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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December 2005
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Published monthly for subscribers to "Talking-To-Animals Newsletter"
By Charlene Boyd
http://www.talk-to-animals.com
YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO FORWARD THIS NEWSLETTER TO FRIENDS
Hello and Seasons Greetings to you all. I hope this newsletter finds you well and happy, creating wonderful memories with your family, friends and animal companions. This "Short Tails" issue is coming out a little later than usual because I had foot surgery last week (What a pain). Have a hanky at hand when reading "The old one". It is a touching story I felt was perfect for this time of year. I've included Holiday Pet tips for keeping your pets safe.
Our theme this month is remembering. Remembering the good times we've had during the year and remembering that with age comes wisdom. I've selected two wonderful stories to include in this month's "Short Tails".
Enjoy and may you and yours have a most loving and sharing year in 2006.
Charlene
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THIS MONTH'S FEATURE STORY:
GIFT OF THE OLD ONE
By Eunice Day, Washington ME
The young couple had made their usual hurried pre-Christmas visit to the little farm where dwelt their elderly parents with their small herd of goats. The farm had been named Lone Pine Farm because of the huge pine, which topped the hill behind the farm, and through the years had become a talisman to the old man and his wife, and a landmark in the countryside.
The old folks no longer showed their goats, for the years had taken their toll, but they sold a little milk, and a few kids each year, and the goats were their reason for joy in the morning and contentment at days end.
Crossly, as they prepared to leave, the young couple confronted the old folks. "Why do you not at least dispose of ?The Old One?? She is no longer of use to you. It's been years since you've had either kids or milk from her. You should cut corners and save where you can. Why do you keep her anyway?" The old man looked down as his worn boot scuffed at the barn floor and his arm stole defensively about the Old One's neck as he drew her to him and rubbed her gently behind the ears. He replied softly, "We keep her because of love. Only because of love."
Baffled and irritated, the young folks wished the old man and his wife a Merry Christmas and headed back toward the city as darkness stole through the valley.
So it was, that because of the leave-taking, no one noticed the insulation smoldering on the frayed wires in the old barn. None saw the first spark fall. None but the "Old One".
In a matter of minutes, the whole barn was ablaze and the hungry flames were licking at the loft full of hay. With a cry of horror and despair, the old man shouted to his wife to call for help as he raced to the barn to save their beloved goats. But the flames were roaring now, and the blazing heat drove him back. He sank sobbing to the ground, helpless before the fire's fury.
By the time the fire department arrived, only smoking, glowing ruins were left, and the old man and his wife. They thanked those who had come to their aid, and the old man turned to his wife, resting her white head upon his shoulders as he clumsily dried her tears with a frayed red bandana. Brokenly he whispered, "We have lost much, but God has spared our home on this eve of Christmas. Let us, therefore, climb to the hill to the old pine tree where we have sought comfort in times of despair. We will look down upon our home and give thanks to God that it has been spared."
And so, he took her by the hand and helped her up the snowy hill as he brushed aside his own tears with the back of his hand. As they stepped over the little knoll at the crest of the hill, they looked up and gasped in amazement at the incredible beauty before them. Seemingly, every glorious, brilliant star in the heavens was caught up in the glittering, snow-frosted branches of their beloved pine, and it was aglow with heavenly candles. And poised on its top most bough, a crystal crescent moon glistened like spun glass. Never had a mere mortal created a Christmas tree such as this. Suddenly, the old man gave a cry of wonder and incredible joy as he pulled his wife forward. There, beneath the tree, was their Christmas gift.
Bedded down about the "Old One" close to the trunk of the tree, was the entire herd, safe. At the first hint of smoke, she had pushed the door ajar with her muzzle and had led the goats through it. Slowly and with great dignity, never looking back, she had led them up the hill, stepping daintily through the snow. The kids were frightened and dashed about. The skittish yearlings looked back at the crackling, hungry flames, and tucked their tails under them as they licked their lips and hopped like rabbits. The milkers pressed uneasily against the "Old One" as she moved calmly up the hill and to safety under the pine. And now, she lay among them and gazed at the faces of those she loved. Her body was brittle with the years, but the golden eyes were filled with devotion as she offered her gift--Because of love.
Only because of love.
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FROM MY FILES:
By Sara Whalen
I grew up in your average middle-class Jewish home where pets were not available. I never had a pet. There was a lot of plastic on the furniture. Basically, pets were considered dirty, unwanted things.
Animals were not part of my experience, so I had no conscience about them.
I got married in 1968, and in 1970 I had a baby. When he was 18 months old, we were living in a bungalow colony in upstate New York while waiting for our home to be built. An elderly woman and her old golden retriever lived next door. I used to see them together when the woman was outside gardening. My son liked the dog, and she was a friendly animal, but that was all as far as I was concerned.
When the woman died, her relatives came up, and they emptied her house of her treasures, her clothing, anything they thought of value. They contacted a real estate agent who put out a For Sale sign on her property. Then they locked the dog out and drove away.
Because I'd grown up with no conscience about animals, it didn't even cross my mind to say, "Wait a minute. Someone should be taking care of this dog" or "who is going to be responsible for her?" It just didn't. I was not responsible for the dog.
Some of the neighbors mentioned that they'd feed her occasionally, but the dog mostly stayed near the house where she'd lived, where her owner had died. When the dog would come over to play with my son, Adam, he would feed her cookies; once in a while I would give her some leftovers.
One afternoon I went to get Adam, who'd been outside playing in our yard-a safe, level grassy area-and he was gone. Just gone. I was frantic. I looked for him, and then neighbors helped me look for him. We called the police. For three hours the police looked for him, then they called the state police. The state police brought in helicopters. My husband rushed home form the city. I was hysterical. We could not find Adam. We didn't know if he'd been abducted. We didn't know if he was alive. We could not find him.
The search had been going on for six hours when a neighbor, who'd just returned home, said, "Where's Brandy?"
Brandy? The dog? Why was he asking about the dog?
Someone else said, "Maybe he's with Adam."
What did I know about animals? I said, "Why would she be with Adam? What does that mean?"
One of the troopers recalled that he'd heard a dog barking deep in the woods when they were doing the foot search. And suddenly everybody started to yell, "Brandy!" including me.
We heard faint barking and followed the sound.
We found my 18-month-old son, standing up, fast asleep, pressed against the trunk of a tree. Brandy was holding him there with one shoulder. One of her legs was hanging over a 35-foot drop to a stream below.
She must have followed Adam when he wandered off, just as a dog will with a child, and she saw danger. She was a better mother than I; she'd pushed him out of harm's way - and held him there. This was an old dog.
Adam was an 18-month-old child. He struggled, I'm sure, but she'd held him there for all those hours. When I picked him up, she collapsed.
As the trooper carried my son back home, I, sobbing with relief, carried Brandy. I knew in that instant that she was coming home with me, too. Brandy spent the rest of her life with us, and I loved her completely; she lived to be 17 years old.
From then on, I made it a point to learn everything I could about animals. My focus at the time was old golden retrievers. Obviously, I thought they were the smartest, the best, and there was nothing like them. I started the first golden retriever rescue and have had as many as 35 of them in the house at a time, and it mushroomed from there.
Because of Brandy, I have a calling. I have a reason to get up in the morning. Because of Brandy, thousands of unwanted animals have been given safe lives. I can't save them all, but I can make a difference. We now have 300 animals-all kinds, including birds and pot-bellied pigs-and are a well-recognized humane animal sanctuary. We take the animals that other shelters won't take-the ones my mother would have said were dirty; the old ones who are incontinent, the blind, the ugly ones; they're all beautiful to me. So many organizations feel it's easier to euthanize these animals. I don't agree. How could I? If someone had put an abandoned 11-year-old golden retriever to sleep 29 years ago, I would not have a child. I wouldn't have a son who is the light of my life.
Reprinted from "Heart Songs for Animal Lovers" by Hester Mundis
Pets Alive is a life-affirming memorial to Brandy.
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During this season of goodwill and charity, please remember our animal friends.
DONATE WISELY! BELOW ARE GOOD ORGANIZATIONS TO SUPPORT:
Pets Alive is a no-kill animal shelter
http://www.petsalive.com
Noah's Wish:
http://www.noahs-wish.org
Best Friends Animal Sanctuary:
http://www.bestfriends.com
Wildlife Organizations
http://www.ifaw.org
http://www.worldwildlife.org
http://www.wildaid.org
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Pet Safety Tips for the holidays, DON'T BE CAUGHT UNPREPARED!
Holiday Tips for a Healthy and Happy Pet
The fall and winter holidays are a wonderful time. We bask in the glow of family and friends and enjoy fine foods, gifts, and company. This fine company includes our pets. Without them our families would be smaller; our lives less complete. This is the time of year to remember not only our human friends and family, but those animals that share our world, as well.
It is easy to overlook your pets' safety needs. So take steps to make sure your pets are protected and secure this holiday season. Guard them from holiday stress, accidents, and injuries.
Start by examining holiday decorations otherwise, you can end up with ruined decorations and sick animals. The Christmas tree is the most obvious addition.
You may need to get down on the floor and view the tree from the animal's perspective. Keep glass and edible ornaments away by hanging them high up on the tree. Tinsel and yarns are easily swallowed and can end up causing severe intestinal damage. Finally, make sure that pets cannot drink the water out of the Christmas tree stand. It may be contaminated with pesticides and fertilizers that can make pets ill.
Living holiday plants can be poisonous, so decorative plants such as mistletoe, holly, and poinsettias should not be used in households with animals that eat plants.
Decorating a house with pets may seem overwhelming. But it really is an easy task, as long as you remember that pets are a lot like young children. Eliminating the handmade gingerbread ornaments will prevent trouble. Taking the streamers off the centerpiece will keep the cat off the dining room table.
The most important gift you can give your beloved pets is the gift of stability. Help your pet adjust to hectic holidays and a house full of visitors. Keep your previously established pet care schedule, complete with timely walks and meals. Introduce the pet to each new visitor and instruct children to respect the pet. In addition, find a 'safe' room where all pets can escape from overly friendly visitors. By finding a quiet retreat you can help a pet cope with the holiday changes. Every house should have one room where only the pets are allowed. This way a cat or dog that has reached its limits of patience can escape to a quiet sanctuary. Make sure this room is easily accessible and has water available for the pet. Move your pet's crate or bed into this room ahead of time. If you are planning an ?open house? environment, be sure to secure your pets in this room or if you do not have a specific room to keep off limits, put your pets in their crates. With all of the excitement of the holidays, no one will be paying close attention to your pets and doors will be left open and your pets will get out.
Make sure your pets' emotional and physical needs are met throughout the holiday season. This way you will start the New Year surrounded by healthy and happy animals.
Dr. Jane Leon
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PRAYER FOR ANIMALS
By Albert Schweitzer
This prayer by Albert Schweitzer speaks from the heart and soul of all animals. It speaks of only one desire. To be respected and treated kindly with love and compassion. As we end this tumultuous year may we all remember and honor this heartfelt request from those who cannot speak.
Hear our humble prayer, O God, for our friends the animals, especially for animals who are suffering; for animals that are overworked, underfed and cruelly treated; for all wistful creatures in captivity that beat their wings against bars; for any that are hunted or lost or deserted or frightened or hungry; for all that must be put to death.
We entreat for them all Thy mercy and pity, and for those who deal with them we ask a heart of compassion and gentle hands and kindly words.
Make us, ourselves, to be true friends to animals, and so to share the blessings of the merciful.
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THE TAIL END
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.
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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CHARLENE'S WORKSHOPS
Would you like to deepen your connection with animals? During this one-day workshop, you will learn the basic skill you need to begin practicing animal communication. No previous intuitive experience is required. Through a series of fun, guided exercises you will develop skills that will allow you to connect with animals intuitively and interpret their messages to you.
Location: South Orange County, CA
Contact: Charlene Boyd (949) 858-6717 to register.
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