Articulate Animals Blog, Kelly Krueger, Animal Communicator

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

Posts Tagged flower essences

Helpful Pet Product: Administering Oils and Essences

Jun 2

Posted by Kelly Krueger in Products & Animal Resources | 2 Comments

I am a big fan of using flower essences and/or aromatherapy when they are appropriate for pets. Once we understand what essence or oil might be helpful, then we tackle the second challenge of how best to administer. There is a new product which I learned of last month that can help with that challenge.

The Collar Companion™ (patent pending) is the brainchild of Wendy England, founder of Daisy Paw, LLC in Colorado. According to Wendy’s bio, she has used aromatherapy on her own animals for years. When her dog, Daisy (ah ha!), developed a chronic skin condition, Wendy wanted to find a way to provide the benefit of aromatherapy without rubbing it directly on Daisy’s sensitive skin.

Now Daisy Paw offers a variety of collar companions for dogs and cats – a contraption which fits right on a collar and allows the guardian to drop oil or essence into the cavity – allowing all the benefits of the oil without the concern of ingesting or causing irritation to the skin.

So if you are about to administer a flower essence, essential oil, or perhaps one of the Daisy’s Blends essential oils produced by Daisy Paw, consider a collar companion* to make your life, and the life of your beloved four-legged companion, much easier!

* Wendy has tested and guarantees the collar companions when used with the Daisy’s Blend line. 

 

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Thunder Fear in Dogs

Apr 22

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

Thunder and lightning season is upon us. Our dogs are probably acutely aware of that fact already! A portion of my animal communication work in the spring and summer months relates to dogs with thunder fear or anxiety. My own dog, now passed, had thunder anxiety so I know first hand that it is not fun for the dog or human when storms start to roll in.

Not all dogs have a reaction to thunder and lightning, and some dogs develop anxiety over time. A good friend emailed this morning stating that their six year old lab had his first thunder storm reaction last night. He was severely panicked, yet he has never been bothered by storms in the past.

Thunder is, of course, a very loud and lasting rumbling noise. Just the noise is the culprit for some dogs. Thunder also often has accompanying lightening, and the flash of unexpected light in the sky can be a shock for some dogs. Thunder is also a vibration felt from the ground, which dogs feel but generally humans don’t. Many dogs, however, have explained to me a feeling of an electrical current, or static electricity, in the air that feels overwhelming, sometimes suffocating, and always disconcerting. Quite often I learn that it is this electrical charge in the air that is the most difficult for dogs to deal with. We might be able to muffle the sound of thunder, put them in a dark room to shield them from lightening, or hold them in our lap so the vibrations are lessened, but I have yet to come up with a way to minimize the static feeling in the air.

Thunder fear can be difficult to reverse. There are training and behavioral modification techniques which may work for some dogs. There are aids – flower essence remedies, herbal remedies, homeopathics, and pharmaceuticals – which may work for some dogs. Animal communication can work for some dogs, and a combination of all of the above may be the best solution. Every dog is different in their reasons for reacting to storms, and their type of reaction is different. Therefore, the solution needs to be individualized; your health care provider and/or animal communicator can help identify resources appropriate for your dog.

Regardless of the use of any remedies or behavioral modification techniques, there are some things that YOU CAN DO to set the stage for a calmer experience. First and foremost, as we know, our animals are sponges and pick up on their human’s state of mind and being. If you have anxiety or fear of electrical storms or loud noises, your pet is very likely role-modeling your own fear. If you are particularly stressed with work, family or personal issues, your pet may pick up on that stress and when the thunder begins, the stress they feel in you can lead them to believe the thunder is the cause and they react accordingly. I wish I could give you a magic tonic so that you would never be anxious or stressed, and that I could take away your own thunder anxiety. As lovely as that would be, it’s not possible. I am not saying that your dog’s fear of thunder is your fault either; however, how you respond to your dog during thunder storms may affect how quickly they recover from their anxiety.

Many of my clients say “my dog knows a thunder storm is approaching hours before I ever hear or see thunder and lightning.” So true, and that was my experience with my own dog as well. Sometimes it took me quite awhile to recognize his anxiety as related to an upcoming storm. The sooner we recognize the symptoms, however, the better.

As soon as you notice a change in behavior indicating an approaching storm, immediately begin visualizing your dog in a calm state, much like you see him or her on any normal, clear day. Really see in your mind’s eye your calm dog, roaming around in his normal routine. Feel the serenity he experiences as he explores the garden, moves from room to room to check on his humans, and takes a peaceful nap on his dog bed in the sun room. Through all of your vision, keep recognizing that your dog is 100% safe. Calm, peaceful, and safe. Those are your mantra words. The more you can envision the scene as you want it to be (and don’t let your mind focus on the panic and fear you have come to expect), the better. This exercise not only gives your dog a clue on how he can and should behave as a storm approaches, it also keeps you calm, and the focus on your beloved canine at this time will put any of your own fear and stress on the back burner.

Pay attention to the words you use with your pet during this fearful time. If your dog is in a fearful state, saying “it’s okay” or “you’re okay” is actually reinforcing his fearful way of being. Instead, use words like “stay calm” and “you are safe” to reassure him. Ultimately, we want to support our pets to cope and console themselves. Your sincere belief that they are, and will remain, safe will go a long way in convincing them!

Whether you utilize an aid or behavioral technique in addition to these calming words and visions, know that the storm will pass, and your pets will return to their happy state of mind shortly thereafter.

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Animal Communication: Katy’s Story

Dec 10

Posted by Kelly Krueger in Stories about our Animals | No Comments

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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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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