Georgia is a 2 yr. old spayed female blond Shepherd mix, 59 lbs. She is great with dogs and very shy with people. Her first owner was a dog hoarder. There were over a hundred dogs at her home. Georgia is now awaiting a person and home at DAWG in Santa Barbara. Their website is http://www.sbdawg.net. They are located at 5480 Overpass Rd. 
Santa Barbara, CA 93111. Please take a trip and go and meet her.

Here is an interview that I have done with Georgia. She is a very special dog. She is smart, attentive, and comes to people for safety. If you decide to give Georgia a try she comes with a free dog training/pet psychic session. She needs someone who is patient and is willing to give her time to settle in.

Laura, pet psychic: Can you tell me a little bit about where you came from?

Georgia: There were a lot of dogs. They would die often and we never knew when it was our time to die. We knew that death started with a terrible pain in the stomach. Sometimes a dog would think it was dying and then it would have babies.

L: How did you handle living with so many dogs?

G: All the mean dogs slept in the middle of the day so that was the best time to play. At night and in the early morning I had a really good place to hide. When they would feed us. A man would fling an open big bag of kibble over his head. I would wait until the kibble slid under a chair and in a corner. I would eat there.

L: How do you feel about people now?

G: I love people. Though I am really scared they are going to pull me close and hurt me. I know that some people would never do that. I love to be stroked. It makes me feel like I am safe. I liked to be scratched behind my ears. I love it when people tell me I am good. I want to learn more, but I am scared. I always had to learn myself. It would be nice if a person could teach me something. I also want to learn to play with a ball. I would love a person who doesn’t get upset if I get scared. I think they need patience. Oh and I don’t want them to get scared of me because I am scared. It is funny how that happens.

L: Anything else you want to say?

G: Sometimes other dogs bark and I do not agree with it. Sometimes they bark to be mean and that is inappropriate. It is time for me to leave the shelter. It is not that I don’t like it here. I just don’t feel like I belong here anymore. I can feel there is a very special person that will love me and understand me. If you tell people about me, tell them I want to change and be brave. Tell them I know that having the desire to be a companion is important. I am ready to have a home.

For years one of my client/friend’s cat, Chester, was begging me to have his mom (person) get him another cat in the house. Every time I saw him, he would remind me to mention it to his mom. Chester’s person was not ready to take on the care and expense of another cat and kept telling Chester, “maybe in the future”. At the same time another friend of mine had a beautiful cat, Addy, that was well taken care for, but had to be an outside cat because my friend is extremely allergic. Addy is very affectionate and wants to cuddle. One day my friend asked if I could help find Addy a better home where she could be touched/handled more. I talked to Addy and posted her here on my website. Chester’s person saw her and to my surprise wanted to meet her. She and Chester welcomed Addy into their home. It has been quite some time now that they have all lived together. My friend recently sent me quotes from Chester and Addy that they told her through me. I think they are great narrative of the thoughts of feelings of animals when there home environment changes and a new animal is welcomed into the family.

This is Addy and Chester. Chester is the orange and white cat and Addy is the calico.

Here are notes from their new person on what they have to said to me:

When Addy first was adopted into Chester's family, Laura asked him what he thought of her: "She's more beautiful than the stars in the sky."

When Addy first came and Chester seemed upset and Laura asked him why:
"Now mom thinks about her as much as she thinks about me!"

Addy, a few months after she came and apparently wasn't sure she was in a permanent home: "Can this be my forever home? Because I really really like it here."


Addy was told that she shouldn't walk on computer keyboards (something she does a lot). She told Laura: "Well [previous owner] used to let me!"
Laura reminded her that wasn't true (Addy used to be an outdoor cat and wasn't around keyboards. Though both her previous people worked at home and on the computer all day. She would watch them from the window).

In another conversation, Addy told Laura:
"You've been my friend for a long time. You promised me a long time ago that you'd find me a new home and that I'd be really happy. And you did, so I'll believe anything you tell me."

For a few months Addy wouldn’t nap in certain spots. She said:
"Chester won't let me!" (Chester's owner informed her that she can nap wherever she wants.)

Addy also told Laura:
"He tells me I'm too affectionate with mom. He says I shouldn't show so much affection." (She has ignored that advice.)

When Chester and Addy had gotten used to each other, Laura asked if he would mind if Addy curled up with him, because she seemed as if she'd like to do that. He said:
"She knows I'd let her do that if she wants to."

He also said this about six months after Addy came:
"I used to get lonesome during the day when mom was gone. But I don't feel that way anymore."

When the two cats had gotten used to each other, Addy told Laura:
"Now I know Chester loves me!"

These are notes from Taisha's person from a 15min consultation we had at Noah's Apothecary: I remember you sharing with me was that Taisha felt good, her head is much clearer....she doesn't want her teeth cleaned...she likes her new vet....she loves all the kisses from her mom and something about liking Gus,he's smart but jealous of her...You know, Gus my friend tammy's dog...the golden retriever that came down with us...oh and she has more fun with the Goldens now because they are happier - that would be Goldie and Cody who she stays with when I'm out of town.

"There is this girl that has a crush on my dad (person), but he doesn't like her. He only loves me."

My grandmother has been very sick. Because the family has been busy taking care, Rosey has not been on her normal walk schedule. She says, "This is the first time, I haven't wanted to read people's minds. Every time I do I also get worried. I told Chewy about it

and he said, 'Then don't read their minds. Lets go outside and walk ourselves.'... So we did."

CHEWY

This is Erin, my grandparents' dog. When my grandmother was in the hospital she said, "Will you tell Grandma she is my best friend even before Darby (her Yorki sister)? Tell Grandma to sleep well so she can come home."

In an hour training session, Oliver began to learn stay, wait, and off. At the end of the session I asked him if he understood and he said, "Those are not the only things I learned. I learned to watch my mom more and if I do I can understand her like I understand you. I have just never listened to her for so long before. I am tired."

"Do your dogs chase squirrels? Because I saw my friend get chased and killed by a dog. I am going to stay up here. Can you tell all dogs not to chase squirrels?"

There is a dog training show on Animal Planet called “Its Me or the Dog”. It features dog trainer Victoria Stilwell. I urge all of you with problem dogs to watch her show. I want to share with you why I love Victoria’s show. Victoria Stilwell’s method coincides with the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) humane guidelines. She, at the present moment, is the only dog trainer on TV that would be classified as using humane methods.
What humane dog trainers love about Victoria Stilwell is that she urges owners to put in time training their own dogs and exhibits in her show just how long it can take. In an episode you will see several weeks of training. What she doesn’t do is edit the show so that it looks like the problem is corrected in one session. She uses positive methods and positive reinforcement. She acknowledges that what works for one dog may not work for another. In some shows you will see her using the clicker method. The clicker is a device used to mark an appropriate behavior that tells the dog, “Good I like that. A treat or praise is on its way.” On other shows you will see her using the lure method. She teaches in her show how important praise is. She also teaches that it is important to touch your dog to calm them down. She teaches dogs boundaries by using a stays. A humane trainer builds up the confidence of the dog, by teaching dog and owner what is appropriate behavior. An old school dog trainer corrects inappropriate behavior and does not use praise. This teaches the dog to behave or they will be abused. Old school methods can be dangerous, because it can repress the behavior. Usually, the behavior erupts again resulting in serious damage to another dog or human. This can takes months or years. I call these dogs “Ticking Time Bombs” Owners usually say, “My dog was fine. This behavior was unpredictable”. That is because the owner never learned how to recognize what is the body language of a confident dog and that of a stressed dog. If you watch Victoria’s show you will see that the dogs are learning rather than “obeying”. Watch their faces. Their mouths are open and their heads held high. Their eyes are bright. These are signs of a stress free, relaxed, happy dog. Stressed and frightened dogs hang their head low, have their mouths shut and their eyes look dimmed and afraid.
Victoria is no-nonsense. If she feels like a client has created an unhealthy dog she will tell them. If she feels like a home is not right for a dog she will be honest. If you watch her show you will learn how to build confidence and how to recognize different behaviors and where they stem from. It is important to understand our dogs, teach them appropriate behavior and praise them for doing it right. Victoria Stilwell is the only trainer on TV that trains with respect and love for the dogs. I urge you to watch her show. You will see the methods that have been popular amongst humane dog trainers for the past twenty years. Victoria Stilwell is honest and trains with integrity. Her show is not just made for entertainment and ratings it is also developed to educate. You can find her on the Animal Planet channel and website or at her personal website www.victoriastilwell.com

"I don't like the vacuum because it makes a thunderous noise in my head." When I told him that vacuum picks up dirt. He replied, "Is that why the bags that come out of it smell so bad?"

BEAN THE BUNNY IS SHREDDING THE BOOK "AUTHENTIC STORIES OF INTELLIGENCE IN ANIMALS" She says, "Bunnies eating paper has nothing to do with intelligence. I was chewing it because I was bored."

Recently, I have been asked if animals dream. Of course they do. Many people have witnessed their dogs moving their legs and woofing as they are sleeping. When my dogs awake from one of those running dreams I ask them what they were dreaming about.

Maia, my wolf-hybrid, is almost always chasing deer through the deep woods of New York passing ponds and jumping over stonewalls.

Storm, my Aussie, is either chasing a ball or Frisbee or doing an agility course where he “has to think a lot”.

When Maia was sick with cancer every morning she would tell me that in her dreams she would play with old dog friends who have since died. I thought for sure it was a sign she was going to pass over. Maia recovered and still has those dreams, but not as often.

One morning, I asked Stormy if he had a good night. He told me he had a dream that birds were flying all around his head. He said that at first he was scared and then he noticed all the birds were pretty so he then just thought it was strange. I think this dream had something to do with the new birdfeeders that I recently put in the yard.


Joey, my oldest cat, told me this morning that the best dream he ever had was that he was lying in a field of lush organic catnip. He said the soil and the plants smelled beautiful and the catnip tasted perfect. He also said that sometimes he dreams of old people we knew and old places we used to live. For six years, I had a boyfriend who was an avid organic gardener. He chose Joey at the adoption agency. He loved the cats, soil and plants. For years every spring, summer and fall Joey had a mini field of catnip of different varieties. I feel a little guilty I don’t have the talent of a great gardener.

The other day, I spoke to a client’s dog that has been waking up at 2:00am every morning. She pants, scratches at her people, whines and paces. When I asked Lady what was going on she told me. “I keep having this nightmare that my mom (person) is hurt and that the ocean fog is rolling into the house, but it is not white like fog it is black.” Lady was terrified of her nightmare. Honestly, I was too of the image she showed me. I think it had something to do with her person moving to NY City and leaving Lady behind with her parents. Lady said “When she went to college she could still hear me, but she can not hear me where she lives now.” Lady’s person went to college in the country where it was easier to know when Lady was thinking about her. It is much harder to sense Lady in NY City where there are so many distractions. Lady said, “The only thing that helps is eating my kibble in broth.” So that is what they do at 2:00am and she settles much faster.

I had to ask, “What do bunnies dream about?” Bean, my bunny, said “Sometimes I dream I have wings and I am flying other times I dream of a big cardboard box filled with my favorite treats that is located in the middle of my pen.” This is does not surprise me.

Serafina, my cat I found in the Upper Ojai woods, added, “Sometimes, I dream about wandering outside under the stars and trees, but you wont let me.” She still doesn’t believe me about nighttime coyote hunting.

Makia, my pure white cat, said, “I often dream of talking to angels. They are teaching me how to send love to everyone who walks by our house. So many people are angry or unhappy. The angels say ‘there should be more beings sending love and peace into the world.’ I have an important job.”

Here are some thoughts from different animals that may help you communicate with your pet more effectively.

Harold (he is 3 years older than photo now): “I hear my mom (person) the best when she kneels down in front of me holds my collar and talks softly. Usually it is followed by a hug and a belly rub.”

Placido (handsome black and white cat): “It helps me when my mom directs her thoughts to the center of me rather than above me. I understand it much better. It is also nice when she slows down and waits to hear my answer.”

Tanner: My mom is perfect at talking to me. Sometimes when she hears me she laughs and doesn’t take my request seriously.”

Stan: “I like it when people pay attention to their breathing and make sure they are breathing really slowly before they begin. If they are breathing or moving fast I may bite them. But this is only to tell them move slow and concentrate on what you are doing.”

Chip (horse on left): “I think the most important thing to do with horses is to visualize what you want. It is much clearer, because then we can match all the things people are doing with their arms and legs with what is in their head. If you are talking about my mom talking to us the most important thing is if she thinks of us when she is in the bath. We love to hear from her when she is far away and that is the only time she is calm enough to send us images. Though we feel her love all day long.”

Seamore (parrot): “I need people to give me a grape first and then they have my attention. Otherwise I do not care to listen.”

Stormy (my Aussie): “When people are frightened or doubting they do not hear me as well. When I talk to a person I try and send it to them in a beam to their head and to their heart. People hear me the best when they are in joy. I bring a lot of people joy.