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Greetings!
The month of March has flown by like a whirlwind, and I have barely been able to keep up. Has it felt the same way to you?
 I've just returned from taking a wonderful workshop at New York's Open Center with noted animal communicator and healer, Margrit Coates, who taught a class in animal healing to a most appreciative group of students. The author of four books, including Hands-on Healing for Pets, and the forthcoming Angel Pets, Margrit brings a peaceful presence to the world, and the effect of her work on the dogs in the class was magical. "The minute we say, 'I love you and want to help you,' explains Margrit, "the universe sends us everything we need." She promises to return to that venue to offer more workshops, and I will be there when she does!
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I'm really happy to announce this month's "Conversations with Animal Authors" guest, Edie Jarolim, co-author of Am I Boring My Dog? And 99 Other Things Every Dog Wishes You Knew. Edie is a relative newcomer to the world of dogs, and she has a delightfully fresh way of looking at aspects of the canine world that many of us veterans have taken for granted. She also writes a great blog, Will My Dog Hate Me?, and I'm sure we'll discuss that, too. Here's a clip from her lighthearted book trailer, to give you a taste of the author's self-deprecating sense of humor. Edie will be joining me tonight, March 31st, at the special time of 9:00pm (EDT) and I hope you'll be there, too. Just call 712-432-0180 and enter PIN #1063739.
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 It's been a goal of mine to start a monthly Animal Loss Support Group, and thanks to the kindness of Dr. Randy Caviness of the Integrative Animal Health Center in Bolton, it's going to happen. As I'd mentioned last month, I recently completed the Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement (APLB)'s training course for pet loss counselors, and I know that their training will prove to be immensely useful as I launch these new informal meetings, for anyone who has recently lost a beloved animal companion. I want them to be a place where grieving animal lovers can come to share their stories, honor their animals, and be comforted. The Animal Loss and Support get-togethers begin on April 14th at 7:30pm, at the Integrative Animal Health Center. Henceforth, they'll be held on the second Wednesday of each month, in the same location. Participation is free, and if you know someone who might find it helpful to attend, please tell them about it.
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 You may remember last month's story about Lena, the sweet black dog who was suffering from cancer. Her Mom, Linda, had sought to know how Lena wanted to spend the time she had left, hoping to make each remaining day a special one. I was saddened to learn that Lena died not long after her story was published. You can see how happy they were together, and I know that Lena will always live in Linda's heart.
From my heart to yours,
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  Book Review
Am I Boring My Dog?
by Edie Jarolim
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Am I Boring My Dog? The question that Edie Jarolim asks is a good one, actually. We're so busy working and running around and doing what needs to be done that we don't spend enough time with our animals. For many hours each day, they are left to fend for themselves, often by themselves. And the time we do manage to spend with them tends to be devoted to the "must-do" activities, such as walking and feeding and grooming, rather than to more pleasureable--and even frivolous--pursuits. Are we really doing enough to keep them happy?
Ms. Jarolim answers that question, and 99 others, in a book that brilliantly spoon-feeds serious information in the guise of light-hearted fun. Her adorable terrier, Frankie, is her steadfast guide and fact checker, and the raison d'etre for this compilation.
When it comes to preventing boredom, for instance, the author has lots of creative suggestions, including audio-visual stimulation for stay-at-home-dogs, in the form of DVDs such as Bradley Joseph's While You Are Gone, featuring deer, ducks, geese, and wolves. But be sure to read the footnotes, in which Ms. Jarolim adds, "According to Wikipedia, performing with Yanni is one of Bradley Joseph's claims to fame. If you and/or your dog are allergic to New Age music, this may be irrelevant."
For more active canines, Edie offers a list of "organized activities," such as Canine ("Musical") Freestyle, and quips, "If Frankie was more coordinated, this is the competition I'd most want to try." But then she admits, "I can't afford to pay off everyone who knows the truth: Frankie has an adorable pranching gait, like a tiny Lippizzaner stallion, while I'm the big ol' klutz."
I like this woman's style.
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Animal Communication Tip of the Month
When clients ask me to communicate with their animals, they often have a specific list of questions and issues they'd like me to address. But sometimes, the animal himself dictates the agenda, and uses the opportunity to get some things off his chest, rather than to answer his human companion's inquiries. That's when things get interesting.
Such was the case with a gentle giant of a German Shepherd named Wendell.
Wendell's caretaker, Jewel, had asked simply if he was happy, and what he might have to say about his life. Wendell seemed grateful for the opportunity to share what was on his mind, and in his heart, and he didn't spare any details.
Wendell seemed to know that Jewel had been with other German Shepherds before he came into her life. And sure enough, she said that she'd cared for another GSD prior to the time she met Wendell. It became obvious that the bond between them is a strong one, indeed. Wendell talked worryingly about having been separated from Jewel for a period of time. He had literally felt lost without her. Jewel confirmed that in fact, she had been commuting from Massachusetts to a job in Washington, DC for a full year, until just a few months ago. It was clear that Wendell had missed her.
Wendell said that it was his job to get everyone up on time in the morning, almost as if he were an alarm clock. Jewel laughed when she told me that this was true, even on weekends, when she and her husband might like to sleep a bit later.
But one of the things that Wendell said really stayed with me. He admitted that he was somewhat self-conscious about his size, and let me know that people had commented on what a large dog he is. "They think I'm too big," he said, almost ruefully, as if he did not want anyone to be intimidated by his presence.
I didn't think much of that comment until I later spoke with Jewel, who told me that she was really struck by Wendell's sentiment because her husband--who loves Wendell dearly--is always talking about how big he is, though not in a disparaging way. Wendell's sensitivity to the remark made me realize, once again, how the little things we say to, and about, our animals can have a lasting imprint on them, whether we intend it or not.
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*The cases discussed here are real, but to protect their privacy, I may have changed the names of my clients and their animals. |
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A Word of Thanks
From an Appreciative Client
 About a year ago, I had the profound experience of working with a valiant young German Shepherd named Wrigley, who was battling osteosarcoma.
Wrigley's left front leg had been amputated a few months earlier, in a desperate effort to stem the spread of her cancer.
By the time Wrigley's "Mom," Seanne, contacted me, the cancer had spread to her beloved dog's lungs, and they knew that her time might be short. Yet Wrigley never felt sorry for herself, and she had a wisdom that transcended her years. She knew exactly what she wanted, and was able to communicate that to her family in the clearest possible way.
Wrigley died peacefully, just a few weeks after my session with her. She is one of those dogs whom I will always remember, with great fondness.
And so last week, a message I received from Seanne brought fresh tears to my eyes.
"I am coming up on a year since we said good-bye to Wrigley and it reminds me of the reading we had just before her leaving.
It gave me such peace of mind to be able to communicate with her before she was gone. I just want you to know how much I appreciate all you did.
I was re-reading the notes the other day and it was so nice to have that. It was a blessing.
So thank you again from the bottom of my heart."
Seanne Moulton
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The Animal Communication Book Club
Join me for the next "Conversations With Animal Authors"
with Edie Jarolim, author of Am I Boring My Dog?
Wednesday, March 31st, 2010 at 9:00pm (EDT)
 I'm so pleased to have Edie Jarolim as my guest for tonight's "Conversations with Animal Authors" teleconference, when she will discuss her book, Am I Boring My Dog?, and her blog, Will My Dog Hate Me?
Edie Jarolim is a seasoned writer, but until she adopted her adorable terrier, "Frankie," she was admittedly clueless about dogs. Frankie inspired Edie to learn everything she could about the world of canines, and she shares her discoveries in her delightful book, and in her blog.
Ms. Jarolim is an intrepid and tireless researcher, and even though her approach is often humorous, she also tackles serious subjects such as aging and euthanasia with compassion and sensitivity, and always from the point of view of someone who loves dogs and wants the best for them.
Please join us by dialing 712-432-0180 and entering PIN #1063739 at 9:00pm tonight. If you are not able to participate live, I'll be posting an archived version of the call on The Animal Communication Book Club within a few days after the event.
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| What's Up With Your Animals? |
 There are so many ways to communicate with animals, as these stories attest. Animals are natural telepathic communicators, and it's because they're so good at it that I can "hear" them.
If you think that you and your animal would benefit from a telepathic consultation, please drop me a note or give me a call.
Until Next Time!
Maureen Harmonay |
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