Misty, a black and gray American short hair cat had passed three years ago.  Larry, her person, knew I communicated with deceased animals and that deceased people make themselves know when in conversation with the animal.

Misty was originally his mother’s cat. When Mom passed dad took care of Misty and after Dad passed it was Larry’s turn. Three people, in two generations, were threaded together by means of a cat. On this day, once again they were a family, and I was invited to the party… how lucky am I !

Larry wanted to know how Misty was doing on the other side. Misty’s personality had a sense of humor and wit about her. She was fantastic, beyond fantastic.

I discovered Larry also wanted advice from his father whom he greatly respected. Larry was looking to make a job change. He felt a stirring inside; he was ready to take his talents to another level.

I asked Larry if he would share his experience with Mom, Dad and fellow feline. I in turn would support him on his mission of finding a new job.

Larry’s email:

Thank you for the wonderful session last evening. I was so glad that you were able to make contact with my deceased cat Misty and with my Dad, Herb and my Mom Edna. You asked for the message that Misty had transmitted to you so here it is:

Misty said it is important to have fun with life. She said that I should walk with my head held high and have confidence in myself and my abilities. When I project confidence and optimism it will be reflected back to me.

I will also add that Misty told Larry this attitude would support him in finding a new job.

When Larry asked his father for guidance I hesitated to tell Larry what I heard from Herb. It seemed offensive to me. I then realized it was to make a point. Herb answered with a firm tone: Don’t you remember anything I taught you? You know what to do. Larry was silent for a moment. He replied with a lower voice than usual and a bit goaded, Do what feels good. Dad, you always told me to do what feels good.

After our session Larry asked if I receive more information from his father to please call him. His father came to me the next morning. Herb wanted to emphasize to Larry that that it is okay to be successful and happy and to practice feeling how it would feel. Larry had been the caretaker of Mom, Dad and Misty. It was now Larry’s turn to nurture himself and follow his dreams. At the last moment Herb expounds, Oh, and exercise! I got a chuckle out of Larry when I shared Herbs last statement.

In holding true to helping Larry find a new job, I asked him for a short but clear statement of his strengths that would market him. He used a few of Misty’s words shared in our session put in first tense: I create order out of chaos. I make everyone around me stronger, more capable and more confident then they would be if I were not there.

How many have a compact powerful statement like this? But then, he did have help from his Misty.

Larry S.’s qualities are valuable, to reach him call: (703) 237-2127. He has two emails: StronginL@dnc.org. and Strongin@dnc.org.

Watch Your Mouth,
How Words Can Hurt—and Heal

By Leigh Donovan

We have all heard the old saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” As sound vibrations, however, words contain tremendous positive or negative power and thus can be used to hurt or heal. Exploring words as energetic vibrations allows us to gain a better understanding of their great power.

Even before there were actual words, sound was considered sacred. In ancient traditions, significant attention was placed on the vowels, which were said to be divine. The power of sound, speech and vowels was considered to be one of the great creative forces in the universe. Many religious texts, including the Bible, describe speech as the precursor to all of creation. Looking at the use of words in this way gives them much importance. As we explore words from this perspective, we can begin to understand how they affect our thoughts, feelings and experience of the world.

What is in a word?
The vibration of a word affects us on many levels. Words influence the activity in our brain and energy body, which in turn causes changes in our physiology. Studies of the effects of words on water, conducted by researcher and healer Masaru Emoto, Ph.D. of Japan, provide a framework for understanding the true potential contained in the words we speak.  In his book The Hidden Messages in Water, Emoto demonstrates how different words cause molecular changes in the structure of water based on their vibrations.

According to Emoto’s research, water treated with positive words, such as “I love you” and “thank you,” displayed beautiful hexagonal crystals. In contrast, water treated with negative words, such as “I hate you” or “you fool,” did not form crystals, but rather chaotic, fragmented, blob-like structures. Emoto says that spoken words have vibrations and that water can be imprinted with these vibrations.

Indeed, everything in the universe is connected through the Law of Vibration. Based on this law, everything vibrates and is in a constant state of motion. Modern science tells us that, like everything else, the human organism is not only a physical structure made up of molecules, but also a complex of energy fields. Physicists have replaced Newtonian Mechanics, which held that the universe was composed of solid, fundamental building blocks, with the theory of Quantum Mechanics, which views the universe as layers of particles, waves and electromagnetic fields.

The brain on words
As a vibratory instrument, our brain transforms sensations such as thought and sound into frequencies that affect our body. In our brain, there is a vast network of neurons that discharge waves of electrical energy in different frequencies and patterns called brain waves. There are four types of brain waves, categorized by their frequency: alpha, beta, theta and delta. Each brain wave type is associated with specific levels of functioning and consciousness. Although the brain operates using all four frequencies, there is always a dominant frequency, which determines an individual’s state of mind.

All of our feelings, emotions, and behaviors originate from the brain, and our brain cells are affected by the thoughts and words that we choose. The vibration of thoughts and words causes the cells in the brain to vibrate. The brain, in turn, responds to this stimulus by sending off electromagnetic signals, or brain waves. The amplitude of the vibration of brain cells is determined by the amount of concentration and focus put out in connection to the thought or word. These cellular effects give rise to key brain functions, including mood and behavior.

As sound waves, words have a frequency. Due to this, they can affect the frequency of our brain waves. The repetition of certain words or phrases can induce particular brain waves and cause shifts in both heartbeat and respiration. In his popular book Healing Mantras; Using Sound Affirmations for Personal Power, Creativity, and Healing, Thomas Ashely-Farrand explains that different words and sounds cause various shifts in brain wave activity. “Gradually, the vibration of the mantra begins to override all of the lesser vibrations.” The cerebral cortex can become charged or positively stimulated by certain types and frequencies of sound.

Sound healing using tones, mantras, affirmations and chanting all have similar effects. The combined effect of sound vibrations during such activities can be observed in the brain with an EEG (electroencephalograph). During these types of activities, there is an increase in alpha activity within the brain, which is associated with relaxation, expanded awareness and creativity.

Soothing syllables
In the article, “Language of Healing” published in Massage & Bodywork magazine, Patricia Cramer, who is the founder of vibrational healing massage therapy, talks about the healing power of words.  According to Cramer, “a person feels and responds to every word that is said, heard or thought, even when talking to their selves.”  This is based on neuro-linguistic theory, which posits that our nerves actually respond to the words we think, say and hear.

On a very simple level, Cramer talks of using words deliberately so that when we speak, we cause healing and change to occur. This involves using language in a manner that sets the process of healing in motion, rather than using language in a manner that reinforces a problem.

Cramer says an example of healthy speaking is saying “I’m glad that you are feeling well again,” rather than “I’m sorry that you were ill”.  Such a phrase uses language that places the focus on the desired new condition and refers to the malady or problem in the past tense. This allows the brain to retain the reference to the desired activity as the most recent and vivid.

When we examine words as instruments of power and ourselves as fluid, ever-changing beings, rather than solid, permanent masses, we open up a whole new world of possibilities. Instead of the reactionary state that so often defines our existence, we are able to be the master and creator of the circumstances and conditions we desire. We all possess innate and amazing power, and words are simple yet extremely important tools we can use to actualize this potential. When we speak deliberately and with intention, we wield this power well.

The late Yogananda, a great teacher from East India, said, “Words saturated with sincerity, conviction, faith, and intuition are like highly explosive vibration bombs, which when set off, shatter the rocks of difficulties and create the change desired.”

As we tune into our breath, body and mind through practice, we become more sensitive to, and aware of, how words affect us. When we understand how our brain responds to the words we say, we can better comprehend their ability to sway our emotions, thoughts, perspectives and behavior.

Words shape our reality. They are tools for expression and creation. As vibrations, words set things in motion, start a certain course.  By taking this awareness with us into our daily lives, we can be a positive force, both in our own lives and in the lives of others; we can use words to heal rather than harm.

Leigh Donovan is a freelance writer and intuitive based out of Savannah, Georgia who enjoys writing on topics including Spirituality, Metaphysics and Health & Wellness.  Leigh welcomes comments and feedback and is happy to help others as they journey along their spiritual path.  Contact her at lsdonovan1@aol.com.  This article was originally published in Body & Brain Magazine in 2005 and cannot be used in any manner without permission from the author.

By Kathy “Kat” Albrecht

There is a science to finding lost people. Professional trained searchers don’t wander aimlessly in the woods when searching for a missing hiker. Instead, an organized search plan is implemented based on the knowledge of the behavioral patterns of lost people. For example, backpackers behave differently when lost and travel different distances than do hunters, berry pickers, and Alzheimer’s patients. And because search-and-rescue mangers are so familiar with these patterns of behavior, they can accurately predict where a lost person will be found. Backpackers are typically found on or near an established trail, hunters are typically found deep in the woods, and Alzheimer’s patients are typically found within a ¼ mile radius of where they became lost.

So what do we know about the behavioral patterns of lost pets? Thanks to Missing Pet Partnership, a grassroots nonprofit organization, we know that the three most common lost pet recovery tips that we give (place a classified Ad in the paper, post flyers in your neighborhood, and visit the local animal shelter every day) are not always the best pieces of advice! That’s because dogs are much different than cats. The methods that should be used to search for a lost dog, an outdoor-access cat that has vanished from its territory, and an indoor-only cat that has escaped outside are all entirely different methods. Dogs travel and are picked up by rescuers who determine their fate, the disappearance of an outdoor-access cat means that something has happened to interrupt that cat’s behavior of coming home, and indoor-only cats that escape outdoors hide in silence near their escape point. And it is not only the behaviors of lost dogs and cats that have been overlooked – the behaviors of the people who lose their pets and the behaviors of the people who find those lost pets impact the chances that a lost pet will be returned home.

Understanding these human and animal behaviors will increase the likelihood that lost pets will be found. Here is what we know so far:

LOST CAT BEHAVIOR
Outdoor-Access Cats:

Cats are territorial. When an outdoor-access cat suddenly vanishes, it means that something has happened to that cat to interrupt its normal behavior of returning home. The disappearance could mean that the cat is injured, trapped, or deceased within its territory. It could also mean that the cat was transported out of the area—either intentionally (by an irate neighbor who trapped the cat) or unintentionally (by the cat climbing into an opened parked van). It could also mean that the cat was displaced into unfamiliar territory—something as simple as being chased by a dog causing the cat to hide under a deck a block from home. When this happens, the temperament of the cat will influence how it behaves. When displaced into unfamiliar territory, some cats will be so panicked and afraid they will remain in the same hiding place for weeks and they will never return home while others will break cover within hours and return home. The investigative question to solve when an outdoor-access cat disappears is: WHAT HAPPENED TO THE CAT?

In-door-Only Cats:

The territory for an indoor-only cat is the inside of the home where it lives. When an indoor-only cat escapes outdoors, it is “displaced” into unfamiliar territory. Usually they will look for the first place that will offer concealment and protection. Their instinctive response is to HIDE IN SILENCE because that is their primary protection from predators. How long they remain in that hiding place and what they do from there is dependant upon their temperament. Using baited humane traps as a recovery tool is a highly effective method for recovering displaced, panicked cats that are hiding. The investigative question to solve when an indoor-only cat escapes outdoors is: WHERE IS THE CAT HIDING?

Temperaments That Influence Distances Traveled:

Temperament influences actions. How a cat behaves when in its normal territory will influence how it behaves when it becomes “lost” or displaced into unfamiliar territory. Encourage cat owners to develop a search strategy based on the specific behavior of their cat. Here are guidelines to use:

CURIOUS/CLOWN CAT – These are gregarious cats that get into trouble easily, run to the door to greet a stranger, and are not easily afraid of anything. When displaced, these cats might initially hide but then they will most likely TRAVEL. Strategy for recovery should be to place florescent posters within at least a five block radius. Also, interview neighbors in a door-to-door search, thoroughly searching possible hiding places in yards of houses and other areas within a close proximity to the escape point. Do not assume that the cat will come when you call!

CARE-LESS CAT – These aloof cats don’t seem to care much about people. When a stranger comes in, they stand back and watch. When displaced they will likely initially hide, but eventually they will break cover and come back to the door, meow, or possibly travel. Strategy should be to search hiding places nearby, interview neighbors door-to-door and search their yards. If these efforts do not produce results, consider setting a baited humane trap.

CAUTIOUS CAT – These cats are generally stable but they show occasional shyness. They like people but when a stranger comes to the door, they dart and hide. Some of these cats peek around the corner and eventually come out to investigate. When displaced, they will likely immediately hide in fear. If not pushed (scared off) from their hiding place, they will typically return to the point where they escaped from or they will meow when the owner comes to look for them. This behavior typically is observed either within the first two days (after the cat has built up confidence) or not until seven to ten days later when their hunger or thirst has reached a point where they will respond. Strategy would be to conduct a tightly focused search in neighbors’ yards and to set baited humane traps.

CATATONIC/XENOPHOBIC CAT – Xenophobia means “fear or hatred of things strange or foreign.” Xenophobic cats are afraid of EVERYTHING that is new or unfamiliar. Their fearful behavior is hardwired into their character; it is caused by genetics and/or kittenhood experiences (nature or nurture). These cats will hide when a stranger comes into their home, and they typically will not come out until well after the company has left. They do not do well with human contact (being held, petted, etc.) and they are easily disturbed by any change in their environment. When displaced, they bolt and then HIDE IN SILENCE. They tend to remain in the same hiding place and become almost catatonic, immobilized with fear. If they are found by someone other than their owners, they are typically mistaken as being untamed or “feral.” The primary strategy to recover these cats would be to set baited humane traps. Xenophobic cats that become “lost” are routinely absorbed into the feral cat population.

LOST DOG BEHAVIOR

Dogs are much more difficult to recover than lost cats because they travel farther and they are picked up by rescuers who determine their fate. There are six major factors that influence the distances that lost dogs travel: Temperament, Circumstances, Weather, Terrain, Appearance, and Population Density.

Temperament of the Dog

How a dog behaves towards strangers influences how far it will travel (when lost) before someone intervenes and rescues it. There are three primary behavioral categories that lost dogs are classified into: Gregarious Dogs, Aloof Dogs, and Xenophobic Dogs.

GREGARIOUS DOGS: Wiggly-butt, friendly dogs are more inclined to go directly up to the first person who calls them. Depending on the terrain and population density where the dog was lost, these dogs will generally be found fairly close to home or will be picked up by someone close to the escape point. Gregarious dogs are often “adopted” by individuals (not shelter or rescue workers) who find them.

ALOOF DOGS: Dogs with aloof temperaments are wary of strangers and will initially avoid human contact. Eventually, they will be inclined to accept human contact once they have overcome fear issues and become hungry enough. While these dogs can travel a great distance, aloof dogs eventually can be enticed with food and patience, typically by experienced rescuers who know how to approach and capture a wary dog. These dogs are often recovered by rescue group volunteers, and their wariness can be easily misinterpreted as “abused.” In addition, these dogs are often not recovered for weeks or months after their escape, giving them the physical appearance (thinness, injuries, stickers, ticks, etc.) that they are homeless, abused, and unloved.

XENOPHOBIC (FEARFUL) DOGS: Xenophobia means “fear or hatred of things strange or foreign”. Dogs with xenophobic temperaments (due to genetics and/or puppyhood experiences) are more inclined to travel farther and are at a higher risk of being hit by cars. Due to their cowering, fearful behavior, people assume these dogs were “abused”, and even if the dog has ID tags, they will refuse to contact the previous owner. Some of these panic-stricken dogs will even run from their owners! It may be necessary to use other dogs to get close enough to capture them or to use baited dog traps.

Circumstances Surrounding the Disappearance

A dog that digs out from a yard to explore a scent will tend to travel a short distance before it is found—meandering and doubling back as it explores a scent. On the other hand, a dog that bolts in panic due to fireworks or thunder will take off at a blind run and can run for several miles.

Weather

A dog that escapes on a beautiful spring day may travel farther than one that escapes in a snow storm. Extreme weather conditions (snow, hail, rain, sweltering heat) will decrease the distances that lost dogs travel.

A dog that escapes in a residential area will not travel as far as a dog that escapes in a mountainous area. Fences that create barriers will influence a dog’s travel since a dog will tend to take the “path of least resistance” when traveling. Cactus, heavy brush, and steep cliffs can be barriers that influence whether or dog continues on a path or changes directions.

Appearance of the Dog

What a dog looks like can influence how quickly it will be picked up by a rescuer. In general, most people are less inclined to pull over and attempt to grab a loose Pit bull they perceive as being “aggressive” than they would a “friendly” wiggly Labrador Retriever. Also, size matters: people are more inclined to pick up small dogs - they look vulnerable and are easier to transport and house than large dogs. In addition, people are more likely to attempt to rescue a purebred dog that they perceive to have value than a mixed breed dog. When average motorists see a mixed breed dog trotting down the sidewalk, their impression is often that the dog belongs in the neighborhood or that it is a homeless stray. But when those same people see a Boston Terrier, they are inclined to believe that, because it is a “valuable purebred dog”, it must be a lost pet.

Population Density

A dog that escapes in Manhattan will travel a shorter distance than will a dog that escapes in the Rocky Mountains or in rural farmland. When dogs escape into areas with a high number of people, their chances of being found close to the escape point are increased. But in areas with an extremely low number of people, they tend to travel further and their chances of being found close to the escape point are decreased. A dog that escapes in the middle of the night will travel farther before being seen than a dog that escapes during rush hour traffic.

HUMAN BEHAVIORS

Guardian Behaviors

Guardians often behave in ways that actually inhibit their chances of recovering their lost pets. Some develop a “wait and see” approach (believing their pet will return home like Lassie) and by the time they start actively looking, the vital first few hours to locate their pet (or witnesses who saw the pet) are gone. Others develop “tunnel vision” and fail to find their dog or cat because they focus on wrong theories. They assume their dog was “stolen and sold to research” when in fact their dog might have been rescued and put up for adoption through a local adoption event. They experience “grief avoidance” and quickly give up their search effort because they really believe they will never see their cat again. They feel helpless and alone, often discouraged by others who rebuke them and tell them “it was just a dog” and “you’ll never find your cat.” In addition, the level of human animal bond (HAB) will influence the recovery efforts of a lost pet. People with a strong HAB will go to extremes to find their lost pet. They will accomplish the “impossible” task of visiting all shelters, posting flyers, and contacting rescue groups while maintaining a full-time job and other family commitments.

One of the primary reasons why so many lost cats are never found is that cat guardians focus their entire search efforts by posting lost cat flyers and by searching the cages at the local shelter. Although these techniques are important and should not be overlooked, the primary technique to recover a missing cat should be to obtain permission from all neighbors to enter their yards and conduct an aggressive, physical search for the missing cat (and to set baited humane traps there when necessary). Simply asking a neighbor to “look” for the lost cat is not sufficient! Neighbors are not going to crawl around on their bellies under their decks or houses to search for someone else’s lost cat! It is up to the guardians to do this! In addition, the failure to microchip and place a collar with an ID tag are a major contributing factor to lost dogs and cats never finding their way back home. Indoor-only cats and dogs that seldom go places are all at risk of escaping when a burglar breaks into a home or when a natural disaster strikes. The amount of dogs and cats that were displaced from their homes and unidentifiable during Hurricane Katrina is staggering. Thousands of these animals were transported to animal shelters and sanctuaries all across the country, making a reunion with the family who might be searching for them nearly impossible. Losing a pet is like cancer – most people don’t give it much thought and most never believe it will happen to them. If you haven’t done so already, make sure all of your animals have collars, ID tags, and microchips.

Rescuer Behaviors

The behaviors of people who find stray dogs differ from the behaviors of people who find lost cats. People who find stray dogs with skittish temperaments often misinterpret the dog’s behavior. They assume that the cowering, fearful dog was “abused” when in fact the dog has a xenophobic temperament and has been shy and fearful since it was a puppy, due to genetics and puppyhood experiences. For this reason, it is recommended that dogs with xenophobic temperaments should wear an additional tag on their collar that says, “I’M AFRAID, NOT ABUSED!” Dogs found in rural areas are often assumed to be “dumped” and homeless; many rescuers never think this could be a dog that was lost. Some people who find a stray dog that does not have a collar automatically assume it is “homeless” and therefore they immediately work to place the dog rather than attempt to find the dog’s owner. In addition, the first place where the owner of a lost dog will search for their dog – the local shelter – is typically the last place that someone who finds a loose dog will take it (due to the fear of euthanasia)!

When people find stray cats, they also misinterpret behaviors. When rescuers observe a cat with a xenophobic temperament they assume, based on the cowering and skittish behavior, that the cat is an untamed “feral.” For this reason, it is recommended that cats with xenophobic temperaments should wear an additional tag on their break-away collars that says, “I’M FEARFUL, NOT FERAL!” While it is true that feral, untamed cats that are unaccustomed to human contact will hiss, spit, twirl, lunge, and urinate when humanely trapped, this “wild animal” behavior is also common in cats who have xenophobic temperaments! We know this because we have talked to owners of lost xenophobic cats that had to be humanely trapped in order to be recovered; the owners verified that their cats exhibited wild behavior while in the humane trap. These behaviors are a reflection of a fearful TEMPERAMENT, not a lack of TAMENESS. Shelter and TNR workers should scan all “feral” cats for microchips and conduct research (check Classifieds, lost cat reports, etc.) to determine if the new “feral” is actually someone’s xenophobic pet cat that escaped outdoors, perhaps several weeks or months before it was found.

A Final Word

Missing Pet Partnership’s web site (www.lostapet.org) lists lost pet recovery tips based on the analysis of lost pet behavior. With the knowledge of these human and animal behaviors and new suggested methods on how to recover a lost pet, we can better guide guardians and increase the probability that they will bring the lost animal that they love back home.

Copyright Kathy “Kat” Albrecht

Kathy “Kat” Albrecht is a former police detective-turned-pet detective and author of “THE LOST PET CHRONICLES: ADVENTURES OF A K-9 COP TURNED PET DETECTIVE.” Kat is the founder of Missing Pet Partnership (http://www.losapet.org) a national nonprofit organization working to conduct research into the behavioral patterns of lost pets while providing seminars and educational materials for shelter workers and volunteers. Kat is also the CEO of Pet Hunters International (http://www.pethunters.com ) the first-ever pet detective academy that trains and certifies technicians and search dogs to track lost pets.

An urgent call came from Kate, her cat Strawberry, a short haired orange tabby, was attacked by a dog. Strawberry’s broken back resulted in being paralyzed and oxygen dependent. When our communication started Strawberry had her own agenda. This cat of loving character was about to give her person some wise advise. She not only loved her person but loved and lived her own life fully. Strawberry profoundly stated she wanted Kate to forgive the dog. She reminded Kate of the many small animals she had attacked and not only wounded but killed. The instincts of animals, the cycle of life, is respected. Strawberry had a loving, caring home for warmth and food as well as enjoyed outside adventures in the wooded land she explored. In the book Do Less, Achieve More by Chin-ning Chu it is written: “Only in living well can one learn how to die.” However, in order to live well, one must conquer the fear of living, which is rooted in the fear of death. As an animal communicator, I help people understand the animals experience leaving their bodies, why the animals passing is in divine order, purpose of the animal and persons time together, helping people let go of their companion, and support closure. Animals bring personal growth to our lives. At times the experiences with our animals may not seem pleasant, yet these experiences should be honored.

Below is an excellent example of living well and dying well.

I was thinking about what you said about how I am with Bailey Sue’s passing. Although I am sad, I truly feel peaceful. In order for me to have peace whether an  animal or person I love passes, I must be clear on a few things. One is that this passage/transition is theirs and to let this manifest in the way it needs to be for  them. It is completely their journey and I am just a witness to this. Another is to have done or said what I needed to do so there are no regrets. And in Bailey Sue’s case to tend her in the best way I knew how. For me living this last piece, which included dying, can be done in the same way that you have always lived with that being. For us that included lots of fun, laughter, tears, friends, kisses, and love. Being with someone up to the very last breath can be just as sweet and lovely as being with them in health.

Noreen