Articulate Animals Blog, Kelly Krueger, Animal Communicator

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

Posts Tagged stress

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!

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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”

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

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!

 

Tags: , , , , , ,

Preparing Pets for Our Vacation

Jun 30

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

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.

Tags: , , , , ,

Homeopathic Remedies for Animals

Jun 26

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

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.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

What is Animal Communication? on Live the Day radio

Jun 19

Posted by Kelly Krueger in About, Activities, Events, Classes | 1 Comment

Kelly with client "Cooper"

Kelly with client "Cooper"

I am pleased to be a guest again on the “Live the Day” program on Blog Talk Radio with host Dr. Rachelle Disbennett-Lee. The program will air live on http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Coach-Lee48  on Monday, June 22, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time. Those listening live can call in to ask questions and participate in the conversation at 646-929-2440. The program will be taped and available for listening after June 22nd at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Coach-Lee48.

Kelly and Rachelle will explore what animal communication is, what benefits can be obtained through an animal communicator, and perhaps some real-life examples and stories of how animal communication works.

For example, are you curious if animal communication works the same for all species? Or perhaps you are interested in how animal communication can help with behavioral issues. Maybe you have had a pet pass away and you would like to know if it is possible to still communicate with him? All these questions and more will be answered on the Live the Day Radio program on June 22nd. I invite you to call in with your questions about how animal communication works!

Tags: , , , , , , ,