Everything You Need To Know About Kidney and Liver Failure in Dogs

Do you know the signs and symptoms of kidney and liver failure in dogs?

Kidney and liver failure in dogs are both extremely common. Either can be fatal to your canine companion if left untreated.

The liver is a filter for your pup’s digestive system. It metabolizes proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. It stores the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients your dog needs for a healthy body.

The kidneys filter waste for your dog’s bloodstream. For top health, both organs must be working well. 

If you’re able to communicate with your pet, he or she will be able to tell you when their system isn’t functioning at its peak. 

via GIPHY

It’s also a good idea to familiarize yourself with the kinds of conditions that can cause kidney and liver failure, as well as the signs, symptoms and treatments, because it can sneak up on you and your pet. 

Knowing what to watch for can save your dog’s life…

What causes liver disease?

Liver disease can result from several different conditions that vary in severity:

• Viral or bacterial infection
• Cancer of the liver (hepatocellular carcinoma)
• Cysts or gallstones, which can obstruct the bile duct
• Endocrine diseases including diabetes, Cushing’s Disease, or hyperthyroidism
• Trauma to the liver due to an accident or heatstroke
• Ingestion of a toxic substance

(Source: ASPCA)

Some breeds are more prone to liver problems, such as Yorkshire Terriers, German Shepherds, and some Retrievers. Sadly, poisoning is the most common cause of acute liver failure.

You’ll get some indication that your dog is suffering from liver failure, and some will be more subtle than others. 

Watch closely for:

• Changes in personality
• Loss of appetite
• Excessive thirst and/or peeing
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• A distended abdomen
• Seizures

Your dog might have the odd “down day” or eat something that upsets their stomach, but it’s imperative that you consult a veterinarian if any of these symptoms persist.

If your dog has spent the day playing in a public space, or has been exploring “out of bounds” in your garage or garden shed and begins vomiting or has diarrhea, contact a vet immediately to rule out poisoning.

What causes kidney disease?

There are two types of kidney disease: chronic and acute.

Signs of acute failure will be immediate and very sudden. However, unlike liver failure, the signs of chronic kidney failure won’t be very obvious. It develops over years and is an irreversible condition – but is manageable. 

Keep a close eye out for:

• A decrease in urination
• Lethargy
• Increased thirst
• Weakness
• Weight loss

Acute kidney failure will appear with symptoms such as:

• Vomiting 
• Diarrhea
• Coma

Your pet might be trying to tell you that they’re in distress…be sure to listen carefully to the messages they’re sending you. And never attempt to diagnose a problem yourself. Consult a veterinarian as soon as you see early signs of trouble.

Of course, it will be easy to tell if Rover is feeling “off” if you spend lots of time walking, playing, and talking with him.

How do vets treat kidney and liver disease?

Your vet will conduct blood tests and an ultrasound or x-ray to assess the extent of the problem – and establish whether it originates with the liver or is a sign of another issue like cancer.

Expect fluid therapies, antibiotics, or, in extreme cases, surgery to remove cysts, gallstones or cancerous parts of the liver.  They may also recommend dialysis and changes in their meal plan, supplements and fluid intake.

The more quickly you consult with a vet, the more quickly your dog will be on the road to recovery.

Like all health concerns, keep up-to-date on signs, symptoms and treatments for kidney and liver failure in dogs. Nobody wants to say good-bye to their pets before it’s their time to go.

Your pets are counting on you for care… be sure you’re doing everything you can to show them your love by keeping them as healthy as can be.

Can kidney and liver disease in dogs be cured? 

Sadly, allopathic “Western” medicine vets say that chronic liver and kidney disease can’t be cured, but it can be slowed down and even reversed in some cases.

Holistic vets and healers will take a different approach through homeopathy, diet, supplements, Kangen miracle water, and various energy therapies like light therapy, oxygen therapy, BodyTalk Healing, and soul repair. 

Both say that kidney and liver failure in dogs can be treated – though maybe not necessarily cured – if caught in the very early stages.

Your vet will conduct blood tests and an ultrasound or x-ray to assess the extent of the problem – and establish whether it originates with the liver or is a sign of another issue like cancer.

Expect fluid therapies, antibiotics, or, in extreme cases, surgery to remove cysts, gallstones or cancerous parts of the liver or kidney.

These treatments will be distressing for your furry friend. Be sure that you’re able to communicate and reassure them during the process to aid in the healing.

 

Did you enjoy this article? Dog lovers might find these interesting, as well:

Dog Games: 10 Fun Ways to Learn & Bond for Puppy and Child

Do You Know How to Identify Dog Seizure Symptoms?

The Extraordinary Soul Connection I Call The Human Animal BodyMind Connection

The post Everything You Need To Know About Kidney and Liver Failure in Dogs appeared first on Val Heart.

source https://valheart.com/how-kidney-and-liver-failures-are-treated-in-dogs/

Activated Oxygen Therapy for Pets

Author: Dr. Mark Newkirk Family of Veterinarians

You know that oxygen is the molecule that makes all life possible.

What you may not know is that activated oxygen turns from the molecule 0-2 (oxygen) to 0-3 (ozone) and that’s what activated oxygen therapy is all about and why it’s important for people and pets.

This third oxygen atom is very special because it does 2 important things in the body.

First, it puts “extra” activated oxygen into diseased, cancerous, inflamed or infected tissue.

Increased oxygen greatly boosts the body’s healing power!

Consider the fact that all cellular energy, function and healing come directly from oxygen.

You may remember your biology and chemistry classes, learning about the cell function of mitochondria and ATP?

Bet you never thought that would have real life meaning for you and your pet, but it does!  Here’s why.

The third oxygen atom negatively affects abnormal cells, (like cancer) and pathogens such as bacteria, yeast fungus and viruses.

That means that it breaks through the outer “wall” that surrounds the abnormal cell or pathogen.

As a result NORMAL cells have a way of protecting themselves against this degenerative, diseased effect.

So then the normal cells get a boost of activated oxygen to help them heal, while abnormal cells and pathogens have their “wall” broken and die!

Healing animals, communicating with them in order to keep them healthy and happy is what being a pet caretaker is all about.

This is why activated oxygen is such an incredible healing therapy for people and animals!

A special oxygen activation machine (which we now have in our clinic) takes medical grade oxygen and activates it to help animals heal and feel better fast.

The problem is that the O – 3 molecule is stable for only short periods of time, which is why it does not occur in nature except in the upper atmosphere.

Did you know that many cities nationwide are using Activated Oxygen (ozone) to purify their water supply instead of chemicals such as chlorine?  It’s effectiveness is well documented.

Where can we use Activated Oxygen?

Activated oxygen is incredibly effective in most any resistant, or degenerative disease process. That includes health problems like cancer, non-antibiotic responsive infections, severe yeast infections of the skin and ears.

It also includes painful arthritis, colitis, or any other inflammatory condition.

Further, there are a variety of ways to administer activated oxygen and the number of treatments vary, depending on the condition we’re treating.

Ironically, since activated oxygen is not a “recognized” therapy by the “legal powers” of veterinary medicine (neither is chiropractic in animals either by the way!!), you must sign a waiver of consent before we or other veterinarians can do this extraordinary therapy.

We veterinarians who have included activated oxygen in our clinics are very excited about adding this wonderful, life giving therapy.

After all, it is our heartfelt quest to help pets who are severely ill or have been given no other chance for recovery or ease of symptoms.  It’s called for when nothing else is working.

I highly recommend finding a vet in your immediate area that can offer activated oxygen treatment if you feel your animal could benefit from it.

To learn more about Dr. Mark Newkirk, his team and holistic veterinarian care visit http://www.newkirkfamilyveterinarians.com/

 

The post Activated Oxygen Therapy for Pets appeared first on Val Heart.

source https://valheart.com/activated-oxygen-therapy-by-dr-mark-newkirk-2/

Kangen Water Heals Inside and Out

Success Story from Kawika about using Kangen Water for her dog:

“Imua is my very first dog, a Border Collie/Labrador Retriever mix. I’ve had him since he was six weeks old, and now he is one and a half years old.

Recently, I started giving him Kangen Water 8.5 pH to drink, and although he has always been a very healthy dog, I’ve noticed how much stronger and more alert he is now. I must say, “He is a very handsome dog!” He has absolutely no fleas or ticks. 

After having him switch to Kangen Water exclusively, one day after I returned from a trip downtown, I walked past his water bowl and I noticed that his water was completely full, untouched.

That was very unusual for him, so I asked my daughter what type of water she gave him.

She replied, “Oh I gave him some tap water from the kitchen faucet.”

Ugh. I immediately threw the water onto the plants and refilled the bowl (about 48 ounces) with Kangen Water and dropped a few ice cubes into the bowl.

He drank it all in a matter of 10 minutes or so. Boy was he thirsty!

He would rather go thirsty and wait for the right Kangen water than go back to drinking tap water.

I’ve noticed since Imua has been drinking Kangen Water that his feces and urine isn’t as smelly as my neighbor’s dogs, he sleeps well (and NOT just because we live in Hawaii), we make sure he gets lots of exercise, and I always bring along of a liter of Kangen Water for him on our daily walks.

My Kangen Water machine is a great investment, and my dog Imua is such a good friend.  He is part of our family and everyone in the neighborhood admires him. I’m sure that he will be around, (GOD willing) for a very long time.”
-Kawika

. . . .

From Val Heart:  I have the Kangen Water SD501 unit and I couldn’t be happier!  It made a huge difference in my Miniature Schnauzer Einstein’s return to health after kidney and liver failure.  And yes, I am a Distributor.  That’s how much I believe in these extraordinary, award winning water machines.  If you decide to order, please tell them I sent you , and give them my name Val Heart, Distributor #72555185.  Thank you!

Interested in getting your own Kangen Water machine?  Click to find out more

Click here to get your free e-book now!

. . .

Affiliate Disclaimer:  This post contains affiliate information which means that I’ll earn a small commission if you purchase at no extra cost to you. 

The post Kangen Water Heals Inside and Out appeared first on Val Heart.

source https://valheart.com/kangen-water-heals-inside-and-out/

4 Gentle Suggestions for Coping With the Loss of a Pet

As soon as you bring a pet home they immediately become an important part of your family.

You love them almost as much as your children and you would do anything for them. Most people are lucky because they get to spend many years looking after their pet, which makes their bond even stronger. Your think happily about your new addition, not worried about the far away eventuality of coping with the loss of a pet. But with no warning, your beloved pet can be taken away from you and it is is difficult, to be sure.

You may feel like someone has ripped out your heart and kicked you in the stomach repeatedly. Getting over the death of a loved one is hard, but when your pet dies it’s not any easier. Here are some of the best ways to deal with your four-legged friend’s transition.

Don’t replace them with their twin

Many people like to get a new pet when their previous one transitions. They like the thought of having a pet they can love and cherish, which is actually a good idea because it often times bring much comport. You need to make sure you don’t try to replace your previous one with their what can appear to be their twin brother or sister. You’re getting into dangerous territory when you buy a pet that looks identical to your previous one. Some people even go as far as to call them by the same name, making it more difficult to move on from the death.

Plant a tree for them

If you want to have a place to think about your pet, then you should definitely plant a tree for them. You may choose to bury them somewhere in your garden and make a little pet tombstone for them, but you don’t need to mourn them where their body lays at rest. It’s a much more pleasant experience growing a tree in their honor and watching it get taller each year. When you are feeling nostalgic you can go and sit in front of the tree to reflect on the positive things they brought in to your life and the joy they shared with you while they graced your life.

Celebrate their life

Our pets have such a way of bringing immense joy in to our world. It seems as if they know you better than most humans. If you believe in destiny, then you have to believe that your friend belonged with you, and was meant to be a teacher, a soul guide and a loving companion. I am sure they told you repeatedly everyday how much they loved living with you and sharing your life. It showed up in a happy bark or dance, a wagging tail when you came in the door, a cuddle when you were feeling low, a kiss to let you know you were loved, or a warming that something could have been wrong.

Don’t be afraid to cry

Tears are healing, and they are one of the natural stages in dealing with grief. Acceptance is but one of the stages, of which none should be ignored. Give yourself the gift of grief. It honors the place your much loved pet held in your life, and gives you a chance to heal emotionally.

The author of today’s post, Karen Fernandes, is a freelance blogger, and an animal lover, who often writes about her ideas and experiences online. She works with with Pet Heaven NQ, a pet cemetery. She is a very friendly person and she likes to take care of stray pets that she comes across. You can follow her on Twitter for more information.

Enjoyed this article? Here are some other popular posts you might like:

Coping with Pet Loss: Understanding Death, Dying & Transitions

Are You Highly Sensitive and/or Empathic?

Easing Stress for Yourself & Your Pets in Challenging Times

The post 4 Gentle Suggestions for Coping With the Loss of a Pet appeared first on Val Heart.

source https://valheart.com/4-gentle-suggestions-for-handling-the-loss-of-a-much-loved-pet/

The Causes, Symptoms and Solutions for Cat Hairballs

Cat hairballs are natural to felines, but they could spell disaster for your cat.

Does your cat get hairballs?

Of course they do. 

Every cat – even hairless cats, believe it or not – will acquire and produce hairballs or trichobezoars.

via GIPHY

They’re a natural part of a cat’s bodily functions, but they can pose a serious health risk if you don’t know the early signs of trouble.

When you’re caring for your cats, it’s important to know about all the signals they send – the good news and the bad. If you’re able to communicate with your furry feline companion or have someone in your life who can, there will be less guessing and more knowing about their true state of being.   Otherwise, you could find yourself chasing your tail on expensive guesswork trying to figure out what’s going on! 

Here are some signs of cat hairballs to watch out for, and ways you can safeguard your feline friends health. 

What is a hairball?

The name is actually deceiving. It’s not just hair, and it’s not shaped like a ball.

You probably haven’t examined them all that closely…and that’s understandable. Chances are that Felix waited until you had company to begin his ritual retching, hacking and spewing in the corner of the room…only to shoot you a dismissive look when he’s finished. Your focus is likely “clean up in aisle nine” before it stains the carpet, not dissecting his masterpiece.

Cat hairballs aren’t ball-shaped at all – they’re usually tubular like a cat’s digestive tract, and they often end up in a cat’s normal feces. They’re a mixture of hair, undigested food and gastric juices like bile, and the contents can stain fabric and be very slippery if deposited on a smooth floor.

The cosmetic damage and potential slipping hazards aren’t your greatest concern, though. A cat should only take a minute or so to disgorge a hairball, and they shouldn’t be a daily occurrence.

If the retching goes on for minutes on end and with great frequency – more often than every week or two – it’s a signal that something’s not right with your kitty’s insides. 

Causes and symptoms of health problems from cat hairballs.

Hairballs are a natural part of a cat’s bodily functions and, yes, hairless cats develop hairballs, too. Veterinarians have learned that they’ll seek out other furry friends to groom, suggesting that passing hairballs is a completely normal part of overall health. 

Long-haired cats, cats that live indoors and outside, and that have changes in their coats with the changing seasons, are much more susceptible. Kittens aren’t very efficient groomers so it’s unlikely they’ll form hairballs at all in the early going. 

Daily grooming is part of a cleaning ritual for felines, who are normally fastidious about hygiene. 

 

Cats can spend a whopping 15-50% of their day ‘combing their hair’. Their sandpaper tongue, lined with backward-facing hooks called papillae, are very efficient at removing loose hair while aiding the spread of natural oils on the cat’s fur.

Excessive grooming will lead to an unhealthy build-up in their digestive system and lead to partial or full blockages, though. And that can be an indication of emotional distress.  It can also be a sign of parasites, allergies, or a skin condition that’s causing anxiety or obsessive compulsive disorders. 

If you know how to have a conversation with your cat, you’ll learn what’s happening in their mind and body.  If you don’t?  Don’t just guess. Consult a veterinarian or other expert if your cat’s behavior seems unusual or excessive.  For example, if they’re grooming themselves until their skin is raw and the fur is disappearing.

When is it time to see a vet? 

Obsessive grooming can indicate a serious illness…and even if you’re not communicating with your furry friend, you’ll get physical indications of trouble that include a loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and lethargy. 

The litterbox can be a good source of information even if you don’t notice a shift in your cat’s other patterns. 

Don’t ignore the symptoms, especially if they come and go.  

If you catch this in time, you have a chance to fix a minor problem before it becomes a major one. 

If you can capture the worrisome behavior on camera, that will help inform your vet before any other steps are taken. Many owners mistake the passing of a cat hairball with asthma or bronchitis…it never hurts to err on the side of caution and consult an expert when you’re in doubt. 

Your vet will want to take an abdominal and/or chest x-ray or perform an ultrasound to assess your cat’s insides and find the source of the blockage. Minor cases will require liquid therapy and special laxatives to clear the cat’s system. 

In extremely rare cases surgery will be required to remove the blockage and repair the damage…don’t worry too much about this, though, it doesn’t happen that often.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of purr.

The vast majority of cat hairballs will never lead to intestinal blockages – your cat will happily, and dramatically eject the excess hair every week or two…in a closet, on the sofa, under your bed. 

You can help your cat with their quest for a well-groomed coat by using a shedding glove like this one (or this one is cool too!), or a specially designed kitty shedding brush which serves two purposes: helping thin loose hair and also spending time pampering your pet and growing the bond between you two.

via GIPHY

Using petroleum based products like Laxatone isn’t a good idea.  Mineral oil coats the inside of the digestive tract which helps the hairball pass through, but it also interferes with the digestive system’s ability to process and assimilate nutrients.  Petroleum based products are not healthy and can cause toxicity over time.

A better option is to offer a natural oil, like extra virgin olive oil, sesame oil, ghee or coconut oil. 

A good pet owner will always pay attention to their cat’s rhythms and quirks, even though their cats can seem indifferent to their human’s habits! 

Your pet is completely reliant on you for their well-being…emotionally and physically. It’s your responsibility to understand their needs, and provide the help they can’t get for themselves.

 

Recommended for you!  Cat lovers also enjoyed these popular posts:

Why You Should Not Own a Cat and Dog Together

Cat Gingivitis – Two Natural Ways to Resolve it

Five Benefits of Animal Communication

The post The Causes, Symptoms and Solutions for Cat Hairballs appeared first on Val Heart.

source https://valheart.com/hairballs-in-cats-causes-and-symptoms/

How to Help Your Kids Deal With the Death of a Pet

Helping Your Kid Through the Death of a Pet

Coping with the death of a pet — and the mess of feelings that comes with it — is one of the tougher parts of growing up. These feelings can be hard for everybody in the family, but they’re especially tough for young children. Children see pets as close friends and extensions of the family unit, and they have a great deal of importance in their lives.

The emotional stress and inability to deal with feelings associated with the death of a loved one are always important issues.

Everyone experiences death differently and at different times, but most people usually progress through the five natural stages of grief made famous by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance.

Helping someone deal with the death of a loving pet is not always easy, especially when that person is a young child. Children are prone to ask questions that are emotionally based and have no easy answers, such as “Where is my pet? Is he in heaven?” While you may not have answers, discuss these questions with your child to allow them to move forward emotionally.

Do not ignore the importance of a child’s distress, or lack thereof, hoping that the event will just pass over.

Every child will deal with his feelings on an individual basis; allow him to express himself openly. The age and maturity of the child, as well as the degree of closeness to the passed pet, will determine the power of the child’s grief, as well as his viewpoint of the situation. It is especially important as a parent or caregiver to understand that your No. 1 goal is to help the child understand how they feel, not necessarily have full comprehension of what has happened to the dog, cat or other pet that has died.

Do not try to fool the child with a replacement.

Many parents will immediately resort to what you might call the “goldfish method” of trying to “fix” the situation by acquiring another pet. This might seem like a good idea at first, but if your child is above the age of three, this can backfire badly, especially if attempted on the sly. In early development, there is nothing more important than creating a sense of trust and security between a caregiving adult and the child, and swooping in with a new pet can seem like a betrayal of that trust, leaving the child to feel extremely insecure.

Parents are not the only ones that can help facilitate proper handling of the feelings that come with a child’s pet dying.

Caregivers, coaches, teachers and mentors can also help. When children are of school age, they may act out on this grief by being withdrawn, or even go in the other direction and lash out in anger. Knowing where a child is at in the five-stage grief cycle can be extremely helpful in understanding and heading off any inappropriate behaviors that might surface as a result of the sadness, anger, or fear that they feel.

It is very important when you are dealing with a grieving child that you do not try to “make” him feel a certain way.

Getting to know the child’s true feelings is key to offering him the support and advice he’ll need to get through this hard time. For instance, you wouldn’t want to tell a child that there is no reason to worry about the dead pet because it’s a normal part of life, or simply assume that a child is sad when he may in fact be angry.

Bad assumptions are not only of no comfort to the child, but they may also make him think his feelings are “right” or “wrong,” when this is obviously not the case. This can easily become a sticky subject when you are talking to a child of slightly older age who may initially harbor anger toward his own parents or the veterinarian that had to carry out the difficult decision of putting the family pet to sleep due to old age or illness, and who uses that anger as an emotional shield from the pain and sadness of loss that they feel.

If and when there is a family decision to get a new pet, be careful not to speak of or treat the new pet as a replacement.

This can block progress on the stages of grief and may even lead to the abuse of the animal if the pet owner is not adequately adjusted to this very large change in their life in the appropriate fashion.

Remember: It’s OK for a child to feel a mix of emotions when he loses a pet. Your job isn’t to fix those feelings, but to help him understand and work through them on his own.

This article is provided courtesy of BackUpCare.org.  Click here to visit their site now.

Enjoyed this article? Here are three more to help you:

Dog Games: 10 Fun Ways to Learn & Bond for Puppy and Child

Crossing over the Rainbow Bridge: Death, Dying and our Beloved Animals in Transition

Coping with Loss – Chris Davis on The Real Dr. Doolittle Show  

The post How to Help Your Kids Deal With the Death of a Pet appeared first on Val Heart.

source https://valheart.com/how-to-help-your-kids-deal-with-the-death-of-a-pet/

Coping with Pet Loss: Understanding Death, Dying & Transitions

Coping with the heartbreak of pet loss

Hi! I’m Val Heart, The Real Dr Doolittle. My guest is Gina Triay, nominated as one of the top 5 Pet Sitters for 3 years running from Pet Sitters International! She is a gold member of the Animal Talk Coaching Club and recently lost her sweet beagle dog Snoopy.

During the process of dying and reconnecting in the Afterlife, she experienced an extraordinary communication and understanding of death, dying, and transitions.

Today, we want to talk about that so others will know what she discovered too, to help them when they lose a pet.

Watch and learn from her insights into death, dying and the cycle of life. Perhaps we can all learn about death so it doesn’t have to feel so terrible when your beloved best friend, your pet, crosses over to the other side.

If you’re ready to start your journey in the wonderful world of Animal Communication, it’s time to start!

Download my FREE Ebook: Hidden Secrets to Communicating with Pets HERE.

Or dive into the complete Talking With Animals program with my Beginning Core Foundations Animal Communication Course.

If you’re ready to learn how to communicate with animals, to hear and know their wisdom yourself, then go to www.LearnHowToTalkToAnimals.com 

All The Heart School of Animal Communication courses are fully guaranteed, so there’s no risk of taking the next step.

If you know anyone who is grieving over the loss of a pet or is dreading a coming loss, please, please share this with them. 

 

Enjoyed this article? Here are three more to help you:

How to Help Your Kids Deal With the Death of a Pet

Crossing over the Rainbow Bridge: Death, Dying and our Beloved Animals in Transition

Things I’ve Learned As An Animal Whisperer By Val Heart

The post Coping with Pet Loss: Understanding Death, Dying & Transitions appeared first on Val Heart.

source https://valheart.com/coping-pet-loss-greater-understanding-death-dying-transitions/

Coping with Loss – Chris Davis on The Real Dr. Doolittle Show™

Coping With Loss

On today’s show, Chris Davis talks about forever animals, soul work and soul bonding, coping with loss.  Chris is the award-winning author of many much-loved books.

• We talked about her amazing forever dog, Martha, and how Martha and an Angel inspired her to write and illustrate her first book after Martha died tragically. 
• Next, we talked about using your Angel Eyes to hear, see and intuit life so that everything makes sense.
• We discussed our Soul’s work together, and I shared the heartwarming and inspiring story of Sierra the Wonder Horse and the magical pennies.

This episode will touch the heart of anyone who has ever experienced the soul bonding of a forever animal soulmate companion or has been devastated by their loss. Or who may be seeking comfort and healing.

“Grief, like a wave, has a rhythm of it’s own.  At first, it comes sweeping in, then it recedes, leaving us in quiet peace with the treasures of memory, love, and strength…”

Are you dreading your pets coming transition and need help determining whether an animal is ready to pass over? Do you wonder how you can ease the pain and suffering?

Or are you grieving your pet who has crossed over and want help reconnecting with them?

I can help!  Please click here to sign up for a session to get more understanding

 

Enjoyed this article? Here are some other popular posts you might like:

Coping with Pet Loss & a Greater Understanding of Death, Dying & Transitions

Crossing over the Rainbow Bridge: Death, Dying and our Beloved Animals in Transition

Easing Stress for Yourself & Your Pets in Challenging Times

The post Coping with Loss – Chris Davis on The Real Dr. Doolittle Show™ appeared first on Val Heart.

source https://valheart.com/coping-with-loss-chris-davis-on-the-real-dr-doolittle-show/

Dog Games: 10 Fun Ways to Learn & Bond for Puppy and Child

10 Great Dog Games Kids Can Play With Dogs

There are few things more joyful than the relationship between a child and their pet.  Most of us animal lovers have memories of bonding with the family dog, spending hours talking with our horse, or curled up for nap time and cuddles with our cat.

But the relationship between pets and kids can open up the door for much more than celebration: they provide emotional, physical, and social benefits to your developing puppy… and your child.  And playing dog games is one of the best ways to do that! 

You don’t have to overthink it. Play is the best way to explore the wonderful synergy between your two young loved ones, both for the dog and child.

Introduce these simple dog games into your family’s routine, ones that your child can easily master. But first, let’s explore the benefits of puppy-child play.

Dog games aren’t just child’s play.

If you’ve ever observed a preschool or primary school class, you’ll know that there’s a great deal of play going on. It’s easy to assume children are just killing time. But in fact, parents and educators know that play is a crucial aspect of cognitive development. 

Kids are learning about spatial relationships, manual dexterity, cause and effect, social norms like sharing and turn-taking, as well as physical and mental boundaries and how to overcome or adapt to them.

The same goes for your dog. They are wired for learning – some breeds are keener for a challenge than others, like German Shepherds and Border Collies for example.  Good trainers know that dog games go hand-in-hand with obedience and even advanced levels of training. Even police dogs have playtime during their training and their workday.  

In fact, training should always be fun for you AND your dog.  Because if either of you isn’t having fun, then you won’t want to play. And why should you?  

So above all else, keep it simple and remember to make it fun! 

Playtime with a dog can: 

• Relieve anxiety and stress – for your child and the dog.
• Create puppy training opportunities wrapped in “fun”.
• Provide exercise for both the child and the dog.
• Give your child an opportunity to be the teacher instead of a perpetual student.
• Reduce boredom – bored kids and bored dogs get up to no good, as a rule.
• Provide your child a way to become a leader of the pack, and to practice asking for what they want in a clear way. 
• Strengthen the bond and understanding between child and dog.

10 simple and fun dog games your child can master.

You don’t want to leave your child in charge of obedience training, but you can engage them in the process by teaching them these ten simple games to play with their furry companion.

Remember to teach them the simple commands you have for your dog: sit, wait, come, etc. so they can be reinforcing them while they play. Puppies, like kids, need and crave rules and boundaries.  

They need to know what’s appropriate to do or not do, and how to behave properly in different situations, which improves their confidence.  And that is a life skill they’ll put to good use for the rest of their life.  

So here are the games:

1. Follow me

As the name suggests, your puppy is going to follow your child… but you’re going to add a layer of fun with obstacles. In the early going you’re going to keep the puppy on a leash until he or she is comfortable with the course. As they become more proficient you can add obstacles – things for the puppy to climb or jump over, wiggle through. Let your imagination go wild!

The world famous dog Skidboot was known as the World’s Smartest Dog!  And it all started with games just like this one.  Watch and you’ll see why in this wonderful interview with Skidboot and his dad on the show Pet Star:  

2. Clean up

A parents dream come true, what better skill for both puppy and your child to develop than putting away their toys! You can make it a “timed tidy” with a countdown, a counting game, or just a clean-up of the living room. Dogs, like kids, can be taught to return their belongings to a central place, like this darling dog toy box, so their toys are not underfoot just waiting to trip you up as you walk by.

If you have elderly people, or anyone who’s unstable on their feet in your home, this is an especially wonderful trick to encourage in both your dog and your child.  Again, you’re teaching a lifetime skill of valuing and maintaining a clean, neat space.

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3. Hide & Seek

This is great fun for puppy and child alike.  You’ll find out that your child gets more and more creative with their hiding spots as the dog becomes better at sniffing them out! This is an excellent dog game if you’re looking for some quiet time and want to keep your little troublemakers busy.

There’s a hidden benefit to this game that’s serious and very important.  If you don’t play any other games, then play this one.  Why? 

Because if your child ever goes missing, you can ask your dog to find them.  They’ll know how to do that if they’ve been taught!  Fido could be your child’s HERO in a big way by saving the day!

If you’re a first-time puppy owner be sure there aren’t any hazards for inquisitive hands, paws or mouths tucked away in closets or in little nooks you thought were “out of range” because that could hurt. Nothing ends a fun game faster than OUCH and an unplanned race to the doctor’s office. 

4. Frisbees

Dogs innately love to chase things… but catching a frisbee – like this one for stronger chewers, or this softer version for sensitive puppy mouths – out of mid-air takes some skill and training. Playing frisbee is a wonderful game for eye/hand/paw coordination and agility and will tucker out both of your little bundles of energy.  

5. Fetch

Another great game for letting off some steam. Choose balls, special dog bones, and toys that are safe for your child to handle and don’t have any choking hazards attached that your pup might swallow.

Your child’s plushies might be appealing, but they won’t necessarily be safe, so choose toys designed for your dog. Like this one, Lambchop, it’s one of my dogs favorites. Or this great set of crinkly dog toy flyers, easy for little hands to catch and throw, and super fun for pups to toss around too.  For stronger jawed canines, get something like this. 

6. Racing

If you’ve got space to spare and your little ones have the energy to burn, some foot races are just the ticket. You’ll need to supervise carefully in the early going, especially if you have a younger child or an enthusiastic puppy who still thinks nipping is appropriate contact. But it’s a great teaching opportunity for your puppy to learn manners while still having fun.

7. Tug-of-War

Make sure you learn the right rules of tug-of-war before introducing this game to your duo. Your child must know how to begin and end the game, because in the early going your puppy will have no clue and bad habits can come from an out-of-control game. Again, this is an opportunity to teach your dog some manners. It will make socializing easier… and your child and puppy will build up their strength and balance! It’s recommended for kids older than 10 years of age so that they can be careful and safe.

8. Pet tricks

Teaching their four-legged friends to dance, speak, shake, rollover, howl or kiss is a great way for kids to spend quality time with the pets. Dogs love to be challenged, and love to please…they’re ready to tackle new skills and will be open to all sorts of creative ideas that might inspire your child. Keep in mind that accolades, rewards, and inspiration are the best methods that lead your pooch to learn and remember tricks.

9. Catch the bubbles

This is another simple outdoor game that dogs and kids too just love. It’s easy and fun, and feeds off the fact that dogs have a sense that makes them chase anything. Kids aged 3-8 love this game the most. They even offer flavored bubbles these days that don’t give your dog an upset stomach.  Be sure to find a safe version for dogs, like this one! 

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10. Hide the dog treats

Here’s a wonderful dog game you’ll have so much fun with! 

Your child probably loves an Easter egg or treasure hunt… your dog will too! This is a wonderfully versatile game you can play inside or out in the yard. You’ll be enriching your dog’s sense of smell, their problem-solving abilities, their sense of adventure, and their analytical skills. All that just with buying a bag of treats!  Our favorites are Wag More Bark Less, or Dog Mama’s Biscuits, or Full Moon’s Training Treats.   

For more great games for kids and dogs check out Kyra Sundance’s 10 Minute Dog Training Games!  

Playing dog games enriches the relationship between your child and your pet and will create hours of memories you can smile about for years. Capture the joy and innocence of play and watch your child and your puppy thrive.

 

BONUS GAME! 

Another great way to encourage your dog and child to bond, communicate and understand each other is to help them learn how to talk to each other! It’s easy as 1-2-3!  Start here at The Heart School of Animal Communication with your free ebook Hidden Secrets to Communicating with Pets 

Thanks to Lauren, a fellow dog lover, for all these great ideas!

Enjoyed this article? Here are three more to help you:

Are You Highly Sensitive and/or Empathic?

Do You Know How to Identify Dog Seizure Symptoms?

TV for Dogs: Does Your Dog Even Care?

The post Dog Games: 10 Fun Ways to Learn & Bond for Puppy and Child appeared first on Val Heart.

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Are You Highly Sensitive and/or Empathic?

I started out life as a highly sensitive, lonely, only child growing up outside Austin, Texas.

Highly sensitive and empathic, the world was a bewildering place at times, so the animals were my best friends.  I could trust them, they could trust me. They spoke to me, shared their hearts and minds, their insights and viewpoints about the world we lived in together.

In fact, I became known as the child who had a way with animals – all animals, domestic and wild. When I was with the animals, I felt at peace and happy, accepted and loved.  I found comfort in the fact that I didn’t have to defend myself from attack or lies or manipulations.  I could be myself authentically, vulnerably, honestly, and speak my Truth.

They “got” me.  I “got” them.

It was humans who made me crazy.

To my dismay and horror, as I grew up I discovered that humans didn’t always tell the truth.  They had hidden agendas, unspoken requests and needs, and often lied outright not just to me but to themselves and others, because as best I could tell, they actually believed (or tried to believe) what they were saying was the truth.

People habitually manipulated, abused and bullied other beings, both people and animals.

The many confusing social experiences made me doubt my own knowing and distrust my intuition because I thought the problems were with me.

Was I at fault or somehow responsible for what they were saying or doing?

Maybe I was wrong, and what I thought I knew was a lie.  If that was the case, then I was deeply and irrevocably flawed…  As I imploded into a dark deep hole of hopelessness, fear and despair, I became manically depressed by the time I turned 12 years old, and suicidal by the time I turned 15.

On those dark nights of the soul, when I was in agony trying to heal from the latest wounds of the day, I would sneak out after my parents had gone to bed and go to the stable.

The only place that always made sense to me, where I felt at home and could be myself was with the animals.

My mare Maisie would nicker softly in welcome when she heard me coming.  I would throw my arms around her neck, burying my face in her thick black mane, and sob, pouring out my heart to her as my tears fell.

 

Maisie would patiently listen, then offer me the wisest of counsel.

She would coach me on seeing the painful experiences from a different viewpoint, one I’d never considered before and from the new perspective things which would make more sense.

She would tell me her own stories, sometimes they made me cry in sorrow for her and the life of a horse.  And sometimes they would make me smile.

Sometimes she would make me laugh through my tears by telling me a joke or something outrageously funny.

Oh, how I treasured those moments in the dark with her my most trusted friend.

Maisie the Wise saved my life, day after day after day.

And then I turned 18 years old and I moved away to start my own life as an adult.

It took many years and many animals and many many experiences with therapists, counselors, churches, healing and spiritual explorations for me to become who I am today.

I use everything I’ve learned along the way to help others as a way to pay it forward who are also sick, sad, tired, depressed or even suicidal whether they are in human or animal forms.

I believe animals are angels, teachers, guides and healers.

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They are on loan to us from God.  There is a reason they are in your life.

I also believe that anyone can learn how to communicate with animals because everyone has an innate intuitive sense that can be developed, deepened, expanded on and improved.

To me this game of life is about healing, evolving and growing into our best self and so we have many teachers.  And many of those are master teachers disguised as animals. 

So that brings us to the issue at hand, can you better communicate and understand people by learning how to communicate with animals?

Can you heal your highly sensitive and empathic, maybe even wounded self by communicating with animals?

Absolutely!  I’m living proof.

If you’re highly sensitive and maybe empathic too – many of my students are – then here’s a few recommended resources for you.

Just click the book titles to find out more:

   

   

  

Want more? 

 

I’ve put many of my all time favorite books and resources into my Amazon Heart Store!  Check them out here

 

If you don’t want to take the time to read would prefer to get healing now, then let’s work together.  Click to discover how I can guide you to be strong, whole, happy and healthy:  www.ValHeart.com  

 

The post Are You Highly Sensitive and/or Empathic? appeared first on Val Heart.

source https://valheart.com/are-you-highly-sensitive-and-or-empathic/

Discovering the Joy of Visualization and Intuition

How can you use visualization to expand your clairvoyant intuitive abilities?

Clairvoyance is one of the main four Signature Intuitive Styles as taught in The Heart School of Animal Communication. It might be your primary intuitive skill, your “go-to” ability for receiving and processing information from the world around you.  Clairvoyants are able to visualize what others might not be able to see using your mental monitor.  For you, it’s easy to see things in your head, clearly and in full living color.

Or maybe it’s not so easy for you?  If so, then maybe your go-to intuitive ability is more clairaudience (hearing messages inside your mind’s inner space) or claircognizance (knowing information at a deep resonant level) or clairsentience (feeling information in your body at a visceral level).

Let’s explore visualization today.

Prepare yourself mentally to take a little trip, virtually of course! Totally safe from COVID, the best kind of adventure right now. No face masks required here…

This is one way to practice visualization.

Imagine you’re cozy and tucked up safe in your bed, with your favorite blanket over you, head on your soft pillow, comfy as can be.

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Feel it. Sense it. Hear it.

You can feel the weight of the covering, the softness of your pillow and you hear the rustle of the blankets when you move.

Trust yourself: You know what it looks like, you’ve seen and felt it before many many times. You’ve got this.

Now imagine you’ve just awoken from a little catnap.

But wait a minute… something feels different, what is it? Disoriented, you sense right away that this is not your bed… is it someone else’s? Where are you? 

As comfortable as you are, it actually feels kind of small.

But you are still feeling calm and relaxed from your nap. You don’t sense any danger. With no alarm, you gently wonder where you are.

 

Fly away…though visualization

Ah yes!! You remember now… the earplugs the eye mask, the socks on your feet are all a dead giveaway, as is the little pillow nestled around your neck, holding your head comfortably upright.

You’re on a plane. And you’re lying flat on a First Class sleeper-seat… lush!

Now, when you listen, you hear the hum of the massive engines just outside your window, and when you look you see the long wings stretching away to a clear sky. The plane is flying as smooth as glass, undoubtedly at some extreme altitude, probably somewhere over…

Hmm… where are we again?

Looking out the window you see a lovely patchwork quilt pattern of fields and roads and rivers and hills…

 

Oh!  Look over there!

It’s a beautiful body of shimmering blue water and there’s an intriguing, lovely island in the middle of it.

Follow your visualization and let it guide you

It beckons to you… and you feel a yearning to go there… so you do. You have no limits in your imagination, you could decide to fly like a bird. Or you could just blink and BE there.

Don’t worry how to get there, just get there.

Do that, right now. 

Once you’re on the beach, take a minute to smell the air, feeling the warm breeze ruffling your hair and your clothes, caressing your skin.

Scrunch your toes in the soft white sand, feeling the warmth and how nice it feels on your feet…

Notice the birds as they wheel about and call to each other. Perhaps there are monkeys or other animals welcoming you, coming to greet you.

Wanna take a swim? The water looks amazing and so inviting…Dive in and experience swimming in the cool clear water with gorgeous, multicolored little friendly fish playfully coming to check you out and say hi.

Sweet, right?

Feeling refreshed yet?

Quieting yourself and practicing visualization can activate your intuition and develop all your Signature Intuitive Styles. 

 

Visualization is a great way to enter into our subconscious and tap into Higher Knowing.

You’ll use this ability when you communicate with animals because that too requires a good imagination, an ability to receive and understand their messages, and a willingness to explore your senses both subtle and physical.

It also requires you to meet animals “where they are”. That’s important because if their primary intuitive method of sharing information is to show you images or pictures, and your visualization abilities are working well, then you’ll see it when they send it!

If not? Then you’ll miss the message and that would be… sad. 

ALL my Heart School courses, including Awaken Your Inner Guidance System (where you learn how to activate and develop your intuition, find your true purpose, and work with your inner voices) and the Beginning Core Foundations Heart Communication Course teach you how to do this yourself.  The live coaching and masterclass trainings in the Animal Talk Coaching & Mastery Club will help you grow, heal and evolve into your BEST Self by discovering how to use your intuition properly.

Remember to use the time you have wisely, doing the things you love, follow your own inner wisdom, and continue to talk to the animals.

They will guide you.

“Your very own inner wisdom should be valued more than any other and will always guide you in the direction you need to travel.” ~ Madysen Taylor

Are you ready to deepen your connection with animals and start really communicating? Look here to find out about all The Heart School of Animal Communication online courses, classes and Animal Talk Coaching & Mastery Club membership opportunities.  Get started today!

Enjoyed this article? Here are three more to help you:

Where’s the proof? How do you know if you’re really communicating with animals?

Clairaudience and 7 Ways to Grow Your Intuition

Five critical animal whisperer questions to ask your pet.

The post Discovering the Joy of Visualization and Intuition appeared first on Val Heart.

source https://valheart.com/discovering-the-joy-of-visualization-and-intuition/

Clairaudience and 7 Ways to Grow Your Intuition

Would you like to know how to enhance and expand your clairaudience, one of 4 Intuitive abilities?  How to develop these skills are taught in The Heart School of Animal Communication online courses. To help you get started, here are 7 ways to grow and develop your own intuitive abilities.  

 

Clairaudience is one of four main Signature Intuitive Styles 

What is clairaudience? 

Clairaudience is typically defined as  the power or faculty of hearing something not present to the ear but regarded as having objective reality.

Maybe for you clairaudience is your primary intuitive skill, your go-to ability; it’s always been easy for you to hear things in your head space or “mental monitor”.

Or maybe it’s not. 

Maybe your go-to intuitive ability is more clairvoyance (you receive images, impressions and flashes as messages). Maybe it’s claircognizance (you recognize truth and resonate with it) or clairsentience (you feel information in your body, at a visceral level).

 

The 4 C’s of Intuition: Clairaudience, Clairsentience, Claircognizance, and Clairvoyance

Have you ever had a huge, strongly felt hunch about something—you suddenly felt sure that something was about to happen…, and then to your surprise, it actually did?

When you feel strongly about something without a logical basis, that’s called intuition. We sense intuition in four ways: clairvoyance (also known as the “third eye”), claircognizance, clairsentience and clairaudience. 

Clairvoyance is when your vision extends beyond what can be seen with the naked eye. 

First let’s discuss clairvoyance, also known as subtle vision—you can know what is happening somewhere or sometime (as in past or future visions) because you can “see” it using your subtle senses in your mental monitor.

So when an animal sends you a message visually, you see what they see, from their viewpoint.

Clairsentience, sometimes called claircognizance is more of a visceral knowing.

Highly sensitive, empathic people feel in their own bodies what other people are feeling. So if an animal or a human friend is in pain, you would feel it like it’s your own pain in your own bodymind. You intuitively know how it feels, where it hurts, and what makes it better or worse.

Sensing clearly through clairsentience or claircognizance is what we refer to as a “hunch” or a “gut feeling”. This is when you are overwhelmed with a visceral feeling and you can’t explain it—all you can say is “I just know”. 

 

Finally, feeling through the art of subtle listening, clairaudience, is being able to “listen” or hear between the lines.

Certain sounds can also trigger intuition. Whatever the sound is, be it a car’s honk, a kitty’s purr, a dog’s bark, or a bird’s tweeting, it can usher in an intense feeling of knowing. With an active clairaudient intuition, you hear messages with your subtle, specially-tuned hearing sense.

Some say only a certain number of people are gifted with intuition. Astrologers insist that people born under the Scorpio or Pisces signs are naturally intuitive to the point that it borders on E.S.P. But recent studies have been proving that anyone can develop intuition.

 

I’ve always known that we are ALL born with all levels of intuitive abilities.

You are BORN with intuition. It’s your birthright, no matter what others say or what sign you were born under. 

It’s your gift.  What you do with your gift is up to you.  

And like a gift, you can choose to never use it and let it lie dormant on the shelf. Or in a box in the basement of subconscious, unused and unacknowledged in your psyche.

Or, you can choose to use it, activate it, grow it, play with it, develop it and master it.

Why should I develop intuition, you may ask?

Why not just let your emotional and psychological state be as it is? It’s worked for you so far, right?

The 3 Keys to Good Communication

First and foremost, clairaudience and the other forms of intuition promote good communication, with people and with animals.

 

Key #1: Sensitivity

Heightened intuition makes you more sensitive to the beings around you—all of them. It can keep you from hurting those you love and from arguing, because you’re intuitive enough to understand them at a deeper level.

 

Key #2: Creativity

When you are in touch with your intuition, you are vastly more creative. Your muse is flowing and juicy with creativity, brimming with life force. When you are in touch with your intuition and creativity, you get to connect at a deep soul level with Mother Earth and all her creatures. 

Intuition means releasing more of your creative juices, for any means of expression, whatever you choose to do with it. And with all of this new creative energy available to you, you will think of more and more ways to spend it.

What a wonderful way to live!

 

Key #3: Healing

Lastly, clairaudience, clairvoyance and clairsentience all have their own healing power. Delving deep into your soul to clear out the trash along with the negative energy buried in it, your intuition will guide you to becoming your best self. And of course, your ability to help heal others will be developed as well.

What stage are you in in developing your intuition?

Here are 7 fun ways to unlock your intuitive gifts!

1. Hypnosis! 

If you haven’t already, get yourself hypnotized. It is a great way to identify your intuition, including clairaudience. Hypnosis is not limited to watching a pendulum move back and forth. Try self-hypnosis—you might not think that would work for you, but it is actually very effective. Or, you can try different hypnotic programs that can help to strengthen your intuition.

2. Meditation! 

Meditating means finding peace within yourself. If your mind and heart are cluttered with too much baggage, you won’t be able to quiet down that part of you that initiates and grows clairaudience, clairsentience and clairvoyance. And even after you have gotten in touch with your intuition, if you want to be able to use it, you need to have a calm, peaceful mind!

There are so many ways to meditate. Take a meditation class, or simply practice some breathing at home. This simple practice alone could bring you to a place of zen. All The Heart School of Animal Communication online courses, Animal Talk Coaching & Mastery Club Q&A Coaching Calls and Masterclasses use meditation as a way to enhance and build your intuition.

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3. Think positive! 

A worry-free, fear-free mindset does much to improve your intuitive ability. When you choose to be positive and fully in the present moment, you can much more easily recognize imminent feelings and events, and much much more. 

4. Just let go!

What does that even mean? It means if you’re on the brink of a huge decision, go to a quiet place and meditate on letting go of your inhibitions and fears. Sometimes you just need to listen to the voice inside you. You won’t be able to properly hear it until you are able to let go.

5. Don’t force it!

Clairaudience and the other intuitions can’t be forced. After letting go of your inhibitions and all your stuck places, expect to hear an answer right away.

Don’t get me wrong, the “hunch” or “voice” or “image” could fall into your lap immediately—that does happen often! But it also may take time to show up and make itself known. In this case, be patient. Don’t force the intuition, and before you know it, wham!, you will have your answer.

6. Believe in yourself!

Believe in your first impressions. When you meet someone for the first time and they seem a bit too arrogant for your taste, chances are that impression will hold true. First impressions are an example of your intuition at work. It is your inner knowing speaking to you. Trust yourself and listen.

7. Learn more!

Always be in a learning mode!  Develop a “beginners mind” and shelve your expectations so you stay fresh, fully present and consciously aware, awakened. 

 If you want to develop your clairaudience or one of the other forms of intuition, it’s important to stay curious. Evolve, heal and grow every day. Invest in your learning! Take a course, invest in a coach or a mentor, try something new. Talking with animals is a surefire way to develop your intuition.

See?

Intuition is helpful, because it leads you to amazing things that you never would have thought of otherwise. Many lives have been saved by intuition alone.

Develop your intuition now and you’ll reap benefits you never imagined for the rest of your life.

One great place to start is here: Awaken Your Inner Guidance System course!

Have you already begun your journey in developing your ability to communicate with animals? If so, it’s time to go to the next level. 

Discover how easy it is to grow your own intuition so you know what your pet is thinking!  The Heart School of Animal Communication online courses, Animal Talk Coaching & Mastery Club and Masterclasses are here

All my courses are fully guaranteed, so there’s no risk to taking the next step. 

 

Enjoyed this article? Here are three more to help you:

Discovering the Joy of Visualization and Intuition

Five benefits of animal communication.

Being a dog whisperer comes in handy!

The post Clairaudience and 7 Ways to Grow Your Intuition appeared first on Val Heart.

source https://valheart.com/clairaudience-and-7-ways-to-grow-your-intuition/