For those of you, who sent in your pictures and questions, thank you for answering the call! Please continue. If you would also like to be a part of this monthly column, please send your question, along with a photo of your animal companion to Sandra Larson at:
Email: sandra@sandralarson.com
Or send your information by mail to:
Sandra Larson
PO Box 1651
Little Elm, TX 75068
The advice in this column is based on Sandra’s experience and training as an animal communicator. Please avoid sending in medical questions as she is not a veterinarian and any of her suggestions are not intended to be medical in anyway. Be sure to seek proper professional advice and assistance for any of your animals’ physical or emotional needs.
Q. Hi Sandra:
I just received your email about your column and I’ve got a question for you about my cat, Ali. She’s been meowing (whining/talking) a lot more lately and seems to need much more attention. She seems to be acting out and I’m not sure why. Can you see anything that would give me some insight? You gave me a lovely reading a while ago about my dog. It was wonderful. Thanks so much!
Jennifer
A. Dear Jennifer:
Be sure to ask your vet if Ali may have a reason for her crying. Once you are sure that there isn’t a physical cause for the whining, you can take some action to see what she is trying to communicate to you. She may want you to slow down and learn to relax. I’ve had animals who were very concerned about their human companion’s hectic schedule. Or, she may want you to stop doing something that isn’t good for you. Once I was talking with a friend who said she had started playing the Solitaire game called Free Cell. She found that she was playing this game for many consecutive several hours. Finally, her cat would come and tap the computer screen with her paw to get her to stop!
It’s important to sit down and have a chat with Ali. She is trying to send you a message. Find a quiet time and place where you won’t be disturbed. Breathe in deeply and ask for some spiritual guidance. Then take the time to still your mind and tell her you want to understand what she is trying to communicate to you. She can be in the room with you, but she doesn’t have to be. Send love from your heart to hers and then ask her what she wants you to know. If you feel a block, ask yourself this question, “If I thought I knew what she was trying to tell me, what would it be?” Eventually, I feel you will get a clear understanding of what she wants you to know. Write back to me and let me if her behavior changes once you know her message.
Q. Hi Sandra:
Just want to get your thoughts on this puppy that I have selected. I get to pick him up tomorrow, and I think I want to name him Ryder. Will he love his new name? Carter, Howie, Brady, Rudy and Al have also been on the list. Maybe you could help me to learn if he responds to a name. I look forward to hearing from you! One more name came to me after I chatted with you: Dallas. That was the name of a really wonderful female Golden my friend had. I checked with him to see if he’d mind and he said he would be honored. My time in Texas holds wonderful memories and I am really feeling strongly towards the name. I am happier being home with my family but there was a lot that I loved about being there. Take care.
Leslie
A. Dear Leslie:
I did have a chat with your new puppy today to see the name he prefers. He is just as cute as can be! But remember, your heart will tell you truly. Here’s our conversation:
Sandra: Hello Lovely One! My very good friend, Leslie who is soon to be your new human Mom has asked me to ask you what name you would prefer to be called. Do you have a favorite?
Puppy: Leslie, you were correct! My first choice of names is ‘Dallas’. I like how the name Dallas brings back really good memories for you, but it also makes me feel strong and kind of cool, too! Does this mean you’ll be cheering for the Dallas Cowboys? My next favorite name is Rudy. By the way, I’m really excited about coming to live with you!
Q. Dear Sandra:
I don’t know if you remember, but I called last summer after death of my beloved dog Miranda. You helped me a lot. I would like to take advantage of the offer and ask you if you would be so kind to help me to find out what is going on with my 6 year old kitty, Kashmir. She is tense, kind of aggressive and most of the time defensive. Is it emotional or physical? Kashmir had her blood work done. All, but one result seemed to look good for her age. One “number” indicates some kind of trauma in some muscle tissue, possibly skeleton muscle. She seems to have her back arched more then normal when she walks but it doesn’t seem to bother her when she jumps after the ball. My intuition is that her condition is very complex, and probably chiropractor & acupuncture would help. From the emotional angle, she doesn’t like other cats around, which could be causing more tension in her body. My heart is telling me that there is something tormenting her and I have to help her. I could use some help from you. Thanks. Love,
Daria
A. Dear Daria:
It is so wonderful to hear from you! I hope all is well with you! Thank you for your kind words. They mean a lot to me!
I’m so glad you have had her checked out with the vet. I feel she may be experiencing some pain in her body. If she is, her defensiveness is a form of protection to warn others to stay away. We all have an energy field around us which forms a boundary or barrier. When others get inside of her energy field, it’s almost like an alarm goes off and she becomes defensive. Does she allow you to touch and get close to her? If she does, be very mindful of touching or massaging her gently. Cats will let you know when they have had enough attention. So be aware when you are touching her. Communicate to her gentle, loving, healing thoughts. See her as feeling well and happy.
You can also affirm that you will be guided to the best care for her. The idea of homeopathic care including a chiropractor and acupuncture may help her tremendously. I’m sure the chiropractor will check out her spinal alignment. Has she been less active than usual? When she’s playing with the ball, she probably forgets about any pain she may have in her body because the ball triggers her playful predator side. I know you will do all of the right things for Kashmir. Thank you for sharing your question with us. Remember, your beliefs are powerful. See her as well and then follow your inner guidance system in choosing her best health care.
To help you really feel that connection with the animal you might say the following:
I bless you
I honor you
I appreciate you
I love all that you are
Then gently introduce yourself. Tell the animal who you are and why you would like to talk with them. Let them know you are curious about them and would like to help. Ask for the animal’s permission to talk with them. If you get a ‘yes’, proceed by asking one question at a time. Be sure to give the animal plenty of time to respond. Keep your questions simple rather than long and compound. If you are doing the communication on behalf of the animal’s companion, be sure to stay connected to the animal and avoid a long conversation with the animal’s person. Let the person know the animal’s responses, but refrain from discussing those responses until after you finish.
If you’re doing the conversation with an animal that’s miles away, call and identify them by any and/or all of the following: name, city, state, and country, members of the family, breed, age and coloring of the animal. If you’re doing a long distance conversation, it seems to really help if you have a picture of the animal. However, it’s not required. Find your own comfort and skill level.
If you happen to receive a ‘no’ answer, go back to explaining what you’re doing and why you’re doing it. I’ve rarely received ‘no’ answers but it does occasionally happen. Often if it does, the animal usually needs a further explanation of the process before they trust enough to communicate. Once I asked to speak with a dog that refused to talk to me because she was upset with her person for leaving her at home while she traveled. Finally, after I clearly received that message and gave it to her person, I had a hard time getting the dog to stop talking! If however, you keep on receiving a ‘no’ answer, respect the choice of the animal not to talk and end the conversation. Just be sure it’s not your ego telling you it’s not possible to talk to the animals! Sometimes they’re surprised that a human is talking with them. Other times they ask if they’re in trouble. Be sure to let them they are safe with you and you mean only good for them.
I don’t volunteer at the shelter anymore. However, I rescue cats. I help rehab and find them a new home. My latest rescue was Girly Girl, this beautiful tiny calico kitten. I found her in the parking lot of my community in July. She was just sitting in the middle of the parking lot, so skinny and dirty and too still. I tried to pick her up, but she ran away. I noticed her sister, who looked just like her, and who was also resting underneath a car.
That night, there was a huge storm and I barely slept, thinking of those poor kittens, afraid they would drown. I prayed and prayed. The next morning, first thing I did was to go to the area I had seen her. She was in the same position. A neighbor that I had never met before was throwing out the trash. I asked her if she would help me catch her. Well, it turned out the neighbor is this wonderful woman named Sandra, who is a cat lover and has even rescued a few cats and found them homes. She got me a towel, a box, and a can of food and I was able to trap the kitten.
I took her to the vet and she was in very bad shape, with mange, upper respiratory infection, anemia, dehydration, skinny as can be. She stayed at the vet for about two weeks where I visited with her often. Finally, she was released. I kept her here until she got better. She is so playful and friendly! Needless to say, my “Ambassador”, Calyx, became good friends with her and they spent many hours playing and chasing each other around the house. I would touch her and she would melt. She is the sweetest thing ever!
I prayed to find her a good home, and a girl who works at the vet’s office decided she wanted to adopt her. She is in love with her and tells me she’s the best kitty ever. And, a week after I rescued her, Sandra was able to get her sister, who was in even worse shape due to the mange. But the vet also took care of her and she recovered. Sandra decided to keep her! Just writing this makes me tear up. I love happy endings! I’m sending a picture of Girly Girl before, Girly Girl after and playing with Calyx.
Take care!
Letty
Often I’m called to help people with animal behavioral problems like inappropriate wetting and soiling. I also work to ease relationship problems between the multiple animals in the home and their people. I’ve learned a lot from the animals I talk with over the years, but one of the most important things I’ve learned is that they do what they do for their own reasons. Those reasons rarely if ever have anything to do with trying to make their people angry or upset.
I’d like to share with you a few short stories of the animals’ explanation of seemingly inappropriate behavior.
•Once, when I was just starting out as a professional animal communicator my Shaman friend and I were asked to do a house clearing on a home which was reported to have some type of poltergeist activity. After doing the clearing, the woman of the house asked me to talk with her two cats. She told me she was upset with the more dominant cat in the family because she would not allow the shy cat to sleep on the bed with her. She said that every night before bed time the dominant cat would create a circle by walking around her on the bed. I asked the cat why she was doing this behavior and she told me she was trying to protect her human companion. I explained to the dominant cat that the shy cat wanted to sleep on the bed, too. Her response was that she couldn’t leave this important work to amateurs! This cat was doing her best to protect her human from whatever was going on in the house. I also found out that this woman had recently been sick and was now well. This cat had responded to her illness by taking the leadership role in the family. I thanked the dominant cat for the important work she was doing and asked if she would please be more tolerant of the other cat in the home. She said she would. Also, I suggested to the woman that she tell the cat she was well now and could take over the leadership role in the family.
•Recently, I received a phone call about a dog that licks the bottom of his feet, sometimes until they’re raw. His person told me he has always had this problem. She had brought him to the vet and there seemed to be no medical reason for the licking. When I spoke with this dog I sensed that I was speaking with his Eternal Soul which is the part of him that lives on and on. I asked him why he continued with this licking behavior. He told me he felt crowded and had always had a problem fitting into his current dog body. As we chatted, he told me he was more accustomed to living life as a bigger animal. In the conversation, his person was surprised, but remarked that she had often thought of him as a horse. In an attempt to negotiate a change in the licking behavior, I reminded this beautiful animal that as eternity goes, he only gets to be in this dog body for just the ‘blink of an eye’. So I asked him, “Wouldn’t it be nice if you just tried to enjoy your life as a dog? And it would mean so much to your human Mom if you would stop licking and just enjoy your current life.” He agreed he would try to stop the licking and start the enjoying. About a week after the session, his person had this to say: I am updating you on Fenwick as you requested. He subsided his paw licking once I went through the soaking in Epsom salts and putting on socks until it was almost healed. I went to Imagery Dance and apparently he had the socks on for a few days and then not. He didn’t lick after that. Right now the paw licking is under control…for the moment anyways. Sonja
•As far at wetting outside the litter box, I have heard a variety of reasons. From the obvious ones of marking territory to anointing outside items which needed to smell better. I’ve even spoken with a beautiful cat that was trying to cover up the smell of a particular family member. I must confess in negotiating, I am not above begging for an appropriate change. But the important thing is to try to understand what is motivating the animal to do the behavior and then request a positive change. Often this includes a change in human behavior, too. Here is what one person had to say after a session with a cat about missing the litter box and about a behavior change between the two cats relationship in the household: My house has changed so! Things are GOOD! After our call, I immediately went to the garage and retrieved the old litter box. It is in my utility room now. Smudge has been ABSOLUTELY perfect since, without a single incident of forgetfulness! Isn’t that just the BEST? The relationship between Harleigh and Smudge has changed so much, too! I have not heard a single howl from Harleigh, and Smudge is much less “focused” on chasing or attacking Harleigh! Life is so good! Anita
•(Click here to read the story from Donna about Calia and a different litter box concern in the Readers Story Section.)
•Here is a sweet story send to me about a woman choosing to find a way to keep her dogs happy and her backyard looking good too. I met you a couple months ago at the Dallas Psychic Fair. A friend told me to see you. I met with you about my dog Charlie, who loves to dig. You suggested that I get him a sandbox to dig in. He agreed. My brother-in-law built the frame for me, not really understanding my intentions. Charlie and the puppies kept digging in this one place, which told me where they wanted the sandbox. I was trying to hide it but they wanted it out in the open where I can watch them. My sons and I put the sandbox together for Charlie, Bindi and Stevie. Before we could even get it raked, they were in it. We took pictures of them digging and one of all three sitting next to each other. It even looked like they were smiling. It is so awesome and totally enjoyable to watch them play and dig. They come inside at 10:30pm with sand in their nostrils and you know where they’ve been. We all thank you. You are awesome. Jennifer
I’ve had many a lesson from my numerous sweet cats over the years but this one really takes the cake. And it taught me a very large and valuable lesson.
Our sweet cat, Calia has only been with us for 10 months. We adopted her as a stray and she had been bounced around to numerous foster homes for several months and then flown across the country from CA to NY. So needless to say, she had been through a lot before she came to us.
We noticed right away that she was an extra sensitive kitty and did all we could to make her comfortable in her new home with us. After months of her still being extremely shy and tense I decided it was time to enlist Sandra’s help.
After one session there was a noticeable change in her behaviour within hours. She began to relax around my husband much more. He travels out of town every week for work Monday through Thursday and sweet Calia was confused by this. She didn’t realize he lived here and was her new human dad. Sandra cleared that up for us along with a few other things and gave us some tips to help with the transition of him coming home each Thursday night.
I must add that I am a practicing holistic healthcare consultant myself and so I’m very sensitive to subtle energies the psychological dynamics of wellness. Yet I had not been able to help Calia with her stress level and trust issues prior to consulting Sandra. I am a firm believer in having other practitioners offer their expertise and support as needed. We all need an objective opinion and fresh eyes sometimes. And my speciality is people not pets.
This particular incident with Calia happened recently. My husband and I went away for a week’s vacation and left her in our home under the care of a pet sitter. We met the sitter ahead of time and also checked several references she provided us which were all glowing. All seemed in order so off we went for a much needed vacation.
When we arrived home I was greeted by a strong ordor of rotting food in the kitchen and no heat at all in the house. Our petsitter had thrown out leftover cat food but never emptied the garbage all week. Or put the catfood cans in the recycle bin outsied, even though she had asked and been shown where both were located. Yuck! Oh well, I thought, I have a very sensitive sense of smell and maybe I was over reacting. She had atleast rinsed out the cans.
The heat was a big mystery as we had just had the furnace serviced for the winter right before leaving. And she had not called us to inquire why the house was so cold. I thought perhaps the heat only went out the last day and thus she had not noticed. After fumigating the house with sage and finally opening windows, when we discovered it was actually warmer outside than inside our house, I got rid of the rotting cat food smell.
Then it hit me- Why was there so much food being thrown away? The petsitter had assured me over the phone both times I called to check in that Calia was eating fine. Plus our cat always has a good appetite and rarely leaves food in her bowl. I looked at all the large empty cans of catfood the sitter had gone through, recalling how I had left her 3 or 4 extra cans on the counter for variety should our puss turn finicky in our absense. They were all gone! She had fed her a large 14 ounce can every day. Now I was pissed! I had specifically told her and shown her exactly how much food to give Calia AND I had left her a detailed note with all instructions written down. Plus this woman assured me that she had extensive experience as a vet tech. Now I ask you, what 8 pound house cat eats a 14 ounce can of cat food every day??
We had had such a wonderful vacation and such a long trip home that I was determined to just let all this go and be grateful that our cat was safe and sound, as was our home, and just be grateful. So that is what I did. We had a lovely rest of the weekend and Calia seemed fine and extremely happy to have us home. I did notice that she did not eat much for the first two days but considering how over fed she had been all week this was not surprising.
Sunday night I scooped her catpan and all was normal. She had both peed and pooped as usual.
End of the day Monday I scooped again and it was completely clean, untouched. How odd, I thought. Then I remembered that early that morning she had vomited up all her breakfast, something she had never done before. My concern grew a bit but I figured she was just getting her rhythmns reaquainted with ours and her nerves settled from being left alone in the house for a full week for the first time.
Tuesday morning I checked her box first thing and still nothing. Now I began to worry. Is she sick? Why is she not even urinating? Mommy panic began to creep in. Since her cat pan is in an extra bathroom on our top floor I had the idea to have my morning “constitutional” in there for a change to try to encourage her to do the same. She strolled in, took one whiff and hopped in her box. Great, I thought, problem solved. But it was poop and no pee. The day went by and still no pee. I checked around the house but she had not gone anywhere else and never has before. Like most cats she is extremely clean with her litter box and grooming.
Finally I couldn’t take it any longer and had to call Sandra for help. I just could not figure out what the problem was. Our session began with me telling Sandra my whole tale of whoa and asking if she had time to speak to Calia for me. One of Sandra’s first comments was that the phrase “Pissed off” kept echoing in her ear. Did I ever use this phrase? Well…yes, I do, sometimes. We both wondered what this meant for sweet Calia. Was she pissed off? Or worried that I was pissed off? Or was she suffering from a urinary infection of some kind?
We hung up and Sandra said she would call back in a few minutes to do a quick chat with Calia. I went upstairs to find her and sat down on the floor in the sunshine with her to wait and meditate on all that had transpired. I asked myself- What am I pissed off about??? After a few minutes it came to me like a lightbulb- I’m pissed at the catsitter, of course! How could she have been so negligent when she came so highly recommended? And should I confront her now, days after the fact or just let it go and find someone else for next time? She still has my house key so do I ask her for it back? But could this really be related to why Calia was holding in her urine?
I decided to wait to tell Sandra this and let Calia speak first. Her opening comment was how much she had missed me while I was away and how glad she was that I was home. “Ask her about the petsitter, would you please?” So Sandra did and Calia responded that she was very nice to her. Then we asked why she wouldn’t wet in her box. No response….This is when I decided to share with Sandra about the several incidents I’d had with the sitter. Together we concluded that this could certainly be related and that Calia was most likely mirroring to me my own “pissed off” feelings. Sandra suggested drinking lots of water myself for the rest of the day and seeing what happened. If still no pee by tomorrow then off to the vet we would go.
I hung up the phone and headed up to urinate in the top floor bathroom to encourage my sweet and sensitve cat to do the same. Then I refreshed my water bottle, added some lemon, and went out for a late lunch and a walk. While I was out I took some more of Sandra’s advice. I sent forgiveness to our petsitter. I realized that this woman had shown me signs from our first conversation of being a little too busy and over extended and more of a dog person than a cat person. But I trusted her anyway and felt I didn’t have many other choices of sitters to hire. I empathisized with how demanding it must be traveling around caring for other people’s animals all the time, seven days a week for not much pay. I forgave her and I blessed her. Then I forgave myself for not trusting my vibes. Next time will be different for me and for Calia, I vowed.
When I returned two hours later, Voila! She peed! Donna
The Velvet Snout Canine Adventure Center, LLC is hosting its first annual blessing of the animals on Tuesday October 13th from 10am to 3pm. Blessings will be offered by Animal Communicator Sandra Larson and Animal Wellness Practitioner and Trainer Annette Bingham.
Dallas, TX (PRWEB) 25th, September, 2009 – All Animals are invited to attend the first annual Blessing of the Animals, hosted by the Velvet Snout Canine Adventure Center, LLC in Richardson, TX., on Tuesday October 13th from 10am to 3pm. Blessings will be offered by renowned Animal Communicator Sandra Larson and Animal Wellness Practitioner and Trainer Annette Bingham. Blessings are free of charge but for anyone who wishes to donate, donations may be made to: the Hungry Snout Pet Food Donation Program benefiting the North Texas Food Bank.
Velvet Snout Owner Laura Couch says “We’re so excited to have both Sandra and Annette to offer the blessings for our first annual event. These are truly two of the most talented ladies that I have been fortunate enough to come to know, and like us, they just have a heart for the animals. We anticipate a large turn-out and feel very honored to be able to offer this gift to all of our furry friends”.
For additional information on the blessing of the animal event please contact The Velvet Snout Canine Adventure Center, or visit our Website.
Contact:
Diana Hall, General Manager
The Velvet Snout Canine Adventure Center
1230 E. Beltline Rd. Richardson, TX 75081
972-907-DOGS (3647)
Animal Communication Blog 
I don’t volunteer at the shelter anymore. However, I rescue cats. I help rehab and find them a new home. My latest rescue was Girly Girl, this beautiful tiny calico kitten. I found her in the parking lot of my community in July. She was just sitting in the middle of the parking lot, so skinny and dirty and too still. I tried to pick her up, but she ran away. I noticed her sister, who looked just like her, and who was also resting underneath a car. 