HELP ME JUMP THIS FENCE! WHAT THEY TELL US WHEN IT’S TIME TO GO!
Animals always seem to know what’s waiting for them. Somehow, they just know. On more than one occasion I have spoken with an animal as they are ready to make their transition and the one who loves them more than life itself is forced to make that final decision for them. We think we know, we think they are telling us it’s their time, but how do we really know? That’s always the question.
Just recently I spoke with a dog who was making his transistion, and his Dad was in one of the most sorrowful times of his life losing his best friend and soul mate and having to make that decision for him. The dog’s body was no longer working for him, but his soul was strong. He realized that his physical body was breaking down and he could no longer continue, and he showed us an image of a beautiful fence. On his side of the fence he had a body that was giving out, but on the other side of this fence was the most beautiful meadow that went on forever with no fences or boundaries. He looked at us and said “help me jump this fence”. They always seem to know what’s waiting for them and what it’s like. What a beautiful validation that they are truly ready!
Horses are magical when it comes to the final Fence, especially Jumpers! They have jumped all their lives and in the very end they can see their final jump being to a place of infinite beauty, peace and joy. Horses love going into Spirit because they understand so much more than we do what’s waiting for them. The most beautiful aspect of it for them is understanding that where they are going has no gates, there are no fences and that they will run without limitations. And, of course, no stalls which so many spend way too much time in! I remember the first time that I realized the horror of “show horses” that don’t leave a stall because they may get injured. It stopped me in my tracks when the barn owner said to me on a beautiful Spring day as we passed the stall of a halter show horse and she said “oh this one doesn’t go outside, he’s a show horse”. That was over 20 years ago and I can remember the sorrow I felt like it was yesterday. I have never forgotten that horse but would go on to find it everywhere. Can you imagine living your life in a box? It’s like having a hugh Great Dane dog and keeping it crated it’s entire life. What’s the difference? It’s heartbreaking, absolutely heartbreaking. And I asked the lady what will he win, she said ribbons! Really? A life for a ribbon!
In my journey of speaking with these amazing animals they have taught me so much about what we think of as the “end” for them but what they think of as a beautiful new beginning and it is so beautiful when they are ready to jump that final fence!
So, when the time comes, and it will for all of us, please don’t see it as an end for them. Look in their eyes and Help Them Jump That Fence into eternity and Spirit where they will run free forever with the knowing that they know and they’re asking you to help them jump the final one. It then becomes something of beauty instead of grief and sadness.
Blessings!
WHAT IS LORDY REALLY TRYING TO SAY?
For the first time ever a book has been written entirely in the words of a Horse! His name is Lordy and his sole intention in writing this book has always been to give animals in all walks of life a voice and to let the world know that there’s a soul in there. It’s not just a horse. Every Chapter is another journey in his life and he connects so beautifully to the soul that is the Human. What Lordy is really trying to say is that animals are souls, they grieve, feel joy and sadness, hurt and feel the same feelings that we do. It’s not, as so many think, you are a horse, I am a human and you will do what I say. No, he wanted so much more to be known and he has done an amazing job.
His beautiful book is now available on Amazon and I hope you take this Journey with him and love every moment.
A VERY TOUCHING ANIMAL COMMUNICATION SESSION WITH BAILEY!
I would like to share with you a wonderful Session I had yesterday with Bailey, a small wonderful little guy. Bailey had unfortunately witnessed his Labrador brother pass away in the kitchen doorway. They had been together their entire lives. For months after the passing Bailey refused to be near the kitchen and would stay away in a separate part of the house all together and shaking badly when he was near the kitchen. So, we did some very fun NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) where we basically switched the image that he saw of his brother passing to an image where his brother was in the kitchen young and well. He did a great job. It was only MOMENTS later that his Mom called me to say Bailey was in the kitchen. He sent a photo of him completely relaxed and stretched out on the kitchen floor. Everyone was so happy!
The purpose of sharing this is to say that Animal Communication is literally life-changing for them and their families as well. It’s not just asking them what their favorite toy is or do they like their food. It’s so much more! NLP has been around for many years mostly for humans, but for quite some time for animals as well. I encourage you to Google it.
LORDY, IN HIS OWN WORDS QUOTE FROM CHAPTER ONE!
LORDY, IN IS OWN WORDS written entirely by an amazing racehorse interpreted by his friend and Animal Communicator, Shirley Merrill. NOW AVAILABLE ON AMAZON!
QUOTE FROM CHAPTER ONE: “Comfort is not always a grace for a racehorse and kindness not always a given.”
#racehorses#LordyInHisOwnWords#ShirleyMerrillAnimalCommunicator
shirleymerrill.com
HOLIDAY GIFT CERTIFICATES
As the Holidays approach, please consider a Gift Certificate for that person who has everything. Giving the Gift of Speech is the best gift of all for a pet who may have never had the opportunity to speak. It’s life changing and the perfect time of year to give. Please contact me to purchase and the Certificates can be mailed to the person of your choice.
AM I REFLECTING YOUR BEHAVIOR? STRESS DURING COVID AND HOW IT EFFECTS OUR PETS.
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So often when I am speaking with a pet their behavior is a direct result of the behavior of their human family. When a human is stressed out, angry, fearful or depressed they bring that energy to their animals. Animals I have found are like hugh refrigerator magnets. They take on to themselves everything we are going through or thinking. They take it right into themselves and then their behaviors will change. For instance, people will often say their pet has been so depressed from the loss of a human or another animal when, in fact, the animal is taking on the depression of their human. When we are sad, our pets are sad. When we are stressed, they take that stress on to themselves. If we get angry or afraid, you will see them behave in those manners as well.
The saddest part, I think, is that these pets have no where else to go. They have to be in whatever situation their humans are in. They can’t pack a bag and take a vacation or go to Grandmas house until things get better. They can’t decide this isn’t working for them and make a change as we humans can. They don’t have the avenues of mediation, spas or other things to clear themselves and start afresh. Basically they are stuck in any emotional environment we are in.
I can’t tell you how many times when we fix the human, we fix the pet. I think it is understandable for people either to not be aware of this “refrigerator magnet” effect or maybe just have never thought about it until the pet brings it up.
If you sit in a room or live everyday with someone who is severely depressed, it doesn’t take long for us to start feeling sad. Being with someone who is constantly anxious or stressed will escalate our stress and anxiety as well. Why would it not do the same for our beloved pets who are by our side always. Whatever energy you bring will be the energy they will take on.
If you go to ride your horse and show up stressed out, angry or upset, you are bringing all of that energy to your horse. When you sit on them, your energy goes straight into their spine and believe me they feel it and will respond in kind. Anxious riders created anxious horses.
Animals can also see energies around us and feel whatever it is we are giving off. They know love immediately but they also know anger, fear and stress.
Depression is a hugh issue in our country and I think every one of us knows of someone who is going through that now. But it’s not only happening with humans, it’s happening with our pets as well it’s just that often we don’t put two and two together. Why will your dog or cat come and sit by you when you are sad? Because they feel your sadness.
Especially in this time of Covid when so many families are stressed, sick, fearful or uncertain about what will come next. Please know that your pets are picking up every bit of this energy and it is affecting them as well.
So what do we do? The most important thing we can do is acknowledge this. Acknowledge that this really does happen and become aware. Becoming aware of our moods, thoughts and energies will help them tremendously. But most important, just acknowledge and understand that this really does have an effect on them. They may come into this body in the physical form of an animal and you in the physical form of a human, but the souls are the same. They have a soul just as we do, it’s just in a different physical body. So that means that every feeling we have whether it be grief, joy, sadness, happiness or worry, they have as well exactly as we do. They feel just like we feel, just in a different physical form. I always love to say “there’s a soul in there, connect with it and it will change your life”. So let’s stop thinking of them as animals and us as humans and making that differentiation and start thinking of them as souls in a different physical body.
The next step I think will be working on ourselves and when we see our pet behaving in a certain way, stop and say “what is my state of mind”? People will change anything for their pet, so changing ourselves can only be helpful to us as well.
And, of course, speaking with them is always key! If your pet is showing signs of taking on your energies, environment or issues please reach out to have a conversation with them. Let them speak about it. Help them through it through communication.
Our pets will mirror our behavior, so pay attention!
CAN WE TALK?
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For the longest time I have been trying to come up with a way or a plan or maybe just the dream of animals being able to communicate on a more regular basis. Often people will call and have an amazing Animal Communication Session with their pet and then maybe I won’t speak with that pet again for a year or more. Many times people reach out to a communicator only when something is wrong either in their behavior or health. But wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could really talk on a regular basis instead of just when something is going on?
Our animals absolutely love speaking with us and the sessions that they are allowed to have touch their souls in ways we can only imagine. I don’t think people really understand the joy animals feel when communicating with their loved ones. You are their life and they have so many feelings to share with you, and it’s all the time. Just looking in their eyes is all you really need to feel their communication!
The animals have all been saying that at this time in our world they need that connection more than ever. They have so much to say to us, so much to tell us and so much love to give us during this time and always.
It’s so important for us to understand the beauty of regular communication with them and don’t they deserve it? Communication is the best gift you will ever give them besides your love. They have so many thoughts and feelings to share and can only really speak through communication.
Communicating with them on a regular basis can only deepen our bond and relationship because we are regularly communicating our feelings, thoughts and needs, both to each other. We can talk to them about anything including how their health is and how they are feeling, how they are doing emotionally and hopefully prevent illnesses that we may miss until they become an issue. But the most important part is the gift that you give to them and connection that you are growing. And if your relationship is for competition it’s even more important to keep it regular because they are athletes who need understanding every step of the way!
So, my thoughts have been all over the place on how to make this dream come true for them and I understood that in order to do that I was going to have to set a very pure intention to be a part of it no matter what it took and no matter what people thought of it. I’m walking in faith here.
My first step was to reach out to close clients and other communicators on how I could make this happen. I am now available for monthly or by-monthly check ins.
Here are my thoughts. Each month or maybe by-monthly a person picks a day and time (they will have this same day and time each month) and we check in with their pets. So, for instance if you have a barn, you may want to go through that barn each month to check in on up to 8 horses on your monthly day with just brief 15-20 minute checks ins. If you have multiple pets in your home, it would be great to regularly check in with them and speak to everyone at one time doing brief check ins.
My part in this is to make it as affordable as possible. So, I working with everyone individually to see what their needs are and their financial situation and not charging per pet but in the time that it takes to do all of the brief check ins. This should make it extremely affordable if people can share in the price at a barn, etc.
There is complete understanding on my part that with the financial environment so many feel themselves in at this time, it’s strange to be asking people (especially ones with show horses) to add another monthly expense to their budget. But I promise you, this one is worth it!
It may seem as though the timing financially could not be worse for this, but in this time the animals have all been saying they need that connection, they need that understanding and they need to get their words and feelings heard. So, here I am, don’t shoot the messenger!
I hope this touched your heart as they touch ours everyday and that you will give thought to communicating with your beloved pet or competitive partner on a regular basis. Make it like any other monthly appointment you make!
Blessings,
RESCUE ME, KNOW ME SERIES SEPARATION ANXIETY
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So, this is the first topic to be discussed in the “Rescue Me-Know Me” Series and it seems to be a major issue for new rescues and adoptions, especially for pets coming from shelter situations. Their new families do absolutely everything they can think of to help them with the fear and anxiety they have when left alone or not with their person or persons. This behavior can either be destructive or just extremely stressful for the pet. In every conversation the same pattern seems to emerge. It’s very similar to a human “panic attack”. It is not something they can control. It’s not something they can change simply by their environment changing or being told or trained to. It’s beyond their control in many cases. Many times the pet is medicated which in some cases can make things worse for them and their environment.
The destruction can be frustrating and oftentimes they get the brunt of the situation and may even end up back where they came from through no fault of their own and until the fear and panic is dealt with the pet can be moved around or may never find their forever home.
Even if their new family is incredibly patient and kind and would do anything to help them, it’s the understanding that needs to happen. Love, kindness and patience, although an enormous gift to them, doesn’t always answer our questions of why!
In speaking with many pets who have been adopted or rescued from shelters or bad situations, they already come in a panic simply from their environment. So, first they are dealing with the trauma and panic of their situations, they also now have a new environment and the one and only thing that is grounding them is their new person or family. It’s literally the only thing keeping them together and when that person or persons leaves, even for short periods of time, it causes a panic that they can’t control anymore than humans can control panic attacks.
And very much of interest is that many people say they have had their dogs all their lives since they were puppies and they still have this issue. In that case, most of the time the issue is that they have brought that behavior in from their mother’s. If the mother was in a panic situation or difficult situation during birth, they will often bring that in with them so that their families never really understand where this behavior comes from. They know that nothing has ever happened to the pet to make them scared when alone in the entire time they have been together so there seems to be no reason for the Separation Anxiety. But, that’s it. It can come from Mom.
I can relate to their feelings. I am terribly afraid of turbulence while flying and there is absolutely nothing that will calm me when it happens and, believe me, I have tried everything. It’s a fear beyond my control. They always try to relate the feelings of fear and anxiety they experience when left alone to the exact feelings we would have as humans experiencing a fear that can’t easily be controlled.
Ok, so what do we do? That’s the questions that can change their lives forever. Separation Anxiety can be dealt with through Communication. Understanding how they feel and what exactly sets it off for them. Just your understanding can be hugh for them. But the most important thing is to deal with it before the frustration begins, temper flare and the situation becomes worse for them. In speaking with them they will tell you what they need, how it feels and how to help them. Now you may say, well if they can’t control this, then how do I help them? Listen. Understand. Become a part of their team to overcome this and try to see the situation through the human form of panic attack which I believe will be very helpful. So much of this is UNDERSTANDING. Really knowing how they feel and what sets them off. Also through Communication we can help them to switch the picture to see themselves being calm while alone.
But this is the most important thing, understanding them through Communication. Hearing their words and feelings and listening to whatever it is they may need to help them through this. You can’t train what you don’t know. So many times just being able to speak can change their situation dramatically. Having an understanding with their humans is hugh to them and can change a situation on a dime.
We just need to ask and they will tell us what they need. We just need to put their feelings in human perspective to walk in their paws as this happens to them.
If you take nothing else away from this Blog, please let it sink it that it is not their fault. They are not trying to be destructive or do bad things while you are gone. They are not acting out. They are not bad! They do not have “issues” and they are not stupid. They are simply in a fear pattern that they have no control over!
Speaking with them is the answer!
WELCOME TO THE NEW SERIES! RESCUE ME, KNOW ME! BEGINNING APRIL 26, 2020.
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This will be a new Series entitled Rescue Me, Know Me in which many categories and issues of rescuing and pet adoption will be covered.
This Series came about from many conversations with pets who had been rescued or adopted who dealt with issues of Agressiveness, Separation Anxiety, Fears, Adjusting, and not really knowing how to settle in to something that is so alien to them. And the list goes on for them!
My initial intent was to address each of these issues in separate blogs which will be done, but then I thought about a Series that everyone can follow and hopefully get the answers to so many of their questions.
Communication is the key to all adoptions and rescues mainly because you know very little about their lives or backgrounds prior to meeting you and that’s incredibly important to know because it explains so many behaviors and fears. It’s like sitting down with a new friend and learning all about them. The more you learn of the friend, the more insight you have into their personlities, dreams, wishes, fears and beliefs. As in starting any new friendship or relationship, it’s important to know who they are, what makes them tick and what doesn’t!
The more Communication you have the better, as is almost always the case. So many times I will be in the middle of an Animal Communication session with an animal who has recently been adopted from a shelter with no known information on their history or background and the person will say “Oh, it all makes sense now”! So many things come to light that literally explain their actions and behaviors and all the puzzle pieces come together. I always say “you can’t train what you don’t know”. The more you know, the easier it is to help them and yourselves through the transistion of welcoming them into your lives and homes. The more you know, the more the blessings flow!
So, in this Series we are going to cover many aspects of life after adoption or rescue. These are issues that have come up in Sessions over many years and I want to share them with you and some of their stories which will help us all come to an understanding of how best to love and help them settle in.
The Series will cover topics such as:
Agressiveness
Separation Anxiety
Fears
Moods and Interactions
Strange Behaviors
And Many More!
I hope you love the new Series and that it answers many of your questions or concerns during your process of welcoming a new member to your home and your heart. These are their words. These are their stories and these are the lives that will be changed forever simply by talking, understanding and connecting to them through words, their words and their heartfelt connection!
The Series will begin on April 26, 2020 and the first topic will be Separation Anxiety! And as in each of these topics, if it is something that you are struggling with and feel you need help with, feel free to reach out to schedule a session to have that one-on-one conversation with them! It will change your life as well as theirs!
Remember, “The More You Know, The More The Blessings Flow”!
My Soul Speaks 