A name is a name to the animals, but it is the energetic reaction that we humans might have when hearing their name that they respond to. If an iguana named Rose is regularly faced with the reaction of “that’s a silly name for a lizard” then Rose the iguana may start to question her stature in the world. A horse named Chomper may make some of us wonder if a piece of our bicep might become his afternoon snack! If many people who meet “Chomper” have that same fear and energetic reaction of distancing themselves from his powerful teeth, what is that conveying to the horse over time?

Consider your immediate internal (i.e. energetic) reaction when meeting for the first time:

• a Rottweiler dog named Terminator
• the same Rottweiler dog now named Lovey
• a six month old kitten named Terror
• or the same kitten named Cuddles

Could you imagine yourself being cautious when meeting a dog named Terminator? And did you imagine yourself wanting to scoop up Cuddles the kitten to hold him or her? There really IS something in a name, and over time a cat named Terror may really start to live up to that name. Chomper the horse may become skittish and self-isolating, and Lovey the Rottweiler might become the most popular and adored pet of the neighborhood.

Most of us put a lot of thought into the names we choose for our beloved animals, and appropriately so. I’ve met several animals who truly do live up to their name, both positively and with some behavioral issues. So the next time you find yourself needing to name a new family pet, consider the energetic reaction their name might illicit, and remember that over time those reactions very likely may have a long-lasting affect on how your pet behaves.

Other posts which may be of interest:

• Take the 24-hour Pet Communication Challenge
• Our Well-Being Affects our Pets
• Keeping Our Pets Safe During the Holidays

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Chemicals around the house - garages and the cabinet under the kitchen sink often contain chemicals which can pose danger for pets. Drain cleaners, car antifreeze, pool/spa chemicals, insecticides and rodent poisons are all dangerous for animals, potentially causing chemical burns, respiratory issues, and gastrointestinal upset. If your pets are allowed to roam your property freely, consider what possible hazards may be in the garage or shed and keep those areas off limits to your furry companions.

House plants - some plants are highly toxic for animals if ingested. My plant nursery was great about checking their plant catalog for every variety of house plant I was buying to make sure the leaves, stems, roots, and flowers did not pose a danger for animals. I have worked with a number of animal communication clients whose pet is ill and the animal provides an image of a leaf or flower which they’ve ingested. While plants are excellent house-warming gifts, do your host a favor and gift only plants that are safe in the presence of domestic companions. The ASPCA website has an excellent list of toxic and non-toxic plants.

Home improvement products – DIY home improvement projects can be fun and fulfilling, but those weekend projects can pose a danger for your pets. Liquid adhesives, solvents, and paint are all very dangerous to pets if ingested, and can also be a problem if absorbed through their paws or skin. Be aware of the nail strips when new carpet is laid, and remember that some carpet, varnish, and paints can out-gas for quite some time after the installation. Pets are smaller and more sensitive than humans and we should do our best to limit their exposure to any toxic fumes.

Be aware of toxins and hazards around your home, yard, and garage and keep them out of reach of your pets, and children too!

Other posts which may be of interest:

• Household Dangers for Pets
• Keeping Our Pets Safe During the Holidays
• Summer Foliage Dangers

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I won’t attempt to mention all the various household dangers in this one post, but there are a few hazards which I think are worthy of a mention. Please talk with your veterinarian and do some research on what may pose dangers to your beloved animal companions.

Foods – there are several foods which are toxic to some species. Chocolate is one of those food items found in many homes and it is imperative that we keep chocolate and candy out of the reach of pets. Other common household foods and cooking ingredients include garlic, onions, raisins, grapes, alcohol, coffee and coffee beans, some nuts, and the stems and leaves on garden tomatoes.

Cleaning products - in addition to obvious cleaning products such as detergents, bleach, and disinfectants, cleaning products may contain other chemicals that can harm our pets. Check the label for warnings and lock them up. Better yet, don’t use them if a *poison* label is present. A floor cleaner, for example, may leave a residue on the floor which your pet will walk through and then may lick their paws. Use caution if a product lists ammonia, acids, calcium hypochlorite, turpentine, and phenols in their ingredients list.

Medications – all human medications should be kept well out of the reach of children AND animals. Basic over-the-counter pain relievers can cause serious kidney problems if ingested by an animal and can even be fatal, according to a list of the 10 most poisonous meds for pets complied by the ASPCA, and decongestants can elevate heart rates and cause seizures. Keep medications locked up and out of reach, especially if you have a particularly curious cat or a dog that loves to counter-surf your nightstand or bathroom counters!

Use common sense and “pet proof” your home. It will save much heartache later!

See more household dangers in part two, More Household Dangers for Pets.

Other posts which may be of interest:

• More Household Dangers for Pets
• Summer Foliage Dangers
• Keeping Our Pets Safe During the Holidays

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Generally speaking, a vacation is an exciting time for humans. This is not always the case for the animals of the family, however. For some pets, their human being away for any length of time is a sad, lonely, perhaps anxiety-ridden experience.

Each animal reacts differently to time away from their primary human guardians, and their reaction can vary depending on the arrangements made for their care. Preparing for a vacation means preparing our animals as well.

For some, the “you have fun, but behave yourself” talk is appropriate, along with your reassurance that you will return soon.

Some animals will benefit from a gentle explanation that you’ll be gone for a few days, then a detailed explanation of how they will be cared for.

Some animals are not concerned with their own arrangements as much as knowing that YOU will be safe and that you will return happily and refreshed, and they will likely want to know all about your adventure when you return.

For all animals, I believe it is helpful to explain that we love being home with them, but that it is important for humans to get away from home occasionally.

No matter which of the above scenarios best fits your animal companions, always finish your conversation with your beloved pets by envisioning a wonderful, joy-filled homecoming with snuggles, praise, and perhaps a small treat.

When the suitcases come out, your animals know that something is about to change in their world. Most will respond more positively when they are brought into the experience so take the time to communicate with them and do so positively and with joy. And most of all, remember that your pets pick up on your energy so remain calm and confident that your time away from them will be pleasant for all concerned.

Vacations are exciting, and don’t have to be feared by our animals. Help them by communicating your intentions, and they will be joyfully waiting for you when you return!

Other posts which may be of interest:

• Animal Communication Provides Vacation Preparation
• Preparing Pets for Our Vacation
• Keeping Our Pets Safe During the Holidays

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Jezebel showing off on her cool mat

Here are some tips:

• Of course, first and foremost, limit your dog’s intense activity during the hottest part of the day. Easier said than done for some very active pooches, I know. But consider a good long walk in the early morning hours to give your companion their required daily exercise while the day is still cool. This will tire them out so they’ll rest during the hotter part of the day.
• Allow access to cooler parts of the house during hot days. Put a dog bed and fresh water in your basement or an interior and/or dark room for your pooch while you are away.
• Check your dog’s water regularly and keep it fresh and plentiful. I drop a few ice cubes in the water bowl through the day to keep it nice and cool. There are gadgets to allow on-demand access to fresh, cold water directly from an outdoor faucet. I’ve not tried or seen these myself, but for some breeds this may be a great solution for regular fresh-water intake. My less high-tech solution is to put a chunk of ice in the outdoor water dish which melts over a few hours, keeping the water cool for a good part of the day.
• Many friends and clients have set up a baby pool – one of those plastic models with 8-10 inch sides – for their dogs to walk through and lay in. Keep the water fresh in case your dog decides to drink instead of swim, and don’t allow your pets to have access to a water-filled pool without adult supervision!
• I set up a floor fan to blow air into the inside portion (a fenced area of my garage) of the dog run when I’m away. The fan is *outside* the gate so there can be no accidents with tails, paws, or tongues wanting to explore. While this is recycled warm air, it does provide cooling from the breeze, and adds an additional benefit of white-noise should I be away when a thunderstorm begins. The fan is positioned to blow on only one side of the containment and the other side remains breeze-free. I’m big on choices for my beloved companions! On particularly hot days, I set a bowl of water in front of the fan for more cooling.
• Some families I know give their furry dogs a haircut in May or June, which grows out through the summer in time for the colder weather. Your dog may not look like himself for a couple of months, but it certainly does help with the heat. Remember though, if you give a short or buzz cut, protect them with sunscreen for the first couple of weeks!
• There are products which seem to do a nice job of keeping dogs cool without getting them wet. Check your local pet store and/or animal supply catalogs for cool mats, rugs, vests, and collars (one version of a cool mat is shown above). My experience with a cool mat has been good, and a 20-minute soak in cold water keeps the mat cool (and dry!) to the touch for up to two days, then another dunk in cool water and we’re good to go for another couple of days. I’ve not tried the vest or collar but the concept is similar and may be the perfect solution for some dogs. Some dogs have expressed in our animal communication session that they prefer or *need* the cooling to come from their belly area. Other dogs hold their heat in their neck area. Choose the style that works best for your furry companion. The material in the mat, vest, etc. may be toxic so choose your style and brand wisely if your pet is a chewer.

These are my tips. If you have tips which keep your extra furry dog cooler on hot summer days, leave a comment!

Other posts which may be of interest:

• Toys to Keep Pets Challenged
• Keeping Our Pets Safe During the Holidays

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There are a variety of reasons we might want to communicate with our beloved animals in spirit. First and foremost, a communication session offers an opportunity for closure, especially if the animal passed unexpectedly. Even with animals whom we expect to pass, or whom we assist to pass, closure a few weeks after their passing has proven to be extremely valuable for many clients. I have received a number of follow-up emails and voice mails from clients stating that they were suddenly able to let go of guilt, or move through their grief more gracefully after having the opportunity to talk with their deceased companions.

So closure is at the top of the list of reasons for communicating with our pets in spirit. Other reasons on the list are varied and individual.

• Some clients wish to know if their beloved animal companion intends to return to them – reincarnate – in the future. If so, sometimes the deceased animal can provide signals or clues on how and when to find them.
• Often a family intends to eventually bring a new pet in to the home, and they request assistance from their animal in spirit to help them find the pet that is waiting for them.
• Animals who have passed can provide wonderfully profound wisdom and guidance for their humans as they continue on in their lives.
• Clients sometimes request assistance from their beloved and trusted animal in spirit to help those who are readying themselves to pass. This was extremely comforting to me, personally, knowing that my deceased dog, Pugsley, was available at my request to assist my beloved Valentino as he passed from this life to his new life.

Communicating with our animals who have passed away is not something that is right for everyone. Many do find great comfort and relief, however, in having an opportunity to check in with their beloved companion once, or regularly after their passing.

Other posts which may be of interest:

• Animals Remain With Us In Spirit
• Tele-Class: Connecting with Our Animals in Spirit
• Practice Communicating with Your Animals

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