animal teachings

The Animals are Talking!

Posted by Barbara Techel

blue-jayI’ve made more of a conscious decision to pay attention to the messages from all the animals in our world. Though I really believe dog is one of my spirit animals, I also believe all animals have much to teach me.

As I’m opening myself more to this I think I should perhaps change my website/blog name from Joyful Paws to Joyful Paws wings, hooves, etc. GRIN.

The more I understand and read about how animals try to get messages to us, the more I smile in complete wonder. You don’t have to live in a place full of animals around you to pay attention to their messages for you. They can come to you in images you see on TV or in a magazine or book, something you’ve heard, or an animal that appears before you.

Yesterday I posted on my Facebook page an image of Owl and Butterfly together that touched me. In learning to understand all their messages, I  turn to “The Animal Wisdom Tarot” cards by Dawn Brunke and Dr. Steven Farmer’s book, “Animal Spirit Guides.”

When I read about each animal I read and listen carefully to what resonates with me and find my lesson in their offering.

So this morning as I was doing my yoga practice, a bluejay landed in the tree outside my window. I’ve not seen a bluejay in a long, long time. He flitted back and forth for a time being and then flew off.

I smiled and could hardly wait to get done with my practice to hear what message he had for me.

As I picked up Dr. Steven Farmer’s book and began to read, I got tears in my eyes from these thoughts from Bluejay that feel right for me right now:

Rather than just dabbling in the spiritual/metaphysical realm, choose a path to explore and go as far as you can with it.

Whatever the situation that has triggered some fear, attack it boldly and courageously.

You’re feeling threatened or intimidated by someone, particularly someone you see as stronger or more capable that you are.

You have an interest in a number of subjects and want to explore them all to a degree.

Bluejay had other thoughts to offer, but the above resonated with me at this time.

What really fascinates me about being more open to the teachings of all animals is how they really speak to us of where we are at in our lives and what we are working through.

I want to know more, and it’s why I welcome being as open as possible to hearing and understanding what they have to share with me.

We shall see who arrives next to share another teaching with me!

Gidget to Embark on a Special Mission with Horizons4Girls

Posted by Barbara Techel

Gidget

We have exciting news!

Gidget has been asked to take on a special mission with Horizons4Girls (a non-profit helping young women to navigate life’s road map).

Let me first say this mission was accomplished last year by another wonderful dog named Gizmo who flew all the way from Connecticut to help out with this project. But he is now “pawing” the torch to Gidget. We are very honored to accept and carry on the mission.

So what is the mission you ask?  Well, thanks for asking! We are chomping at the bit to tell you.

Horizons4Girls instills in the girls the value of community service, among many other wonderful lessons they teach. One of their projects each holiday season is to deliver cookies to a nearby nursing home called Rocky Knoll.  Last year Gizmo went along to help them deliver the cookies and spread love and joy.

But this year it will be Gidget! I was so thrilled when Char, the founder of Horizons4Girls asked if we would do this. The date hasn’t been picked yet, but it will be a Saturday in December. I’ll be sure to share with you how it goes once we complete this special joy assignment.

On another note, Gidget and I will also be visiting Horizons4Girls in early December to talk about “Pet Power!”– How pets positively impact our lives. And boy do I have many thoughts running through my head that I can’t wait to share with the girls. Gidget will no doubt be her Buddha dog self offering her quiet wisdom.

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To learn more about our friend, Gizmo and all the amazing work he does, visit his Facebook page. Be prepared to say “awe, how cute!” quite often.

To learn more about Horizons4Girls and their work in my community please see their website or Facebook .

“Four-Legged Wisdom.” Book Review and Giveaway.

Posted by Barbara Techel

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I know it’s a good book when I finish reading it, set it down, and realize it won’t close because so many of the pages have been dog-eared.

There are many stories in Four-Legged Wisdom by Dobie Houson that touched me. My favorite about a dog named Hanna Banana Honey Bunny. The story titled “Hannah-Service.”

A German Shepherd rescued by a woman named Vivian. Hannah wasn’t on her radar to bring home that day. That sentence alone brought a smile to my face because of the magic animals work in our lives if we allow it to unfold as it is supposed to.

Hannah would turn out to be a wonderful therapy dog. With the gentle compassion and in-tune awareness to Hannah’s needs, Vivian would guide this special dog to many opportunities that served not only humans, but allowed Hannah to be the best therapy dog she could be.

When one situation proved to be too much for Hannah or wasn’t fulfilling her any longer, Vivian would find another new purpose in therapy work that would bring out the very best in this sweet spirit of a dog that she loved so much.

As an animal communicator, Dobie having worked with the animals in these stories, not only offers peace and comfort in helping us understand the animals in our lives, but also valuable insight into what they are trying to help us with on our own personal levels of healing.

Hannah’s message to Vivian through Dobie’s communication with her, one of those profound insights, “There is no hope where there is no light. Infuse yourself and your life with light.”

If you love animals and believe in their teachings, this is a book you will be glad you picked up and read. It offers more confirmation to our mere human minds that can’t always comprehend that we are all truly connected and can learn from another if we open our hearts.

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Author, Dobie Houson, has kindly offered to give away a copy of her book to one of my readers!

To be eligible please leave a comment to this question:  “Who is your spirit animal and what one lesson did they teach you that was most profound?”

Please leave comment below by midnight CST, Sunday, Oct. 12th. Winner will be chosen using random.org on Monday, October 13.