It’s hot.  Here in Minneapolis we broke a long standing heat record yesterday – 94 on May 24.  Needless to say the air conditioner was turned on.

We need to remember our pets as we go into summer.  Here are some tips to keep in mind to keep your pet healthy and safe during the summer.

Don’t leave your pet in the car. Even if you’re parked in the shade and the windows are open the inside temperature of the care can reach 120 degrees in minutes.  Dogs and cats don’t sweat, so they only way they can eliminate heat is through panting and the pads of their feet.  Being left in a hot car can cause heat exhaustion, heat stroke, brain damage or even death.  Click here to see symptoms of overheating. Leave your pets in the comfort of their home as you do your errands.

Don’t let your pet travel in the back of a truck. This is very dangerous and even unlawful in some states.

Garden safety. Fertilizers, insecticides, some mulch (cocoa bean mulch) and plant food can be lethal if ingested by your pets. Many of our common plants are also poisonous to pets.  Click here for a listing provided by the Humane Society of the United States.

Outside activity: Don’t leave your pet outside as they can suffer anything from heat exhaustion to death.  When walking your dog, make sure the pavement is not too hot for their feet, you don’t want their feet to be burned.  Never leave your pet unsupervised around water, not all dogs are good swimmers.  Speaking of water, make sure your pet has plenty of fresh, cool water to drink during the summer months so they don’t become dehydrated.

Holiday safety: Fireworks are not pet friendly. Leave your pets at home if you go to a fireworks celebration.

Keeping these tips in mind will ensure your pet has a wonderfully safe summer!

Harmony,

Janet Roper

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Let’s face it – most people consider you more than a little nutso when you say you Talk2theAnimals.  Well, maybe talking is OK, but when you say you hear the animals talking to you, well, let’s just say many people prefer you don’t mention that in polite company.

Not that I’m talking from experience or anything.

But here’s the thing.  The skeptics don’t know what they’re missing out on.  I mean really, you haven’t lived until a horse has told you to get your act together.

So why would anyone even consider wanting to Talk2theAnimals? Why animal communication? Because:

• it helps to solve pet behavior problems
• it can reduce pet fear or anxiety issues
• you can strengthen the bond with your pet(s) and all animals
• you hear about life from the animal’s perspective

Now how does it get any better than that?

So, here’s your chance to shock and awe your friends, maybe even appear a little nutso.

Talk2theAnimals is offering a ‘Listening So Animals Will Talk’ TeleConference on Wednesday, April 7, at 7:00 PM CST.  In this TeleConference you will learn tips on how to sharpen you listening skills, and how to engage animals in conversation.  You will also walk away with an increased confidence in being able to hear what the animals are saying to you.

Participants of this TeleConference will receive a FREE MP3 download of the conference, and if you contact Talk2theAnimals to book your own individual animal communication session within 48 hours of the TeleConference, you will receive a 15% savings on your individual animal communication session!

Want to attend but can’t? No problem.  Sign up and you will still receive the free MP3 download and the offer of 15% savings on an individual animal communication session.

Click here to register for the TeleConference.  Once your registration is received, you will receive the call in information. One techie thing: When you register you will see a field asking if you have a question for the TeleConference.  You do not need to have a question to participate, but that field does need to be filled in.  You can simply say ‘no question’ and you’re on your way!

I’m looking forward to connecting with you Wednesday, April 7 at 7PM CST, looking forward to giving you tips and helping you build your confidence so U2CanTalk2theAnimals! And shock and awe your friends.

How does it get any better than that?

Harmony,

Janet Roper

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One thing that often happens as we learn to Talk2theAnimals is we become determined, single minded and purpose driven in our quest to Talk2theAnimals.  Nothing is going to stand in our way, we will accomplish this goal no matter what.  We try so very hard, find it’s not working like we thought it would, so we try harder and harder and harder.

To no avail.  We discover the harder we try the less we are able to connect with the animal.  The less we are able to connect with the animal, the harder we try to connect with the animal.

It becomes a vicious circle, and it is easy to end up discouraged and dispirited, maybe even giving up on animal communication and learning how to do it.

When we discover ourselves in the midst of this Catch-22, the thing to do is step back. Stop. Take a breath. Release.

Release the determination, the wanting to control.

One way to do this is to visualize a balloon.  Blow your frustrations into that balloon, tie it up and release it.  If you need a balloon bouquet to do this, that’s OK.  Keep filling up those balloons with the frustration and discouragement until you feel it dissipate. Release the balloons.

Once you feel the frustration gone, return to the conversation in the more relaxed mood.

Are you finding it easier to Talk2theAnimals without the frustration?

Of course!  Remember: U2CanTalk2theAnimals!

Harmony,

Janet Roper

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This is Emmie, the main character in the Chicken Carcass Caper.  The other morning I was cooking breakfast, left the room for less than five minutes, and heard the sounds of dropping and crunching. By the time I returned, the kitchen had turned into a crime scene.  The garbage container had been knocked over & the chicken carcass I had thrown in the previous evening was missing.  Emmie was eating the last of it.

Dogs and chicken bones don’t mix.  Cooked chicken bones are especially dangerous as they are dry and can splinter into small, sharp pieces and puncture the dog’s digestive system.  At 8:00 AM sharp I was on the phone with the vet.  She recommended that I feed Emmie white bread, it’s bland and would “pad” her system.  I was also told to monitor her for the next couple of days: if she had blood in her stools, diarrhea, vomiting or became listless I was to bring her in immediately.  Luckily, everything is OK.

At the Hearing and Service Dogs of Minnesota luncheon, I was fortunate to sit at the same table as Lynne Willeke, a trainer at Bark Busters.  I told Lynn about Emmie’s chicken carcass caper, then asked if she had any tips to stop that from happening in the future.  Our conversation evolved and Lynn agreed to appear on Talk2theAnimals Blog as a guest blogger.  Below are her tips and ideas on dogs and trash containers. Thanks Lynne, for sharing your wisdom at Talk2theAnimals!

Training Tips by Lynne Willeke

Does your pooch love to dig for buried treasure in your trash containers?  Then you are not alone in this problem!  Try one or more of these helpful hints to solve the issue.

One of the easiest solutions is management and prevention.  Invest in a container that Fido can’t open.  Put the bathroom waste bin in an cupboard.

Maybe Sammie is bored.  Try using mind stimulation toys like the Buster Cube, a Kong or the Canine Genius.   Or play hide and seek with people, toys or treats.  Does he get enough exercise?

Maybe Bella hasn’t ever been asked to follow any household rules.  Teach her some basic guidelines like sit and wait for dinner, good greeting behaviors, wait before going out the door.  This can help her respect what is desirable behavior in the household, plus engage her mind.

The problem is that every time your dog succeeds in getting that tissue or the chicken bones from dinner, he gets rewarded with his success.  Not only does he get rewarded, sometimes he may ingest something downright dangerous to him. Every time he gets rewarded, he is encouraged to go searching again.

How to deal with Bouncer’s trash digging straight on:

• Try to catch him in the act, verbally correct the behavior and redirect him to a better choice.  But some dogs are so sneaky!
• Spray bitter apple on a paper towel and place inside, on top of the trash. If he starts to dig, he will get an unpleasant taste.  Hint, this will have more effect if he has had a chance to lick bitter apple off your hand previously. He’ll remember he didn’t like it!
• If you have a covered trash container that has a lid Bouncer can open, try placing a ring of keys or some chain-something that will fall off and make noise when he goes digging.  Many dogs will find this surprising and unpleasant enough to stay away.  You will need to repeat this more than once.

Don’t forget to encourage and praise your pooch when he is making good choices!

Lynne can be found on FaceBook and at BarkBusters. Click here to see her bio page at BarkBusters.  Contact Lynne about your dog training questions!

Harmony,

Janet Roper

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Welcome to Talk2theAnimals Animal Communication Practice Friday, a place to make interspecies friends while practicing your animal communication skills!

Before we get started, I have some questions for you:

1. How is it going for you? What are you discovering about your intuitive skills during this process?
2. Are you finding any commonalities about how you receive the information from different animals?
3. What is your strongest point when you Talk2theAnimals?
4. Are you discovering anything about yourself as you Talk2theAnimals?
5. Are you having fun? I hope so!

If you’re a first time visitor, click here to see what we’ve been doing in the past, and click here for some instructions on communicating with animals.

Today we’re talking with humanity’s best friend, Dog.  If you have a dog of your own, you may want to check in with her/him and have a conversation.  Remember to ask Dog if it’s OK to have a conversation, then thank Dog when you’re finished.  Be open to going with the flow in the conversation, just as you would with a person.  These questions are guidelines only, and Dog may have something to share with you that’s not within the confines of the questions.

Questions for Dog:

1. How did dogs get the reputation for being humanity’s best friend?
2. The culture of dogs in the US has changed immensely in the past years – going from animals in the back yard to living the quality life of organic foods, having pet insurance, being dressed up and being carried around in pooch purses.  What are your thoughts about that?
3. What do dogs reflect back to humans about ourselves?
4. What’s a good day like for you?
5. Anything else you’d like to say?

Tell Dog thanks after you have finished your conversation.  Remember to leave your comments here on the blog and to share what it was like for you to talk with humanity’s best friend!

Harmony,

Janet Roper

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There are many items we keep in and around our houses that are lethal to our pets.  The ASPCA has written a very informative article about the top 10 pet poisons of 2008.  I have listed them here, but I invite you to visit their site to read the article in its entirety.

• Human Medications
• Insecticides
• Some People Food
• Rodenticides
• Veterinary Medications
• Plants
• Chemical Hazards
• Household Cleaners
• Heavy Metals
• Fertilizer

We can’t leave it up to our beloved pets to know what is safe and what is unsafe.  If you suspect your pet has been poisoned, contact your vet or, if after hours, your emergency vet immediately.  You can also contact Animal Poison Control Center’s 24-hour hotline at 888-426-4435.

Harmony,

Janet Roper

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If you’re in the Minneapolis/St. Paul MN area, join me Tuesday, April 7 at 6:30 PM during ScoopyPoo’s DogHaus Yappy Hour.  While the dogs are playing in the play area, I will be giving individual communications in the loft.  During the communications you will be able to hear about life from your dog’s perspective!

Have you wondered…

• why Fido chews your favorite socks when you’re gone?
• why Sadie barks in your ear while you’re driving?
• why Rover keeps looking at you as if he has something to say?

This is your chance to find the answers to those questions and more!  Contact The DogHaus for more information.  I’m looking forward to seeing you there!

Harmony,

Janet Roper

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Welcome to Talk2theAnimal’s weekly Friday practice! This is a terrific opportunity to connect with the animals and practice your instinctive communication skills.  It’s done at your convenience and from the comfort of your home.  Should you need help or guidance, leave your comment and I will get back to you.

The animals are ready and willing to talk with us, we just need to open our minds and hearts, and take that first step into animal communication.  If this is your first time here, or need a reminder about creating a Circle of Listening, click here.  To see more animal communication practice sessions, click here.  Remember, before you start, introduce yourself and ask the animal if it’s OK to connect and talk; then thank them when you are finished.

Today we’re talking with Dolphin.  This is a short video, a little more than a minute.  Consider turning the sound off when you first talk to Dolphin as the background music may influence the conversation. However, the music is beautiful, I invite you to listen to it sometime!

Below are some suggested questions for Dolphin.  Feel free to ask other questions that come to your mind.

Questions for Dolphin:

• What’s the story behind the bubbles?
• What’s it like being in your aquarium?
• Do you mind people watching you all the time?
• Is there a connection between dolphins and music?
• Do you have a message for me?
• Is there anything else you would like to say?

After you have finished your conversation with Dolphin, thank him/her for the time and conversation they shared with you.  Now, leave your comment about how it felt to be in dialogue with another species!  Did anything in particular strike you about your talk with Dolphin?

Congratulations! U2CanTalk2theAnimals!

Harmony,

Janet Roper

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I’m looking forward to “seeing” you in the front row at the next FREE Wisdom Behind the Whiskers TeleConference.  That’s tomorrow, Wednesday, April 1, 7:00 PM CST.  Click here for the details.

What you will receive:

• Your animal communication question answered.
• Hear answers to other common animal communication questions.
• The opportunity to participate in discussions surrounding the questions.
• A free audio file of the session for your library.

All you need to do to participate in this no-cost conference is email your question.  Once I have received it, I will send you the conference access information.

Until Wednesday,

Harmony,

Janet Roper

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Welcome to the Talk2theAnimals animal communication weekly practice sessions.  This is a chance for you to connect intuitively with the animals, practice building your intuition and discover any messages the animals may have for you.  If this is your first visit here, I invite you to read previous posts to get you started.

Our helper today is the harbinger of Spring, Robin.  Remember to ask Robin’s permission before beginning your conversation.  Whatever Robin says is OK.  If Robin says no, connect with Robin later and see what happens.  When you are done with your conversation, thank Robin for his time.

Questions for Robin:

1. Why is your beak open in this picture?
2. How do you feel about being associated with Spring?
3. What does it feel like to fly?
4. Do you live in my neighborhood?
5. Is there anything else you’d like to say?

Now, leave your comment about what it was like for you to connect with Robin.  Only share what you feel comfortable sharing.  If you have questions, feel free to email me or catch me on Twitter.

Congratulations to you on talking with Robin.  Remember:

U2CanTalk2theAnimals!

Harmony,

Janet Roper

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