Volume 9 No. 2, August-December 2006
If the success or failure of this planet ….depended on how
I am and what I do, How would I be? What would I do?
-- R. Buckminster Fuller
Animals are like huge sponges when it comes to their people.
They mimic our emotions, our problems, our strengths, and our
fatal flaws. For example, my dog Brydie matches my moods to the
letter. This is just something that animals do for us; they stay
connected all the time. My favorite author on this subject is
Margot Lasher, who wrote And The Animals Will Teach You
It is an older book but you can still find it used on amazon.com.
Lasher, a psychologist who specializes in empathy, describes animals
as consummate empaths. The reason they stay continuously connected
to their feelings and the feelings of all those around them, she
says, is because this provides the best possible advantage for
survival. An alert and wary dog is a dog that who lives to see
another day.
 The
upshot of all this is that when you are upset and your animal
comes to comfort you, you can be certain that he or she is feeling
exactly what you are feeling. We often do this with our animals
as well, so we end up being sponges for each other really. We
can even take on each others’ illnesses. Veterinarians are very
familiar with the phenomenon of animals and their owners sharing
the same diagnoses. The problem with all this is that it is probably
not the most productive way to be. Most of us are horrified to
think that our animals are taking on our negative emotions or
ailments.
Here are my recommendations for how to deal with this unavoidable
situation. Every so often stand back and take an objective look
at you and your animal. Are you super stressed out? Chances are
your animal is too. Are you really depressed or feeling really
angry all the time? Chances are your animal is too. Do you have
a thyroid problem? Don’t be surprised if your animal does too.
Once you figure out the mirrors and problem areas you are dealing
with, focus on healing yourself. If you can relieve a certain
problem in yourself it will allow the animal to naturally let
go of it. You may have to change your lifestyle or take a course
on stress management, and if the problem is physical you will
probably have to work on a physical level to clear it up for both
you and your animal. And have a talk with your animal. Talk to
him or her out loud just as if you were talking to a human. Tell
your animal that you appreciate the help and assistance offered,
but that what would be best for both of you is if your animal
were to provide a positive model of health and happiness for you
to emulate. Ask your animal to do that for you instead of being
in sync with your problems.
Any time you notice that your animal is misbehaving or has some
physical problem, stop and take stock to see if there is any mirroring
going on, emotionally or physically. Be honest in your determination
of whether you could actually be the problem and if so, take the
appropriate action.
 Adele
Leas is a friend of mine who lives in New Orleans and practices
and teaches Jin Shin Jitsu for animals. (She has a book about
it on her website at http://www.jsjforyouranimal.com).
She recently called to tell me this story. Adele sponsors a horse
named Cali and rides her every day along the banks of the Mississippi
River in New Orleans. The day she called me she had Cali out and
was hand grazing her along the river when Cali managed to slip
out of her halter. In shock, Adele realized she now had a fired
up horse ready to run with a train track on one side, a busy road
on another and a group of children on another. The train was just
in sight coming down the track. It pretty much couldn’t have been
worse. Adele said something just took over inside her. She calmed
down and in a strong, sure voice said to Cali, as if Cali could
completely understand her, "Cali you are not safe. Come to me
right now." To her surprise and delight, Cali trotted right over
to her and let Adele put the halter back on. When she called to
tell me the story she said, "I credit your books with saving Cali’s
life. If I did not know and believe in this I would not have done
that."
"I just started reading your book Learning their Language
today and on Sunday afternoon was holding a small birthday
party for my husband. As my dog Rebel is somewhat overprotective
of me I decided on Saturday morning that I had to have a little
chat with him to explain that all the people coming were invited
friends and allowed to enter and that he was not to try to intimidate
them by barking or growling with his back up. Instantly I got
a feeling back from him, that hit me smack, square in the middle
of my brain, of him telling me that if we were having guests he
would like to have a bath. Now Rebel isn’t always the most cooperative
about bathing and as he weighs in at 55kgs. I thought I would
probably end up as wet as he, but no. As I picked up the bottle
of shampoo and towel he leapt up with the same excitement he normally
displays when about to go for a walk. He then proceeded to be
extremely cooperative, turning when necessary, lifting a paw.
He even moved away to shake and not a lead or collar in sight.
I m hooked on communicating totally and utterly. I guess I have
been communicating for some time without actually knowing it."
Jo Spenser
"I just love my horse whom I nicknamed "Bump" (yes, because of
his ride) but I was having a few issues. I am a new horse person
and had tons of questions. Then I contacted you to connect with
Bump and I knew communication between Bump and I could exist.
You told me things about Bump that only he and I would know. After
reading a few chapters of your book, Learning Learning their
Languageed talking both verbally and mentally with Bump.
"One day I was standing outside his stall and told him out loud
how much I loved him and how important he was to me. I kissed
his nose and then said, "You know, I wish you would kiss me, just
once, to show me how much you love me!" With this, he turned to
me and licked my face. This not his usual behavior and I was both
stunned and excited to learn that we could talk.
"I had the worst time trying to get on him to ride, until I gave
up and had someone hold him. Once I learned about communication
I went to him and said, "Bump please stay still when I get on
you. I am looking forward to a magnificent ride that I know only
you can give me. You are a champion." I swear he raised hiss head
raised and then leaned into the mounting block! It has been that
way ever since. I cannot thank you enough."
Melaine Agresta
 "I
just purchased your book Beyond Words, and have barely
started reading it. I rescue feral cats and spay and neuter them
and try to find caregivers for them. I recently trapped a female
who I have been trying to catch for a year and finally succeeded,
she was pregnant. I have a room in my home in which I foster them.
The female had four kittens and instead of the nice box I had
for her, she chose to give birth in the bottom of a cat tree that
had hardly room for her, let alone four kittens. When I went to
feed her she would hiss at me, warning me to stay away from her
babies. One of the babies died and I wanted to remove it but she
wouldn’t let me near it. So I thought, why not try what Marta
says in her book. So I went in the room, got down on eye level
with her and told her I really needed to remove her dead baby
before it made her other babies sick, and that I loved her and
her babies and she needed to move her babies over to the nice
box I had fixed for her. I pointed to it, left the room and came
back in about five minutes. She was not in the cat tree. I turned
and looked and she was spread out full length in her new box with
her chin resting on her paws. Her babies were still in the cat
tree, so I got down on her level and very close. She didn’t hiss
or move. I asked her if she wanted me to move her babies for her,
and then picked up each on and laid them against her belly. She
didn’t hiss or move and was totally relaxed, like she knew I meant
no harm. It was the most wonderful feeling in the world. I have
been in animal rescue for years and this is going to be so helpful.
Thank you so much."
Madeline Runion
If you haven’t seen this it is pretty funny. Click
here for Hungry Kitty. (900K)
Want to get rid of junk mail and telemarketers? Click
here.
If you have not yet read Dogs in Elk, click
here.
Action Network is a great site to bookmark and visit regularly.
It features environmental campaigns from many sources for which
you can send emails. It’s a great way to find out the latest updates
to. Here’s the website: http://actionnetwork.org/
Want to start making elections in the US fair again? Here’s how.
(Psst,
pass it on!)
Cocoa mulch, which is sold in many stores, is extremely toxic
to dogs; it smells good so they are attracted to it. If you have
dogs do not use cocoa mulch in your yard. In case you are not
aware, antifreeze is also highly toxic to animals, even a few
drops can kill. Keep it double contained and out of reach of any
animals and thoroughly clean up any spills and keep clean up materials
away from animals. Also report any spills of antifreeze you may
observe. Use non toxic home cleaning products (available at health
food stores) and organic alternatives to chemical herbicides and
pesticides for your garden (a good nursery should have these).
This is the best book I have ever seen on the subject of auras:
how to read them, see them, and use them to improve your life.
Larsen is a physicist who brings the subject of auras down to
earth and shows us how to use sensitivity to auras to enhance
every aspect of life. Her book is loaded with great advice and
easy, effective exercises that work. She also has a companion
CD that compliments the book. You can order from her website at
http://realityshifters.com.
This book is not released yet so I can’t give you a review, but
I will say that I ordered it in advance because I am pretty sure
it will be fantastic. The author did unique research and analysis
of the culture and mythology of pre-Christian Europe, revealing
our true origins and providing a vision for getting beyond faith-based
violence via a sacred ecological path to the future.
This is a very thorough and informative book on how to make sure
your animals are taken care of when you die, even if you were
to die suddenly. Order from the author directly at www.LegacyForYourPet.com.
If you are confused about what is going on in this country and
how we got so messed up, this book should help you understand
the situation. (You might also like Greg’s new book, Armed Madhouse.)
My horse Dylan died this month at the age of 23 from complications
of colic surgery. He was by far the best teacher I shall ever
meet and a true friend. I miss him more than I can say. Even though
I can talk to him in spirit, it does not take away the pain of
losing who he was on this earth forever. A student and friend,
Karen Berke, also lost her horse and best friend Chad the same
way this month. Here are photos of both of the boys. We wish them
well on their journeys.
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