Chemicals around the house - garages and the cabinet under the kitchen sink often contain chemicals which can pose danger for pets. Drain cleaners, car antifreeze, pool/spa chemicals, insecticides and rodent poisons are all dangerous for animals, potentially causing chemical burns, respiratory issues, and gastrointestinal upset. If your pets are allowed to roam your property freely, consider what possible hazards may be in the garage or shed and keep those areas off limits to your furry companions.

House plants - some plants are highly toxic for animals if ingested. My plant nursery was great about checking their plant catalog for every variety of house plant I was buying to make sure the leaves, stems, roots, and flowers did not pose a danger for animals. I have worked with a number of animal communication clients whose pet is ill and the animal provides an image of a leaf or flower which they’ve ingested. While plants are excellent house-warming gifts, do your host a favor and gift only plants that are safe in the presence of domestic companions. The ASPCA website has an excellent list of toxic and non-toxic plants.

Home improvement products – DIY home improvement projects can be fun and fulfilling, but those weekend projects can pose a danger for your pets. Liquid adhesives, solvents, and paint are all very dangerous to pets if ingested, and can also be a problem if absorbed through their paws or skin. Be aware of the nail strips when new carpet is laid, and remember that some carpet, varnish, and paints can out-gas for quite some time after the installation. Pets are smaller and more sensitive than humans and we should do our best to limit their exposure to any toxic fumes.

Be aware of toxins and hazards around your home, yard, and garage and keep them out of reach of your pets, and children too!

Other posts which may be of interest:

• Household Dangers for Pets
• Summer Foliage Dangers
• Keeping Our Pets Safe During the Holidays

Rufus

A missing pet of any species is heartbreaking. We generally feel a combination of panic, guilt, desperation and devastation, yet we try to remain hopeful amidst it all. Though challenging, it is important to remain optimistic and to work through all possible avenues to bring your beloved pet back home safely.

This is a story of a family who did everything they possibly could to bring Rufus home, and it paid off. The parents of Rufus acted very quickly and called other family members in and out of their small town asking for support and guidance. This immediate networking provided resources and suggestions which wouldn’t otherwise have been available. Each family member took a bit of the responsibility to contact any resource of which they were aware. This included placing an ad in the local newspaper, requesting an announcement on the local radio station, posting signs around the neighborhood, contacting an animal communicator, and registering Rufus on FindToto.com, a service providing telephone broadcast messages to help bring missing pets home. Through it all the family was pragmatic, knowing the chances of a small bird being identified as a missing pet were slim, but still remaining optimistic that their efforts would be successful.

Low and behold, Rufus was found! He spent one night out on his own, and one night with a very loving gentleman who spotted Rufus sitting on his backyard bird bath and cared for him overnight. Apparently the gentleman mentioned finding Rufus to some family and friends, and this networking led to Rufus’s safe return home. Someone saw the advertisement in the newspaper the next morning, alerted the gentleman, and he returned Rufus promptly to his very happy and welcoming family.

Any of the methods used – signage, newspaper, radio, animal communication, a missing pet service - could have been the method that brought Rufus home. The fact is, we don’t know who may notice our beloved pet and what newspaper ad or sign in the neighborhood they might see. It only takes one to bring our pet home. Broadening the scope of the search by utilizing all methods available as quickly as possible increases the odds that the one person who has seen our pet has also seen at least one sign or newspaper ad or heard one radio announcement or received one phone message from FindToto.com.

It is my hope that none of us ever has to go through the anguish of a missing pet. Should that unforeseen circumstance happen, however, I urge you to network extensively and utilize all possible options, as this family did, to bring your beloved pet home quickly and safely.

Other posts which may be of interest:

• Calling all Missing Pets
• Animal Communication: Katy’s Story

I won’t attempt to mention all the various household dangers in this one post, but there are a few hazards which I think are worthy of a mention. Please talk with your veterinarian and do some research on what may pose dangers to your beloved animal companions.

Foods – there are several foods which are toxic to some species. Chocolate is one of those food items found in many homes and it is imperative that we keep chocolate and candy out of the reach of pets. Other common household foods and cooking ingredients include garlic, onions, raisins, grapes, alcohol, coffee and coffee beans, some nuts, and the stems and leaves on garden tomatoes.

Cleaning products - in addition to obvious cleaning products such as detergents, bleach, and disinfectants, cleaning products may contain other chemicals that can harm our pets. Check the label for warnings and lock them up. Better yet, don’t use them if a *poison* label is present. A floor cleaner, for example, may leave a residue on the floor which your pet will walk through and then may lick their paws. Use caution if a product lists ammonia, acids, calcium hypochlorite, turpentine, and phenols in their ingredients list.

Medications – all human medications should be kept well out of the reach of children AND animals. Basic over-the-counter pain relievers can cause serious kidney problems if ingested by an animal and can even be fatal, according to a list of the 10 most poisonous meds for pets complied by the ASPCA, and decongestants can elevate heart rates and cause seizures. Keep medications locked up and out of reach, especially if you have a particularly curious cat or a dog that loves to counter-surf your nightstand or bathroom counters!

Use common sense and “pet proof” your home. It will save much heartache later!

See more household dangers in part two, More Household Dangers for Pets.

Other posts which may be of interest:

• More Household Dangers for Pets
• Summer Foliage Dangers
• Danger for Cats: Pine and Other Essential Oils

Now, through my new tele-class ”Communicating with Our Animals in Spirit“ you will have an opportunity to connect with your animal friend who has passed on. With some introductory instruction followed by a guided meditation, participants may have direct connection with their beloved pet, and will learn skills and tools to help communicate with them after the class concludes. 

 To register and for more information about this class offered by Articulate Animals, click here.

Other posts which may be of interest:

• Communicating with Animals in Spirit
• Animals Remain With Us In Spirit
• Basic Animal Communication for Daily Living: Listening Skills tele-class

Jezebel and her beautiful smile

Alright, no more excuses. Jezebel has several fewer teeth this week than she did last, and I’m going to be brushing those few remaining teeth every day. She’ll be annoyed at first but I’ll communicate with her that this process is for her good, and she’ll question my logic but she’ll believe me eventually. It’s my responsibility as her guardian to do this for her.

All domestic animals need routine and regular dental care just as humans do. Home dental care and regular dental exams are a must. I love my vet and she’s done great dental work on my beloved animals in the past, but she also knows when to recommend a specialist with appropriate equipment including an x-ray machine with dental capabilities. A visual exam did not reveal the area where a tooth had broken off under the gum-line, leaving the roots intact but dying. Dental x-rays are also important for small mouths (like Jezebel) where tooth roots naturally grow near and even into the jawbone. Your veterinarian may be well equipped to take care of any anticipated and unanticipated dental issues, but if not then take their recommendation for a local veterinary dental specialist.

Every pet needs regular dental care, no matter the age. Pick up a toothbrush from any pet store and schedule appropriate dental exams and cleanings as part of your routine pet health care. Your pet’s beautiful smile will be all the thanks you need!

Other posts which may be of interest:

• Teeth Cleaning for our Animals
• Homeopathic Remedies for Animals
• Flower Essences for Emotional Healing – Part Two

Generally speaking, a vacation is an exciting time for humans. This is not always the case for the animals of the family, however. For some pets, their human being away for any length of time is a sad, lonely, perhaps anxiety-ridden experience.

Each animal reacts differently to time away from their primary human guardians, and their reaction can vary depending on the arrangements made for their care. Preparing for a vacation means preparing our animals as well.

For some, the “you have fun, but behave yourself” talk is appropriate, along with your reassurance that you will return soon.

Some animals will benefit from a gentle explanation that you’ll be gone for a few days, then a detailed explanation of how they will be cared for.

Some animals are not concerned with their own arrangements as much as knowing that YOU will be safe and that you will return happily and refreshed, and they will likely want to know all about your adventure when you return.

For all animals, I believe it is helpful to explain that we love being home with them, but that it is important for humans to get away from home occasionally.

No matter which of the above scenarios best fits your animal companions, always finish your conversation with your beloved pets by envisioning a wonderful, joy-filled homecoming with snuggles, praise, and perhaps a small treat.

When the suitcases come out, your animals know that something is about to change in their world. Most will respond more positively when they are brought into the experience so take the time to communicate with them and do so positively and with joy. And most of all, remember that your pets pick up on your energy so remain calm and confident that your time away from them will be pleasant for all concerned.

Vacations are exciting, and don’t have to be feared by our animals. Help them by communicating your intentions, and they will be joyfully waiting for you when you return!

Other posts which may be of interest:

• Preparing Pets for Our Vacation
• Animal Communication Provides Vacation Preparation
• Keeping Our Pets Safe During the Holidays