Our animal companions help us stay healthy in so many ways. If you are fortunate enough to share your home with one (or more) you probably already know that as soon as you walk through the door and are greeted by kitty purrs or a wagging tail (or whatever yours does) the daily stresses start to melt away. Animals can read our energy perfectly so they always know when we need them. They typically try to console human parents when we are upset and will go to great lengths to help/heal us.

Last week I was stressed out and my daughter Gracie Belle, who is not typically one for sitting on laps for long, sat with me for two hours until I was very calm. I didn’t want to get up because she was so cozy & comfortable on my lap, which of course led to her accomplishing her goal of helping me relax. My son Merlin purrs and snuggles me under the covers every single night before I fall asleep, it is more calming that any sleep medicine could ever be. He gives me the sweetest looks when he wants to be picked up & held.

Your dog may be asking to play, but her goal is at least in part for you to receive the benefit of playing too. Same with wanting a walk, or a break from work. They can plainly see when you need to stop what you are doing and clear your mind.

Some animals will go as far as to reflect back to you what is going on with your health. They may engage in anxiety type behaviors that mirror their person’s situation. After you have consulted their veterinarian (always check with the vet first to rule out/treat illness)  it is helpful to consider what is going on in your own life or home that may be the cause. Is your animal companion over- eating out of boredom or stress? Over grooming is another typical stress related issue. Are you ignoring your own health? Maybe they are trying to “show” you what is wrong.

A lot of us worry more about taking care of our animals’ health needs than our own, and that is great except that we are so very connected. So part of caring for your fur child is taking care of yourself to ease the burden for them of having to “show” you. Of course there are health situations beyond our control, but we can do our best - for us and for them. Let’s listen to them and pay attention to what they are trying to tell us & sometimes simply be grateful to have a sweet fur kid to lick our tears and give us healing purrs.

*The photo above is of Merlin giving me the sweet look that makes me stop whatever I'm doing and snuggle with him*

One of the things that happens when you are sensitive to animals and understand that there is no hierarchy and that we truly are all equal is a realization that this applies to all creatures. Even those that are sometimes considered "pests" by society instead of "pets." I took this photo of a lovely domestic hairless rat as she was being fed by her human mom. I love this photo because it shows the trust between them and the vulnerability of the sweet rat girl as well as how well taken care of she is. She is being spoon fed a delicious treat and she is surrounded by her toys. The way she is holding her paws/hands is so touching! I would like to help shift some of the perceptions about rats.

The mere mention of the word is enough to frighten some. Yet I know several wonderful people who have rat fur (or fur-less) kids and I have also had amazing communications with these rat kids. I have also communicated with wild ones that live outdoors. They are intelligent and unique individuals who are trying to survive, find food, shelter and raise their own children in a mostly hostile environment where people try to kill them as soon as they are spotted. They feel the energy that is directed toward them and it saddens them.

They are normal outdoor wildlife like squirrels, chipmunks or rabbits. They are a natural part of our environment. It is not necessary to welcome them into your home, but please at least consider that they are intelligent emotional sentient beings just like our own cats & dogs. The best way to encourage them to stay outdoors is to use small mesh wire to cover any openings to your basement and to avoid leaving food out at night right by your home. If you leave any food out at night for any reason (and this will attract wildlife of course) it should be a bit further away. If they have gotten in because there was no wire barring the openings, there are humane cages to trap them and release them unharmed, like the cages we use for feral cats to help colonies with TNR. Please never resort to cruel and unnecessary "pest control" methods. Rat populations will not get out of control as long as the environment is healthy and there are natural predators like barn owls around. Please be kind. Kindness always makes a difference, even to the smallest creatures.