young, small green water turtles, red-ear sliders as they were called,
were sold in pet stores. They usually had painted designs on their shells which was not a good thing
for the turtles as the paint prevented their shells from growing properly. Parents soon tired of caring
for the turtles and often ended up flushing them down the toilet or worse...When I would hear of this,
I would volunteer to take the ill-fated turtles and before long, we had a large, molded plastic wading
pool in our backyard for the new residents. They soon became very tame and would eat out of our
hands and were delightful to watch.

Fast forward a number of years to the present. I was walking through Petco, wandering around the
fish section when I came upon a rather large tank with turtles in it. It is against the law to sell turtles
under the size of 4 inches as they can carry salmonella, a serious gastrointestinal bug for humans.
I chose two of them, which I named Pokey and Bob, and took them home. Since it is cool in Southern
California right now and they are indigenous to the Southeast area of our country, they are housed
indoors with a light for warmth. As we interact with them, I realize how cut off most of us are from wild
animals, whether it is wild birds, bears or "creepy-crawly" things. I rediscovered the pleasure of having
pets that are not the usual and customary pets of choice. I have had some interesting, although brief,
conversations with them and it has been enlightening to gain their insights on their lives.

I would like to caution you that if you choose to bring in an animal other than a dog, cat or birds,
please make certain you know their lifespan, eating habits and living requirements and make a
commitment to care for them for their entire lifespan. I feel that once you open your heart and home
to animals, there is no turning back! Your life will become immensely richer and more compassionate
as well.

This seems to be a good point to mention my upcoming 6-week beginning animal communication
eWorkshop that starts Wednesday, January 9th at 6pm PST and 9pm EST. The Workshop is a
great way to start off the New Year with a valuable new skill which will improve and deepen your
relationship with not only your animals but with all animals. I like to try something new each
January and I bet you do too! So please join us on January 9th for what is sure to be a thoroughly
interesting and enjoyable time as you learn to "Talk To Animals".

You may register by going to http://www.talk-to-animals.com/course/mem_sales_offer.htm. and I'd
love to have you as a member of this live workshop.

If you would like to donate to causes that help wildlife in general, please go to:

World Wildlife Fund www.worldwildlifefund.org

Audubon Society www.audubon.org

California Wildlife Center www.ca.wildlifecenter.org

You can be part of the movement to help wildlife of all species throughout the world. In this age of
thinking "green," let's think global as well.

Blessings for the New Year,

Charlene

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2. FEATURED ARTICLE - 11 Things To Do For Your Pets to Start the New Year Off Right

Do a “Pet Safety Check-up” Look around where your pets live and see if you can spot any safety or
health hazards. Are there any poisons in easy reach of your critter? Is the door hard to close or do the
kids need a bit more training on how to safely be around your pets?
Update your veterinary information. Is your veterinary contact information in an easy-to-remember place?
Is it current? Do you also have the number for an emergency vet close by? (If you need help locating these,
try www.vetlocator.com. It is a great resource for pet health related information).
Read the labels on your pet’s food. Is there anything in the ingredients that look weird or artificial?
To save both you and your pets from future grief and unnecessary expense because the food they
were eating caused health problems, be sure to feed them only healthy food made in the United States.
Exercise. Both you and your pets benefit from regular exercise, from being healthier (and happier), to
looking and feeling better. So do everyone a favor and keep the exercise in.
Set aside play time. Play time is special time for you and your pets. It is a chance for you to cast off
the responsibilities of the day, and for your pet to 'do his/her job' of making you smile.
Once a week do a ‘body survey’. Run your hands over all parts of your pet's body checking for sores,
lumps, bumps, parasites (like fleas). Check their teeth to see if they need attention and check their
eyes too, looking for cloudiness or other problems. If you find something amiss, you can tend to it
before it becomes a worse problem.
Check their collars to see if they need a new one. Check for secureness and comfort while you are
at it. A new collar is a great way to start the New Year!
Review your method for transporting your pet. How are you currently transporting your pets when
they travel. Do you have an adequate carrier? If your dog (or cat) accompanies you in the car, do
you have a method of securing your pet while you drive? A pet on the loose poses a safety hazard
for everyone.
Schedule a health check-up for your pet to visit your primary pet health provider. Some pet health
problems are not easily detected. Your pet's veterinarian can do a health check and you can also
take care of teeth cleaning while you are there.
Review what methods you have in place when you leave your pet alone. Some things to consider:
Adequate food and water? An easy way for the pet to eliminate? Is the weather too cold/hot for
where your pet stays while you are gone? Would your pet benefit from some type of ‘sound’ such
as music or a television to keep them company while you are away? Would it be a good idea to have
a pet walker stop by or take him/her to ‘doggy day care’?
Does your pet need to be microchipped? If your pet is not microchipped, even if it is an 'indoor' pet,
make an appointment NOW to have this done. A good friend just lost one of her cats over the holidays
when the caretaker accidentally let it out and the friendly tabby was adopted by an out-of-town
visitor who assumed it was a stray. The person who found the cat checked to see if it was chipped
and, because she could not find its owner, took it home, gone forever.

Doing these things will help insure a happier and healthier year for one and all.

Charlene
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3. A STORY FROM MY FILES - ROCKY

Many people find that as a family pet ages it is incredibly painful to watch the decline of their friend of so
many years. Some people start to feel the need to get a younger animal to cushion the loss they will soon
be facing.

I was contacted by a family in this situation who was feeling conflicted by wanting to get a younger dog.
The family definitely did not want to to be disloyal to Rocky at this time in his life and asked me to contact
Rocky to see how he felt and what he wanted from his family.

When I contacted Rocky he was very relieved to be able to express his thoughts and feelings on the subject.
He knew the family had been talking about another dog in the not-to-distant future. I asked him how he felt
about this. He told me that it made him feel sad because he still thought of himself as still important to
his family. He told me that he really did not want to compete with a younger and possibly cuter dog for the
love and affection that he so desperately needed at this time in his life. I told Rocky I would share his feelings
and concerns with his family.

The family was very understanding of Rocky's worries and feelings. We talked about things that the family
could do individually and as a family for Rocky. They all agreed that they would not get another dog until
Rocky had passed and would, instead, spend more time fulfilling Rocky's wishes.

Rocky lived for another four months and the end of his life was filled with love, attention and dignity. Their
children had never experienced the decline and eventual passing of a family pet. The parents made this a
very loving and life affirming experience for them as well.

A couple of months passed and the mother gave me an update on how the family was doing after Rocky's
passing. They had recently adopted a shelter dog for the family to love and to help them all heal. She told
me that the sadness they all experienced with Rocky's loss had been lessened by the new dog. I am sure
that Rocky is smiling down on all of them, helping to teach the new pup the ways of the family that he
knew and loved so much.

Charlene

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4. Learning to Talk To Your Pets - My Animal Communication eWorkshop in January

Most of you received my announcement earlier this week about my upcoming online Workshop,
Animal Communication 101, which will start in January next year. I want to thank everyone who
has already signed up for the workshop. I know we will be sharing some great experiences as
you go through the Workshop Training and your pets will thank you for it.

This is a wonderful way to start off the New Year for you and your pet(s), and if you are interested
in attending, you can visit the workshop registration page to get more information and to register.

Here is a testimonial from one of the people who recently completed the training:

"Charlene, I just wanted to let you know how much fun your workshop was and some
of the results I'm already seeing from it.

Last night I was invited by friends to a dinner party held at the home of a couple I'd never met
before. They have two dogs .......one of the dogs showed up at my side and 'told' me that her mom
always fed her at the table. I answered.......and told her that I thought she might be trying to
talk me into something her 'mom' did not actually do, and the "mom" looked twice at me and
told me yes, they did feed their dogs at the table, letting them sit in chairs while they fed them.

Needless to say, by the end of the evening I became an honorary family member and Aunt to
the pups.

Thanks again for the wonderful course!

Sincerely, RV"

Learn to communicate with animals intuitively.

Would you like to deepen your connection with your animals?

During this workshop you will learn everything you need to begin practicing animal communication.

No previous psychic ability required! Through a series of fun, guided exercises you will develop skills
that will allow you to connect with animals intuitively and interpret their messages to you.

Date: Wednesday January 9, 2007

Click on this link for more information.

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5. WHY DO DOGS BURY BONES?

Dogs may be domesticated, but sometimes they behave much as the wild animals they were before they
became domesticated. Wild animals must fend for themselves and this means having as many tricks as
possible to survive, including food storage. Sometimes food is abundant and sometimes scarce. When a
pack of dogs has caught a meal bigger than they can consume, that store the extras. Scientists call this
behavior "caching." Bones are an excellent food to cache. The marrow is rich in protein and nutrients. A
buried bone today is a snack for tomorrow. Even though your dog will never want for a meal, sometimes
a dog has to do what a dog's gotta do. It's just their nature! I feed RAW bones to my three dogs twice a
week. Their teeth are sparkling clean and their breath is sweet. Beef marrow bones are good as are raw
chicken wings and backs. Make certain that you supervise so that the bones don't become too small and
your dog could possibly choke on them. Cooked bones can splinter but raw bones are much stronger and
safer.

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6. CAT AND DOG HAIKU

CAT HAIKU

The dog wags his tail,

Seeking approval. See mine?

Different message.

Most problems can be

Ignored. The more difficult

Ones can be slept through.

My brain: walnut-sized.

Yours: largest among primates.

Yet, who leaves for work?

Cats can't steal the breath

Of children. But if my tail's

Pulled again, I'll learn.

DOG HAIKU

I lift my leg and

Anoint each bush. Hello Spot-

Sniff this and weep.

I lie belly up.

In the sunshine, happier than

You will ever be.

Look in my eyes and

Deny it. No human could

Love you so much.

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Gift certificates: Are you looking for something unique for that "hard to please" pet lover?
A gift certificate for a consultation or a package of consultations for multiple pet households
is a perfect gift and eliminates a trip to the mall! One size truly fits all and there is no expiration
date! A single consultation is $95 including the tape and $165 for multiple pets.

Please e-mail me if you are interested in this hassle-free gift!

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7. FROM THE BOOKSHELF - "THE 10 SECRETS TO HOUSEBREAKING YOUR PUPPY"

As I mentioned earlier in the newsletter, Sue Myles is a fabulous trainer of dogs. She now has an
e-book on housebreaking your dog called "The 10 Secrets to Housebreaking your Puppy".
Primarily for puppies, but sometimes rescue or shelter dogs need a tune-up in the housebreaking
department. It is a straightforward, no-nonsense but hilarious book that gives easy to use methods
to deal with this tricky problem. You may go to http://www.commlines.info/suemyles/index.html
to purchase and download this user friendly e-book and get your relationship with your dog on the
right path!

Now if she would just do one for cat lovers with litter box problems. Actually later in the Spring I
will have an e-book on cat box problems and their solutions. I know that this is a major area of
concern for cat owners and many times some simple strategies will make life so much easier for
kitty and you. I'll keep you posted on my next project.

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8. HOW TO GET A NAP

An old, tired-looking dog wandered into the yard. I could tell from
his collar and well-fed belly that he had a home.
He followed me into the house, down the hall, and fell asleep in a corner.

An hour later, he went to the door, and I let him out.
The next day he was back, resumed his position in the hall, and slept
for an hour. This continued for several weeks.
Curious, I pinned a note to his collar: "Every afternoon your dog
comes to my house for a nap."
The next day he arrived with a different note pinned to his collar:
"He lives in a home with ten children -- he's trying to catch up on his sleep.
Can I come with him tomorrow?"
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9. THE TAIL END

In closing, I want to remind you to keep a close eye on your pets if they are outside for any length of
time. We seem to be experiencing a very cold, wet winter with unusually low temps and much snow and
ice. My rule of thumb is that if you are cold outside, you pet will be too. Young and old pets need to be
especially supervised as they lack the body fat for proper insulation. Please make certain that their
feet are free of snow and possible salt as salt is very irritating to their pads. Many wild birds do not survive
the winter do to lack of food. An outside bird feeder is greatly appreciated by them and adds a spot of
color and activity for us when the days are short and dark.

As the saying goes, if you don't like this season, another is soon on its way! Enjoy these days as a time for
reading, warm clothes and nourishing food shared with friends and family. Before long, the buds on trees
will begin to swell, announcing the promise of Spring, warmer days and new life.

Peace and blessings to all,

Charlene

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Mission Statement:

"I feel that my primary role as an animal communicator is to speak the truth for the animals.
By speaking their truth I am able to share with their owners their unique perspectives and spiritual
philosophies. The special bond that companion animals share with their owners is one that is built
on love and trust. Through this special relationship both owners and their animals have an opportunity
to experience love, trust and mutual understanding. It is the key to all relationships we develop with
our pets. As we become more sensitive to our pets, we learn that we are all One, created by the
same Divine spirit. Our ultimate goal is to live in harmony and joy with the animals we love and cherish."

Charlene

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TALKING TO ANIMALS Monthly Newsletter, talk-to-animals.com and Charlene Boyd, Animal
Communicator are trademarks of Charlene Boyd, Animal Communicator, Coto de Caza, California,
USA Phone

877-907-1741

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Copyright 2005, Charlene Boyd, Animal Communicator. You are welcome to forward this entire
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To find out more about animal communication and to visit our newsletter archive, please go to our
website at www.talk-to-animals.com. To contact Charlene regarding a lost animal, animal behavior
problems or the death of your pet, email her at charlene@talk-to-animals or call

877-907-1741

.

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