Spring is here, the time of birth, rebirth and growth.  This is a hard spring for me, it’s the first spring without my perpetual puppy Teddy.  Even though it has been almost 6 months since I had to put him down, there are days when it’s still difficult to realize he’s no longer with me physically.

I’m sure any of you who have had to deal with this know what I’m talking about.

Talk2theAnimals is offering a ‘Grieving the Loss of Your Pet’ TeleConference on Thursday, April 8 at 7PM CST. This TeleConference is not for everyone. There are different stages of grief, and each stage takes it’s own time.  The people who most benefit from this TeleConference are those who are ready to integrate the death of their pet into the everyday of their life and still remember their pet in a natural, holistic way.

If this describes you or someone you know, click here to register. Once I have received your completed registration, I will send you the call in information. Participants of the TeleConference will receive a free MP3 audio link.  If you would like to attend but can’t, that’s OK.  Go ahead and register and you will still receive the audio.

Harmony,

Janet Roper

Back to the Talk2theAnimals Blog

Pets are an intrinsic part of our family. As Nathan Winograd says, in the past decade they have moved from the barnyard, to the backyard, to our bedrooms. When a pet transitions, it can be a shocking and overwhelming time for those of us left behind, including other pets. The death of a pet is not forgotten, yet it is possible to incorporate the loss of the pet into your life.

To help people begin to understand their emotions around this topic, Talk2theAnimals is offering a Wisdom Behind the Whiskers Forum on Tuesday, February 9 at 1PM CST or Thursday, February 11 at 7 PM CST.

In this TeleConference you will learn:

• The different stages of grief
• How to accept what you’re experiencing
• How to help other pets in the household with the loss of their buddy

Click here to register for this beneficial and informative session.  Participants will receive a free MP3 download of the teleconference, allowing you to hear again and again how you can remember your beloved pet, honor your own grief and begin your journey of healing and integration.

Harmony,

Janet Roper

Back to the Talk2theAnimals Blog

The other day was a bittersweet day for me. Teddy, my almost 17 year old perpetual puppy I put down on Oct. 2, 2009, kept coming to mind.  It was not the good times that kept coming to mind, it was his final hours, when his little body gave away.

On that day, I was downstairs in my studio working, when I heard a big ‘thump’ from upstairs. I ran upstairs, and Teddy had collapsed in the bedroom.

I called his vet, telling them this was an emergency and I thought it was time to put Teddy down.

I couldn’t intuitively reach Teddy clearly to see what his wishes were, partly because I was so emotionally distraught, partly because Teddy was unreachable at that time.

The fact he was unreachable told me a lot. In my gut, I knew it was Teddy’s time to go, and I needed to help him transition over.

Clearly knowing that information did not keep me from crying and resisting what I knew to be true.

As soon as the vet entered the room, I told him of my decision. After his exam, he agreed with me, talking about the quality of life Teddy had had, as opposed to the quality of life he would have had, had I elected to put him through the surgery.

Apparently, Teddy did not agree with this exchange.

His vet tech gave him the penultimate shot.  She explained this shot was to relax him and calm him down before the final shot. Teddy was a fairly small guy, only weighing 32 pounds. She said this dosage would relax him, rarely had she ever had to give two shots, even to dogs bigger than Teddy.

Apparently, Teddy didn’t agree with this either.

He had to have two shots. It was clear to me he was resisting transitioning, he didn’t want to go. Yet in my heart I knew it was Teddy’s time to go.  Because of that sure knowledge in my heart, I did nothing to stop his vet and vet tech from euthanizing him.

Had I done right by Teddy? I couldn’t answer that question.  I finally reached out to fellow animal communicator Bridget Pilloud, a caring and sensitive soul, and a talented communicator. She connected with Teddy, telling him of my worries.  Teddy replied he hadn’t been ready to go, if left to him, he would never have left, but now that he had transitioned, everything was fine. He was having a good time.

While we want things to be crystal clear at all times, that is not the way it is.  The truth is we live in mystery, an uncomfortable state for us.  During Teddy’s last hours, it was important I trust my gut, trust what it told me to do was best for all involved – especially Teddy.  It was also important I reach out to people for their support. Thank you, Bridget for the support you gave us.

Interestingly enough, as I was preparing to write this post, I heard from Reiki Fur Babies.  Ming said Teddy had contacted her and he was currently helping the people in Haiti.

Sometimes mystery is actually a beautiful tapestry.

Harmony,

Janet Roper

Back to the Talk2theAnimals Blog

Many behind the scenes activities have been percolating here at Talk2theAnimals.  You will be learning more about these in the days and weeks coming up, but one is ready to be unveiled.

Because I am an avid reader, it is only natural a Talk2theAnimals Bookstore Kiosk exists.  This is a place to purchase your favorite animal communication and animal related books for yourself or as gifts.  More books will be added in the future.

Talk2theAnimals is now featuring a Weekly Book Discovery post.  Each week a book will be highlighted and you will have the opportunity to find out more about it.  I’m tickled pink about that.  I’m even MORE tickled pink to introduce you to the person who will be writing these posts!

Meet Frannie.  Frannie is double-majoring in English Literature and Latin in college, getting ready to graduate this spring.  Frannie and I go back a few years: I first met her when she came to my music studio to study violin.  An accomplished musician, Frannie enjoys playing the piano, violin, singing, and listening to music.  Frannie is also a pet lover and an avid reader.  Her background in writing and her love of books make her the perfect person to write the Talk2theAnimals Weekly Book Discovery.  It is my pleasure to turn the rest of this post over to Frannie!

Saying Goodbye to Your Angel Animals by Allen and Linda Anderson is a book aimed at helping people deal with the utter grief of losing a pet.  It is an excellent guide to coping with this sadness in a healthy way, and helping those around you deal with it.

Losing a pet is a terrible thing, one that can sometimes be very difficult to deal with.  My family has had a few cats, so I know what it is like to lose an animal, especially one that you are very close to.  This book can help anyone handle their grief in a comforting way, as long as you are willing to listen to the Andersons’ advice.

Sincerely,

Frannie

Back to the Blog

Yesterday, Talk2theAnimals interviewed Nadine M. Rosin, author of the book The Healing Art of Pet Parenthood.  In the interview, Nadine talked of her dog Buttons, who not only survived cancer, but lived to be 19 years old!

Nadine could only touch briefly on her and Buttons’ journey together during the interview.  You can read the entire story in the book The Healing Art of Pet Parenthood, available here at Talk2theAnimals.  Click here or on the book icon to purchase the book.

Once you’ve read the book, come back and leave your comment.

Harmony,

Janet Roper

Back to the Blog

Today Talk2theAnimals is interviewing Nadine M. Rosin, the author of The Healing Art of Pet Parenthood. She has been a student and researcher of alternative healing for over 30 years and a holistic bodywork practitioner since 1996. She is also a nondenominational wedding officiant, and a gallery-signed artist; her commissioned works include four paintings for the University of Arizona. Above all, she considers her most rewarding experience to be that of pet parent.

Nadine is available for speaking engagements, book signings, and fund-raisers and can be reached at petparenthood@cox.net.

Welcome to Talk 2 The Animals!

Thank you so much for having me, Janet! It is my pleasure to be here.

For those who haven’t read the book yet, can you give us some background on the story?

Sure. It might be fun to answer that question from the perspective of my dog, Buttons:

“I was a happy, kooky cockapoo/terrier. When I was 8, I was diagnosed with cancer. The vet gave me 6 weeks to live unless I had amputation, chemotherapy and radiation. Instead of conforming with the prescribed treatment, my mom, Nadine, launched a holistic regimen that included: #1) clearing my inner and outer environment of all toxins #2) cleansing my body of all residual toxins, and #3) giving my body the nutritional support it needed to HEAL ITSELF. Within a few months, I was CANCER-FREE. I thrived for an additional 11 years until I passed peacefully of old age, the week before my 19th birthday. The Healing Art of Pet Parenthood is the story of how Mom and I saved each other’s life.”

It’s not often one hears of a dog surviving cancer, let alone living to be 19! How did you know what to do holistically?

Well, first of all, I already had decades worth of knowledge and study under my belt. My father had been well-versed in holistic methods my entire life. He taught me that holistic meant addressing the CAUSE, not merely treating the symptoms. One of the reasons I wrote the book, was to encourage pet parents to begin doing their own research into things like environmental toxins, pet products, food quality, etc. BEFORE their animals get a cancer diagnosis. In the midst of a crisis is not the best time to begin educating yourself in a whole new perspective of health and well-being. I talk more about the things one can research on my blog ( http://PetParenthood.blogspot.com)

So is your book a reference guide on how to heal canine cancer?

No, although it has inspired many readers to begin researching all the good available material out there so their pets never GET cancer. The Healing Art of Pet Parenthood reads like a novel, and is the story of Buttons’ and my 19 years together. Within that story is, of course, our journey of discovering her cancer, the vet’s advice, how I made the decision to go against that advice, and the protocol I used instead. In that sense, I think it is a great introduction into holistic healing for those who may not know where to start. But, the book is also about the development of our unbreakable bond and telepathic communication, which every devoted pet parent will relate to. In addition, I describe the ways Buttons opened my heart and partnered with me through my own trials and learning experiences, my care for her as a senior canine, and how I was able to cope, deal, and heal after her passing.

After 19 years together, her passing must have been quite difficult for you.

Absolutely. There are many things we can do to prepare logistically, and I talk about those things in the book, but one can never fully prepare for the grief when it hits. In this country we are very private about strong emotions like grief, which I feel is to our detriment. In and of itself, grief is such an isolating experience- I believe we could get through it so much easier if we were all a little more comfortable with and accepting of each other’s grief, ESPECIALLY over a beloved animal. For many of us, it’s not something we can just get over in a couple of months or by getting another pet.

The last third of my book is about everything I went through after Buttons passed: dealing with the reactions of other people, the things I did to heal, what worked and what didn’t. I wrote about it all- the good, the bad, and the ugly, in hopes that others going through similar loss would find comfort, camaraderie, and validation.

What kinds of reactions are you getting from readers about the book?

As I mentioned, many are being inspired to take a closer look at the things they’re exposing their animals to: food ingredients, household cleaners, flea products, chemicals in chews and treats. A few have written me to say they completely changed the products they were using around their pets and conditions like IBS, allergies, and tumors cleared up and disappeared.

Many have written to say how validated they finally feel about the deep love they hold for a particular pet. One woman wrote that she had all her grown sons read the book because they’d always made fun of her relationship with her dog and her continued grief after he passed. But they apologized to her after reading my book, and said they now understood. I love those kinds of emails, because one of my intentions behind the book is to help remove the words, “It’s JUST a dog/cat/etc.” from the lips of non-pet parents.

Where can folks purchase your book, Nadine?

The book is available from any online book retailer ( http://www.amazon.com/Healing-Art-Pet-Parenthood/dp/1604940409 )
or can be ordered through any brick and mortar bookstore in the world.
More information is on my web site http://www.TheHealingArtOfPetParenthood.com

Thank you, Janet, for this opportunity to help spread the word about this book!

Harmony,

Janet Roper

Back to the Blog

Congratulations to the two winners of the Talk2theAnimals Birthday Celebration Contest!  We had lots of entries, it was difficult to narrow it down to only two winners.  A heartfelt thank you to all who entered their stories.

The Grand Prize Winner is Bonnie Koening who wrote ‘Why Do You Think Sickness is Wrong?’ a story about her cat Georgia.  Runner up is Sarah Tymeson who asks if the thoughts in your mind are yours or from an animal.  Besides having their entries published, Bonnie won a Talk2theAnimals TeleParty for her and 5 of her friends, and Sarah won a half hour communication.  Congratulations Bonnie and Sarah!

Enjoy these two wonderful stories!

GRAND PRIZE WINNER

Why Do You think Sickness is Wrong?

By Bonnie Koenig
http://www.chey.mysiamese.com

Talking To Georgia

My old cat is dying.  Two and a half years ago she was diagnosed with a menigioma and given three to six months to live.  I took her to a homeopathic vet and she did quite well for a time but now I see her walking around like an old cat in kidney failure.   I wonder how much more?  Is she comfortable?  What does she want?  How can I meet those needs?

I’ve always been able to talk to Georgia.   Years ago, when she went outside, I would sit on the back porch and concentrate upon her in the late evening and tell her it was time to come home. She’d be jumping over the fence as I was getting ready to go inside.

I settled down in bed with her at my feet and concentrated upon her as she snoozed one evening not long ago.  I asked if she were comfortable? How did she feel?  She seemed not quite all in her body but she was content.  No she was not the young cat she once was, but she was fine.

I told her I worried. I had missed all these signs on another cat she had lived with.  I worried that this cat had been sick and I didn’t know.   If I had know “what was wrong with her” maybe I could have eased her suffering.

Georgia said, very clearly.  “There was nothing wrong with her. She was sick.”

And I said, “That’s what I mean. If I had known, maybe I could have helped.”

Georgia said, “Why do you think being sick is wrong?  It’s not wrong. It just is.”

I was so startled I was thrown out of the meditation with her but her words have stayed with me, haunting past choices.

Why do I think sick is wrong?  Why have I tried to so hard to control the passing of each cat as they get elderly and sick, worried that they can’t handle the end, when really it appears it is only my worry for them?

Georgia has indicated that as a hunter cat, had she been outside, she would have been killed and eaten by a bigger hunter by now.  And that would have been okay with her (she adds though that she has no desire to be thrown out to the coyotes).  Had her life been different, though, that is just the way things would have been.

For today Georgia is still with us.  Perhaps tomorrow. No matter what happens, Georgia says it’s okay. She is content.  And so we enjoy these last weeks together.

RUNNER UP

By Sarah Tymeson

I was working on a blog post a few months back and was telling the story of the horses I’ve known and how they’ve shaped my life.  There were several listed but one name eluded me.  I could NOT think of his name to save my soul.  It drove me crazy for days.  All I could remember was that it was short…only 3 or 4 letters.  And I was about 90% certain it started with a ‘K’ but that was all I could muster (and I wasn’t even all that sure about the first letter).  Hubby even tried to help, naming off horses that I’d worked with.  I must say, I was impressed that he would remember ANY of their names!  So, randomly, for days, I would half-yell, “What is his name?!”  Seriously, things like that drive me NUTS!
On weekends I work at a stable.  I find that my time there is very relaxing and I tend to have my communicative moments there.  And not necessarily by choice either.  Since I’ve only recently tuned into this ability, I’ve not yet gained full control over where and when it occurs.  So, while cleaning stalls, in the quiet of the barn, when there is no other thought in my mind, the animals tell me things.  Lilly informed me that she’s a princess and wants the “royal treatment.”  Another horse, Trouble, wants to be a jumper (I think, still want clarification here).  Tex wants to be un-retired.  And so far, I haven’t minded these ambushes because I’m grateful that anything at all is getting through.  And that is how it happened on one cool morning:
I was cleaning stalls and this movie began to play in my mind.  Now, I must say 2 things here:  I do not normally visualize anything in my mind.  And it was not a movie that I had seen before in its entirety.  I’ve seen bits and pieces, but a scene from this movie played constantly in my mind for several stalls.  I kept thinking:  Why on Earth am I thinking about this movie?! I didn’t even really like it that much.  But no matter how hard I tried to think about other things…my to-do list or what to make for lunch…this movie was “attacking” me.  Over and over.  Without ceasing.  And then it hit me!  The movie playing in my mind was Shallow Hal.  The horse’s name was HAL!!!  How else would a horse with the name “Hal” communicate to someone what his name is?!  And as soon as I yelled out, in the quiet stillness of that barn:  His name is HAL!  I had NO more thoughts about that movie ever again.
My lesson:  When thoughts flood your mind that you seem to have NO control over, check:  Are these thoughts mine?!  If not, they may very well be the animals in your life trying to tell you something.

About the author:  Sarah Tymeson works with animals…primarily horses presently…using Access Energy Transformation to unlock and dissolve the blocks that they don’t realize they can let go of.  Oftentimes the animals in our lives take on our garbage in an attempt to help us, and then that gets stuck in their bodies and hinders their progress and health.  And all they need is the realization that they can let it go and the tools to do so.  Visit http://healing-horses.com for more information.

Harmony,

Janet Roper

Back to the Blog

Animals form an important part of our lives, and can be an important part of our relationships.  Now, more than ever, animals are often valued family members and are living longer than they have in the past.

But, with the Circle of Life, there comes a time when the animal dies and we (humans and possibly other animals) are left behind with our grief.

I was recently asked what to say to a person whose animal has passed on.  That’s a very important and sensitive question.  Here are some suggestions to keep in mind as you are talking with someone who has recently lost a beloved animal:

• Keep in mind that we all grieve in our own way: some people are stoic, some will be openly crying, others may be angry, or one person may go through different emotions at differing times.  Let the person grieve in their own way, in their own time.
• Be there to support the person through what they are experiencing and let the person give you the clue on what he or she needs to hear and the type of support he or she needs from you.  For instance, if he or she says something like, “It’s so lonely without Rover,” reflect that back: “You must be so lonesome without Rover” or “Rover added a lot to the household.”  If he or she is crying, let them cry, maybe offering water or kleenex.  However, be sensitive if you feel they are uncomfortable crying in front of you.
• You do not have the power to make this better for the grieving person.  Each person experiences grief in their own way and their own time.  Many times when we try to make a grieving person feel better, we are in actuality feeling uncomfortable ourselves and are unconsciously trying to make ourselves feel better.

Experiencing the death of a pet is difficult.  Your presence alone will be a support and comfort to that person.  You don’t have to make it better for them, just be with them.

Harmony,

Janet Roper

Back to the Blog

I recently wrote a post on Animals and Right to Life.  One of the comments brought tears to my eyes.  With Billie Dean’s permission, I am using her comment as today’s post.  At the end of the post you will see her contact information.  Feel free to leave your comment after reading this!

Hi Janet,

My animal loving husband and partner found this wonderful blog and invited me to read it this morning because I am an Australian animal communicator, shaman, writer and film maker, and mostly an animal advocate.  Getting a better deal for animals informs all my work.

I believe the problem lies at the top of the food chain, and current education doesn’t even begin to address this.  If we stopped killing animals as if they were worthless, if we stopped having euthanasia in pounds, if it were illegal to take a beloved horse to end his days as dog food, then we would see it filtering down to the rest of society. Everyone would KNOW that an animal’s life meant something.  And we would see it making a difference.

I have started a campaign to end euthanasia of HEALTHY animals, and it is bigger than this.  In Germany no homeless animal is allowed to be killed.  If they can do this, so can the rest of the world.  I’ve worked in rescue for over 20 years.  What I’ve seen has left me with a dim view of humanity.  But I am now encouraging people to only focus on the good of people and to visualise or dream in a world where animals and people can live in sacred harmony.  Focus on what we want, so we create this into being, according to spiritual laws that make up our universe.

Our group started just before Christmas.  It is open to anyone who wants to make a difference to the world of animals. I live with about 60, now, of society’s rejects who I have given a forever home to.  And if I’ve learned anything, it is that rescue isn’t the answer.  Nothing has changed in 20 years.  Rescue is a bottomless pit.  And those rejects are souls who are dependent on humanity’s compassion and kindness.  We give our murderers a better deal than we give animals who are simply homeless or who have been abused.  People abuse them again and again because they don’t see them with respect and reverence.

We need to get rid of the concept of kill shelters and give animals a shelter FOR LIFE if they need it.  We need people to understand that animals are really teachers and healers.  And that their silent language  can be heard if only people learn to listen.

www.alllifeisprecious.ning.com is our new community for change for animals through practical work as well as meditation and shamanic dreaming.  www.billiedean.com is my website.  I’ve made two films Finding Joy and Seven Days with Seven Dogs (available from my website) which in a fun way try to encourage people to see animals differently.  Now I have written books soon to be published.  It’s time to change things for animals and I welcome every bit of like-minded community to make the change happen on every level.  We need to make an international net.

As a psychic communicator I have been told by the animals they are finished suffering for humanity.  It’s time WE changed as a species, and it’s time we understood how connected we all are.

Thank you for your blog.  And thank you from my heart for allowing me the space to put my views here.  From a shamanic perspective, the world isn’t going to heal until we start  understanding our true connection to nature and animals.  The pain in people is the pain of animals and nature and the pain of our disconnection from them.  There is a path forward and I talk about it in my books and in my new film This Sacred Earth.  All these are currently self funded — this is the depth of our commitment.

Thank you for caring!

Billie Dean

About the Author: Billie Dean is an author, filmmaker, shaman and animal communicator who works as an animal advocate and with her husband, Andrew, runs Ballyoncree Animal Sanctuary, a forever home for abused and abandoned animals.  Billie launched the For Life Campaign to end death row in pounds and the senseless killing of healthy dogs, cats and horses.   Coming from a background of journalism, comedy and natural healing, she and Andrew are committed to social change through uplifting and inspirational books and films — http://www.billiedean.com, http://www.laughinowl.com.au Watch out for Secret Animal Business and This Sacred Earth — out soon!

Harmony,

Janet Roper

Back to the Blog

Earlier this week I did a post on some of my favorite postings.  It went over so well, I’m going to do it again!   If you like what you read at Talk2theAnimals, sign up for the newsletter!

Respectful Communication with Animals – Conscious awareness of our communication skills

Can You Tell if Your Cat is Sick? – Written by guest blogger Darlene Norris of Cool Cat Care Stuff

Communication and the Dying Process - The story of thoroughbred Will and his passing

Do Deceased Animals Go to Heaven? – Written by guest blogger Nicole Roberts

Your Psychic Ability – Experiencing your psychic ability in the ordinary of your life.

To see more postings, feel free to explore this blog and see what tickles your fancy.  Remember, sign up for the Talk2theAnimals Newsletter to keep up with the latest from Talk2theAnimals!

Harmony,

Janet Roper

Back to the Blog