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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August 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 August Newsletter
2. Featured Article - "Don't Let This Happen To Your Pet"
3. A Story From My Files - Pet Owners Write About Pet Loss
4. Announcing My Upcoming Seminar on Pet Loss and Recovery
5. Poem: A New Take On The Rainbow Bridge
6. A Story Of Al Pacino and Inspiration
7. The Tail End
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1. WELCOME TO THE AUGUST 2008 EDITION OF TALKING-TO-ANIMALS
Don't you just love summer? Summer always reminds me of being a kid; each new day holds great
promise for exciting activities and adventures. Do you remember the rhyme young kids would say
when school was out for the summer? "No more pencils, no more books, no more teachers with
dirty looks?" I have not thought of that little ditty for years and years, but it was always said as a prelude
to all anticipated fun and interrupted days of play and times with friends.
gratitude for our ever-changing world. Summer can be a time of laughter, picnics, and vacations to
see new, exotic places or perhaps to go back to our childhood home to reminisce with old childhood
friends. Have you ever noticed that most high school and college reunions are held in the summer?
What a great way to step back in time, if only for a day or two.
meditation practice, begin a journal or just daydream. With our go, go, go pace of life, one
should not feel guilty about about taking time out to just daydream. If you feel a twinge of guilt for
daydreaming, just call it active visualization. That sounds a little more goal-oriented, doesn't it?
many of them spend much of their time daydreaming or reflecting upon their life when they were
younger and had a healthy body. Animals usually don't have much remorse of how their life turned out,
they just accept it very matter-of-factly. Daydreaming is a very good way to enrich our memory bank,
a great time to review mistakes we have made over the years or to just take a break from mundane or
boring tasks that we all have to do each day.
a short, much needed break each and every day, regardless of the seasons. Isn't it nice to know that
you have the power to take a mental trip to any destination in the world? All you need is a destination
and your imagination!
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2. FEATURED ARTICLE: "WARNING - DON'T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOUR PET!"
Many of us are using groomers more these days, especially in the summer. All-in-all, most groomers are
conscientious, if not overworked. I saw this on the Today Show and wanted to share it with all of you.
For many reasons, I use a mobile groomer. They don't do as many pets in a day, your poor pet is not left
in a crate all day either. Yes, they cost a bit more, but well worth it as it does not exhaust your pet (a
consideration with very young or very old pets).**FYI, in the grooming industry, the bathers are at the bottom of
the heap and as they become more skilled, then they cut and trim pets. The bottom line in the grooming
business is to get as many pets in and out in a day's time.
I like the points brought out in the article such as examining the grooming areas. Are they clean? Ask
about the cage dryers, do they have an automatic shutoff? Is water readily available? Dogs and cats become
very thirsty from being shampooed and dried. That is why I left the last groomer; my dogs would come home
and drink ALOT of water, more than they ever did at home. With Desi, my almost 14 year old Beardie, that
was the last straw!
The following information is from The Today Show's website:
The horrifying story of a dog that died after being left in a kennel drying machine is a tragic warning about
an unregulated industry, an expert said Friday — and a wake-up call to pet owners who need to do their
homework about the facilities they trust with their beloved animals.
“Unfortunately, it’s an industry that’s not licensed yet,” groomer and instructor Joey Villani told TODAY
co-host Meredith Vieira on Friday. “We’ve been trying for years to get this industry licensed.”
Spurring the segment was a sad story with a personal dimension for Vieira. Recently, her assistant
Amanda Bushey and Bushey's husband Keith went on a vacation, leaving their 2-year-old Labrador retriever,
Sushi, at their usual boarding facility.
When they returned, they found that a routine bath had ended in tragedy.
“As we were entering the building, we heard screaming from the back. This woman came running out in a
panic, on a cell phone,” Amanda Bushey said in a video report. “I looked at her and said, ‘Where is my dog?
Where is my dog?’ She said, ‘Everything’s fine. Everything’s fine.’ But clearly everything wasn’t fine.”
Sushi was found lying unconscious in the grooming area. He was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
The groomers explained that Sushi had been in a cage dryer — an electronic box with a heating element
used to dry a pet after it has had a bath. Vieira reported that Keith Bushey took pictures of the dryer’s control
panel, which showed that it had been set at 100 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes.
“I don’t understand why any animal would go in a machine at 100 degrees for one minute, let alone 30 minutes,”
Amanda Bushey continued. “Personally, I don’t see why they’re necessary.”
Kennel dryers, according to animal experts and animal rights groups, are safe if used correctly. They are
a convenience because they are faster than towel drying.
“It gives the groomer the availability to do more dogs in a single day,” explained Villani, who is director and
owner of the Nash Academy of Animal Arts in New Jersey and a judge on “Groomer Has It,” a TV series on
Animal Planet. “Unfortunately, most groomers don’t know how to use them.
“There are certain dogs that can’t go in a [kennel dryer], even without a heating element, like flat-faced
dogs like pugs and boxers. They’re not supposed to go in there at all because they can’t breathe when
air is blown directly in their face,” he added.
At Villani’s facility, the heating elements in the kennel dryers are actually disconnected as an extra
precaution. “It runs on whatever the room temperature is, just so fresh air is blowing over the dog and
it’s a comfortable temperature,” he said.
Villani added that a kennel dryer should never go over 85 degrees. “Like a comfortable breeze, if you’re
sitting at the beach,” he explained. “But not a real hot, strong breeze.”
Villani encourages every pet owner do research on the facility they’ve chosen before handing over their
pooch or kitty. And his tips go beyond inquiring about the usage of kennel dryers.
“You have to ask questions,” he said. “But first, a groomer should really be asking you questions. They
should be professional. The place should look and smell clean. They should ask you to tour the facilities.
They should show you where the dog is going to be caged, what the procedures are going to be.
“If they don’t, ask them,” Villani continued. “Get a little bit more involved and ask, ‘OK, what’s the procedure
here? What are you doing to my dog?’ And if they’re reluctant about showing you the place, walk away.”
In addition, Villani says pet owners should inquire about the products and foods used at a facility. They
should also investigate safety procedures, to the point of examining the length of leashes and their safety
nooses on grooming decks.
“A lot of people call it a noose, but I call it a safety noose because it sounds better,” he said. “If that’s
not adjusted properly and it has a little bit of play in it, when a dog jumps off the table and that snaps,
it will break the dog’s neck. Groomers need to be within hands-reach of the dog at all times.”
Vieira asked Villani why the pet grooming industry remains unregulated in light of the type of tragedy
that happened to Sushi.
“It goes in front of the states and I just think there’s so much on their plates, it’s pushed to the side,”
Villani said.
“As much as we’ve been trying to move forward, it seems like we take three steps back.”
It never hurts to ask relevant questions regarding the handling of your pet. You would not leave a
child in precarious situations, your pets deserve the same type of "concerned for their welfare"
questions. You are their guardian in all situations. Just because they are working with animals, it
doesn't mean that they love them like you and I do.
Charlene
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3. A STORY FROM MY FILES - PET OWNERS WRITE ABOUT PET LOSS
Over the years of being an animal communicator, I've worked with literally thousands of pets and
their owners. And, which each session and each situation had its own outcomes and rewards, Over
time I discovered that I excelled in working with owners and pets in the area of pet loss, and feel my
contributions and skills as a communicator fit well when I work in this area. It has become a specialty of
mine and as a result, pet owners who need help with pet loss are referred to me by their friends or they
are drawn to my website to seek help. Here are just a few of the many emails I receive each month from
pet owners around the world asking for help to ease their pain or help them and their pet through transition:
"Hi Charlene, I just recently in the past few days lost a dear pet and honestly am very vulnerable right
now and am having a horrible time dealing with this, so I feel that I am taking a chance in contacting you.
In my grieving process, I noticed your website, but didn't see anything specific for contacting a pet who
recently died. ........................
Although your fees are reasonable, raising money is extremely difficult for me right now in my life raising
small children, so I would need to feel assured before foregoing money for something else in order to
help me with this painful closure.
Thank you, TP
We use to have 2 dogs, R**** Australian cattle and B***** a pit bull mixed, they are about the same
age both 5 and a half now. We had our friend to take care of them and now B*** has been missing for
3 months. The friend has 5 children, the oldest boy dreamt that B***** was injured; and the oldest girl
dreamt that B***** lost one leg. It so hurt to hear this. I care for R**** and B*****, I love them
very much, I would like to know whether B***** is still alive or not. If B***** is still alive, I'd like to
find him and bring him home and take care of him. Could you help me with this? Thank you so much
Charlene! - V
Hi , someone told me about your website. As I write this to you, my eyes are filled with tears...I lost
my best friend yesterday.S*** was a 13 year old Norfolk Terrier, and the sweetest , caring , loving
animal..I was never a dog lover, but my husband brought him home from the airport (was flown in from
a breeder) and it was at a time when my daughter, then 23, had gone through some physical problems,
(had a stroke), and he thought a dog would help her with her depression..Well, when they brought him
home, they said hold him to me, and told me it was "love at first sight"...so on goes the story...My
daughter moved out, and S*** and I became closer and closer, although my husband was still there...
Then my husband's cancer came back in 1996 and S*** went through some hard times with us..
After my husband died, it was me and S***, and he made me get up and go out every morning just to
walk him...the kids moved home and my son was very close to him..a reminder of his dad....and also
my mother-in-law thought he was her dog...well, I finally got every one on their feet again from their loss,
and I decided to move, and once again it was me and S*** (my daughter moved with me, but then got
married), so every day S*** was here waiting for me..In the past few months, his eyes got worse with
cataracts, and he had a very bad ear (infection), but had an enlarged heart, so I decided not to operate
on him for either, and cleaned and nursed the ear, and the eyes were what they were, but he did fine,
but lately his breathing got a bit labored, and then he also had a benign growth on his front paw, so the
Vet said he could remove it with a strong local because in his blood work, his kidney function was high,
so was going to think about doing that, but over the weekend he started to go in the house, diarrhea
and never did that, and Sunday night he had such a hard time breathing, he wouldn't even lay his head
down..I held him for a while, but he wanted down, so the next morning I brought him in to the Vet and
he said he heard something in his lungs, and did an X-ray and was filled with fluid, so I asked what the
options were...He told me, of course, the kind thing to do, and I asked what else...so he said leave him
there and he would start and diuretic and antibiotic, ...well, I was home about an hour and got a call
that he had died...I can't believe it..(I forgot to mention that I was diagnosed in Feb with early stage
ast cancer, had a lumpectomy, and am going for radiation and almost done my treatment) and he was
always here when I got home..and now no S***..I can't bear this pain..what do I do? am I normal? and
did I do the right thing by him? Thanks for your time..DO
favorite dog passed on the 28th of Jun 08. My wife has been so depressed and crying since then. We would
like your help in communicating with her.
My husband says it is time that if it was him he would want someone to put him out of his pain.
in the day that it is hard for him to walk and get up, but it is not all day long.
I had to do. It still upset me to this day and I question if I did the right thing. I don't want to question this one
too. I don't thing I could handle it.
Of the many emails I receive each month just on pet loss, I'll work with roughly 20% of the requests and
usually the other 80% don't have the money. I know you can understand how frustrating that is for me
because I do want to help these owners and I do also .
What I am doing is a very special seminar on August 20th at 6pm PST titled "End Of Life Transitions:
Supporting Your Pet and Yourself with Love, Respect, and Spiritual Understanding".
More than just a seminar, I have prepared a collection of tools to help pets and pet owners through
this stressful period from deciding how and when to decide when the right time is to easing the
pain after the transition. In total there are 4 different tools that I've created to help, starting with
my August 20th seminar. During the seminar we will cover many aspects of end-of-life transitions
and how to guide the experience for the highest and best outcome for owners and pets. There is
also a question and answer period at the end of the seminar where you'll have an opportunity to
ask those questions you might have about a pet who has transitioned or one who is about to.
To find out all of the details and to register, you can visit:
http://www.talk-to-animals.com/course/dd_seminar.htm
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4. Announcing my upcoming seminar on August 20 -"End Of Life Transitions: Supporting Your
Pet and Yourself with Love, Respect, and Spiritual Understanding"
Much of my work as an animal communicator deals with elderly or sick pets who will soon be leaving their
owners and going into spirit. Later this month on August 20, I will be offering a teleseminmar on death and
dying for my clients to help them at this most difficult and sad time. It is to help everyone who has lost a
pet or know that in the not-too-distant future they will be losing one. Many topics wil be covered, but some
of them include:
- knowing when it is time to say goodbye
- passing at home or at the vets
- what to expect in the end
- how to commemorate the life of our much loved pets.
If you are are facing this situation or know of someone who is, please join us for this teleseminar of love,
healing and hope.T
For those of you who would like more information on this interactive seminar, you can find out all of the
details and register by visiting:..
http://www.talk-to-animals.com/course/dd_seminar.htm
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5. POEM: A NEW TAKE ON THE RAINBOW BRIDGE
Unlike most days at Rainbow Bridge, this day dawned cold and gray, damp as a swamp and as dismal as
could be imagined. All of the recent arrivals had no idea what to think, as they had never experienced a day
like this before. But the animals who had been waiting for their beloved people knew exactly what was going
on and started to gather at the pathway leading to The Bridge to watch.
It wasn't long before an elderly animal came into view, head hung low and tail dragging. The other animals,
the ones who had been there for awhile, knew what his story was right away, for they had seen this happen
far too often. He approached slowly, obviously in great emotional pain, but with no sign of injury or illness.
Unlike all of the other animals waiting at The Bridge, this animal had not been restored to youth and made
healthy and vigorous again. As he walked toward The Bridge, he watched all of the other animals watching him.
He knew he was out of place here and the sooner he could cross over, the happier he would be. But, alas, as he
approached The Bridge, his way was barred by the appearance of an Angel who apologized, but told him that he
would not be able to pass. Only those animals who were with their people could pass over Rainbow Bridge. With
no place else to turn to, the elderly animal turned towards the fields before The Bridge and saw a group of other
animals like himself, also elderly and infirm. They weren't playing, but rather simply lying on the green grass, forlornly
staring out at the pathway leading to The Bridge. And so, he took his place among them, watching the pathway
and waiting.
One of the newest arrivals at The Bridge didn't understand what he had just witnessed and asked one of the
animals that had been there for a while to explain it to him.
"You see, that poor animal was a rescue. He was turned in to rescue just as you see him now, an older animal
with his fur graying and his eyes clouding. He never made it out of rescue and passed on with only the love of his
rescuer to comfort him as he left his earthly existence. Because he had no family to give his love to, he has no
one to escort him across The Bridge."
The first animal thought about this for a minute and then asked, "So what will happen now?" As he was about
to receive his answer, the clouds suddenly parted and the gloom lifted. Approaching The Bridge could be seen
a single person and among the older animals, a whole group was suddenly bathed in a golden light and they
were all young and healthy again, just as they were in the prime of life.
"Watch, and see.", said the second animal. A second group of animals from those waiting came to the pathway
and bowed low as the person neared. At each bowed head, the person offered a pat on the head or a scratch
behind the ears. The newly restored animals fell into line and followed him towards The Bridge. They all crossed
The Bridge together.
"What happened?"
"That was a rescuer. The animals you saw bowing in respect were those who found new homes because
of his work. They will cross when their new families arrive. Those you saw restored were those who never found
homes. When a rescuer arrives, they are allowed to perform one, final act of rescue. They are allowed to escort
those poor animals that they couldn't place on earth across The Rainbow Bridge."
Author Unknown...
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6. A STORY OF AL PACINO AND INSPIRATION
out in the audience that seemed to be riveted on him. So he decided he would direct everything toward those
eyes. He felt slightly intimidated, but they were inspiring him and so he directed his performance more and more
to that member of the audience.
the lights came on, he looked out into the audience and found the eyes that had driven him to such theatrical heights.
Charlene
I hope that each of you are having a glorious Summer. I know that I am for sure, no big vacation plans but
I plan on spending as much time as possible with family, friends and my family of animals.
We never know what the future holds for us, but I'm pretty certain that my wonderful dog Desmond will
have crossed the Rainbow Bridge as he will be 14 in Dec. He has been one of my greatest teachers as
he was instrumental in leading me to my work as an animal communicator and brought me much joy and
pride when he received a Best-In-Show and won the breed at the Westminster Kennel Club back in New York.
The time that we have left to be together is a priceless gift to both of us. For me, losing a family pet is more
traumatic than losing human family members. I have not lost a spouse or one of my children, but my pets
are just as much family to me.
Blessings to you and your family and may the remaining days of summer be especially nice for you,
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
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 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.=========================================================================