?Sacrifice is a part of life. It is supposed to be. It?s not something to regret – it?s something to aspire to.?

This quote comes from a conversation between an old soldier and his former captain in Mitch Album?s book, The Five People You Meet in Heaven.

Now deceased, they meet in ?heaven? which, strangely enough, looks identical to the foreign soil on which they fought together. As the two souls talk, the soldier, who died some 60 years after the war, learns that his captain sacrificed his own life to save those of his men during a battle. The former soldier learns from the captain, as well as the four other individuals he meets in heaven, just how much his existence affected those around him.

Very few of us will ever experience the ultimate sacrifice of giving our lives for another person. Yet, this part of the book stuck out so much due to some recent events.

We all make sacrifices every day. Some are big, some aren?t, but each decision means turning away from another possibility. Maybe it is something as small as giving up a fun activity with friends in order to fulfill an obligation to a job, or maybe its something much, much larger. Perhaps you or someone you know has given up a portion of their life to help care for an aged relative in the twilight of life. Privacy and freedom are moved to the back burner in order to assist a loved one nearing the end. The trade-off comes in the knowledge that someone is benefiting from that sacrifice.

From its inception, The Marcus Engel Newsletter has been a forum where each month I share a positive experience from which everyone can learn. If there?s a little humor thrown in or you have an ?ah-ha!? moment, all the better! This month, for the first time, I?m not sure that?s going to happen.

If we?ve been acquainted for less than two years, you probably never had the pleasure of meeting my first Seeing Eye dog, Dasher, other than as a character in my autobiography.

I want to share a little history on the black lab that helped change my life?Dasher and I were paired together when I was 19, less than a year and a half after losing my sight. Still fumbling through darkness and insecurity, Dasher helped reclaim more of the life I had prior to blindness than any other single element of my recovery. Through our seven years together, Dasher was the introduction to nearly every friend I met and every social interaction I had. As I began speaking professionally, Dasher shared the platform and broke down the barriers between the audience and me – something that is easier for a dog than any human!

In August of 2002 Dasher retired his leather harness and was lovingly adopted into ?the good life? by my friends, Tempe and David. Knowing full well their new family member was in his golden years, Tempe and David still took on Dasher with all the enthusiasm and affection one would shower onto a new puppy. Handing over Dasher?s leash was one of the hardest things I?ve ever had to do, but my heart and mind were put at ease with the knowledge that Dasher was going to a family he loved and who loved him.

Six weeks ago, Tempe and David lost a member of their family when Dasher breathed his last breath. Those of you who?ve experienced the death of a pet know how traumatic that loss can be. The inevitable passing of a pet is always unique and tragic in its own way.

Dasher?s adoptive family made a HUGE sacrifice when they welcomed him into their home. After all, how many people really want to take on an animal in its later years knowing their time with that pet is governed by the laws of life expectancy? Practically no one. This is why I am so humbled and grateful for the sacrifice made by Tempe and David. Friends, I cannot tell you how much it meant to me to have Dasher?s final years spent under loving care and watchful eyes. That, faithful reader, is one of the truest definitions of sacrifice.

As I read the story of the captain?s voluntary loss of life for his men, and especially the lessons he taught his former soldier, I couldn?t help but think of what my friends gave up by adopting an old dog, and what they lost when Dasher died. Yet, what the captain said next helped ease that pain:

?Sometimes when you sacrifice something precious, you?re not losing it, you?re just passing it on to someone else.?

I?m not sure truer words have ever been spoken.

If you are one of the thousands whose life was touched by Dasher, thank you. Your acceptance and love gave him one of the best lives a dog could ever ask for. I?m sorry if this newsletter is a bit of an emotional downer, but I wanted to acknowledge the sacrifices of Tempe and David. Plus, after giving the majority of his life to my needs, Dasher deserves a fitting epitaph. In my humble notions of heaven, all things are perfect and all things are possible – including the presence of animals. So, to Dasher? Thanks buddy, for seven great years. You helped me more than you?ll ever know.

Problems between dogs and their care givers arise from a multitude of reasons, most of which could be easily avoided. Inconsistent training, expecting too much too soon, harsh or inexperienced handling, and negligence are responsible for the majority of ongoing canine behavior problems. Understanding your dog will help.

Pet owners who take the time to become knowledgeable about their pet?s needs, and who build a solid foundation of love and trust with their pet, rarely experience serious behavior problems once training is complete.

Pet owners who fail in these areas, however, are likely to instill fear, confusion, lack of confidence, and even depression in their pet. Reading this Savvy Dog Lover article will go a long way in helping persons to understand the unique needs of their canine companions.

A Dog?s Unique Personality

Dogs are a lot like most people. They may goof now and then, but they invariably try and do their best. They truly want to please their care givers. A sensitive dog owner will realize this.

Sensitive dog owners will also realize that, like people, some dogs catch on more quickly than others; others are slower to learn. Some dogs are also more easily distracted. Some are naturally more aggressive, others more timid ? requiring extra patience and encouragement during training.

Understanding your dog is vital, for both you and your dog. This is especially true when it comes to training.

Guidelines for Successful Training

There are ten important factors to remember if you desire training success:

1.)Patience is critical. Forcing a puppy or young dog to do more than he is capable of doing, losing control and yelling or striking out at the dog, or ending a training session on a sour note all sabotage training success and build confusion and mistrust in the dog.

2.)Keep training upbeat and fun for your dog. Sessions should begin and end with success. Start the session out by ?reviewing? a feat or accomplishment your dog already does well. End the session in the same way, with plenty of praise.

3.)Structure is important, so be consistent. Training sessions should be performed regularly. Sessions should be timed to end while your dog is still enthusiastic and attentive. They should last about 15 minutes for puppies, 30 ? 40 minutes for adult dogs. Sessions should also be conducted in as distraction-free a location as possible. That means no audience of onlookers for the sake of showing off your ?skills? as a trainer.

4.) Be lavish with praise. Reward each success with plenty of verbal and physical praise. Not only will this build confidence in your dog, and create a stronger bond between the two of you, but it will make him even more anxious to please you when learning other new feats.

5.)Never call your dog to you for disciplinary purposes. This will only make your dog apprehensive and reluctant to approach the next time you call. Instead, order him to ?sit,? and ?stay,? then approach him.

6.)Never over-discipline. Once a dog understands a command but refuses to obey, reasonable physical discipline may be appropriate. Discipline should never be violent or executed in anger; it should always be imparted in a calm, controlled manner.

7.)Don?t lock your dog into shame cycles. When a dog refuses to comply, verbal and physical discipline should be controlled, and reasonable. Ongoing verbal reprisals and scolding when a dog bungles an assignment is ineffective and will only serve to strip confidence. It will discourage your dog and make him dislike training sessions altogether.

8.)Understand that learned behavior takes time. Just because a dog learns the ?sit? command on Monday while in his own backyard, that does not mean he will be able to carry the lesson over to Friday?s day at the beach. Dogs do not instinctively apply knowledge learned in one setting to another quite different setting. He must be taught how to do that; it takes repetition over a period of time, and patience.

9.)Teach commands in steps. For instance, before a dog can effectively learn the ?lay down,? command ? which is, in actuality, a three-step command ? he must first learn the commands ?sit? and ?down? (or lay down). Break multi-tasked commands into simple steps.

10.) Factor #1 bears repeating. Patience is critical!

By working with your dog following these guidelines you will soon discover the essence of each. Patience combined with consistency, love, and praise for accomplishments well done are the most important factors of all when it comes to building trust in your dog, and assuring training success.

Other training tips, aids, and products for pets can be found online at www.savvy-dog-lovers.com.

? 2006 Lori S. Anton Savvy Pet Editor

Published writer and dog lover, Lori Anton, has been writing for nearly 30 years. She is founder and editor for Writers Write Now, offering original professionally written content, and SEO content for web sites; visit Writers Write Now. Lori lives in rural Wyoming with her husband, Jeff, and their diabetic canine companion, Muffy.

Lori is also Savvy Pet Editor. Savvy Dog Lovers web site offers valuable information on pet health, care, and training, as well as top pet products. Visit Savvy Dog Lover. Savvy Dog Lover ? where the best bones are buried!

Large breed dogs pose special grooming dilemmas. The Great Pyrenees and other Bernard family members have cornered the market on that special combination of girth and hair. Without a regimented grooming routine the Pyrenees? flowing white locks can easily morph, soon resembling an electrocuted Komondor on steroid.

One obstacle to keeping large breeds in the peek of beauty is the difficulty in locating nail clippers, brushes and dental supplies suited to their substantial size. Substitution will have to be made. Still, with a little ingenuity grooming is a snap.

Body Brushing Combing out the Great Pyrenees is a challenge. The high-stung nature of the breed makes them tend to wiggle around during grooming. In fact, these stealth dogs are apt to sprint off if not restrained, sometimes moving up to three centimeters in a single afternoon.

Your best bet for body brushing or raking is to work on your pet while he is asleep. Avoid active times such as 6:00 to 6:03 a.m. and the 30 minutes after sunset Pyrenees? devote solely to barking. This breed is known to sleep with its eyes open. When stalking them with grooming tools be cautious. Once you are with in 65 feet of your dog, listen for a train. This verifies your dog is snoring.

Work efficiently once you begin grooming a Great Pyrenees. You may only have 13 hours before he wakes up. When grooming 140 lbs. of fur bonded together by drool and the occasional tree branch, you must not dally. A weed eater is an efficient option for quickly working your way through the shrubs to the actual hair prior to brushing.

Nail Clipping Clipping your Pyrenees?s claws should be a regular part of your grooming routine. Before beginning this procedure head for the hardware store. Pick up a large metal rasp and bolt cutters. Once claws have been neatly trimmed call in HAZMAT to remove the clippings from your home. Don?t forget the dewclaws.

Great Pyrenees? have a multitude of extra toes just kinda ?hangin? out? on their lower legs. Hiding amongst them are a total of six massive curly toenails. Each is so large it makes a valosaraptor claw look like a minute droplet of Chihuahua snot. Don?t let the dewclaws go unattended more than a few weeks. Negligence will yield a clipping big enough to be used as a spiral staircase.

Dental Care Dog owners often overlook the importants of good oral hygiene. Fortunately, in the Bernard breeds, their mouths offer plenty of room to work in. Take advantage of this trait. You can create ample access to the mouth by simply pulling their massive floppy lips up from both sides of the face. Then, use three clothespins to secure them to one another across the bridge of the nose. You may also secure a single lip to the opposing ear in a similar fashion.

Once the teeth are exposed insert a shop vac tube under your dogs tongue. This technique is identical to that of the ?spit sucker? used in a dental offices. A fifteen-gallon vac should suffice. Once the shop vac is fired up the Great Pyrenees will start to awaken. You will have about two hours to completely remove large pieces of sod stored along the gum line before your dog hits full cognitive thought. At this point he?ll eat the vacuum prior to falling back asleep.

As a final touch, clean you canine?s feet. Shinny up between the pads with a flashlight, some pliers and a bottle of WD 40. Remove stones, dried bats, milk carton children and anything else not belonging up there. Once this task is done your grooming regiment is complete. Wake your dog by simple uttering the word ?cookie.? By the time you get to ?coo? every Great Pyrenees in a six mile radius will be in your kitchen.

With a little work and a few trips to Home Depot, your Great Pyrenees, Saint Bernard or Newfoundland will glow with beauty. When you combine all this glamour with their high intelligence and magnetic personalities, your dog will be the envy of the neighborhood.

Zoologist turned satirist Nola L. Kelsey is the author of the scathingly wicked satire Bitch Unleashed: The Harsh Realities of Goin? Country (September 05). She is also the owner of Samuel the Great Pyrenees, who plays primary character in her book and in her life. Excerpts from Bitch Unleashed and subscriptions to Kelsey?s newsletter are available on her web site, http://www.NolaKelsey.com

The first sense of a Shih Tzu puppy is ?scent.? The newborn Shih Tzu puppy will be able to smell the scent of the breeder immediately after the sac is broken. The Shih Tzu breeder is familiar with litters of Shih Tzu puppies before their eyes open. Up until the Shih Tzu puppy opens its eyes they became familiar with their breeder?s scent through their dam?s coat. Shih Tzu puppies learn where there is and is not a place of milk and nourishment on their mother through scent.

It is advisable that only the Shih Tzu breeder handle puppies during their first two weeks. This does limit the Shih Tzu puppy?s reality of the world around them; however, it is practicing sound early responsible care practices. As Shih Tzu puppies begin to open their eyes they become aware of differences in people. Because of this awareness, a very young Shih Tzu puppy may act violently the first time handled by anyone other than their breeder. The Shih Tzu puppy may begin to struggle or scream to be free. It really is not necessary for other people besides the breeder to handle Shih Tzu puppies during this very early period of their lives. If a Shih Tzu puppy is frightening by early interactions with other people it could set the stage for later mistrust toward all humans. It is therefore extremely important that all early contacts with a Shih Tzu puppy be positive. Once a barrier of distrust is instilled in a newborn Shih Tzu puppy, the puppy can become hard to work with and sometimes even unmanageable as adults. Limiting contact with humans also aids in the spreading of germs to newborn Shih Tzu puppies.

There is a proper way to hold a very young Shih Tzu puppy. You should not ?swoop? a Shih Tzu puppy quickly into your arms, or hold it at arm?s length. Do not ever pick up a Shih Tzu puppy by its legs, ears, tail or scruff. Severe and even irreparable damage can result.

Use the following steps to pick up and hold a newborn and very young Shih Tzu puppy:

1.Place your hands firmly around the Shih Tzu puppy?s body making it feel secure before it is lifted from the whelping box. 2.Immediately begin to snuggle the Shih Tzu puppy closely to your neck, chest or face area, letting the Shih Tzu puppy smell your familiar scent. Here is where the Shih Tzu puppy will feel the reassuring rhythm of your breathing and your heartbeat. The Shih Tzu puppy will remain relaxed. The Shih Tzu puppy will have less tendency to struggle against others first holding them if you will practice these steps from the beginning.

In general, you should not place very young Shih Tzu puppies in your lap, at least until after they begin to walk. They do not feel secure in a lap position at a very young age.

When handling newborn Shih Tzu puppies it is helpful to make ?kissing? sounds near their ears. The sound is similar to puppies nursing. Therefore, repetitious kissing offers the same sense of security and comfort for the Shih Tzu puppy.

One of the earliest conditionings a Shih Tzu puppy encounters is being nestled in secure comfort by its dam while being fed warm milk. When you emit the same type of sounds with repetitious kissing the Shih Tzu puppy responds immediately to your stimulation and will feel secure. The Shih Tzu puppy will snuggle rather than struggle and learn to trust humans from a very early period of their lives. This type of conditioning is important for proper development as an adult Shih Tzu and instills a ?trusting? of humans rather than a ?fear? of humans.

Shih Tzu puppy conditioning beyond diet is a highly important part of a professional Shih Tzu breeder?s job, and will often separate the professional breeder from the ?backyard? or puppy mill breeders.

Author: Connie Limon. I raise Shih Tzu puppies from top champion bloodlines. Purchase and sign up for our newsletter online at: http://www.stainglassshihtzus.com

This article is FREE to publish with resource box.

Author: Connie Limon. I raise Shih Tzu puppies from champion bloodlines standards and teacup/imperials. Purchase online and sign up for our newsletter at: http://www.stainglassshihtzus.com

Choosing a rescue dog can be a difficult choice -all of our Spanish strays are so grateful and lovable, and make such wonderful pets, I wonder why anybody would ever want to buy from a breeder.

If you have made up your mind to take one of our strays, or indeed, any other rescued dog, do think very carefully about which kind of dog would suit your particular lifestyle. The last thing an unwanted dog needs is to find a loving home only to discover that after a short while he is unloved again and considered a nuisance.

If you are at home a good deal of the time and are active, there is no reason not to enjoy long walks with a larger active dog providing you have the space to accommodate him.

Many large dogs such as greyhounds or big heavy dogs do not need as much exercise as smaller highly strung dogs- and greyhounds in particular usually make docile pets.

If you work part-time (you really should not consider taking a dog if there is nobody at home all day) a smaller less active dog would not require such lengthy walks although many small dogs are highly active. You should ask advice to the dog’s particular needs from the refuge where the dog has been looked after.

Don’t expect miracles when your dog first arrives. He will be very confused especially if he is one of our Spanish dogs who may well have spent years in the refuge or tied up somewhere.

With quiet love and understanding he will settle. Just give him his own time and space to adjust. So many people want to make a big fuss of the dog when he arrives, inviting friends and family to meet him – but there will be plenty of time in the future for this. Leave him be, just speaking in a friendly tone to him as you go about the house. The less fuss you make- so will he.

Another consideration when deciding which rescue dog to choose is whether you have time to spend grooming a long coat. If not stick to a dog with short hair as long coats need regular attention to keep them healthy.

Dog or Bitch?

I personally really don’t have a preference.

All our dogs are neutered before arriving in England for rehoming, and they all have distinct personalities.

If you already have one dog it is usually best to choose a second one of the opposite sex, to avoid competion as to who is going to be top dog.

If your reason for taking on a rescued dog is to provide your existing dog with a friend, please be sure that you have the patience and ability to persevere in the event that the first dog does not like or accept his new friend.

A couple of dogs have been returned to me for this reason, not through any fault of their own, just because the owners had not thought it through first, and all it achieve was to make an insecure little dog even more insecure.

Young or Old?

Lastly do consider an oldie if you can. They are usually wonderful pets and great characters. It is so sad that they are forgotten especially when

if like our Spanish strays they have been confined to a refuge for years. Some say they are institutionalised and will not settle but this simply is not true. I have rehomed several (whom were thought to be quite ancient) but am pleased to say they are still going strong after five or six years!

Whichever dog you decide on make sure you have given the matter some careful thought.

Think carefully before taking him

Do not expect too much from him at first

Give him lots of love and you will receive lots in return!

European Animal Welfare rescues strays from Spain.
Please visit we offer animal rescue stories, and Animal pictures.

Your dog might not love them, but there are many common parasites that love your dog. If your dog is not properly cared for he can become infested with any of these pests and develop illness or life threatening disease.

Luckily, there are many ways to ward off and get rid of parasites which are as simple as taking pills or using drops. With proper care and prevention, your dog will be generally free and safe from parasites and diseases but if you do notice your dog acting strangly, not eating or scratching too much, it?s best to get him to the vet right away.

Some common parasites that can take up residence on your dog include:

Ticks. We all know fido gets fleas and ticks in the summer, but ticks can pose more serious problems than due to diseases like Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Lyme disease. You should check your dog for ticks religiously especially if he spends a lot of time outdoors. Tweezers can be used to remove ticks one by one. If you do not know how to remove ticks properly and carefully, ask your vet first. If you do know how, put them in a can with soap and water after removal.

Fleas. These are the most common external parasites and can cause the dog to continuously scratch various parts of the body. It may get so bad that your dog loses fur in the infested areas. Ask your veterinarian to put your pet on a good flea-control program and be aware that fleas could become resistant to some products over time.

Lice. Lice is less common than fleas but can affect dogs. Your vet will have several treatments that can easily get rid of lice in dogs.

Heartworm. Caused by mosquito bites, heartworm resides in your dogs heart and blood vessels. A dog infected by heartworms looks dull and may even have a chronic cough. There are many heartworm medications that can prevent your dog from developing this disease – ask your vet which one is best for your pet.

Hookworm. Hookworms can cause anemia an loss of appetite and can be given by the mother dog to a puppy during the nursing period or even before birth.

Tapeworm. A dog can get tapeworm from swallowing larvae-laden fleas. There are not many symptoms with tapeworm but you might see rice-like pieces in your dogs stools. This is one good reason to always bring a stool sample to your vet when you bring your pet in for a yearly checkup.

Roundworm. Roundworms cause pneumonia, diarrhea, dehydration, stunted growth, and vomiting. A dog with roundworm may have a pot belly.

Whipworm. A dog infected with whipworms may have diarrhea and other ailments like, stool mucus, and serious bowel inflammation. Extreme weight loss is also a symptom caused by whipworms.

Although our dog can attract any of these parasites, most of them can be easily taken care of. Proper care and maintenance and routine visits to the vet will help keep your dog happy, healthy and parasite free.

Lee Dobbins writes for Epet Pet Center where you can find more on how to keep your pet healthy and happy.

Before getting a dog the first question to ask and answer is ?what sort of dog should we get ? a purebred or a mutt??

The answer to this question is a matter of debate. Get any two dog lovers together and they will probably have different feelings on this controversial question.

Why is this question so controversial? One dog is surely much the same as another? Or is there a hidden benefit to buying a purebred dog?

Of course one dog is much like any other ? at least on the outside! But every potential dog owners needs are different. The real trick is in identifying your needs ? the needs of your family and selecting a dog that meets those needs. A dog that is suitable for your family.

This is where the debate starts. Dog breeders will tell you that you will never be sure of what you?ve got with a mixed breed. On the other hand Dog Rescue will say ?look at the dog itself ? not the breed!?

Who?s right?

To a certain extent they both are.

You need to try to assess the suitability of any dog you adopt, regardless of whether it?s an abandoned rescue dog of mixed breed or an expensive purebred puppy with registration papers and a pedigree as long as your arm.

Purebred dogs will tend to have strong characteristics peculiar to their breed, such as size and stamina, general demeanor and exercise needs. But they will also have their own individual personality on top of this.

On the other hand you can never be totally sure about a mixed breed?s background. There?s always a question mark about how a puppy is going to turn out ? you can never be quite sure about its size, energy requirements or manner.

That can be one advantage of adopting a rescue dog. Often they will be older mature dogs rather than puppies. This allows you to make a better assessment of the dog ? its size, energy and nature. Good-natured dogs are not restricted to pure-breeds.

One other advantage of adopting an older rescue dog is that all the hard work of house training and basic obedience training has often already been done, saving you the effort needed to do this yourself. You will also get the chance to visit the dog a few times, with members of your family, to assess its suitability.

The staff at the dog shelter will also have had a chance to assess the dogs character and even perhaps have worked with the dog to smooth out any rough edges to help find it a suitable home.Having a rough idea of what the dogs parentage might have been will help you look for traits associated with those breeds and see if they are present.

If you are really lucky you may find a mixed breed dog that embodies all the best parts of the dog you are looking for from different parents. The result could well be a unique mix that perfectly meets the needs of you and your family. But take the time to really get to know the dog before committing to adopting it as a return trip to the animal shelter is the last thing the dog will need.

In the end the choice is down to you but you absolutely need to make sure the dog you choose meets the needs of you and you family. You need to consider such things as how much room you have in your life, both physically and mentally, for the dog. You need to consider feeding and exercise needs and whether you would be better off with an older dog or a puppy.

Making the right choice will open the door to a lifelong friendship with a loyal, loving partner. Making the wrong choice will lead to misery for all concerned.

Chris Davis, the author, is a freelance writer publishing and presenting information on a wide variety of subjects. For more informative articles and information on dogs, dog health, dog care and dog training from Chris visit his website http://dog-help-desk.com. This article is free to reprint provided the author credits and link are left in place. Do not use this article for unsolicited email.

Our dogs come in all sizes, shapes and breeds; therefore, there are many different types of dog beds and pet bedding available to buy online. If you are looking for a small dog bed, a large dog bed or even an extra large dog bed, they can all be found right here!

When looking for a dog bed you need to keep in mind your dog breed, and your living style. Some people like their dog beds to match with their home decor, and therefore, should be looking for a designer dog bed. Other people may want their dog to feel like a King or Queen so they want a luxury dog bed, a personalized dog bed, or a fancy dog bed. Or maybe you are looking for a bed that will not be at your primary residence so you want a cheep dog bed or a discount dog bed or wholesale dog bed. Wicker dog beds are a great addition to any home or home away from home. What ever your dog?s desire it can be found here.

If your living style is one of travel and adventure then your dog?s bed needs to be compatible with that style. You need to look at buying a dog car bed or an outdoor dog bed or a canopy dog bed or a waterproof dog bed or a bed tent for a dog or even a dog travel bed. Depending on what kind of travel you do will depend on the type of travel dog bed you buy.

If you have a large breed dog, or even a small breed dog you may be looking for free shipping for your dog bed many online stores will offer this, you just need to inquire. If your dog breed is prone to physical problems or your dog is just getting old, or you want to really pamper your dog then look at memory foam dog beds, and orthopedic dog beds. Elevated dog beds and raised dog beds as well as a dog bed ramp may come in very handy with your dog.

Take care of your dog; after all they are a part of your family.

Pam Caouette is the main author for http://a-plus-pet-supplies.com Find information for all your pet supply needs here.

As a respected art and science, animal communication has been around for perhaps 100 years, although most people may have heard of it only recently. An understanding of animal communication–interspecies communication between humans and their pets or other animals–must begin with the understanding that animals, like humans, have personalities and feelings, preferences, opinions, and misperceptions; they think and make choices; they, like us, want to be happy.

What does an animal communicator do? Think of an animal communicator (who will be a she here, for simplicity’s sake) as a facilitator or mediator between the human and the animal. She has an intelligent conversation with this sentient being who cannot communicate through human speech–but can communicate nevertheless.

She may be called upon to assist with a variety of situations, including behavioral problems; relationships with people and other pets; stressful situations such as a move, the family going on vacation, or the death of a human companion; or, often, when a pet is lost and her skills are needed to locate it. In this case, if the pet has died, the animal communicator will be able to determine this, too.

Animal communication can occur in person, over the phone, or through e-mail; each animal communicator will have her preferred method, although other variables, such as distance from the client, may factor in. She will need the name, age, species, breed, and description; she may ask for a picture of the animal. Some animal communicators prefer to work with the pet alone, or the human client may play an active part in the communication. The animal communicates through the communicator and back to the human client in pictures, emotions, and words.

Does it work? If you need convincing, I suggest you check out the websites of any number of animal communicators and read the stories and testimonials yourself.

However, says animal communicator Rev. Nedda Wittels, M.A., M.S., on naturalhealthweb.com, Unfortunately, no telepathic communicator–no person–is one hundred percent accurate all the time in any work. Error can occur because the telepathic connection is weak; because the human client has emotional and/or mental blocks about the situation; because the animal is lying or choosing not to communicate fully; because the meaning of the communication does not fit easily into the backdrop of information available to the human communicator; or because the telepath simply misconstrues the meaning.

Each telepathic communicator brings her own emotional and mental baggage to any session: belief systems, expectations, past experiences and emotions. Being able to drop this baggage and to be a clear channel is an important part of the process of doing the work. The best among us do this on a regular basis, but all telepaths, as all other psychics, do filter the information somewhat through their own perspectives on reality. It is part of being human.

For example, I heard of one case where a communicator was called upon to find a lost dog. As it turned out, the dog had been killed, but he was reluctant to reveal where he was because he’d run away and gotten into trouble, resulting in his death, and knew he’d been naughty.

If you decide to get in touch with an animal communicator, it’s easy to find one; simply do an Internet search for animal communicator. You may choose one over another based upon any number of individual preferences, although distance need not be a factor; as I mentioned, most can work long-distance. Of course, an animal communicator does not substitute for veterinary care or obedience training. Have a list of question ready that you’d like to ask; if she charges by the hour, you can be sure to get your most important questions answered within your time frame.

Would you like to become an animal communicator? Anyone with a gift for relating to animals and good listening skills might choose to nurture them and become a certified animal communicator. Begin by searching for workshops and correspondence courses. Then set up your own website and tell us your success stories!

? Lisa J. Lehr 2006

Lisa J. Lehr is a freelance writer and Internet marketer specializing in direct response and marketing collateral. She holds a biology degree and has worked in a variety of fields, including the pharmaceutical industry and teaching, and has a particular interest in health, pets, and conservative issues.

Please visit her blog at http://warmfuzziesanimalrescue.blogspot.com
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Now that you have decided that a dog should definitely occupy space in your future, there is some preparation that needs to be done. Too often dog owners don’t check out the details, and make irresponsible choices by selecting a dog that is totally wrong for them. Consequently a time that should be happy and joyful ends up being a sad and stressful experience for the owner, as well as the dog. As a result of these incorrect choices man of these dogs often end up in a shelter for simply doing what he or she was bred to do.

There is a large selection of dogs to choose from, and not only do they vary in color as well as in size, there are a multitude of temperaments as well. Fortunately because dog ownership is on the rise, the available resources to enable you to make a responsible decision are abundantly available. Bookstores have several dog breed books that offer a wealth of information . There is usually a picture of each breed and a short description as well. The description will often list any negative qualities as well as the positive. For instance, some terriers, not all of course, are prone to digging. They were bred to hunt vermin which entails digging. If you are someone who is adamant on having an impeccable lawn and garden, perhaps some of these terriers would not be right for you.

There are several websites that also offer information pertaining to the individual breeds. Some sites even have a questionnaire for you to complete to help narrow your search for a dog that would fit your lifestyle. The usual questions such as size and color are simple to answer, but there are more detailed areas that specifically ask such things as how much time do you want to spend on grooming? or how much time do you have for exercise? or is shedding a concern?. These are important issues that need to be honestly addressed. Are you looking for a dog that you can fuss with indefinitely for ongoing grooming, or are you someone that barely has enough time to comb your own hair? Are you a person that walks two or three miles daily and would lika a companion for these walks, or are you someone that may or may not walk once a week, and would like a more sedate dog. Are you an immaculate housekeeper who is bothered by the least bit of dust or are you someone that’s not opposed to sweeping up dog hair when necessary? If you take the time to answer questions such as these, a good match between you and your dog is more likely to happen. People will spend days, and sometimes weeks researching and shopping before making a disposable purchase. Yet these same people will impulsively purchase a puppy because he’s cute, totally unaware of a single fact regarding his heritage. This puppy is apt to be around for many years, and still the purchase is often made without checking on any of the details.

Once you do decide what type of dog is right for you, you will need to find a responsible breeder. Don’t hesitate to ask that breeder questions regarding any concerns that you may have. Discuss the normal traits of that breed, ask for references, and get the details regarding any guarantee. A responsible breeder is more that happy to discuss any of your concerns because they want to be sure that one of their dogs is the right dog for you.

Perhaps your lifestyle is more conducive to an adult dog rather that a puppy. This is something that only you can decide. There are many nice dogs, and sometimes puppies too at the different rescue groups. You should check these places out. These organizations are usually overflowing with some very nice animals, and your adoption could spare another life. Many of these dogs are there through no fault of their own. Their owners just realized all too late that this was not a good match, simply because they didn’t take the time to Detail the Dog.