Issue of the Week

March 2 - March 8

Animal Care pt. 3

Aggression, Jealousy and Competitiveness

Just as we humans have to learn to get along, so do our pets. Remember that dogs evolved from wolves and our sweet little kitties evolved from large predatory cats like saber-toothed tigers.

Not only are they highly territorial hunters, they were natural enemies in the past, both after the same food sources. Today, dogs and cats may compete for their master's attention, a place on the couch or even for food. Competition my occur between animals of the same species. Remember, animals are naturally territorial.

I look at pictures of groups of cats lying in a heap on other peoples' blogs and I wonder how that happens. I have had cats all my life and I have never had cats sleep together unless they were mother and kittens or sometimes litter mates.

So here are some essences for the jealous, competitive and aggressive pets.

Cosmos - To encourage inter species communication; helpful where different animals are gathered; useful when training animals or establishing psychic bonds in one-on-one relationships; indicated for both animal and caretaker.

Holly - Jealous pets, especially when jealousy involves another pet vying for the attention of the caretaker.

Quaking Grass - Helping animals living together in a group or herd to adjust; especially important when a new animal has been introduced.

Snapdragon - For animals who bite; especially indicated for aggressive tendencies in horses such as biting and sucking.

Tiger Lily - For hostile or aggressive cats or dogs.

Vine - For animals which dominate younger or weaker animals.

Yes, you can use essences on horses. They respond well to them. Besides putting them in the mouth or in drinking water, you can put them in a spray bottle or in bath water. There are numerous ways to administer them.

Issue of the Week - Feb 23 - March 1, 2009

Animal Care Pt.2

Attachment

Our pets become part of our family. For those who are single, with no children, they may be the only family. Animals form attachments to places and people. How did homing pigeons acquire their name if that were not true? Migrating animals have a circuit they make, always returning to the same place at the same time of year.

Just as we become attached to our lifestyle and where we live, so do our pets. Dogs and cats are especially affected by changes of domicile, because they establish their own habits related to their environment. Moving is hard on pets. Sometimes pets leave the new home trying to return to the old home and we wonder if they love us, or the neighborhood.

On the other hand, over-attachment to human owners can be a problem too. Sometimes, we just have to leave them for a few hours or days. Dogs can cry and whine all day while the master is off at work. This can drive the neighbors crazy. Our pets need to feel happy and safe when we are not there.

So the essences for this week are related to emotional attachment in our pets.

Bleeding Heart - Breaking undue emotional attachment to the caretaker, such as whining cats or moping dogs waiting for the owner to return.

Chicory - Especially indicated for younger animals such as whining puppies or kittens, also indicated when illness may be psychosomatic or to get attention.

Dill - Overwhelm or confusion such as during travel or upset of schedule.

Mariposa Lily - Assisting mother-infant bonding, especially if the animal is being introduced to a surrogate mother; also good for young animals in a new home.

Walnut - Before and after a major move; to help break links to old places of residence; also good for animals giving birth.

This information all comes from the Flower Essence Repertory by Patricia Kaminski and Richard Katz. All the essences are available through the Flower Essence Society.