Talking-To-Animals Newsletter
October 2005

TALKING TO ANIMALS Short Tails

"By loving and understanding animals, perhaps we humans shall come to understand each other."
Dr. Louis J. Camuti

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October 2005

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Published monthly for subscribers to the Animal Communicators
Newsletter By Charlene Boyd
http://www.talk-to-animals.com

YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO FORWARD THIS NEWSLETTER TO FRIENDS

Welcome to the October edition of "Talking to Animals Short Tails". This month's issue is called "Short Tails" due to the somewhat abbreviated content. The focus will be on the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and possibly Hurricane Rita. As I write this, the effects of Rita are unknown; it has not reached land yet. These natural disasters have far-reaching implications for the people in the immediate areas, but they also remind us that no matter where we live, we have to be prepared for not only ourselves, but our animals as well.

The feature story, "Animal Church," is from a professional animal communicators' list that I belong to. Thanks, Leta, for sharing this very special story. I know my readers will enjoy it too. It reminds us of the importance of having our beloved pets with us, especially at the most difficult of times.

I know our hearts and prayers go out to all the victims of the recent Hurricanes. I know we all want to do our part to help the people and animals uprooted by Mother Nature. Unfortunately, there are unscrupulous people who will take advantage of people in times like this. An email from NaturesPet.com reminds us to be careful what organizations we support. Generosity is always most effective when tempered with discernment. The need for financial help will remain for months to come. Please remember to donate as often as possible. Your donation, however small, will make a difference to many animals.

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THIS MONTH'S FEATURE STORY: ANIMAL CHURCH

Thibodaux church sheltering pets - An Article From Catholic Concern for Animals

By Millie Ball
Staff writer
THIBODAUX - The young woman from New Orleans, her 7-year-old daughter and their pet poodle were sleeping under the altar at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Center on the Nicholls State University campus.

Rev. Jim Morris said he gazed down at the family that had been banned because of the dog from the regular shelter for victims of Hurricane Katrina. He told a colleague, "Our altar has never been adorned more beautifully than it is with these people seeking the sanctuary of God."

Morris has a dog-named Blue. He understands.

"I went over to the school shelter Tuesday night and saw all these people outside, looking dejected and clinging to their animals," said the slender 44-year-old priest with friendly blue eyes and sandy hair he hasn't had time to comb lately. "They wouldn't let them inside. So I said, bring them on over to the church."

The first night there were 130 people with "all these Rottweilers, Poodles, Chihuahuas, cats, birds, even a pot-bellied pig. It was unbelievable. We had no kennels or cages - PetSmart and Petco donated them later - and people slept on the terrazzo floor and on the pews. We had no electricity. It was like Noah's Ark."

Sunday, there were 53 people still here with their pets. People chatted with one another, sitting on mattresses donated by locals, kennels holding their pets beside them. Volunteers and owners were returning with the leashed animals after their walks. One volunteer chased a Chihuahua that got lose. Others smiled since they'd been in that situation too, one time or another. Volunteers served burgers.
So many donated clothes that were piled on long tables in the hall, it was hard to navigate through it.
"Some people say we're stupid because we wouldn't leave our animals," said Cora DeRussy. "It's why I'm in the predicament I am now, but I'm glad I'm stupid."

An employee at Dillard's in eastern New Orleans, she lived on Vicksburg Street in Lakeview, and watched from her perch in the kitchen sink while one of her dogs swam in the water dumped in her house from the broken canal, and eventually drowned. Wearing a donated blue muumuu Sunday, the 65-year-old DeRussy said when two men in a boat rescued her Tuesday afternoon, she got them to row around the house until she spotted Amber, her collie, her head poking out of a window.

Now Amber, who swallowed a lot of polluted water, is at Ridgefield Animal Hospital nearby, recovering from her ordeal. Dr. Paul Seemann Jr., a veterinarian, shook his head. There would be no bill for any of these refugees' pets - or almost anyone else from New Orleans last week.

"Leave McGinty?" Carole Montet asked, as if that were a ridiculous question. "This cat helped my mother get through her hip surgery; McGinty inspired my mother." "She's family,"

"Our animals are the only semblance of normalcy we have left," Carole Montet said. "You've lost your home. You've lost your job. You have no possessions." "I didn't get my pictures or my albums," said her mother sadly. "The animal is the only semblance of your old life," Carole said.

Jack Weber, who lives on St. Denis Street near the Fair Grounds in Mid-City, got out with his family too. That includes his wife, Ollie, 56; their daughter, Tamara, 30; and their mixed Dalmatian-retriever mix, Spartica. "That's my family."

Morris looked happy and content as he looked over his temporary flock of humans and pets. "Animals calm people down. And pet lovers usually have gentle hearts. If you go in the other shelters, people tend to sit still and be idle. Here, there's a lot going on. And what's wonderful is the way our students are volunteering and helping wherever they can. For us this is a mission that helps the evacuees and their pets as well as our students who are here taking care of them."

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FROM MY FILES: CHAKA'S MESSAGE

In May, I was contacted by Jo Ann R. M. to help her make the difficult decision regarding her old dog Chaka, who was in a lot of pain from arthritis and was ready to leave his body. He felt that he lived a wonderful life and had been a powerful teacher for his owner. He told me that he was only leaving his body; he wanted to continue being a teacher in her life and that his heart would always be with her. He said he would always be in the background of her life, giving gentle support and guidance. I received this email from Jo Ann, who traveled to New Orleans to bring her mother to her home after Hurricane Katrina:

"Dear Charlene,

"When I came back from my trip to get my mom out of New Orleans and the Metairie area, I was at the coffee stand at my gate last night in Las Vegas waiting for my drink when they paged passenger Chaka twice. I could hardly believe my ears, I knew he was talking to me to let me know he is with me."

Our beloved animals continue to offer love and support even when they are in spirit form. Chaka let his owner know that even in times of chaos and confusion, he was still with her. Love indeed transcends all boundaries.

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DONATE WISELY! BELOW ARE GOOD ORGANIZATIONS TO SUPPORT:

John & Diane Zambelli of Naturespet.com tell us that while there are many worthwhile agencies doing their best to deal with this tragedy, others are simply taking advantage of a terrible situation. Please donate wisely and beware of many bogus internet-based charities that are springing up to scam money from unsuspecting donors. Some so-called charity Web sites are actually "phishing" expeditions trying to gather personal information to commit identity theft.

Here are a few organizations that we know are actively involved in the care and rescue of animals along the Gulf Coast:

Noah's Wish:
http://www.noahs-wish.org

Best Friends Animal Sanctuary:
http://www.bestfriends.com

Petfinder.com Foundation Disaster Fund
http://www.petfinder.com

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WHEN DISASTER STRIKES, DON'T BE CAUGHT UNPREPARED!

This is helpful information I want to share with my clients and friends who could be faced with evacuating with their animals.

Follow these Important Tips:

1. Pet Identification. Identify your pets at all times with collars or microchips. Collars should display your name, telephone number and an emergency contact. While collars can become lost, microchips are a secure means of assuring that your pet is identified via an electronic device that is painlessly implanted in your pet's shoulder area. Since animals may escape during disasters, permanent identification will increase your chances of retrieving your pet(s).
   
2. Evacuation Supplies. Be prepared for emergency evacuation by having pet carriers on-hand and in an accessible place near the front door. An "Evacsak" is an alternative to a carrier and is similar to a pillowcase but ensures safe pet transport. For reptiles or fish, make sure you have lightweight plastic tanks that can be used for transporting animals in a hurry.
   For dogs, keep an extra leash hanging near the front door where friends or neighbors can find it. All dogs should have collars and leashes, especially since a frightened dog may slip away if held only by the collar.
   
3. Evacuation Stickers. Affix a pet evacuation sticker on your front door or on the front door of your refrigerator indicating the number of pets residing in your household and an emergency contact number in case the animals must be removed without your knowledge. Without this, rescuers may not be aware that there are animals in the home, particularly in the case of cats that may hide when frightened.
   
4. Emergency Support System. Inform your landlord, neighbors, friends and relatives that you have pets in your home that may need their care in the case of an emergency. Make sure that at least two individuals have keys to your home and are familiar with your pets. Consider starting a "buddy system" in your neighborhood to ensure that someone will check on your animals in a disaster, and agree to do the same for them.
   Identify several possible locations where you can take your pet(s) if you need to evacuate your home.
   And, before disaster strikes, contact your veterinarian to see if he/she has a disaster plan. Know where you can take your animal for medical attention in the event that it becomes necessary due to a disaster.
   
5. Medical Records. Keep copies of your pets' medical records on hand so that if they are treated in the event of an emergency, the veterinarians know about any prior health conditions or medical needs. If your pet requires medication, always have a back-up supply on hand in case a disaster strikes and you cannot get to your veterinarian.
   
6. Emergency Supplies. You should have the following supplies on hand at all times:
   
   
   • A 2-week supply of pet food and water
     
   • A 2-week supply of cat litter and plastic bags for waste disposal
     
   • A small container of soap for cleaning purposes
     
   • First Aid kit and manual
     
   • You may wish to purchase a crate for your cat or dog
     
     
   In general, you should always leave plenty of fresh water available for pets left alone at home. While leaving extra food out is inadvisable due to the health hazard of obesity, extra water may protect the animals from dehydration if they become stranded at home.
   
   
7. Retrieving a Lost Pet. Know where the local animal shelters and rescue organizations are in your area. You may need to visit them to look for a missing pet. It is important that you start looking for a missing animal as soon as you realize that it is gone, since some shelters may not be able to house animals for long periods of time.