If you’re wondering what to name your new cat, dog, horse, or other animal companion, try asking him or her.
Grab pen and paper, take a few minutes and sit with the animal as she rests or plays. When you are both relaxed, ask her what she wants to be called. You can ask out loud or silently.
Then write down everything that comes into your mind, however silly or random it seems. It may be one name or a number of possibilities.
Repeat the name(s) back to him and watch for ear twitches, eye blinks, head tilts, or other signs of recognition. Pay attention to any “yes” or “no” feelings that come up for you, too.
Chances are, you’ll have a clear winner. If not, try again later.
Letting your new friend tell you what she wants, in her own time, will get your life together off to a great start!
For more information, or to schedule an animal communication or Let Animals Lead® healing meditation session, visit me at www.njcrowe.com.
That’s what I told the three cats, but they worked out the logistics themselves. The tabby stayed put, the black cat sat on my shins and the calico decided it was more fun to sit on the counter and swat at everyone else. We all settled in for the meditation session … just as it was, which is what the Let Animals Lead® method is about anyway.
When someone sticks their neck out, pay attention.
If a horse comes to the fence or sticks his head out of a stall, I go see him first. For example, a Tennessee Walker who kept catching my eye and pressing against the fence told me about some hip and back pain. I was able to pass that along to the equine chiropractor and help him with Let Animals Lead® in the meantime.
The animals probably know who needs help first.
Animals can be astute, too, about who might need help more than they do at the moment. Two mini horses (one of whom was disabled), were hanging with a mustang who’d been battling a persistent infection. When the three of them approached me, the two minis hung back. I thanked them, worked with their mustang buddy, and made sure to see those kind minis before I left that day.
A cow at an animal sanctuary had adopted two young calves. When I approached their stall and offered to share a healing meditation, the cow turned her head toward the calves. I assured her all of them were welcome to participate — but following her lead, turned toward the youngsters. As the session continued, mama cow joined us.
Don’t placate. Just toss the ball.
Dogs are famous for their “how could you?” looks if you pay attention to another dog or come home smelling like one. (Canine jealousy was even documented in a University of California study.) Yet imploring any being not to be jealous is likely to be ineffective.
Over time I learned that when I come home with the scent of other dogs on me, it’s best to let my dogs sniff without comment. Then I make sure they get a belly rub or a couple of toy tosses sooner (like now) rather than later.
When we build even a little more awareness and trust, “enough” can look like plenty.
Your animal companion, like my Dusty here, is ready to offer up her opinions. You are ready to arrange an animal communication session. How do you get the most from it in order to help your animal and build a better relationship?
There’s no substitute for a personal referral when you’re looking to hire an animal communicator. However, not everyone is able to get that. Even if you do have a name from a trusted friend, spend some time looking at their website and social media. Look for whether the practitioner subscribes to or mentions a code of ethics. Do you feel more confident and hopeful, or more anxious? Trust your research, but also trust your gut.
Read the instructions.
Just about any practitioner will have a form to fill out or information you need to include to arrange a session. You may be asked to acknowledge your understanding of the session; for example, that it is not a substitute for veterinary care. We all struggle with information overload. However, it saves your time and the animal communicator’s time if you read all of this and understand how the process works before reaching out.
Decide what’s most important.
What do you most want to find out from your animal during this communication session? If you have several questions, can you narrow it down to, say, two? Animals have limited attention spans just like we do.
Be ready to hear and follow through in good faith.
You probably already are; otherwise you wouldn’t have read this far. Animals may bring up concerns or express needs or preferences. They may tell me something you’re doing isn’t working well for them and ask if you can try another method. We owe it to our fellow beings of whatever species to listen to one another and give change (such as more play time, a cleaner litter box or being fed separately from the other dog) a chance.
