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Spirit Paws
January/February 2008
Ringing in the New Year
with Love and Caring!
 I hope everyone has had a happy and
festive holiday season! With 2007 now behind us our attention turns towards
2008 and what this year will bring to us and our animal companions. This is
also time for many of us to make our personal New Year's resolutions.
I would like to take this opportunity to
challenge you to expand yourself even more in 2008. The challenge consists
of moving beyond the norm of last year into doing something new. You can
even include your animal companions in this if you would like. Animals are
great motivators for us. So how can we as good stewards help them even
more in the coming year?
There are little things you can commit to doing. Go to the Humane Society of the United States and join their community and receive their action alerts via email. By responding to these action alerts you have the power to help change the lives of so many animals. In 2007 alone, caring people and the
HSUS helped to get the first dog fighting prohibition act passed. The Pet
Act passed helping to save pets in disasters. A factory farming gestation
crate ban was passed in Arizona and Oregon. Horse slaughter was ended in the
United States. These are just a few things accomplished when people took a
stand, and all it took was taking the time to send an email! Your voice does
count! We all can make a difference. I hope you will make this part of your
New Year's resolutions.
Also, think about making the time to
help animals by volunteering at a local shelter, do a fundraiser for
them, when spring cleaning check out a shelters wish list to see if there
are things you may be able to donate. Rescues are always looking for good
fosters homes, consider opening your home and heart to those animals
who need a safe place to heal before they move onto their furever home.
Commit to taking a class or two on animals that interest you. I will be offering several new workshops this year so be sure to check the website often for them. Take the Pet First Aid course given by the Red Cross. This is a great one day class and a must for any pet owner. And finally make
a commitment to your own animal companions to spend more time with them.
Even if it is just an additional 5 minutes a day, a little one on one time,
it will make a big difference in their lives. How about you and
serving others by being a therapy dog for the elderly or sick folks?
So what are you
going to add to your New Year's resolution list this year? Let's make it a
good one for ourselves and the animals we share the planet with.
When Your Pet
Outlives You 
We always think our pets will outlive us during our lifetimes. The
only pets I can think of that can possibly live 40 or 50 years are certain
birds and some turtles. It is something we don't give a lot of
thought to but we should. Fewer than 20 % of the population that own animals
have provisions made for them in case they should transition first.
Many think family members, friends or neighbors will automatically want to
take in your pet. Pets may be taken in for a bit but if the animal gets sick
or needs major medical attention will your friends or family be willing to
put out what ever time and money it may take to take care of your beloved
animal companion?
There are alternatives however. In certain states you can set up trusts for
your animals so you know they will be taken care of just as you have
specified. There are pet retirement homes and sanctuaries where your pet can
continue to live out the rest of their lives without fear of being shuffled
around. There is a wonderful book called ""When Your Pet Outlives You" by
David Congalton and Charlotte Alexander. In it they explain options that are
available to us and our animal companions.
Even if you were to do nothing right this minute, it would be a good idea to just begin to think about what would happen if something happened to you. It may not happen often
but it does happen. Be sure your pets are not the ones searching for a home
after you pass. |
The Healing
Power
of Stones &
Crystals
 With all of the
alternative health care services out there we often over look those things
that are easily available to us and our pets. Crystal and stone healing has
been around for centuries. Each crystal or stone has their own and very
different energetic healing property. For example if you have a dog or
cat that is not able to focus or stay grounded use a crystal called
Hematite. It has the ability to help animals (and people) stay grounded and
focused. Rose quartz is good for an animal that has a closed or wounded
heart. It opens the heart chakra to all forms of love. Agate, green
calcite or charoite help with lessening fear and anxiety.
You can find crystals
at most metaphysical shops, on line or at local gem shops. Always be sure to
clear your crystals after you bring them home by placing them in the
sunlight and moonlight for 24 hours. Just a note: the sun does not have to
shine and the moon does not need to be out for them to clear. Think of how
many people may have picked up the same crystal you just brought home.
Their energy is all over the crystal or stone. By setting it out for 24
hours all of that energy will be dissipated.
There are also many
websites that have some of the coolest amulets for pets to assist in their
healing. Just Google pet amulets and there are a few good sites that will
come up.
As with any alternative healing this does not replace working with your traditional vet. There are several good books out focusing on
crystal healing with animals. One of them is "Crystal Healing for Animals"
by Martin Scott and Gael Marion. |
