For many people, our pets are like our children. And when we have to be away from them, we often worry. Regardless of how carefully we’ve selected their caretaker, we fret! Even being away for part of a day may cause stress about leaving our pets.
The good news is that there are ways we can help our pets before and during our inevitable absences.
1) Talk with them. Most pets comprehend us at about a 3-year-old level. Keep your concepts simple as you talk. And know that you may need to calmly repeat the communication over a few days or a few weeks for them to fully understand. (By the way, they don’t need to be looking at you to understand what you’re saying.)
Example: While we’re out of town next week, Sarah will feed you, pet you and give you fresh water, just like we do.
2) Show them mental pictures. As we talk, we’re constantly creating mental pictures with our mind’s eye. For instance, if you think of a tree, you probably see an image of a tree in your mind. This is a mental picture and it’s what pets rely on to figure out what’s going on in their lives. Most of them are experts at “reading” these images. So focus on the key images you’d like for them to understand and emphasize these pictures.
Also, it’s helpful to communicate the passage of time when you’ll be away. All animals understand the difference between day and night. I like to use the image of the sun. Or you can refer to a predictable event in their lives, like dinnertime.
Example: Tomorrow morning, I’ll leave the house just after the sun comes up and I’ll be home before it’s your dinnertime.
If you’re going to be leaving in 3 days for a 4-day trip, you could explain it like this.
Example: As you tell them you’ll be leaving in 3 days, show them picture of day and night, like the sun coming up and the sun going down, 3 times with you sleeping in your bed. Then as you tell them you’ll be away for 4 days, show them 4 days of you not sleeping in your bed. You could also show them how well they’ll be taken care or while you’re gone. Finally, and most importantly, show them your return and you sleeping in your bed again for many, many nights.
3) Ground and set the energy. Before you leave your pet, it’s always good to ground your home and set the energy with a color, like light blue, set at peace and calm. It’s also good to ground yourself and your pet while setting your aura field and your pet’s to a calming color as well.
4) Continue to check in while you’re away. However, remember that when you’re worried, they’re more likely to worry as well! So before thinking of them, set aside your guilt for leaving them. It’s not helpful here at all. Breathe, relax and think of one of your favorite activities, like snuggling together or playing.
Then picture your pet relaxed and at peace. Think of connecting with them with all the love you have for them. When you do this, they’ll sense it, even if they’re sleeping. You can also show them the picture of when you’ll be home and how happy you’ll be to see them again.
JoLee Wingerson has been an animal communicator in Boulder for 18 years. She also teaches a 4-month certified Animal Communication and Healing course for those who enjoy it as a hobby and for those who would like to become a professional animal communicator. The next class begins on Friday, Sept. 6th at 10 am. More information on the Animal Healing and Communication Program.