Articulate Animals Blog, Kelly Krueger, Animal Communicator

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

Posts Tagged emotional balance

Preparing for a Family Move With Our Pets

Apr 28

Posted by Kelly Krueger in Health & Well Being for Pets | No Comments

Are you planning to move to a new home in the next few months? There is so much planning and activity associated with moving homes and sometimes our animals have a hard time with the changes that are taking place. Animal communication can help ease any worry or anxiety that your pet’s may have.

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!

 

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Understanding Undesirable Behaviors

Mar 21

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

All of us with animals in our lives occasionally witness behaviors which we hope never to see exhibited again. A deliberate indoor urination accident, digging up the freshly planted flower garden, and cribbing are often a means of acting out from frustration, anger, disappointment, boredom, or are a means of testing just exactly how much is going to be allowed.

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.

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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.

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“Basic Animal Communication for Daily Living” Feb. 6

Jan 26

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

Basic Animal Communication for Daily Living tele-class
Saturday, February 6, 2010
10:00 – 11:30 a.m. Mountain Time
(9:00 – 10:30 a.m. Pacific; noon-1:30 p.m. Eastern)
Cost $30 (plus possible long distance phone charges for the teleconference)              ***Early Registration Incentive: $10 discount if registered by January 28th

After attending this tele-class you will be able to successfully communicate simple information to your pet:  

  • Reinforce solutions after a training class or animal communication session
  • Convey your love to your animals while you are away on vacation
  • Address simple behaviors

Each participant is encouraged to bring a topic to class and receive individualized guidance from Kelly on how to structure an appropriate communication to your animal.

 To register and for more information, click here.

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Flower Essences for Emotional Healing – Part Two

Sep 1

Posted by Kelly Krueger in Health & Well Being for Pets, Products & Animal Resources | 2 Comments

Part One of ”Flower Essences for Emotional Healing” discussed the properties and benefits of flower essence remedies, which can offer valuable support for our beloved animals in times of emotional stress. Whether one chooses individual essences, pre-mixed or a custom-blend, the results are often obvious and quick.

Mimulus

Mimulus

This post will discuss common indicators for the consideration of a flower essence, as well as a few essences which I recommend for animals in need. Flower essences don’t appeal to all animals, but those who are open to trying an essence for their particular emotional imbalance tend to know right away if a flower essence is right for them. As mentioned in Part One, Bach is a well-known brand of flower essence remedies and is easily found in most natural food and drug stores. Many other brands of individual essences and custom blends are available and equally beneficial.

Anxiety, worry, certain types of fear– There are many reasons an animal can exhibit anxiety or fear and there are a few different essences which may work well for an animal. Thunder and lightning fear, for example, may be lessened with Mimulus, and anxiety during veterinary clinic visits can also benefit from Mimulus. More extreme cases of terror may benefit from Rock Rose. Aspen can provide a deeper sense of security for anxious or worried animals, and I have used Cherry Plum successfully for calming hyper-sensitive animals.

Star of Bethlehem

Star of Bethlehem

Grieving, loss, sudden devastating changes – Most often I recommend Star of Bethlehem for animals who recently lost a companion (animal or human) or are showing signs of grief and mourning. Sometimes Wild Oat is helpful if the animal seems to lack a sense of purpose after a loss. Honeysuckle is a good choice for animals who may be grieving the loss of his/her previous environment (i.e. homesickness) and is also helpful in supporting animals to release their attachment to a past home or situation.

Lack of confidence, self-esteem, and shyness– Larch is great for a gentle boost in self-esteem and confidence. Water Violet encourages a more confident and social animal. Mimulus (also listed above for fears and anxiety) can help shy animals become more confident and courageous.

Aggression, dominance, territorial behaviors– Fear-based aggression might be lessened with Mimulus, while jealous aggression would be better served with the use of Holly. Vine is a good essence to use for some dominant and territorial behaviors. A disclaimer here: aggressive and dominant behaviors can escalate quickly and I highly recommend the assistance of a qualified trainer or animal behaviorist in addition to the possible use of flower essences.  

Cherry Plum

Cherry Plum

Rescue Remedy (a combination of several essences) – Rescue Remedy is a great “all purpose” remedy which I use for a variety of common stressful situations. Visits to the vet for routine or minor procedures; mild separation anxiety; mild fears brought about by sudden noises (i.e. firecrackers); and any change of situation or environment which could be stressful such as the family going on vacation, moving from one home to another; the first few days of a college freshman not living at home; the addition of a new baby in the home, etc.

Flower essence remedies may be a consideration for you and your pet as you move through life. I have listed just a handful of possible reasons to experiment with flower essences, and only a few of the possible remedies available. Remember, flower essences do not alter your pet’s temperament or personality; essences simply allow your animal to access their natural ability to cope with stress, bringing them back into emotional balance.

If you have a success story you would like to share about the use of a flower essence, please leave a comment!

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Flower Essences for Emotional Healing – Part One

Aug 24

Posted by Kelly Krueger in Health & Well Being for Pets, Products & Animal Resources | No Comments

As an animal communicator I work with animals for a broad variety of reasons. Some are straight-forward, others are quite complex. Some animals with which I work exhibit obvious emotional distress; others express some subtle, underlying emotional sensitivities. It is not uncommon for emotional sensitivities or distress to have a direct correlation to behavioral issues, and if left unchecked, could develop into certain types of physical issues.

Occasionally I work with an animal with low-grade anxiety which disappears once the animal feels heard and understood, or has the benefit of hearing from their human just exactly why a certain change in their environment has taken place. Some emotional distress, however, is deeply rooted, or there may be multiple causes for distress. No two cases are exactly alike, and for some animals the support of a natural remedy may assist in working through his/her emotions.

Not every animal responds to natural essences or homeopathic remedies. Many do, however, and often the guardian reports a very positive result. There are many varieties and categories of natural support available – too many to discuss here. Homeopathic remedies (typically dispensed in small pellets) number in the thousands, but the most common are available in natural food or drug stores. Flower Essence Remedies (available as tinctures in a droppertinctures bottle) are also readily available in holistic food or drug stores and can be quickly and easily administered to both humans and animals.

One of the most recognized and available brand names for Flower Essence Remedies is Bach’s Rescue Remedy. It has become so popular, in fact, the packaging is slightly different than other Bach Flower Essences, and I am beginning to see Rescue Remedy in a variety of retail stores. I sometimes describe Rescue Remedy to my clients as the “all purpose” remedy which, in my opinion, we should all have on hand in our medicine cabinets for all members of the family – human and animal. I use Rescue Remedy for my furry companions whenever there is an occasion which may cause a little stress or anxiety – dental cleanings or other veterinary procedures, thunder and lightning storms,  a visiting animal companion, etc. Any time there might be a little emotional disruption, I consider the use of Rescue Remedy.

There are 38 Bach Flower Essences, many of which are combined in Rescue Remedy, hence the “all purpose” status that I have given it. I’m a big believer in the individual essences as well as Rescue Remedy. Each of the 38 has specific properties which speak to individual emotional sensitivities. Flower essences are exactly that – the essence of a particular flowering shrub, tree or plant. Non-domesticated animals have access to these sources for emotional well-being as they wander through nature, absorbing from the plants and trees the exact essence which they are needing in that moment. Flower essences support our (human and animal) body’s natural ability to heal our emotional sensitivities, or help ourselves become more emotionally balanced. Our domesticated animals – cats, dogs, horses, rabbits, etc. – don’t have the same access to these essences from nature, so we can supply it for them as appropriate.

Of the 38 essences, there are 20 or so which I most routinely select specifically for animal clients (part two of this topic will discuss a few of the essences). Sometimes it is beneficial to select two or three individual essences for the more complex or deeply rooted emotional issues. Within each broad category of emotional sensitivities – aggression, anxiety or fears, confidence issues, etc. – several essences may be appropriate. In my practice I’ve found it extremely helpful to identify several possible essences based on written description, then to ask the animal about each in turn to identify the best possible match for the individual animal. I also know that for the most complex emotional issues, a few different essences may be appropriate, sometimes in combination or administered in phases as each emotional sensitivity is addressed.

Dr. Bach is really considered the “pioneer” of Flower Essences (I like this detailed post in the Animal Echoes newsletter about Dr. Bach, his process, dosages, etc.), however others have developed flower essence remedies which are also effective. In my studies I have worked with and used several varieties of flower essence remedies in addition to Bach. Sometimes animals will benefit from custom blended remedies for their specific, individual needs, and some animals are better served to use a mineral water-based flower essence. 

If you suspect some emotional upset in your pets, or if you are an Articulate Animals client and I suggest using a Flower Essence for your beloved companion, I hope this information is useful. We all appreciate emotionally balanced animals in our lives!

Part Two discusses some of the individual essences and their possible outcomes.

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Our Well-Being Affects our Pets

Aug 14

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

For years now I’ve challenged myself to consider carefully how I think and act. I believe strongly that my internal state of mind and my external way of being directly affect how my life plays out in big ways and in small. My health and overall well-being, as well my animal companion’s well-being, are directly linked to my state of mind. Still, it can be a challenge to maintain a positive outlook, especially in today’s difficult times. 

 

Most of us are looking for a reprieve, a way to feel good about *something* at the end of the day. Enter stage left our beloved animal companions. If we let them, they can elevate a mood in no time flat! Animals are loyal, loving, intelligent creatures who generally aim to please. No matter our preferred species – cats, rats, guinea pigs, dogs, horses, or others – they are in our lives for companionship and mutual nurturing.

 

well-beingIn the midst of all the world’s chaos and the many stresses in our lives, we can help ourselves and our animals by promoting balance and peacefulness in our home environment. Our animals are little sponges, soaking up the energies we exude. If we enter our home or horse stable feeling anxious, frustrated, or confused, our pets pick up on these emotions and ways of being. They also pick up on our joy, peacefulness, and grounded way of being. If you can wash away the stresses of your day before you walk in the door that evening, you very likely will notice a calmer, more attentive pet greeting you.

 

Our overall well-being and outlook on life is powerful, for us as well as our animals. Too frequently I work with animals who have literally taken on some of the energies of their human as their own. When I communicate with an animal exhibiting anxiety, stress, or worry I often uncover some linkage to the human(s) in the family. Don’t get me wrong – some animals are worriers on their own accord, or are naturally anxious creatures. Others, however, are deeply connected with their human and are determined to help their human regain balance – even if that means trying to pull the stress or worry from their human and bear it themselves. As valiant as this theory is, it simply doesn’t work, and sometimes can lead to real physical distress.

 

Yes, the world and our lives are busy and stressful, these days especially. It’s easy to feel out of control and overwhelmed. As we flow through our lives we naturally have good days and challenging days. Don’t deny that fact for the sake of your animals; rather acknowledge when you are feeling stress, grief, worry, or sadness. Empower yourself to take control of the worry or stress and keep it in context. Explain to your pet that you’ve had a challenging day and you love that they are there to make you feel better, but it is important they let you deal with the human worries. Our animals can be a bright spot in our day, and we should let them be exactly that!

 

Next time you notice your animals acting out or exhibiting anxious behaviors, stop a moment and check-in with yourself. Are YOU acting out and exhibiting anxious behaviors? For the sake of our animals, and for our own health and well-being, set aside your worries at the door. It may not seem like much, but one stress-free, calm, joyous evening with your animals may change your whole outlook on life!

 

For tips on other ways to promote a balanced and joyful environment with your pets, see previous Articulate Animals blog post “Positive Thinking = Positive Behaviors”

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Positive Thinking = Positive Behaviors

Aug 11

Posted by Kelly Krueger in Animal Behaviors | 1 Comment

Following is a refreshed version of my Articulate Animals Newsletter article published previously.

Wouldn’t it be nice if every encounter with our animals was easy, harmonious, and peaceful? If every request we make of our pets is followed exactly as we expect? Our animals would love nothing more than to execute without question every single command and request we make of them. Seriously! We humans are a big factor, however, in how well our animals are able to respond to our requests.

 

Consider a typical interaction with your pet. Do your pets listen the moment you speak to them, and immediately

attempt to follow your expectation? Or do they listen attentively but with a quizzical look? Now consider the actual words you use in a typical interaction, and the intention behind those words. Are you clear and direct with what you expect?

 

Animals respond much more readily to positive commands. When setting an expectation with your animals, attempt to frame the command in a positive manner. Keep in mind that as we are saying the words, we can’t help but to envision the scenario we are commenting on. Our words become a vision in our minds which our animals pick up on. Viola – animal communication in it’s most simple form!

 

Try this exercise. For each of the statements or commands below, notice what energy, emotion, and feelings are present (some may be subtle) and  what reading the statement brings up – the little visions in your mind – as you experience each.

 

“Fido, stop picking on Miss Kitty right now! Stop it!” or “Fido, come. Come over here and keep me company and let Miss Kitty have some peaceful time.” Do you feel the difference in emotion and intention? With the first statement, did the mental pictures in your mind relate to the experience of chaos and a frightened cat trying to hide from a rambunctious dog? Perhaps the second statement brought up visions of a well-behaved dog joyfully coming toward you and the long-term peaceful, harmonious co-existence of your two beloved animal companions.  

 

Now the next set of commands; “Fluffy, do not use the sofa as your scratching post ever, ever, never!” or “Fluffy, come and use the very special scratching post that I got just for you. This is where I always want you to exercise your claws, and you can use this post whenever you want to.” Not only are the second commands in each of these examples more pleasant for you, the animal, and others who may be witnessing the exchange, but animals can more quickly process what you are asking of them when stated in a way to explain what you want them to do, not what you don’t want them to do. Give them clear direction and redirection away from the offending behavior and toward what the replacement behavior should be.

 

When my dad was teaching me to ride long ago, I remember him telling me to simply glance in the direction that I wanted to go, and the horse would start to move in that direction. I was astounded that often this really did work. He explained that the movement of me turning my head in a particular direction caused a subtle shift in the reins and my body position and gave the horse the clue of where I wanted to go. True enough, but that explanation didn’t help when I experimented, with all my might, to only move my eyes to the right or left. Sure enough, especially with the more mature and well-trained horses on the ranch, just fixing my eyes, with no perceptible head movement, frequently helped to guide the horse. I understand now that animals are constantly reading our brainwaves in addition to our body language. If we recognize this and can fix in our minds the positive, clear mental images associated with the appropriate behavior, we’ll be far ahead of the curve in redirecting to a more positive outcome.

 

Along with positive commands with clear intention, consider the simplicity of the command. Pretend you are a horse and receive this command along with resulting mental images: “Mr. Ed, I want to go over there to that nice spot by the creek where we might stop for some lunch, but first let’s go over there to check on that fence. But wait a minute – I think I might want to go back to the barn instead.” I don’t know about you, but I’d stop all forward motion immediately and wait for a command that would result in a better chance for success!

 

Yes, the world and our lives are busy and stressful, and it is easy to feel out of control. Our animals can be a bright spot in our day, and these simple guidelines can help to create an oasis of peacefulness in your home. Certainly our young and challenging animals need consistent, professional training. Positive commands and strong intention do not replace being a responsible guardian. But for the animals who have an occasional rambunctious evening, or need a little course-correction every now and then, take a deep breath and approach the situation by first calming yourself, then working with your animals with positive commands. Envision the successful outcome rather than the current disobedience. It may not seem like much, but one calm, harmonious evening with your animals may change your whole outlook on life!

 

P.S. Some of our human communications could probably benefit from this same concept!

 

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