THE HEART BOND
There’s an Indian myth. When the world was created and all the
people and animals were present, suddenly there was an
earthquake. It started to rend the world in half, splitting the
people from the animals. Just before the split became too great
to navigate, the dog jumped over to be with man.
We feel intuitively that we have a special bond with dogs, cats
and other mammals. There’s a scientific basis for this as well,
and it’s called a “limbic connection.” Read more about this in
“A General Theory of Love,” by Amini et al -
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0375709223/susandunnmome-2
0 ).
HOW THIS WORKS
Our brain is really three brains: the reptilian brain, the
limbic brain, and the neocortex. Automatic instinctive processes
are controlled by the reptilian brain, also known as the brain
stem, such as breathing, and heart beat. We think, as only
human’s can, with our neocortex.
The limbic brain is the seat of our emotions and we share this
with mammals. We share a limbic connection with them – we send
emotional signals back and forth. We need this connection to
thrive.
Our intuition that life is better with a dog or cat, ferret or
rabbit in the house is backed by scientific study after
scientific study. People heal more quickly from heart attacks if
there is a dog in the home, moreso than if there’s another human
in the home. Being with a pet lowers our blood pressure, and
pets are egalitarian: The mere presence of a dog will lower the
blood pressure of an ailing senior, a healthy college student,
or a child reading a book alone in a room.
THE HEALING CONNECTION
We’re recognizing this bond and its mutual healing power through
the growing fields of Animal-assisted Therapy, and Animal
Communicators.
The Pacific Animal Therapy Society (
http://www.island.net/~patspets/ ) offers an active animal
therapy program, bringing pets to hospitals, retirement homes
and other facilities where residents benefit from interaction
with animal companions.
http://www.dog-play.com herapy.html also offers animal assisted
therapy. An animal visit offers entertainment, distraction from
pains and infirmity, and comfort.
“People often talk to dogs, and share with them their thoughts
and feelings and memories,” they say. A visiting animal
companion provides something to look forward to, and makes
conversation easier between two strangers, giving a common
interest and a focus for conversation.
The Pet Therapy Society of Northern Alberta offers the “PAWS in
the Classroom” program, an animal-facilitated learning
experience for special junior high students, where students
learn about human and animal relationships, including intra and
inter-species attachments and bonding, the benefits and
responsibilities of involvement with pets, and behavior
development principals.
THE HEART-TO-HEART CONNECTION: ANIMAL COMMUNICATORS
Mammals are equipped to communicate with us, though the means
are non-verbal. How does this work?
We communicate with each other all the time by intuitive and
nonverbal means. We sense how someone else is feeling, or ‘know’
our boss is sick, or detect a sad tone beneath the cheerful
words of our spouse, or get a chill down our spine when someone
enters the room. Extending this more intentionally to our animal
companions can be joyful and healing for all concerned, and this
is what Animal Communicators do. This growing field helps pet
owners make a stronger connection with their animal companions.
Valentine’s day is a celebration of love, and who gives us the
most steady and unconditional love in our lives?
Here are some suggestions if you want to celebrate your love for
your animal companion. Great ideas to give to the animal-lovers
on your list, too. Remember the old saying, “Love me love my
dog”?
GIFT SUGGESTIONS FOR VALENTINE’S DAY
1.Gift your special someone with a deeper connection with their
beloved animal companion. Animal communicators such as Georgina
Cyr, http://www.geocities.com/healing_all/, and Jacquelin Smith,
http://www.jacquelinsmith.com , offer consultations in pet
communication and healing. 2.How about a great heart-shaped dog
or cat bed? http://www.petsmart.com/products/product_22205.shtml
3.This gifts packs a double wollop. – a Valentine toile and
chenille dog bed by Companion Road. A portion from the sale of
all Companion Road items is donated to charities to assist local
animal shelters. Go here:
http://www.petsmart.com/products/product_33522.shtml 4.How about
a sharp red doggy or ferret t-shirt with Xs and Os all over it?
http://www.petsmart.com/products/product_33769.shtml 5.PetCo
offers a whole Valentine’s store for pets – heart-shaped catnip,
bone buddies and more!
http://www.petco.com/ProductListing_SpecialtyStores.asp?webt=0&ta
b=8&c1=4461&ct1=Valentine+Store&Dept_ID=4461&cmLink_ID=hppb000401
0703 6.Give them a gift membership to the Divine Prayer Line for
Animals. http://www.jacquelinsmith.com/prayer.html. 7.All
Natural Dogs http://www.allnaturaldogs.com/ offers vitamins,
supplements, holistic products, homeopathic remedies, and
natural food for dogs. 8.Need something for a ferret or rabbit?
Try here: http://www.ferretstore.com/ 9.Try the high-flying
Crackler Moth for the cat-lover,
http://www.bluepet.co.uk/shopexd.asp?id=83, from Blue Pet Co.,
UK. 10.Get a carrier pet-pocket for their small cat, dog, ferret
or rabbit here: http://store.yahoo.com/pet-gifts/carpetpoc2.html
11.Love Bites! http://www.petcelebrations.com/ipage/31020.htm
Heart-shaped doggy biscuits. 12.Valentine’s scarves for dogs or
cats: http://www.pet-bandanas.com/valentines-bandanas.htm
13.Bake some homemade dog biscuits. Recipes here:
http://www.gurney.co.uk/pads/bone.htm 14.Canine Sweet Hearts™
available here – red-colored, heart-shaped corn and wheat-free
vanilla or Carob flavored treats.
http://www.pet-treats-online.com/index.cfm?&User_ID=71254&St=1189
&St2=-69205122&St3=70971565&DS_ID=2?&DID=6&User_ID=71254&st=1189&
st2=-69205122&st3=70971565&page=detail&ObjectGroup_Id=3&Product_I
d=158 15.Make a donation to the Humane Society in the name of
your loved-one or their animal companion or yours:
http://www.hsus.org/ace/15982
This Valentine’s Day, extend your concept of love! We need all
we can get.
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