Articulate Animals Blog, Kelly Krueger, Animal Communicator

Animal Communicator Kelly Krueger puts voice to your pet's thoughts, needs, and emotions.

Take the 24-hour Pet Communication Challenge

Nov 11

Posted by Kelly Krueger in About, Activities, Events, Classes, Animal Behaviors, Health & Well Being for Pets | No Comments

Are you up for a challenge? You can do it, I promise! It’s simple.

Objective: Spend the next 24 hours joyfully communicating all the wonderful things you know about your pet

Rationale: This challenge reminds us just how simple it is to express our love and our expectations to our pets in a way that encourages their enthusiastic participation

Steps: 

1. Identify 2-3 items you wish to work on with your pet, or recent successes which you wish to reinforce

2. For 24 hours, be conscious of communicating with your pet, both out-loud and silently, in an encouraging, positive, and compassionate way

That’s it! I told you – simple! To help you with your challenge, here are a few examples. Some may apply directly to your own topics, or you can use these examples to create your own reinforcing communications.

House training example: Perhaps your dog has been properly house broken for some time, with only the occasional accident due to a short-term virus or a moment of extreme excitement. At some point in the day, unrelated to a bathroom break (or mistake), simply affirm the great job they’ve been doing: “You are my great go-outside-to-go-potty boy, Rover.” Do they know exactly what the words mean? No, but in that moment of expressing your sincere appreciation of a consistent job well-done, you will feel joyful at the success and you will automatically envision the several productive trips outside for appropriate elimination. The words of affirmation help you to feel and envision your expression of joy and congratulations and that is what your pet will understand and respond to.

New companion example: Perhaps you have introduced a new kitty to your family of cats. It is never too late to appreciate and affirm the wonderful integration (even if it isn’t consistently wonderful yet!) offered by your existing cats. “Fluffy, I am so proud of what an excellent big sister you are!” Your sincere expression of the welcoming nature of Fluffy, even if Fluffy still has an occasional hiss-fit toward the new kitten, sets a joyful, compassionate expectation which will eventually be fulfilled.

Weight loss example: If your horse enjoys chomping on all the fresh, tender spring grass and has plumped up a bit, you can encourage him through his weight loss regimen: “What a handsome, svelte, and energetic stud you are, Poco!” The tone and content of this affirmation, given randomly and with no direct affiliation to mealtime, helps both you and your horse to remember the goal and see the successful outcome which will soon be realized.

Aging example: My own 11 year old dog still loves her walks, but I notice that its taking a little longer to complete our usual loop. It is healthy for both the human and the animal to accept and acknowledge some of the typical aging issues that might begin to surface, such as slowing down slightly: ”Jezebel, you are my great walking-girl companion!” This simple affirmation, delivered by actually envisioning our very pleasant daily walks, however long they might take, keeps us both present and appreciating every moment we have together. It’s not unusual for me to give this affirmation in the evening as we snuggle, hours after our walk that day.

Most of us move through our day with our beloved pets stating fairly routine requests, corrections, and praise, and we may say little else to our animal companions. These are all appropriate and important ways to work with and connect with our pets, but it takes so little time and energy to communicate even more with them.

This 24-hour challenge encourages you to identify and add in non-routine affirmations through the day. I’m always in a better mood after saying to Jezebel, randomly, just because I love her, ”you are my beautiful and sweet 11 year old girl!” My loving relationship with her just got a little boost and my smile got a little bigger. Challenge yourself to a day of positive affirmations with your pets and see if you don’t have a better day for it. I bet your beloved pet will!

Tags: , , , , , ,

Pet Names DO Matter!

Oct 5

Posted by Kelly Krueger in Animal Behaviors, Frequently Asked Animal Questions | 4 Comments

Through my work as an animal communicator, I never tire of hearing some of the creative and distinctive names that humans assign their pets. It is common for clients to want to know if their newly adopted pet likes their new name. While the responses from the animals are varied, I recognize that names DO matter to animals, but not in the way we might think.

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.

Tags: , , , , ,

Tele-Class: Connecting with Our Animals in Spirit

Sep 15

Posted by Kelly Krueger in Activities, Events, Classes | No Comments

It is a heartbreaking experience when our beloved animal companion passes away. For some, animal communication assists with closure and wishing our best friend peace in their afterlife. For me, there was no blessing greater than being able to connect with my cherished companions after they passed from their physical life to their new spirit form. It was so comforting to know – really *know* from their perspective - that they were safe, happy, healthy, and still with me every minute of the day.

Now, through this tele-class ”Communicating with Our Animals in Spirit“ you will have an opportunity to connect with your animal friend who has passed on. With some introductory instruction followed by a guided meditation, participants may have direct connection with their beloved pet, and will learn skills and tools to help communicate with them after the class concludes. A recent class participant comments:

“I want to again thank you for giving me the opportunity to connect with Topaz.  I feel such relief from the experience. I made her the promise, as she was making her transition, that I would learn how to keep in touch with her, and I had felt as if I had failed her, not because I wasn’t trying, but because I couldn’t do it. With my experiences this afternoon connecting with Topaz through your guidance and my other kitty’s encouragement, that’s all changed now.”

Communicating with Our Animals in Spirit
Next class offering: September 22, 2010
Time: 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. Mountain Time  (6:00 p.m. Pacific; 8:00 p.m. Central; 9:00 p.m. Eastern)
Cost $20 (plus possible long distance phone charges for the teleconference)

 To register and for more information about this class offered by Articulate Animals, click here.

Tags: , ,

Pet Palooza! in Denver, September 24, 2010

Sep 14

Posted by Kelly Krueger in Activities, Events, Classes | No Comments

If you and your canine companion are looking for an activity to do together in Denver, check out Pet Palooza! on Friday, September 24, 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. at EarthDog Denver Dog Center on Kalamath Street.

Sponsored by TeamMates Commercial Interiors, proceeds will benefit MaxFund no-kill shelter in Denver. There are many dog-friendly activities available, and I will be on hand offering information and brief animal communication chats with your pooch. RSVP in advance. It’s for a great cause.

I hope to see you there!

Tags: , , ,

More Household Dangers for Pets

Aug 31

Posted by Kelly Krueger in Frequently Asked Animal Questions, Health & Well Being for Pets | No Comments

There are hazards for our pets throughout our daily lives, some of which I mentioned in a previous post, Household Dangers for Pets. Some of these hazards are obvious and talked about frequently; others may come as a surprise. Whether this is a reminder or new information, I hope it will help to keep your pets safe.

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!

Tags: , , , ,

Bringing A Missing Pet Home: Rufus’s Story

Aug 18

Posted by Kelly Krueger in Products & Animal Resources, Stories about our Animals | No Comments

A client contacted me a few weeks ago with the news that her parents’ pet parakeet, Rufus, had gone missing. While he spends a good amount of time out of his cage with his people during the day, he is not an outside bird. On this day, however, Rufus was outside by accident and, as all of us with pets know, sometimes accidents happen. Rufus was startled and flew out of grasp.

Rufus

A missing pet of any species is heartbreaking. We generally feel a combination of panic, guilt, desperation and devastation, yet we try to remain hopeful amidst it all. Though challenging, it is important to remain optimistic and to work through all possible avenues to bring your beloved pet back home safely.

This is a story of a family who did everything they possibly could to bring Rufus home, and it paid off. The parents of Rufus acted very quickly and called other family members in and out of their small town asking for support and guidance. This immediate networking provided resources and suggestions which wouldn’t otherwise have been available. Each family member took a bit of the responsibility to contact any resource of which they were aware. This included placing an ad in the local newspaper, requesting an announcement on the local radio station, posting signs around the neighborhood, contacting an animal communicator, and registering Rufus on FindToto.com, a service providing telephone broadcast messages to help bring missing pets home. Through it all the family was pragmatic, knowing the chances of a small bird being identified as a missing pet were slim, but still remaining optimistic that their efforts would be successful.

Low and behold, Rufus was found! He spent one night out on his own, and one night with a very loving gentleman who spotted Rufus sitting on his backyard bird bath and cared for him overnight. Apparently the gentleman mentioned finding Rufus to some family and friends, and this networking led to Rufus’s safe return home. Someone saw the advertisement in the newspaper the next morning, alerted the gentleman, and he returned Rufus promptly to his very happy and welcoming family.

Any of the methods used – signage, newspaper, radio, animal communication, a missing pet service - could have been the method that brought Rufus home. The fact is, we don’t know who may notice our beloved pet and what newspaper ad or sign in the neighborhood they might see. It only takes one to bring our pet home. Broadening the scope of the search by utilizing all methods available as quickly as possible increases the odds that the one person who has seen our pet has also seen at least one sign or newspaper ad or heard one radio announcement or received one phone message from FindToto.com.

It is my hope that none of us ever has to go through the anguish of a missing pet. Should that unforeseen circumstance happen, however, I urge you to network extensively and utilize all possible options, as this family did, to bring your beloved pet home quickly and safely.

Tags: , ,

Household Dangers for Pets

Aug 4

Posted by Kelly Krueger in Frequently Asked Animal Questions, Health & Well Being for Pets | No Comments

I have a few posts discussing dangers for our pets: snakes, poisonous mushrooms, and hazards around the holidays with ribbons, ornaments, Halloween candy, and toxic seasonal plants. These kinds of dangers are fairly well known but I, for one, get in a routine and can let my guard down.

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.

Tags: , , , , , ,

Dental Care for Animals

Jul 15

Posted by Kelly Krueger in Health & Well Being for Pets, Products & Animal Resources | 1 Comment

I’ve just become an expert in animal dental care. Well, not an official expert. I’m not a veterinarian or vet tech but I have just been through extensive dental work with my girl dog and now I know a lot more about responsible guardian dental care than before. It’s not that I didn’t know it before – I just let it slide.

Jezebel and her beautiful smile

None of my pugs had beautiful teeth even when young. They all had dental cleanings occasionally, but not as often as most veterinarians recommend. The process of needing to go under general anesthetic for a good, thorough dental cleaning always made me nervous and I hid behind that excuse every time the vet stated a dental exam was due. I also had plenty of excuses for not brushing their teeth at home regularly (okay, never in recent years). A pug’s smooshed face doesn’t give one much of a handle and their tiny little mouths are difficult to get to through all their cheek skin. Not to mention they are STRONG and PUGNACIOUS (get it?) and they can clench those tiny little mouths closed and hold that pose forever!

Alright, no more excuses. Jezebel has several fewer teeth this week than she did last, and I’m going to be brushing those few remaining teeth every day. She’ll be annoyed at first but I’ll communicate with her that this process is for her good, and she’ll question my logic but she’ll believe me eventually. It’s my responsibility as her guardian to do this for her.

All domestic animals need routine and regular dental care just as humans do. Home dental care and regular dental exams are a must. I love my vet and she’s done great dental work on my beloved animals in the past, but she also knows when to recommend a specialist with appropriate equipment including an x-ray machine with dental capabilities. A visual exam did not reveal the area where a tooth had broken off under the gum-line, leaving the roots intact but dying. Dental x-rays are also important for small mouths (like Jezebel) where tooth roots naturally grow near and even into the jawbone. Your veterinarian may be well equipped to take care of any anticipated and unanticipated dental issues, but if not then take their recommendation for a local veterinary dental specialist.

Every pet needs regular dental care, no matter the age. Pick up a toothbrush from any pet store and schedule appropriate dental exams and cleanings as part of your routine pet health care. Your pet’s beautiful smile will be all the thanks you need!

 

Tags: , , , ,