There are many animals who adjust to their new home relatively quickly, and some have a harder time. For every animal who moves with their family, their individual experience is different. If you have a move scheduled, or are thinking about a move in the future, here are some examples to learn from:

• The best example is to recognize that a move is stressful for our pets. There will be changes and upset routines and stress on our animals. It may be valuable to schedule a few minutes to communicate with your pets as the preparations for the move begins. This certainly doesn’t guarantee that the beloved pet will not have some worry or anxiety during and after the move, but it does help to reassure them that things *will* settle down and that they *are* making the move with the family too!
• A multi-kitty family moved from one home to a smaller home. One of the felines adjusted easily and quickly and was looking forward to exploring his new surroundings; the other was mad that he had less real estate to patrol and that the access to outside had changed, which resulted in litter box issues. We were able to reassure him that he still had all his outside privileges and that there were still plenty of litter boxes available to choose from, even though they were in a little closer proximity to each other.
• A dog was very concerned and acting out to get his guardian’s attention. He believed that they had left behind the spirit of his companion who had passed some time ago. We assured him that his companion now has the ability to be with him anywhere and everywhere, including the new home.
• A cat was working through his grief of leaving his former home and the loss of a human companion at the same time. He was having a difficult time letting go of the former home and therefore was not ready to accept the new home as his. We reassured him that he can retain all the wonderful memories from his previous home and still have room to accumulate memories from his new home too.

Ultimately you know your pets best. If a little anxiety is normal for them then talking with them to help them prepare for the changes as a move takes place may eliminate a difficult move and adjustment period for them and for you!

Other posts which may be of interest:

• Our Well-Being Affects our Pets
• Flower Essences for Emotional Healing – Part Two
• Keeping Our Pets Safe During the Holidays

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When clients call with behavior related questions, I am careful to not jump to conclusions about the root cause of the issue. True, often there is an obvious disconnect between the human and animal in  terms of strong leadership, enough exercise, or good ongoing training and reinforcement. Dogs and horses in particular need consistent training and leadership, but other animals also pick up on leadership qualities in their humans and will generally respond accordingly.

Many behaviors are deeper and may indicate other factors. If you begin to witness changes in your pet that you’ve never seen exhibited before, consider their age. For some aging animals, eyesight, loss of  hearing, and loss of mobility due to arthritis may bring about changes. Stiff joints may reduce their ability to get outside or get into their litter box fast enough to avoid an accident. There may be ways to assist, like moving their favorite bed closer to the dog door or finding a litter box with lower sides for easier access. Skittishness, increased barking or yowling, and fear behaviors may accompany a loss of an animal’s sense of sight, hearing, or smell. The slow onset of senility can bring about these same types of changes in behavior. A gentle understanding and explanation of the changes can be helpful for both animal and humans in the household.

Changes in an animal’s environment can also bring  about short-term or long-term behavioral changes. Loss of a loved one – animal or human – is devastating to our pets and they need time and support to work through their grief. Even short-term loss such as the departure of a teenager to a semester at college is confusing and your pet may mourn that loss of the daily interaction with their friend. You understand your student will return for weekends and holidays, but until a few cycles of departure and return are witnessed by your animals, it may not be clear to them.

Medical issues can cause changes in behaviors, and regular checkups are critical in your health care routine for your beloved companions. Some medical causes of behavioral changes may not be readily obvious and checking in with your pet through an animal communicator may provide answers and symptoms to help health care practitioners provide excellent care.

Daily observation goes a long way in understanding behaviors, but when causes of a shift in behavior is not obvious, check with your animal health practitioner and then determine if additional information from your pet through a professional communicator is appropriate.

Other posts which may be of interest:

• Positive Thinking = Positive Behaviors
• Flower Essences for Emotional Healing – Part Two
• Our Well-Being Affects our Pets

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Q: I feed my dogs primarily dry food because it seems as this will  help with keeping their teeth clean and their gums healthier.

A: It is actually a myth that dry food saves dog’s mouths. Many dogs that eat exclusively dry food have horrific oral disease. Genetics and home care really are the biggest factors involved in how healthy their mouths stay. Some breeds are truly genetically predisposed to fast tartar buildup (greyhounds and daschunds, for example). Brushing the teeth daily helps, but just as humans still need professional cleanings despite at  least 2x daily brushing, so do most pets. There are some products shown to help  reduce plaque buildup – ask your DVM.

Q: I have an elder, and I have recently started buying food with  Glucosamine to help keep his joints healthy as he ages.

A: Foods with glucosamine rarely have enough to be truly useful for the animal, and the foods are not regulated as to quality or quantity of that glucosamine.

Q: I know it is best for my dog if I set specific meal times and  take his/her food up if s/he doesn’t eat it in a certain amount of time. However, I’ve always let my cat graze by leaving her food out and available to her 24/7.

A: Cats are *definitely* not  designed to graze!! They are genetically designed to have periods of fasting between big meals. Grazing allows for constant demands on their insulin production and can predispose them to diabetes as well as obesity. Canned food  in measured meals are ideal for cats. (This topic could be a whole newsletter  itself!)

Q: We are very careful to never give table scraps or “people food” to our dogs. They get only canned and/or dry dog food.

A: Table scraps are generally not  harmful to pets….depending on what’s on your table! If you wouldn’t eat it, don’t ask your pet to do so! Be especially careful with bones and high fat foods; otherwise, the occasional tidbit should be fine if your pet is in good  health and not prone to easy GI upset. Don’t make scraps the bulk of his diet,  just an occasional treat!

Diana Roberts, DVM, graduated from Michigan State’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 1994 and practiced in upstate New York for four years before moving to Colorado. Dr. Roberts enjoys working with small animals and over the years has incorporated acupuncture, herbal and homeopathic remedies, and nutritional guidance into her practice. She opened her own veterinary clinic, Harmony Animal Wellness, in September 2006.

For more information about animal nutrition, talk with your local holistic veterinarian.

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Kelly Krueger Provides a Voice for Your Pet’s Needs and Emotions (click to see full article)

By Sarah Schraad

Are you or your family heading on vacation this summer? And if so, have you told your pets what is in store for them while you are away? Kelly Krueger, owner of Articulate Animals, can help you pass along the message. A professional animal communicator, Krueger says that it is important your pet understands when and why you are going away…and that you’re coming back.

Kelly Krueger, Animal Communicator

“More and more people are utilizing animal communication for a variety of situations like vacation preparation, as well as behavioral problems and health concerns,” says Krueger. “By enlisting an animal communicator, individuals can deepen their relationship and understanding of their pets, as well as obtain information about a particular issue that can then be used to benefit both the family and the animal.”

Born and raised on a Wyoming cattle ranch, animals have always been part of Krueger’s life. Based in Evergreen, she launched Articulate Animals in 2007 and has worked with clients in nearly every US state as well as around the world in places like India, Australia, and Ireland.

While the majority of her consultations are with dogs, cats, and horses, Krueger has also worked with birds, rabbits, iguanas, and more.  She connects telepathically with the animal in an effort to better understand a variety of issues, for example, why the pet behaves a specific way around strangers. In the event of a health concern, Krueger can help identify where an animal’s physical discomfort exists, which can then be shared with the family’s veterinarian. She also helps animals prepare for upcoming household changes such as a new baby, loss of a loved one, or moving to a new home.

“Most pet owners speak with their pets daily, usually to accomplish a specific task or correct a behavior,” Krueger says. “While we know our animals listen to us, it may not be as clear that our animals are also speaking to us with the same purpose and intent. I help individuals better understand what their pets are saying and feeling, because once those details are uncovered, harmony and balance can be restored.”

While there will always be skeptics, Krueger says that once an individual actually experiences the benefits and sees the results – such as a strange behavior that abruptly stops following a consultation – they recognize that animal communication does work and can improve the health and happiness of an animal.

“All of my clients have the same goal in mind, which is to gain a better understanding of their pet’s overall well-being and ensure the animal is content and feels loved. I can think of no better reward than helping my clients achieve a stronger relationship with their animal companion,” she adds.

More information is available on Kelly’s website, www.articulateanimals.com, including first-hand testimonials about her work and information on upcoming classes on animal communication. If you have questions or would like to schedule a consultation, contact Kelly at Kelly@ArticulateAnimals.com or by phone at 303-670-0292.

Other posts which may be of interest:

• Interview with Kelly about Animal Communication
• Practice Communicating with Your Animals
• Your Pet is Speaking; Are You Listening?

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When our beloved pets are still full of life even in the midst of a diagnosis or physical disablity, there are many resources and alternatives to keep them healthy and active for a while longer. It is amazing to me the resources available for our pets. Diabetes, degenerative myelopathy or similar, and cancer are all scary words to hear and difficult diagnoses to wrap our heads around.

These diagnoses don’t necessarily mean the end is near. Certainly, we don’t want our beloved pets to suffer if we can possibly help it.  In some cases the most loving, compassionate, and selfless act is to let (or assist) our companion pass. In many of these cases, however, there are ways we can help our pets to continue to live happy, fulfilling lives for as long as they wish to remain on earth with us.

Diet and nutritional supplements is a great place to start in supporting our pets living with a medical diagnosis. Talk with your holistic veterinarian about foods and supplements which support, and in some cases, help to counter-act elements of the disease.

I have known animals in my animal communication practice who lived many happy years with diabetes - receiving daily injections to keep their insulin levels in check. I also have several kitty-clients in various stages of renal failure, and they are living active lives with IV fluids administered by their loving humans a few times a week in the privacy of their own home.

Physical therapy, acupuncture therapy, chiropractic treatments, and energy work like Reiki can all help our pets with neuromuscular conditions to remain active on their own, and wheelchairs, slings, or leg braces can be appropriate for those whose spirit for living remains high as their condition progresses.

The resources available nowadays are many, and it is important that we consider all aspects of the diagnosis carefully. It is not a “one size fits all” proposition. The animal’s condition, demeanor, and spirit are paramount in our decision making process. Ask your pet how they are feeling and include them in the treatment strategy. If you and your pet agree that there are more weeks, months, or years of living left, know that there are resources out there that may work for you.
 

Other posts which may be of interest:

• The Benefit of Chiropractic for our Pets
• Pug on Wheels
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Other posts which may be of interest:

• Article: Kelly Krueger Provides a Voice for Your Pet’s Needs and Emotions
• Take the 24-hour Pet Communication Challenge
• Talking To Your Animals is Great Validation!

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