The Truth About Shelter Dogs:

There’s a lot of buzz in the pet owner world about the merits of adopting a dog from a shelter rather than from a pet store or breeder. This point hinges on the fact that using dogs as a for profit business has, again and again, lead to abuse and neglect of our four-legged friends. Still, despite the atrocities that many dogs can be subjected to, and the number of abandoned dogs left in animal shelters, many prospective dog owners opt out of adoption in favour of pet stores or backyard breeders.

There are a number of misconceptions that lead a prospective doggy parent to decide against bringing home a dog from the local animal shelter. Some believe there might be something wrong with a shelter or rescue dog, another misconception is that a shelter dog will have diseases. The thing is, however, these ideas about rescue dogs are just plain incorrect.

5 Myths About Rescue Dogs Debunked:

They were given up by their first family because somethings is wrong with them: A common misconception of shelter dogs is that they ended up in the pound because they were a stray wandering the streets and causing havoc, or because they are aggressive.

The reality is quite different. Most dogs end up in a shelter because they haven’t lived up to expectations. Whether that expectation was that the tiny German Shepard puppy wouldn’t grow quite as big as he did, or the energetic Border collie wouldn’t be quite as energetic as he ended up being – people can be quite flippant about their dogs when expectations of dog ownership don’t match-up with the reality and responsibility of dog ownership.

Another common reason that dogs are surrendered to shelters is that their family cannot afford to take care of them anymore, because their family moved somewhere that is too small for a dog, or because their family are renters and their rental property won’t allow dogs.

Int ruth, the only thing wrong with a dog in a shelter is that he doesn’t have a loving forever home.

They may have a past that predisposes them to behavioural issues: Some prospective dog parents worry that a shelter dog might have hidden behavioural issues related to past ill-treatment or trauma.

While a shelter dog may have been abused in the past, dogs who are brought into shelters undergo rigorous behavioural testing to ensure that they aren’t likely to have serious issues like aggression. This is why, when you see dogs in the pound, you might be cautioned against bringing a dog to a home with small children or other pets.

Behavioural issues aside, a dog adopted from a shelter might have a past that you don’t know about, but that isn’t really a problem. A dog isn’t sitting and ruminating in the past, so you shouldn’t either. Instead, give a dog something to look forward to and adopt from a shelter.

They might be sick or carry a disease: This one isn’t really a myth. It is true that a dog adopted from a shelter could be sick, though it is unlikely. Most dogs are vaccinated against common diseases at the shelter and most shelters will provide you with a voucher for a free vet check-up so that, if something does go wrong, you will be able to get your new dog the care that he needs.

While there is potential that you dog could be sick, a dog who is left in most shelters will be destroyed. Adoption saves a dog from this certainty.

They will be a mix breed that I won’t know: In the past, there has been a great deal of importance put on dogs being purebred. The reality is that purebred dogs are prone to health problems and behavioural issues related to their breeding. German Shepherds and Labradors, for example, are prone to hip dysplasia while terriers are habitual diggers.

A mixed breed dog comes from a heartier and more robust gene pool. If you’re curious about what breeds went into the creation of your shelter puppy or dog, there are many companies who offer DNA tests for dogs.

They will be too old to properly bond with: Bringing home a puppy is like bringing home a doggy blank-slate. A new puppy has never been loved or trained by anyone else and you have the option to mold him into whatever kind of dog you want him to be and many believe that a puppy will grow to love you more than an adult dog adopted from a shelter.

This sort of thinking is what gets many prospective dog parents into trouble. A puppy always seems like a good idea, but the reality is that, with a puppy, he really is a blank slate. He’s a blank slate with no training who is completely at the mercy of his puppy wants and instincts. He is a blank slate who is growing quickly and stockpiling energy which he expends by rushing crazily around the house. He’s a blank slate who is going to cost you a lot of time in training and potentially money if his hobbies include chewing.

There are many advantages to adopting an older dog. You will know exactly what you’re getting so there won’t be any surprises in terms of size or appearance. You’ll be getting a dog who is already house broken, who knows not to chew, bite or play too rough. You’ll be getting a dog who has already gone through the rambunctious puppy phase.

Perhaps the most rewarding part of adopting a dog from a shelter is that they do bond with you. Dogs who have been neglected, abandoned or surrendered tend to form the strongest bonds with their owners. They bond with a fervor that can’t be anything but thankfulness and gratefulness.
Dog ownership is a genuinely rewarding relationship. Adopting a rescue dog or one from a shelter is all the more so. When you adopt from a shelter, you not only gain a friend for life, you also save a life.

Dogs understand both language and intonation, making their brains similar to humans’

Us dog mums and dads have known this fur-ever but now we have science to back it up. Its no wonder before the word “WALKIES!!” is even finished, heads tilt, ears perk and tails wag. This study has confirmed that our best friends respond to positive words and intonation over neutral and negative intonation. This is why positive reinforcement is key when toilet training vs negative reactions.

Scientists have come up with proof that shows dogs not only understand human language, but also know the difference between genuine praise and meaningless words.

The research was conducted at the Eotvos Lorand University in Budapest, where they scanned the brains of 13 dogs trained to lie in MRI scanners and monitored what happened as they listened to their owners speak to them.
Dr Attila Andics, who led the study, said it confirmed that just like humans, dogs used different parts of the brain to understand language.
“We’ve found that in dog brains, very similarly to what was found in the human brain, the left hemisphere is more involved in processing meaningful words,” he said.
“We’ve found the right hemisphere auditory brain region will respond differently to praising intonation and neutral intonation, independently of word meaning.”
That means the dogs only registered they were being praised when both the words and intonation were positive.

Experiment offers a clue to when humans started using words
Dr Andics was most excited by what the experiment revealed about how and when humans developed language.
He said the findings suggested the mental ability to process language evolved in humans earlier than previously thought.
“There’s no special neuron mechanism, it seems from this study, in humans that made us able to start using words. It’s something else, it has to be something else,” Dr Andics said.
“Because the neural mechanism is there in dogs as well.
“It seems that the ‘big boom’, if anything, is the actual invention of humans to start using words.
“The very idea that we can use words, and not only intonation, to communicate our feelings.”

Original article by Anne Barker abc

Do you leave the lights on when your dog is home alone?
Pet lovers are spending millions on their energy bills each year by leaving on TVs, radios, lights, heaters and fans to ensure their animals feel comfortable even when they’re home alone, research from the UK has shown.

The study commissioned by British comparison and switching site, Uswitch, found that more than eight in ten pet owners leave on at least one electrical appliance for their dog when they leave the house. While leaving the lights on is the most common thing to do, pet parents don’t shy away from higher energy bills by leaving the heating on in winter and fans in summer even when they’re not home.

Another fascinating finding from the report showed dogs watch around 214 hours of TV per year and listen to almost 300 hours of radio. That’s around half an hour of TV and 48 minutes of radio every day. These entertainment and comfort costs along with additional gadgets such as monitoring cameras and GPS and canine activity trackers, add to the overall energy usage for individual households.

Given that Australia has one of the highest rates of pet ownership in the world and Aussie households are stung with some of the steepest power bills, the cost of keeping pets happy through leaving appliances on is likely to apply closer to home.

Consider this – with around 63% of Australian households owning pets, the RSPCAestimates there are more than 25 million pets in the country, including 4.2 million dogs and 3.3 million cats.

Are you a pet lover that leaves creature comforts on for your furry friends, consider the following ways to slash your energy costs:

Don’t leave the fan on. The thing about cats and dogs is that they don’t have sweat glands like humans. This means fans circulating the air without affecting the temperature don’t really benefit your pets. Instead, get screens or curtains for your windows to keep the heat out.

Turn the lights off. Unless your home has no source of sunlight, there’s no real advantage in leaving the lights on for your dog during the day. Animals depend on natural light and don’t need the bulb on for going to the bathroom!

Switch to a cheaper energy plan. With electricity prices having seen a significant hike across many states last month, pet owners should consider switching to a cheaper dealthat can save them some valuable coin. You could even look at a time-of-use plan so you can pay less for using electricity for your pets during the day when the prices are lower.

Article by Shubhda Khanna Nag- Mozo

Amy Smith is no doubt one of the most experienced dog trainers in this country. She sees over 70 puppies a week through her incredibly popular Amy’s Puppy Pre-school she shares with us some important tips on how to slowly make adjustments when dealing with your dog in preparation for a new member of the family to arrive. Amy thinks it is useful to revisit some of the basic dog training techniques such as using a crate is you have previously used one with your dog. Having someone new to look after can be an overwhelming experience for yourself and may have your fur-baby wondering why his cuddle sessions have been cut short. However with the correct information at hand and applying a routine, the new experience will be an enjoyable and special time for everyone.

EXPECTING A NEW BABY… IT’S A HUGE CHANGE FOR EVERYONE IN THE FAMILY, ESPECIALLY THE DOG!

Nothing prepares you for the changes in your life when you have your first baby. The minute your baby is born your whole world functions around 3 hourly feeds. A shower and getting dressed for the day is a huge achievement; forget preparing yourself a normal meal, or even getting to enjoy a hot cup of tea.

In the last couple of months of pregnancy new parents spend all their time getting organised for the baby: filling the house with baby furniture, toys, assembling prams and installing car seats….

But what happens to the family dog….. ?

All of sudden his world changes too. You must prepare him for those changes. A new baby in the house is likely to mean the dog’s routine, eating habits and environment will change. You may want to keep certain areas of the house dog-free for the hygiene and safety of your new baby. Don’t make these changes after the baby comes otherwise your dog may feel this new tiny human has turned his world upside down. Make these changes a good couple of months before bub is due.

Keeping the dog out of certain rooms is easily done with baby gates. Make it very rewarding and worth his while to spend time in the new designated areas. I would suggest some enrichment toys that dispense food, a nice comfy sleeping area and his crate if he is crate trained.  Does your dog sleep in your room? If he does that’s fine, however introduce some variety in his sleeping space because you may end up changing your mind on that especially during 3am feeds. So re- introduce a crate, sleeping in the laundry or outside of your bedroom and again do all these things well before the birth.

Prior to the birth of your baby it’s a great idea to practice your dog’s basic obedience training.

Teaching your dog to sit while you carry a baby around is far more appropriate than having your dog jumping up to investigate. You can practice this with a doll and use the app to simulate the sound. Reward your dog for keeping his four feet on the floor or sitting. Talk to your trainer if you feel you need extra assistance.

Sitting down on the lounge or in a feeding chair anywhere from six to twelve times a day is what you need to expect with a new bub and guess what? It’s exhausting. Your dog may be a lounge dog or even a lap dog. Your lap is going to be pretty full feeding your new baby. Before you sit down to feed organise your dog with management of space and the areas you have set up for him. You can also use your lead and tie him to the leg of the lounge. This isn’t a punishment as you are keeping him with you. Give him his dog bed or mat so he can be with you, just not on you.

Sitting down to feed is also a nice time to bring out his favourite enrichment toy and give the dog a job. In fact I wouldn’t bother feeding him from bowls anymore, I would only feed from enrichment toys and feed when you feed. You dog may end up getting six tiny meals to make up his whole day’s food. Your dog won’t feel like baby feeding time is boring – he will look forward to it.

Nothing is better than when you can start getting out of the house with your new baby. A walk in the fresh air is healthy and a pram can help an unsettled baby fall asleep. If you plan on taking the dog with you then you need to make sure he is comfortable walking with you with the pram. Walking close to a pram is also going to be new to your dog so put some practice in before bub comes along. Your dog may be fine or he may need some extra training – you won’t know until you try. If your dog pulls on the lead you will need to work with a trainer to teach nice, loose-lead walking. It is very hard to walk with a dog and a pram if the dog pulls. My golden rule is never tie the dog to the pram. Just hold the lead as you push your pram along.

Preparing the family dog for the new baby needs to be well planned.

New parents are going to be tired and very busy during the first few weeks so don’t be afraid to hire a dog walker to help you out.

The day you bring your baby home, make sure your dog has had a good walk and his energy is drained. Bring baby home in the car capsule and spend some time with your dog – he will have missed you while you were in hospital. When you are ready you can introduce your dog to the new baby. When I did this with two of my boys I unwrapped them from their blankets so they seemed more human like. I had both my dogs on the lead and I felt very relaxed, we kept the whole experience very positive for the dogs.

If you would like more information on any of the tips here please visit Amy’s website Amy’s Puppy Pre-school

We caught up with the lovely ladies at DogTown Grooming- Jaime-Lee and Candice and they gave us some great tips on how to keep our best friends not only looking sharp, but also feeling comfortable in their own fluff during the colder months.

It’s the dreaded cold winter months. For dog owners, this generally means muddy paws, dirty tummies, wet faces and knotty coats!

As dog groomers, we often see the effects that winter has on both owners and dogs with a lot of owners believing that ‘it’s too cold to get my dog groomed’ or ‘they don’t need a haircut in winter’, but the reality is, they need to be groomed more than ever.

Here are some tips to keep your dog’s coat healthy:

Regular Grooming – Just remember, a trip to the groomers doesn’t just mean a haircut…. It is so much more than that. Things like nail clipping, sanitary clip, brush out, de-shed, de-mat, ear & eye cleaning and of course a warm bath with a good quality shampoo to clean & restore the coat are all vital elements to ensuring your dog is comfortable and happy. So even if you chose to keep the coat longer in the colder months, we suggest a visit to the groomer every 8 weeks for a tidy up groom.

In between grooms – For after walks, keep a microfibre cloth or towel in the car or at your front door and wipe down wet paws/faces/tummies or even whole bodies as required. Keep a slicker brush handy and once your dog has dried off, run a brush through the coat and this will assist with any matting forming. Be sure to brush under arms and under ears where it can get really knotty! Also, dry shampoos and colognes can assist with keeping ‘doggy smells’ under control between grooms.

Products we love – (tried and used by DogTown Grooming)

1. ‘Fidos’ Everyday Shampoo – Soap free & hypoallergenic – www.fidos.com
2. ‘Isle of Dogs’ Evening Primrose Oil Conditioning Mist – Freshens coat and soothes dry itchy skin www.iodogs.com
3.  ‘JW Pet Company’ Slicker brushers – available online through various pet supply websites
4. ‘Comfortis’ flea tablet. A flavored tablet administered orally, so no residue and no washing off after bathing, or grooming – www.comfortis.com
5.  Potty Plant – Australia’s first real grass dog toilet www.pottyplant.com.au

We hope this will assist you and your four legged pets in the colder months. Remember it is still important to provide your dog with regular exercise when it’s cold (even when we don’t feel like it!). A run, jog or walk, a trip to the park or even throwing the ball in the backyard are all ways to keep your dog stimulated and run out some energy. They will love you even more for it.

Signing off
Candice & Jaime-lee
www.dogtowngrooming.com.au

Image credit: Strongdogz.com

According to Helen Johnstone- Behavioural Consultant and Dog Listener having a dog that is a bad walker isn’t always solved by obedience training. Heres why…

Is your dog a ‘problem walker’? Constantly pulling on the lead, barking or lunging aggressively at other dogs or even people, trying to bolt off in all different directions or biting on the leash?

As a dog owner, it’s imperative that you’re in control of your dog whenever the two of you are out and about together. Antisocial or aggressive behaviours can become dangerous if left unchecked; and un-cooperative behaviour such as pulling can make you frustrated and angry with the dog, which creates a vicious cycle as they respond to your negative energy. A dog that walks happily and calmly, however, is a joy to take out.

Many of my clients can’t understand why their dogs continue to be so difficult to walk, despite months or years of apparently successful obedience training.

A few years ago I took one of my dogs, Tigger, along to obedience classes – mainly because he was quite dog-aggressive and it was the ideal situation to expose him to lots of other dogs.

I did not advise the club that I was a dog behavioural consultant because I didn’t want to be treated differently or have them feel threatened. I learned so much while I was there and the experience was fantastic. The club had some great policies, including not allowing your dog to approach another dog on lead, having no dogs off lead during the class times and more. They based their training on positive and reward-based methods and choke chains etc were banned.

However, if I had followed the instructions of the obedience trainers, Tigger’s behaviour would have worsened and not improved while I was there.

Why? As I explain to my clients, obedience training is very different to behaviour and dog psychology: at obedience school we’re taught to put the dog into “training” mode using a command that lets them know that a work session is commencing. At the end of the work session they’re released.

And this is where the problems start: the ‘obedience’ switch is turn off, and the dog feels he can do as he pleases. I noticed that some of the best-behaved dogs in the classes immediately dragged their owner out of the class as soon as it was over. Even some of the instructors had dogs that were muzzled, dog-aggressive and debarked.

So, while obedience classes certainly have their place, they’re not the solution to walking-related problems. So how do we address the issue?

Dog psychology, which takes a more holistic approach to behaviour management than obedience training, is often the answer. At CalmaDog we show you how to work with your dog, successfully training them to walk on a loose lead, using their natural desire to please and understand their role within your “pack”.

This method, based on communication and positive reinforcement, progressively calms the dog’s mind, leading to stronger cooperation, happier walks and a much-improved relationship between you and your canine companion.

If you would like a one on one with Helen, contact her at the details below.

CalmaDog

Helen Johnstone / Behavioural Consultant and Dog Listener
helen@calmadog.com.au / 0421 615 022

CalmaDog
PO Box 316 West Ryde NSW 1685
www.calmadog.com.au

Our friends at Zookie- Leanne Philpott featured Potty Plant in her clever little article about having pets in apartments while maintaining an urban lifestyle. They asked our founder Julia Sakr the inspiration behind starting Potty Plant and ways to make toilet training your dog more efficient.
This article is great for people who already live in apartments with their dog and need some tips to brush up on toilet training or have been put off the idea of ever owning a dog because they live in a rental unit. Provided the dog is receiving adequate exercise outside each day, caring for a dog in an apartment is totally doable.

Zookie: What was the inspiration for Potty Plant?

Julia: My then puppy Samoyed ‘Barney’ was the inspiration behind Potty Plant. We lived in a high-rise apartment block and toilet training him was no walk in the park. There really wasn’t anything on the market that Barney would use and that would get rid of pee stench. The smell was so bad it forced me to create Potty Plant.

Zookie:: Is potty plant only for apartment dwellers?

Julia: The Potty Plant is perfect for any living arrangement with restricted garden and outdoor access. Apartments, terraces, townhouses etc. House dwelling dog owners can also use it to deter a pup from using the whole backyard as a toilet.

Zookie:What tips can you offer on getting dogs to do their business on Potty Plant, not the floor!?

Julia: Dogs generally know how to use the Potty Plant immediately. It is simple because it smells natural to them.

For dogs that do need a little encouragement, a little bit of their pee can be dabbed on the grass. This will encourage them to remark. If your dog is repeatedly peeing on the floor, ensure your are not using any ammonia based products as these tend to smell like pee to dogs, and encourages them to remark in the wrong spot. Consulting a dog trainer can be hugely beneficial if you are experiencing repeated accidents with adult dogs. There is usually a cause to this that can be corrected with the right training.

Zookie: Is Potty Plant eco friendly?

Julia: The Potty Plant grass is 100% natural and compostable. We deliver our grass in compostable packaging and strive to minimise unnecessary landfill waste.

This is why we take back your Potty Plant if your dog no longer needs it after moving in to a house.

Zookie: How easy is it to set up Potty Plant?

Julia: The Potty Plant Starter Kit comes with everything your pup needs to get started so all you need to do is pop it on your balcony.

Zookie: How long does Potty Plant last?

Julia: This depends on the size and breed of your dog and the number of times he/she is taken out for a walk each day. For example, a full-sized Labrador that gets two walks a day would need a weekly replacement and a Cavoodle that gets two walks daily could get away with a fortnightly replacement. We understand individual cases vary so this is why we make it flexible to change your grass delivery frequency whenever works for you.

Zookie: What happens when it needs to be changed? What do you do with the grass?

Julia: We include a compostable liner with each grass delivery, which is placed under the grass. We also include a pair of gloves so you don’t have to touch the dirty grass. When the grass needs to be replaced, the liner is lifted with the grass and is thrown in the general household rubbish or green bin (if you have one)

A clean liner is placed in the Potty Plant under the new grass and it is good to go again.

Julia’s Potty Plant Dos and don’ts

Dos:

-Place the Potty Plant in one location so not to confuse your dog.

-Praise your dog and reward with treats when he/she uses the Potty Plant

-Place puppy on Potty Plant first thing after a sleep and stay with him/her till they use it. Remember to praise.

-Stay calm and patient with pup, they pick up on your energy. An anxious owner makes an anxious pup.

-Most dogs use the Potty Plant immediately but if your dog needs a little encouragement you can dab some pee on the grass.

Don’t

-Allow your dog to sleep/eat or sit on the Potty Plant. This will deter them from using it for toilet.

-Allow your dog to dig at the Potty Plant.

It’s important you stop them before they develop a habit of doing so. Please contact us if this happens, we have a few tricks up our sleeves.

Animals are naturally attracted to grass so being able to offer your pet a patch of grass, albeit small, is great for their wellbeing. It’s great for you too because no longer will you have to be greeted by the smell of a puppy or dog pad or a litter tray on your return home. Pretty clever eh!

To find out more or visit Potty Plant.

Check out the original article here: Zookie- Apartment living with pets. No grass, no problem!

It’s not everyday you get a super successful boss-lady-Shark like Red Ballon founder Naomi Simson, to provide commentary on your business pitch! I am positive though that Barney and Pumba the Chow, had some great input when they decided to wrestle one another. Demonstrating that fighting in the tank is not only reserved for Sharks. I really like how Naomi has recognised the importance of providing real grass for city dogs who are often kept at home for the larger part of the day while Mum and Dad are at work. Dogs want real grass toilets to pee on and dog owners love the convenience and hygiene that Potty Plant brings home.

Here’s what Naomi had to say:

Potty Plant – Always helps to have ‘props’ for your pitch – and these cute dogs won Janine’s heart instantly. Though I am pretty sure that Julia only has eyes for Glen. Julia’s business was borne out of necessity – she lived in an apartment, along with many others. The claim is it is the only in-home toilet training system for puppies and dogs – delivered to your door. The challenge for apartment owners is that the synthetic options are purchased and the dogs don’t use it because they want the real stuff – imagine being locked in an apartment all day and you’re only given the synthetic stuff to do your business? It was a great pitch and Julia is committed and passionate – somehow I’m pretty sure a lot of work still needs to be done on the pricing of the subscription model.

Read Naomi’s full account of the episode here: http://naomisimson.com/shark-tank-australia-s2-episode-six-on-ten/

Julia our founder, had a chat with Laura Daquino for Business News Australia. Laura asked questions about why the Potty Plant was created and the reasons behind it’s success so far.
Australia’s first REAL GRASS dog toilet had become a necessity in urban city life with booming apartment and down-sizing culture on the rise. We always want the best for our dogs and strive to have all their needs looked after. Potty Plant has created a solution for a dog toilet’ing problem by not only keeping dog happy, but also dog- Mums and Dad’s by building that gap between nature and urban living.

Check out full article here:

http://www.businessnewsaus.com.au/articles/grassroots-pet-business-attracts-shark.html

POTTY Plant has won over vets-and-pets expert Dr Glen Richards on Shark Tank Australia.

Richards offered $70,000 for a 25 per cent stake in the pet toilet business.

The business has seen 17 per cent month-on-month growth on average since inception last May and is the only in-home dog toilet training system delivered to the door.

It was labelled ‘ground-breaking’ on last night’s episode, and at the time of filming eight months ago had 21 subscribers.

Sydney-based Potty Plant founder Julia Sakr (pictured above) says the business came out of a growing trend towards natural products for pets. She is now exploring other product lines.

With 4.2 million dogs in Australia, Sakr cited that almost one-quarter call medium or high density apartment blocks home, and there’s no ‘real’ toilet solution.

“I felt guilty throwing away so much rubbish every day, which was just going to landfill, and puppy pads just didn’t solve the smell problem, aren’t eco-friendly and don’t get rid of pee stains,” says Sakr.

“There’s a need to incorporate nature into apartment living, and this is Australia’s first real grass toilet for dogs which is 100 per cent natural and compostable.”Boost Juice entrepreneur Janine Allis, Andrew Banks of Talent and RedBalloon founder Naomi Simson and 2 also bowed out, but were optimistic about the success of the business.

If you could talk to animals what would you learn? As with humans communication is the basis of all relationships. Understanding the silent language of animals is a sure fired way of         getting information straight from the horses mouth, or of course any animal.

The first time I heard an animal communicate with me in this way was my cat Beau. Although an amazing experience, it was a sad time as he was very sick and on life support. I was encouraging him to fight his illness, and stay with me. It was then I heard him say ‘You have to let me go, you have to set me free’. My love for him was so incredibly deep I couldn’t deny him, his final release. It was after Beau’s passing, and his life changing words that my journey of animal communication began.

I would hear conversations of other animals in my presence. As my background was in dentistry and very science based, you can only imagine my surprise at this even being a possibility. I remember watching Dr Dolittle, which was supposedly a fictional story, and thought how amazing if animals could really speak. What would they say? Of course now I know they can, but in a telepathic and intuitive sense.

Upon leaving dentistry I founded animal talk, and this gave me the opportunity to talk to animals of all different species, in places all around the world. It not only made me realise how amazing animals really are, but how incredibly important they are to each and everyone of us, and this planet. Whether finned, winged, hooved or scaled they all have a story to tell.

A well known publisher Allen & Unwin upon hearing about my work, contacted me to write a book detailing my unquestionably unique animal experiences. “Stories from the Animal Whisperer” was born, and I could put the voice of the animals in print for the world to see. It enabled me to showcase not only animal conversations in an array of scenarios, but their innermost thoughts and incredible teachings. People would realise they needed to look far beyond an animal’s fur and feathers if they were to ever understand, the depth of wisdom and yet the simplicity in their way of life.

Everyone is born with the ability to communicate in this way, but once we began to verbalise that was the method most encouraged in our society. To reawaken our abilities, in telepathic and intuitive communication once more, we just need to quieten our minds from distraction and be present in the now. It doesn’t take long to relearn, getting in the ‘zone’ just like the animals.

Once using this communication, you will know when animals are experiencing happiness, sadness, pain, anger, separation, loss, loneliness, abandonment, rejection and even depression, without question. You understand they feel and express unconditional love, caring, compassion, loyalty, forgiveness and the non-judgement of others. They suffer when they are physically and emotionally abused and scared when misunderstood. They feel incredible loss when a friend is taken from them, due to relocation or sadly, death. Some animals grieve for a lifetime. Imagine being able to communicate with any animal, any species, wild or domestic.

It is when we begin to share ourselves with the amazing knowledge and wisdom animals hold, that we begin to learn more about ourselves. They have the ability to open our hearts in a way that we have never experienced before. Beau showed me that if you are not doing what makes your heart sing then you are on the wrong path, and need to change direction. I have no doubt animals have come into our lives to support us and to spur us on to grow both personally and spiritually. Allow ‘Stories from the Animal Whisperer’ to sweep you up with new perceptions, inspiring insights and take you on a ride of a lifetime.

www.animaltalk.com.au

About the author

Trisha Mc Cagh is an international bestselling author of ‘Stories from the Animal Whisperer’, teacher and public speaker. Chatting with cheetahs, conversing with cockatoos, reading the hidden thoughts of all animals. Helps us to learn what our earth’s creatures are really thinking and what they want to tell us.

She opens her fascinating case book so you can experience her remarkable gift to decipher the silent language of animals. What makes them happy, sad, sick, confused and angry? Why do they behave the way they do and how can we build better relationships with them?

Through the ancient art of telepathic communication, Trisha is able to tap into an animal’s feelings, intentions and sensations going far beyond the bounds of body language and seen behaviour. Animal’s have a voice and now we can hear what they have to say. Develop a deeper bond with your own much loved pets and a greater unders tanding of animals in general. Through direct communication you will leave out the guess work and be able to work on solutions to behavioural, health and emotional issues.

www.animaltalk.com.au