Posts Tagged emotional stress

Animal Communication: Katy’s Story

I met Katy in August 2009. Her family’s beloved Dachshund, Cinnamon, had passed in March and the family needed closure. Cinnamon was available for communication from the spirit world, and was very compassionate and loving in her words to her mom and her doggie companions. After communicating with Cinnamon, I worked with each of the remaining doxies in the home, helping them understand their grief and addressing the one or two other topics that came up.

Each of the three doxie-girls was mourning the passing of Cinnamon in her own way. The additional topics for each of “the girls” were interesting and I enjoyed getting to know them all… but Katy’s story captured my heart.

Katy

Katy

Katy had some grief, but only a portion of her sadness was related to Cinnamon’s passing. Yes, she missed Cinnamon, but there was something more. She was timid and a little melancholy and her confidence was low. The topic for Katy was her regular (and annoying) barking and yowling. Whether in the house or in the yard, she would suddenly start barking for no obvious reason, often staring out into space blankly.

When I asked Katy about the barking and yowling, she said “I have to do that because otherwise I’m invisible! Being vocal is the only way that I know I can be seen and won’t disappear.” This was an interesting perspective which her mom and I both had to ponder. Her mom commented “we do see you and we love spending time with you Katy, so why do you leave the rest of the family and go sit by yourself?” Her answer reinforced her earlier comments about being invisible, and the rest of our conversation illuminated the depth of her self-esteem issues.  

At this point, Katy’s mom shared her experience of Katy since coming to their loving family seven years prior: Katy was adopted at four months old, and never seemed to totally integrate into the family. She would remove herself from the other dogs after a short period of play, would go out in the yard by herself for long periods of time, and in all the time she had lived with the family, she had never accepted the regular invitations to sleep on the family bed with her humans and the other dogs. To all of this, her rationale was that she had “reached her limit in expending energy to keep herself visible,” even though in every case her isolation was self-imposed.

Her mom and I talked with her at length about how welcome she is in the family, how loved she is, and how much the family appreciates her own unique self and would love to get to know her even better, if she would allow herself to open up. Katy helped me identify a couple of flower essence remedies which she felt would be helpful in supporting her emotionally in the next few weeks. I thanked Katy for being open and honest with us, and we ended our session.

Angel

Angel

About six weeks later the family scheduled another animal communication consultation, this time to help them welcome a new little girl-Dachshund into the family. Before meeting Angel, I was thrilled to receive an update on Katy and her doxie-sisters since our first communication session. Katy’s inappropriate vocalization (barking and yowling) had decreased considerably, and in the first week after our consultation Katy had accepted TWO  invitations to sleep on the bed with the family! In every way, the family was seeing a more confident, outgoing, and happy Katy.

The newly adopted Angel had her own story to share. Within days of coming to the family she had become very ill with pneumonia and irritable bowel syndrome, and her depression was palpable. She had been in two foster homes since being relinquished by her original family and her ability to trust and love had diminished to nearly nothing by the time she came to her new forever family. When I was introduced to Angel her short-term and long-term prognosis was still uncertain. She had been out of intensive care for just three days and I felt strongly that we needed to help her regain a will to live. Katy to the rescue!

The Dachshunds’ mom suggested that we ask Katy to take an active role in nursing Angel back to health and to show her the ropes once she was feeling well. Darling Katy, who just six short weeks prior was questioning her own viability in the family, said – quite enthusiastically I might add – “I’m ON IT! Leave Angel to me. That’s going to be my new job!”

Sure enough, the update in the next consultation in mid-November was astoundingly positive. Angel’s physical health, demeanor and zest for life was improving daily. Angel said “I’m 75% good and will be 100% very soon.” Her re-found joy for life glowed from within her. She had become “Katy’s little shadow” as their mom explained, and the piddle pads that had once carpeted the living room because Angel refused to go outside without extreme coaxing, were gone. Katy had something to say too – she was *thrilled* with her job of helping Angel learn her way.

Today, just four months after I was introduced to this remarkable family, the once-timid Katy with very low self-esteem is full of life, fully integrated into the family and relishes playing with the other dogs and humans. She is sleeping on the family bed every night, no longer isolating herself, and she barks only when a squirrel or cat happens by and catches her attention. The “wall flower” has become the center of attention and her job of mentoring Angel continues to be performed with expertise, love, and enthusiasm.

Written with permission and input from the loving mom of Katy, Angel, Danke, Clove, and Cinnamon.

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Keeping Our Pets Safe During the Holidays

Late fall often signals a flurry of questions from clients about keeping their pets calm in the midst of all the holiday happenings. Those of us in the United States will soon be celebrating Thanksgiving, and the celebrating continues on holiday 3through early January. That’s almost two months of parties, house guests, marathon shopping, extra food in the house, the delivery drivers ringing the door bell, and then fireworks on New Year’s Eve to top it off.  That’s a lot of possible stress for our pets. Hey, who am I kidding? It’s a lot of stress for humans, too! As enjoyable as the holidays are, they can lead to some mild (or more) anxiety, less sleep, less exercise, and chaos around the home. Our pets are right in the middle of it all.

Remember, our state of mind affects our pets. When we are worried about the in-laws week-long visit, or stressed that we haven’t found that perfect gift for Aunt Sally, our pets can take on – mirror – our anxiety. When our stress is intensified because we haven’t been to the gym for a week and a half, we might begin to see our companion animals exhibiting unusual behaviors.  A stressed-out human often equates to a stressed and mis-behaved pet. It is important, for your sake as well as your animals, to stick to your normal routines during this busy time.

Sure, easier said than done! But consider strategies and opportunities to keep your routine in place and to minimize anxiety as much as you can. Try to calm yourself before walking in the door to your home or stable. It’s a cycle – if you are calm when you greet your pets, then they do their favorite thing of keeping you calm and entertained all evening long. The calmer you are, then the calmer they are, then they calm you more…. and the cycle continues.

Consider the things in the next couple of months that will be out of the ordinary in your animal’s perspective. Will your home be a revolving door of visitors, a college student returning home, or relatives taking up residence for a few days? Or perhaps your family will be vacationing for a few days and your pets will be staying in a kennel or cared for by someone else. An animal communicator can help prepare your pets for these short-term changes.

And what about the food? All that glorious food! Both dogs and cats have intolerance to certain foods that humans take for granted – onions, garlic, chocolate, raisins, and some nuts are just a few. While cooking for a party or a family gathering, be aware of tasty but possibly toxic morsels that drop on the kitchen floor. 

The rich and abundant food during the holidays is intensified with the potential side-effect of less time and attention to
exercise. Remember that even during the most hectic of times, getting out with your animals – a nice trail ride with your horse or regular walks with the pooch – will benefit your animals AND you.

HolidayFinally, keep in mind that the holidays often bring in elements which can be harmful, even toxic, to your house pets. Christmas trees with lights strung on the low branches can be snagged by dogs and cats, resulting in the animal getting tangled or stuck, and a struggling pet may have the strength to pull the tree down on themselves. The water in the tree stand is far from fresh and clean, so try to keep the well of the tree-stand covered. Broken ornaments, tinsel  and  holiday ribbon could be deadly for pets if swallowed. Extra candles, possibly scented with essential oils, can have an adverse effect on cats. And remember seasonal plants like poinsettias, azaleas, and holly are beautiful and festive, but also pose serious danger to animals if ingested.

Whether you are traveling or staying at home, enjoy the holidays and help your pets fully enjoy this time as well.

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Halloween Safety for our Pets

As the holidays approach, it is important to keep our pets in mind. We don’t always consider Halloween as part of the holidays, but nonetheless it is a day, or series of days, which may cause some stress for our pets. Let’s consider the things during this Halloween season that will be out of the ordinary in your animals’ perspective.

Halloween graphics 2Put yourself in your animal’s paws and think about what must be going on in their mind when the door bell rings repeatedly in one evenings time, and every time the bell rings there is a ghost or monster or animated character yelling (in their heightened sensitivities) at their beloved humans. To us, this annual trick-or-treat ritual is normal. For them, it can be very threatening and scary.

Every animal’s reaction and every environment is different, so be aware of your own personal situation and take care of your pets as your circumstances dictate. If you have a skittish kitty, consider keeping him or her in an interior room (like a bathroom or laundry room) with some white noise and visit them regularly. 

For dogs, consider their individual personalities and work with them accordingly. Be compassionate if they have some fear, but don’t coddle the fear either.

Think about your horses too. Stables can be an easy target for pranksters looking for a little excitement on Halloween. Consider keeping your horses in their stalls inside, if possible, away from easy drive-by shenanigans, and check on them as you can.

Presentation1Remember also that Halloween typically brings with it a proliferation of tasty sweets that may beckon your cats and dogs. Individually wrapped candy with shiny wrappers might look like a fun toy to a playful cat. This is innocent enough, but if the wrapper is torn open, the contents may be harmful, even fatal, to your house pets. Carmel apples and popcorn balls sitting on the counter may lure your dogs for a little counter-surfing leading to, at best, an upset stomach. Keep all Halloween goodies up and out of reach.

Finally, keep in mind other Halloween elements which can be harmful to your pets. Halloween decorations such as small plastic spiders, marble eyeballs, and spray-on hair color are all accidents waiting to happen. If you have curious animals in the home, be aware of all the various decorations. Put yourself in your pets’ paws and see which out-of-the-ordinary objects would appeal to you!

With the proper precautions, your family – both human and animal – can have a safe and fun holiday. Happy Halloween!

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Flower Essences for Emotional Healing – Part Two

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

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

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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Preparing Pets for Our Vacation

It’s that time of year – many of us will be taking a summer family vacation soon. Following is a refreshed version of my Articulate Animals Newsletter article published a year ago:

For many of us, summer signals our annual family vacation – a time to get away, relax, see new sights, and have fun. vacation post photo 2Vacations, however, aren’t always eagerly anticipated by our animal companions. 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. My two dogs are night and day different when it comes to me being gone. My male loves his wonderful caregiver and looks forward to what he considers his ”summer camp” experience. My female, on the other hand, would be perfectly happy if I never left her side. It’s not that she has separation anxiety – she does perfectly fine bossing all the other dogs around when she gets to the caregivers home.  But given her preference, she’d be at my side 24/7 and I would never leave the house without her. Never…. ever!

Preparing myself for a vacation means preparing my animals as well, and in different ways according to their needs. Boy-dog gets the “you have fun, but behave yourself” talk, along with my reassurance that I will return soon, refreshed and relaxed. The talk with my girl is different. I gently explain that I’ll be gone for a few days, but that she’ll be going to the same place she’s familiar with. She’ll be well taken care of and I’ll think of her and send her love while I’m away. I explain that I love being home with her, but that it is important for me, a human, to go away without her occasionally, and that I’ll be having fun and enjoying myself and will tell her all about it when I return. For both, I finish my described preparation exercise with envisioning a wonderful, joy-filled homecoming with snuggles, kisses (if you insist, mom!) and 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. Start with envisioning your departure with your suitcase in hand. Then visualize their experience, whatever that may be – a friend, neighbor, or caregiver staying with them in their home, or going to visit a family member or qualified kennel (yes, kitties can go to a kennel too!) – while you are away. Then envision your joyous homecoming, with everyone safe, happy, and relaxed.

Your animals may or may not pick up on all the subtleties of your visualization exercise, but the process seems to be a calming one for all concerned, and that helps everyone when it is time to leave. As with most things, “practice makes perfect.” In this case, your pets may never grow to love the thought of you going away without them, but the more times you leave AND safely return to them, the more they will trust the process.

If your pets are prone to a little separation anxiety, attempt to have a similar routine for them while you are away. This could include the same caregiver if possible, or the consistency of staying in their own home, even if the caregiver varies. If you’ve never left your pet but have an extended vacation period approaching, consider a couple of trial runs – a night or weekend away to put a structure in place before your several-day vacation arrives. For example, if you periodically leave your cats alone for a night or weekend but plan to have a caregiver come in while you are on a two-week vacation, make sure your cats can meet and get to know the caregiver before you leave on your vacation. Introduce them, and let your kitties participate as you walk the caregiver through their daily routine.

Vacations are exciting, and don’t have to be feared by our animals. Preparation and compassionate consideration of their views on the change in their environment, even if only for a few days, will aid in a more peaceful departure, less resentment while you are away, and a wonderful reunion when you return.

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Homeopathic Remedies for Animals

I have been a proponent and beneficiary of Homeopathic Remedies for many years now. While the healing derived from homeopathics can be subtle and is generally noticed over a period of  time, I have personally experienced positive outcomes for both physical and emotional maladies.

Can homeopathic remedies be used safely and effectively with animals? Absolutely! My homeopathic practitioner has identified appropriate remedies for my own animals with success, and several of my clients have mentioned their veterinarians who work with homeopathic therapies for their animals.

Homeopathy is an art as much as – perhaps more than – a science. There are different philosophies on how best to identify and administer homeopathics. Some believe there are as many appropriate ways to administer remedies as there are individuals needing a remedy. The fact is, homeopathic remedies are readily available at most holistic grocery stores and can be self-administered with basic information on proper dosage and combinations.ani_well_mag

I was pleased to see an article in the current issue (June/July Volume 11, Issue 3) of a popular magazine, Animal Wellness. If you are interested in the full text of the article, I encourage you pick up a copy. The article “Top 10 Homeopathic Remedies” discusses the properties of homeopathics and provides a list of “…remedies for some of the most common acute conditions in dogs.”

In brief, the article discusses these ten indicators and a possible appropriate remedy for each:

  1. Aconitum Nepellus – fear trauma, and can be helpful for preventing shock in an emergency
  2. Apis Mellifica – bee and insect bites, hot spots, vaccine reactions
  3. Arnica Montana – pain, bruising, and blunt trauma
  4. Arsenicum Album – vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness due to illness especially at night
  5. Hepar Sulphur – skin, ear, or gum infections
  6. Nux Vomica – vomiting which is followed by retching or colic; life support remedy while on the way to the vet if your dog has eaten a toxic substance (see my previous blog post “Summer Foliage Dangers“)
  7. Phosphorus – nosebleeds, cough, vomiting, diarrhea
  8. Rhus Toxicodendron – restlessness caused by joint pain (arthritis)
  9. Ruta Graveolens – ligament injury, sprains
  10. Silicea – abscesses, vaccine reactions

The article goes in to important detail about the above remedies and relevant indicators. I list them here in brief simply to illustrate the types of uses to which homeopathics may be applied. While we can pick up homeopathic remedies at the supermarket, there are complexities to homeopathic therapies. Check with your veterinarian to gain their insights and to determine if homeopathy is right for your animal’s particular condition.

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