While you were outside sliding in the snow!

Felix and Winnie tell each other funny jokes while taking a cat paws on a favorite pillow... They really do get on well for brothers...

Next, Winnie stopped in at Sweetie's 'tree house' to hang out for a while... and watch the festivities below...

After that, Winnie popped in to meet little Winston in the 'Space ship'... they have much in common they discovered... aside from their young ages.. They are fascinated with flying...

Seeing as how Winston had only just arrived for the first time on Saturday the 20th of December, he made his way around the room introducing himself to the other crazy playful young kittens (this is Winston introducing himself to Jasper)..... all that, and it was only 10 o'clock in the morning..! Gotta love them action shots!

We get a large proportion of young (under 1 year of age) kittens in over the Holidays... Normally, the early morning, until about 10:30 am, is the 'active' time at the kennel... everyone is up and full of beans! But, the kittens, that's another story! There are, at all times, 2 or 3 of them awake during the course of the day... which means that the 'wrestlmania' doesn't stop at all.. if a couple of them pass out, a few more are getting their 4th and 5th wind!! They do it in shifts!! Very organized those little furries!

How could I have possibly made that up!?

Still on the topic of developing your animal communication skills, I think that many people are already practicing it but don't believe that the thoughts that they receive came from the animal.. a lot of people get stuck in the trap of thinking that they, their mind, made up the answer.

For this situation, I recommend that people ask questions that they don't believe that they already know the answers to... good ones would be 'What do you dream about?', 'What do you long for?', What would you change about your life if you could?' , 'What makes you laugh?', 'What scares you?' Then, just go with the first impression that you receive. It is quite alright to ask the animal to repeat what you think you received, to word the answer in another way that you can understand or to ask them to send the answer to you using another sense.

When I took the animal communication class three years ago, the seminar co-ordinator had lined up a parrot for the class to speak with. We would ask and write down each question and answer or impression that we received. At the end of the conversation, we would go through each question with the class and with the parrot's 'person' to try to get some feedback and/or validation. (Which is also key to developing confidence in your new/old skills).

When asked if the parrot had other friends in the house... I, like most other people in the class, got the impression of the 'charcoal cat' that lived with them. I also received the words 'pink flamingo'! This is a 8 year old parrot that lives in a New York highrise apartment block. Where could he possibly meet a pink flamingo?! I was brave enough to raise my hand to relay my answer to the class and the parrot's 'person'. The man let out a surprised, 'You got that!?!' He explained that his parrot had a tiny pink flamingo rubber toy that sat beside him, outside of his cage, all of the time. The man told us that his parrot talks to it all the time!

If I didn't take the chance to validate what I received from the parrot, I would probably still thing today that my mind made that up. It is the experience of most communicators that the stranger the answer is that you get back, the greater the chance that it didn't come from you. Trust what you get. Believe that this is possible. And, listen to what they have to say!

Always play to your strengths first!

The same young lady that I referred to yesterday was practicing animal communication on her own cat. I gave her a few suggestions on how to improve her techniques. One of the biggest aides, I found, when I learned animal communication, was to start out listening to a few short guided meditations on CD that work with the heart chakra (heart energy center). I'm sure these can be found over the internet. If not, I would suggest buying an audio CD from one of the better know animal communicators such as Amelia Kinkade or Carol Gurney.

Start by sitting in a quiet space with no distractions and listen to a few of the short meditations. They will help to clear your mind, calm your head and put your concentration on your heart energy. Then, proceed to communicate with an animal, or picture of an animal, that you know, or don't know. One of my favorite things to do when I feel too scatter-brained, is to go to the animal section at Chapters and stand there communicating with an animal from one of the book covers. ( As mentioned yesterday, there is no time and space... so, that animal, even in picture form, is right there in front of me, hearing me). It's a great way to focus your thinking and help you forget the outside world for a while.

Also important to realize, is that a thought is sent and received by all of the senses at the same time, whether you realize it or not. All animals, like humans, have their own strengths insofar as which sense is their forte. So, I would suggest sending a thought to an animal, first as a picture, then as a feeling, a thought, a smell, a taste.... and see which sense seems to be their natural strength... Then, ask the animal to send you a response using each unique sense individually, to learn which is your natural strength. Once you get a feel for which sense comes most natural to you, work on developing that one first and tuning into it's frequency most. This will help you to develop it. You can work on your less stong senses after you build your confidence in one or two to start.

Time and space - the illusion

A young lady asked me about how animal communication works... she asked if I just simply talk to any and every cat that comes into my kennel for boarding.

I explained that it is possible to do so, if I'm simply looking for small answers of no real consequence. If there is a real physical or emotional issue at hand though, much more attention is required on my part...

If you've ever tried to meditate you will have experienced the phenomenon of 'losing track of time'. You may be in meditation for, what seems to you, to be half an hour lets say. But, in actual fact, when you stop and look at the time, you realize that 1 1/2 hours have elaspsed. The same holds true with animal communication. Where ever that communication transpires, there doesn't appear to exist a sense of time. This, is a very interesting experience, but I find it to be quite frustrating. Time here, on the earth's plane, just flies by when I talk to animals. I spoke with a 'show cat' at a cat show last year. She explained that all our communications together were happening at a 'soul level'. I don't believe the soul to be bound by time and space.

Only good thoughts allowed, Please!

As we reach one of the biggest animal boarding periods of the year, it is worth mentioning to people, regardless of what kind of animal that you have, that there are ways to reduce the stress of a boarding experience.

The key to making a kennel stay as easy as possible on your pet is to 1. explain to them using mental thoughts and pictures what they can expect, 2. explain in no uncertain terms that this is not meant as a punishment for them, 3. The all important, that you're coming back for them, and finally, 4. It is key that you yourself aren't stressed out, worried about them or feeling guilty about boarding them... This is just as important for you to do before your trip as well as during your trip, while away.

Your animals can sense and feel your thoughts and emotions at all times, not just while you are in the same room... distance apart is irrelevant... trust me. They hear you!
So, if you are away and worried that they are sad, not eating or sick, you are not helping them!

If you want to tune in your animal while on holiday, it is crucial that you keep your thoughts and feelings upbeat and positive.... It is helpful to send them happiness and joy about seeing them again and good thoughts about them having fun while boarding.

If you are thinking your whole time away that your cat will be furious with you, give you the cold shoulder, stop eating and destroy the house once they are back home... guess what you're going to get?! It's as simple as that.... we create a lot of their troubles and our own, without even realizing it.

Get your crayons and paintbrushes out!

As another week scurries past.... Life is very relaxed and casual around here in the afternoon. Soft music in the background, comfy pillows to cozy up on.. all while the snow falls and falls and falls outside... Sure is pretty... Am I ever glad I'm in here!
For those that like the 'outer limits'... Rocket anyone?! Seats always fill up fast!

Little Alberta just can't resist the view from up here. Up, up and away!

You guys all look soo small now!

Just a reminder as we near the half way mark of the month... our first Monthly Art Contest closes on December 31st... all are welcome to submit an entry..
We have two age groups presently, 18 years and under/ 19 years of age and older.

The Subject for December is to design a full color ad promoting my New Monthly Art Contest....

We thought this would be a good place to start.. every month we will have a new challenge.. keep an eye on the website by the 3rd of each month for the new contest details... Or, you can find the link directly from this blog homepage.. in the right hand column.. There is prize money to be had, free T-shirts with the winning art work and a portion of the prize goes to the charity or community organization of the winner's choice... All for fun.. All for a good cause..

Oh, CatMasTree! Oh, CatMasTree...

First, my wood pile and the discouraging mess... or, as I refer to it.... 'Look at all the possibilities!'

People often ask us where we buy our cat playstructures... the short answer is 'We don't!'

I custom design and build all of the cat toys that you see here and throughout our website pictures and videos. Erin helps me with most of the painting and finishing. Then, the fun part... trying to find room to place them within our group areas. It seems that I have trouble building 'small'!

Getting to the assembly stage where it actually starts to look like I know what I'm doing!
More assembly... 'It could even pass for a CatMasTree!'

What tree is complete without a bit of 'bejewelling'... We'll leave that part to Erin..

Little orange Slip and Persian Tucker are the first cats to check out the new toys! 'Just like the tree at home', Slip says....' but, I'm allowed to climb this one!'

Stay tuned for the coming weeks... we'll have a ton of pictures posted to give you an idea of what 100 or so cats looks like... all free... all happy and relaxed... Really!!

Let me do it my way. Please! (Part 2)

The little old boy from yesterdays posting, went on to eat well for months after that visit. The woman kept him on high liver foods and he regained much of his weight and energy.

She called me month afterwards to say that he had stopped eating again and, if possible, could I reconnect with him, and see if there was something that we could do for him. I checked in with him. He was very tired this time. He told me that he stopped eating because he's ready to go now. He knew that his mother had made an appointment at the vet to be put to sleep the next day and wasn't happy about that. He wanted to go on his own... without assistance. He said, 'It's kind of her to want to help. But I don't want their help this time!' He was very clear on the fact that he didn't want her to be there or around when he went. He said 'it would be too sad for her, upset her too much'. I asked him, what if she wants to be there? He told me, 'Don't let her'!

He said his body was very tired and it was time to rest now. He asked that I tell his mother ' I'll be alright. I'm ready to go. I want to go. I've had a good life. Thank her for her kindness. I appreciated it alot. I love her alot. I'll be alright.' He wanted her to know that 'she's a wonderful girl. I'll miss her alot.'

Needless to say this was a very heavy conversation. The first of many that I've had with animals that were ready to leave this life. The one thing that remains constant during these conversations, is that none of them is afraid to go. They are sad for their people, but look forward to what awaits them, the rest, the peace, the weightlessness. They are all quite taken with the concept of floating/flying/weighlessness.

The cat knows! (Part 1)

The first cat that I practiced animal communication on, once I returned from learning it in NewYork, was a senior orange tabby. He'd been coming to me for a couple of years and was a gentle little guy. His mother brought him in before her ski trip and told me that he had been loosing a lot of weight lately and was disinterested in his food.

He ate fine for me the first couple of days, then stopped eating. I spoke with him. He said he had an iron deficiency. I told him I would get him a bunch of new foods that were full of liver and iron. By the time his mother returned, he was eating almost two small tins a day and had actually put weight on.

I know his mother was surprised enough just by the fact that he was still in life. She didn't know what to think about my having spoke with him, but she couldn't argue the fact that he looked ten times better going home than he did when he arrived.

I don't know. I just found it!

On the topic of cats and their unusual tastes in food... A young grey and white female cat mentioned rice crispy treats and dried banana slices... she explained that her mother eats the banana chips and she sneaks them from the table. She loved the crispy, crunchy sweetness of both these foods. She was not interested in fresh bananas though.

She listed erasers as one of her favorite toys to play with... the little round ones, that she gets out of the end of a pencil... which she also sneaks from the table..

She described her personality to me as being cute, charming, bright, curious, adventuresome, adorable, a good hunter, responsible, well mannered and smart.... with all of those shining characteristics, I guess she forgot to mention sneaky and resourceful.... Or, was that just a given!

What last week looked like...

We've been busy at the Pet B&B with all of our new renovations. Regular customers will probably notice a change.... Plus, Erin's been busy getting our Holiday decorations up... gets the cat's all in the spirit... they like Frosty too, you know!

Little mister Odo tries his hand, yet again, at trying to convince BigBird to come out of his home and play.... Maybe better luck next visit Odo. Perhaps you could entice him with some fruit & nutty Christmas cake!

The refurbished train cars are ready for the Christmas rush.... They're all shined up again and ready to go! North Pole anyone?!

What would you change if you could?

All of the cats that stay at my kennel are my favorites but one little female black cat has a real place in my heart. We've spoken many times and each time she teaches me something new about animals and their personalites.

This conversation was early on in our relationship. She told me that she didn't like to hunt small animals because ' it's mean, cruel, not sport.' She preferred cat food. When I asked her if she liked music, she replied whole heartedly, 'Oh, Yes!' She loved Chopin and 'the classics'. Her favorite instruments were violin and guitar.

She didn't really like her name. She preferred the name Mary. She really wanted a young friendly sister in the house for company. She thought that if her family wouldn't call her Mary, perhaps the new cat could be called that.

When describing her personality, she said she was 'helpful'. She explained to me that she 'helps mom with her paperwork!' She also described herself as 'smart as a whip'. I asked her who told her that? She said, ' I did'. She described herself as a nervous cat. When I asked her what she would change about her life if she could, she replied ' not scared anymore. Happy cat'.

Groovy man!

We've all heard the expression that we are a product of our environment. Well, the same holds true for the animals...

I spoke with a senior cat that I had known for a couple of years. She was taking thyroid medication but seemed a bit 'off', this paticular visit. She told me that her medication dosage was too low and needed to be doubled for her to feel better and more balanced. As it was, she felt very nauseaus. She asked that I tell 'mom & dad'.

We went on to have a long discussion. One thing that bears remembering when speaking with animals is that you never know what they're going to say... Even if you ask them what their favorite food is, you already assuming that it's tuna, may not believe it when you hear that it's marshmallows!! Never assume to know what they're thinking.

When I asked this little calico if she liked music...she said it was alright. Her preference was for Motown and R&B, particularly liked the Mamas & Papas. She liked R&B because 'of it's soulful rhythm, not heavy, loud or strong'. She liked Motown because 'it's groovy, it swings'.
She liked all relaxing noises such as ' baby breathing, babbling brook, lake or stream and gentle, soft wind in the leaves. That tells her that 'it's a nice warm day'.
She didn't care for tv saying that it was too negative.

Her parents were in their 50's. One worked as a University professor.

Who says I never met the neighbours?

One of the new surveys that I posted today asked it you believe that animals can communicate inter-species. I hadn't even considered that possiblity until two years ago when I offered to speak to a friend's house cat. They had moved across town, from an apartment and into their first house.

This cat was one of the all time happiest cats that I had spoken with up to that date. He loved his life and his family very much. He told me that he didn't really have any feline friends in the neighbourhood but did mention two area dogs that he spoke with regularly.

He went on to give me descriptions of the dogs and told me that he had never met them or been introduced to them up close and personal ... they would communicate with each other through the windows of their respective houses or while the dogs were being walked down the road.

When I queried him on what they talk about? He replied, 'Mostly our people!'
I have asked many animals if they can communicate interspecies. The answers are mixed, about half and half.... some can, some can't.

It bears noting that the majority of the communication that transpires within the same species, is non-verbal (as in not vocal... barking or meowing). The majority of it takes place in the mind, with the volleying of thoughts and pictures back and forth, to get their point across. The same holds true with human/animal communication. They can understand when we speak to them audibly in a structured language, but it's not necessary.

The beauty of animal communication is that anyone can do it. We were all born with the ability but lost it from a young age. It's easy to get it back though. Just try practicing with your or someone else's animal. Send them a thought, a picture, an idea and see what you get back. You may need to practice a bit but you can have great fun with it.

Our New Monthly Art Contest Launches tomorrow!

Just a reminder. Our open Art Contest officially debuts tomorrow, December 4th, 2008.
Absolutely everyone is welcome to submit their creations. We have two age categories:
18 years of age and under/ 19 years of age and up, up, up...

December's Contest Details, Subject Matter and Prizes can be found at the following link on our Pet Bed and Breakfast website:

http://petbedandbreakfast.ca/monthly_art_specs.html

We encourage everyone to give it a go! A portion of each month's prize money goes to selected community organizations or charities. The first prize winner's get to decide!

Also, FYI, If you weren't aware of it, we now have available a door-to-door service for pick-up and return of your kitties & small animals using our 'Cat Mobile', perhaps you've seen it around town.... Sorry, Still NO Dogs!

We charge a nominal fee based on distance.

More fun pics...

Oh, little birdie... I think you made a wrong turn
at Albaquerqie! Fly away! Fly away!











Jairu walks slowly to the front of the tractor while Squeak drives..... 'Did you hear it?! Did you hear that?! There are mice in them there bails of hay!!









'Baby' teaches Melanie a new cat 'nose butt' technique....very smooth!!




Bella finds the coolest spot of all... even better than a real tree... no firemen needed!

On a lighter note!

I thought we'd throw in a few cute cameo pics from this week to show you what the little guys do for fun and entertainment while their 'people' are away.....

(Above) It may be Leanna's first time in.... but, she's gettin' the hang of it at the Pet B&B....

Fast learner, that Leanna!!

(Left) Rusty gets squeezed out &/or talked into sharing his favorite pillow with Newbie 5month old Siberian 'Sweetie'.... Guess who's winning?!

(Below) Rusty's new friend Sweetie maintains an
'upward cat' pose during morning meditation..

(Below) Meanwhile, it's perfect suntanning weather in front of a
big picture window.... (includes bird watching!)

Somethin' smells a little 'off'!

32.
Q. Another woman was curious to know about her cat’s behaviors and personality. This little black & white cat, I had know about 6 years already. On this visit, I found the little female to be acting a bit out of character. When I spoke to her, she was very evasive with her answers.

A. She did allow me to body scan her energy. I found that there was a lot of cloudiness in the top half of her head. When I asked her about it, she sent me the smell of the new air purifier that I had just purchased and plugged in at the office, only days earlier. The first day that I plugged it in, I found myself immediately sensitive to the ‘smell’ that it gave off even though my employee and customers didn’t notice the smell when I asked them their opinion.

The scary part of this story is that she sent me back the smell 5X stronger than I could smell it. It was very dominant and overpowering for her little body and lungs. Obviously, it was affecting her mental clarity and sinus’.

My intuition told me to unplug the device the same day that I started using it, but I didn’t. With her help, I had all the proof that I needed. It wasn’t benefitting any of us, so I unplugged it, never to be used again.

How would you like it?

31.
Q. I love to read articles about animals doing bizarre things. I read about an elephant in an American zoo, who had attacked and killed her handler. The staff reported that she had always been a cranky elephant. I was curious to know why the elephant did what she did, especially after working with the same person for a number of years.

A. When I connected with her she told me that the handler was going to do a medical procedure on her. Her perception was that they were going to sterilize her so she defended herself and ended up killing the woman.

I then asked her why she’s cranky all of the time? She told me that there is no rest, they are always watching!’

I have twice undertaken to install a full live web cam system at my kennel that would allow clients to log onto the site and view all of the cat’s at any time. This zoo, and many other zoos, are equipped with live web cams to view the animals at will. After speaking with this elephant, I decided to ditch the project once and for all. It’s just not right. All animals and many people can sense if they are being watched. The fact that the viewing is done remotely, via cameras, doesn’t change that reality.

Mirror, mirror... (Part 2 of 2)

30.
Q. The same young woman wanted me to talk to her ferret. She had three but the baby, the one year old female, had developed severe diarrhea and had almost stopped eating. This ferret was also very attached to her mother’s energy. I knew it was a stress issue. The little ferret was very reluctant to speak with me. She was afraid to admit to anything that I asked her.

A. When I asked her if she was the one of the three ferrets that had the diarrhea problem, she came back quickly and adamantly saying, ‘It wasn’t me!’ I wasn’t getting anywhere with her. She was very evasive.

The woman took her to the vet and the ferret was diagnosed with IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) and put on the same medication that the young woman was on herself. The woman still couldn’t figure out why her ferret would stop eating for long stretches at a time. I had known this woman for a year and was aware of how often she was sick with IBS and would stop eating too. I asked her to look back at the last couple of times that her ferret was off of her food. I said to her, ‘Weren’t you sick over those same exact dates as well?!’ I knew she had been. I explained to her that each time she gets an IBS attack, loses her appetite or feels nauseous, her ferret gets the same symptoms. I told her that it’s not a coincidence.

It’s hard for anyone to be told they are making their animal sick, but if we are never aware of the co-relation, how can we hope to change or improve it?