On The Farm
I love winter, and as long as the sun is shining, I don’t care how cold it gets—mostly. We’ve had a taste of below zero temperatures this year, so the barn cats, Charlie and Lester, were brought into the laundry room along with their little house with heated floor. They’ve been really good sports about it. Both seniors, their arthritis is bad in cold, damp weather, so they like not having the pain. And WE like not having to make the 800 yard trip to the barn on the icy driveway, so everyone wins.
Winter is a great time to clear clutter. I can really focus without feeling like I’m missing something outside. Sorting and cleaning the equine tack, saddle, all the paraphernalia that comes with horses for 30 years, has brought a lot of memories of good times, beautiful rides and just hanging out with the girls, grooming. As I clear the barn, there are many good places where blankets, buckets and other things will be donated—rescue organizations for horses like Starry Skies and Horse’s Haven near us. Each state has a number of animal rescue organizations, so as you clear your animal’s things, consider who might be able to put your stuff to good use!
A Good Small Animal Resource
From time to time, I come across a good resource that helps people help their animals and improves both their lives. Recently, I looked up a practitioner for animal lymphatic drainage for one of my clients.
Lymphatic drainage is a gentle technique, light massage or stroking that helps the lymphatic fluid to flow. Lymphatic fluid, lymph nodes and the entire lymph system provide a foundation for the immune system. For animals, or people, who are sedentary or can’t exercise or move, facilitating movement of the lymph system (which generally uses movement of the legs to move it through the body) is critical to maintaining good health.
Jonathan Rudiger, of the PetMassage Training and Research Institute, petmassage.com , has taken some aspects of his training, and put it into very good YouTube videos with clear instruction on how to help your animal friends. The PetMassage Training and Research Institute has training materials (like anatomy charts of animals), live courses (in person and on demand), a blog with helpful hints and research results, videos and research papers. The whole website is very user friendly and the YouTube videos are very clear and concise.
Go explore on the next snowy day!
Scholarship Fund
Much thanks goes to those of you who have donated to the scholarship fund. The donations helped to support students of all ages, from all over the world, from different backgrounds and occupations who want to be of service to animals.
In both the communication and shamanic healing for animals classes, we use rescue, foster, and traumatized animals as subjects for healing. Several of our students work with shelters and foster organizations and provide a steady stream of animals for healing, rehabilitation and retraining. Your donations support this community service that the students provide by helping to further their skills and make it possible to reach many people and animals that would not otherwise be helped.
Landen came to Stardust Rescue in Illinois, Chicago area, as a senior stray from a shelter in Kentucky where he was set to be euthanized. When he first arrived, his name was Zorro. He had experienced trauma with his former humans, who had conditioned him to be a vicious guard dog. He presented with PTSD, anxious, mistrusting, and scared. He lacked confidence in himself and in his environment.
Upon arrival at Stardust, one of the volunteers, a long-time student of Shamanic Healing for Animals and animal communication, performed a shamanic healing. His name was changed to Landen (which means brave) when it was discovered that he did not like the name Zorro. He responded well to the shamanic healing session and within a couple of weeks, was able to be with volunteers, relaxed and happy. He also found a new buddy, Bucky, who is blind. The two immediately bonded, with Landen having found a new purpose in helping Bucky. The volunteers are able to get close to Landen now, to prepare him for adoption.
We will continue to grow the scholarship fund to reach a growing need of the animals. Contributions may be made on the website home page. Thank you for your support!
The Bookshelf
It’s FINALLY here! The second volume of SPELL SONGS. Some may recall the concert last year and first album crafted by Folk by the Oak, a consortium of musical artists who brought the poetry of Robert McFarlane to life in song. (The Lost Words, The Lost Spells by Robert McFarlane).
This group mostly lives in Great Britain and tours there. Their song versions of the poems are so carefully and beautifully crafted. The small book that contains the cd tells the group process for making the album, and further introduces the artists to us. Available through Amazon.
Guidance for the New Year
Between the winter solstice and the new year, Renee Baribeau annually presents the I AM Symposium, and this year, asked those of us who have completed a two-year apprenticeship to present our perspectives. I thought you might enjoy hearing my presentation if you were not able to attend the symposium yourself. Here is the YouTube link. Enjoy!