Your animals have been trying to communicate with you for years

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The Power of Gratitude and Focus

Are you still enjoying the Gifts of Gratitude in the aftermath of Thanksgiving?

Practicing gratitude is such a remarkable thing to do, I’ve made it a lifelong process. It’s one of the first steps in communicating with animals.

Did you know that what you focus on expands?

It’s true. Your body, mind and spirit are like a computer. Similar to when you search for something on Google, it uses your focus to determine what you want more of.

It doesn’t judge or determine right or wrong; it doesn’t decide if this is a ‘good’ focus or ‘bad’ one. It just checks to see what you’re looking at and gives you more of that by crowding out all the rest.

It follows your thoughts which are further reinforced by the emotional energy you give your focus. That’s it. And by the way, it tends to ignore the weaker energies of wishing, hoping and negatives (like don’t, shouldn’t, or no).

If you focus on your problems, your bodymind and spirit understand that this is what’s important to you. Because that’s what you are spending so much effort, energy and time dwelling on, it must be true. So your bodymind naturally believes that you obviously want more of that, and is happy to oblige by giving you more problems.

If you focus on what you want instead, then that’s what your bodymind enhances for you. That’s true of your relationships, your work, your health…

And it’s especially true of working with your animals.

When you focus on what’s not working or what is upsetting to you about their behavior or health issue, they feel your focus, see what you are holding in your mind’s eye, and pick up the strong emotions. Then they get to interpret the communication for meaning, based on their viewpoint, experience and history. The part about ‘I really wish you wouldn’t do that’ gets lost.

If you focus on wishing your dog wouldn’t get on the couch, then what they hear is all about “being on the couch”. And they usually feel some excitement about that because you’re excited energetically.

If you focus on your horse being so heavy in your hands, they get that you must like that because you are focusing so much on it. So they keep doing it, maybe even more than before.

If you focus on your cat’s scratching the furniture, then they see the images you keep sending them. And will be happy to do it again.

So what can you do to correct these and other problems?

Try focusing on what you DO want them to do. Feel how wonderful it would be if they did that (gratitude) and image the great rewards they’d get if they did that instead.

Many times bad behavior or performance is simply a matter of misunderstanding your focus. It’s all a matter of intention, perspective and communication, followed by gratitude.

I’m grateful for author, Laura Rudacille this week on The Real Dr Doolittle Show. She had a wonderful experience researching the Chincoteague Ponies for one of her novels. These amazing ponies were a significant part of my discovery of horses when I was a youngster. I know you’ll be inspired by his message and stories too.

With appreciation for you and your furrkids,

Val

What lies before us & what lies behind us are small matters compared to what lies within us. And when we bring what is within out into the world, miracles happen. -Henry David Thoreau

Dog Behaviorist and Advice Columnist Joan Mayer on The Real Dr. Doolittle Show™

Joan, a certified professional dog trainer, enjoys great satisfaction from seeing her students succeed. While she loves teaching her clients how to train and manage their dogs, her greatest joy comes from knowing that she has empowered them with a valuable education that will help enhance their relationship with their dogs for life!

As a dog guardian (and “dog mom”) herself, Joan infuses her canine coaching with realistic expectations. She understands the challenges both humans and dogs face in everyday life and offers practical guidance and solutions for making any situation work.

You will learn:

Anything that has to do with dog behavior and helping people understand their dogs a little better while helping to resolve any behavioral concerns your listeners might have.

* How Joan’s dog Pancho became a syndicated columnist, sounds impressive right?  It is!

* How to help your dog with destructive behavior

* How to help your dog break out of doggy boredom

* How to help facilitate the healing of separation anxiety and other signs of instability

* What to do when your dog barks constantly and won’t stop

To get Joan Hunter Mayer’s free eBooks, dog training tips and access to her advice column visit: www.inquisitivecanine.com - joan@theinquisitivecanine.com

Click here to download…

Pets Make Great Gifts! Your Pawliday Season Shopping Guide

By Joan Hunter Mayer

Dear Inquisitive Dog Guardians,

The holiday season is a popular time of year for adopting pets  – with cats and dogs being firmly at the top of the list. It’s also a time for giving. Combine the two and you end up with many folks finding companion animals on their hearth decked out in big fancy bows!

As a certified professional dog trainer, I’ve heard both happy and not-so-happy stories from folks who’ve been on the receiving end of a cute ball of fur.  So to help ensure more stories that end on a happier note, while avoiding tales of woe, my trusty sidekick, Poncho, and I thought it would be a great time to send out gentle reminders to help you decide the best options for this life-changing decision.

Surprises can be delightful, especially if you’ve been able to play investigator, gathering enough data to conclude that your friend will for sure want a pet. If you’re in doubt, another possible way to go about it is to recruit one family member who agrees that a new pet is both what your friend wants and is logistically feasible.

Should You Give the Gift of a Furry or Feathered Friend? Take Our Quiz!

• Q: Are you 100 percent certain that all people who will be directly involved with caring for the pet are in complete and total agreement with bringing this animal into their lives and home?
• Q: Is it clear which type of pet — including species, breed (pure or mixed), gender, size and age — the gift recipient wants?
• Q: Does the gift recipient live in a place that allows pets? This includes being aware of any county-specific breed restrictions.
• Q: Is the gift recipient physically capable of taking care of the specific animal you wish to give them?
• Q: Is the gift recipient financially able to care for this pet for the duration of the animal’s life?
• Q: Does the recipient’s schedule and lifestyle fit in with the species-specific traits of the animal you wish to give as a gift?

If you’ve answered yes to these questions, then bravo! We’re happy to hear you know this potential pet parent quite well, and have thought things through, in terms of how a pet would fit into his or her current situation. However, we still encourage you to include your friend in the decision-making process. Surprises can be exciting, but they’ve also been know to backfire!

If you’ve answered no to even one of these questions, then we suggest you discuss this thoughtful gesture first before giving a gift that keeps on giving.

An option for becoming a full-fledged guardian to a pet is to become a foster parent first or spend time volunteering at local shelters in order to get to know different types of animals. You can also give your recipient books on the type of animal he or she is considering. Fact-finding and data retrieval can help shed light on a particular pet and its needs, as well as empower your intended to make an informed decision.

Matchmaking Tips to Ensure a Good Fit:

If you’ve decided to move forward with making this a pawliday season for someone, we encourage you to help that someone prepare for this responsibility by thinking through the following considerations:

• All for One and One for All: All persons involved with direct ongoing care of a pet should be in complete agreement when bringing a new animal into a home, especially the adults. Sure, people can change their minds, but if someone holds any resentment, it can affect all relationships within the family dynamic.
• The Time Factor: Being a guardian to domesticated animals is a long-term commitment that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Many pets thrive on human companionship, dogs in particular. This means that schedules need to be open and flexible, especially after the newness wears off. But remember, training your dog can be done in just minutes a day on your own time and can be tons of fun!
• Financial Commitment: Many species live 10 years and beyond. Multiple the daily necessities by the number of years and it adds up. Some animals are very budget-friendly, and others not so much. You’ll want to write out an annual expense log of general costs to help determine the bigger picture for your gift recipient to care for the animal for its entire life and make sure it’s feasible.
• Home Environment: Are there any foreseeable life-changing events that your gift recipient might experience during the pet’s lifespan? Relocating, marriage, pregnancy, death, divorce and people moving in and out of the household can all have an impact on the emotional state of an  animal.
• Physical Limitations: Depending on the species, age and temperament, some animals require more physical activity than mental activities, and vice-versa – and some require both to help fulfill their needs! Make sure your gift recipient’s lifestyle is a good match for the animal. Help your friend research the species’ needs and encourage him or her to find a pet with similar personality traits, including likes and dislikes in social settings and activities.

We understand that giving or receiving a companion animal who provides unconditional love is something many would want; however, when it comes to giving someone else a pet as a present, it can be risky — not just to the person who ends up being the animal’s caretaker, but to the animal as well. So before you start your search for the perfect set of paws or claws, we encourage you to take a few minutes to plan out your matchmaking strategies.

Dear Inquisitive Canine is written by Joan Mayer and her trusty sidekick Poncho. Joan is a certified professional dog trainer and human-canine relationship coach. Poncho is a ten-pound mutt that knows a lot about human and canine behavior. Their column is known for its simple common sense approach to dog training and behavior, as well as its entertaining insight into implementing proven techniques that reward both owner and dog.

Joan is also the founder of the Inquisitive Canine and developer of the Out of the Box Dog Training Game , where her love-of-dog training approach highlights the importance of understanding canine behavior. If you or your dog have questions about behavior, training or life with each other, please email them directly.

The New Animal Shaman, Billie Dean on the Real Dr Doolittle Show™

Billie Dean is an innate interspecies telepath who, after 30 years of communing professionally with animals, is now bringing their urgent messages to the world through her not-for-profit, The Billie Dean International Deep Peace Organisation. Billie trained as a journalist, filmmaker and actress, and even worked as a stand-up comic, believing strongly in the healing power of humor.  She is also a holistic health practitioner and is active in promoting animal rights and welfare.

Billie began her working life as a photo journalist, has written for television and is the author of several children’s books, as well as Secret Animal Business, a book about her work as an animal shaman.   She has made three independent films, all with an eye to educate through uplifting, inspiring entertainment.  She won a Best Actress for her feature film Finding Joy, which launched the Spiritual Cinema Circle in 2004.

Billie has also trained as a Druid, and as a shamanic practitioner in the Inkan tradition.  She runs the animal forever home, A Place of Peace, where over 40 rescued horses run free.  She now teaches The New Shamanism through her on-line  school Rainbow Fianna, bringing back a code of ethics and an understanding of the world of telepathy, respect and the unseen, which the animals need us to understand today.

You will learn:

* What the animals want us to desperately know right now.

* What is behind the need for social change and compassionate action

* Whether animals have an understanding of humans as carnivores.

* What an animal shaman is and what they do to care for the animals on our planet.

* What The New Shamanism is, and what it could mean for you.

* How The Billie Dean International Deep Peace Organisation is working to support animals across the world.

To learn more about Billie Dean, and to get her free e-book, 10 Secrets the Animals Want You to Know, sign up for her free e-newsletter Animal Whispers at http://www.billiedean.com, www.wildpureheart.com

Click here to download…

Billie Dean: Urgent Animal Messages for the Human Heart

Something Buried Within Me Was Causing My Heart To Fail… Val’s Quantum Leap Sessions Helped Me Heal My Heart & My Life

Val’s Quantum Leap sessions are amazing.  In addition to animal communication and BodyTalk healing sessions, I decided to go for Val’s Quantum Leap sessions.  I realized there was something buried within me that was causing my heart to fail (I’ve had 10 heart surgeries in the last 15 years), was making my relationships with my husband and son problematic, and was keeping me stuck in a job I’d come to hate.  I wanted her help releasing old fears and energy that I knew was trapped inside but could not locate or clear with any of the other work I’d done.

She helped me overcome the death of my mother, trauma from a major motor vehicle accident, subsequent surgeries and gave me the courage to leave a job where I was unhappy and unsatisfied.

She taught me the beauty of laughter and allowed me to believe in myself once again.  And, her long distance body talk sessions can’t be beat!  While Val worked to help me clear my issues she opened new doors for my family and helped heal my animals who were also feeling my stress.

Her work is amazing and I am so thankful that she came into my life.  – Eileen, San Antonio, TX

>Would you like to be Val’s next success story?  Find out more about Val’s Quantum Leap work

Wishing You and Your Furrkids a Happy, Healthy Sunday!

Einstein and I are currently having a fabulous time teaching the last Animal Communication System Virtual Retreat™ for 2011.

As you’ll see from Jolinda’s story below, the student feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, it just makes my heart sing!

It’s SO exciting to celebrate their success and coach them past their stuck spots… And their comments about the Retreat are so enthusiastic. Wahoo!

Did you know that November is Adoption Awareness Month?

Imagine the difference you could make by:

* Helping to give the homeless animals a voice
* Sharing their stories, their experiences
* Helping them heal their hurts or traumas
* Offering comfort, encouragement and support

My podcast guest this week on The Real Dr Doolittle Show is the remarkable, internationally renowned photographer, artist, and author Vaughn Wilson.

He literally had me crying during the interview telling me the stories he’d uncovered during his 50 celebrity interviews as they spoke about the animals who had inspired them, taught them, and touched their hearts.

And that is what his wonderful book is all about.

Also, if you live in the United States, did you remember to set your clocks back one hour last night?

Be sure to use that extra time wisely by doing something fun with your furrkids.

Much love to you and your furrkids,

Val
“The realm of the mind is probability. The realm of the heart is possibility. Surrender your mind to your heart and realize true empowerment through inspiration. It is through unifying your heart, head and hand that we move from success to significance.” — Ron Renato, Author of “The Road to Freedom”

Horse Artist to the Celebrities, Vaughn Wilson on the Real Dr Doolittle Show™

Vaughn Wilson is an accomplished artist, photographer, musician, writer and horseman. He’s recognized as one of the foremost portrait artists in the Southeastern part of the United States. With over 38 years of experience, Vaughn’s work can be seen all over the United States in places such as the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs, CO; the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame and Museum in Fort Worth, Texas; the Musicians Hall of Fame, and the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame in Fort Worth, Texas.

Recently, Vaughn launched his book, Tell Me about that Horse: Stories from Exceptional People about Treasured Horses. Relationships are an important part of life and shape the paths we take. For Vaughn Wilson there is no comparison to a relationship between horses and their owners. His beautiful book is true work of art, and captures the essence of the remarkable horses that have inspired, encouraged and entertained their caretakers

What you will learn…

* How an internationally recognized portrait artist got inspired to create a book featuring horses

* How the people were chosen for the book and how their relationships with their horses will inspire any reader

* How Paul McCartney and a Leopard Appaloosa horse transformed his late wife’s memorial service in her honor.

* How Michael Martin Murphy’s horse “Wildfire” found his way onto the cover of Vaugh’s newest book.

* How 40+ celebrities’ (including Roy Rogers Jr.) stories included in the book will reaffirm that no matter who you are, famous or not, you can have a remarkable relationship with a horse.

You can find out more about Vaugh Wilson and his book, Tell Me about that Horse, at www.tellmeaboutthathorse.com.

Click here to download…

Animals DO See Ghosts…

Bet you didn’t know that I’m a Ghost Buster…  It’s true!  

I don’t talk about it much but I’ve done a lot of work with entities with great results.

Because my specialty is in resolving problems, as you can see, this critically important work sometimes takes me to many interesting, unexpected and fascinating places.

Ever notice your animal staring off into space like they’re watching something you can’t see?  Or reacting oddly to a certain area for no known reason?

That’s because animals do in fact see ghosts.  They can sense and see ‘dead people’.

I’m always amazed and intrigued when a consultation takes a spooky turn and I find myself communicating with a deceased loved one or a lost soul who can’t find their way home.

For instance, one German Shepherd told me that there was a young man’s spirit floating through the walls at odd times and it was very scary for him.  He was trying his best to protect his person but all the spirit did was laugh at him.

His person of course thought her beloved dog had lost his mind!  He was viciously attacking and reacting to something she could not see or sense.

Once the dog told us his story, I shifted my focus to address the spirit and we found a way to help him get home.  Once he left, the dog returned to the loving, happy furrkid he truly was and all was well again.

A dressage horse told me that there was a Native American Indian in the far corner of his practice arena and that he’d been warned away from that area.  Nothing his rider could do would change his mind about it, and that was that.

In order to solve the problem, I had to connect with the Indian who turned out to be a guardian of the ancient sacred burial grounds that happened to be located on this property. When I told my client what I’d discovered, she confirmed that in fact, that was true.

We found a way to respectfully negotiate an agreement so that the horses could go into that area for their exercise and practice, and all was well.

When you learn how to really HEAR your animals yourselves, a whole new amazing world opens up.  And it’s tons of fun and not really scary at all, I promise.

I know you’ll enjoy The Real Dr Doolittle Show interview with Olga Horvat about her remarkable story which she wrote about in her book, Paranormal Pooch.  I had a blast interviewing her.

Hope you and your furrkids have a safe and Happy Halloween.

Much love,

Val

‘Live as if you were to die tomorrow.  Learn as if you were to live forever.’ – Gandhi

Dog Groomer to the Celebrities, Billy Rafferty on the Real Dr Doolittle Show™

Billy Rafferty is the owner and principal stylist at Doggy Dooz. He has over 25 years experience as an award-winning pet stylist and sanctioned grooming show judge.

Billy has dedicated his life to making grooming a fun, positive experience for dogs. He believes that grooming is more than just a show-stopping haircut. It’s about getting dogs spotlessly clean with a gentle touch and lots of love and praise.

Billy is Chicago’s only Master Pet Stylist (MPS), certified through the Int’l Society of Canine Cosmetologists, Dermatech Specialist (DTS), Certified Master Groomer (CMG), Companion Animal Hygienist (CAH), designated by United Show Managers Alliance as a Sanctioned Grooming Show Judge and the recipient of numerous awards at national and state grooming competitions. Billy is the preferred pet stylist for many celebrities, including Oprah Winfrey, celebrity chef Art Smith, and actress Joan Cusack. Billy is a highly regarded speaker, lecturer and author of a wonderful book named “Happy Dog” caring for your dogs body, mind and spirit which was featured on Oprah.com.

You will learn…

* How to choose a professional groomer.
* Why grooming your dog is incredibly important, and what benefits you and your dog will experience.
* Why it’s better to hire a professional groomer vs. trying to do it yourself at home.
* Why you should never hire a groomer who is not certified or licensed.
* Questions that you should ALWAYS ask before hiring a new groomer.
* How to get your dog over a nail trimming phobia.
* Interesting facts such as whether cage drying is safe, how often to bathe your dog at home, appropriate age to begin bathing a puppy, what type of shampoo to use, type of dogs that do and do not need haircuts….
* How Billy’s book got featured on Oprah.

For more information about Billy Rafferty and Doggy Dooz Pet Styling please visit http://www.billyrafferty.com.

Click here to download…