It is very easy to hold pet’s to unreasonable expectations because the human world has told us how pets * should be *. However, reality is, pets are born as individuals, just like kids. A lot of these expectations were created before humans really understood pets as individuals. Unfortunately, a lot of those expectations are still the norm and shouldn’t be.
Continue reading “Expectations On Our Pets”The Hard Ones
I was walking my dogs today and thought about my hard one, Titan. I have him, and an easy one, Wreck. I love them both, the same. Wreck is a lot easier. Titan is a lot of dog, A whole heck of a lot of dog.
Titan pulls on the leash often. Wreck NEVER does, loose, droopy the entire time.
Titan could attack a dog if given the opportunity, Wreck would NEVER.
Titan has to be asked something 3, 4, 5x before he chooses to do it, Wreck, first time every time.
Titan jumps up on cars, people, etc. Wreck would never!
Titan has taken off at night, for way too long. Wreck always comes back first call.
Titan is hard. He needs a patient, understanding guardian who * gets * him. Wreck could live with literally anyone and be easy.
Titan only responds to my requests, he blows everyone else off, completely. Wreck responds to anyone’s requests.
Sometimes Titan wont eat. Wreck always eats.
Titan gets sick really easily, (multiple nighttime bathroom trips a few times a month) Wreck’s stomach is made of steel.
But, Titan does have easy moments too! When he is sleeping (LOL)
Continue reading “The Hard Ones”Stray Animals
I recently returned from a trip to Guatemala. The strays tugged at my heart, like they always do. Thankfully most were in pretty good condition.
The life of a stray is hard, even when they are in decent shape.
When we travel, we can help. Little things make a big difference.
It can be VERY hard for them to get water and food. Most people think about food because they see thin strays but water is just as needed.
First some followed us all the way up the mountain (14k ft). They slept on the mtn with us at altitude. They never left us. I fed and watered those with food I packed for the climb. Then after the climb I spent some time walking around the city buying food and water at mini marts and feeding them. When I went to remote areas I brought extra food and water in my bag. It doesn’t matter what you feed them, anything is better than the nothing most have.
Continue reading “Stray Animals”Make A Plan
Not something we want to think about but to be a responsible guardian we must.
Make a plan for your pet if something happens to you, regardless of your age.
Too many pets end up in shelters, and worse yet KILL shelters because family members do not take the pets.
This can be short term or long term.
What happens if you are hospitalized for a long time? Who will take care of your animals?
What if something tragic happens to you and you die unexpectedly? Don’t just assume someone will take on your pets.
Do you know someone who is elderly? Talk to them about this. They don’t often think of this. They just assume family will take their pets in.
Teaching (aka Training) Your Pet Fairly
I have always been a “trainer”. I have trained horses and dogs since I was a kid. I enjoyed training and I realized the importance of a well-trained animal. A well-trained animal is a safer member of society (for itself and others).
Training always came easy for me since I could communicate with animals before I even knew the depths of my ability to communicate with them. I trained quietly, easily, and effectively. However, I did see nuisance behaviors as problems. I was just lucky I was able to correct these behaviors easily and effectively because I was unknowingly communicating with the animals at a deeper level.
I’ve changed since I realized how to truly communicate with animals. And as a result, my pets are happier, and better behaved (by societal standards). My dogs still learn the traditional “tricks” such as sit, stay, wait, down, etc. This keeps them safe when I need to be able to maintain control of where they are for the safety of themselves and/or others. They also know some fun tricks, such as crawl, simply for entertainment. It’s fun for both of us! I only taught crawl to one dog because it came naturally to him and he enjoyed it. I did not expect it of the others who did not show me they wanted to learn this “trick”.
So how have I changed? Nothing is forced. Not every pet I have will have the same level of training or learn the same skills. I have learned through accepting animals for who they are. I don’t use training as dominance control. I use it as communication to create a team. It is used to give my animals a job.
Also, I have learned the best form of training is prevention, not correction. If your pet has a behavior you do not like take steps to prevent them from doing the behavior instead of correcting them after they engage in the behavior. This works SO much better. Especially when you don’t realize your animal engaged in the behavior until later (minutes or hours).
Bringing A New Pet Into Your Home
Our world is sadly filled with millions of unwanted and unloved animals. It is heartbreaking. However, I choose to see the brighter side. If I don’t the sadness is overwhelming. The brighter side is there are also hundreds of thousands of humans willing to open their homes to one of these pets.
Transitioning a new pet into your home is challenging, to say the least. This transition will test even the kindest, most loving animal guardian on some days. Especially in the beginning. Please know if it is challenging for you, it is doubly challenging for your new animal.
Crossing the Rainbow Bridge
Crossing the Rainbow Bridge is considered by many to be the hardest day of pet guardianship. Our pets are family and the grief is real. They are not just ” a dog”, “a cat”, “a horse”, “a rabbit” etc.. They are best friends, ride or die’s, family members, side kicks, therapists, and so much more. They are our hearts. They are part of our soul. Their lives depend on us and its an honorable responsblity.
When it’s time to assist your pet in their transition to the rainbow bridge please do not feel guilty. Your pet chose you to be their guardian so you could assist your pet in this transition. It is an honor. You were chosen to care for them, to love them, and to help them transition. They chose you because they wanted you for all of this. After the time they have given to us, making us laugh, bringing us comfort and love, listening to us, and being a best friend, this is your opportunity to be of service to them. To show them love, comfort and respect.
Your Pet’s Emotions
Despite so many pet’s being loved society places an unrealistic expectation on a pet’s ability to show emotions, especially dogs. When I communicate with the animals the most common complaint is having to repress their emotions. When it gets really frustrating for them, many animals will demonstrate behavioral issues as a show of their emotions or they finally show their emotions and are frowned upon for doing so.
Think of your pet’s as children. They are dependent on us and their communication skills are not equivalent to an adult’s. When you think of pets in that way, it is unfair to expect more from them. Yes, must in some ways adapt to our way of life as humans. Even though they are domesticated animals they are in fact animals. And animals live and communicate differently than humans do. However, they have instincts, opinions and emotions just like humans. Make your pet’s emotional health a priority.
The Rainbow Bridge
Today one of the dogs I was in session with gave a lovely description of the rainbow bridge. So lovely I want to share it with you.
“Let me tell you about the rainbow bridge. It’s a real place. We all run around free from leashes and cages. We all get along with each other. We have grass to roll in, flowers to smell and the sun is always shining.
We are healthy and happy. We reunite with old friends we had on earth (other animals). We rest when we want to rest, play when we want to play and feel constant happiness. We wait though for our human.
Continue reading “The Rainbow Bridge”The Rainbow Bridge Part 2
What happens to the unwanted, unloved, and unnoticed? The animals that never had a home or had love
Ive talked about the rainbow bridge. Ive explained what happens when an animal’s person shows up. But what about the strays? Or the animals that never had a home? The ones that lived and died in a shelter? Or the ones that were abused and neglected? The unwanted and the unloved? Who do they wait for when they are at the rainbow bridge?
Continue reading “The Rainbow Bridge Part 2”
