Talking-To-Animals Newsletter
August 2005

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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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August 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

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In this edition:

1. Welcome!
2. Some inspirational quotations about animals
3. Featured Article: Animals: Reconnecting To The Oneness Of Life
4. A story from my files
5. From the bookshelf
6. Animal advice
7. Questions answered
8. FAFs (Fascinating Animal Facts)
9. Tell me your story

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1. Welcome

Welcome to the August edition of "Talking To Animals". Summer is in full swing and many people are thinking of "vacation" this month. This month's newsletter has some excellent tips and advice for traveling with your pets.

Our story of the month is a two-part story sent to me by Sharon I., a client from Chattanooga, TN. In it, Sharon tells about the passing of her beloved dog Hershey, of fulfilling Hershey's last wishes, and how Hershey "shows" Sharon she is still an active part of the family.

This month's article "Animals: Reconnecting To The Oneness Of Life" tells about the result of an afternoon of observation.

I've included two good books to add to your bookshelf and I have a new "Fascinating Animal Facts" section of the newsletter. I bet you will find things there that you never knew :)

Thanks and have a wonderful summer with your pets!

Charlene

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2. SOME INSPIRATIONAL QUOTATIONS ABOUT ANIMALS

Here are some wonderful quotes to share for the month of August. I hope they inspire you as much as they did me, and I encourage you to send me your favorites. We all love to be inspired by the writings and perspectives of others who share our love of animals.

"But animals don't always speak with their mouths," said the parrot in a high voice, raising her eyebrows. "They talk with their ears, with their feet, with their tails--with everything. Sometimes they don't want to make a noise."
Hugh Lofting (1886-1947), British-born U.S. children's writer and illustrator.
"The Story Of Dr. Doolittle"

"There is some profound essence, something about being a dog, which corresponds to our notion of an inner soul, the core of our being that makes us most human."

Jeffrey Masson (1940-) U.S. psychoanalyst and author.
"Dogs Never Lie About Love"

"Don't accept your dog's admiration as conclusive evidence that you are wonderful."
Ann Landers

"In order to keep a true perspective of one's importance, everyone should have a dog that will worship him and a cat that will ignore him."
Dereke Bruce

"Who among us has not as a child asked Santa Claus to bring us a pony on Christmas Day?"
Anonymous

"Cats are smarter than dogs. You can't get eight cats to pull a sled through snow."
Jeff Valdez

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3. FEATURED ARTICLE: Animals: Reconnecting To The Oneness Of Life

The other afternoon I was sitting in the backyard with my dogs, savoring the solitude of the late afternoon. It was a time for reflection and observation of the natural world around me. The blue jays were bickering over the last of the daily ration of peanuts; bees were lazily circling the roses nearby. Our cat had just finished grooming himself and was now curled up taking a nap in a chair nearby.

As I looked around, I thought about the relationship we have with animals. Throughout history, our relationship with animals has not always been something mankind can be proud of. Through indiscriminate hunting and farming, land clearing and other destructive practices, we have caused the extinction of many species, losses that can never be recovered. The good news is that in recent years, there has been a gradual awakening by many people to the unique relationship we share with animals.

People are beginning to open their minds and hearts to the importance of animals, both domesticated and wild. Even if we don't own an animal and live in urban areas, we can appreciate the importance and beauty of the wild animals in our environment. Those of us who share our lives with companion animals know they open a world of emotion to us, expand our boundaries and provide us with an ongoing source of unconditional love. Once you share your life with animals, there's no going back! They become members of the immediate family and life feels empty without them. They provide an ongoing map that charts the people, places and events that define our daily life and existence. They give us the opportunity to know exquisite joy and sorrow as they walk their own path of life, intertwined with ours.

By our connection to all animals, we learn that we are all part of the One Reality. Animals have been here before us and they have a different, yet deep understanding of the Universe and the unfolding of life. They are so naturally a part of the One Reality that they help us achieve a deeper spiritual connection and restore us to our original purpose, one in which we rediscover the stages and steps of a path that leads us back to who and what we really are. Animals provide a connection to something eternal that is bigger than us, yet always remains elusive.

Being in the company of animals gives us the opportunity to experience the unique wisdom and intelligence of beings different from us and yet so very much like us. In our relationship with animals, we can connect in an intimate way to the divine essence in all living beings and know that we all share this one world and One Reality.

They offer us an assurance in our troubled times that there is a goodness and natural order to our lives and that we need only to trust in the higher order of the Universe. Animals have this deep trust in the unseen and the unknown, and they ask us to share in this knowledge of Life with them.

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4. A STORY FROM MY FILES

This is the first installment of a two-part story from Sharon I., a client from Chattanooga, TN. This month's story tells about the passing of her beloved dog Hershey and the fulfillment of Hershey's last wishes.

She begins her story with, "This is Miss Hershey. In her later years, I added the 'Miss' to her name out of the respect she deserved. Oh, what a sweet, precious friend. I got Hershey as a six-week-old puppy. In Webster's Dictionary next to the word 'hyper' was a notation: 'See Hershey'. She was all over the place and quick too. She could jump in your lap and take food out of your mouth before you could get the food all the way in. She would wiggle herself in at the head of the bed so that she would sleep above my head. What Hershey wanted, Hershey got. I had very little pillow. Hershey loved life, obedience training and excelled at it and she loved car rides. She actually loved going to the vet (and she went often).

"One day, I was in the kitchen preparing a treat for Hershey and I gave her the command to 'sit'. She tried to bend her little knees to sit, but never did. That was not my Hershey. She always did as she was told. Then she quit eating and began to remove herself from the family. She would go into dark rooms under furniture and hide. This progression of unusual behavior was just over a matter of 2 days. The vet drew bloods and found that she had ehrlichiosis, a disease carried by ticks. She was on antibiotics for three weeks, but the antibiotics given were not strong enough to cure this devastating disease, and the damage to her joints was permanent.

"In time, her joints and cartilage began to wear down. In her later years, she became twisted and gnarled. Christmas 2003 marked her 13th year and I knew her time with us was short. She began to lose control of her kidneys and we had to keep a pad under her at all times. Finally in January 2004 I contacted Charlene as an emergency. I had an appointment to take her to the vet on January 8 for observation and examination. I knew in my heart she wouldn't be coming home. I needed Charlene to talk to Hershey to tell her in a language she would understand how much she was loved. I could not let her go without her knowing how much we loved and adored her. I HAD to get that message to her. Charlene was wonderful. She consulted with Hershey the day before we took her to the vet for her final visit.

"Hershey was ready to go. She communicated to Charlene that she knew we loved her and that she loved us too. Hershey had some requests. She wanted to pass at home so she would have a chance to say her goodbyes to the family. She wanted me to keep her collar and belongings. She wanted me to plant yellow flowers for her.

"The next day the vet gave me the news that she needed to go. Not knowing what he would think about animal communicators, I told him I had contacted Charlene and that Hershey expressly wished to pass at home. He was fantastic. After he closed up his office, he came to the house. Hershey requested to Charlene that I hold her in my arms. I had never been able to do that before, but Hershey requested it and it was done. I have hired a landscaper to build a 7-foot arbor with climbing yellow roses to be the focal point of our front yard. Hershey was cremated at the vet's suggestion. I have her beautiful little urn in our curio cabinet surrounded by a wreath of yellow flowers. I have removed her favorite stuffed toy and put it in the curio cabinet too."

It has been a year and a half now and Hershey still shows up in some form or fashion. I'll tell you what she did in the next article.

The love of our pets transcends time and space. They are eternally with us; connected through the deep love and caring we share with them forever.

Sharon will receive one free consultation for her lovely and moving contribution. You are invited to share your special story with my readers. If your story is published, you will receive one free consultation for one of your pets.

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5. FROM THE BOOKSHELF

In keeping with this month's theme of vacationing with your pet, I would like to recommend two books that I have found to be very helpful:

"Traveling With Your Pet: The AAA Pet Book". Published by the American Automobile Association, this publication covers aspects of traveling with pets, from guidelines for deciding whether or not a pet should travel, to the ins and outs of traveling internationally with a pet. It lists pet-friendly accommodations in the U.S. and Canada. It includes animal clinics in every state, tips for traveling with your pet by car or plane, selecting a crate, necessary vaccinations and other helpful tips.

"The Dog Lover's Companion": It states that it is a "special breed of guidebook for travelers who don't want to leave their canine pals behind." The authors' website is www.DOGLOVERSCOMPANION.COM. Guidebooks are available for ten cities or regions, including Chicago, the California Bay Area, and New England. The guidebooks feature a one- to four-paw rating system for accommodations, restaurants, beaches, parks and other areas of interest. It also contains helpful "do's and don'ts" for traveling with your canine friend.

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6. ANIMAL ADVICE

If you are considering taking your pet with you on vacation, please consider the following:

Rule #1: Pets that are very young, old, pregnant, sick, prone to biting or excessive vocalizing should not travel. No pet is going to be happy being cooped up in a car or hotel room while the family is sightseeing.

Rule #2: If your pet can't actively participate in the trip, it should stay home. Exotic pets such as ferrets, birds, hamsters or iguanas are not always as readily accepted as more conventional pets. Some states have quarantine regulations for animals entering their states.

Rule #3: Be specific when making travel plans that include your pets. Pet policies in hotels and motels can change from the time a guidebook is published. ALWAYS CONFIRM THEIR POLICY BEFORE YOU STAY.

Rule #4: If you plan to leave your pet at home and you are using a pet sitter, make certain that your pet sitter is bonded and ask for references. If you are using a kennel, visit the facility before you leave your pet. If you have a pet with health problems or one that needs medication, your best choice may be your own veterinarian.

Rule #5: Never leave your pet with a person or in a situation that you don't trust.

If you are flying, contact the airline for their requirements. Try to get direct flights. More pets are lost on connecting flights than on direct flights. If you must have connecting flights, check on your pet at each connection. The flight attendants are usually very helpful. Have a contact person with telephone number at home and at your destination in case you and your pet become separated. If possible, fly only in the early morning or late at night to avoid extreme temperatures. ALWAYS CONFIRM THE AIRLINE'S POLICIES BEFORE YOU MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS!

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7. QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Why do cats rub their bodies and faces up against things, including people?

Cats have scent glands by their whiskers, ears and even at the base of their tails. Cats are very territorial and by rubbing up against you or an inanimate object, they are marking you or the object as being theirs. In the outside world, they are telling all other cats that you or the object are "off limits" or already claimed by them. This is how cats define their territory. Most humans find this a very endearing trait of their cat, and are not aware of the motivation behind the behavior.

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8. FAFs (Fascinating Animal Facts)

A fifteen-year-old cat has probably spent ten years of its life sleeping.

A quarter of cat owners blow-dry their cats after bathing them.

Some 39% of pet owners say they have more photos of their pet than their spouse or significant other. Only 21% say they have more photos of their spouse or significant other than of their pet.

The first Seeing Eye dog was presented to a blind person on April 25, 1938.

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9. TELL ME YOUR STORY!

I invite you to share your own inspirational or entertaining story about your pet with our readers. Please send it to charlene@talk-to-animals.com. If yours is chosen to be included in my monthly newsletter, you will receive a free 30-minute consultation with me.

======================================================================= 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 newsletter to friends. Please visit my website for articles you may publish and share freely!
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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.