Charlene Boyd, Animal Communicator
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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October 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
=========================================================================
In this edition:
1. Welcome to our October Newsletter
2. What would you do if.............
3. Article - Matching Senior Citizens with Pets
4. My Blog
5. Disaster plan checklist for your pets from the ASPCA
6. Some dog quotes
7. The Tail End
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1. WELCOME TO THE OCTOBER 2008 EDITION OF TALKING-TO-ANIMALS
Hello dear clients, readers, and all who receive my monthly newsletter.
This is quite a time in the history of our country on many different levels. The uncertainty of our
financial future is, I believe, causing extreme anxiety and distress for many, many people.
We are all reviewing our lives and our future goals. What's up? Where are we heading? All of
which makes us feel uncertain. All that we hold near and dear is up for grabs these days.
For me, this is a very difficult time as I have had another foot surgery to correct some residual
problems not corrected by the last surgery. I am down for the count, literally which means little,
if any time on the computer because of the strain it places on my sutures and soft tissues.
This is quite a time in the history of our country on many different levels. The uncertainty of our
financial future is, I believe, causing extreme anxiety and distress for many, many people.
We are all reviewing our lives and our future goals. What's up? Where are we heading? All of
which makes us feel uncertain. All that we hold near and dear is up for grabs these days.
For me, this is a very difficult time as I have had another foot surgery to correct some residual
problems not corrected by the last surgery. I am down for the count, literally which means little,
if any time on the computer because of the strain it places on my sutures and soft tissues.
In spite of the economic woes and my own physical limitations, I have still have much to be
thankful for (sounds like a Thanksgiving newsletter, doesn't it?). I draw much love, as well as
peace and happiness from my own dogs, cat and the concern for me expressed by many
of you. All I can say, is "Thank you!." It means a lot to me that so many of you care and
can reach out to me. I know there are better times ahead for me, the dogs and my wonderful,
long patient husband. I am again reminded that one of the reasons our animal's are in our lives
is to ground and balance us on a daily basis. They help to connect us to a deeper sense of life
and what is real and true. I know what is timeless in my life and what gets me through the
bumpy parts.
thankful for (sounds like a Thanksgiving newsletter, doesn't it?). I draw much love, as well as
peace and happiness from my own dogs, cat and the concern for me expressed by many
of you. All I can say, is "Thank you!." It means a lot to me that so many of you care and
can reach out to me. I know there are better times ahead for me, the dogs and my wonderful,
long patient husband. I am again reminded that one of the reasons our animal's are in our lives
is to ground and balance us on a daily basis. They help to connect us to a deeper sense of life
and what is real and true. I know what is timeless in my life and what gets me through the
bumpy parts.
Next month I will be back on my game, roaring to go and anxious to hear from you! Next newsletter
will have all the regular features. Be well and balanced!
will have all the regular features. Be well and balanced!
Many blessings to all of you,
Charlene
===========================================================================
2. WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF???
puppy or kitten, yet they really need the companionship and reason to keep going that
a pet provides us with. Here is an excellent article from the University of Illinois College of
Veterinary Medicine's newsletter that demonstrates what a little bit of time and fore-
thought can do to bring pets and seniors together. It's a win-win situation for
all. I especially like to bring older pets and seniors together because on a deep level, they
understand each other and accept any limitations that each might have.
"Anyone with a pet can vouch for the benefits of having a four-legged
fur ball roaming around the house. For an aging population who may be
battling loneliness after the loss of a spouse or boredom after
retiring from a full-time job, a pet might be the perfect prescription
for a fulfilling and happy life.
Kate Meghji is the shelter manager at the Champaign County Humane
Society in Urbana, Ill. She oversees adoptions at the shelter and
says, "we frequently have senior citizens come in looking for an
animal to adopt. What I see the most of is somebody who has had a dog
in the past and wants to replace it."
Unfortunately, each pet is one of a kind and finding an exact clone of
your previous animal is left only to the scientists and their clients
with large bank accounts.
Ms. Meghji recalls a previous case where an elderly woman had owned a
poodle for the past 15 years and was looking for another. "It is
important that potential adopters realize that whatever animal they
choose is just not going to be the same as another dog," she explains.
Despite this, the shelter has been very successful in matching seniors
with the right pet thanks to their experienced adoption staff. In
fact, they have a program in place where they match a senior citizen
with a senior cat at least seven-years-old. As an added benefit, the
adoption fee is waived when participating in this program.
Before adopting it is important to take several factors into
consideration.
Firstly, many senior citizens live in retirement homes or apartments
in which pets are not permitted. Find out before you start looking
for a pet if animals are allowed to avoid a heartbreaking situation.
Secondly, know what your energy level is. A Labrador puppy for
someone confined to a wheelchair would not be ideal. But an older cat
that curls up in their lap might be perfect.
Thirdly, do not forget to plan long term. It is recommended that
owners, both young and old, put their pet in their will so the animal
will be cared for in the future.
Another situation Ms. Meghji commonly runs into is children who want
to adopt their older parents a pet to keep them company. "We do not
let people adopt animals as gifts," she notes. "We want the primary
caretaker to be involved in the process since they will be the one
living with the animal."
If you are a senior citizen that loves animals, yet cannot adopt for
some reason, there is another option. Chris Noffsinger is a volunteer
at the Champaign County Humane Society three days a week. She started
volunteering through the local Retired Senior Citizens Volunteer
Program (RSVP) that matches seniors with a volunteer opportunity.
"Chris is a wonderful volunteer," says Ms. Meghji. "She started
bringing in food and reminds the staff to eat when we get busy and
forget to." Ms. Noffsinger says, "I thoroughly enjoy working here.
I love being close to animals and the people here are just wonderful
to be around."
If you decide to adopt a cat or dog, remember to consider your needs
and abilities before committing. Even if you cannot adopt, there are
ways to stay active and be around animals through volunteer
opportunities. If you would like more information about matching a
senior citizen with a pet, contact the Champaign County Humane Society
at 217/344-7297 or visit their Web site at www.cuhumane.org."
===========================================================================
something to the blog at least once a week, about my work, my journey with Desi, my soulmate and
Senior, and any other thing that I might have run across that week that I'd like to share with you.
One of the things about blogging that I'm really enjoying is that your comments can be read and shared
by all people who visit. With that in mind, I'll also post the questions I put in this newsletter on my blog
and you can respond there (just click on the word Comments below the questions to do this).
=============================================================================
5. 'DISASTER PLANS CHECKLIST FOR YOUR PET' FROM THE ASPCA
for your animal companions, should you ever be faced with evacuation:
* Pet first-aid kit and guide book
* 3 to 7 days' worth of canned (pop-top) or dry food
* Disposable litter trays (aluminum roasting pans are perfect)
* Litter or paper toweling
* Liquid dish soap and disinfectant
* Disposable garbage bags for clean-up
* Dishes for food and water
* Extra harness and leash
* Photocopies of medical records
* Waterproof container with a two-week supply of any medicine your pet requires
* Bottled water—at least seven days' worth for each person and pet
* Traveling bag, crate or sturdy carrier, ideally one for each pet
* Flashlight
* Blanket
* Recent color photos of your pet(s)
* Pet Grab ‘N Go Bag (can be crucial to protecting your pet’s paperwork)
* Especially for cats: Pillowcase or EvackSack, toys, scoopable litter
* Especially for dogs: Long leash and yard stake, toys and chew toys, a week's
worth of cage liner
========================================================================================
***********************Sponsored Ad***************************************
VetLocator.com is the web's largest directory of Pet Professionals anywhere. Here you can find an easy to
use directory of Veterinarians, a Holistic Pet Health Directory and an Other Pet Professionals Directory.
For another great newsletter, sign up for VetLocator's Pet Owner News. Each month you'll receive quick
and easy-to-read information on pet health news, great pet tips and heartwarming stories along with
pet remedies will make you and your pet smile.
Visit them at www.vetlocator.com
=============================================================================
6. SOME DOG QUOTES:
For those who love dogs, it would be the worst form of a lie to call any place where dogs were
banned "Paradise." Certainly no loving God would separate people from their canine friends for eternity.
~Stanley Coren, dog psychologist
I guess you don't really own a dog, you rent them, and you have to be thankful that you had a long lease.
~ Joe Garagiola
" To err is human, to forgive canine."
~Unknown
"All knowledge, the totality of all questions and answers, is contained in the dog."
~Franz Kafka - Investigations of the dog
"Until one has loved an animal a part of one's soul remains unawakened"
~Anatole France
"No Matter how little money and how few possessions, you own, having a dog makes you rich."
~Louis Sabin - All About Dogs As Pets
=========================================================================
Blessings and see you in November,
Charlene
==========================================================================
===========================================================================
2. WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF???
With the sagging economy and bleak forecast, I have great compassion for people and
their pets who are caught in this foreclosure mess. Having more time on my hands than
usual, I started thinking, "what would I do if?" Before long, my ruminations took on a
sobering tone.
You might ask yourself the same theoretical questions that I posed to myself:
What would you do if.....
their pets who are caught in this foreclosure mess. Having more time on my hands than
usual, I started thinking, "what would I do if?" Before long, my ruminations took on a
sobering tone.
You might ask yourself the same theoretical questions that I posed to myself:
What would you do if.....
1. you couldn't keep your pets? What lengths would you go to for them?
2. couldn't afford a good quality or premium grade pet food?
3. couldn't afford expensive diagnostic tests or procedures for your pet?
4. you had an unruly or disobedient pet? Would you keep it, place it or?
5. had an older pet who the vet advised would need a lot ($$$$) of care to keep
reasonably comfortable?
reasonably comfortable?
6. could not afford to spay or neuter you pet?
These are some of the dilemmas pet people face these days.
Would you e-mail me some of the solutions that you would be willing to try for your pet?
I will publish them in the next newsletter, using only initials, of course.
I will publish them in the next newsletter, using only initials, of course.
Charlene
==========================================================================
3. MATCHING SENIOR CITIZENS WITH PETS
puppy or kitten, yet they really need the companionship and reason to keep going that
a pet provides us with. Here is an excellent article from the University of Illinois College of
Veterinary Medicine's newsletter that demonstrates what a little bit of time and fore-
thought can do to bring pets and seniors together. It's a win-win situation for
all. I especially like to bring older pets and seniors together because on a deep level, they
understand each other and accept any limitations that each might have.
"Anyone with a pet can vouch for the benefits of having a four-legged
fur ball roaming around the house. For an aging population who may be
battling loneliness after the loss of a spouse or boredom after
retiring from a full-time job, a pet might be the perfect prescription
for a fulfilling and happy life.
Kate Meghji is the shelter manager at the Champaign County Humane
Society in Urbana, Ill. She oversees adoptions at the shelter and
says, "we frequently have senior citizens come in looking for an
animal to adopt. What I see the most of is somebody who has had a dog
in the past and wants to replace it."
Unfortunately, each pet is one of a kind and finding an exact clone of
your previous animal is left only to the scientists and their clients
with large bank accounts.
Ms. Meghji recalls a previous case where an elderly woman had owned a
poodle for the past 15 years and was looking for another. "It is
important that potential adopters realize that whatever animal they
choose is just not going to be the same as another dog," she explains.
Despite this, the shelter has been very successful in matching seniors
with the right pet thanks to their experienced adoption staff. In
fact, they have a program in place where they match a senior citizen
with a senior cat at least seven-years-old. As an added benefit, the
adoption fee is waived when participating in this program.
Before adopting it is important to take several factors into
consideration.
Firstly, many senior citizens live in retirement homes or apartments
in which pets are not permitted. Find out before you start looking
for a pet if animals are allowed to avoid a heartbreaking situation.
Secondly, know what your energy level is. A Labrador puppy for
someone confined to a wheelchair would not be ideal. But an older cat
that curls up in their lap might be perfect.
Thirdly, do not forget to plan long term. It is recommended that
owners, both young and old, put their pet in their will so the animal
will be cared for in the future.
Another situation Ms. Meghji commonly runs into is children who want
to adopt their older parents a pet to keep them company. "We do not
let people adopt animals as gifts," she notes. "We want the primary
caretaker to be involved in the process since they will be the one
living with the animal."
If you are a senior citizen that loves animals, yet cannot adopt for
some reason, there is another option. Chris Noffsinger is a volunteer
at the Champaign County Humane Society three days a week. She started
volunteering through the local Retired Senior Citizens Volunteer
Program (RSVP) that matches seniors with a volunteer opportunity.
"Chris is a wonderful volunteer," says Ms. Meghji. "She started
bringing in food and reminds the staff to eat when we get busy and
forget to." Ms. Noffsinger says, "I thoroughly enjoy working here.
I love being close to animals and the people here are just wonderful
to be around."
If you decide to adopt a cat or dog, remember to consider your needs
and abilities before committing. Even if you cannot adopt, there are
ways to stay active and be around animals through volunteer
opportunities. If you would like more information about matching a
senior citizen with a pet, contact the Champaign County Humane Society
at 217/344-7297 or visit their Web site at www.cuhumane.org."
===========================================================================
4. MY BLOG: Living, Communicating and Transitioning With Our Senior Pets
something to the blog at least once a week, about my work, my journey with Desi, my soulmate and
Senior, and any other thing that I might have run across that week that I'd like to share with you.
One of the things about blogging that I'm really enjoying is that your comments can be read and shared
by all people who visit. With that in mind, I'll also post the questions I put in this newsletter on my blog
and you can respond there (just click on the word Comments below the questions to do this).
=============================================================================
5. 'DISASTER PLANS CHECKLIST FOR YOUR PET' FROM THE ASPCA
Hi there, I wanted to put this check list in this month's newsletter as it is very complete:
The ASPCA would like to offer the following list of essential items to pack in advance for your animal companions, should you ever be faced with evacuation:
* Pet first-aid kit and guide book
* 3 to 7 days' worth of canned (pop-top) or dry food
* Disposable litter trays (aluminum roasting pans are perfect)
* Litter or paper toweling
* Liquid dish soap and disinfectant
* Disposable garbage bags for clean-up
* Dishes for food and water
* Extra harness and leash
* Photocopies of medical records
* Waterproof container with a two-week supply of any medicine your pet requires
* Bottled water—at least seven days' worth for each person and pet
* Traveling bag, crate or sturdy carrier, ideally one for each pet
* Flashlight
* Blanket
* Recent color photos of your pet(s)
* Pet Grab ‘N Go Bag (can be crucial to protecting your pet’s paperwork)
* Especially for cats: Pillowcase or EvackSack, toys, scoopable litter
* Especially for dogs: Long leash and yard stake, toys and chew toys, a week's
worth of cage liner
========================================================================================
VetLocator.com is the web's largest directory of Pet Professionals anywhere. Here you can find an easy to
use directory of Veterinarians, a Holistic Pet Health Directory and an Other Pet Professionals Directory.
For another great newsletter, sign up for VetLocator's Pet Owner News. Each month you'll receive quick
and easy-to-read information on pet health news, great pet tips and heartwarming stories along with
pet remedies will make you and your pet smile.
Visit them at www.vetlocator.com
=============================================================================
6. SOME DOG QUOTES:
For those who love dogs, it would be the worst form of a lie to call any place where dogs were
banned "Paradise." Certainly no loving God would separate people from their canine friends for eternity.
~Stanley Coren, dog psychologist
I guess you don't really own a dog, you rent them, and you have to be thankful that you had a long lease.
~ Joe Garagiola
" To err is human, to forgive canine."
~Unknown
"All knowledge, the totality of all questions and answers, is contained in the dog."
~Franz Kafka - Investigations of the dog
"Until one has loved an animal a part of one's soul remains unawakened"
~Anatole France
"No Matter how little money and how few possessions, you own, having a dog makes you rich."
~Louis Sabin - All About Dogs As Pets
THE TAIL END
You've reached the tail end of my October edition of Talking-To-Animals. I hope that you
enjoyed it and personally found something of value to you.
enjoyed it and personally found something of value to you.
Last month I mentioned contributing to worthy organizations that continue to help animals
in need. Although it is a tough economy, if you can give even five dollars for the animals,
it would be greatly appreciated.
Here are some links that you can donate to:
in need. Although it is a tough economy, if you can give even five dollars for the animals,
it would be greatly appreciated.
Here are some links that you can donate to:
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 Phone877-907-1741.
Copyright 2005, 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
This newsletter is sent to subscribers only. If you have somehow received this unexpectedly and
would prefer not to, please use the instant removal link below or email your request to
-->unsubscribe@talk-to-animals.com
=========================================================================
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.
=========================================================================
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 Phone877-907-1741.
Copyright 2005, 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
This newsletter is sent to subscribers only. If you have somehow received this unexpectedly and
would prefer not to, please use the instant removal link below or email your request to
-->unsubscribe@talk-to-animals.com
=========================================================================
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.
=========================================================================