Maggie has now gone to Rainbow Bridge
R.I.P  1st June 1996 - 14th March 2013

KEEPING YOUR DOG HAPPY WITH THOUGHTS, FEELINGS AND SOUNDS

I know! I know! it all sounds very New Age and hippy crap (as my husband, Richard describes it) but dogs understand a lot more than we give them credit for - not only the words we use but also the pitch, intonation and emotions in our voices.  Their uncanny attention to detail makes them seem like mind readers, and that explains why they always seem to hide when we are ready to give them a bath, see us take down a suitcase or get them ready for a visit to the vets. 

With their sharply tuned senses and their ability to perceive the most subtle signals, dogs are intimately involved with everything around them. They react to things that we are barely aware of, from the the tone of our voices to the composition of the light that surrounds them.  Some holistic vets believe these and thousands of other things emit a kind of vibrational energy, which if properly directed, can be used as a way to heal the body as well as the mind.

Are you still with me or have you lost the will to live?

In the last decade or so many vets have started to use "energy therapies".  They have found that using such things as light, music, colour, crystals and even thoughts are a good way of treating many ailments, from pain, emotional stress to problems with the immune system.  However, the wonderful thing about these therapies is that you don't have to be a veterinarian or a specialist to use these healing techniques.

I find that Touch is the most wonderful way to gain a dog's trust. If a dog could talk, they would tell you that touching keeps them healthy.When a sick or nervous dog comes to stay with me, I use the power of Reiki healing to calm them down.  Just 20 minutes of holding them on your lap and gently moving your hands over their body makes them settle into a deep sleep.  Its a bit like a gentle vibrational massage without  firm touch, and to a dog must be very soothing. Certainly after that they are more willing to trust you. Dogs who come to stay with me on a regular basis love their reiki sessions.  They are so blissed out after.

Sound is another good way to calm, heal and bond with a dog. Talk to them as you would a person.  They love to hear the soud of your voice talking to them softly and asking them what's troubling them.  You will get a deep sigh as they settle down  putting their head on their front paws. Dont worry about clearing your mind or getting into a meditative state. Listen to the answer that comes into your mind. Most people are afraid to trust their intuition. Even if the images that come to mind seem weird, write them down and once you start keeping track of them, you will be amazed at right your first instinct turned out to be. It may be a subtle vague impression about a certain part of the body that hurts, or the voice will say it feels queasy or it doesn't want you to go out or it will feel insecure and ask if you really love them.  Once you know what is troubling the dog, you can then do something about it.  A nice big hug and some sweet words whispered in its ear makes all the difference.

How often have you heard people say "I swear he understands every word I say".  I hate to tell you this but he does.  He may not recognize the sentence but he senses the meaning.  It does make me chuckle when you hear an owner saying to their dog "Be nice now, be nice!"  To the dog that sounds like "Nmnm, nmmn, numnum."  Dogs pick up your anxietes so if you worry that a fight will start, the dog picks this up and says to itself "Wayhay! let's liven up things today and start snarling and growling."  Panic all round.  Much better to diffuse any trouble with a matter of fact "C'mon, let's keep going!"

Music is the best form of sound therapy.  I play jazz  cds in the background for my dogs (and myself) when they have all settled into their baskets during the day.  Playing classical music in the car settles them during the journey and stops them from bouncing off the sides with excitement. They arrive at the park or whatever destination feeling happy and energised.

So remember, the power to heal your dog's aches and pains, is literally at your fingertips.

Put this date in your diary. Sounds like it will be a terrific day for you and your dog to enjoy.

What fun! what fun!  A lovely, heartwarming video to make you smile.

Until the next blog...... Dawn  ("")




















   
Magic Wand Dog Show
Enjoy a great day out with your pampered pooch– there will be 15 fun competition classes, such as “The Waggiest Tail”, “The Best Golden Oldie”, or “Most like the Owner” judged by celebrities. Entertainment such as “Musical Mats” and dog agility displays; side attractions such as dog tombola, culminating in a dog fashion show! Download the programme opposite.

It will be a fun day for all to enjoy – especially your dogs! There is no need to book in advance, just come along on the day!

Dovehouse Green, Kings Road, SW3 (next to Chelsea Fire Station)
10.30am to 4.30pm
FREE ENTRY

Why not enter the Online Photo Competition now for a chance to win a Spa Day for your dog, kindly donated by Harrods. The winner will be announced at the Dog Show

http://www.wayahead-btrc.org/2013/02/26/magic-wand-dog-show