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All animals are a treasure. We must treat them as we would rare jewels.

—M. Scott Kosins
   

Talking-To-Animals Newsletter February 2007

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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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February 2007

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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!
2. Animal Quotes
3. Featured Article:  The Rule of One

4. A story from my files - Willow
5.
Top 10 Cat New Year's Resolutions
6. Pet Insurance - Response
7. Book Review
8. New Product Review

9.
The Tail End


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1. WELCOME DEAR READERS

 
Welcome to the February (or frigid!) edition of Talking To Animals newsletter. What a season we have had for the Winter of 2007!  As I talk to clients around the country, I am more than ever thankful to live in Southern California. Being a native, I admire all of you who live in the Midwest and the Northeast and how seemingly well you handle the severity of this winter. You are real troopers in my book.
 
Since February is the month of Valentine's Day, I will be writing about love. It goes without saying that we are totally and completely head over heels in love with our own animals. But how do you feel about strays and other people's animals or the wild animals in our environment? My feature article this month will be about focusing on the love of animals that are not our own and I will share with you my own personal belief in the "rule of one." I hope that you find this newsletter informative and inspirational. We have two book reviews and a dynamite product that I want to share with you.
 
With blessings,
 
Charlene



 




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2.  FAVORITE ANIMAL QUOTES

  • "A horse gallops with his lungs,
    Perseveres with his heart,
    And wins with his character." ~ Tesio
  • "All of the animals except for man know that the principle business of life is to enjoy it." ~ Samuel Butler

  • "You can say any foolish thing to a dog, and the dog will give you a look that says, 'My God, you're right!
    I never would've thought of that!'" ~ Dave Barry

  • "There is nothing in which the birds differ more from man than the way in which they can build and yet
    leave a landscape as it was before."  ~ Robert Lynd
  • "The dog was created especially for children. He is the God of frolic." ~ Henry Ward Beecher
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3.  
FEATURED ARTICLE: THE RULE OF ONE
 
Sometimes as I read the papers, watch TV or just really listen to what is going on in our world on an
environmental and humane level, I become discouraged about all that should be done to to improve the lives
and treatment of animals. Yes, we have made much progress in animal nutrition and medical advances and
improved humane ways of training animals. Sadly, there are still many unenlightened people in this country
and in most parts of the world that do not see the beauty, intelligence and value in animals. Whether this
comes from ignorance, indifference or prejudice, animals are still being mistreated and exploited worldwide.
 
I have a philosophy toward all the inhabitants of the natural world, and while it will not be something you ever
see in the paper or on TV, it makes my heart happy and helps me feel I am doing my small part each and
every day to make the world a better place for animals. I call it my "rule of one." For me, it means that every
day, no matter how busy I am, I do at least one action that is love-based to help animals.
 
We have several bird feeders in the backyard that are filled daily. No one makes me do this, it's not "required,"
but I will be the first to admit that I derive much pleasure from the never-ending take-offs and landings of the
birds. I know that Winter, even in temperate climates is difficult for the birds to find enough food. When we
have extreme cold like the East Coast has been experiencing, thousands of bird die due to lack of food. When
I shop at PetSmart and use my credit card, I have the option of donating a dollar to help shelters and homeless
animals. What could be easier to help shelters and rescue groups help pets find loving "forever" homes?
 
The website www.theanimalrescuesite.com encourages you to click daily as their sponsors donate .6 bowls of
food per click. That might not seem like much, but I was amazed when I checked the website statistics to see
how many bowls of food were donated daily by their sponsors! It is a fast, painless way to help each and every day.
 
We also cleaned out our garage after Christmas and I took a deep breath and gathered up all the cat carriers,
old dog crates and X-pens that I was no longer using and took them over to a non-profit rescue organization in
South Orange County. They were thrilled to death as they will use them to transport dogs and cats waiting for
adoption or going to the veterinarians. We all have those bath towels that are past their prime and rescue
groups always need them for bathing pets and using in crates and kennels. Why not add a toy or two? It can be
pretty grim for pets waiting for adoption, but a toy or two means so much to them.
 
Could you donate one hour a week to answer the phones or walk dogs for a shelter or rescue group? I have a
friend who lives in a "no pets" apartment complex and she donates a little more than one hour a week to socialize
young kittens so they are more adoptable. Sometimes she gets to bottle-feed orphan kittens, her most favorite
thing to do!  By volunteering she gets her "kitty fix" as she calls it. She tells me that no matter how tired or busy
she is, she is calmer and happier afterwards. After all, it's pretty hard to feel stressed when you have young kittens
nestling in your lap or giving you chin kisses!
 
Each of us has the ability to do one small loving act each day for the animals in the world. Whether it is speaking
without judgment to a neighbor who ties his dog up outside or to people who do not spay or neuter, we can all act
or speak up for the animals. I like to think that the "rule of one" has far-reaching implications for not only the
animals but for mankind as well. What will be your act today for the "rule of one?"


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4. FEATURED STORY: Willow

Dear Readers,

I was contacted by Mary Martha because she felt her old cat Willow was getting ready to transition and she was worried about her last days, wanting to make her as comfortable as possible. Willow's owner was a very spiritual woman, wise in the ways of living and dying. I always learn so much from my clients and their animals and Mary Martha and Willow were not exception. When I contacted Willow, she told me that yes, she was indeed getting ready to leave our world. She was now 19 years old, old for even a cat. She felt she had had a good, fulfilling life. She knew that her owner was sad, but she respected her calmness and acceptance of what will happen soon. She knew that her owner Mary Martha would really be ok as she understood the process. She felt that most humans really don't understand. Willow said that it is the same for humans or animals. Spirit is the same in all.

 
Three days later I received this e-mail from Mary Martha:

"Subject: The angels came for Willow

Charlene,

I buried my old girl today. I am again grateful for your part in helping us both of us during her time to leave this physical earth. Your work has helped me unburden my heart. Thank you so much again."

 She also sent this e-mail to some close friends and it was so touching and poignant I wanted to share it with you too.

"My sweet girl, Willow, died early this morning in my arms. I am heartbroken, but that pain is eased by knowing that she is whole in spirit.

I watched Willow born in 1987 -- a tiny kitten with a bright orange patch on the top of her head. She was my constant companion through nine different homes, the beginning and end of the Bakery, graduate school, teaching and now almost two years at the Farm. Willow was my healer. She would lie near my shoulder when I was physically sick or emotionally hurt and purr deeply and evenly for hours--she literally took the pain away, so many times I could not count them. Thank you God for her, especially during those times when I felt lost, so alone, through it all, she was beside me. Twenty years of companionship and love. I have been blessed by her gentleness, her profound sense of peace,her unfailing love."

Sometimes a special animal will come into your life and your life is never quite the same.

I'm sure Mary Martha would agree with this.


Charlene

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5.  TOP 10 CAT
NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS
 
A reader forwarded these to me and I thought I'd share a few with you as well.  Very cute
 

Cat's Top 10 New Year Resolutions

10. I will not lean way over to drink out of the tub, fall in, and then pelt right for the box of clumping cat litter. (It
took FOREVER to get the stuff out of my fur.)


9.  We will not play "Herd of Thundering Wildebeests Stampeding Across the Plains of the Serengeti" over any humans' bed
while they're trying to sleep.


 8. 
If I must claw my human I will l not do it in such a way that the scars resemble a botched suicide attempt.

 
7.  When it rains, it will be raining on all sides of the house. It is not necessary to check every door.

 6.  I will not play "dead cat on the stairs" while people are trying to bring in groceries or laundry, or else one of
these days, it will really come true.

 
5. . I will not perch on my human's chest at night and stare at them until they wake up.


 4.  I will not swat my human's head repeatedly when they are on the family room floor trying to do sit ups.

 3. 
I will not walk on the key board when my human is writing important adagfsg gdjag ;ln.

 2.  Computer and TV screens do not exist to backlight my lovely tail.

 1.  I will not puff my entire body to twice its size for no reason after my human has watched a horror movie.

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6. PET INSURANCE - RESPONSE

Last month I asked readers about their experience with pet insurance.  One of the responses I received
was from Angie, who has a website at www.riverdogz.com.  Along with sharing her experience
with pet insurance she related her journey to health for some of her puppies.  Even though it is a bit long,
I thought I'd reprint it here as I feel it is worth sharing with you.

--------

Hi Charlene,

I always enjoy reading your newsletter.

I have Pet insurance on 2 of my girls. After having many fosters and  adopting seniors and spending
around $6000 annually (or more) for vet bills, I finally got insurance for my youngest 2.  They were both
7 when I got the insurance.  One of them has not had to use it -  1.5 years later.  We have used it for the
other girl for a few things - needle biopsy, skin issues, and removal of a suspicious lump.  They pay 70%
and there is a small  amount not reimbursed for first time issues.  I use PetCare and am quite happy with
them. The premium is around $22 - 24 per month.  Over all, I have not gotten back what i have put in, but
it is definitely for a good peace of mind. Last year alone I spend $2000 on my long term foster and $2000
when Casey got sick. I didn't have insurance on either one of them.   They are prompt to pay claims and
so far I have not had any issues with them.

Also - regarding the product recommendations ... My Bonita is a 12 year old golden. I got her 5 years ago
from the shelter. She was supposed to be a foster dog. At the time, she had severe ear infections. We
tried and tried to get them under control for about a year. We switched to Wellness Fish and Sweet potato
and then to raw.  We never did get them under control and finally went to the Animal Derm Clinic. After 6
weeks of going back and forth to them, and several thousand $$, she was even more miserable. I finally
found my current holistic vet and she recommended Zymox.  It is 4 milk proteins and works well on yeast.
It has worked wonders for her. It  is not prescription and is only $13 a bottle. My rescue group now orders
it by the case.  We do have to use it a little more frequently, but it keeps her ears in check.

Bonita also is very arthritic.  She had gotten to the point where she was unable to stand up in the morning
and had to crawl down the hall.  I tried numerous things - including acupuncture, MSM, glucosimine. Cosequin,
DGP, Bromelain (which worked for about 6 months), etc.. Too many things to  list. I finally gave up and took
her to my vet to get a NASID. My vet suggested trying one more thing that she had just gotten a brochure on --
Trixsyn.  It is an all natural Hyaluronic Acid Joint Supplement.  And it has worked  wonders. Bonita gets
right up in the morning and zooms around the house at  dinner time. http://www.trixsyn.com/  It worked within
2 weeks, so you don't have to wait  the normal 8 weeks or so like you do for glucosimine products.

This isn't a product, but a site I highly recommend:  I have an epi who had seizures once a month when
she came to us.  We have  been able to control her seizures without resorting to any of the  anti-convulsant drugs. 
We do home cook for her and she is on soloxine to  keep her thyroid numbers in the upper range of normal. 
Her seizures have  tapered off to about 1 ever 3 or 4 months.  We also use an ice pack on her  back when she
has a seizure  and it dramatically reduces the severity and post seizures issues. 
Here is the website and group that i joined  http://www.canine-epilepsy-guardian-angels.com/

Angie

------

Thanks Angie for sharing your story and experiences with us.  And for those of you who are interested
in working with a holistic veterinarian, www.vetlocator.com has an excellent holistic pet health directory.
Just click on the button on the home page and put in your zip code to see a list of holistic practitioners
in your area.  As always, make sure to thoroughly check out anyone you are planning to take your pet
to.

Charlene

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7.  FROM THE BOOKSHELF
 
This month I have two great books that I want to share with you. The first one is for my cat clients who have
more than one cat and problems with "sibling rivalry." Cat vs. Cat by feline behaviorist Pam Johnson-Bennett.
Pam gives you important information on how to keep the peace in your feline family so the "fur doesn't fly"
between your cats.I have a lot of expertise with cats, but I learned some new information from this well written
book. One point she brings out is how critical it is to properly introduce two cats that you want to live together.
Sounds like dating etiquette! With a little forethought and planning, most cats will accept a new housemate.
I know for me, two cats are no more trouble and a lot of fun!
 
When Caesar crossed the rubicon, there was no going back, he was committed. How like the bond we create
once an animal companion enters our lives. We too, are changed forever. Crossing The Rubicon: The Human-Animal
Bond in Life and Death by Julie Kaufman, D.C., C.A.C. It is a collection of stories, poems, interviews and exercises
that is helpful to anyone coping with the loss of a dear animal friend. As the animal messengers in this book tell us,
it is not only our pets lives that enrich us, but their deaths and their messages from beyond death that affect us as well.
Both of these books may be purchased on-line at www.amazon.com


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The Gift of LOVE - Gift certificates for your pets:
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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8.  NEW PRODUCTS
 
I seem to get my fair share of pet supply websites these days and I always look at each one for products or
pet-related items that would be helpful to all of us. This is from www.EntirelyPets.com. The product is Urine-Off
odor and stain remover. Whether we have young pups and kittens or older pets, sooner or later we all need this
 product for accidents. This comes in two different sizes, but what I was impressed with is the product now comes
in a "wipe", similar to baby wipes. What a great thing to carry in your car when your pet has an accident or vomits
in your car. They are priced at $11.99 for 35 large (7X9) wipes. I'm going to order some to keep in the car. Those
of us with male dogs know how "stinky" they can become if they have been around a lot of other dogs, due to the
excitement factor.

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9. 
THE TAIL END

Thank you for taking the time out from your busy day to read the newsletter. I hope that thinking about the
relationship you share with your own pet and animals in general brightens your day. February is of course Valentine's Day and our beloved pets are all about love and the heart connection that we share together. The world would be a sadder place without the love of our animals and the natural world that is graced with the beauty of the wild birds and animals.Aren't we blessed to live in a country that allows us to have companion animals? Unfortunately that is not true in all countries, notably in China where you are limited to how many pets you may own and their is a constant risk that your pet will be killed by government orders due to the problems with rabies endemic to the area..Let's be thankful that we don't ever have to face that dilemma. Let our hearts be filled with the love and the goodness that our pets bring into our lives, each and every day.
 
Blessings,
 
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 Boyd

To all my readers, I always look forward to hearing from you and I do answer each and every email I receive. If you would like to email or call me to talk about your pet and any help I might give, my number is 877.907.1741 or charlene@talk-to-animals.com.

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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.
Copyright 2006, Charlene Boyd, Animal Communicator.
You are welcome to forward this entire newsletter to friends.
Please visit my website for articles you may publish and share freely!
--> http://www.talk-to-animals.com/aandr.htm

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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.

 

Articles By Charlene
The Magical Connection With Our Pets
Pets and Unconditional Love
Words Can Wound or Heal
Giving Thanks to Our Pets
Breathe Deep = Peace & Tranquility

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