Let's Have A Chat!: Recent Episodes
Nicole Birkholzer
Your dog has separation anxiety. Whines, and cries every time you pick up your keys. Your new cat is fighting with your older cat, and one of them is not using the litter box. Your horse is shying at the mounting block when she used to stand like a statue. Living with animals enriches our lives in so many ways, yet when they are confused or unwell, their behaviors become our concern.
The truth is, in order to make themselves known, our animals express themselves through quirky, and sometimes undesired behaviors. When their communications fail to reach us they have to resort to demonstrative behaviors. When our animals “speak” to us we are given a choice: we can dismiss them as silly and goofy or we can choose to stop… and listen. By knowing how to listen to your pet, you will solve problems and be shown a world that is nothing short of miraculous. In this podcast, "Let's have a Chat," you will discover the secret to communicating with animals successfully. If your animal is your soul-mate, then listen in as Nicole Birkholzer, animal communication expert, author, and storyteller provides you with ideas to have a mindful and meaningful chat with your own animal to resolve quirky and undesired behaviors. Connect with Nicole at mindful-connections.com
“There’s only one thing we’re still dealing with,” Remmy's owner mentioned. “He paws terribly when standing in cross-ties.” Immediately, I had a vision of Remmy in the barn aisle, held by cross ties – two ropes attached to the walls, clipped to his halter. I responded, “No wonder he’s upset when stuck in cross-ties for two hours.” At the same time, Remmy’s owner added, “I knew he had been left in cross-ties for hours with the last trainer.” We shared a moment of realization and concern. I spoke, “This horse was made to stand in cross-ties for two hours…” “Yes, after his rides,” she confirmed. I could feel Remmy’s experience in my own body. “Imagine being ridden hard, then stuck in cross-ties while the sweat dries, leaving you itchy and unable to move or reach for water after an intense workout. It’s no surprise he’s distressed.”
Show notes available here:https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/101-left-hanging-out-to-dry
I was doing something mundane, like the dishes, when I felt a proverbial tap on my left shoulder. With it, a horse I knew, Topaz, came into my mind. "What about the rib?" he asked me. Topaz and his person had been on the phone with me a week prior. Topaz was worried about going into the wash stall. When I tuned in to him, he told me, "Slippery, slippery!" Due to an old injury, he was concerned about slipping. During that call, Topaz also pointed out that a rib on his left side was out of alignment. His person, a veterinarian and chiropractor, said she would check and fix it. So, I was surprised to hear from Topaz asking about his rib while I was doing the dishes a week later. I knew his person would have checked it right away, but Topaz insisted, "What about the rib?" So I texted his person: Topaz is nudging me. I wonder if you checked out his left rib cage and if you noticed anything. She answered: Yes, I did and it was ok. I can check him again tomorrow. I answered: He keeps pointing to his left side, and I wonder if anything is stuck there. Just keep an eye on it. The next day, I received a text. Guess who had a rib out, left-hand side #cantmakethishsitup Being genuinely heard means that the one listening is mindful of receiving it. My animal clients don't just reach out to me like that. I have good boundaries around that. I am present with the animal during our phone session. After that, I am present with something or someone else. I am not an open channel. Can you imagine? I would lose my mind if I heard animals coming in left and right. Animals wouldn't do that out of respect. But Topaz knew his person could help, so he was persistent. In that case, I will listen—closely—because listening builds trust.
Show notes available here:https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/100-the-art-of-listening
The dog wanted to show me his favorite place: I saw a lake, nature, and pine trees. The dog expressed how much he loved the scent of pine needles.
The dog's person was not impressed. He said, “I don’t know what the dog was talking about.” Next, the man asked me what his dog's favorite spot in the house was. I saw the dog in the bedroom, covered by something that made the space dark and cozy. Maybe he likes to be under the bed, I wondered. The human said, "Nope." It turned out the dog was happiest under a blanket on the bed. That was close enough for me.
But, more importantly, why did the guy ask? He knew the answer.
"What is my dog's favorite treat?" he asked next. "It's small and dark brown," I answered, "I’d say it looks like a liver treat?" "No," the guy said, "it's a duck treat.
Considering the variety of dog treats available, from cream-colored milk bones to green teeth-cleaning treats, cubes of cheese, and hide-free chew sticks, my description of a small brown treat was spot on. Does the dog know the difference between liver and duck? Was it maybe duck liver? Who the heck cares? And more so, why are we talking about things the man already knew?
This was the first time I offered my money-back guarantee. The guy declined.
There is more ... time to tune in!
Show notes available here:https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/99-it-ain-t-a-parlor-game
Are you breathing with our therapy horses? Breathing? You might think right now. We don't have time for that. The parents will complain if the student is not on horseback within the first five minutes. I get it. Twenty-five years ago, I ran a traditional program: We quickly got the rider on the horse to maximize the time on horseback. I changed the program when I realized that horses were often little more than vehicles for getting the job done. We integrated more bonding time and more opportunities for the riders to get to know the horse by seeing the world through the horse's eyes. They transformed as we added more mindful interactions to our students' lessons. They became not just more compassionate and understanding but advocates for the horses. And our horses? They were not just happier; they were thriving. Their well-being became a testament to the effectiveness of our approach. And our board of directors? They were not just pleased; they were impressed. The vet bills went down, and our safety records soared. Join me to explore the world through your therapy horse's eyes.
Show notes available here:https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/98-through-the-eyes-of-a-therapy-horse
It's important to understand that animals, just like humans, may not necessarily like each other. We don't always get along with every person we meet, even if we share the same workplace, school, or family. This is also true for horses, who are often brought together in small spaces without much choice. Each horse has its own history, experiences, and needs that must be met in a domestic setting. Sometimes, these needs are complex and cannot be easily met. The same can be said for our pets. In this episode, we will explore how to ensure everyone gets along.
Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/97-let-s-all-get-along
As pet owners, we face various challenges and questions about our furry friends. Some of these questions may include when to take our dogs to the vet for diarrhea, what causes watery poop in horses, and how to deal with the bellies of anxious or sensitive animals. We all have seen the headlines on social media: :: Diarrhea can be particularly dangerous for puppies, elderly dogs, and immunocompromised animals. :: Diarrhea can result in the loss of electrolytes and dehydration. With so many questions and uncertainties, it can be overwhelming to know what to do and when to do it. In this episode, I will guide you through a simple approach to finding answers and solutions to these and other animal-related issues.
Show notes available here:https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/96-when-should-i-be-concerned-about-diarrhea
Do you deeply care about your animal and their well-being? Do you constantly check the weather, scour for life-saving supplements, research the perfect blanket, or only plan vacations when the right house sitter is available? I understand where you're coming from. Been there, done it. However, there is another side to this story. We must accept that we are not always in control of other beings' journeys, which can help us find peace and understanding. In this episode, we'll delve into this topic further and explore how to learn to let go and trust the natural course of things.
Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/95-when-we-know-better-we-do-better
How do you facilitate a workplace conflict when the clients are equines? Two herd members, Dutch and Tango, were unhappy about the donkey's presence in their program. They considered him a distraction from their real work. However, Pedro, the donkey, felt he could serve as a greeter, easing people into the program. When I suggested assigning Pedro as a purposeful herd member to greet people and create a bridge into deeper work, neither horse was excited about that option. Listen in to see how to resolve workplace conflict.
Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/94-resolving-workplace-conflict
I wondered why I was so tight. I could feel every muscle in my body pulling in one direction or another. When I walked, my Achilles felt tight; when I sat, my hip flexors felt tight; when I turned my head, my neck felt tight. Was this what it meant to get old? Then I felt Scout's wet nose touching my hand. Scout, our dog, had been lying on the other end of the sofa but had now crept along to engage me in some petting. I reached up to his neck and started to massage it. He licked my arm in response. Then I got sidetracked watching the show, and moments later, Scout nudged me, reminding me that I needed to be more focused. I took a deep breath, grounded myself, became aware of the tension in my body again, and wondered and wandered off in my mind again, thinking I needed to take a muscle relaxer or do some stretches.
I wondered why my body felt so tight. Every muscle was pulling in different directions. Walking made my Achilles feel tight, sitting made my hip flexors tight, and even turning my head made my neck tight. Was this what getting old felt like? Suddenly, I felt something wet on my hand and realized it was Scout's nose. Scout, our dog, had been lying on the other end of the sofa but had now crept over to get some petting. I began to massage his neck, and he responded by licking my arm. However, I soon got distracted and began to watch TV. It wasn't until Scout nudged me that I became aware of my body's tension again. I took a deep breath, I needed to either take a muscle relaxer or do some stretches to alleviate it.
As my mind took off again, Scout nudged me again. This time, I closed my eyes and took three deep breaths. I could feel my mind getting quiet, tuning out the rest of the world. Reaching around Scout's neck to the withers, I suddenly became aware of a word … Vitamins.
Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/animals-curb-our-internal-chatter
See the visual I used as the icon for this podcast episode? Take a look at it. You see a woman taking a walk with her animals. While they are all on the same path, seeing the same things, the woman is distracted by her thoughts instead of being in the moment, experiencing nature and the company of the animals. The woman is physically there but not present.
It is an excellent reminder that you might be standing, sitting, or walking next to your animal in physical proximity; a leash or lead rope might physically connect you, yet you might not be present and in the moment at all.
There is no question that it is hard for humans to stay present for long periods. That's just not how we are designed. Our mind takes up most of our time, but being present and tuned in to our senses and body makes life much richer. The cool part about animals is how often your animal helps you and invites you to be present. Tune in to explore how animals pull us into the now.
Show notes available with all links mentioned here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/92-mind-full-vs-mindful
My pendulum is an extension of me. It is my direct line to the Universal knowledge available to me. By using my pendulum, I can get quick yes and no answers from an animal. Do you want a pet sitter? Yes? No? Stay at the kennel? Yes? No? Are you anxious because of the new puppy? Yes? No? Do you want a flower essence to help your anxiety? Yes? No? See what I mean? Just for all those reasons it is worth learning how to dowse. But let’s not forget that you can also learn how to communicate with your animals to solve problems and challenges when you use the pendulum. Check out my new 1:1 mini intensive: “Your Pendulum Your Path To Animal Communication.” You’ll get my personal attention. Can ask a million questions. And will communicate with your animals in a mindful and meaningful way.
Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/91-your-pendulum-your-path-to-animal-communication
Five days after the dog’s passing, we had a phone call. During the call, the dog helped us understand death and dying in new ways. As we talked about The Tibetan Terrier’s transition out of his body back to full consciousness, we wondered how much it had mattered to him that his people were present during the transition. I will share his answer from my notes during that call. I wrote it down verbatim. “This transition one does on one's own. But it is comforting to know the presence of those who carry pure love for one are present.” Next, I asked the dog, “So, did you transition from life to pure consciousness?” Before I could even get the full sentence out as a thought, the dog interrupted and corrected me. “We are always life. We are just no longer a-live.” Join me for episode #90 to understand more about death, dying, and your one and precious life.
Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/99-a-tibetan-dog-on-death-dying
I don't know about you, but every time one of my animals has to go to the vet. I want to make sure that the experience is a good one. And so, over the years, I have tried to help my animals by preparing them for vet visits, and as you can imagine, I do it by telling them what's about to come now. A recent story sent to me by one of my clients made me realize it is essential to prepare not just our animals but also the veterinarian and the vet techs to ensure the experience is pleasant and beneficial. Let's get into it in episode #89
Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/89-help-your-vet-help-your-animal
A year ago today, my life changed. It was the morning after Christmas. Cup of coffee in hand, I looked out the window and saw our three horses standing by a big round bale in the field. I exhaled because that is what I do when I see everyone standing and content. Something seemed weird, though. My light grey mare Shana had one of her hindlegs cocked, meaning she took all the weight off that leg, and from the knee down her leg was muddy brown. Had she stepped into mud, my brain wondered? It was 20 degrees Fahrenheit. The ground was frozen. There were no mud puddles. I threw on a jacket and stepped into my boots. I had to take a closer look. Join me as I learn about the friends we make along the way. Dedicated to my friend along the way. XO
Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/88-friends-along-the-way
Your animal can help attract the right people to come into your life. Before we headed into the city, I sat down with Maisie, the Frenchie, and said, “OK, we’re heading out. Please help us meet the right people for our purpose and mission.” As we headed up the elevator of the apartment building in Tribeca, I noticed a man on my right leaning against the elevator wall. He wore a great leather jacket. Suede, cut like a denim jacket. I looked at him and said, “Love that jacket.” Turns out, the sued-cladded gentleman was the man I was meant to meet. Listen and learn how your animals can manifest for you.
Show notes available here:https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/87-the-manifestor-by-your-side
As a relationship coach for animals and their people, I am about improving or fine-tuning your relationship with your animal.
If you have communication issues, I can help. If you want to know what your animal thinks, I can help. If your animal is sick, lame, or despondent, I can help determine what is happening and provide a prescription or plan.
Now, the stakes are usually higher when the animal is a horse. Most horses live on borrowed time. You might wonder what that means … well, horses; unlike cats, dogs, birds, and turtles, horses are often a commodity. Horses get traded up or down. Horses are moneymakers or ribbon winners. Horses need to perform in a certain way to earn their keep. Not all, but many. Do you see how that raises the stakes? Ok, it's time to push play on this episode to jump with me into the story.
Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/collaboration-matters
There is no need to wait another second to tell you another secret to communicating with animals successfully. Ask for what you need. It is so simple and effective … it airs on ridiculous that we don’t use it ALL THE TIME! Ask for what you need! When you express what you need, the chances of getting what you need increase tremendously. By verbally asking for what you need, you set a clear intention that the animal can follow. Remember, just thinking it in your head is less clear than saying directly what you need. You have tons of competing thoughts in your mind, and your animal has a hard time deciphering and distinguishing them all. But if you say it out loud, the message is clear. Join me as we explore what’s possible when we ask for what you need.
Show notes available here:https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/85-ask-for-what-you-need
Tune in to this episode to see animal manifesters at work. This horse is a master manifester. He shifted the outcome once he knew what he could be destined for. In our phone call, the humans were able to provide him with the big picture and plan of what his life could look like. Animals don’t witness themselves; they don’t usually see the bird's eye view on their own. But when we explained it, he could see and feel himself in that life and step into it to make it happen.
Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/can-animals-manifest-their-destiny
Mares are incredibly smart, loyal, and good for you if you like a partner with ideas and suggestions. I remember someone referring to Shana, saying, “She is too smart for her own good.” To which I said, am I smart enough for her? A mare will always want to teach you something. And mares remind us every day how clever, loyal, and strong they are. A great mirror for us to look at. 🙂There is so much more about mare power in this podcast. You just have to listen!
Show notes available here:https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/mare-power
There is one behavioral pattern, a quirky one, that annoyed me about our dog Scout: staring up at my plate the moment I want to dive into dinner. Then, the other night, Scout told me why he behaved that way. You might think it is simply about begging. It isn’t. Listen in as Scout helps me get the most out of our relationship and gives you a tip on communicating successfully with your animals.
Show notes available here:https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/in-tune
Teach your puppy what you want. So often, we try to teach our animals what we don't want. Don't jump on the sofa, don't jump up on people, don't surf the counter, don't bark. Don't, don't, don't … Don’t is not a word that translates into a picture. All your dog sees is dogs on sofas, dogs counter surfing, and dogs barking. Instead, acknowledge the things your puppy does right and create a template of what you want. Listen in! I share ways to set your pup, kitten, horse, or bird (and you) up for success!
Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/81-setting-puppy-up-for-success
Author David Brooks, a journalist, talks about how he often leaves a party or some gathering to realize that nobody ever asked him a single question. He estimates that only 30 percent of the people in the world are good question-askers.
Many animals feel that way, too. They want to be asked questions so they can express themselves. Hence my tagline: animals just like us want to be seen and heard. In this episode, follow me as I ask one important question to help Slick, a rust-colored Mule, shift from confused and uncertain to becoming his sweet and personable self again.
Show notes available here:https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/animal-want-to-be-heard-and-seen
When horse people talk about being the horse’s leader, I joke that a horse lives 22 hours without us, and in the two hours we see the horse, we expect it to hand over the power to us? Distracted pea brains like us? You have seen the visual I use to make the point: a person walking next to animals with a thought bubble above the head, mind full.
For a horse to accept us as a leader like another horse, we must get present enough to direct their feet consistently.
With humans, it's always a guessing game. Sometimes, we are in charge, for example, walking down the aisle and not letting the horse sniff the other horses in the barn. But the next moment, we wrestle the sliding door and leave the horse in charge of himself without direction. That's why human leadership is a gamble for the horse. When we lead or direct, we are a leader, but when we drop our attention and intention, we leave our horse leaderless.
What if we leave the word leadership behind and find a new way to describe an ideal relationship with our horse? Join me. This episode wrote itself and clarified our relationship with hoses and dogs.
Show notes available here:https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/leadership-or-conscious-connection
Spraying, peeing, pooping out of the box? There is a reason for it. Any unexpected or undesired behavior from your animal is a cry for help. How do you prevent or change litterbox issues? By having a chat. I'll chat about it in this episode.
Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/78-spraying-other-out-of-the-box-issues
Do you know those moments when it feels like life is running you instead of you running your life? When that happens, our animals often step in ... literally ... to help us.
One night, Shana, my mare, took me aside. I was mucking the run-in shed, chop-chop-chop, when Shana stepped between me and the pitchfork. She brought her face close to my chest, lifted her head high, and then moved her head sideways from above the left shoulder over the crown to my right shoulder. She stepped back and took a breath. After another breath or two, she again brought her nose to my solar plexus area. I sensed she was working on my breath, opening the channels so I could breathe more deeply. Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/77-receiving-animal-healing
I let the beautiful gleaming sunlight shine upon me as I took in the truly magical cloud formation. And right then, a shiver ran through my body. From the top of my head down to my tail. I was realigning. Do you know that feeling? When your body does a little shiver? When energy runs up or down your spine? And then came the crazy bit. As I oscillated between "I feel balanced" and "kind of am ready to go back to my book," I got a message. “We do not have to make those moments so sacred that we don't feel they're part of our normal world.” Whaaaaat? Listen to this episode to understand how you can get daily alignments of your nervous system. By following love and joy.
Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/76-getting-a-natural-alignment
Like many older dogs I communicate with, why is our dog Scout suddenly more sensitive and reactive to energies?
When I asked Scout, he told me, "Because our bodies are hurting."
He explained that when their body hurts, everything else becomes ‘another thing’ that needs to be dealt with. If one has chronic pain, any little thing stacks on top of the stress caused by it.
So, what can we do for our animals?
We can look at the five areas that make up our life and reduce the stress and overwhelm. Listen in to learn more about how you can help your furry companions.
Show notes available here:
https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/75-is-stress-stacking-up
When I see Rollie shake, I make eye contact, and with that, I say, I see you. If he does not reach out, I will offer him my hand so he can communicate with me. If he gives me a lick, I know he knows I know. If he is motionless aside from the shakes, I will put my hand on his neck and stroke slooowly down the spine. A beautiful way to remind him of his body. This podcast is less about the shakes and anxiety for Rollie or my dad but an insight into seeing and hearing others. Being seen and heard is the most powerful gift we can give.
Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/my-dog-has-the-shakes-and-other-notes
Due to popular demand … another pearl of wisdom from Bennett.
In one of my conversations with Kathy, it was now mid-summer, she told me that Bennett had gotten very assertive around the hand grazing. On the way to the barn, he pulled her toward the grass. Kathy's pulling back resulted in the classic push-pull situation in which no one wins. It was unusual how much effort he suddenly put into it.
When Bennett did it again the next day, Kathy got mad. What was up with this horse? Why was he suddenly so forceful? Kathy, who has also re-learned to communicate telepathically with animals, finally asked Bennett what was happening with him. And she was as surprised about the answer as I was. Listen in to hear Bennett’s explanation.
Show notes available here:
https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/we-have-a-herd-schedule
My friend Kathy and her horse Bennett rode up to the pole and parked parallel. Bennett came to a stop but got antsy the minute Kathy leaned over to get the jacket. He jigged in place, and nothing Kathy tried made him come to a quiet halt.
I told Kathy, "You know what, I don't think he knows why you lean off to the side. Have you told him?"
Kathy said, well, I always have the obstacle course in my mind, and sent him pictures of it. And I tell him before the ride what we do, like today we're doing obstacles."
I felt Bennett was more particular. He needed details so he could be part of the exercise.
So I said to Kathy, "You got to give him specifics. Like, Hey Bennett, for us to get good scores at this obstacle, you have to stand still while I get the jacket."
There is a place between "good boy, good boy, good boy" and a mile-long ramble.
Find the golden middle. Did it work out for Kathy and Bennett? Listen to this episode.
Show notes available here:https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/more-details-please
Sometimes, a podcast just comes to me. I record, and then during the edit, I realize the power of the words behind it.
This podcast, #71, tells you everything you need to know to start utilizing everything you have ... your Body, your Mind, and your Intuition. It's all here in a nutshell. If you are ready to live your best life yet, listen in!
Show notes available here:
https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/your-body-your-gateway-to-intuition
Mr. Willoughby, the handsome Golden Retriever, sat up again, scooted himself over to the right to be near his person, and put his face into the man's hand. "Now he is concerned about you," I said. He wants to know how you will deal with losing him. He says that his leaving marks the end of an era. He had hoped to be part of the next move but realized it was time for him to move on, more precisely, out of his body.
I asked Mr. Willoughby if he wanted to share anything with his person to ease the pain of losing him.
"If I release you, you can release me," the dog expressed.
"That is my gift to you. Mr. Willoughby continued. "You took great care of me and my sister. This is my gift to you, please accept it."
Well, bring on the tissues as you listen to this episode.
Show notes available here:https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/half-in-half-out
Who knows you Best? You might have expected the answer … your animals know you best.
I went out to feed the horses the morning of my leaving for a three-day trip to visit clients. I didn't like going away for more than one night, but ... two nights it was. When Shana turned her head toward me, showing me her left eye, I stopped. It was not only swollen shut, but it was the size of a golf ball. On my drive to Massachusetts, Shana popped into my awareness. With her came the words: "You can zip this whole trip up in two days." She showed me a visual of the map and the location of two clients I could cancel and, with that, shorten my trip. Listen to how the story unfolded and how our animals not only know us best but want the best for us.
Show notes available here:
https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/who-knows-you-best
No matter if you are a horse person or prefer smaller animals. This episode is for everyone who wants a peek into what it means to be a team player. Here are some gems from the episode.x
Steam took me back to the jumping arena, where he had refused to ride with the young girl. He said, "I want to make the rider look good. That is part of my job. And I can't do that in that environment with tight turns and little time to gather myself up between jumps."
Steam's person also mentioned that he had a little fit at a recent outdoor show while ridden by the pro. Steam immediately replied, "Yes, she was getting too serious." He showed me that he was sometimes a goofball. And that he sometimes had to let off some steam. So if his rider got too serious and held her breath too much in her chest, he helped her blow off steam by changing the energy with shenanigans.
Listen to the episode to immerse yourself with me in more shenanigans.
Show notes available here:
https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/teaming-up
And suddenly, I saw a dolphin, swimming along in the slipstream of the boat. Then a second dolphin popped up and jumped over the white-crested waves, the boat was creating. The first dolphin now arched over a wave and dove down on the other side, while the other sped up from his lagging position to catch the next wave. I was mesmerized. These two beautiful beings, one with the water. Arching over it, dropping into it, gliding through it.
For a split second, I thought to grab my phone but didn’t. It’s always a choice in those moments. Do I want to be fully in the experience or do I want to capture it to experience it later on second hand?
Listen to this episode and sync up with dolphin energy!
Show notes available here:
https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/synching-up
Before you leave on vacation, breathe deeply, explain to your animals what is going on when. And have a joyful heart as you drive out the driveway.
Fast forward. Depending on your trip, you will be utterly relaxed, super stressed, or something in-between as you drive home. In this podcast I share how I consciously integrated our family after us being apart for a long weekend. This podcast will inspire you to prepare yourself and your family for the homecoming from a vacation, business trip, or festivity.
Show notes available here:
https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/welcome-home-everyone
As you know by now, I am a big fan of speaking with your animal in plain old English. Talk to your animal in short precise sentences.Why?To give your animals a chance to wrap their minds around your request.
We are not used to treating animals as a being that needs to understand. Nobody teaches us that. As a child, we might tell the animal anything, the how, the why, and everything in between, because we see the animal as our special friend and equal with whom we share everything. But as adults, we feel almost silly to talk to our animals that way.
When I give my clients verbal suggestions to use with their animals, clients often ask me, “Do you want me to say that out loud?”YES, I do. I want you to explain and talk and share out loud what you are about to do, where you are going, and what is on the docket for the day. Now ... some animals, usually the confident ones, require a little extra step. They not only want to know what is going on but WHY?
Show notes available here:
https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/talk-about-the-why
I got an email from a dear client. Her horse, Gem, had sliced her leg, and they needed an emergency call to discuss the situation. During our call, Gem said, “Instead of coming with concern, my person can come to the barn and ask, “How do we activate the healing today?”
Gem explained, “You bring your knowledge (light therapy and Reiki), and I will bring my wisdom.” Amazing, right?
This horse basically said, hey, why don’t we focus on how to meet me and my wound in the now by saying, “How do we activate the healing today?” and then each gets to apply the tools, skills, and wisdom we have to make it happen.
Genius.
But there is so much more to the story. Gem took us on tour through the Universe, showing us that healing power resides in you too!
Listen in to open up your healing channel.
Show notes available here:
https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/you-are-a-channel-of-magnified-healing
Scout and the bear had an invisible, energetic standoff. I quietly moved closer to see what Scout was looking at. Scout turned his head left to take one quick look at me. The moment he did, the bear ran out of the woods across the driveway, and down the embankment. Listen to more bear encounters in this episode.
Show notes available here:
https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/living-with-bears
Harry, the horse, spoke up. He said, “You need to know your herd members well enough to know how to prepare them for clients.” Let me repeat what Harry said, “You need to know your herd members well enough to know how to prepare them for clients.” He continued, “Who do you take care of in the moment when the client and the horse both have needs?” Join me as I share more from this conversation in this episode.
Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/do-you-know-your-herd
When I tuned inThe first words that came out of the cat's mouth were,“I like my name. Because I am a Cheetah.” I said, “You are like a Cheetah?”“Yes,” he said, “like a wild cat.” Oh, the irony. Though I had seen a few pictures of him sitting on a sofa and a window sill, his person reported that Cheeto, his real name, mostly hid under the sofa. She had just recently rescued him from a local shelter. He was part of a hoarding situation. As his person shared this with me, I felt myself into the little guy. He was not small in stature, but he felt so small inside. More like a kitten than a cat. Especially a wild cat. I asked Cheetah, who was now balanced, “Why do you hide under the sofa?” “Your house is too big,” I said to the woman.“He doesn’t know how to navigate this much space without his posse.” Understanding the cat's point of view helped bring out the Cheetah in this cat. Listen in to understand what it means to adopt a cat from a hoarding situation.
Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/i-am-a-cheetahhhh
I don't get to chit-chat with farm animals all that often. Chatting with pigs and piglets opened my eyes to their utilitarian point of view and their deep compassion for each other. If you enjoy hearing the animal's point of view, this episode is going to surprise you.
Show notes available here:https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/60-chats-with-pigs
It is one thing to make the call to euthanize our beloved animal when the signs are clear. When the signs are wishy-washy, it is so much harder. We have to consider the level of comfort for our specific animal. In this episode, we'll hang out in the delicate space in front of the veil separating life and death. This space is sacred and fleeting. We do not get to hang out in it for long before things change. Having this moment, when the cat and her person shape their journey, is beyond valuable. It will allow for their relationship to come to a close while it is also a portal for what’s to come.
Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/time-to-let-go-1
In order to connect to the depth of the soul, we have to give the mind a break. These days our mind has so many opinions about everything. Have you ever noticed how your mind takes over?
Let’s be real. I love a good mind, but too often, the mind is a party pooper.
When we were young, our mind was an explorer. We were open and curious about the life around us. Nowadays, our mind thinks it knows it all. It is rarely curious. Let's change that.
Show notes available here:https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/how-to-live-a-soulful-life
Can I MAKE them Listen? Not really. But, during our chat, we will learn about the reason behind a particular behavior and a way to resolve the behavior. Telling the animal to STOP or CHANGE a behavior is not a tried and true way to communicate in mindful and meaningful ways. Listening and adapting are paths to a great relationship.
Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/can-i-make-them-listen
As you know by now, I am sharing animals' voices, opinions, insights, and needs. In each phone session or barn call, each podcast I record, and each article I write, I am expressing something the animals have taught us humans. Because of it, we get to understand our animals better and have a perspective on their life we wouldn’t know without them sharing it with us. Experiencing a truth is one thing … standing in it and speaking it is a bigger task. Listen in as I share how standing in our animal's truth can be challenging, and also rewarding.
Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/stand-in-your-animal-s-truth
If you are an adult and still love horses you probably have one. Or you work with horses, or you take care of horses. And, like so many of us, the moment we engage with horses as adults, we lose a little bit of the girl-like quality we brought to the barn when we were younger.
In this episode, I invite you to go back to that feeling and the energy you brought to the barn when you were young. I share how you can connect with the horses the way you did when you were young!
Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/horse-crazy-girls
I bet you are an animal communicator. You might not have a shingle out, but you speak with and speak up for your animals regularly. Listen as I describe what we think of as animal communication (telepathic communication) and what it means beyond that definition. You might recognize yourself and feel affirmed. And … you might also hear a few ideas that will spark you to explore more and go deeper into animal communication. Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/do-you-communicate-with-animals
In recent months, I have been driving up and down the highways quite a bit , and I would see five, six, seven, and sometimes eight hawks.
One day, I told one of the hawks," I love it that so many of you are making yourself visible. And I wonder if there is a reason behind it?"
The hawk answered, "We're friends along the way." With the words came feelings of heartfelt energy and a visual that showed me that the birds were aware of my driving back and forth. I was not alone. I had friends along the way. And so do you!
Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/my-wild-life
Instead of calling a dog aggressive, I rather call them unhinged. Being aggressive sounds like a personality trait. It sounds like a label … s/he is aggressive as if there is no other way for the dog to be.
Unhinged means not being attached where it really counts, much like a door.
It means the animal is unbalanced.
And that means there are ways for us to help the animal to move from unhinged back to hinged.
To come back from unbalanced to balance.
Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/is-your-dog-unhinged
Snap, a Quarter Horse, had gone through a big transition. He had moved from one person to another and mentioned that a big change like this, changing his person, was something he needed to work through his body. He needed a chakra balance to fully integrate the past, present and new future into his body and energy field. He was ready to teach us about the importance of integrating life changes on a cellular level.
Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/coping-with-a-new-family
I love to connect with animals in profound and magical ways. I love that my dog is not just a dog, my horse is not just a horse, and my cat is not just a cat. They are my soul partners who I have conversations with. Who I love to hang out with, and who are my best friends.
Your animals want the same for you. This is not a cookie-cutter mentorship where I put together some pearls of wisdom I gathered along the forestry path. No, this is your animals mentoring you because they know you best, they want your best, and they are the best to teach you. And I, the guide by your side, will add my decades of coaching, animal communication, energy healing, and plant medicine knowledge to facilitate a unique and specially tailored experience for you.
Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/your-animal-your-mentor
Do you wonder which blanket to wrap your horse in overnight? Do you question which food is right for your dog or cat? Do you have two veterinarians to choose from and are unsure who is the best for your animal? Tune in and learn how your body can tell you everything you need to know.
Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/your-body-your-animal-s-guide
Do you talk to your body? You don't? Why not?
Show notes available here:https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/your-body-your-guide
As a pup, Scout and his siblings were found in a field in the South. Once, Scout showed me how he and his older brother caught mice to feed their mini family. It took an effort to get food.
Hence, he sneaks good morsels out into the yard whenever he can pull one past us. We usually know when he walks in with a dirty nose. He will have dug a hole, dropped the morsel into it, and then pushed the dirt and leaves around to cover it up.
One never knows when one needs a reserve. Show notes available here:https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/what-happened-to-the-treat
Do you have an animal in your life because s/he didn't let you go? When we're open and curious and trust our intuition, even if the rest of the world thinks we're crazy about needing this particular animal in our life, we must trust those feelings. Because they lead us to profound connections. The ones that don't let us go are the ones that bring us home. Again and again.
Show notes available here:https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/the-goat-who-didn-t-let-me-go
I explained to my client that it is essential for Wiz, the cat, to experience the extent of the message, “NO! Do not touch the dog.”
When we interrupt the behavior so the cat moves off, we need to give him a chance to think about it. If we pick him up because we feel bad, he becomes unsure why we interrupted his actions with the dog in the first place. The message is mixed.
Hey, don't do that.
Move off.
Hey, I am sorry. I didn’t mean to push you off.
It’s confusing.
But, if we allow our cat to go away so he can process the interactions, we give him a chance to learn. He will realize that you interrupted the behavior because you want him to mind his business. That's all you're doing. Like mama-cat would say, “Hey, enough with the shenanigans, I want peace in the house. Mind your own business."
Show notes available here:https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/45-the-truth-about-cats-dogs
Looking at the photos of the two cats, I immediately sensed that Maisie was the one I needed to focus on first. I sensed she was unhappy about the other cat Holly coming into her space. Holly felt like a foreign object in her life.
The floodgates opened when the woman said that Maisie’s brother had died. A wave of loss and grief washed over me. When it ebbed, I felt a tiny sense of hope. Maisie had not given up that her brother would come back. I explained to her that, unfortunately, he would not come back physically. I felt how my statement crushed Maisie’s heart. Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/processing-grief
This horse was not communicating. While the other horses had stood by the door, eager to get the conversation going, this particular horse was mum. After a few breaths, I asked the horse if he had anything to say about his situation. Another breath went by before he spoke up. “I do not understand why she would hire someone to talk to me when she knows the answer herself.”
Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/ready-to-retire-no
What happens when you allow your cat to determine the speed of your walk? If you put your foot down in sync with his. Look where he looks. Stop when he stops. An addendum to Podcast #42 Expanding Into The Experience
Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/42-p-s
The easiest way to get into the experience of life itself is by being with your animals. Watching your animals move through life wholeheartedly and guided by their body and instinct is your portal. Get inspired as Nicole guides you in slowing your mind so you can connect with your animals on their frequency.
Show notes available here:https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/expanding-into-the-experience
Getting your animal prepared for boarding while you're on vacation is critical. In addition, getting your animal ready for a herd of family and friends arriving at your house is equally important. I am providing a few tips to get you and your furry ready for it all.
Show notes available here:https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/vacation-holidays
My grey mare needed a melanoma removed. From the underside of her tail. Understanding what Shana was about to go through, anesthesia, cutting into her tail, recovering from the overall and local anesthetic, and then healing an open wound that did not allow for stitches, I wanted to set her up for success. So I brought my pendulum, essences, and oils into the yard to check in with the herd. Who between Shana and the boys needed a Chakra balance? We had to be a balanced bunch to set our girl up for success.
Show notes available here:https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/40-feel-into-it
Following ease and what your body truly desires is such a delicious and rare occurrence.
The animals are directing us to experience the moment. To BE in the experience. To HOLD ourselves in the experience rather than letting our mind process everything immediately.
For example, taking a picture of a moment and immediately witnessing it, or posting it - rather than experiencing it - keeps you out of the now. And with that out of the conenction. Let’s connect!
Show notes available here:https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/be-in-the-experience
While it takes most of us about 30 minutes on a massage table to calm our minds so we can receive and enjoy a treatment, most animals are already there. The moment the energy comes their way, they receive it. Sometimes, within minutes they received everything they needed.
What does that mean for professionals who are offering energy healing, body, or any kind of training to an animal?
Listen in to get the answer.
Show notes available here:https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/relationship-comes-first
“It was an accident!”
My attention was pulled away from the mare. Eyes and ears searching around, not sure where the sentence came from.
“It was an accident!”
It was the horse, it was crystal clear. This was the horse yelling.
Show notes available here:https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/the-shock-that-binds-us
What do you do when your dog is obsessed with a mouse in the wall? When she is howling and hollering? You have a chat and resolve the issue.
If your dog barks or howls a lot ... this podcast is for you.
Show notes available here:https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/a-chat-with-lucy
If a little bit of inconvenience can bring peace and comfort to your furry companions or the animals in your care … why not take the extra step.
Listen in as Nicole shares how to look at the world through your animals' eyes.
Show notes available here:https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/their-comfort-over-your-inconvenience
With her changing moods and inconsistencies, it was not easy to control or console the horse.
No wonder Heidi sometimes felt as if there was no progress made. But, if the horse had a panic attack indeed, it would be no surprise that she had a hard time learning. Anyone who is in a panic does not learn. One adapts to a degree. But when one is stuck in fight-flight-freeze mode, the learning brain is shut off.
Listen and learn more about animals and anxiety.
Show notes available here:https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/do-animals-have-panic-attacks/
The word ‘choice’ is a tricky word when it comes to our animals.
We might think we are giving our animals a choice when in reality we give them two options to choose from of which neither would be their choice. Join Nicole as she explores the choices our animals have the ones we can give them.
Show notes available here:
https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/what-choice-do-they-have
Animals and plants are two peas in a pod. Dogs and cats eat grass for an upset stomach. Horses - if given the chance - pick medicinal plants to cure and heal. In this episode, Nicole shares how plant medicine can become part of your life with animals.
Bonus, learn how to muscle test.
Show notes available with all links mentioned here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/animals-plants-love
I asked the animals, what is the most important thing you want us to know?
The answer came in a flash ... find ease.
Listen to this episode to understand why and how you can make that happen.
Show notes available here:
https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/first-foremost-find-ease
I didn’t expect a tap on the shoulder from a horse while laying face down on the massage table.
There is no fuss or nicety, like 'oh, hi, how are you? What are you up to? What are you doing here?" going on. Nope. Without a chance to wonder why this horse was showing up in the middle of a massage session, the information was already zooming into my consciousness.
'When you come next week, you must help her work from the body.' Where the first words the horse conveyed.
Show notes available here:https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/let-your-body-inform-you
More amazing insights from horses. A beautiful sorrel mare shares with her person how to ‘sink in and sync up.’ And then listen in as Witty, a 17 hh Thoroughbred, gives detailed information to his new person on how to meet his stride.
Show notes available here:
https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/part-2-your-horse-your-instructor
I jumped out of bed, ran barefoot down the stairs, and started calling Flitzer. “Flitzi, where are you? Come here, let’s get you into the house." I walked around the outside of our house, looking into the dark night trying to find a dark cat shape, or at least green eyes telling me Flitzer was ok.
Show notes available here:https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/i-trust-you-know-how-much-i-love-you
“... humans come to us with their knowledge and their tools, ready to apply them to us. Often they forget that we have knowledge too, that we like to be part of the experience, offer our skills and knowledge.” Riley, Warmblood Mare
You might have never thought about your horse offering you ideas on how to improve your riding, your connection, and your relationship under saddle.
Well, your horse knows more than you might realize.
Tune in as Riley, Cortina, and Eddie share their thoughts on how their riders can improve.
Show notes available here:www.mindful-connections.com/post/your-horse-the-best-riding-instructor
My late dog Amber explained to me why I had manifested Scout, our anxious dog. For the first time, I understood the law of attraction. Having a dog that is as tuned in as Scout is had its side effects.
If you are looking to find a new dog, this episode is the key to your search.
Show notes available here:
https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/finding-the-right-dog
What would you do if your dog told you to embrace your fabulousness?.
What would it mean to know that your cat is “knitting and weaving” the tapestry of your energy body after you come home from work depleted?
Find out in episode #25 Furry Life Coach?
Your animal is in tune with you and will always be your best life coach.
Show notes available here:https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/furry-life-coach
Nicole: Cutter, did you choose to be a horse?
Cutter: I did.
Nicole: Why?
Cutter: To work, I thought I would come into this life to work hard.
Nicole: Would you like to?
Cutter: Not hard tedious work. But it is hard to feel accomplished when I don’t work. I like physical, and mental work. I like to work with people.
Listen in on the chat I had with my horse Cutter in the backyard.
Show notes available here:
https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/wisdom-from-the-backyard
In this episode listen in as Pippa, a white dog with black spots shres how we can align with the Universe.
“Secondly,” Pippa said, “we are connected with and part of Universal Knowledge and when we are present we obtain knowledge that pertains to our life.”
Show notes available here:https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/aligning-with-the-universe
Parenting comes in different guises. And, when my desire to be a mom meets the desire of a raccoon baby to be snuggled, meet ... heaven awaits! Join some on this personal journey, a chapter from my book Pet Logic.
Show notes available here:
https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/beating-the-baby-blues
Did you interview your animal before s/he became part of your family? Maybe you should have.
Dunn, a therapy horse explains t us why he acted frustrated when asked to work with people. He didn’t know his job. Listen in to understand what Dunn needed and how you can help your animals understand their job and your expectations.
Show notes available here:
https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/did-you-provide-a-job-description
Horses are energy sponges. When we stress because something is not going according to our plan — inclement weather, a muddy horse, a lost shoe — our horse not only picks up on it but is affected by it. When we resist what is, our horse becomes resistant, too.
But, if we meet our horse in the now, with all the realities that encompass that very now, we’re literally guided to the best outcome possible. Listen in … I’ll show you how to turn mud and mayhem into serenity.
Show notes available here:
https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/going-with-the-flow
When the issue is stuck in the tissue it means that the animal’s body is stuck in a trigger mode. Imagine the animal’s point of view, the moment of shock when you are walking up to your person and all you see is a big boot that kicks you away. Or, the big dog that comes toward you with his furry posse, pushing you into a corner until you were cowering and shaking. These experiences leave a mark, a blueprint in your dog’s body. And the issue that is stuck in the tissue has usually two ways of expressing itself. Offensive or defensive. Extroverted or introverted. Bark, snap and bite, or cower, crumble, and hide. What can you do to help your dog to move past the trauma? Listen in!
Show notes available here:
https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/the-issue-stuck-in-the-tissue
“An antelope broke its neck.”
“A caretaker was injured by a tiger during feeding time.”
“The habitat did not seem to be big enough to house all animals.”
When you can’t hunt, can’t run, can’t fly, can’t swim like you were born to do, you don’t survive, you hang in. You wait for food. You get irritated. You snap. And then you are the felon. And you might get killed, or banned.
Join me to look at Zoo Antics from the animal’s point of view.
Show notes available here:
https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/zoo-antics
The last episode “You're only a yawn away from relaxation,” really hit the spot with many of you which is super exciting. I feel it is important for me to shed even a little more light on the yawn because it is really important that we understand the power of it and also how we can undermine the power of the yawn.
Show notes available here:
https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/the-yawn-part-2
Do we need to protect ourselves when we do energy work? Should we put white light around us?
What do the animals do to protect themselves? Do they need to protect themselves?
And what does a yawn have to do with it?
Listen in and learn about the animal’s point of view as Nicole shares what Lucy, a bloodhound, and Cortina, a Warmblood mare explained about energy.
Show notes available here:
https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/you-re-one-yawn-away-from-relaxation
As an animal communicator, I have learned a lot about retirement, the retirement of horses. Today I will share with you the many facets and perspectives to consider when retiring a horse. And, I share some guidance on how you can communicate with your horse to learn if retirement is the right decision.
Show notes available here:
https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/is-your-horse-ready-to-retire
Many of us feel helpless looking at the events in Ukraine. One special dog, explains to Nicole and his person how we can help beyond offering money and supplies. Sunny, a furry wise guide explains when we share love and joy with others we will also feel the love and joy ourselves.
Show notes available here:
https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/uplifting-ukraine-a-dog-s-point-of-view
There is no more significant gift you can give to your animal than your presence. No cookie, treat, or carrot will ever have the same frequency or meaning as you taking a breath to meet your animal in the now. Once you arrive in the now, use your senses to see and hear and smell and feel what your animal feels. Don't project, but start seeing the world through your animal's eyes. Express yourself verbally, and then take a breath and wait for a response from your furry or feathery friend.
As you open the space for a reply, as you suddenly find yourself in a dialogue with your animal, you will be amazed about the deep sense of connection that fills your heart.
Show notes available here:https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/tying-it-together
Releasing a furry member of your family can be heartbreakingly sad, and it can also be a heartbreakingly generous gift when you provide the animal ease, for the last time ease, ease to leave the body behind.The moment you know you have to release your animal you have three important jobs.
Listen to this episode to know how to help your animal have a comfortable transition.
Show notes available here:
https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/loss-of-a-furry-member
For an animal to feel well and be joyous, we need to consider the whole animal: we need to nourish and honor its physical body, engage its mind in meaningful ways, allow for emotional connection and expression, and consider our animal’s spiritual gifts.
Some animals have a specific purpose they are offering to their pack, herd, or people.
Some animals care deeply for people and therefore offer their energy and wisdom to them.
Listen so you can recognize it.
Show notes available here:
https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/does-my-animal-have-a-purpose
What a treat it is for your animal when you speak verbally with her or him. It clears up so much confusion. The animal doesn’t have to give it a hundred tries to find out what is allowed and what is not. Telling your animal what you need and praising what the animal does right provides clarity. But, many animals were never given a chance to respond to a verbal request. And that means, your cockatoo, pup, or kitty might initially be surprised to be asked.
Be patient.
After you ask or tell your animal something, always, always, always take a conscious breath before expecting an answer. Animals usually take at least one if not two breaths, absorbing your request, before they respond. Listen to the many examples I give you in this episode!
Show notes available here:
https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/being-in-dialogue
Do you want to shield your animal from your feelings? That is a noble idea. But by hiding your feelings you become incongruent. When your feelings don’t match up with your actions your animal gets concerned. The neat thing is, unlike us, animals don’t judge our feelings.
Don’t hide your feelings. Talk to your animal, be honest and real and your animal can handle it just fine.
Show notes available here:
https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/energetic-incongruence
Often people refer to their animal as ‘a rescue’ many years after rescuing the animal. We say “I’m gonna grab my horse out of the paddock.” Your words carry energy, and that energy affects you, the speaker, and your animal the listener. When you choose kind words and share something positive about your animal, you foster well-being and build confidence in you and your companion.
Show notes available here:https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/the-power-of-words
Episode #7 Handy Chats
:: In the last episode, we chatted about chatting with your animals. Telling them what is going on in your life right now and what is about to happen. Today’s mission is to share with you how handy and effective chats can be.
:: Why are verbal chats so effective? When you speak out loud to your animal, in simple direct sentences, your intention is laser-sharp. As you speak, you automatically form a picture of what you are saying in your mind and that helps your animal understand what you are looking for. If you are familiar with the work of Temple Grandin, she explains that animals think in pictures. In my experience that is one aspect of communicating with animals, sending them pictures, but I feel speaking out loud forms the picture automatically and therefore brings the message across in two ways, verbally and visually.
:: Let’s try it. If I say out loud right now, “Scout, please stay on the deck,” I immediately form a picture in my mind of Scout lying on the deck. Did you notice it, too? Did the picture inevitably show up in your mind?
:: For example, your pet is sick, and you are heading to the vet. Instead of turning up the radio to tune out your cat's meowing or your dog's restless backseat shuffle, you become present with a deep breath. Immediately, your pup or kitty will feel more at ease as well. Then you explain to your animal, "We are going to the vet, so s/he can help you feel better. And when we get there, I'd love for you to stay calm." Chances are, your animal will be calmer in the car and also follow your request while on the examining table.
:: In general, we tell our animals what we don't want them to do. "Stop crying, stop moving, don't jump, don't scratch, don't run, don't nip, and don't sit on the furniture." We rarely offer them information about what we want them to do.
:: Our animals might not understand every word we say, but they understand the intention behind our words and often follow suit. When you engage your pet through words, you offer a new level of communication and open yourself up for a dialogue.
:: Stories
:: We're only limited by the limitations we put on ourselves and our animals. By reducing your communication with your animals to those commands, sit, come, heel, whoa, you're short-changing yourself and your animals.
:: I invite you, give this a try. Speak directly to your animal, ask for what you need and be amazed about the results and the connection you can achieve.
Episode #6 Let's Have a Verbal Chat
:: Throughout the last episodes you re-membered to breathe, consciously, tuned into your senses, and explored ease and unease. As a child, you did all this naturally because your mind wasn’t filled with domestic concerns. You were tuned into your immediate world with body, mind, and spirit.
:: What I share with you today will remind you of something else you did so naturally as a child. … have a chat with your animals. My mission for this episode is to get you chatting with intention And THAT will change your life with animals for-ever!
:: To start off our connection and communication with an animal we always take a deep breath.
Inhale and exhale. :: Just to remind you, and if you’re listening for the first time, be informed that one conscious breath puts you into the now, so you are physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually present with your animal. And three belly breaths allow your brain to move into a calmer, more receptive mode.
:: Many of us have learned that short commands are the best way to communicate with animals ... walk, trot, can-ter, sit, come, stay, heel"… when you condition an animal to these commands, you want to control the animal's body and mind. Tell them what to do. Your goal is that they obey. And that is valuable in many situations, a.k.a. your dog runs toward the road, you call "Baxter, STOOOOOP," and he stops. Phew.
:: But … what if your animal has a much more extensive communication repertoire? What if you can have real conversations?
:: It is tough for your anima/s to get the point across or express an opinion when you don't give them a chance to be in dialogue.
:: Having a chat with your animal, meaning a dialog, allows the animal to give you feedback and help direct where the conversation might go next.
:: I called my show Let’s have a chat because I know that your voice is an underutilized tool. And I am here to encourage you to use it.
:: Speak Out Loud
:: Stories
:: The stories show, animals, just like us, want to be seen and heard. Dogs and cats, and birds and … horses, love to be in a dialog. And they love to share their skills and talents. And … if we engage with them and talk to them in full sentences … magic happens.
:: Speaking with clear intention and with your animal can prevent a lot of problems before they have a chance to take shape.
:: Ideally, you have a conversation with your animal before you make any significant changes.
:: Animals, just like us, do not like to be surprised or overwhelmed with a new situation. They prefer to wrap their mind around events as they manifest. Preparing your furry companion for the change will set everyone up for success.
:: Change is always unsettling and will have an impact on you and your animal. A few words of simple explanation can help you both move from un-ease to ease.
:: This concludes this episode and I invite you to start using your voice to communicate with your animal. Remember, short simple explanations. Tell him or her what’s going on … and then be open and curious … amazement is on the way!
https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/let-s-have-a-verbal-chat
Animals, just like us, crave ease. Because when at ease, the nervous system is relaxed, which means the body and mind are calm.
:: When we or our animals feel our life is on the line, we instinctively go into survival mode.
:: What does survival mode look like? We contract. We pull all the energies into our core, rush adrenaline through our veins so we are ready to take flight or fight or freeze. Our mind moves frantically through the option available to get back to safety.
:: Under natural circumstances, fight, flee, freeze episodes are short. As soon as we realize the threat is over, the body takes a deep breath and the mind calms.
For example, the car in front hits the brakes. Reflexively you do too. The adrenaline surge rushes through your body. Once you come to a stop an inch away from the other car’s bumper, your body takes a deep breath. Your extremities tingle as adrenalin recedes. Within moments your system relaxes.
:: Ideally, like a pendulum, the body naturally goes back and forth between arousal and relaxation.
:: In our domestic world, the nervous system is often over-aroused. We are hooked into so many stressors that the nervous system has not enough time and space to go back into a relaxed state.
:: If you feel more uneasy than at ease, if you are stuck in contraction, it is time to heed long-term physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual issues.
:: How does this tie back to your relationship with your animal? Let's go back to the quirky behavior your animal displays by tripping or cheering you up.
Let’s say you carry tension in your neck and shoulders. You might be aware of it, or not. Take a little inventory right now, are you tense anywhere in your body? Are you holding your breath, pulling your shoulders to the ear lopes, clenching your teeth or your toes? I bet you are able to find some unconscious tension. Your animal is always conscious of that tension because s/he is in tune with the five areas. The people ... being one. Because there is tension in the people area your animal wants to fix it, a.k.a. Trip you up so you take a deep breath. Remember, animals, just like us, crave ease. Ease means all is well and safe.
:: When your dog trips you up – literally – as you rush to get out of the house, don't push her aside. Instead, stop in mid-stride, take a deep breath, and thank her for looking out for you.
:: And, if your kitten acts really goofy in the most unfitting moment ... take a breath and then observe yourself and the circumstance. Is your kitten alerting you to something about you - are you stressed, concerned, need some cheering up?
:: When you are physically at ease you are more willing and able to engage with your body and be present with it. And that is important because your body is your biggest sensing tool.
:: Animals are keen observers not just with their eyes, but they observe an energetic change with their entire body.
:: When our animals "speak" to us, we are given a choice: we can dismiss them as silly and goofy, or we can choose to stop... and listen.
To see things through my animals’ eyes means not putting my own experience, feelings, and beliefs onto them.
- Nicole Birkholzer
:: Projection often means that we're doing something to the animal while seeing the world through our animal's eyes allows us to do something with our animal.
:: When our animals speak to us, be aware, that type of behavior is their way of expressing themselves, we have a choice. We can either dismiss them as quirky or annoying or get frustrated with them, or we can choose to stop and listen. Because these furry and feathery guides of ours as simply reflecting back on what's going on in our life and in their life.
:: When we run on autopilot. When we’re not tuned in. When we are not present, they see it often as their job to trip us up, or lie on our keyboard, or become a no-show at the fence. They make us aware that we're physically there but not available. Therefore, quirky or unexpected behaviors are really your animal's way of asking you to come back into balance. Their quirky behavior is their a way to wake you up.
:: Living with animals enriches our lives in many ways. But when the behavior is suddenly unexpected even dangerous their actions become our concern. If your dog has separation anxiety and whines and cries every time you pick up your keys that's an undesired behavior.
Or, if your new cat is fighting with your older cat and one of them is not using the litter box, well that's a problem. Or, if you're fostering three bunny sisters and one of the bunnies charges you keeping you away from bonding with the other two, that's not fun. Because you expected a snuggly bunny situation. Or, why does your horse suddenly not step up to the mountain block when usually she stands like a statue?
What is going on?
:: In these situations, you often reach out to your veterinarian or your trainer. Wondering if there is something physically, wrong. If there is a training issue? You might bring the bunnies back because the one that charges you is just not manageable. Often the vet or trainer can't find a solution because it is not necessarily a training or health issue that's going on most often it's a behavior issue that can't be fixed with treats or medicine. So what is really going on in those situations?
:: In most cases, the quirky or undesired behavior relates to some type of unease. Be it unease within you, because you're not breathing, or too occupied. Or, something brings them unease in their environment. I discovered that there are five areas that can influence our life either with ease or unease.
:: The five areas are, the people we're surrounding ourselves with can bring ease or unease to us. Our purpose, fulfilling our purpose or feeling we have not yet fulfilled our purpose is something that can bring ease or unease into our life. Our environment, if we love where we live, if we love how we surround ourselves, can bring a lot of ease. But, it can also bring unease if we're not happy in our environment. Then there are the peers, the connection we have to others outside our world. That, of course, can bring a lot of ease or unease into our lives. And the fifth category or area is our health. Because being healthy usually means are at ease, but if we have aches or pains we feel unease.
:: If the animal is consistently feeling unease from the first four categories, people, purpose, environment, pack, or herd, the unease can eventually lead to dis-ease. And with that, we came full circle. Unease leads to dis-ease which leads to health issues.
:: With this episode, I invite you to start paying attention to your projections. When do you project your own feelings onto the animal and when you're truly feeling your animal is informing you?
:: And, start looking into some of the animal behaviors you notice. Are they quirky? Is your animal simply trying to give you a chance to tune in and come from your head back into your body?
:: Or, is there something creating unease in your animal’s world and for that, you look at the five areas, the people, the purpose, the environment, the herd, or pack, and your animal's health.
To book a private phone session with Nicole and your animal, click here.
https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/quirky-or-undesired-behavior-there-is-a-reason
:: When you are in tune with your senses you can feel, see, sense, smell and experience the world through your animal's experience and senses. For us to actually tune into our senses we need to be present.
:: Good news, “We are never not present, we are just present with something else.”
:: Compared to us, our animals have superior senses.
:: Our animals have such marvelous skills to read the energies and frequencies put forth from the world around them. Meeting your animals in the now gives you a chance to become more aware and tuned in to your senses and theirs.
:: As you take a breath or two to become present, your mind automatically slows down and becomes more perceptive. The same is true for your body. As you are more connected to your body, consciously, your senses wake up/get activated and provide a lot of information.
:: Whenever I notice one of our furry family members look at something intently, my eyes immediately start searching for what they might be looking at. My ears stretch to pick up any sound that could reveal what's in the bushes. And my body feels alerted to take action if required.
:: Raising your awareness and tuning in to your senses will shift your relationship with your animal and people to new heights.
:: Give your animals a chance to guide you back to your senses. The more aware you are, the better you will be at the next thing I want to talk about timing, good timing.
:: When you spend more time in the present moment and utilize your senses, you will see more opportunities to respond more timely when communicating with your animal, and that will make it more effective.
Show notes available here:
https://www.mindful-connections.com/podcasts
:: Growing up in Germany, our neighbor's horses were my playmates, my confidantes, and my peers. And though I didn't have pets, I pretended my grandparents' German Shepherd was mine.
:: I definitely felt more like myself in the company of an animal than with most human beings.
:: As I grew up and learned how to work with horses and train my dog and run a farm and teach students, the way I communicated with animals changed.
I lost my heart connection. At times I forced when I should have felt, I pushed when I could have yielded, and I struggled when I could have partnered.
:: My horse Okie's image popped into my mind and with it a message. "Don't ask how I can come to you. Ask how you can come to me." With this statement came the understanding: the animals were not my problem—I was.
:: And, as I breathed a lot and was more present, I could suddenly hear and feel more consistently what the animals around me expressed.
:: You, too, can return to that place of deep, meaningful relationships with your animals and with yourself. When you meet your animals where they live, in the now, you will find what you have been seeking: a deep and magical bond that surpasses any other relationship.
It is so easy. No training is needed.
:: On average, you take 20,00 breaths a day. Let's be more specific, except for the occasional sigh so loud that you make yourself aware of your breath; you unconsciously breathe 20,000 times a day. Here is one secret: Just one conscious breath puts you right into the present moment.
:: When your cat traipses over your keyboard she says … your head is buzzing and it is time for you to stop and take a breath. Chances are you have been sitting bent over your laptop for hours, your breath has gotten shallow, and your brain is getting fried. Your cat is looking out for you because she wants you to be more present and at ease. Hence the visit.
:: You’re always only one breath away from genuinely connecting with your animal … in the now.
Show Notes available here:
https://www.mindful-connections.com/podcasts
:: We can look at two categories that have a significant presence in our animal lover world. One is the communication with animals telepathically, connecting telepathically with your animal means you send visuals or messages to your animal and then feel, see, hear, or sense their reply.
:: And there is the category of training our animals, which is also a way of communicating, mostly with short commands and by using our body. These how-to books are usually based on leadership, more accurately on dominance.
:: In my experience, this type of leadership or dominance training doesn't take into account that our animal is also OUR teacher. For me that is the best part about being with animals. We can learn from and through them.
:: Connecting with your animal in mindful and meaningful ways can have remarkable side effects. The more I chatted with my animals the more I remembered the innate tools I used when I connected with animals as a child in Germany. My body and my intuition.
:: Animals, just like us, want to be seen and heard. Totally true.
:: Within three weeks I had written the manuscript this podcast is based on. It’s a script about living a meaningful and mindful life with your animal! I will share the secret to communicating with animals, successfully in this podcast.
:: If you’d love to learn to see the world - truly- through your animal's eyes so that you too can get a glimpse into the animal kingdom, a world that provides us with so much valuable information and precious wisdom, then stick around.
:: Together we will explore how you can hone your senses and how you can use them to connect with your animal, your herd, or pack in ways you’ve never connected before. I will remind you to listen to your body, your precious compass, who can guide your journey in magical ways.
https://www.mindful-connections.com/podcasts
:: Every day in my work as an interspecies communicator I connect with animals who were neglected, kicked around, and abandoned.
Some have found their family on the first try, others have been shuffled from family to shelter and back for years. Because of an unexpected or undesired behavior.
:: I will show you what it means to see the world through your animal’s eyes and guide you on how to connect with your furry or feathery companion in fun and meaningful ways.
:: You get some papers that describe your dog, but do you really know if the new dog is genetically a hunter, a herder, a watchdog? Will s/he like children, other dogs, be ok being left alone?
:: You are most likely a bit anxious yourself bringing a new being into your life. You being calm and grounded is the most important thing you can do.
Inhale through the nose, let the air settle into your belly and exhale through the mouth.
Three deep breaths settle your mind and your body so you can receive the new member with open arms.
:: On your first day, have a chat and introduce yourself.
https://www.mindful-connections.com/podcasts