Welcome to the Articulate Animals Newsletter, July 2007

Comments from Kelly

I’ve been procrastinating writing this newsletter, putting pressure on myself to use this newsletter to inform and educate about the food and treat recall earlier this spring. It is an important topic for all pet guardians, but I’m not an expert. I’m feeling my way along, watching the recall list and talking with my veterinarian about the consequences of contaminated foods, just like you.

The good news is, it appears there have been no additions to the recall list for over a month (visit the Humane Society recall list). As pet owners we are tempted to breathe a sigh of relief. I’m right there with you, and yet I don’t think I’ll ever again skip reading the ingredient list on my purchased pet foods and treats. Even if your preferred brand of food is not on the recall list, or is “cleared” for re-entry onto shelves in the near future, please be diligent by watching labels. The recall involves food and treats containing wheat-gluten, and more recently, rice protein concentrate contaminated with melamine. According to holistic care providers featured at a nutrition seminar I recently attended, wheat-gluten is simply filler and is not a necessary supplement or food source for animals.

Ideally, you will use this opportunity to integrate a homemade diet into your pet’s routine. There are many resources available with various recipes for variety and to accommodate even the fussiest dog or cat and the busiest pet guardian. Your holistic care provider can point you in the right direction. Remember, our pets rely on our good judgment and wisdom to keep them safe. Consider a homemade diet, read food labels carefully, and stay informed. Our beloved companions will thank us for it!

Happy Summer to you,

Kelly

The Magic of Dolphins

As I sit in my office writing this article, I glance at this photograph and drift back to my amazing experience in Florida. In early June, three animal communicator colleagues and I were blessed to be in the presence of dolphins living in the Gulf of Mexico. “Blessed to be in the presence” is quite simply an understatement, and yet I have no better or more significant words to attach to our experience.

Our quest to swim with dolphins living in the wild began last fall after the four of us – three students and our mentor - visited a wolf sanctuary together as part of our ongoing animal communication training and practice. Energized from that special time, we started talking about our dream animal experiences. It didn’t take us any time at all to identify swimming with dolphins and it quickly rose to the top of our list. It did take some time to find the right opportunity which would allow swimming freely with dolphins in the wild.

We chartered a dolphin watch boat for three half-days with the intention of having significant interaction with  (i.e. swimming in the presence of) wild dolphins. Any interaction would be a blessing, we agreed, and yet we didn't lose sight of our goal to actually be in the water with dolphins nearby. Each of the three days was a learning experience about the habits, behaviors, and needs of these magnificent creatures.

Day one - we saw many dolphins, perhaps two or three different pods throughout the afternoon, and our dolphin education began. Our captain has been living among the dolphins for more than seven years and knows many by name. We met Rocky, Hailey, Spike, and countless others. Most of the afternoon the dolphins were in their feeding pattern and we were cautioned to not disrupt this activity by scaring away their meal. Adult dolphins require 25-30 pounds of fish per day - that's a lot of fishing! Our first objective of the trip (and our profession) is to honor all animals. We were thrilled to just be with them, watch them swimming around the boat, interacting with one another, and occasionally throwing a fish up to catch in mid-air. They are quite the showmen!

Day two - the dolphins were active and didn't appear to be eating or sleeping. This would be a good day to get in the water and see if any would approach, our Captain said. I've never gotten into snorkel equipment so fast in my life! Quickly all four of us eased into the water off the back of the boat. Within seconds we had six adult dolphins among us. They were around us, under us, through us, and encouraging us to engage with them. From the boat the captain was directing us - "one to your left Kelly; two under you, Terri; dive down! " When the captain told me I had one to my left I was startled to literally have him at my shoulder - so close I flinched in order to honor the "no touching" rule. We swam in this manner for perhaps 10 - 15 minutes. We all had significant, unique, and very personal experiences. My most profound was when a dolphin was swimming under me and flipped to her back so we were swimming belly to belly. I will never forget the feeling of that energetic dolphin hug!

Our captain was as excited and energized as we were. It is rare for dolphin boats to let humans in dolphin waters any more. While there is no direct law prohibiting swimming with dolphins, there is a law against harassing dolphins. He made it a point to be very certain of our intentions and respect for these magnificent creatures before allowing us in the water. To see them coming back and back and back for more interactions with us was as profound and special for him as it was for us. We had two more dolphin encounters that morning, although neither quite as prolonged and interactive as the first.

Day three - our last day on the water with dolphins, and it was yet again a unique and profound experience. The dolphins were in their sleeping pattern most of the afternoon. Dolphins are conscious breathers, meaning if they allow themselves to fall asleep fully, they would forget to breathe and would drown. They sleep by "turning off" one half of their brain at a time. Keeping one half of the brain awake gives them just enough consciousness to breathe regularly. They typically sleep in pairs, and the rhythm of surfacing and breathing is quite amazing and extremely calming. One adult in the pod will generally stay awake to watch for predators.

On this third day we followed the pod, including a mom and baby (estimated at 5-6 months old) for hours. The sleep pattern is mesmerizing, and watching the mother and child was inspiring. Not unlike a human toddler who is constantly busy exploring all the new sights, sounds, smells, the baby dolphin would swim and sleep at it's mothers side for some time, then suddenly dart away, swimming up to other sleeping pairs of dolphins to see if he could coax them out to play. Then he would race around our boat, just because he could, before returning to it's mothers side and falling back into the rhythmic breathing of sleep.

Dolphins have long been considered a friendly and spiritually evolved species. I've always assumed this as well, and now know it to be true. This experience with the dolphins - just being in their presence, whether on the boat or in the water - touched my heart in a way that I can't describe. We can learn from them if we'll listen. Their peacefulness and compassion for all living things is inspirational. I encourage you to "be the dolphin" as you move through your day. Consider the merits of calmness, purpose, focus, and yet playfulness as you accomplish your daily tasks. Yes, even our routine necessities such as eating and sleeping will take on a beauty and spiritual quality if you "be the dolphin" from time to time. Try it!

Frequently Asked Questions

How Did you know you could Communicate with animals?
My friends seemed to recognize a special bond and interaction with animals long before we knew what animal communication was. A friend referred to me as her "personal dog whisperer," sighting a calmness in her animals when I would come to her home. Her dogs frequently would sit at my feet listening to every word, and her cat, who is not terribly social, would sleep in the guest room with me, sometimes even on the bed. These, according to my friend, were very unusual behaviors in her animal household.

In about the same time period, I was contemplating adopting a rescue dog and talked to my vet about how best to introduce the new dog to my existing animal companions. She said "have you considered talking with an animal communicator to introduce the idea to your pets and to gauge their willingness to accept a new being in their lives?" At that moment I knew what I wanted to be when I grew up (I was in my late 30's). I was thrilled to know there was a name for what my friends had identified, and in fact there appeared to be an actual profession for animal communication. I engaged a professional animal communicator right away and my beloved companions and I enjoyed nearly four harmonious years with our rescued elder. Simultaneously, I began taking animal communication classes and eventually was accepted in to an animal communication apprenticeship. I credit my beloved Pugsley, the rescue, for setting me on my path!

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 each and every one of you.

Blessings to you and your beloved animals.

Watch for the next Articulate Animals e-newsletter in October. 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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