From Chaos to Peace

 Just like humans, animals have the same desire to be seen, heard, understood and appreciated. 

It is my belief that we ALL deserve these basic things . . .  and yet sadly, most people and animals don't feel this way. They don't feel seen, heard, understood or appreciated.

The good news though is it isn't difficult to accomplish this . . . it often only requires us to be present and to really listen.

Sometimes I wish I had video taped my sessions with animals back in the early years when I was doing all my Animal Communication sessions in person so that I could play the videos for people who don't believe animals are as capable of thinking and feeling as they are. 

One of my favorite examples of this is from many years ago, but it made a lasting impression on me. I met with a woman and her three dogs - two large dogs - and one small dog with a big personality. If people could see what transpired that day, I think it would easily dispel many of the beliefs people have about animals. People would see evidence that animals understand everything we say. They would have no doubt that animals have feelings and that they can process information. They would clearly understand how much animals appreciate being heard and respected.

The guardian of these three dogs had contacted me because the dogs were exhibiting new, strange and sometimes destructive behavior. She told me that Mickey, the German shepherd and Emma, the standard poodle had been with her for many years. Tony, the new little guy who was a mix - a white fluffy ball of energy, had recently joined their family. As I asked her questions about these new unwanted behaviors, she began to realize that many of the issues she was dealing with started shortly after Tony came to live with them. 

When I first arrived, they all greeted me, but Mickey went almost immediately to lay in his crate, clearly not too sure about me. As I visited with Emma, Tony and their guardian, I began learning more about the new behaviors that had recently cropped up and was trying to get a sense of what was going on with everyone. When we walked into the room where Mickey's crate was, he let out a small, deep growl to let me know he needed his space. I understood and respected that, although, I'll confess, I was a little bummed to discover that my deep connection with my own German shepherd, Lucky, didn't give me an immediate "in" with all German shepherds. :-)

We called Mickey over a few times to talk about what was going on, and while he did come over each time, he didn't show much interest in interacting with me and would go back to his crate within a few minutes. I could tell that he wasn't sure what to think of me and was definitely on guard, silently watching me out of the corner of his eye, not ready to trust me yet. 

A few minutes later, the dogs noticed someone walking in front of their house. Mickey jumped out of his crate and ran to the front window to bark and let them know the house was protected, and right on his heels was Tony who ran to the front window too and began barking. After a minute or so, Mickey seemed irritated with Tony and went back to his crate, while Tony continued to bark and bark. I could feel Mickey's frustration and I kept sensing he was feeling kind of defeated, although I didn't understand that part just yet. I just knew Tony was bothering him.

As I sat there tuning into the energy, I could sense some "role confusion" . . . and pieces began to click into place. Mickey always felt it was his job to protect the house, to protect her, but now that Tony was here trying to play such an active role in protecting the house, Mickey was feeling confused and a little frustrated. I suspected it was why Mickey had been engaging in one of the new odd behaviors (pulling food off the island in the kitchen for all the dogs to enjoy). I suggested that maybe the role of protecting the house should remain Mickey's role and that we could find another "job" for Tony to do. As soon as I made that statement, Mickey came out of his crate, walked right up to me and licked my cheek. I could feel his gratitude for my being able to articulate what he was feeling and I also sensed he was a little more convinced that maybe it wasn't such a bad thing that I was there. 

A little while later, the guardian wanted to show me the backyard. I can't remember what the impetus was for us to go back there, but as we got to the backyard, she pointed out that the dogs used to have access to the whole entire backyard, but that now they only had access to the side yard. I asked if we could all go into the backyard together and she said yes so all three dogs joined us in the backyard. As we continued to talk and I asked her why the dogs no longer had access to the whole backyard. She explained that in the first week Tony was there, he fell into the pool and she was so worried it would happen again, that she wasn't letting any of them go out there.

I told her that it was likely a contributing factor in the new unwanted behaviors. They were no longer allowed to enjoy the backyard like they used to and that wasn't making them very happy. As I was explaining how Mickey and Emma felt about that, how it made them even less excited that Tony joined their family (since his presence had actually taken away some of the things they enjoyed most), Mickey came over to me again, licked my face and then rolled over on his back at my feet, letting me know a belly-rub would be appreciated and accepted. To see the transformation in him, from growling at me, to licking my face, to rolling over on his back, it was undeniable that the change in his attitude towards me was directly related to how I was speaking on his behalf. Animals appreciate being "heard" just as much as humans do.

Their guardian and I talked about how it would be better for Tony to learn how to walk around the pool (and not fall in) than to keep all the dogs out of the backyard. As we were discussing some different options for how she could teach this to Tony, Emma came over and offered me her paw, as if saying, "Why thank you very much, what a pleasure it has been to have you here today." :-) She was so darling about it and I could feel a lightness in both she and Mickey that hadn't been there when I first arrived. We were making some real headway!

One of the other issues their guardian had been dealing with was that they all were acting very needy and competing for her attention, which was something they hadn't done before. When she sat down in a chair, if one of the dogs came over to get some pets from her, the other two would rush over and try to push each other out of the way to get her attention. If she picked Tony up and put him in her lap, things got even worse -  Emma and Mickey would try climbing up there too, which wasn't a good thing because it could result in her getting physically injured. It was definitely a competition for her attention and one that shouldn't continue. 

I suggested that she could try giving them attention one at a time, so they each got some of her undivided attention. I went onto explain that they would also need to learn that they couldn't ambush her anymore so clear boundaries would need to be set and consistently upheld. We decided to have me give it a try first to see how it worked. Initially things were going great. I sat down on the floor to pet Mickey and when Emma and Tony came over to try and horn in on the attention, I told them it was Mickey's turn for attention and they would get their turn soon. Much to my delight, they both accepted that and sat down, quietly and patiently watching us.

Then when it was Emma's turn for attention, Tony tried to push his way in and I explained that it wasn't his turn yet. Mickey lifted his head off the floor, and I could tell he was contemplating a move over in me and Emma's direction too but I said "Mickey, you just had your turn, it's Emma's turn now" and he put his head back down on the floor and closed his eyes. Their guardian and I were both so pleased with how this was going, excited to see that they were understanding and respecting the boundary we were trying to set. I continued to pet Emma for a while, while she gleefully soaked up the attention. 

Then it was Tony's turn, so I called him over to me and reminded everyone that it was now Tony's turn for some attention, at which time Ella and Mickey immediately ambushed me and no one was listening anymore. It was total chaos in a matter of seconds. Their guardian and I couldn't help but laugh . . . clearly this was going to take a little more practice to put into place. It was evident that while Mickey and Emma respected each other, that respect did not include Tony just yet and it was going to take some time for them to trust him and show him the same courtesy that they showed one another. None the less, it was an encouraging first attempt. 

That particular appointment was a stand-out for me and has stuck with me all these years. It is such a great example of how much animals want to be seen, heard, understood and appreciated just as much as us humans do and it is one of my favorite aspects of the work I do (both with animals and with humans) - when I can assist in opening this door and see the positive reaction.

So my question to you is this . . . what can you do today to help the people and/or animals in your life feel seen, heard, understood and appreciated. Whether it is at work or at home, what action could take? 

Maybe it is YOU that needs this - and if so, how can you show up for yourself? What can you do to honor and respect yourself? Are you listening to others more than you are listening to yourself? If so, maybe today is the day to ignore everyone else's opinion and follow your own heart, your own inner guidance. If people don't appreciate you and the things you do, can you spend a few minutes each day appreciating yourself? 

No matter what you do, chances are you might be pleasantly surprised by the positive shifts it creates. 

Animal Confirmations

One of the things that I really take pleasure in during my animal communication sessions is when an animal assists me by confirming with their guardian that what I am saying is true, especially when the guardian isn't sure I can really communicate with their animal.  Being able to partner with animals makes the work I do even more enjoyable. It shows me how important it is to animals that their guardian understands them and how much animals want to be heard.  

Sometimes people who have never worked with an animal communicator before are skeptical about whether or not I am really picking up something from their animal. I've noticed that when a guardian has a twinge of uncertainty over whether what I said is REALLY what their animal thinks or feels, their animal senses it too. They frequently jump in with some sort of confirmation or validation - whether it is a kiss on their mom or dad's face, an intense stare, a tap of the paw on their mom or dad's arm or leg, an excited bark etc. 

One time during an in person session, I met with a dog and his mom. After about the third time he "confirmed" that what I was saying was true by pawing at his mom's arm when he heard me say something that he really wanted her to hear, his mom started to laugh and said, "Ok, I am listening, I heard what she said and I believe you both," at which point, the dog ran back over to me and excitedly wagged his tail, saying "Did you hear that? She believes you are really communicating with me, I've got some more stuff to say!"

Another thing animal guardians have told me is that their pet often makes a point to do something that I specifically mentioned in the session notes. For instance, there was a dog client once who I could feel was dehydrated so I asked him if he would drink more water after our session. I also mentioned to the guardian in my session notes that it would be helpful if she could make sure he had lots of fresh water available. Much to her surprise, later that day when she and her dog went in the yard to water plants, her dog exuberantly drank from the hose every chance he got. She was stunned because it wasn't something he ever did but since she had just read about him needing extra water in my session notes, she was sure I must have really been communicating with him.

In another instance, I was communicating with a horse who let me know that she was often lonely and didn't feel "welcomed" by the other horses who all hung out together when they were out in the pasture. I asked her if there were any other horses that she noticed were by themselves and she indicated that there was another horse who was always alone. I asked her if she would consider checking in with him to see if he wanted some company. Of courses I shared all of this with her guardian as well, who was extra skeptical of my abilities. :-) When I heard from the guardian the following evening, she shared that she noticed the two horses were hanging out next to each other all day. It made me so happy to know Rory, the horse who told me she was lonely, had someone to hang out with. I heard from the guardian again a few weeks later letting me know that Rory and the other horse, Midnight, had become the best of friends and that something had come alive in Midnight since I had the session with Rory . . . that he seemed really happy for the first time since he had arrived at her ranch. I was so happy to know that the two horses that were always by themselves now had a new best friend to hang out with. I'm pretty sure that was the day the guardian stopped feeling skeptical about my abilities.  LOL 

I love being able to partner with animals this way.  They are typically so excited that someone is helping to put a "voice" to what they are thinking and feeling, they want to make sure their guardians really heard it and they will do whatever they can to ensure the message has been received. I also find that those who have a skeptical guardian go out of their way to help their guardian see that our communications are real. 

The other super cool thing, especially since I do all of my sessions remotely these days, is when an animal encourages their guardian in their own unique way to reach out to me for a session.

Over the years, I've had people tell me wonderful stories about how their animal helped them decide whether they should contact me in the first place.  

One person told me that she was looking at several Animal Communicator websites trying to decide who she should set up an appointment with. She said that each time she clicked back to my website, her dog would sit up and put his nose on the keyboard, which told her that her dog wanted her to get in touch with me.  (BTW, in sharing that, I am not suggesting that I am better than other Animal Communicators - just that animals often know who they would be most comfortable with or who would be the right person for their mom or dad to work with.)

Another person told me that when she pulled up my website, her cat jumped into her lap, something she hadn't done in a while because of arthritis, and then pawed at the screen. She said it almost looked like her cat was trying to comb my hair. haha We had a good giggle over that and she admitted it was what convinced her to contact me. 

In another instance, a gal was chatting with her husband and discussing the possibility of setting up a session with me. It was while she was grooming her horse and each time the topic came up, her horse tried to let her know he thought it would be a good idea by nuzzling at her neck. At the time, she didn't give it much thought although she did end up contacting me for a session. It wasn't until after my session with her horse that her husband brought it up. He pointed out that he had observed the behavior that night and thought it was interesting. He didn't know at the time what the horse was trying to communicate but in hind-sight he thought the horse's wishes were pretty clear. 

I have found that animals will do everything in their power to communicate with us, so one of the wonderful ways we can honor them is by being as observant as possible. The more present we can be, the more we can pay attention to all the little things they do (before AND after a session) - and just in general, the more we can learn from them. It is my belief that they are always trying to communicate with us and they probably would prefer to communicate directly with their guardians rather than have an Animal Communicator get involved. 

Something for you to consider: What have you observed in your animal(s) lately? What do you think it could mean? Even if it isn't immediately obvious, the things they do always have meaning and purpose. Maybe it is time to start an "Observation Journal" to keep track of what you've been noticing. There is a good chance that you may notice some patterns that will lead you to a deeper understanding of what your animal is trying to tell you. 

Is It Time To Do Things In A Completely New Way?

I have always been one to question how things are being done - much to the chagrin of  companies and organizations I have worked with over the years and the people involved. Early on in my career, my repeated attempts to question the “norm” didn't do much to bring about change, as people just kept shaking their heads as if to say, “Alas, she’s so green . . . someday she’ll understand that isn’t how things work in the corporate world."

As time went on, I continued to be met with reactions such as "she just doesn't get it" or "she's not very smart, is she?" LOL.  Whether I was questioning one size fits all dog training methods in a rescue group or asking questions about processes used in an animal shelter that didn't seem to support the animals in their care or me asking questions about how we could improve on issues in the community I live in. (My favorite response is: "She must not be from around here." - LOL)

It has never stopped me from asking the questions, because I think that is just part of who I am. The reason I felt inspired to write this is because I can't ignore this growing sense that the time is NOW for us all to ask those questions . . .  to point out when things don't make sense and to speak up when we see things that we know in our hearts could be done better. I believe the time is NOW to come forward with even more passion and more conviction . . . to call out the things that aren’t effective and begin working with others to create brand new ways to get things done. Not to tweak existing ways but to come up with entirely new ways of working.

From what I have been observing, clearly there are others sensing this need for change. Recent conversations I have had are indicating that many people are already attempting to implement new ways of working in their current positions and they are finding great success with these new approaches. 

My hope is that by shining the spotlight on this, even more people will step forward and begin questioning if there are better ways to do just about everything . . . not with more rules and more structure . . . with more logic, more critical thinking skills and more heart.

Can we quiet the voices that say, “This is how we’ve always done it” – and instead could we think more broadly and more deeply about how we’d like to work? 

Could we reimagine how we partner with our co-workers? Our customers? Our suppliers? Could we find new ways to work where everyone feels valued and appreciated? Where everyone enjoys what they are doing so much that it no longer feels like "work?" 

Can we re-imagine how the world of animal rescue works? Can we design new ways to approach basic elements such as: saving, protecting, supporting and re-homing animals? 

Can we stay open to the possibility that there may not be just ONE way to do any of these things?? 

Imagine starting from scratch! If there were no limits at all, what could you create? What is the outcome you desire? Could you start with the outcome you want and work backwards from there? What steps are essential to reach an outcome? Can we eliminate the steps that are there "because we've always done it that way"? and find new and improved ways to get from one point to the next? 

 

What if there is no "right way" to do any of this? What if we gave ourselves permission to look at things with both humanity and effectiveness in mind (in the absence of all limits) - could we then tap into brand new ideas that could completely reshape the way we do business? And reshape the way organizations function? Or how a community works together? Or transform our relationships?

My belief is that we absolutely can—the question really comes down to “Will we?”

ps: I added this meme because it makes me laugh so hard every time I see it and because I've heard that people are more likely to read a post that has a picture included - LOL. No offense intended for people who don't like squirrels getting into their bird feeders. 

A Special Anniversary

Today is a very special "anniversary."  It was 30 years ago today that I "won" Lucky in an adoption lottery. It was a day that forever changed the course of my life - a day that sent me on a path of healing and growth I didn't even know I needed to be on. 

I had to do the "math" several times to make sure it was really 30 years ago because I couldn't quite wrap my brain around the fact that it had been so many years. The January 12th part was never in question - just the year.  :-) 

Here is some of the magic I am embracing today: If I hadn't won Lucky in that adoption lottery that day, I wouldn't be who I am today. I also wouldn't have written "Lucky For Me" because there wouldn't have been that story to tell. So with the focus on celebration - I thought I'd share information about our book once again with a few excerpts from a blog I wrote a while back.

Our story still astounds me in many ways . . . I know that 30 years ago today, I was the one who was truly LUCKY, in ways that I had no concept of at the time. What a remarkable milestone indeed!  

***********

A while back, I received an incredibly powerful piece of feed back from someone after they finished reading my book. They wrote: "Your book is kinda like the boulder that gets dropped in the lake - exponentially magnifying Lucky's impact and a testament to you and your growth. I'm very grateful for your story, for you sharing it with the world and that I got to read it." My heart was deeply touched by his words. 

I wrote the book in the hopes that it might inspire and support others. His comment was like a big thumbs up . . . encouraging me to keep believing in myself and the story that unfolded during the years that Lucky and I were together.

For those of you who are interested in learning more, here is a summary of our book:

From the time Maureen was a little girl, all she wanted was a German shepherd. Then one day she is inexplicably drawn to a news story about a shepherd puppy that had been used in a dog-fighting ring and then heartlessly discarded in a dumpster. Was this the German shepherd she was meant to have? An adoption lottery could answer that and change her life in unimaginable ways.

Lucky For Me takes us deep into the lives of Lucky, the severely abused German shepherd and Maureen, her adopter. Assuming the role of rescuer, Maureen set out on what felt like an insurmountable mission to help Lucky heal from her physical and emotional wounds. Along the way she was catapulted into her own healing journey. Will Lucky and Maureen be able to overcome the obstacles that life has dealt them?

Maureen gives us an honest and introspective look at their quest to regain their confidence and find their way back to whom they are meant to be. As they endeavor to accept, heal and free themselves from the past, Maureen realizes how disconnected she has been from her true self.

While attempting to answer the question “Who am I?” pieces of the puzzle begin to reveal themselves in synchronistic and magical ways. Discovering the hidden gifts in her extreme sensitivity and empathic nature, Maureen’s bond with Lucky grows even stronger and more powerful. As the process of self-discovery unfolds, a new way of life emerges—one that finally feels like home.

Lucky for Me is a true story about second chances and new beginnings. It follows Lucky and Maureen as they navigate the ups and downs of the somewhat rocky terrain, which leads them to self-acceptance and self-love. Ultimately, their inspiring adventure shows us what is possible with love, courage, forgiveness, and trust.

Here is a link to purchase the paperback version: CLICK HERE TO BUY PRINT BOOK

If you would like to see how others have reacted and responded to the book, you can also read reviews on their site as well.

In addition to that, our book is also available as an Ebook via Amazon. I was previously resistant to doing an Ebook because I personally prefer a hand held copy of a book :-) but I have come to learn that a lot of people prefer to read books on their kindles so I decided to broaden my scope. You can even read the first few chapters of our book for free if you want to see if it is something you would enjoy.

The Ebook can be purchased here: Buy e-book edition

Happy reading everyone!!