“Fear is a stranger to the ways of love.
– A Course In Miracles
Happy July!
Wow. How are we already past the midway point of 2017!?
Hello Summer! And hello to you!
It’s been 3 months since I shared here. So much has happened since the last post . After our beloved King Albert transitioned into Spirit, life has been a roller coaster of sorts. Saying goodbye to him was a heartbreaking and familiar path, but this time the path was paved with life-changing insights and experiences. So much love, learning, healing, and growth has happened in the process.
But that’s not what I am sharing with you today.
As I discussed in an earlier post, my life and work is now a blend of science, metaphysics, and spirituality. My last post was a bit of both, and rather lengthy. Today’s post is science-based and short-n-sweet to save us all time. 😉
Let’s get to it!
The fourth of July (and Canada Day) are almost here. If you have been following this blog since the get-go , you know that I write about this dreaded day at great length. The 4th of July is a favorite day of celebration for many people, but let’s be honest: It’s a day of terror for many animals. The Fourth of July might as well be renamed “4th of July Fright Night”.
If your cat is cool with the cacophony of clangs, I commend him. If your dog digs having strangers over with a symphony of explosions, and scary sights and scents, I bow down to her. If your parrot, ferret, pig, or horse is unphased by the big bad booms around their dojo, they are the minority.
Most animal companions are not cool with the Fourth of July.
If you have worked with or lived with an animal, you know that most are frightened of loud or startling noises. Even the ones who enjoy being around new people can be pushed to their limit. Strangers in your home during the holiday can stress out even the most subdued souls.
Even if your animal companion has not displayed fear around these family events before, the sights, scents, and sounds on The Fourth of July could easily bring out their most intense fears. And these fears don’t pass after the festivities are over; they can manifest as physical issues well after the event.
It can be a living nightmare for many.
💥 So, what’s a devoted animal guardian to do?!?
–> BE AWARE.
–> PLAN.
–> PREPARE.
💥
Here’s the Good News: Family festivities on the 4th of July don’t have to become Fright Night to our animal companions! There are many things that you can do to help your animal family members successfully cope with the Big Bad Booms and Bangs!💥
Let’s Get to Sharing!
Below are resources that I have been sharing like wildfire for weeks on our Instagram Twitter, and Facebook pages. Check em out! And if you have friends, family, or colleagues that would benefit from this information, by all means, share it!
“For it is in giving that we receive.” ― Francis of Assisi
Last weekend, a gifted colleague and I gathered forces to create a live call-in event for families. The intent was to empower people and their pets by sharing tools, tips, and techniques, and also to dispel myths. This event was created to help animal guardians across the country to prepare for the Night of Assault on the Senses.
It was a huge success.
Countless people had NO CLUE that it’s really OK to comfort the animal when they are afraid; how and why food can and should be used as a tool to modify fear; why medication is often very helpful; holistic tools that actually work; how to identify and create safe hide outs; why play is powerful.
All of these topics were new to many.
People were so relieved to learn that they do have the power to help their pets! People learned how and why these tools are vital to having a night that’s fear-free on the 4th of July. During the live event we discussed:
- Sight, Scent, Sound, and Tactile senses 101
- How & Why we should desensitize them to loud noises NOW
- Signs of Stress in parrots, cats, and dogs
- How to properly use FOOD to modify fear
🥓✨ - Why cats behave certain ways when they feel threatened
- What you can provide to help them feel safe and secure
- Why “bolt holes” are critical for dogs and cats
- Holistic Tools to use
- Why you might want to consider contacting your vet now
- How your energy affects your animal companions
- Why Acepromazine should NOT be used
- Why we SHOULD comfort the animal when they are afraid
- How enrichment activities calm the mind
- Why we want to Dial UP the Dopamine
- How to prepare your home for safety & security
- Why we need to create an “Energy Hangover” environment after the 4th to prevent trigger stacking
If you missed the live event, you can listen to the replay:
✳ via Dropbox
✳ via Free Conference call
After the call, I complied a list of Positive Resources for Animal Guardians. The intent was to provide free resources to help families across the country to have a Fear-Free 4th. If you are interested, you are welcome to download the PDF and share it with others.
So that’s some of what’s been on my mind the past couple of weeks, which is why I was motivated to share with you today. I hope this is helpful. And I hope you know that it is possible to have a Fear-Free Fourth of July.
You can do this!
If you have questions or concerns, shoot me an email, or comment below. 🙂
For those of you who are new to this blog, welcome! I am so grateful you are here! For those of you who have been here since the beginning, and for those who are interested, here are some other exciting projects in the works:
- I am closer to completing my first children’s book (gah!)
- A video series on how to positively leash train cats of all ages & stages via force-free techniques (with an emphasis on senior and geriatric cats!)
- Kids-In-Cali Animal Communication workshops
- Dog and Kid Safety workshops for our Marines at Camp Pendelton
- A video series on assisting aging cats with force-free medical care at home
- Connecting with Animals on the Other Side – a complimentary program for pet parents who are struggling with death, loss, and grief
- Empaths with Pets: how highly sensitive people can learn from their animal companions
As I am guided I will be sharing more about each of these with you here in the future. In the meantime, check out these free resources so you and your beloveds can have a Fear-Free 4th of July together! 🎉
With infinite Love and Gratitude,
Amy and the animal menagerie🐾
Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress, in every society, in every family. -Kofi Annan
