Charlene Boyd, Animal Communicator
                                            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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  November 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 November Newsletter
2.
Featured Article:  Advances in Wound Care for Dogs and Cats
3. Oh Those Crazy Holidays
4.
My Own News:  Specials, Teleseminars, Discounts & My Senior Pet Blog

5. A Story From My Files:  Philip, My Youngest Beardie Tests Being Alpha Dog
6. Some Dog Quotes
7. The Tail End


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


Dear Readers, Welcome to the November edition of my newsletter, Talking-To-Animals. I have to pinch
myself to believe that it is November already!  The signs are all there. Halloween is come and gone, our
clocks have been turned back and one of the most followed election in our country's history is over.
Turkey and all the trimmings are being advertised in newspapers and on TV. In earlier times, the harvest
was completed, fruits and vegetables were either dried or canned for consumption during the cold, lean
days of the coming winter. They were thinking about the holidays and time spent with family and friends.
 
For me, this time of year is a time of  quiet reflection, savoring all that is good and true in my life and in
the world. On a personal level, this latest foot/ankle surgery seems to be a good one. I'm not quite ready
to  resume my former pace of doing things, but in a way, I have learned many lovely things from my
three surgeries. I have learned that I don't need to do everything, it's ok to let people help. My way isn't
the only way of doing things(that part is still a hard pill to swallow as I'm a Virgo and they tend to be
perfectionists.)

As I have learned to slow down, I am seeing so much more in my world. We have a big spider outside
our kitchen window. He has spun a large, perfect web in a very short period of time. I am
and humbled by the wisdom that even the tiniest animals possess. To me, it is even more amazing
than building a car or other man-made items. The spider and its specialized  knowledge goes back to
the beginnings of time.. It is all done by instinct--no manual needed!

So simple, so magnificent.
 
I am pleased that many changes are being made on behalf of all animals. Proposition two here in
California was passed. The new law allows chickens and other tightly confined farm animals to have
enough space to turn around, extend their limbs, lie down and be more comfortable. That should have
always been a law on the books. People's consciences are being raised to see the suffering and poor
treatment that many animals have to endure. we have a long way to go, but we are slowly getting there.
Hooray for the people who fight tirelessly for all animals.
 
Please take a minute or two to say a blessing for all animals on a daily basis. I know it raises or own
frequencies of goodness and caring and thoughts are energies.It is like dropping the proverbial pebble
in a lake and the rings of energy just keep going out, further and further. So do our good thoughts, prayers
and acts.

May you have a most blessed Thanksgiving this year. It has been a very rough year for our country and
many of you financially. I hear it when I talk to my clients. Yet I know we are a strong country and I
feel that we will bounce back; stronger than ever.
 
Blessings to each and everyone of you,
 
Charlene

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2.
FEATURED ARTICLE:  ADVANCES IN WOUND CARE FOR DOGS AND CATS
 
This month I have an interesting article on advances in wound care for dogs and cats from the Tufts Veterinary
School of Medicine

WOUND HEALING: seaweed and foam jump-start healing. Animals are a lot like children, they are always
getting into predicaments that cause injuries. For animals, the biggest problem that causes serious wounds
are animals that are hit by cars, then dragged along the street, causing a large area of complete skin loss.
Often this affects the lower limbs and sides of the body.

"The most exciting breakthrough in wound management in dogs and casts is the development of wound
dressings that actually interact with the wound tissues to enhance healing," says Steven Swaim, DVD, MS,
an expert on wounds at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Auburn University. "The days of just putting a
piece of gauze and wrapping over a wound - the days of "conceal and it will heal" are coming to an end.

So what is new?
  • Polyurethane foam-it looks like a piece of foam. Because it is absorptive, the foam is effective at
    keeping a lot moisture in the wound. It helps in the later stages of healing to get the skin to heal back over.
  • Bovine collagen-This is a material that can help jump-start healing because the material is biologic.
    Coming from animals, it can encourage healing.
  • Pig bladder-this is a product that is made from one of the layers of the pig bladder or intestinal wall.
    Fairly thin and strong, the material is used as a dressing to promote healing. It provides a ready-made
    extra-cellular matrix . 
When all else fails, the vet still has some tricks up his sleeve which include:
  • Tension relieving techniques-the surgeon makes one or more small incisions in neighboring areas
    to relieve tension.
  • Skin flaps-a neighboring skin flap is created and then it is moved into the wound area. The flap
    remains attached to its original site at its base, and the blood supply to the flap is maintained
    through the area.
  • Skin grafts-similar to a skin flap, the surgeon takes it from a distant area of the body and moves
    it to the wound. unlike flaps, grafts do not have have a direct blood supply and must derive nutrition
    by absorbing nutrients from the wound bed.

Last but not least, an old-fashioned folk remedy returns to the fore: honey. It is helpful in controlling
inflammation, providing nutrition to the wound and killing bacteria. Honey was used for hundreds of years
to treat medical conditions, only to fall into disuse when antibiotics arrived on the scene. With bacteria
resistant antibiotics, honey is making a comeback. Not your store-type honey, but pharmaceutical grade
honey. It is especially effective with burn wounds.


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3.  OH, THOSE CRAZY HOLIDAYS!!!

Here are some strategies that you can do to keep your household, pets and yourself more calm and
centered for the holidays from veterinarian Bob Goldstein's newsletter.


Yes, they are just about here. Animals are like sponges; they pick up our fatigue, irritation and upset from
guess who? Us!  When we are calm, centered and relaxed, so are our pets. Your home should be a sanctuary
for not only you but your beloved pets.You will be healthier and happier,  but so will your pets. We know that
many imbalances and physical complaints begin when our pets become emotionally upset or unbalanced.
When our homes and heart are peaceful, this depletion is much less likely to occur and your whole family will
be healthier.

Points to remember:
  1. EXERCISE. Make sure and get some exercise each day. If you have a dog, take your dog out for a good,
    long walk. You'll both reap the benefits.
  2. SPEND TIME OUT OF DOORS EACH DAY. Contact nature is a natural antidepressant all by itself.
    Even if it means just stepping outside for a few minutes to take in the beauty of nature by itself. Even if
    your pet is an indoor pet, take them outside for a few minutes, under your watchful eye and supervision.
    This will enliven their spirits, bodies and give them joy.
  3. BE MINDFUL of the amount of time your pet spends alone. Please remember that they are companion
    animals and need our presence to feel happy and loved. Please consider a dog walker. Many times there
    could be an elderly person who would enjoy being in charge of walking or feeding your pet for a small fee.
  4. EAT WELL AND KEEP YOURSELF LOOKING NICE. Your body and the body of your pet are the temples
    of your  souls. Keeping yourself and the body of your animal is being respectful of the Divine Spirit in each
    one of us. A well-tended body feels good and can better withstand the stresses of every day life.
  5. SING AND DANCE. Singing and dancing release energy and create peace and joy . Animals love good
    music and some like to dance!
  6. PRACTICE RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS. Give a gift to a stranger. help a neighbor. Feed a feral cat.
    Take the focus off yourself and focus on the wellbeing of others and your life will become more beautiful.
    Take lessons in giving from your beloved pets. Animals are naturally giving.
  7. MAKE YOUR WORKPLACE AS PEACEFUL AS YOU CAN. Even though your pets can't go to work with
    you (there are exceptions) any stress you bring home at the end of the day affects them a lot. Take photos
    of your pets to work. Just looking at them will keep you connected to them, bringing you peace and comfort.
  8. PRAY AND MEDIATE. To pray is to ask; to meditate is to listen. Do them both. In the small still quiet voice
    within yourself, you will hear the voice of your animal companion. Please be open to their gentle guidance.
    Who knows you better than the animal you live with?
  9. GIVE YOUR DOG OR CAT A BODY SCAN ONCE A WEEK. Gently feel all over their body, examining the
    paws, ears and abdomen. Your pet will soon look forward to these very special times with you.
If you feel that your pet is "out of sorts" emotionally, please call or e-mail me and perhaps I can recommend a
flower essence or two. Please remember that this is not a substitute for a visit to your vet or a full consultation,
but I would be happy to do this for you and your friend.

Charlene
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4. MY OWN NEWS:  SPECIALS, TELESEMINARS, DISCOUNTS & MY SENIOR PET BLOG

Most of you received my short questionnaire on some new services I was considering to help both you
and your pets live happier and more connected lives. 

I've received many responses to my questions and I want to thank each of you who took the time
to reply.  Your answers were very helpful and I've as a result of your feedback,
here are two new offerings I hope you like. 

The first is my new Check-In Service.  This is a service that includes a full consultation and three
follow-up visits with a good discount off my regular rates. This is a very good service for situations
that are helped with follow-ups such as pets with serious health issues, pets nearing transition
or pets that experienced a trauma of some sort.

The next is something I'm excited about, and that is the creation of a new community of like-minded
people who are interested in strengthening their connections to animals, and that is the creation
of my Animal Connections Community.  You can read about this new community here.

I've included some extra goodies for those of you who are interested and act quickly.  To see what
your great suggestions wrought and see the goodies I've included for you, visit here.

Another thing that several people asked about were teleseminars, and if I had any new seminars
planned.

I'm pleased to announce that I am resuming my educational teleseminar series for next year
and to kick things off I have a very special guest lined up for January.  I know this seminar will fill
up very quickly. 

To find out who our very special guest is and to register, visit my teleseminar registration page.

My Senior Pet Blog: I'm pleased to say both Desi and I are mending quite nicely these days. 
There have been some interesting improvements with Desi that you'll read about in the blog
including how Desi's is responding to his own 'check-ins, and what result these are having on
his health and general state.  What's that you say????  Charlene is having someone do
check-ins with her own dogs? 

You can read all the details by visiting my blog.

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5. 
A STORY FROM MY FILES:  PHILLIP, MY YOUNGEST BEARDIE TESTS BEING ALPHA DOG

Here is a story from my files about a personal experience that I am having (I bet you thought that I had perfect
animals--not!) and how I'm working through it.

As you know, there are no "perfect" animals! I struggle with issues just like you do at times. Phillip, our youngest
dog has been a nearly perfect pup in every sense of the word. A sweet, gentle dog who I went to Australia to get.
Desi is his father, Brooks his brother. All in all, they bring us much joy and happiness.

I noticed a couple of weeks ago that when we take them to the soccer field to meet up with other well-mannered
dogs, Phillip was getting less mindful about coming when called. Let me add right here that he used to turn on a
dime when called. Better than the other two!

There is a small open area on the field that has access to the street but none of the other dogs pay any attention
to it. Well, a lady was walking by with her little dog on a leash. Phillip LOVES little dogs no end. Phillip took off
to cross the street to see the little dog, said hi and then finally turned around and ran across the street again to 
come back. Let me add that you NEVER scold a dog when they come when called. If you do that, they will not
want to come when called and then you have an even bigger problem. Let me explain that the soccer field is an
informal dog park when it is not used by soccer teams. Retirees and stay-at-home moms bring their dogs. We have
at the most 8 dogs at any one time. The city knows about it as city worker are always mowing and/or do maintenance.
I sat down and almost cried from sheer relief. Yes, I was furious at him and knew I had to devise a plan to stop this
ASAP.  I love herding dogs because they are smart and independent, and therein lies part of the problem.
They must be able to handle a flock of several hundred sheep, far away from the herder. They have to be able to
think on their feet and move the sheep without any direction from the shepherd. Phillip is herding certified, but
being a city boy, does not work sheep. He is beginning to not listen to either me or my husband when on the field.

Simultaneously another problem has developed at home. As you know, I have had my foot surgery and have been
in a wheelchair, walker and now a boot. Dogs perceive energy much more keenly than people do. To Phillip, my
energy was weak. Those of you who watch Cesar Milan know he uses the term "weak energy."

Desi will be fourteen years old Dec. 10 and is slowing down. Phillip wants to mount him a lot. In the dog world,
that is a very dominant display of energy. I know that after we lose our Desi, Phillip will be the alpha dog. He is
testing the waters now. Up to this point in time, Desi has been the alpha dog and until he passes in our home he
will always be.
 
So how do you fix this? First of all, Phillip is starting obedience class next week. He has gone through puppy
kindergarten, but he needs more.  He needs to know that my husband and I are in charge, not him! He will learn
that he is not to dominate Desmond. His time will come, but it is not now. He also is slightly bored, so after he
does a brush up work in obedience, he will start rally and when my foot is stronger, we will do agility.

Why am I sharing this with you? To let you know that sometimes we need to step back, remove ourselves from
the emotion of a situation and get good, professional help. Fortunately  we live 10 minutes from an excellent facility
here is Orange County, Wags and Wiggles. I really enjoy doing competitive activities with the dogs, so with
practice and direction, Phillip will get his act together again. Dogs, as I have told some of you before through
consultations, like to work and have appropriate jobs. The best part is it really bonds you to your pet too.

 

Love to you,
 
Charlene


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6. SOME PET QUOTES:


"Dogs come when they're called; cats take a message and get back to you later."
~Mary Bly

  A dog wags its tail with its heart.
~ Max Buxbaum

"Aerodynamically, the bumble bee shouldn't be able to fly, but the bumble bee doesn't know it so it goes on flying anyway."
~Mary Kay Ash, founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics

"One reason a dog can be such a comfort when you're feeling blue is that he doesn't try to find out why"
~Unknown

"Animals are such agreeable friends - they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms" 
~George Eliot

"There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats."
~Albert Schweitzer

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THE TAIL END

Ah, the power and awesomeness of Mother Nature! the dreaded Santa Ana winds have been blowing
since Thursday. The Santa Ana winds have caused over 100 luxury homes to be completely burned
to the ground around Santa Barbara.

Fires have no respect for the value of homes; trailer parks and mansions are at equal peril in these
fires.The big problem is that the embers are carried far from the fires, only to start new fires.They
change direction erratically, testing the training of the wonderful firefighters.

Southern California is my home.  I'm a native, born in Los Angeles.   I love our proximity to the
beaches, mountains and desert, all easily accessible from where we live.The fires are scary for all
people. Yes, some are caused by crazed people but some are truly accidents.

Power lines blown down by the winds, sparks from generators or power tools, something no one should
be using outside with single-digit humidity.

As I am writing, all the dogs are asleep, the cat is asleep by the computer, on his back, dreaming of
chasing mice or whatever cats dream about! We are safe! But we are always aware of the presence and the
force of nature. For me, it is a time to be grateful for the safety and peace in our lives, knowing how quickly
things can change. Right now, all is well and I give thanks. I give thanks to the brave firemen who put their
lives on the line to save what we hold near and dear; our homes and the memories that live within.

I don't need to wait until Thanksgiving to be thankful, gratitude is a daily occurrence that I honor each and
every day.
 
Until next month, have a blessed Thanksgiving with family, friends and your very special pets,
 
Charlene
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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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