Welcome to the Articulate Animals Newsletter, January 2008
Comments from Kelly
I
have just come from spending an hour of my afternoon with a fifth grade class in
a local elementary school talking about animal communication. What a privilege
to be invited and a joy to spend time with these youngsters.
I witnessed some of the students struggle with the societal assumptions that "talking with animals" isn't possible, or at least not normal; the expressions of others who suddenly gain a glimpse of talking with animals and their realization of the benefits this new skill will bring.
I had an ah-ha moment while with the youth. For many of us, part of the joy of animals is their ability to connect us regularly with our youthful side. We laugh, cry, show uncensored frustration and undiluted giddiness in the presence of our pets. We roll on the floor, slither like a snake, pounce, bounce, howl, whiney, and prance with our beloved companions - behaviors we would likely not exhibit in the presence of humans.
What a gift our animals give us - to be forever young at heart!
Blessings,
Kelly
Articulate Animals Anniversary Special
To commemorate our anniversary month, Articulate Animals is offering a 10% discount on consultations booked with Kelly by January 31st. Consultations must be scheduled and completed by February 29, 2008.
Honorary Pet Trusts - Do we need one?
Following is an interview with Emily Ossmann, Ossmann Law Office, LLC, Evergreen Colorado. I met Emily and her animal family several months ago and was fascinated with her focus of Pet Trusts. While I had some inkling of options available to us to provide for our pets should the need arise, I had no idea the intricacies involved. My thanks to Emily for helping us understand this option for making arrangements for our animal companions in our estate plans.
What is an Honorary Pet Trust?
An Honorary Pet Trust is a legal instrument that allows for the care and maintenance of your animal companions by naming a Caretaker in your Will who then receives funds from your estate to care for your animals after your death. The type of trust allowed by statute differs from state to state.
If you have already prepared a Will without provisions for your pets, you do not necessarily need to create an entirely new document. You may be able to tack on your wishes regarding the care of your pets.
Why might someone consider developing a Pet Trust as a part of our Will and final requests?
Just like you name a guardian for your minor children in your will, peace of mind comes from knowing that your beloved animal companions are cared for as well. It doesn't take much - Leona Helmsley's trust for her pet in the amount of 11 million dollars is probably a bit over the top - but you may leave as much or as little as you like, provided the court does not see the amount as unreasonable and excessive.
Where can I get more information on Pet Trusts and attorneys who provide those services?
A great resource for further information, and to find attorneys in your area who specialize in preparing Estate Plans with your pets in mind is: www.estateplanningforpets.org.
How did you become interested in offering Pet Trusts within your law practice?
I have two Great Danes and one Rhodesian Ridgeback or, as my husband says, 450 pounds of dog. If something were to happen to us, I would want to make sure that my dogs were well cared for, as finding homes for very large animals can sometimes be very difficult. Birds can live in excess of 80 years. Horses can live for 20-30 years. Unless you are sure that your loved ones will care for your animal companions after your death, it may make good sense for you to make your wishes known expressly through your Will.
Are there concerns or pitfalls of which to be aware while developing language about our pets in our Will?
Not every state has express provisions regarding pet trusts. There are different ways to structure your estate plan to incorporate the care of your animals. Careful consideration must be given to tax implications, a complicated little thing called the Rule Against Perpetuities, and the proper creation of a trust.
Is an Honorary Pet Trust appropriate for all of us with pets in our households?
Providing for your pets in your estate plan my be a good idea if your pets have a long life expectancy, if you live alone or are of advanced age, if you have multiple pets, or if your pets have special needs.
Emily Ossmann holds a B.A. in Fine Arts from the University of Colorado at
Boulder, where she graduated with honors, and a Master of Art and Art History
from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Emily received her Juris
Doctorate from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law.
Emily enjoys playing the guitar and piano, singing, and breathing the fresh Evergreen air while hiking, skiing and ice skating. She has been married since 2000, and enjoys life in the mountains with her husband, Michael, and their two Great Danes, Claire and Milo, and Rhodesian Ridgeback, Charley.
Photo by Wendy Schott Photography
A friend, whom I trust, referred
me for an animal communication session. I'm excited, but skeptical. Does animal
communication really work?
It is hard for some to understand
and believe in animal communication until they participate in an animal
communication session and can see the benefits and outcomes themselves. Kelly
believes a little skepticism is healthy and understandable, and will spend as
much time explaining the process as the client requires. Throughout the
consultation, questions about the process and the information being received are
encouraged.
As information from the animal is received and interpreted, clients will begin to see correlation between the answers coming from the animal and their own perception of the animal's true personality. Often clients become true believers in animal communication during the consultation. Sometimes the most powerful "proof" animal communication works, however, comes hours or days after the consultation when the client realizes that their pet's long-standing behavior has, in fact, changed for the better, a message from the animal to their human becomes clear, or a visit to the vet confirms the symptoms described by the animal.
More Frequently Asked
Questions can be found at
http://articulateanimals.com/faq.asp
Thank you for sharing your animal companions with me, and thank you for referring your friends and family. It is a pleasure working with you. Blessings to you and your beloved animals.
Watch for the next Articulate Animals e-newsletter in April. Please feel free to forward this newsletter in its entirety. For permission to use portions of the newsletter, please email Kelly directly.
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Kelly
Krueger, Animal Communicator
Articulate Animals, LLC
P.O. Box 3732
Evergreen, CO 80437
303-670-0292
email:
Kelly@ArticulateAnimals.com