My Apologies For Contact Issues

Hello, animal lovers,

I recently found out that there were problems with my email account, and thus incoming messages may have bounced.  At about the same time, my cell phone died, and it took a while for my new one to arrive and get set up.  I want to apologize to anyone who tried to reach me and got no response, and assure you that I am available for consultations.

I just thought I was having a slow winter season.  It seems that being able to communicate with animals does not help at all in being able to communicate with electronic devices! Again, I'm very sorry.

Best wishes to all of you, and I hope to talk with you and your animal friends soon.

Post-Sandy Update

Hello, animal lovers,

Just a note to say we're all fine after Sandy and have moved house. I am at the same email address and phone number, just a different mailing address.

I have been thinking of and rooting for every person and animal affected by the storm. Here are some links to help:

http://tinyurl.com/b3m4lgw
http://tinyurl.com/avfwsbe 

Also, check with your local wildlife conservation organizations and remember that the Humane Society of the US also helps zoos.

Best wishes and take good care!

Losing A Pet From Heat Stroke: My Story

Today I have a painful personal story to tell, but I am sharing it in hopes that it will help save animals' lives.


Last July, a tragic accident ended the life of our dear cat Quan Yin.  She had her own room in our house because as a former feral, that was how she felt safe.  On a day of very high temperatures, we didn't want her to get too hot, even though the air conditioner unit was a room away.  We positioned fans drawing cool air into her room, provided a giant water bowl with added ice cubes, and I checked on her frequently to make sure she was comfortable.  If it grew too hot in her room, we planned to move her to the main air conditioned room, even though she might be stressed leaving her regular space.

All day I checked on her and everything seemed fine.  In the early evening, my partner called me as asked if I wanted to go out for dinner.  I said yes, but we couldn't stay out for very long, because we had to keep an eye on our animals.  We were out less than an hour.

Gretchen Featured In Article In HuffPo About Separation Anxiety In Dogs

Hello, animal lovers.  I hope you are having a most excellent almost-summer.  So, far my communications requesting mosquitos to stop biting me have had no effect, but since that's pretty much what they do to survive, I didn't expect results.  I guess one price to pay for getting on well with animals is that sometimes the ones that bite are especially attracted to you!

Back on topic, I wanted to let you to know that I have been featured in an article in The Huffington Post called

Separation Anxiety in Dogs: Can You Teach an Old Dog New Tricks?  I enjoyed talking with the author and her anxious dog, Rapunzel, and giving them some tips to help with the anxious barking and urination.  In my experience with anxious animals, it often takes not just communication, but consistency and practice with new training methods and supplements to encourage relaxation and openness.  I'm sending Reiki and best wishes to Rapunzel and her human "mom" for continued improvement.

I hope you enjoy the article, and feel free to comment, share it, or ask me questions about the topic.