Gazehound's Animal Communication News, April 2005

Gazehound's Animal Communication News
April 2005
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Keeping in touch with the animals....
and the people who love them
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MANY TOOLS


Animal communication is not magic, nor is it the answer to every problem. It's one tool among many that we have to work with our animal companions, to help them, to learn to understand them. Among the other tools, all equally important, are veterinarians (both allopathic and holistic), trainers, behaviorists, good nutrition, and for cases of missing pets, all of the search and recovery resources out there, such as shelters, flyers and ads, services like Sherlock Bones, and the clever and resourceful neighborhood kids! What animal communication does is augment these other tools, add depth to them, and increase our ability to communicate with our animals and understand their own viewpoint on the subject at hand.



Occasionally we run into folks who are of the mind that animal communicators can "fix their problems". This is rarely the case. What we can do for pet owners is to help them fix their own problems by adding one more tool to the box as they search for the answers. The most important job any animal communicator can do, in fact, is to help the pet's human to learn to understand their friend better themselves. We do this by sharing our techniques, encouraging a deeper connection of the person with their animal friends, and helping the person to see just how much he really does understand of what his pet is telling him. Most humans "read" their pets better than they think they do. They just need to trust that little voice inside, that sense of intuition, and nurture it. By verifying their intuitions, and encouraging them, animal communicators have the privilege of helping with that process.



Behavioral issues are always a tricky spot for communicators. Sometimes a person will call, having tried everything, and when the communicator suggests using more training in conjunction with the telepathic process, the owner becomes discouraged. What I'll usually do in cases like this is try to soothe the human's concerns by sharing behavioral problems I have experienced with my own animals, and the steps I took to try and solve them. Often when they see that even an animal communicator uses training, vets, nutrition and other tools in conjunction with talking to their pets, it helps the person to see that they really are adequate to the task. Having hope that you will succeed is the first step toward solving a difficult problem.



I remember one person who asked me, when I started sharing about an issue I had with my own cats, "If you can talk to your animals, why do you still see disobedience in them?" My response was, "Do you talk to your kids?" Animals are indeed intelligent, thinking beings who can communicate with their humans if the humans are able to step beyond the barriers that prevent them from hearing. But just because the human can hear, and the animal can answer, it doesn't mean the answer is always yes!



In health situations, all good communicators will always recommend veterinary care, and attempt to augment what the vet is already doing by finding out the animal's point of view in the situation. We are not vets, and cannot diagnose illness ... it's not what we're here to do. What we can do is find out how the animal feels, where he hurts, and what he thinks about the whole situation. Sometimes that will give the vet a new direction to explore, or verify something he has already ascertained but isn't wholly certain about. Being able to help in that way toward a pet's recovery gives the communicator a great feeling of satisfaction, plus it will often help a vet who is on the fence about animal communication to understand better, maybe even deepening their own relationship with the animals who come to them for help.



The greatest feeling in the world for any animal communicator is watching their clients grow and strengthen their own abilities to understand their furry friends. We do whatever we can to augment that relationship and encourage that growth. One gal asked, when talking about this, "Doesn't that make you worry that they won't need you any more?" My response was, "Not at all!" There are so many animals on this earth, so many animal lovers. If one person no longer needs my help, someone else will be there seeking a similar path of growth and discovery. I would love to see the whole of humanity regain the ability to commune with all life in harmony.



So think of animal communication as one of many resources at your disposal as you grow closer to your animal friends, seek to help them with their problems and concerns, and learn to understand them better. As the spring takes hold, and new life sprouts all around us, I wish you joy in your path of discovery, with your animals at your side!




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Pree's Talk-To-Me Tips


When I asked Pree what she'd like to share for this issue of the newsletter, she said simply, "Respect." When I asked her to expound on that, she showed me how a key to truly understanding your animal is to respect him for who he is, and not try to impose human-centered restrictions on him. This means learning about cat behavior to understand cat behavioral problems, for instance, and trying to control your own emotions as you attempt to view the issue from the cat's point of view. One example of this will be cats who have a problem with inappropriate urination. Urinating is not looked at as a "problem" by the cat ... most of the time he is attempting to communicate, and a very natural way of communicating is to leave his scent in obvious places. Pree suggests: Try not to get mad at your cat for being a cat (or your dog for being a dog ... Pree wishes to make it known that Mom added that part about the dog), but to understand what a cat's point of view would be in the situation, and look for a compromise. Sometimes it helps if you explain the problem, without anger, from the human point of view as you try to understand the cat's. Respect means that there is a middle ground somewhere, and that you and your friend have a chance of finding it together.




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STILL ON THE BLOG-WAGON


Thanks to everyone who has stopped by my Creature Thoughts blog. Please feel free to interact by leaving comments and suggestions, asking questions, or making requests for future posts. Remember, too, that issues of this e-news will be archived there. In addition to Creature Thoughts, I've started a couple of other blogs you might wish to take a look at, which occasionally have related topics in them.


The original "Creature Thoughts" Blog: http://gazehound.blogspot.com
"Stream of (Sub)Consciousness": http://stream-subconscious.blogspot.com is a place where I ramble on about the esoteric, the philosphical, and probably even the ridiculous at times.
"Point and Viewpoint": http://pointandviewpoint.blogspot.com is a "reviews" site where I've been posting thoughts on books, movies, television shows, etc.


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Gayle Nastasi
Animal Communication Consultant
http://www.gazehound.com/pets
Free bi-monthly newsletter:
http://www.gazehound.com/pets/acnewslist.html
Creature Thoughts Blog:
http://gazehound.blogspot.com

Smooth Has Been Found!

Smooth's Search

Read the updates in her blog! Smooth was recovered safe and sound the evening of March 4th.

Hallelujah!

Smooth's Search

Smooth's Search

The above blog may be of interest to visitors. There is a sweet Rottweiler named Smooth who is loose near the auto accident site where her beloved mom was killed. The story has been on the news, and many people have been following the updates via email. Searchers have put a blog online to make things easier.

Please visit Smooth's blog and say a prayer for her and for her Mom, whom I'm sure is trying to help with her rescue from spirit.

Dog Detective - Lost & found database.

Dog Detective - Lost & found database.

The above service looks very interesting, and might be helpful to people who have lost or found a dog. Our Saluki rescue group will be linking to them, and I thought I would put a link in here, as well.

Stream Of (Sub)consciousness: Perchance to Dream: on crossing over

Stream Of (Sub)consciousness: Perchance to Dream: on crossing over

I started out to write an article on the process of dealing with the death of a beloved animal friend. However I tried to write it from a "detached" point of view, however, it would take a personal turn and become emotional. I decided, therefore, to just go with my inspiration, and posted it instead in my more "personal" blog, above. This way it can be skipped by those who don't wish to read it, and read by those who do.

Animal Communication Recommended Reading

Several people have requested that I add a Recommended Reading list post to the blog, so I thought I would do so for them. This list is also posted on my webpage, but I thought it would be good to duplicate it here for folks who find the site "through the back door", as it were. :-)

Kinship With All Life

by J Allen Boone

A marvelous account of a very special man and his most wonderful animal friends. A must-read for all people who are interested in animal communication, or simply in the relationship we have with our fellow travellers on this earth plane.

Communicating With Animals

by Arthur Myers

A great jump-on place to learn about interspecies communication. This book is especially good for the skeptical explorer, as the author himself was a skeptic when he began his research.

Talking With The Animals

by Patty Summers

A professional animal communicator tells the stories of many of the animals she has known and loved. A lovely journey through one person's life experiences that will touch your heart.

Animal Talk

by Penelope Smith

The definitive book on animal communication from a "how to" perspective, written by the foremost pioneer in the field. Penelope Smith is the standard by which many other communicators base their practices. This is the book you cannot miss if you think you would like to develop communication skills.

When Animals Speak

by Penelope Smith

A more advanced text that explores the deeper, spiritual, levels of interspecies communication. A wonderful book for those who have explored the basics and wish to be taken a step further on their journey.

The Language of Animals: 7 Steps to Communicating with Animals

by Carol Gurney

Reviewers call this book "down to earth and thorough", and I have to say I agree with them. I found it clear and easy to follow, and think anyone studying animal communication will benefit from reading it.

Species Link

a quarterly magazine by Anima Mundi, Inc. and Penelope Smith

"If you love animals and are open to the possibility of communicating with other species, if you desire to learn as much as you can about communication with animals or if you are a practitioner in this field, Species Link is vital for you!" You can find sample issues and ordering information on Penelope's website, above.

Penelope Smith's Basic Course

For decades, Penelope Smith has been at the head of the movement to teach animal communication to people who desire to connect at a soul-deep level with their animal companions. Her Basic Course has been the starting point for thousands. Now this wonderful course is offered on CD and can be purchased through her website.

Newsletter: February 2005

Gazehound's Animal Communication News
February 2005
================================
Keeping in touch with the animals....
and the people who love them
================================

Note: Due to problems getting a formatted "html" version of the newsletter to go through to AOL members, I'm attempting to be a bit less graphic in this and future issues. Hopefully, although somewhat less pretty, this will help solve that particular problem.

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The recent tsunami disaster affected so many people, thousands and hundreds of thousands and millions, in so many ways. We have heard stories on the news and on the 'net about how animals were affected as well, from the heroic efforts of the elephants who saved many tourist lives, to the fact that very few bodies of animals were discovered in the aftermath. Following the tsunami, a bizarre thing began to happen here as well ... I received call after call after call for sessions with lost animals. Both dogs and cats went missing in larger numbers than I'd ever seen before in a short period of time, and I spent many hours tracing, and worrying about, pets whose owners were frantically searching for them. I couldn't help but wonder if the changes felt by the earth after such a cataclysmic event may have somehow altered these animals' ability to find their way home.

As part of the effort to help the animals get home safely, I posted several articles in my Creature Thoughts blog, and would like to share one with you in this newsletter issue.

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LITTLE DOG (OR CAT) LOST ... WHAT CAN YOU DO?

I do a lot of "missing pet" cases, it seems. I wish I could say that most of them have happy endings, but that isn't always the case. Some do, many, but enough have sad conclusions ... or no conclusions at all ... to make it a very frustrating side of the profession. In fact, a lot of animal communicators don't even accept location work due to the many problems it entails.

One thing I like to do, however, in addition to trying to contact the animal for clues to its whereabouts, is make sure the owners have done all they can on their end, both physically and psychically, to help get their pet home safely. I thought I'd share a little check list of suggestions and "things to do" here in case someone happening across this blog might find it useful.

Have you...?


Printed posters, flyers, cards with your pet's photo, contact numbers, date and time missing, area last seen, and offering a reward? Often small printouts, like business cards, are easier to carry around and hand to people as you go door to door, and more likely to be kept, while of course the larger items are better for "distance viewing" (bulletin boards, etc).
Places to put flyers: indoor community bulletin boards such as in grocery and convenience stores and post offices and banks, lobbies of apartment buildings, the side rear windows of your car (ask friends to do the same), windows of stores and other places of business where the managers give you permission (placed on the inside so the weather doesn't matter). Look for other sheltered places where the weather can't get to your flyer, as well as the more common spots like sign posts, etc. Find out if it's legal in your neighborhood to put posters on telephone poles, though. Not all places allow it.
Canvassed your neighborhood putting up flyers and handing cards or flyers to all your neighbors? This means actually knocking on doors and speaking to the neighbors. If you have to leave a card in a door, try to go back to that house later and actually speak to someone. People are much more likely to take interest if they can attach the situation to a face.
Talked and handed photos and contact information to everyone you can, especially delivery men, mailmen, anyone who makes a regular route through your area, and *children*? Kids almost always notice new dogs or cats wandering a neighborhood.
Visited the local schools and asked to put up flyers there?
Called the local police, veterinarians and shelters, and *visited* the vets and shelters? It often helps to go to the shelter personally, and often, as very busy shelter workers don't always "recognize" the identity of a dog or cat from a description they've received over the phone. Don't just visit your shelter once ... go back at least twice a week in case the animal has been picked up and the shelter workers failed to recognize it. This is not a slight on shelter workers in any way, they are very busy people in a high stress job and are trying their best, but they don't know your animal the way you do.
Searched the immediate area, in and under any form of shelter, checked nearby woods and brush, talked to neighbors, in case the pet has been taken in or closed up somewhere or has holed up for shelter and warmth?
If the pet is missing for more than a day: called the newspapers and placed Lost Pet ads? Likewise local radio stations, some of them will have a public service "bulletin board" type program.
Have you remembered to try and see the situation from your animal's viewpoint? Think like a cat or dog ... try to put yourself on their level, see what they would see, find spaces they would fit in, examine motivation that might have led them astray such as smells or survival fears, etc.
In addition, here is a method that has helped a number of animals get back home: Become quiet and focus your mind, try to calm yourself (not easy when you're so worried, I know). If you have children, instruct them to do this as well, kids are very good at painting clear mental images. Make a picture in your mind, make it as clear and "real" as you can, of a search light going out from your house. Now, imagine the animal seeing that light, understanding that it is coming from home, and following it home. Take time out every so often to repeat and strenghten this image, and send it to the animal. This little trick has helped several animals I know get home safely.
If you have friends and/or animals in spirit with whom you still feel close, and "sense them around you", ask them to assist you in bringing your pet back home.

There are also professional pet detectives out there, such as the Sherlock Bones organization, whose services you may be able to enlist.

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Pree's Talk-To-Me Tips

When asked what she'd like to share this month, Pree and I talked about "other forms of communication", and how things like voice and body language are really not "other forms" at all, but part of the big picture of how your animal friends talk to you. One of the most useful things a student of animal communication can do is to sit quietly in their animal's presence and observe. Truly pay attention as your friend interacts with you (you may even wish to keep a notebook) and notice what she does with her body. Do her whiskers shift forward when she gives you her full attention? What are her ears doing when you speak to her ... does she react the same way when your words are thought-words as when you speak with your voice?

Learning to read animal body language can become as natural as learning to read human body language ... we people respond to one another in this type of "sign language" all the time, often interpreting the moves and expressions without really even thinking about them.

While discussing this topic, Pree also mentioned the importance of teaching young children how to read -- and respect -- the things animals are saying to them. A child is naturally in tuned to the animal kingdom, with tremendous potential for communication with other species. If the adults in his life nurture that potential, and guide it toward gentleness and harmony, what wonderful adventures the future can hold.



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GETTING ON THE BLOG-WAGON

I've recently discovered "blogging" ... yes, I do realize I'm a bit tardy, as the "blog phenomenon" has been going for some time now. Blogs have a lot of potential, and I've been mulling over ideas on how to benefit my animal communication clients using this medium. I've created a blog, "Creature Thoughts", in which I have been sharing thoughts on animals and animal communication, and other related topics. I hope to be able to post to it often, and invite comments and feedback from visitors. If you have any ideas of articles or uses for the site, please feel free to make suggestions. Likewise, if you (or your animals) have been blogging and would like to share, I'd love to pay your blog-site a visit in return.

You're welcome, any time, to drop by the "Creature Thoughts" Blog at http://gazehound.blogspot.com