The Forgotten Bear

Guest Article By Laurel Neme

The illegal wildlife trade is a massive but relatively unknown problem. While writing my book, ANIMAL INVESTIGATORS, I was consistently surprised by the wide variety of species targeted by traffickers. Turtles, spotted cats, insects – big or small doesn’t matter.

And when one species becomes too rare, traders shift to another similar one. At times it seems like no animal is sacred and everything is fair game.

While this reality is depressing, I’m heartened by the many dedicated heroes I meet who fighting for these silent victims—people like Siew Te Wong, an unassuming Malaysian biologist who has devoted his life to saving sun bears.

Malayan sun bears, also known as honey bears (or Helarctos malayanus), are the least known of the world’s eight bear species. Nobody knows how many sun bears remain in the wild. However, we do know that they face multiple threats. Unsustainable logging and expansion of industrial palm oil plantations are destroying significant swaths of their tropical habitat, and the pet trade and uncontrolled poaching for their parts, for use in traditional Asian medicine, further imperil the species — so much so that they are listed under Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which prohibits their commercial trade.

Few people even know sun bears exist, especially compared to other bears, like polar bears and grizzlies. Perhaps this is, in part, because sun bears are so challenging to study. They’re the smallest bear species. They weigh just 100 pounds and are less than half the size of a North American black bear. To complicate matters, they have black fur and spend their time in the trees of Southeast Asia’s dense tropical rainforests—making simply finding them a tricky task. In this case, out of sight has meant out of mind—and little attention has been given to this endangered species.That is until Malaysian biologist Siew Te Wong began raising the profile of what he calls “the forgotten bear.” Wong is one of the world’s few sun bear researchers and also founder of the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) in Sabah, Malaysia.

Wong has gathered a wealth of data about the biology, habits and range of this elusive bear. Some of his findings are surprising. For instance, his studies show wild sun bears are diurnal, not nocturnal as is commonly assumed. Rather, he notes sun bears who live close to humans often change their activities to nighttime to avoid confrontations.

Wong has also uncovered the bear’s favorite food: beetle larvae. Though never tempted to try one himself, Wong enjoys watching the bears digging into a decayed piece of wood for hours and finally find their three-inch reward. The moment they fish one out, they pull their facial muscles back in a smile, close their eyes and let their big, fat, juicy “packed-with-protein” prize melt in their mouth. Wong says, “it’s like they’re having the best chocolate in their life!”

Sun bears are critical for the ecosystem, too. By eating pests like termites that kill or infest trees, they help maintain healthy forests by providing an important pest control service. Further, in their hunt for bugs, sun bears will smash termite mounds and crack open tree cavities, which in turn creates new nesting and feeding sites for other species, like flying squirrels—making them “ecosystem engineers.”

Sun bears serve an additional ecosystem function, as seed dispersers. They often feed on large fruits with sizeable pits, like durian, that are too big for other species. By depositing the seeds far from the mother trees, the bears facilitate germination and increase the survival rate of seedlings, thus helping to “plant the forest.”

There is much that average people can do to help sun bears, and Wong advises, “do whatever you do best!” For example, artists can paint pictures of sun bears, and donate them to conservation organizations, like the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, which then can sell them to raise funds. “There are so many people that have heard about polar bears, grizzly bears and giant pandas,” Wong says, “but they’ve never heard about sun bears. By helping to spread the word about sun bears—showing people pictures of them, putting stories about sun bears on Facebook—they help us to promote awareness. Unfortunately, our conservation work spends money and, generally, the amount of money we raise reflects the amount of work we can do to help a species. [But] fundraising for an animal that is not well known is not easy.” If everybody shared information and stories, we could raise the profile—and ultimately the chances of its long-term survival—of this forgotten bear.

For more information: Listen to an interview with sun bear researcher Siew Te Wong on Laurel Neme’s “The WildLife” radio show. Or read an edited transcript on Mongabay.com.

By Laurel A. Neme, PhD
Author, ANIMAL INVESTIGATORS
Host & Producer, “The WildLife” weekly radio show & podcast.
“The WildLife” airs on WOMM-LP, 105.9 FM in Burlington, Vermont every Monday
from 1-2 pm EST. Live stream available on http://www.theradiator.org
Podcast available via iTunes http://laurelneme.podbean.com
http://www.LaurelNeme.com
To listen to our interview with Laurel Neme click on http://tinyurl.com/4xgnx34.

Why You Should Use Muscle Testing To Improve Illness and Behavior Problems In Animals

Surprisingly not many people know that you can use muscle testing (kinesiology) with animals to help determine the causes of illnesses and behavior problems. Muscle testing can also help you know if you are feeding your dog, cat, horse, yourself or your children the right food, supplements, homeopathics, minerals and vitamins.

It can also be useful in finding answers about past life experiences, gauging the individual’s preferences (especially important when they can’t tell you verbally), their likes and dislikes, and a host of other applications.

Muscle testing became popular in the 1960′s with the work of Dr. George Goodheart. He pioneered what is now called “Applied Kinesiology”. Dr. Goodheart found that the body would reveal a response to benign stimuli in the form of stronger or weak muscles. In traditional settings, a muscle testing practitioner often uses their patients extended arm to ask the body for a yes or no answer. That is of course, a simplistic look at this powerful diagnostic skill.

Like those who practice The BodyTalk™ System of healing, practitioners who are good at muscle testing are able to ask the body’s Innate Wisdom many questions. With the remarkable and time proven approach of surrogate testing, small children and animals can be tested.

Great reasons to muscle test a horse, dog or cat:
* Uncover food allergies
* Discover past life experiences that may be impacting their life today
* Get to the root cause of a current illness
* Determine the need for specific Bach Flowers or other helpful healing Essences
* Discover whether a medication is working, or making things worse
* Uncover past life connections so they can be healed and resolved
* Open the lines of communication so your horse, dog or cat can tell you things

As a diagnostic tool, muscle testing is an invaluable and easily applied means for an experienced practitioner to get fast answers to critically important questions.

A prime example of the power of muscle testing was when my assistant used the technique to test for past life experiences between herself and her grandson. Her grandson had a terrible temper, which was very difficult to tolerate or deal with.

Muscle testing helped her discover that she and her 3 year old grandson had an unpleasant past life together. She was able to resolve this memory during her session, and disengage from the drama of her grandson’s temper.

Because she was able to disengage from the drama, she saw that his temper was often a by-product of his ADHD syndrome. She was then able to find a holistic way to resolve approach his problems and today he is a much more even-tempered child and a true joy to be around.

The same principle can be applied to horses, dogs or cats who misbehave or are acting out. Often times dogs and cats are acting out from a past life drama, or you are reacting to your animal friend from a past life drama.

Whether the root cause of an illness or behavior problem is incorrect food, negative effects from their environment, mismanagement, unresolved past life issues, traumatic emotional experiences or other heretofore unknown causes, muscle testing can be used to discover the source of problems. That allows a more effective treatment plan to be created and implemented.

Avoid all the expensive guesswork and trial and error. Just ask the being’s BodyMind for help. You’ll be glad you did.

Bio: Val Heart – The Real Dr Doolittle™! Val uses muscle testing in her work with animals and people to determine what’s needed for health, balance and well-being, and to resolve behavior, training, performance, and health problems. Apply Now for a Complimentary Happy Animal Assessment Session (210) 863-7928, email: contactval@valheart.com visit http://www.valheart.com

Mingo Morvin On Elk and Wolves

As a person that deals in way to much reality, expeditions, hanging from rock walls and hanging out with bears and other wild critters, I am amazed at the intellectual rigidness of people and their agenda’s. Reality is a beautiful thing people, embrace it and your life and the life of others would be subjected to so much less drama.

As we look at the realm of reality we see obvious challenges. There are few absolutes in life or in wildlife management. There are plenty of exceptions though. And some are glaring exceptions to this reality rule! Reality and the rule of absolutes collide in the many areas of public policy. Agenda’s are followed without the slightest glance towards reality. When policy decisions are based on political agenda’s great harm is caused. All policy decisions must be based on situational awareness, research and knowledge of the given situation.

Back to intellectual rigidness. As most people that know me can attest, I can be swayed with fact and data that can be substantiated and that I can understand. If you bring me the quantum physics explanation of why cow pies are different from bison pies based on the density of whatever, I will probably want to turn to another channel. Bring me a logical argument with data to support this stance and if it is based on science and logic I will be swayed to this position. Illogical assertions, or the ‘I feel this way’, will not sway me. That is not intellectual or informational and does not help in solving a problem or focusing clarity on a subject. It is personal opinion and we know what people say about personal opinion. In the overall debate it is also not helpful as these attitudes harden the positions of others on the side that disagrees. Openness and intellectual fluidity, not rigidity is needed in these times and for the issues that we all wish to solve. Now, how do these theoretical concepts impact on a real world of animal issues?

For the sake of clarity we will focus on one animal that is at the peak of its popularity to some and is a lightning rod for the folks on the other side of the issue. This latter group, mostly hunters, ranchers and states rights constitutionalists, believe that the wolf, grey’s, timbers, reds and Mexican, should be regulated by states with no interference from the federal government. On both sides of this battle, positions have hardened and a great deal of misinformation is spread and accepted as truth. One very serious and disconcerting problem to me is that intelligent people, on both sides, that will not accept the truths of this situation based on solid research and observed behaviors. In this article we will delve into some of these issues and hopefully repair some of the gulfs that have pushed this wolf war to ridiculous and truly pathetic levels.

Wolves, wow is that a loaded word. People either love them or hate them, little middle ground here. Glad that I picked bears to study and research as almost everyone loves bears. Who could dislike a teddy bear, a panda or a koala? Not really a bear but we will take credit for this loveable little critter. Everyone knows the story of Little Red Riding Hood, watched countless movies of wolves eating everything in sight and read children’s books that vilify wolves. Bears are even seen positively in commercials, not the wolf. Why is this?

Simple, wolves are as good as humans at killing and many resent the competition. Wolves kill the same wild things that we eat and many resent the competition. Wolves kill the same animals that we guide to hunt and many do not like the competition. Wolves eat beef and sheep and many resent the competition. Only problem is that the wolf does it 24/7/365, and again simply put, the wolf killings have more or equal impact then the effects of hunters that do not want to share the bounty. Simple, but these are the straight unaltered and indisputable truths. Talk to any hunter, rancher, trapper, or person that believes wolves should be hunted to extinction and this is the common denominator of the argument, they are better than us. A bit of envy and jealousy here, totally.

Does this mean that wolves are just wonderful and need to be allowed to roam and breed as they dictate; no way on God’s green earth should that happen. They are ruthless, completely efficient and bloodthirsty killers. Just as they should be as this is how they have evolved over the centuries, efficient animals that learned how to live off the land and have become the top predator in the field, even better than humans in that wilderness arena.

On both sides of the debate, or should I call it what it really is, a complete inability to grasp and the willingness to accept that wonderful concept, reality. How about intellectual honesty to! Ooops, hope I did not step on any toes there!

On the pro-wolf side I have heard some of the dumbest touchy feely crap that could spew out of the mouths of intelligent people. How about this one, ‘I have a dog-wolf hybrid and he is a loving and caring dog’. He never attacks other dogs, people or even a moose calf when we are in Montana. I can assure you that Muffy is mostly DOG—- genetically and personality wise, and many if not all of those wolf traits have been lost many generations ago. This one is one of my all time favorites, ‘they have such penetrating and kind eyes’. In your dog/wolf that is true. My 120 pound chocolate lab had these same eyes, warm and friendly. When I am with wild wolves that penetrating stare is neither kind.or friendly. It is sizing me up and seeing if I am a threat or a benign visitor in his home range. Sometimes I wonder if that gaze is not looking at me thinking about a dinner that I might provide. In the field I have never been bothered by a wolf and feel very fortunate to have been as close as I have been to these magnificent animals. I am also very weary of them as I am with all large critters that I observe and research. Another misconception by the pro-wolf people is that, ‘wolves only cull the weak, sick and old from a herd’. Along with healthy cows and bulls and calves in the spring drop. In some caribou, elk and moose populations the kill rate of calves is over 70% from both wolves and bears. Some of these herds have collapsed due to this over depredation.

If you do not believe these figures talk with people in the USFWS in Alaska and the NPS biologists in Yellowstone NP. In 1991 elk populations were exceeding 22,000, now in the northern herd there are possibly 7,000 animals. Wolves and bears are part of the reason for this decline. Other factors are drought, heavy winter snows in some years and disease and, of course, hunting. . In the coming month I will be posting a study that I am conducting on the carrying capacity of wolves in Yellowstone based completely on historical records of elk populations. The study will consider many factors about the decline of elk numbers and should answer some of the questions about animal predation and elk numbers.

As a point of pure information on the dining habits of wolves in Yellowstone, wolves take down 1.8 elk per month on the average and their diets are composed of 83% elk. These figures are based on 2009 NPS research, records and studies. Now back to wolf issues.

Wolves do have a serious impact, at times, on the healthy nature of an ecosystem; sometimes they are incredibly positive and not so wonderful at other times. Balance needs to be maintained and sometimes mother nature is a bit slow at figuring this out. In a non-politically charged atmosphere our state and federal environmental agencies generally do a great job at making decisions about these complex issues. Just have to keep politics out and science in charge here.

Wolves never kill people. False, they do, although it is an extremely rare occurrence. You have a much greater chance of being clubbed to death by some right wing wolf hater than being eaten by a wolf. Why did I say this in such a manner? To make a point to both sides of the wolf war issue! In March of 2009 near Chignik Lake, Alaska, Candice Berner was killed by 4 wolves while running on a dirt road in the area. Kenton Carnegie in November of 2005 was found dead near Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Autopsy indicated a black bear could have caused this death but a complete investigation and coroner’s jury determined that wolves were the animals involved. The bears were exonerated in this attack. A third fatality, Vladimir Paschkov was attacked and killed by wolves in the Ural Mountain Region of Russia. This february 2009 incident in Siklyatz Duvanskogo was witnessed by four others that went to his defense and were also injured. In the case of Candice Berner, four wolves were identified and shot. These were found to be healthy animals after necropsies were performed. These are not the only ones that I found while researching this article. In Russia this seems to be more common than in North America. I did not report on these others as the information seemed a bit sketchier. It does happen and these cases indicate that it does happen and will in the future. Wolves are carnivores and at times we, humans, become dinner.

There are other areas that are irritating to the anti-wolf people. These are some of the good ones that I have had to explain. I sure wish that the wolf lovers would see wolves in a more realistic way and accept them for what they are, really cool, fantastic, wonderful and beautiful animals that have become some of the most fear predators in the animal kingdom. They are efficient and effective in doing what genetics and nature calls of them. That is the true nature of the wolf, not Muffy sitting on your couch.

How do you start and where on the issues of the anti-wolf people. How about we nuke the National Parks and allow cows and sheep to destroy what wise men before you have protected. Remember John Muir! Besides being a really good mountaineer, this I like about him, he had a sinister side. He used to graze sheep in the high Sierra of California. After a number of years of causing havoc he accessed his negative impact and in 1892, the by then conservationist and preservationist, founded the Sierra Club. He understood the economic reasons of why we graze animals but also understood that the land we live and work on is borrowed. He saw the need to protect certain aspects of our natural world so others could enjoy these places. We own this to our children and to their children. Too many in the anti-wolf element believe it is theirs to trample and use and abuse as they see fit, without a thought as to the future. I will also add here that wolves are not the only ones that are being eradicated in a callous and immoral way. Bears, in Alaska, are being snared and trapped and then killed in similar numbers to wolves. As the founder of Bears Unlimited I find this very troublesome.

Now lets look at a few of the issues that need to be discussed and just maybe some of the anti-wolf people will see this in a little more rational manner. How about their assertion that on public leased pasture their animals need to be safe from attack by wolves, bears or fairy princess’s. On your private land you can do and demand anything that you choose to do. If wolves come on your land to dine on a nice steak dinner I have no problem with you shooting them as this, I believe, is your right. On public lands, my land, I do not want you shooting, wolves, coyotes, bears or really anything else unless you have a legal hunting permit to do this. I suspect that many in the pro and anti-wolf camp would agree with this.

I do understand your problems, cows are money and you send your kids to school, buy cars and pay bills with this money. It is your living and you have every right to pursue this way of life. I also understand the serious economic impact that losing cattle can have on a smaller operation. Let us say if you have 100 cows and each is worth $1000.00 Have 10 killed by wolves and you have lost about a tenth of your income. That is substantial and I do believe that you have a right to protect your investment and your ability to make a living. Now, how do we all get together and solve this issue. Some form of dependable and fair compensation needs to be instituted again or do not graze on public lands until you are willing to accept the concept of taking care of your cattle, your investment. Compensation is a solution but this has to be coupled with a certain casualty rate and realization that this is multiple use property. Combat is tough sometimes. We had a system before with the Defenders of Wildlife so it can be done. In this equation ranchers have to be able to show that they are taking actions to protect their cattle that are killed by wolves. Cannot just throw them out on public land and gripe when they are eaten by the wrong species. The pro-wolf side has to understand that certain wolves prefer the easy kill of a cow and these wolves need to be taken out of the equation. Some compromise and acceptance of reality on both sides in understanding these issues will go along way to solving this problem.

The problem with the wolf decimating elk, caribou and moose populations is not that difficult to understand. If the balance of nature is way out of whack we need to take actions to try to stabilize these conditions.

Here is the difficult part. The people that should be formulating these policies should be researchers, land managers, animal behaviorists, and scientists that have solid credentials in wildlife work. Many of these individuals can and should be people that have vast amounts of wildlife experience and not necessarily a college degree. Educations can be found in many places, the forest being a place of great learning. These people need to be open minded and not appointed as political hacks. Policy should be based on science not politics or agenda’s. There are times that the level of all predators is excessive and at other times the prey population is well over capacity for an ecosystem. Both sides have to understand that nature is not perfect or precise and unfortunately needs to be helped at times. Let’s just do this for the right reasons, the betterment of all animals in the forest.

The issue before us now, 2011, is a nasty one that really does not make me happy. I find it pathetic and disgusting that a party would not be willing to openly debate an important issue but is perfectly willing to attach this to another that would make it difficult to reject, a government funding bill. By subterfuge this action will happen and this should sicken all that have defended this country, even supporters on the anti-wolf side. It is a deplorable way to do business and it will be avenged. Republicans should know this as the groundswell will engulf your cowardly tactics in the coming elections. We, all of us, have an obligation to work together as, Americans, and as a people that cherishes its democratic traditions. This cowardly action is against these traditions.

I suspect that many on both sides of this issue share my opinion of this usurpation of our rights to debate, openly, fairly and with class and integrity. We should all be saddened and sickened by this action. I know this Marine is!

This article was not written to inflame or to see the issue from a neutral position. It was written to produce some interior soul searching and exterior passion but passion tinged with thought and honesty. It was written to allow people to see the other side and to offer a few basic ideas at how we bridge our differences. We cannot kill everything that we do not like or understand nor can we love everything out of misplaced compassion and or the lack of compassion for a family trying to make a living doing what they love. Ranchers and hunters are vilified as are environmentalist and preservationists. We should all be on the same side, the side of leaving a wilderness for our children and a legacy for this world that people and animals can exist on the same planet.

Mingo Morvin
Founder Bears Unlimited Inc.
Bearsunlimitedinc.org

Do What You Say

Reprinted with permission by Dean Harrison, http://budurl.com/9luc

The lion just wouldn’t get off me. His right elbow was pressed into my shoulder, pinning it firm to the ground. I had maneuvered my chest just enough to his right so that I could still breathe.

If he were a little further forward on me, breathing would have been a thing of the past—and maybe me too. I couldn’t believe I allowed myself to be in this position; I played right into his paws.

As I think back as to how this came about, my error was obvious. My wife, Prayeri, and I had just finished the Lion Safari Show at Out of Africa Wildlife Park, when two young couples approached me to go back in with Java, the big black mane Cape Lion. I told them once we leave the lions after a show, we don’t go in with them again—as we have found that additional contact with them right after the show is riskier and it serves no purpose. However, one of them said they were at the park a couple weeks ago and were so excited at what they had seen, that they had brought some friends to see it too. He explained they had driven an hour and a half, and really wanted to see us in with Java—and they had promised their friends.

Again I explained to him the risk and said “No.” A little later on they found me again and persisted their request. By now I was feeling guilty about not satisfying their pleadings—so I relented and said “Okay, just briefly.”
But at that time there was an additional reason for not pushing my luck with Java. Two weeks before, I had moved him out of his favorite habitat because we needed to do some upgrading where Java was living. I told Java he could come back by the end of the day. But the work was not finished as expected. In fact, we found more time would be needed. So
I went to Java to tell him. He indicated to me that it was all right; he would return later.

The next day, the work continued, but it was still unfinished by day’s end. I explained to Java and he seemed to accept the delay. By the third day the work was still not complete and I was embarrassed to tell Java. So I said nothing. A week later we still weren’t finished and I apologized and told him we were almost done. But more complications arose. By now it was quite apparent that Java was annoyed with the project and my excuses and wanted to go back. Another week went by and still we were not finished. Now it was Sunday and I knew Java was harboring ill feelings toward me.

He had not expressed them during the show because he was distracted, but it was plain to me that Java was unhappy with the insensitive way I treated him. I too felt our relationship strained, but didn’t know what to do about it.

When I said okay to the persistent visitor, I knew I was walking into an irritated lion. As I entered the habitat that Java was residing in, I felt a particular uneasiness. It felt like a trap. Java was resting up—right in typical cat-like fashion. His neck was erect, but his head was slightly downward. This posture is typical of what Java does when he wants to pretend he is not going to jump me. While his head was downward, his eyes were looking up at me. I felt the possibility of a jump coming and took appropriate action to test my feelings. Walking back and forth in a zigzag pattern. While approaching the big lion, I was looking to see if he would turn his head as I approached. But he did not. This confirmed my suspicions. But by now I was committed and the four visitors were so happy, I just couldn’t disappoint them.

By now many other visitors had gathered. As I stepped into Java’s space, he remained perfectly still, never moving even an eyelid. I placed my left foot to his right, just next to his head so I would avoid the full force of a frontal assault. I carefully picked up my right foot and was planning to place it in a stable, defensive position to secure my stance if Java did attack. I was surprised that as yet he had done nothing. He certainly had the chance. Then all of a sudden he was in the air. My right foot had not yet even touched the ground. He was two feet above my head and coming down. I can’t remember hitting the ground, but I was on it—flat on my back with my head and chest under Java’s chest and my legs pointing away from him. As he hit me, I heard his words in my head “Do what you say.”

His mouth never opened and I was completely unharmed. He was standing directly overhead—his head over mine about three and a half feet up. He made no attempt to do me harm, but I felt I should leave now. I wiggled my body backward on the ground like a snake in reverse. Java stepped forward, still standing and still looking up. It seemed as if he was waiting for instructions as to what to do with me. I knew his intent was not to hurt me, for if he had intended it he already would have done it. His head would have been down and he would have been biting me. He was exercising complete control over his captive. His behavior was not rash or harsh—it was not without meaning or purpose—but he was completely composed and without irritation or feelings.

I wiggled forward again. He stepped forward and laid down on me. As he settled, I shifted to be able to breathe. I asked him to get off me, but he remained unaffected. All those at the park who work with animals wear microphones for constant communication for show purposes and for reasons such as the situation I was now involved. I reached into my pocket and turned on my mike. “Bobbi, could you come to habitat six quickly.” But she didn’t hear.
I didn’t want to alarm park visitors. After all, I wasn’t dying; I was just under a giant lion. Several staff animal people arrived and made distracting noises and behaviors at the fence. They could not come in, since Java does not allow anyone but Prayeri and I in because we are part of his pride. Anyone else would be attacked. But Gerry Happ, who is in charge of what we call the “core group” (those who work with the big cats) ran to the meat room and got a big piece of meat. As he approached the habitat fence, Java saw him. Gerry tossed the meat over and Java pushed off of me and headed for the food. I jumped to my feet and ran out.

The two couples who insisted I go back in with Java were visibly shaken and greatly relieved that I was unhurt. I assured them I was fine, but glad to be out. When the park opened again on Tuesday, I made sure the work on Java’s habitat was continued. In fact, it was completed by noon.

I went back in with Java and called him to tell him the good news. He and his wives, Shanta and Sahara, came running and investigated all that had been done. From that day on, I do what I say—especially with Java!
Interspecies communication has long been a subject of debate. Today many people have discovered its existence and have experienced it to various degrees. One only needs to visit Out of Africa Wildlife Park to see the results.

Dean Harrison is the founder of “Out of Africa Wildlife Park,” home to 400 animals, in Camp Verde, Arizona. The park provides a loving refuge to lions, tigers, leopards, hyena, giraffe, wildebeest, zebra, rhinoceros and other exotic creatures from around the world. Dean and his wife, Prayeri, often share a bed with some of the large furry felines who can weigh over 600 pounds. See www.OutOfAfricaPark.com

How Do Cats Purr and Why?

Ever wondered how cats purr? What is it exactly that makes that amazing sound and vibration?

Why do they purr at some times and not at others? For instance, cats purr just as much when they are in pain, injured or ill as they do when they are content, pleased and in a meditative state of mind.

Science has not been able to figure it out completely either. It is a fascinating topic. However, not only is it interesting HOW they purr, but what happens when they do.

How Cats Purr
It is believed that a cat’s voice box muscles rapidly twitch. This causes rapid, repeated partial closing and opening of the middle of the voice box, which is where the air moves through the throat. The repeated closing and opening causes vibrations in the air being breathed in and out. It’s these vibrations that are responsible for making the purring sound.

The vibrations happen when your feline friend breathes in and out, which is why the purr sounds continuous, as if she’s not stopping to breathe at all!

The theory that kitty’s voice box is responsible for purring is supported by the fact that cats that have paralyzed voice box muscles are unable to purr.

What Happens When a Cat Purrs
Many animals are truly remarkable healers. It’s well known that cats, dolphins, dogs, horses and many other species have the ability to sense cancer and other disease in humans. Often they will point to the problem spot repeatedly. And that’s partly what makes them such good therapy animals, and why they can get results that traditional medicine often cannot.

Science has shown that all cats from all around the world purr at the same frequency. Further, they’ve discovered that that exact energetic frequency, when applied to bone and tissue, accelerates healing!

“In every culture and in every medical tradition before ours, healing was accomplished by moving energy.” — Albert Szent-Gyorgyi, Nobel Laureate in Medicine

Although Albert may not have included animal healers in his research work, he was right on target with his observation.

I was terribly ill many years ago. I couldn’t eat more than a few sips of broth a few times a day. I often couldn’t sleep because the pain of lying down would make me cry out. This went on for almost three weeks.

Every day and night, my cat friends would work on me almost non-stop. One would position himself at my knees. Another would curl on my side, the side that hurt so terribly. The third would choose a spot by my head, and the fourth would carefully work on my heart and chest.

Only when they worked on me could I rest and sleep. And when I awoke, I would feel stronger. After the second week, I was able to begin short walks. After the third the pain was beginning to be a memory and I went on to recover.

What if your cat, dog or horse seems repeatedly attracted to certain areas of your body with a feeling of worry, or you have a strong sense that they are trying to tell you something?

What To Do If Your Animal Focuses Repeatedly To A Specific Area Of Your Body
When a cat gifts you with their purr, let yourself feel how deep into your own body the vibration goes. Also notice where it is directed. A cat specifically chooses where to sit with their human friend – and that site is usually a problem area. It could be a joint, organ or injured area that your friend is attempting to help you with.

I’ve seen cats literally configure their bodies to flow the energy in a specific pattern, channeling degenerative and destructive energy lodged in ‘hot’ areas into shut down, ‘cold’ areas that need it. They are the ultimate Reiki and Jin Shin Jyutsu masters!

First, communicate with them directly using the services of a professional animal communicator. Give them a voice so they can tell you what they are sensing, thinking or feeling.

Next, get checked out medically. Thousands of people are alive today because they heeded their animal companions warning.

Take a moment to thank them, offering gratitude for their ministering to you. Breathe with the purr, and allow yourself to vibrate with it as deeply as possible.

For all you know, they are healing you in the same way that shamans and healers have for centuries!

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Want to use my articles in your blog, ezine, or website? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Val Heart is called The Real Dr Doolittle™, and teaches animal lovers how to connect and communicate from the heart. She specializes in resolving behavior, training, performance, health problems, euthanasia decisions. Free AnimalTalk QuickStart Course (value $79), The Real Dr Doolittle™ (podcast) Show now on iTunes! (210) 863-7928, email: contactval@valheart.com visit http://www.valheart.com

Are Animals Afraid of the Afterlife and Death?

Ever wondered what animals think about death? Or, if they know anything about the afterlife – if it exists? How it works?

I was undecided how I felt about this issue for many years, until I met an injured wild deer at Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation where I worked on staff. I was delighted when the deer began talking with me.

One deer became a dear friend (no pun intended) and I always looked forward to feeding time when I got to sit and chat with this very special being named Roland. I always took his favorite foods to eat and sat down with him while we communed together.

I was very concerned about him because his broken leg wasn’t healing well. One day I asked him if he knew anything about death and what happened, if anything, after one left their body. He told me his experience – and it changed my life.

I’d like to share his story with you. Please know that I am not offering a religious belief – only to share a profound experience. You can make up your own mind about what you decide to believe… or not.
All I ask is that you be willing to consider other viewpoints. As you learn to talk with animals, it is important that you keep an open mind so animals can expand your consciousness.

My deer friend, Roland, said he had once been a wealthy gentleman landowner in England in the mid to late 1800’s. He showed me how his body had looked, his favorite pipe, his gold watch, his expansive home, and he even imaged for me the land he loved so very much.

He was excited at the chance to ask me about current human advancement and we discussed how so much had changed since he’d last been a human. He amazed me with his questions and knowledge about society back then, what was current in his day. He talked about important events and people that I knew very little about (which disappointed him). And I amazed him by explaining our technological advances.

In his time, he had hunted animals when he’d been a young man, but as he grew older, he began to grieve their deaths to the point that he stopped hunting completely. In fact, he discovered that he was weary of living a human life with all the cares and concerns and stressors that entailed.

He loved watching the deer and envied them their ability to leap and run, their remarkable grace, and their gentle spirits. When he died, he decided that if he could, he wanted to come back as a deer. And so he did.
He was calm and peaceful as he told me that he wasn’t afraid to die, and that the experience was different every time. I was eager to continue the conversation the next day, but when I went back to work, he had passed away.
I grieved him for a long time, but I’m also sure he was ready to move on. He knew his leg would not heal, and so decided to leave the body behind and start again.
That opened up a whole new world for me, and I’ve now worked with thousands of animals in all stages of life.
In my experience, I’ve found that most animals are not afraid to die. They often welcome death like an old friend, and when they are ready, they gratefully surrender to it and step joyfully out of their body.

Often their final gift to us is this experience. Especially if we are afraid of death or dying, then going through this process with them can teach us how to face death with dignity, compassion and respect, and with much less fear.
The only animals I’ve found who were afraid were the ones who had extremely fearful, anxious humans who were terrified to let them go. Through their intimate connection with their person, the animal mirrored their human’s emotional state.
So take a moment now to reflect on how you feel about death.

If you are not in a neutral, balanced, peaceful, accepting place, then you won’t be open to whatever they have to say. Be willing to get the help you need, so your animal friend won’t have to reflect or carry your emotional wounds.
Because what they tell you may go way outside your experience, teaching, beliefs or understanding. They have access to a lot more information than we have, especially when it comes to energy and their amazing senses.

Remember that Spirit often uses animals to communicate with us, to touch our hearts, to teach us, and to heal us.
In fact, our connection with and love for our animals helps us learn the lessons they came here to teach us, and that makes us better humans.

When you’re ready, sit quietly with your friend. Invite them to teach you. Ask the questions you have on your heart.
And then just sit back and listen with open attention. Let whatever impression, image, or feelings they may want to share come to you. Be easy and calm, while you sit with it for a while. Thank them for whatever you get.
Don’t be too anxious to get the answers quickly… That kind of energy always pushes them away from you.
Allow the meaning to unfold in its own time. What you get just may change your life too.

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Want to use my articles in your blog, ezine, or website? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Val Heart is called The Real Dr Doolittle™, and teaches animal lovers how to connect and communicate from the heart. She specializes in resolving behavior, training, performance, health problems, euthanasia decisions. Free AnimalTalk QuickStart Course (value $79), The Real Dr Doolittle™ (podcast) Show now on iTunes! (210) 863-7928, email: contactval@valheart.com visit http://www.valheart.com

Euthanasia: Making the Right Choice, Josh’s Story

One of the most dreaded and possibly painful experiences all animal lovers must go through comes at what seems to be the end of your animal friend’s life.

Do you know if it’s time for you to let go of your animal friend? How can you know if you don’t ask them first? After all, who else would know better than they do?

Josh, a 7 year old cocker spaniel, had lost his vision and hearing within the space of a few months due to cancer. He felt his life was over and just wanted to die. Severely depressed, he wasn’t eating or interacting much at all with his human, Susan. With the loss of his senses went his connection with the outside world.

When Susan called me, she was on the verge of putting him to sleep, but wanted to be sure there wasn’t anything else she could do to help him before she made the decision.

I spoke with Josh and it was true, he had fallen into a deep depression and didn’t know how to get out… My work that day focused on showing him how to use his other wonderful senses and engage his bodymind’s recuperative power to start living again.

For instance, I taught him how to tell Susan when he needed to go outside. All he had to do was find the door with his nose, sit down and bark. Susan promised she would hear him, come and take him out. In spite of the fact that Josh had never barked before in his life, he got the message and it worked like a charm!

Josh even figured out that barking was the way to ask for what he wanted, whatever it was! Susan told me that one day she was thinking about going into the kitchen and having a snack, and Josh began barking at her! And he wouldn’t quit until she agreed to go get him a snack too.

Josh began interacting with people again. Never a very affectionate dog before, Josh began seeking Susan out with his nose and inviting physical contact and comfort. They were able to connect on a deeply personal and spiritual level that neither could have imagined only a few short months before.

Susan’s life was forever changed too. She learned how to telepathically communicate with Josh on levels he could ‘hear’ and understand. Between the two of them, they taught each other many profound life lessons.

One of the interesting things about his remarkable life was that as Josh aged, he became lumpy with benign tumors and sometimes lost his balance. Occasionally he would get grumpy, and felt the pangs of arthritis. He slept a lot in his final years too…

Many other people would view him with dismay and tell Susan she should put him down. His appearance disturbed them so they thought his quality of life – from their viewpoint – couldn’t be good and he must be in a lot of pain. They thought she was keeping him alive beyond what was reasonable.

She somehow never felt that was the right thing to do for her dear friend. And every so often Susan would check in with him to see how he was doing, and if he was ready to go yet. He would always tell her he was fine, perfectly happy and content, was coping with his pain well, and was still enjoying his life.

One day that changed. He woke up and knew it was time to go. He communicated that it was his desire to transition. His transition was made possible with the gift of euthanasia. Against the odds, Josh lived to the ripe old age of 17 years.

He felt he had a very good life, and was grateful that he had gotten a second chance. He was also grateful that he and his much loved human friend, Susan, had been able to grow so very close.

And Susan was grateful that she listened to both her heart and to her dog, and chose not to end his life prematurely, before he was truly ready to go.

Do yourself and your animal friends a favor by giving them a voice in what happens to them and when. You’ll both be glad you did.

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Want to use my articles in your blog, ezine, or website? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Val Heart is called The Real Dr Doolittle™, and teaches animal lovers how to connect and communicate from the heart. She specializes in resolving behavior, training, performance, health problems, euthanasia decisions. Free AnimalTalk QuickStart Course (value $79), The Real Dr Doolittle™ (podcast) Show now on iTunes! (210) 863-7928, email: contactval@valheart.com visit http://www.valheart.com

Are There Dog and Other Animal Ghosts?

I believe that dogs and other animals do have spirits that continue after they leave their body. I’ve felt them and heard them for myself with my own animals, and it is very clear that animal spirits do often come back after they leave their body in what many would term a ghost form. Dogs and other animals are like humans, in that they may have something left undone here or don’t want to leave their humans for reasons they deem important.

This is part of my work as an animal communicator, helping people find peace with the passing of their animal friends, to know for themselves where they are and what has happened, and to relay final messages between them.

If you have experienced the passing of one of your animal friends, then you can certainly relate to wishing for one more moment to either say goodbye or say one more thing before they transition.

Animals usually stick around because they want to help their humans through the grieving process before they are ready to move on. Sometimes they have a message they want to share before they are ready to go. Other times they are waiting until their human can make peace with their passing. Often they’ll stay around for quite a while, taking on a new role as spiritual advisor or guide for their human friend.

One of my clients recently had to put her beloved old dog down due to age and illness. She told me that after the deed was done, that she had a very clear sense and image of her little friend trying to follow her out the vet’s office door and waiting for the door to be opened so she could walk through. My friend felt a little odd but decided to respect her ‘vision’ and held the door open for her. They went home. When she got home, her other dog greeted them, and in many ways acted like she was still there! She also told me that she put her dog’s ashes in a music box, and that the music will play at very odd times – without being wound or through other intervention. She feels it is a message to her that her friend is still here. You may have heard of similar dog ghost stories yourself.

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Want to use my articles in your blog, ezine, or website? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Val Heart is called The Real Dr Doolittle, and teaches animal lovers how to connect and communicate from the heart. She specializes in resolving behavior, training, performance, health problems, euthanasia decisions. Free AnimalTalk QuickStart Course (value $79), The Real Dr Doolittle (podcast) Show now on iTunes! (210) 863-7928, email: contactval@valheart.com visit http://www.valheart.com

Understanding the 3 Cardinal Rules of Dog Psychology to Know When Loving Your Dog Too Much Can Be Harmful

Understanding these three basic rules of dog psychology can help you overcome many of your dog’s behavior issues. Knowing which actions you are taking, or not taking, that is causing or contributing to their behavior problems can go a long way in helping you and your dogs have a better relationship and be able to live together in deeper harmony.

Do you think that if your dog really loved you, she would behave better, would come when you called, and wouldn’t eat your shoes, pee in the house, be aggressive, or tear up your stuff…?

Do you sometimes think that after all you’ve done for them, they should treat you better? After all, you work very hard providing food, shelter, treats, and you give them tons of affection all the time showing them how much you love them… Why aren’t they being the dog you want them to be?

Veronica came to me this past month with her much loved four dog pack of monsters, Percy, Shamus, Loo and Bear. There weren’t any repercussions from their bad behavior yet since she lives in a rural area. However, Veronica had plans to move into town soon, and other people wouldn’t be so tolerant. She’d have to make the painful and heartbreaking decision to let go of some of her family.

Her dogs fought with each other, barked non stop, jumped on strangers and were never allowed off leash because they wouldn’t come when called.

Veronica’s dogs frustrated her all too often causing her to yell at them frequently… which did no good, either for her blood pressure or as a behavior correction. She wasn’t getting anywhere with her training attempts. She was also worried about their health because Loo and Bear were vomiting frequently.

Veronica thought an animal communicator would help figure out why they were acting out so badly, help with their health concerns, and discover what could be done to fix the problems. She realized that loving them wasn’t enough to resolve things between them.

After I spoke to the dogs, I shared with Veronica that the dogs said they didn’t respect her and they didn’t trust her much either. They enjoyed the food and attention to a point, but were actually allergic to some of the foods she was giving them.

Veronica’s energy was weak and unfocused, which made them feel anxious and unstable. They couldn’t figure out who was the leader of the pack, so they constantly fought over position and resources. Her directions could safely be ignored most of the time, and they knew how to avoid her when they wanted to.

Veronica had forgotten the 3 Cardinal Rules of dog psychology.

1. Dogs aren’t born thinking they owe humans anything, including respect. Why should they? They didn’t ask to be bred, or beg to be trained, or want to be vaccinated or spayed or neutered, or given to various people and hauled away to strange places… They also weren’t inclined to offer respect to someone who they didn’t have to please or appease.

2. Trust is earned as a reward for having spent quality time developing a proper balanced relationship. Every time you are with your dog, you are either training them or untraining them by what you choose to reward and what you choose to ignore, by how you show up as a leader or follower. Be sure you are rewarding the things you want your friend to continue doing, and that the reward you are offering is something they value.

3. Affection doesn’t make sense to a dog without having been earned first from someone who is of good standing in the pack, and is often unwelcome attention that can cause them pain or distress, or even trouble in their pack status. True love isn’t based on pity. It is based on respect, trust, communion of the soul, and a deep understanding about who each of you truly are in your authentic Self.

Veronica said after her session with the animal communicator “Listening to her talk to my dogs quickly clued me in to the root cause of our problems: my dogs didn’t respect me. She helped me understand our interactions, how and why my own behavior was influencing theirs, and that I needed to act differently.

“She started me on a new path and a week later my formerly fractious pack is sitting here around me calmly. No one is fighting, they’re not growling at each other constantly, they don’t bark all the time anymore, and they’re happy to listen to and obey me.

“It seems like a miracle but it’s not, just the results of listening to someone who really knows what she’s talking about and can communicate that effectively to others. Communicating with understanding really is the key.”

Remember too that dogs value integrity very highly. They are honest souls who will let you know if you’ve crossed a boundary or not kept your word to them.

They check your energy constantly to reassure themselves that all is well. If you’re resonating with unstable, anxious energy, then they will reflect you. If you’re breathing deeply and radiating a calm assurance and confidence, then they know they can relax.

If your relationship with your dog isn’t all you want it to be, then give yourself a reality check. Your dog wants you to be his Love Guru too – but in all the right ways.

If you haven’t been showing up as an authentic Leader, someone your dog can respect, love being around, enjoy and trust 100% of the time, then you’ve got some work to do.

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Want to use my articles in your blog, ezine, or website? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Val Heart is called The Real Dr Doolittle™, and teaches animal lovers how to connect and communicate from the heart. She specializes in resolving behavior, training, performance, health problems, euthanasia decisions. Free AnimalTalk QuickStart Course (value $79), The Real Dr Doolittle™ (podcast) Show now on iTunes! (210) 863-7928, email: contactval@valheart.com visit http://www.valheart.com

Who are You Living With?

“The universe is full of magical things, patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper.” — Eden Phillpotts

“My husband and I first met Val over two years ago. I had worked with another animal communicator who spoke in too many non-specific terms to make me believe in the practice. I think I found Val by surfing the net.

We set up our first phone consultation because my husband’s horse, Rooster, had developed some unusual behavior. Rooster has always been enthusiastic about going on the trail. He is the kind of horse who can’t wait to get the bit in his mouth and the bridle on his head. Suddenly, we couldn’t touch his ears or his pole and he wouldn’t take the bit.

Val was able to tell us that Rooster had gotten his head stuck in the horse next door’s paddock and smacked himself on the head. She recommended a chiropractor and a masseuse. We told neither practitioner what Val had said, only that we wanted their evaluation. They both confirmed Val’s diagnoses.

Another issue for us was Rooster’s saddle not fitting properly (he was virtually wither-less at that time) and he had white burn marks on his coat because of the unevenness of the pressure from his saddle. Val recommended the Saddle Right pad. We bought one and his pressure point issues went away.”

“Val spoke to my horse, Benito, and told us to get him a dentist. She said he had hooks in the back of his mouth and wasn’t able to eat properly. The dentist came out and reported the very same – that Benito had hooks in the back of his mouth.”

“Val moved on to the dogs and spoke with our rescue dachshund, Coco. Miss Coco had been a brood bitch in a puppy mill. We had had her for about two years at that time and she had undergone hernia surgery and had several teeth extracted; she had had a hard life and was still suffering the after effects. We were concerned because she seemed lethargic, bewildered and uncomfortable.”

Val said that she sensed a problem in her gums and teeth. Again, we said nothing to the vet and Miss Coco was found to have an abscess in her gums and needed more teeth pulled.

“I had never been given such a thorough “laundry list” of action items that were so accurate.”

“Not all of Val’s work is diagnostic. In fact some of the more entertaining work she did was with our most opinionated dachshund, Augie. I had complained that he didn’t listen. She related that he was rather “argumentative” when he spoke with her and that he said he didn’t know he was supposed to listen to me, that he was going to do his own thing no matter what – and that when we say “come” and he says, “Maybe – what’s in it for me?”

“The very specific diagnoses that we have received from Val are what our relationship with her is based upon. We have had several other “aha” moments over the last two years with our now three horses and three dogs, but these experiences were the basis for our faith in her work.”

“In our experience, NOT all communicators are created equally. And, opening up a channel to our wonderful animal companions can be quite entertaining and fun as well as informative.”

When I first met Miki and Steve, they were having some serious problems with their horses. They’d tried so many different things, and weren’t having much success. I think they consulted me out of desperation and as a last resort.

More than 80% of my clients experience results and changes by their third session, many by their first!!

Benito and Miki weren’t getting along well at all. He was resistant, stubborn and difficult to ride or work with. He’d never bonded with her and was pretty depressed. Their trainer just wanted to work him harder.

When I spoke with him, he shared how unhappy he was, he felt misunderstood, and hated his work because of the pain he was in. He also had a mysterious lameness that no one could figure out or help.

What a difference! Today he is a well-adjusted horse, very affectionate with his humans, and loves his work. His lameness issues improved and he has become a trusted leader on the trails, working happily under saddle.

Rooster proved himself recently on the trail during a serious emergency with another horse and rider who had fallen off a cliff. He’s also doing extremely well, and during our last session with him, he indicated that he’d be interested in learning about cows…

And I’m happy to tell you that Miss Coco very happily integrated into her family, and although she is very old, she gets around remarkably well. If you and your animal friends could use some help, or if you want to learn more, just contact me to make an appointment.

WAIT! There’s more to Miki and Steve’s story. Click Here or go to the Article above called, They Try To Tell Us, for Part Two.

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Want to use my articles in your blog, ezine, or website? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Val Heart is called The Real Dr Doolittle™, and teaches animal lovers how to connect and communicate from the heart. She specializes in resolving behavior, training, performance, health problems, euthanasia decisions. Free AnimalTalk QuickStart Course (value $79), The Real Dr Doolittle™ (podcast) Show now on iTunes! (210) 863-7928, email: contactval@valheart.com visit http://www.valheart.com