Animals are almost invariably more sensitive to nuances in the environment than people are. I believe this is a function of culture not natural ability. In other words, we aren’t hopelessly brutish we were just trained to turn off our sensibilities. Animals didn’t receive that kind of cultural conditioning; they possess, what seems to be, an uncanny ability to sense danger, problems and slight shifts in the environment.  As we develop and rediscover our intuition, through communicating with animals or through general use, we find our sensibilities increase. Here is a great story about a dog who was on extra alert.

 

My golden retriever is so darn smart. A few weeks ago my mother was visiting and there  was a 4+ earthquake. I was at work. I called Mom right after the tremors, and she said that a few minutes BEFORE the earthquake Charlotte came up to her and was barking (she is not a barky dog). Mom said she was definitely communicating. It was a Lassie moment. Later that day, I got a call from my neighbor who was worried.  She said that the front door of my apartment was wide open and Charlotte had come over to get her when my neighbor opened her door to get a Fed Ex package. She thought that Charlotte was trying to tell her something. I called home and, even though my 81 year old mother was supposed to be there, no one answered. In a panic, I drove home to find her on the roof sunbathing with a book as if nothing was wrong!  She said she must have left the front door ajar. Well, Charlotte knew something was amiss because the front door should not have been open so it is a good thing that she went to get my neighbor. Just when I think I could not love Charlotte more, the next day I wake up and I do.        

 Deb Hatch

 ABOUT PEPITA

 This is the third segment about Pepita the Mule by Ann Walker…

There were many times when I was the recipient of Pepita’s care. I had not ridden her for ten weeks due to a badly broken arm, nothing to do with her, Afraid that I might damage it again yet longing to be with my friend I saddled her up telling her that I was feeling really fragile. She stood quite still as I gingerly mounted her in our largest field. Even though she had not been ridden while I was incapacitated and had lots of amusing, but not dangerous little tricks she liked to play on me she just carried me as gently and carefully as if I were a box of eggs on her back. By the time we got back to the stable my confidence was restored. 

As the years passed we both grew stiff, me a lot more so that her, I needed a large wooden block to climb into the saddle, she positioned herself carefully by this, responding when I said ‘A bit closer” or ‘Further forward’ or other instructions.  The last time I rode Pepita our combined ages were a hundred! The only time I ever came off her in 28 years was in the early stages of her training and that was entirely my fault. I did not listen when she told me she was scared.

 DEALING WITH DIFFICULT BEHAVIORS

Dealing with difficult behaviors is always frustrating. I’ve found that using multiple tactics simultaneously helps to overcome the behavior problems more quickly and thoroughly. Traditional vets will often prescribe valium or prozac to animals with anxiety or aggressions. Personally, I would never give prozac to anything, and  many clients have told me that valium didn’t help. Valium is also a strong drug and I try to avoid those for myself and my animals. Instead, I use holistic supplements like homeopathy, herbs, and flower essences. If you have a holistic vet you can ask your vet about these supplements or go online to find them. One site I like is http://www.onlynaturalpet.com

  

You can go to their site and in the search box type in  anxieity, or fear, or aggression and lots of possible remedies will pop up.  Onlynatrualpet also has some great articles you can check out at  http://www.onlynaturalpet.com/newsletterarticles.aspx

Most often a bad behavior problem is best addressed by a combination of traditional nonviolent training, enhanced by an intuitive communication session (to determine the causes of the behavior), and intuiitve training techniques, and supported by a holistic diet, holistic care, and holistic calming supplments. This is the approach I describe in detail in my book, Ask Your Animal. If you are dealing with an animal behavior problem or know of a friend who is, I am available to do a communication session to help resolve it.

FOODS THAT ARE TOXIC TO DOGS AND CATS

The following website link gives a good listing of foods that are toxic or potentially toxic to dogs and cats.     http://webvet.com/main/article?id=1870

 

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