tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83684829433457794182024-03-05T21:53:51.499-08:00Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLCbehind the scenes of an energy healing practice for animals and peopleRose De Dan, Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05293500010636551868noreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8368482943345779418.post-53846718935787953842009-10-06T08:05:00.001-07:002011-03-05T17:08:44.449-08:00We've Moved!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5WiifBZce0o6a_WepCLITmNKxxkXYw9Y3muopaaVKg-YV9FWp5wEbpqlqtGZxHplZMFAoU7xMy2D309SgSkieB8BVTGu6ZoBmeTA2NTZ7lpOwZZ7eTUdFa3REIFteixxmEWZ3u1E0sLoF/s1600-h/kitty+pile+kitty+harborsm.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 258px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5WiifBZce0o6a_WepCLITmNKxxkXYw9Y3muopaaVKg-YV9FWp5wEbpqlqtGZxHplZMFAoU7xMy2D309SgSkieB8BVTGu6ZoBmeTA2NTZ7lpOwZZ7eTUdFa3REIFteixxmEWZ3u1E0sLoF/s400/kitty+pile+kitty+harborsm.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395467103869500018" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">We've moved! </span><br />Follow us on over to <a href="http://www.wildreiki.wordpress.com">Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing Blog</a> at Wordpress. We've got lots of new articles and photos!<br /><br /><strong>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />Think Outside the Cage<br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</strong><br /><br />Rose De Dan, <a href="http://www.reikishamanic.com">Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLC</a>, is a mesa carrier in the Peruvian Andean Medicine Tradition. In addition she is also a Reiki Master Teacher, animal communicator, author of the acclaimed book <a href="http://reikishamanic.com/tailsofahealeranimals1reikishamanism1">Tails of a Healer: Animals, Reiki and Shamanism</a>, and creator of <a href="http://www.cafepress.com/reikishamanic">Animal and Reiki Art</a>. As an animal shaman, she views her role as a healer as one of building bridges between people and animals, and of empowering them to reconnect with Pachamama, Mother Earth.<br /><br />To receive notice of future articles and events, <a href="http://www.reikishamanic.com/newslettersign1up">sign up for our newsletter</a>.<br /><br />Follow us on <a href="http://twitter.com/WildReikiShaman">Twitter</a> and <a href="http://tinyurl.com/fom7b">Facebook</a>!Rose De Dan, Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05293500010636551868noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8368482943345779418.post-26529636280127272082009-06-02T22:05:00.001-07:002009-06-02T22:12:27.904-07:00Purrs and Catcalls in Interview with Rose De Dan on A Life on Fire<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfrKNrvPW6bHI1vcI0wCyxaLEBa0CgjmQJhLikwyStvkhuFvofqHIBlDLBCBYdLKx8OaZu2KbHPVIb5Grp8L7U1NhTO5sp4nP3N0MU2VUlln3z2t2uNRlgmU5U_rWUbXtbK078e-_uc8vf/s1600-h/Rose_De_Dan_Puma+sq160.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 141px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfrKNrvPW6bHI1vcI0wCyxaLEBa0CgjmQJhLikwyStvkhuFvofqHIBlDLBCBYdLKx8OaZu2KbHPVIb5Grp8L7U1NhTO5sp4nP3N0MU2VUlln3z2t2uNRlgmU5U_rWUbXtbK078e-_uc8vf/s320/Rose_De_Dan_Puma+sq160.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342963797133054194" border="0" /></a>This Wednesday, June 3, 2009, my interview with the Sisters of Sizzle, Elise Kloter and Jill Pagano on<a href="http://www.contacttalkradio.com/hosts/kloter-pagano.html#upcoming"> A Life on Fire</a>, airs on ContactTalk Radio at 3pm PST.<p></p>Elise and Jill's mission is to search out people who are living their passion and and get them to share it with others. Their excitement is contagious, this was the most fun I have had so far doing an interview. You won't want to miss our purring contest, or our standup comedy routine on cat calling. And yes, we do cover serious issues such as my dream of bringing the benefits of energy healing and animal communication to zoo animals.<br /><br />You can listen <a href="http://www.contacttalkradio.com/index.php">online</a> around the World and in Seattle on 106.9 HD Channel 3 this Wednesday at 3PM Pacific Time, and if you can't listen at that time the show will be <a href="http://www.contacttalkradio.com/hosts/archives/kloter-pagano.html">archived</a> for your convenience!<br /><br />Rose De Dan<br />Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLC<br />Blog: <a href="http://www.wildreiki.wordpress.com/">www.wildreiki.wordpress.com</a><br />Website: <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.reikishamanic.com">www.reikishamanic.com</a><br />Animal and Reiki Art: <a href="http://www.cafepress.com/reikishamanic">www.cafepress.com/reikishamanic</a>Rose De Dan, Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05293500010636551868noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8368482943345779418.post-89333590592295379232009-05-04T14:20:00.000-07:002009-05-04T14:22:53.413-07:00Gun Shy, Murder Mystery that's Dog-gone Good<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA00zvaeeBUGWwxnlLsT1wgy-CFy11KIvnNvfhkx6I4q_ONRr3MCz22_zt99Id6F9FuyPhdg3Q7X06nGyDN4PHlyRWC6yB7014ou0DEX9VBE43FMdDyhpvCaN7Y9VHPZpM0hlz3rZNL8IU/s1600-h/Gun+Shy+book.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 100px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA00zvaeeBUGWwxnlLsT1wgy-CFy11KIvnNvfhkx6I4q_ONRr3MCz22_zt99Id6F9FuyPhdg3Q7X06nGyDN4PHlyRWC6yB7014ou0DEX9VBE43FMdDyhpvCaN7Y9VHPZpM0hlz3rZNL8IU/s320/Gun+Shy+book.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332082266762898578" border="0" /></a>When the intensity of the type of work that I do gets to be a bit much, and I'm feeling like I need a break, I take a mental vacation. My favorite form of doing that is to dive into a good book like <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0451221893?ie=UTF8&tag=wildreikisham-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0451221893">Gun Shy (Raine Stockton Dog Mysteries, Book 3)</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=wildreikisham-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0451221893" alt="" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0pt ! important;" border="0" width="1" height="1" />, by author Donna Ball.<br /><br />While the book has well-developed characters, including the dogs, the best part of reading it was arguing mentally with the main character. This supplied an unexpected pinch of zest to my usual reading style which is more passive. Raine Stockton is quite dog savvy, yet finds it difficult to wrap her mind around the concept that animals and people might be able to communicate telepathically.<br /><br />However, when the only witness to a murder is a golden retriever, Raine finds herself seeking the help of Sonny Brightwell, an attorney with an uncanny knack for animal communication. What did Hero really see? Will he overcome the trauma?<br /><br />Now I found myself mentally taking stock on the type of energy healing approach I would have taken to help Hero (I do the same thing sometimes when I watch Cesar Millan work with some dogs that I feel could transform more quickly if energy healing was included with the rehabilitation process). At this point I realize that I may be working rather than taking a break from work, but I am too caught up in the story to stop.<br /><br />Add a dash of the dysfunctional relationship that Raine has with her sort-of ex-husband (it's complicated does not even cover it), and you've got the makings of a great soap opera as well! Now I find myself mentally cataloguing the many shamanic ways to clear out relationship baggage. I resolve to stop armchair coaching, and read on to the end of the book.<br /><br /><i>Gun Shy</i> is a murder mystery with dogs, dog training, and animal communication all blended together into an enjoyable page-turner of a book. Now, after all that mental activity over fiction, perhaps I should take a break from reading, and escape by watching some reality TV?<br /><br />Rose De Dan<br />Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLC<br />Blog: <a href="http://www.wildreiki.wordpress.com/">www.wildreiki.wordpress.com</a><br />Website: <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.reikishamanic.com">www.reikishamanic.com</a><br />Animal and Reiki Art: <a href="http://www.cafepress.com/reikishamanic">www.cafepress.com/reikishamanic</a>.Rose De Dan, Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05293500010636551868noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8368482943345779418.post-19120352008546487292009-04-19T08:58:00.000-07:002009-04-19T09:10:17.252-07:00Answering the Call of the Wild<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgULFVLQfvFAXqDV8OxnDE10kCwo_kYTTo68dWb9u3FXokE1ndMhwD7ab8OLOiKblhV2SmL_-bvezqF9j35YmMJDxvnSBWQ7S4cDYK0VP_omnUIux4ruDQ6GXIP0LKPxcFjiSrlnAZ4kn28/s1600-h/Wolf2+eyes+thru+trees+sm.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgULFVLQfvFAXqDV8OxnDE10kCwo_kYTTo68dWb9u3FXokE1ndMhwD7ab8OLOiKblhV2SmL_-bvezqF9j35YmMJDxvnSBWQ7S4cDYK0VP_omnUIux4ruDQ6GXIP0LKPxcFjiSrlnAZ4kn28/s320/Wolf2+eyes+thru+trees+sm.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326435042633249010" /></a><br />I am in the process of writing a series piece on the nature of our relationship with animals. This series was inspired by an encounter with a wolf in the local zoo in Seattle, and details a shamanic journey into deepening awareness of our connection to the Other Nations, our animal brethren.<br /><br />Entitled <a href="http://reikishamanic.com/newsarticles/article.nhtml?uid=10033">Answering the Call of the Wild</a> you can follow the series as it is filed under the Articles section of my website or <a href="http://reikishamanic.com/newslettersign1up">sign-up for our newsletter</a>.<br /><br />Rose De Dan<br />Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLC<br />Blog: <a href="http://www.wildreiki.wordpress.com">www.wildreiki.wordpress.com</a><br />Website: <a href="www.reikishamanic.com">www.reikishamanic.com</a><br />Animal and Reiki Art: <a href="http://www.cafepress.com/reikishamanic">www.cafepress.com/reikishamanic</a>.Rose De Dan, Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05293500010636551868noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8368482943345779418.post-70421378316853387382009-04-07T07:10:00.001-07:002009-04-07T07:13:24.685-07:00Reiki Attunements for Animals<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3lYqCpl9me4l_WHElieemCeofjA4kitNb6R3btYLh2-9JukvZcNRgBd1nY6jGgy0JNJYpf8c9zhr4pkJR00u7x_OhZV1b2e9oDX5Q74sL6eL4gIIzR_aVYrdCQ6-qcwRcZWit-P6dooz8/s1600-h/Rose+bless+eskimo+dogssm+crop.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 203px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3lYqCpl9me4l_WHElieemCeofjA4kitNb6R3btYLh2-9JukvZcNRgBd1nY6jGgy0JNJYpf8c9zhr4pkJR00u7x_OhZV1b2e9oDX5Q74sL6eL4gIIzR_aVYrdCQ6-qcwRcZWit-P6dooz8/s320/Rose+bless+eskimo+dogssm+crop.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321951984693191682" /></a><br />Beth Lowell posed the question <a href="http://reikidigest.blogspot.com/2008_10_01_archive.html">Attuning Animals: Yes or no?</a> in the online publication The Reiki Digest on October 30, 2008.<br /><br />I thought about answering but shelved responding for later. I was very busy, and surely others would reply.<br /><br />It came back to the forefront of my mind today in relationship to a recent ruling by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops committee on doctrine where their <a href="http://reikidigest.blogspot.com/2009/03/breaking-news-blogger-outage.html">group denounces Reiki</a>.<br /><br />Reading that brought back memories of when, as a teenager, I had broken away from the Catholic Church. Up until that point I had a strong love of the religion I had been raised in from birth, so strong that I had seriously considered becoming a nun.<br /><br />As a teenager I learned the true history of the Catholic Church, which historically is one of persecution. Disillusioned I rejected both organized religion and spirituality. I never returned to organized religion, but taking training in Reiki in 1996 restored my connection to universal energy and love, and my belief in a spiritually based world.<br /><br />Reading the article about the stand of the Catholic Bishops confronted me with the real reason I had not immediately written in response to Beth Lowell’s question, and that reason had little to do with my being so busy, and everything to do with fear of persecution.<br /><br />In checking back to Beth’s article I discovered that only one person had left a comment but that comment only focused on the benefits of Reiki sessions for animals, something very different from offering attunements to animals.<br /><br />What’s the difference? When taking a beginning class in Reiki, a student receives a series of attunements by a Reiki Master Teacher that opens their energy channels, connecting them up to the universal life force energy known as Reiki. The process of attunement to the Reiki energy offers personal benefit to the student as well as the ability to facilitate the healing Reiki energy for people and animals.<br /><br />Experiencing the healing energy of Reiki in a session also helps to balance and calm, but the recipient does not leave with the ability to carry that energy forward and offer it to others. In my Reiki classes students are taught how to offer Reiki not only to people, but also to animals and plants. And in Master Level training I teach my students how to do attunements for animals as well as people.<br /><br />Why would I do this, you might ask?<br /><br />When I took my Reiki Master Teacher training in 1996 in Massachusetts there was no mention of attunements for animals, and it never occurred to me to ask about them. My Master Teacher was a nurse who worked in a local hospital and she taught many nurses and a few doctors the art of Reiki for their patients.<br /><br />In my Level I and II Reiki training with a different teacher there was only a passing reference to the fact that Reiki could benefit pets, there was no mention of how to do sessions for animals, never mind any mention of attunements for them.<br /><br />It was not a human teacher but the Reiki energy itself that reawakened me to my dashed youthful dreams and sense of spiritual connection. It happened during the first attunement in Reiki that I received in my Reiki Level I class. Suddenly I could feel energy coursing through my hands, and a new level of awareness washed through me along with great love and joy as I connected fully with the Reiki energy. Simultaneously I reconnected with myself and knew in the core of my being that I was born to be a healer and that I would work with animals.<br /><br />From that moment on I was in love with Reiki and all its many benefits. It transformed my life in a very positive fashion and, when I opened a practice in 1996 immediately after my Level I class, that of many of my clients and students, human and animal. I named it Wild Kingdom Reiki and to the best of my knowledge, it was the first Reiki healing practice for animals on the East coast.<br /><br />Not long after finishing my Reiki Master Teacher training I began to feel pulled toward offering Reiki attunements to the animal companions that shared my life and my practice. I did a lot of soul searching about that desire, no one talked about it in the Reiki community, none of the books I had read mentioned anything about it, yet the pull would not go away.<br /><br />With a great deal of trepidation I offered it to my animals and they accepted, and they enjoyed the process. I mentioned what I had done to no one in the community, I was afraid that people would shun me, after all, who was I, this newly trained Reiki Master to bring something new into the tradition?<br /><br />And I probably would have kept quiet indefinitely if it had not been for an elderly dog named Abbie.<br /><br />My friend Joanne Wilson called me one day, in tears, because they had made the decision to put their canine companion of many years to sleep. She and her husband felt that Abbie’s quality of life was no longer good enough to justify their keeping her in her ailing body just because they loved her -- that she had reached the point where she was suffering. She had developed hot spots all over her body which she tried to scratch constantly, she didn’t move around much, and when she walked she would often lose control of her bowels, and would hide in embarrassment. She no longer wanted to do any of the fun things she used to love to do, like going for rides in the car. In short, she had no joy in daily living.<br /><br />I felt that pull again, and found myself offering to come over and build Abbie a Bridge of Light and offer her some Reiki. Joanne, a fellow Reiki practitioner, told me that when she offered Reiki the dog would walk away. I replied that I would ask her permission and if she did not want any I would respect her decision.<br /><br />When I arrived Abbie was accepting of my presence, and I asked her if she would like to receive a Reiki attunement. She was uncertain what that was so I explained that it was an energetic process that would reconnect her to the universal life force energy, and that it might help her feel better and could assist her in getting ready to leave her body or in healing. She was willing to give it a try and so I began the attunement process. During it I suddenly felt a weight lift off her, but had no idea what it was, and kept going with the attunement until it was complete. Abbie seemed quite content, and I left.<br /><br />I received a call from Joanne the following day, and fully expected to hear her tearfully tell me that Abbie was gone. Instead Joanne joyfully explained that they had cancelled the euthanasia process because Abbie was outside playing like a puppy! She further added that Abbie had asked to go for her first car ride in two years. I was speechless, and amazed.<br /><br />As the days unfolded Abbie’s hot spots healed up and she no longer had issues with her bowels. And from the time of the attunement on Abbie enjoyed receiving Reiki sessions, which she never had before. Her quality of life, and joy in life, continued for another six months until her body simply wore out.<br /><br />With Abbie’s response to her attunement I acknowledged that it was time for me to come out of the Reiki closet and begin offering this to my animal clients where appropriate. It was made very clear to me by the Reiki energy that if I was not supposed to offer Reiki attunements to animals then Abbie would have had no response. Instead, with her miraculous and positive response to the Reiki attunement, I received validation that the animals needed and wanted the attunements. They, too, were spiritual as well as physical beings.<br /><br />From that point on I began offering it to my animal clients within the context of a healing session (always asking their permission), and began teaching the process to my Reiki students (there are some adaptations to the attunement process necessary when offering it to animals).<br /><br />And I mentioned it in passing from time to time in the articles that I wrote over 11 years that were eventually collected into the book <a href="http://reikishamanic.com/tailsofahealeranimals1reikishamanism1"> Tails of a Healer: Animals, Reiki and Shamanism</a>. Animal Reiki attunements were very important to the healing process for the dog, AJ, in “Freedom from Fear,” and to the many animals injured during a pet store burglary in “When You Care Enough.”<br /><br />But I realized that I had never fully stepped out and said bluntly, publicly, yes, I do attunements for animals. Some part of me was still in hiding.<br /><br />I do not know how many other Reiki Masters there may be out there that do attunements for animals that may also be in hiding, but with the latest article I am writing, <a href="http://reikishamanic.com/june2005newsletter/">Answering the Call of the Wild</a>, I am now very aware that the needs of the animals and the world are greater than my personal fears. Perhaps there are other Reiki Masters who may read this, and who may be inspired to speak up so that the world can know that animals are spiritual beings deserving of, and responsive to, Reiki attunements.<br /><br />So, I now consciously and fully step forward and declare, “YES, I do attunements for animals, and they can be very healing.” And I also offer them to trees, but that is a story for another time!<br /><br />Rose De Dan<br />Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLC<br />Blog: <a href="http://www.wildreiki.wordpress.com">www.wildreiki.wordpress.com</a><br />Website: <a href="www.reikishamanic.com">www.reikishamanic.com</a><br />Animal and Reiki Art: <a href="http://www.cafepress.com/reikishamanic">www.cafepress.com/reikishamanic</a>Rose De Dan, Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05293500010636551868noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8368482943345779418.post-77025628096953026682009-04-06T11:27:00.000-07:002009-04-06T11:31:45.270-07:00Dogs Speak On Peace for Dogs<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/iG6dAnIMDys&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/iG6dAnIMDys&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />An amazing and beautiful video <em>Peace for Dogs</em> has been released as a Public Service Announcement (PSA) in the campaign against dog fighting. Rather than appeal to the public by presenting the usual truthful and horrifying images of dogs that have been wounded or killed in dog fights, the creators were inspired to tell the story from a different point of view, that of the dogs.<br /><br />I was moved to tears by the simple, yet poignant tales that each dog told of what a fighting dog endures when the loyalty and love that dogs naturally have for people is subverted into the unnatural world of dog fighting. And some of the dogs that appear in this video know the experience first hand, having been rescued from dog fighting rings and breeding operations.<br /><br />As an animal communicator I know first hand the abuse that some rescue dogs have suffered because they share their stories with me, and I feel that the creators of this moving video have accurately depicted the perspective of the dogs. You don't have to be a professional animal communicator to do that, you simply have to open your heart and be open to shifting your viewpoint to that of a different species. Compassion will do the rest.<br /><br />The idea for the video originated from the director, Michael Killan, the man responsible for animating the California Cheese cows. Driving to work one morning, listening to the story unfolding regarding Michael Vick's involvement in dog fighting, he thought of his nine year-old daughter Erin and her love for animals, and how hard this story would be for her to hear. And from that thought the video was born, and support gathered.<br /><br />If you want more information about the making of this video, you can visit their site, <a href="http://web.mac.com/animalsite/iWeb/PSA/note.html">Peace for Dogs</a> and read a full account and see behind-the-scenes photos of Erin and the dogs.<br /><br />Spread the word, the dogs are counting on us, one person can make a difference!<br /><br />Rose De Dan<br />Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLC<br />Website: <a href="http://www.reikishamanic.com/">www.reikishamanic.com</a><br />Animal and Reiki Art: <a href="http://www.cafepress.com/reikishamanic">www.cafepress.com/reikishamanic</a>Rose De Dan, Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05293500010636551868noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8368482943345779418.post-21580291661762112742009-03-30T08:50:00.000-07:002009-03-30T09:08:15.157-07:00Rescued Greyhound Jasmine Pays Love Forward<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Qp77LDV7_qLkTtTRfYeLLTQOb5BnoMIzkrWOPi_aEaqcr0sUyznOVHIBWPB-j7SVhW77wV6ZFC8uBvpro33mzkEmk32KYgnyCAB2kyA3qN0ecnXo7CWn98u2sfagPOWUA80G3L8OVzVt/s1600-h/Jasmine+and+fox.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 309px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Qp77LDV7_qLkTtTRfYeLLTQOb5BnoMIzkrWOPi_aEaqcr0sUyznOVHIBWPB-j7SVhW77wV6ZFC8uBvpro33mzkEmk32KYgnyCAB2kyA3qN0ecnXo7CWn98u2sfagPOWUA80G3L8OVzVt/s320/Jasmine+and+fox.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319009795581363426" border="0" /></a>Normally I don't post forwarded stories I receive by email, but this one was just too good to pass up. The photos are as beautiful and heartwarming as the story. Jasmine, the rescued greyhound, is an example to all of passing the kindness we have received on to others — paying love forward.<br /><br />I could not find an original source for the copy, I apologize to the author. If you contact me I would be happy to include well deserved credit and congratulations for having gone viral!<br /><br />"In 2003, police in Warwickshire, England, opened a garden shed and found a whimpering, cowering dog. It had been locked in the shed and abandoned. It was dirty and malnourished, and had clearly been abused. In an act of kindness, the police took the dog, which was a greyhound female, to the nearby <a href="http://www.warwickshirewildlifesanctuary.co.uk/">Nuneaton and Warwickshire Wildlife Sanctuary</a>, run by a man named Geoff Grewcock and known as a willing haven for animals abandoned, orphaned or otherwise in need. Geoff Grewcock and the other sanctuary staff went to work with two aims: to restore the dog to full health, and to win her trust. It took several weeks, but eventually both goals were achieved. They named her Jasmine, and they started to think about finding her an adoptive home. The dog had other ideas.<br /><br />"No-one remembers now how it began, but Jasmine started welcoming all animal arrivals at the sanctuary. It wouldn't matter if it was a puppy, a fox cub, a rabbit or, probably, a rhinoceros, Jasmine would peer into the box or cage and, where possible, deliver a welcoming lick.<br /><br />"Geoff Grewcock relates one of the early incidents. 'We had two puppies that had been abandoned by a nearby railway line. One was a Lakeland Terrier cross and another was a Jack Russell Doberman cross. They were tiny when they arrived at the centre and Jasmine approached them and grabbed one by the scruff of the neck in her mouth and put him on the settee. Then she fetched the other one and sat down with them, cuddling them.'<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdOsuCR3SmJiMEuIf3CEJD7GWmcm9_2V3yAUIOnA6hsYZAkZAurUQuOEpYh7kFSMjk5RmOLeLlf403ZmVWM1W0Og4x0A9amzb_as-rnHcRWD2h9PnAFsVlLgbvLZ6NXMRjppHSc5QD9Ypj/s1600-h/Jasmine+and+rabbit.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 262px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdOsuCR3SmJiMEuIf3CEJD7GWmcm9_2V3yAUIOnA6hsYZAkZAurUQuOEpYh7kFSMjk5RmOLeLlf403ZmVWM1W0Og4x0A9amzb_as-rnHcRWD2h9PnAFsVlLgbvLZ6NXMRjppHSc5QD9Ypj/s400/Jasmine+and+rabbit.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319012748951473906" border="0" /></a><br /><br />"'But she is like that with all of our animals, even the rabbits. She takes all the stress out of them and it helps them to not only feel close to her but to settle into their new surroundings.'<br /><br />"'She has done the same with the fox and badger cubs, she licks the rabbits and guinea pigs and even lets the birds perch on the bridge of her nose.'<br /><br />"Jasmine, the timid, abused, deserted waif, became the animal sanctuary's resident surrogate mother, a role for which she might have been born. The list of orphaned and abandoned youngsters she has cared for comprises five fox cubs, four badger cubs, 15 chicks, eight guinea pigs, two stray puppies and 15 rabbits.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazaThSRVijW1aVGRfccZ47aJg5Q99mPH13FwmxSKI8BASjgyP5uaTXVbkawJwdGxjgzYIdV2Mp7razI59jd6-4nYf-cR9PxKqTvG85ycuPs6gjE5eTK7ojFugWIjTYHAmhPxoe-Rk9wJ0/s1600-h/Jasmine+and+fawn.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 199px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazaThSRVijW1aVGRfccZ47aJg5Q99mPH13FwmxSKI8BASjgyP5uaTXVbkawJwdGxjgzYIdV2Mp7razI59jd6-4nYf-cR9PxKqTvG85ycuPs6gjE5eTK7ojFugWIjTYHAmhPxoe-Rk9wJ0/s320/Jasmine+and+fawn.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319010652528052418" border="0" /></a>"And one roe deer fawn. Tiny Bramble, 11 weeks old, was found semi-conscious in a field. Upon arrival at the sanctuary, Jasmine cuddled up to her to keep her warm, and then went into the full foster mum role. Jasmine the greyhound showers Bramble the roe deer with affection and makes sure nothing is matted in her fur.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjouut1gVgzZiIfRYMAcJcaP6lVPz_owgjTCfTMblWsr8p3t_cGVyStYkyB7KGYaHL8hL3uL2GJg0Sl4OLEdGrqhyphenhyphen21_695RSeXGuVPQZIcXVClN3iS7a-45nIXg20s3Xyc4AuAr-CGuMuo/s1600-h/Jasmine+and+fawn+snuggle.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 188px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjouut1gVgzZiIfRYMAcJcaP6lVPz_owgjTCfTMblWsr8p3t_cGVyStYkyB7KGYaHL8hL3uL2GJg0Sl4OLEdGrqhyphenhyphen21_695RSeXGuVPQZIcXVClN3iS7a-45nIXg20s3Xyc4AuAr-CGuMuo/s320/Jasmine+and+fawn+snuggle.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319011159526788178" border="0" /></a>"'They are inseparable,' says Geoff Grewcock. 'Bramble walks between her legs and they keep kissing each other. They walk together round the sanctuary. It's a real treat to see them.'<br />"Jasmine will continue to care for Bramble until she is old enough to be returned to woodland life. When that happens, Jasmine will not be lonely. She will be too busy showering love and affection on the next orphan or victim of abuse."<br /><br /><em>Photo below: from left, Toby, a stray Lakeland dog; Bramble, an orphaned roe deer; Buster,a stray Jack Russell; a dumped rabbit; Sky, an injured barn owl; and Jasmine.</em><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUKurhswTPM6ZmsgdpCAP1I5tiuXM-amDEB4fqHz0tjtbXT71jBrQYb3lYBnmAhPZhgt1ifjyqWNPRc-wTa10wCThyJ11F1k6aOkmxSvzwzrU1-VbFlviizNfT70rbFYTpJUfLUe5WQTui/s1600-h/Jasmine+and+animal+group.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 232px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUKurhswTPM6ZmsgdpCAP1I5tiuXM-amDEB4fqHz0tjtbXT71jBrQYb3lYBnmAhPZhgt1ifjyqWNPRc-wTa10wCThyJ11F1k6aOkmxSvzwzrU1-VbFlviizNfT70rbFYTpJUfLUe5WQTui/s400/Jasmine+and+animal+group.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319012358302861650" border="0" /></a>Rose De Dan, Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05293500010636551868noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8368482943345779418.post-8631191912739721452009-03-16T08:18:00.000-07:002009-03-16T08:20:58.534-07:0012 Steps to A Shining Spirit<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpcsi9EPyP8C0Z_vr7Zq89FcD9v70wthMeaqCbaLw2E-pdYYg0kfFsBzgo5HAevxuRTenLg7Y2cICjmNFUAs2sSOdbf4ivHr_j5fxuZIwFbgBNElnPNmec4amRFDtLn2gvPkki7JHVhSgA/s1600-h/Raccoon+Mama+baby+cropsm.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 350px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpcsi9EPyP8C0Z_vr7Zq89FcD9v70wthMeaqCbaLw2E-pdYYg0kfFsBzgo5HAevxuRTenLg7Y2cICjmNFUAs2sSOdbf4ivHr_j5fxuZIwFbgBNElnPNmec4amRFDtLn2gvPkki7JHVhSgA/s400/Raccoon+Mama+baby+cropsm.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313805608209485170" /></a><br /><strong>Feeling dragged down, held back?<br />Having trouble staying grounded, focused, and centered?<br />Want to communicate better with animals?</strong><br /><br />In December of 2008 Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing released the <em>first ever</em> <a href="http://www.cafepress.com/reikishamanic/6246527">shamanic calendar/workbook</a> created as a 12-step healing process for people and the earth. And we created matching Journals to enable you to deepen your experiences and chart your progress.<br /><br />Now we've paired the theme of each month's photo and energy healing exercise with a single, powerful crystal/flower essence mist from Vi Miere to increase the shift possibilities. Each mist was chosen shamanically by Rose De Dan, WRSH, to support the particular theme of that month.<br /><br />In the Calendar, <strong>January's theme</strong> is how to keep your energy, your family's, and that of your companion animals, clear. Daily practices for staying clean in a dirty world help clear hucha, or heavy energy, before it has a chance to settle in to the physical body, thereby creating the potential for physical illness and emotional stress. <a href="http://www.reikishamanic.com/vimieremists"><strong>Clear mist</strong></a> is the paired Vi Miere essence for this purpose. Check out our <a href="http://www.reikishamanic.com/shamanicgifts/list.nhtml">shamanic gifts</a> for other ways to clear heavy energy.<br /><br /><strong>February's theme</strong> is the ability to stay focused in the present moment, to be fully connected to the Earth. Lack of such connection can result in feeling unfocused, scattered, emotionally overwhelmed, spacey, etc. <a href="http://www.reikishamanic.com/vimieremists"><strong>Ground mist</strong></a> is the paired Vi Miere essence for February. Check out our <a href="http://www.reikishamanic.com/dowsingpendulums1">energy jewelry</a> for other stone allies for staying grounded.<br /><br /><strong>March's theme</strong> is about developing our abilities to connect and communicate with our wild animal and bird neighbors. This ability furthers our connection to ourselves and to the Earth, and can result in powerful shifts in perception and a sense of well-being and reason for being. <a href="http://www.reikishamanic.com/vimieremists">Communicate mist</a> is the paired Vi Miere essence for March.<br /><br />The remaining months and their paired mists are listed below. In the coming months we will explore the themes for each in greater depth.<br /><br /><strong>April</strong> - Gratitude<strong><br />May</strong> - Environmental Oneness<strong><br />June </strong>- Wisdom<strong><br />July</strong> - Sky<strong><br />August</strong> - Serene<strong><br />September</strong> - Create<strong><br />October</strong> - Manifest<strong><br />November </strong>- Transformation<br /><strong>December </strong>- Shining Spirit<br /><br />Vi Miere mists were created to raise our vibration; removing blocks and old, self-defeating patterns that no longer serve us. You don't have to purchase the Calendar to benefit from any of the Vi Miere mists, compact, affordable, and easy to use, they make great travel companions as we walk through the world each day.<br /><br />To order or to see the rest of the Vi Miere mists <a href="http://www.reikishamanic.com/vimieremists">click here</a>. If you have questions or need help with choosing the right mist for you call 206-933-7877, or <a href="http://mailto:rose@reikishamanic.com">send an email</a> for a consultation.<br /><br />COMING SOON! An ebook version of the shamanic workbook/calendar so that you can practice year-round.<br /><br />Rose De Dan<br />Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLC<br />Website: <a href="www.reikishamanic.com">www.reikishamanic.com</a><br />Blog: <a href="http://www.wildreiki.wordpress.com">www.wildreiki.wordpress.com</a><br />Animal and Reiki Art: <a href="http://www.cafepress.com/reikishamanic">www.cafepress.com/reikishamanic</a>Rose De Dan, Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05293500010636551868noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8368482943345779418.post-44089507499494847942009-02-26T19:33:00.000-08:002009-02-26T19:34:49.469-08:0015 Year-Old Cat, Roger, Looking for Love<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJuG1u2j2WUjnQnduOCg3smDFBGi_nR774e0J5yhyphenhyphenSAWYnEp421StbEPKaqVA2q1AnNP4Y21wUVvGP0BLZEqiqOLre6i-nFShDA5ukQTGgcea5PDrUXAZpbJ5isKPs4ojbx3z2Nz1J2wz1/s1600-h/Roger+senior+catsm.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 350px; height: 199px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJuG1u2j2WUjnQnduOCg3smDFBGi_nR774e0J5yhyphenhyphenSAWYnEp421StbEPKaqVA2q1AnNP4Y21wUVvGP0BLZEqiqOLre6i-nFShDA5ukQTGgcea5PDrUXAZpbJ5isKPs4ojbx3z2Nz1J2wz1/s400/Roger+senior+catsm.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307315317077031730" /></a><br /><br />It is my great honor to know some truly wonderful people and organizations that I come across in the day-to-day operation of my alternative healing practice, but Kindred Souls Foundation based in Steilacoom, WA stands out.<br /><br />I first met Kelly Nelson, founder of Kindred Souls, at a Psychic Fair, of all places. Somehow I felt drawn to her booth that offered information on her totally volunteer organization, and we struck up a conversation. In the course of that conversation she told me about a street dog that they were trying to rescue, that they called <a href="http://www.kindredsoulsfoundation.org/Hobo.htm">Hobo</a>, and that no one seemed able to catch. I volunteered my services as a "dog whisperer" and animal shaman, and became part of the team, which included both human and canine rescue members.<br /><br />I was very impressed by the dedication of Kindred Souls Foundation to rescue and foster work combined with alternative healing and training methods, all without benefit of an actual physical facility.<br /><br />I just received an email from them regarding a senior cat, "Roger," who needs a foster home/forever home, and was astonished to read that their adoption policy matching senior humans with senior cats includes lifetime veterinary services and transport, and donations of food and cat litter! What a wonderful program!<br /><br />Here is more information from them, do you know how to help Roger find his new home?<br /><br />“Roger was found abandoned with no food or shelter. We do not know his history, but do know that he needs a family! Weighing in at a mere 5 lbs when found, he is now a hulking 6 lbs. since being on the Chambers Body Building Circuit! Doctors estimate him to be 15 years old, neutered, FeLV and FIV NEG, and having remarkably normal lab work results.<br /><br />Roger is currently boarding at CCVH and needs to be moved in to a foster or adoptive home. If you cannot care for him, please help us network to find him a home.<br /><br />If you know of a senior person who would like the company of a cat, Roger would be a great fit! We do have a senior program open to anyone 72+ where we match senior humans with senior cats. This program is limited to those living locally* as we provide transport to CCVH for medical services throughout the lifetime of the cat. In addition to the medical services and transport, we also provide donations of food and cat litter for the remainder of the cat’s life. Contact us to learn more about this new program.<br /><br />*Steilacoom/Lakewood/University Place/Dupont, or other local cities in which we have a volunteer who can help with transport.<br /><br />Contact <a href="http://www.kindredsoulsfoundation.org">Kindred Souls Foundation</a> or call 253-226-3135.<br /><br /><a href="http://reikishamanic.com/animalrescueanimalrightsorganizations/">Click here</a> for other Animal Shelters and Rescue Groups listed in our Resources section on our website.<br /><br />Rose De Dan<br />Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLC<br />Website: <a href="www.reikishamanic.com">www.reikishamanic.com</a><br />Blog: <a href="http://www.wildreiki.wordpress.com">www.wildreiki.wordpress.com</a><br />Animal and Reiki Art: <a href="http://www.cafepress.com/reikishamanic">www.cafepress.com/reikishamanic</a>Rose De Dan, Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05293500010636551868noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8368482943345779418.post-74703869889355798082009-02-24T14:23:00.000-08:002009-02-24T14:26:55.326-08:00Dare to Care, the life you save may be someone's future pet<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_yEnlFDFAl5ONg2ugwsnk080SfwCs1TBz5HLwyIdJuzs0KKkaT1GxkaMNPxnaNsU8F0NQ2XFbkmFcI9qc96Q82p1iKli_F7Rjrmfc0NzL4L4j4rfX2uA1561RfSQRdJjUKaLr-iLnANPB/s1600-h/black+and+white+directsm.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 284px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_yEnlFDFAl5ONg2ugwsnk080SfwCs1TBz5HLwyIdJuzs0KKkaT1GxkaMNPxnaNsU8F0NQ2XFbkmFcI9qc96Q82p1iKli_F7Rjrmfc0NzL4L4j4rfX2uA1561RfSQRdJjUKaLr-iLnANPB/s400/black+and+white+directsm.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306493430463396530" /></a><br />February 24 is officially Spay Day USA 2009, an annual campaign of <a href="http://www.hsus.org/pets/issues_affecting_our_pets/pet_overpopulation_and_ownership_statistics/spay_day_usa/">The Humane Society of the United States</a> to inspire people to save animals lives by spaying or neutering pets and feral cats.<br /><br />Originally I thought that I might republish one of the very first articles I had ever written as a way to inspire people. In rereading it I realized that not only was it dated and too regionalized, having been published in <em>The Laramie Sunday Boomerang</em>, December 19, 1982, but that after all these years I finally wanted to follow the advice of a teacher, and write it differently. I guess with my increase in age and experience his wisdom finally had a chance to sink in!<br /><br />At the time I was living in Laramie, Wyoming, and decided to take a class on how to get published. The teacher was Donald Murray, a Pulitzer-prize winning journalist. I was not really certain why I was taking the class other than the opportunity to be guided by someone who could write well enough to win such a prestigious award. In retrospect I think it was my writing blood yearning for an outlet.<br /><br />My assignment for the class was to choose two topics on which to write, write them up as a query to a publisher, and submit the final for publication. Having no idea what to write about, I decided to write about what I did know, animals. Topic Number One was a story about my pet rats (which ultimately resulted in a cooking column for the University of WA student paper, a story for another time). For Topic Number Two, I approached the local animal shelter and asked if I could research an article about the shelter and the animals they tried to save. They agreed, and I spent a week tracking the animal residents, looking for the angle that would result in a good story. And I got it, but like so many stories there is always more under the surface to be unearthed.<br /><br />But before the final choice of story was made there were others that did not get told. The Laramie Animal Shelter is a city shelter like so many others across the United States, small and underfunded. Staffed by dedicated and hardworking men and women who did their best to make the right choices and care lovingly for the many animals that came their way—an overwhelming tide of animals. At that time over 10 million animals were euthanized in shelters every year due to a lack of enough homes. The Laramie Animal Shelter was no exception, as of 1982 an average of 25 percent of its dogs and 12 percent of its cats had to be euthanized.<br /><br />Most of the 24 cages and 35 kennels at the shelter are usually filled. The animals are well taken care of, but they lack one thing — a loving owner. Everywhere you go the paws reach out for you, and the eyes of the animals are filled with the hope that you might be the one they are looking for. <br /><br />As I cruised the aisles, face after furry face stared back at me. The dogs would lunge joyfully toward me in hopes that I was the answer to their canine prayers. Number 4717, an eight-month old puppy, was no different. For every visitor she put on a tail-wagging exhibition guaranteed to soften the hardest heart.<br /><br />My attention was caught by one large black dog who did not greet me eagerly, he huddled in the back of his cage, and his gaze spoke volumes to my heart, he wanted to trust but was no longer sure that he could. <br /><br />I took notes of the numbers on each cage, and the occupant, and asked the shelter workers for what background stories they had. Most of the dogs had been found wandering, numbers increase dramatically during the summer. Tourists frequently left Fido behind by the side of the highway, apparently a dog was too much trouble to take care of while having fun on vacation. One story that stood out for its special lack of humanity was the dog surrendered because the owners had redecorated, and he did not match the new décor.<br /><br />The cats were less effusive in their greetings, but nonetheless hopeful. My gaze was caught by one way up top who peered down at me and meowed. The size of his big apple head belied the information on the cage that he was female, and when I questioned a shelter worker his sex was double-checked, and it was discovered that she was a he. My question bought him another week of life, and the possibility that he might find a good, loving home.<br /><br />I spent a great deal of time interviewing the shelter workers, asking about their lives and how they handled the difficult task they had chosen to do. Every week there are animals that have to be euthanized to make room for more, an unending cycle. One worker said, “You get used to it, but you never get to the point where you can accept it.” Another stated, “Sometimes I almost cry if I have too put an animal to sleep by myself. I look at it this way, I would rather put an animal to sleep than have it be pregnant or be a puppy out in the cold, be hit by a car, come down with disease, or be neglected.”<br /><br />Much as I dreaded the thought, I finally asked the workers if I could be present when the next group of animals was euthanized. I felt as though I would be letting the animals down if I was too much of an emotional coward to witness the reality of what happens when lack of spaying, neutering and proper education results in overpopulation. The workers were concerned as to how I might respond, and were reluctant at first to agree to my presence. Ultimately they made me promise that I would not cry, a promise that I sincerely hoped that I could keep.<br /><br />When I arrived that day I was understandably nervous, and as it turned out, I was about to get my story. <br /><br />The cats were first, a paw was pulled out of the cage, and the injection was administered quickly. Next were five dogs, and Number 4717 was among them. Four dogs in turn were placed on the examination table, and given an injection to the heart. Each dropped instantly. It was all so quick, and so business-like, that I was able to hold strong emotionally as I had promised, although I imagined that I would pay for my current emotional distance later, in private.<br /><br />And then it was Number 4717’s turn. And the injection missed the heart as sometimes happens. She did not drop instantly, it would take more time for the injection to take effect. So, they put her down on the floor so she could wander around freely, and everyone continued on with their morning chores. <br /><br />The puppy was thrilled to be out, and ran from person to person, tail wagging happily. Her movements got slower and slower. Finally she went to the man who was washing up the food bowls, and with a quiet sigh she laid her head upon his foot, and died.<br /><br />At that point I lost it, in order to honor my promise I had to go cry in the bathroom. Even now as I write this I am crying, even after all these years. I will never forget that moment as long as I live, a moment that spoke so eloquently of all the years of devotion and love that those shelter animals had to offer, lifetimes that now would never be.<br /><br />When I emerged from the bathroom, somewhat under control, the bodies of all the dogs and cats euthanized had been laid out in neat rows in the garage in preparation for transport to the city dump. There their bodies would be tossed into an earthen pit, alongside any road-killed animals, and some dirt would be bulldozed over them.<br /><br />Lest you think this heartless, the city did what they could with what budget they had. There was not enough money to cremate the animals, this method of disposal was quite common in rural areas. It was tough to stay, but I hung in there, feeling as though my presence at least bore witness to the lives of these animals, victims in a quiet war on overpopulation, and gave them some honor in their passing. They did not go unmourned, I cried for them, and for the countless others who had gone before, and the untold numbers yet to come.<br /><br />Here is the original beginning to “The Animals Are Waiting At the Shelter,” and the epitaph that I wrote for the puppy:<br /><br />“Number 4714 waited for her owner for five days.<br /><br />“No one came.<br /><br />“She waited another five days for someone to adopt her. Again, no one came. She was given a shot of Sleepaway, and at the age of eight months the black and white puppy went permanently to sleep with her head resting on the feet of the only person who cared, an officer of the Laramie Animal Shelter.”<br /><br />At the time that article was submitted to my professor, Donald Murray, he thought it well written but suggested that there could be more emotional appeal in it. I disagreed, wanting to reach people with logic. In retrospect I realize that deep down I was scared to expose myself emotionally, I just was not brave enough. <br /><br />Now, years later, I realize that someone else besides the shelter workers did care; I did, and I still do. I now have both the emotional chops and the courage as a writer to dare to share how I felt. This new article was written in hopes that my words will inspire others to care, and to take action.<br /><br />In checking up on Professor <a href="http://www.boston.com/ae/media/articles/2006/12/31/columnist_donald_murray_dies_at_82">Donald Murray</a> I discovered that he passed away in 2006 at the age of 82, immersed in an internet project to mentor aspiring writers. Wherever you are now, Prof. Murray, I hope you are pleased that I finally took your advice to heart, and put mine out there in hopes of making a difference.<br /><br />We have made progress in the intervening years, now only 4 million animals are euthanized each year, due in part to aggressive spaying and neutering programs, but that is still 4 million too many. The bad guys are not the shelters, but people who add animals to an already taxed population. The choice you make when you adopt a pet could take a home away from a shelter animal in need. <br /><br />Here are some suggestions on how you can help. <br /><br />Don’t buy from backyard breeders. Check with purebred rescue organizations before buying a puppy, there are many adults needing homes.<br /><br />Encourage your neighbors to spay and neuter; while they may dearly love Fluffy, want kittens like her, and promise to find them good homes, the birth of those kittens means less homes for animals on death row. <br /><br />Pass this article along to as many people you can think of, whether they have pets or not. They may be in a position to help educate someone else.<br /><br />Got feral cats in your neighborhood? There are organizations that can help you get them spayed or neutered. Check out the Animal Shelters and Rescue Groups in the Resources section on my website for some suggestions.<br /><br />Dare to care, and to show that you care—the life you save could be someone’s future pet.<br /><br />Postscript: After he ran out of time for the second time, I adopted the male cat mistakenly identified as a female. He was a big, loving mush-bucket of a tiger cat, and we named him O’Malley. Goes to show you the power of a single glance!<br /><br /><em>Rose De Dan©2008</em><br /><br /><em>An early pioneer in the field of alternative healing for animals since 1996, Rose De Dan, Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLC, offers a unique perspective on animals and the natural world through her writing, art, sessions and classes. As an animal shaman, voice of the animals, and author of “Tails of a Healer: Animals, Reiki and Shamanism,” she views her role as a healer as one of building bridges between people and animals, and of empowering them to reconnect with Pachamama, Mother Earth.</em> <br /><br />Website: <a href="www.reikishamanic.com">www.reikishamanic.com</a><br />Blog: <a href="http://www.wildreiki.wordpress.com">www.wildreiki.wordpress.com</a><br />Animal and Reiki Art: <a href="http://www.cafepress.com/reikishamanic">www.cafepress.com/reikishamanic</a>Rose De Dan, Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05293500010636551868noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8368482943345779418.post-55889712398155762612008-12-28T17:58:00.000-08:002008-12-28T18:03:21.004-08:00FDA Re-Issues Cautionary Warning About Chicken Jerky Products for DogsJust received this notice from another animal person and felt it warranted inclusion in the blog. The more people that know about this, the better.<br /><br />The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues to caution consumers of a potential association between the development of illness in dogs and the consumption of chicken jerky products also described as chicken tenders, strips or treats. FDA continues to receive complaints of dogs experiencing illness that their owners or veterinarians associate with consumption of chicken jerky products. The chicken jerky products are imported to the U.S. from China. FDA issued a cautionary warning to consumers in September 2007.<br /><br />Australian news organizations report the University of Sydney is also investigating an association between illness in dogs and the consumption of chicken jerky in Australia. At least one firm in Australia has recalled their chicken jerky product and the recall notification stated the chicken jerky product was manufactured in China.<br /><br />FDA believes the continued trend of consumer complaints coupled with the information obtained from Australia warrants an additional reminder and animal health notification.<br /><br />Chicken jerky products should not be substituted for a balanced diet and are intended to be used occasionally and in small quantities. Owners of small dogs must be especially careful to limit the amount of these products.<br /><br />FDA, in addition to several veterinary diagnostic laboratories in the U.S, is working to determine why these products are associated with illness in dogs. To date, scientists have not been able to determine a definitive cause for the reported illnesses. FDA has conducted extensive chemical and microbial testing but has not identified any contaminant.<br /><br />FDA is advising consumers who choose to feed their dogs chicken jerky products to watch their dogs closely for any or all of the following signs which may occur within hours to days of feeding the product: decreased appetite, although some may continue to consume the treats to the exclusion of other foods; decreased activity; vomiting; diarrhea, sometimes with blood; and increased water consumption and/or increased urination. If the dog shows any of these signs, stop feeding the chicken jerky product. Owners should consult their veterinarian if signs are severe or persist for more than 24 hours. Blood tests may indicate kidney failure (increased urea nitrogen and creatinine). Urine tests may indicate Fanconi syndrome (increased glucose). Although most dogs appear to recover, some reports to the FDA have involved dogs that have died.<br /><br />The FDA continues to actively investigate the problem. Many of the illnesses reported may be the result of causes other than eating chicken jerky. Veterinarians and consumers alike should report cases of animal illness associated with pet foods to the <a href=http://www.fda.gov/opacom/backgrounders/complain.html>FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator</a> in their state.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.fda.gov/cvm/CVM_Updates/ComplaintsChicJerky.htm">Click here</a> for direct link to article.<br /><br />Here's hoping that you and your animal companions enjoy a healthy and prosperous New Year!<br /><br />Rose De Dan<br />Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLC<br />Website: <a href="http://www.reikishamanic.com/">www.reikishamanic.com</a><br />Blog: <a href="http://www.wildreiki.wordpress.com/">www.wildreiki.wordpress.com</a><br />Animal and Reiki Art: <a href="http://www.cafepress.com/reikishamanic">www.cafepress.com/reikishamanic</a>Rose De Dan, Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05293500010636551868noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8368482943345779418.post-33789634296328235022008-12-24T14:18:00.001-08:002008-12-24T14:24:43.877-08:00Tidings of Joy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY8ZnHZCO2sO7FObf0R6qyJL1_wV91QVjbK1i-gfNhdn0X-r54_Ti5NxB521XQiKaE9eaZv-tCh4kzrLcj2WYA_W0_uxL1pblogBpFwJvbnSVi9uEeD2f-UszWzdINaew5ExMGscDCHL0s/s1600-h/Tidings+of+Joy+Christmas+Card.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY8ZnHZCO2sO7FObf0R6qyJL1_wV91QVjbK1i-gfNhdn0X-r54_Ti5NxB521XQiKaE9eaZv-tCh4kzrLcj2WYA_W0_uxL1pblogBpFwJvbnSVi9uEeD2f-UszWzdINaew5ExMGscDCHL0s/s400/Tidings+of+Joy+Christmas+Card.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283484787815885714" /></a><br /><br />Still snowy here in Seattle, although the precipitation is now our customary rain, and I am getting caught up on uploading the last of my winter wonderland photos. Our Christmas card, above, features my dog, Puma, on a run across the bridge in Schmitz Park, last old growth forest in Seattle. You can check out the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wildreiki/sets/72157611540655417">rest of the photos at my Flickr site</a>, and you can see a winter wren having breakfast, and what cats do while dogs are going crazy in the snow!<br /><br />And if you have not already read them, there are two more posts in this photo essay snow and holiday series: Winter Solstice Animal Celebrations, and Dog Walking in A Winter Wonderland. Enjoy!<br /><br />So, from all of us, may your Holiday and New Year be as joyous as the expression on Santa Puma's face!<br /><br />Rose De Dan<br />Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLC<br />Website: <a href="www.reikishamanic.com">www.reikishamanic.com</a><br />Blog: <a href="http://www.wildreiki.wordpress.com">www.wildreiki.wordpress.com</a><br />Animal and Reiki Art: <a href="http://www.cafepress.com/reikishamanic">www.cafepress.com/reikishamanic</a>Rose De Dan, Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05293500010636551868noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8368482943345779418.post-22413918199045870192008-12-22T20:08:00.001-08:002008-12-22T20:11:53.914-08:00Winter Solstice Animal Celebrations<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHJRwzxdu0jZ1Q41Mhdg1gosDe-Ky18ZTCVzRH36UH7FgG_K5CrKrCIRJzwixT-w-x5q9Wx0MYJTmnuGVGV0_xgoWI_k0PWxo3rlyL4kthaNO63GI6EnXb8itQagSzPWtqpFO9JOb2gNON/s1600-h/Benny+toy9+swing+snowwebcr.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 291px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHJRwzxdu0jZ1Q41Mhdg1gosDe-Ky18ZTCVzRH36UH7FgG_K5CrKrCIRJzwixT-w-x5q9Wx0MYJTmnuGVGV0_xgoWI_k0PWxo3rlyL4kthaNO63GI6EnXb8itQagSzPWtqpFO9JOb2gNON/s320/Benny+toy9+swing+snowwebcr.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282832886414497506" /></a><br />MORE snow yesterday, on December 21st, Winter Solstice, and Puma and I set out on our morning walk into Schmitz Park with camera in tow. When setting out I had thought about walking all the way through the park, but rapidly discovered that a tough crust on the snow made walking very fatiguing, just like aerobic stair climbers, so we saved the full tour of the forest for another day.<br /><br />Returning to the park I noticed a black labrador retriever dog running. In his mouth he was carrying a Kong toy with a rope attached. He was so focused I realized it had to be Benny, a dog that lives near the park, and who lives to retrieve. He was there with his person, Laura, who would throw the Kong for him. When he retrieved it he would celebrate by holding it by the rope end, swinging the weighted Kong end from side to side and around and around, before finally returning with it to Laura to be thrown once again.<br /><br />Benny's black coat stood out in sharp contrast to the snow, and he was having so much fun I decided to take some pictures of him. I swear, as soon as I got out the camera and started clicking away he pulled out all the stops, and I realized that he was showing off! You can view his photos, as well as the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wildreiki/sets/72157611469482595/">rest of the walk on my Flickr site</a>. If you view Benny's in slideshow mode you can kind of get a sense of the action, although only a video could have truly captured that much activity!<br /><br />Heading back to the house I was just in time to capture a shot of the only cat I have seen out in the snow for days.<br /><br />Dexter, the cat from two doors down, was trying to navigate through the snow, and failing miserably. You could see his body tense, and then cringe, as with each step he broke through the top crust, miring him in the snow. He looked extremely undignified and graceless, and he radiated disgust with the whole mess with every inch of his body. Robin, one of his people, had told me the day before that since the snows he comes back into the house growling!<br /><br />It was still snowing when Puma and I returned to the house, and I recalled that I had not seen much bird life around. I had some leftovers from the holiday Open House the day before, so I figured I could see if the birds would like to try some more new and interesting gourmet items. I put out some leftover shrimp, dip and chips, and the bacon drippings from the bacon-wrapped water chestnuts glazed with brown sugar.<br /><br />The shrimp went first. The crows never got any, one lone seagull just inhaled them. The chips and dip were fun. I had put them both in the same bowl, and the crows would smash a chip into the dip and scoop up a mouthful just as though they were routine party goers!<br /><br />They were replaced by a flock of starlings who reveled in the bacon drippings. One starling decided to perch on the ledge right in front of the second story window, giving me some great shots. He was unfazed by his closeups, although curious about the flash, making me wonder if all the animals I had seen that day had just been waiting for me to wander by to capture their 15 minutes of fame, or perhaps infamy in Dexter's case!<br /><br />Rose De Dan<br />Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLC<br />Website: <a href="www.reikishamanic.com">www.reikishamanic.com</a><br />Blog: <a href="http://www.wildreiki.wordpress.com">www.wildreiki.wordpress.com</a><br />Animal and Reiki Art: <a href="http://www.cafepress.com/reikishamanic">www.cafepress.com/reikishamanic</a>Rose De Dan, Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05293500010636551868noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8368482943345779418.post-74322978702569246822008-12-21T17:38:00.000-08:002008-12-21T17:45:16.517-08:00Cat Northern Lights<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl3z56TB0RC_UWVcFjhyphenhyphenEejgOIOVahOuWuekYlx_V4am0goBFIXxvaAY7kSvKvZlkTzMzEy8YLcfHy0mcr4fiYWvxOU52PFFrZbhEGL7XjQHQtcm3w3zS8_61uYyJB8Ovcj7wbJXeZVfCd/s1600-h/Kiya+chases+screen1web.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl3z56TB0RC_UWVcFjhyphenhyphenEejgOIOVahOuWuekYlx_V4am0goBFIXxvaAY7kSvKvZlkTzMzEy8YLcfHy0mcr4fiYWvxOU52PFFrZbhEGL7XjQHQtcm3w3zS8_61uYyJB8Ovcj7wbJXeZVfCd/s400/Kiya+chases+screen1web.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282424320337483266" /></a><br />Recently I purchased a long-overdue, new computer. My new iMac has sped up my work life immensely, and is a sculptural work of art, for a computer (thanks, Apple and Steve Jobs!). However, it has an additional, and probably unanticipated benefit: my cat, Kiya, loves one of the screen savers.<br /><br />Originally I had used one of the Apple slideshows of trees and Nature, visually stunning and restful, but suddenly I needed a change of pace, and the beautiful streamers of moving light called Flurry seemed just the thing, so I reset it and left the room.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9SMb0bcmycZ-cfhf9Jlv3DF1fm3hyJ6xDziMi9X-y6aQDxWimC1p1GKHPlvaOIU7j9-UIWr7bZwB8yH3ksrNo6lx7A0JkTIURlEt_wul0EJj6HtMVsdh0htfdArByTEd-dW5sy1kTnal1/s1600-h/Kiya+watches+screenweb.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9SMb0bcmycZ-cfhf9Jlv3DF1fm3hyJ6xDziMi9X-y6aQDxWimC1p1GKHPlvaOIU7j9-UIWr7bZwB8yH3ksrNo6lx7A0JkTIURlEt_wul0EJj6HtMVsdh0htfdArByTEd-dW5sy1kTnal1/s320/Kiya+watches+screenweb.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282423712446854354" /></a>When I returned, it was to find Kiya parked right in front of the screen, actively patting it and chasing the streamers as they moved (you can see her pawprint smears from previous passes in the photo). I should have known this would happen, this was the cat that once spent a half hour with me watching Jacquie Lawson animated Christmas cards (see <a href="http://wildreiki.wordpress.com/2007/12/15/the-true-joy-of-the-season/">The True Joy of the Season</a>).<br /><br />Now it appears that my new computer was not just a business purchase, but also a Christmas present for Kiya and I, making it, paws down, the most expensive cat toy I have ever purchased.<br /><br />Then she did something even more entertaining and amazing, she just sat and watched the light show. I wondered if I should pass her some popcorn, or perhaps some catnip would be more appropriate?<br /><br />Rose De Dan<br />Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLC<br />Website: <a href="www.reikishamanic.com">http://www.reikishamanic.com</a><br />Blog: <a href="http://www.wildreiki.wordpress.com">www.wildreiki.wordpress.com</a><br />Animal and Reiki Art: <a href="http://www.cafepress.com/reikishamanic">www.cafepress.com/reikishamanic</a>Rose De Dan, Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05293500010636551868noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8368482943345779418.post-1212592657316941102008-12-18T17:39:00.000-08:002008-12-18T17:47:58.896-08:00Dog Walking in A Winter Wonderland<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQLSVa4vunE9WRT3-ACLVBa_U8Ikioz3ExrVW7s_cbX7bvpIgUn_DXq5nt1GVWyEuAfdC99hWXKG2S9VQ8RLZnUwlaawVVY5Ey9FHILx2hadcXmnTThzZsL4EBZxCiWG7eyqPx6-aOZDls/s1600-h/Puma+arches+snow+web.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 269px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQLSVa4vunE9WRT3-ACLVBa_U8Ikioz3ExrVW7s_cbX7bvpIgUn_DXq5nt1GVWyEuAfdC99hWXKG2S9VQ8RLZnUwlaawVVY5Ey9FHILx2hadcXmnTThzZsL4EBZxCiWG7eyqPx6-aOZDls/s320/Puma+arches+snow+web.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281310629266085538" /></a><br />This morning when I woke up I knew, even without my contact lenses in, that something was different. There was a kind of glow coming from the window. I did not have to squint, there was snow on the rooftops! Having lived in Massachusetts for 22 years before moving here you would think that snow would not be such a big deal, but in the eight years that I have lived on Alki, here in West Seattle, we have not had a major snowstorm.<br /><br />While engaging in my morning routine of feeding the animals and preparing to walk my dog, Puma, it became clear that I was going to have a snow day for the first time in a long time, as all of my clients made the decision to reschedule.<br /><br />While making lists in my head of all the things I could get caught up on, such as laundry and holiday party prep, I realized that I had perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get out in the snow, have some fun, and take some photographs. Time to play a little hooky from chores!<br /><br />My dog, Puma, was adopted from a shelter in Montana, and has not really seen snow since. With his snowshoe-like feet and thick winter coat (I think his parentage is Anatolian Shepherd/Alaskan Malamute but will never know for sure), he was ideally equipped for the weather, and after donning a coat I have not been able to wear since living in Massachusetts because it is so heavy, furry boots, leg warmers, scarf, hat, and fingerless gloves (for camera operation), so was I.<br /><br />I also packed some all-natural beef dog treats. Today I was going to let Puma off-leash so that he could fully enjoy his time in the snow. Normally I do not do this as Puma has a tendency to not listen tome off-leash, forging ahead and leaving me behind. I think it is the sled-dog heritage, very helpful when he helps you drag out the trash, which he does with tail held high and waving, not so good otherwise.<br /><br />Arriving at Schmitz Park, we had it all to ourselves, although there was evidence in the snow that others had been there before us.<br /><br />Saying a prayer to Cesar Millan, the Dog Whisperer, for all that I have learned and was now about to apply, I had Puma sit, and when he did I rewarded him with a treat. He is a smart dog, having seen me prepare the treats he could see that there were more where that one came from, and that I was the purveyor. It was my hope that that piece of knowledge would enable me to call him back when needed.<br /><br />I unleashed Puma, and he was off like a shot. Charging down the path, diving off into the underbrush, he was a wild man, and then he disappeared from sight. I called his name—no response. Sigh, maybe this would not work. Taking a deep breath, I grounded and centered myself and called again. No response.<br /><br />Placing my faith in Puma’s innate intelligence, I decided to simply move forward and trust that he would return. Sure enough, here he came, at top speed. I whipped out my camera and managed to get a shot before he arrived, panting and smiling. When he sat I rewarded him with a treat. From that point on, every time he would return to me I would reward him. He did not always respond immediately to my calls (and then he did not get rewarded), but he did a decent job of not making me wait too long. Long enough, I guess, to establish that I still need some work on being alpha, but not long enough that he was demonstrating that he had no respect for me. A delicate balance in dog protocol.<br /><br />I got some lovely shots of him in the falling snow, my favorites are the one of him catching snowflakes on his tongue, and another where he is running down the path under the arches of snow covered branches. (You can see all the photos from our <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wildreiki/sets/72157611404178320/">Alki adventures</a> at my Flickr site.)<br /><br />We had so much fun that we decided to check out Alki Beach and see what it was like there. By now Puma was back on leash, and back to being his usual well-behaved self. He is truly amazing. He will always stop while I am taking pictures, and if I take a moment he will sit and wait patiently until we move on.<br /><br />We made a stop along the way to watch people standing around in groups talking while dogs played tag in the snow. The funniest was one golden retriever, who I swear was making snow angels while his person talked on his cell phone!<br /><br />Down by Alki Beach, on the shore of Puget Sound, the wind was quite brisk, and the snow was still falling heavily. I watched pigeons struggle to make headway against it, finally managing to stay in one place while airborne, and then simply giving in, and resting as a flock, on the ground. Seagulls made hovering in gusts of wind look easy, spreading their wings wide and staying motionless, I have no idea how you do that when the wind keeps changing direction.<br /><br />Watching them made me wonder how difficult it must be to find food in such weather. One seagull had it handled, however. He waited by the seawall for a crashing wave to dump whatever it carried at his feet, where he could look it over and beat any other contenders to a tasty morsel.<br /><br />By this time the wind had picked up even more, and my legs were starting to feel frozen. But I kept taking pictures, trying to capture the right moment where the waves crashed against the seawall. Now my fingers were getting numb. Still, I needed to take one more set of shots, of Lady Liberty, the Statue of Liberty that was recently restored and dedicated on Alki Beach. Looking at her from her right side, her figure and garments were dusted with a blanket of snow from the midline to the front, making her appear as though she walked forward into the teeth of the snowstorm holding her torch aloft and not faltering. Unfortunately that angle also included a backdrop of trees, wires, and stores, which ruined the effect. I had to content myself with a shot of her from the front—she still looks resolute.<br /><br />Puma had been really patient through all of this, and my fingers were now definitely getting harder to move, and I wondered at one point does a camera get too cold? Time to head home. We’d had our walk in our Winter Wonderland, and like any child who has been playing in the snow on a day off from school I suddenly yearned for comfort food. Calling it a day, Puma and I made our way back, and I decided that after downloading the photos, I would kick back with a cup of hot cream of tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich. My day off would be a day of memories to treasure—the chores could wait.<br /><br />Rose De Dan<br />Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLC<br />Website: <a href="www.reikishamanic.com">http://www.reikishamanic.com</a><br />Blog: <a href="http://www.wildreiki.wordpress.com">www.wildreiki.wordpress.com</a><br />Animal and Reiki Art: <a href="http://www.cafepress.com/reikishamanic">www.cafepress.com/reikishamanic</a>Rose De Dan, Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05293500010636551868noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8368482943345779418.post-52978011174661642492008-12-17T09:18:00.000-08:002008-12-17T09:28:52.729-08:00Cat Christmas Spirit<img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-254" title="kiya-saqqara-christmas-play" src="http://wildreiki.wordpress.com/files/2008/12/kiya-saqqara-christmas-play.jpg?w=300" alt="kiya-saqqara-christmas-play" width="300" height="199" />Here Kiya, the Box Queen, age 13, and Saqqara, age 15, engage in a bit of play. After so many years together as a family, it was really fun to see the older cats wake up as soon as they heard the sound of the wrapping paper being unrolled. More than one present has a bit of claw work added to its holiday glamour, never mind the cat fur!<br /><br />The shot I missed was the one where Saqqara leaped after the paper ball and caught it in mid-air. The excitement of wrapping paper, ribbon, and presents can bring out the kitten or child in anyone.<br /><br />And in case you are interested, my hot new read picks for this Christmas as seen in this photo (all animal-related, surprise, surprise) are <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0446407410?ie=UTF8&tag=wildreikisham-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0446407410">Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World</a> (well written and heartwarming, definitely at least two hankies), <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1416551735?ie=UTF8&tag=wildreikisham-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1416551735">Wesley the Owl: The Remarkable Love Story of an Owl and His Girl</a> (next on my read list), and cats photos with funny captions from one of the internet's hottest blogs <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/159240409X?ie=UTF8&tag=wildreikisham-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=159240409X">I Can Has Cheezburger?: A LOLcat Colleckshun</a>. Hopefully the gift recipients aren't reading this blog!<br /><br />Merry Christmas to all,<br />Rose, Kiya, Saqqara, Cougar, Sand and Puma<br />Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLC<br />Website: <a href="www.reikishamanic.com">http://www.reikishamanic.com</a><br />Blog: <a href="http://www.wildreiki.wordpress.com">www.wildreiki.wordpress.com"</a><br />Animal and Reiki Art: <a href="http://www.cafepress.com/reikishamanic">www.cafepress.com/reikishamanic</a>Rose De Dan, Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05293500010636551868noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8368482943345779418.post-78370044846638527552008-12-15T07:00:00.000-08:002008-12-15T08:47:41.172-08:00The Gift of Spirit<img class="alignleft" title="big-leaf-maple-fallweb" src="http://reikishamanic.com/nss-folder/pictures/Big%20Leaf%20Maple%20fallweb.jpg" alt="" width="350" height="233" /><br />Spending three days in shaman time usually results in interesting insights and occurrences, but the first session of the year-long training, Spirited Living: A Journey into Self-Healing, was more interesting than most.<br /><br />Part of the three-day workshop was held at Camp Long. Located in West Seattle, Camp Long is a Seattle park with a focus on education about local plants and wildlife, and I had chosen it for precisely that reason.<br /><br />My first realization that the weekend might be out of the ordinary (whatever that might be for shamanism!) came the morning before the class as I was walking my dog, Puma, in Schmitz Park, the last old growth forest in Seattle. As readers may recall from previous columns and my book, <a href="http://reikishamanic.com/tailsofahealeranimals1reikishamanism1/">Tails of a Healer: Animals, Reiki and Shamanism</a>, I have a close relationship with the park and the trees that grow there.<br /><br />That morning the trees in Schmitz Park greeted me with the information that the trees at Camp Long were really excited about the class, they said that it had been a long time since any on this path had danced in the energy and walked there. I realized with a bit of a shock that I was being told that the trees in Camp Long would be holding space for this weekend and for the students as they took their first steps into the Peruvian shamanic tradition of the Q’ero.<br /><br />Later that morning the weekend began with my opening Sacred Space for the class, taking us all into shaman time—between the worlds and into the limitless possibilities for shift and change—a space that we would all inhabit for the entire weekend. Given the early morning message I had received, I made a point of acknowledging, with deep gratitude, All Our Relations who would be holding space and assisting in guiding the people attending: animal allies, Stone People and Tree People. And when I began to call upon the apus (mountain spirits) for their assistance, I realized just how appropriate the choice of venue for this weekend really was, on the wall facing me were painted wooden plaques commemorating each of the local mountains! I asked all the archetypes and allies for assistance, guidance, wisdom, and strength as well as for their love as we set our feet upon this shamanic path. In retrospect I realized that perhaps I should have put on my shamanic seat belt!<br /><br />Training at Camp Long took place in the Lodge, a wonderful space built in the 1930’s, which means it has high ceilings, lovely dark wood, and a working fireplace—perfect for a class in shamanism.<br /><br />In keeping with its focus on education, it also had an extensive adjoining library on every local animal and plant you could imagine, as well as a display case which contained valuable information on owls. I had always wanted to go on one of Camp Long’s nighttime owl walks, and paid special attention to the case and the stuffed owl that flew above it, an act that was to have great significance in the following days.<br /><br />Odd things can happen during shamanic training, as Sacred Space remains open for the entire duration. That night, in Dreamtime, I watched some chipmunks and birds feeding on food and seed that had been put out on a grassy area. I was glad to see them being taken care of, the yard where I live is certified as a <a href="http://www.nwf.org/backyard/">Backyard Wildlife Habitat</a>, and I realized that I could offer them the leftover apple pie I just happened to be carrying.<br /><br />Just then I noticed an owl on the ground, feeding among the other wildlife. The logical part of my brain noted that an appearance by an owl at any time of day would normally send birds and small mammals running for cover in terror, yet all were peaceful.<br /><br />As I was trying to assimilate that information while glorying in seeing an owl, Owl suddenly jumped, not flew, landing at my feet on my right side. As I looked down at Owl I realized there was something odd about his face, it did not look like any of the illustrations of living owls I had seen. Before I could explore that thought further Owl spoke. Looking meaningfully at the apple pie I carried he said, “I like apple pie.” Feeling rather like Dorothy in Oz my jaw dropped in astonishment, and I replied, “I did not know owls liked apple pie, but you are welcome to have some.” And Owl hopped up onto the tin and proceeded to dine on apple pie with gusto.<br /><br />When he was finished Owl hopped down, and with the primary feather on one wing made the same beckoning motion that one would make with an index finger. As I bent down Owl said, “The next time you speak with God, ask for what is missing in your life.” A tremendous feeling of awe came over me, could it be that simple? With it came the realization that this was definitely not a dream, this was a gift from Spirit, as I would not normally refer to Spirit as God. Owl had more to say, but unfortunately we were interrupted and the rest of the wisdom that would have been imparted was lost, and I woke up.<br /><br />The dream that was not a dream stuck with me. I was guided to bring it to the class and share. As we sat in circle, I suddenly recognized my nocturnal visitor and realized why he had looked so odd in the dream—the physical form of Owl was none other than the stuffed owl that flew above the display case—only now there was a power animal spirit inhabiting it! With the dream I had suspected that I had perhaps gained a new power animal of my own that weekend, but now I realized that the class as a whole had one too, something I had not known might happen.<br /><br />In thinking back I realized that Owl had been making himself known over several weeks prior to the class. On several nights, while walking Puma by Schmitz Park, I had heard an owl hooting just at the edge of the trees, a rare occurrence. Feeling very blessed, I tracked the sound to a tree each time and stood at the base just listening and wishing that I could actually see the owl, but regretfully, it was too dark. Each time I thanked the owl for making his presence known and for not being frightened off.<br /><br />That day in class at Camp Long, one student actually got to see an owl while doing some outside class work. Apparently he was sitting in a tree about 20 feet from her, ironically flying off only when someone came over to warn her not to frighten the owl!<br /><br />That evening I reflected on the possible meaning of Owl for the class and personally. As a power animal Owl has great healing powers and wisdom, and is an old symbol of Spirit. In some traditions Owl is a symbol of death, and as a nocturnal being is linked to the cycles of the moon, representative of the feminine and of change. The owl is a bird of the night, a symbol of the darkness within, the Shadow side; in shamanism, the side that we dance with and get to know intimately, for there is tremendous potential for growth in the healing of our wounds. However, in order to realize that potential, we must be willing to let go of the old and familiar, to allow our old ways of being to die in order to make way for the new.<br /><br />As I researched Owl further in my books on animal spirits, I noted that Owl also enables one to hear what is not being said, what is hidden, including the ability to see into the darkness of others’ souls. From this also arises the gift of clairvoyance and prophecy—the ability to see the future. Unsure of the meaning of all of this I closed the book, and headed off to an uneventful sleep.<br /><br />The following morning, and final day of the shamanic weekend, and I was again walking Puma in Schmitz Park.<br /><br />The leaves were drifting gently down off the trees. Already many lay on the path, making dry shooshing sounds as we walked through them. Then, as though there were no other leaves present, my attention focused solely on one from a Big Leaf Maple. As I picked it up I marveled at its size and beauty and yearned to take it back with me. Further examination revealed a spider egg case on the other side. Taking the leaf would mean interrupting the life cycle of the spider babies it held, so reluctantly I laid it back down and walked on.<br /><br />Several minutes later I was still fretting about that leaf. Despite the multitudes of leaves around it seemed that no other would do. As I felt the yearning tug once again, with an audible “ping” one leaf detached itself from the Big Leaf Maple overhead and literally fell at my feet.<br /><br />I picked it up with a sense of gratitude for the gift. Less perfect in appearance than the first, I wondered why I had been given this one particular leaf. It was mottled in sections, and there were holes where an insect had dined. And then, like the paper that falls away from a present that is being unwrapped, the Leaf revealed the gift in its entirety. I saw the new green of spring, and felt the inhale of carbon dioxide, poison to us, but life for the Tree; and the exhale of oxygen, life for us and many other inhabitants of Pachamama. I felt sunlight caress the Leaf and the Sun’s energy transformed into food for the Tree, and the Leaf into food for the Insect. Seeming endless summer finally eased into Fall, when the Tree withdrew its energy from the Leaf and prepared for the dormancy of Winter. This tattered Leaf shared its glorious story with me, with no sense of sadness, only joy in its dance with the cycle of life. A story and gift that I brought back to the class who were engaged in their own dance of growth, transformation and death. And interwoven into that story, with great beauty, was Owl, harbinger of days that grow longer—days of increasing darkness as we approached the season of Winter—the traditional season of death and rest before the resurrection of Spring.<br /><br />But the story of Owl and the Trees did not end with the inevitable closing of Sacred Space at the end of class.<br /><br />The following weekend I was scheduled to attend a fundraiser for <a href="http://www.chimpsanctuarynw.org/">Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest</a>, an organization that was founded to rescue a group of seven chimpanzees who were waiting for sanctuary after decades of use in research. The fundraiser was being held at a private home of a friend of one of my clients.<br /><br />As Kim, one of my students from the shamanic training, parked the car, I noticed a yard that had so many squirrels and birds feeding in the grassy area it looked like the ground was in constant motion. Hanging from the numerous trees were what looked like at least a dozen feeders.<br /><br />As I noticed a familiar sign from the National Wildlife Federation designating the yard as a Backyard Wildlife Habitat, I realized that this was the house the auction fundraiser was being held at. I thought, “I like these people already!”<br /><br />In an effort to lend whatever support I could to the fundraiser I had brought copies of my book to add to the raffle that they were having. In looking for a place for them on a table crowded with the donations of others, I was startled to see two homemade apple pies! I immediately flashed to my dream, suddenly there was similarity between the animals and the birds in Dreamtime and the ones feeding on the grassy lawn where the fundraiser was being held.<br /><br />Turning to Kim, who knew the story from her class, I smiled and remarked, “Wouldn’t it be funny if I won the apple pie?” Since I normally don’t win a thing at raffles I simply bought three tickets to support the cause and thought no more of it—until my number was called as the winner of the first apple pie.<br /><br />I held that apple pie with a deep sense of reverence and of humbleness. I had been given a very special gift, but what to do with it? As a single person I could not possibly eat a whole pie myself, so I offered a slice to Kim and Becky, another of the students who had been at the shamanic training. Perhaps they could enjoy it on behalf of the rest of the class.<br /><br />In thinking about the symbolism of apple pie I wondered if it also stood for the American Dream, the concept of home and community—of connection with all that we hold near and dear. So, in honor and gratitude for the dream, the Trees, and Owl I left a slice on the Earth as an offering, and what I did not eat I offered as a gift to my local wildlife. Perhaps the true gift of Spirit lies in sharing what we have with those most important to us.<br /><br /><em>Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a prosperous New Year from all of us at Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing!<br /></em><br />Rose, Kiya, Saqqara, Puma, Cougar and Sand<br /><br />The Big Leaf Maple photo and an excerpt from this story appears in the new <em>Tails of a Healer: Animals, Reiki and Shamanism <a href="http://www.cafepress.com/reikishamanic/6246527">2009 Calendar and Workbook</a></em>. Matching spiritual journals are also available.<br /><br />Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLC<br />Website: <a href="www.reikishamanic.com">http://www.reikishamanic.com</a><br />Blog: <a href="http://www.wildreiki.wordpress.com">www.wildreiki.wordpress.com"</a><br />Animal and Reiki Art: <a href="http://www.cafepress.com/reikishamanic">www.cafepress.com/reikishamanic</a>Rose De Dan, Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05293500010636551868noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8368482943345779418.post-57030276155488056282008-12-11T08:13:00.000-08:002008-12-11T08:27:06.633-08:00New Animal, Shamanic and Reiki Gifts with Spirit!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKDA61bURkN-5iQ__CfXtZkicJsLcyPZA-lZ1zmq2jtlh2Gtn9eSxAXlz03Br1IL_PkSSVLYXh6Xjr826dC9HCL-Tmk17HjZ8jWOjAJn8VZHgJledJ-zuVk8_aqRiGRb4gxD9Dhf4LNqRK/s1600-h/smudge+kit+journal.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKDA61bURkN-5iQ__CfXtZkicJsLcyPZA-lZ1zmq2jtlh2Gtn9eSxAXlz03Br1IL_PkSSVLYXh6Xjr826dC9HCL-Tmk17HjZ8jWOjAJn8VZHgJledJ-zuVk8_aqRiGRb4gxD9Dhf4LNqRK/s320/smudge+kit+journal.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278569757051315138" /></a><br />We've been busy shamanic elves here at Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing, and have some wonderful new gifts available for you, a loved one or friend.<br /><br /><strong><a href="http://www.cafepress.com/reikishamanic/6246527">Spiritual Journals</a></strong><br />Created to pair with our new Shamanic Calendar/Workbook so that you can record your experiences in greater detail, these journals are also great solo acts for special times and events: Journeys, loss of a loved one; Fire Ceremonies, tracking change and transformation; Mother Moon, for harmony with the natural cycles, and more.<br /><br />The perfect journal for when you want to do some spiritual housecleaning, photo shows a deluxe smudge kit containing sage, juniper bundles, palo santo wood, abalone shell, and wild turkey feathers for ceremonial clearing work. The smudge kit pictured is also available for purchase, see our NEW <a href="http://www.reikishamanic.com/shamanicgifts/list.nhtml">Grande Smudge Kit</a> for another great gift idea.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl1SKmGQz1V_4zNjFQdF0xIz399tq3P1IZIRvmPE5GBpDtWUDGXXtaO29q9ZMK21tyAoa2YhodlKboVyNi_EpU36odWyJKAEvrc-fuqw20EzUYdXB2XYIwjrEhchJxhKZF05IcftOnBQGu/s1600-h/Reiki+Woman+Hat.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl1SKmGQz1V_4zNjFQdF0xIz399tq3P1IZIRvmPE5GBpDtWUDGXXtaO29q9ZMK21tyAoa2YhodlKboVyNi_EpU36odWyJKAEvrc-fuqw20EzUYdXB2XYIwjrEhchJxhKZF05IcftOnBQGu/s320/Reiki+Woman+Hat.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278567920974541058" /></a><br /><strong><a href="http://www.cafepress.com/reikishamanic/6240389">Reiki Hats That Tell the World Who You Are!</a></strong><br /><br />Who's the boss? The energy! There is something really appealing about a trucker hat that lets everyone know you are a Reiki Woman! There's even one for Animal Reiki people complete with cat or dog pawprints! Hats are available in different colors/styles as well as with slogans "got reiki?," "Reiki Dude," and "Reiki Master."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_2IeFcJ2ewxqJMrlAz5yAUW26tndkyaeNSj6vOAvHTrtN9cJqOH1ksAPrd52Mhi1OO6SsNi2N_121uKaOWlE37jr1ezR2ng-cJQYbliB0_rHi9yOdattHDHBexnlV_-iPGgxAxbctdGbr/s1600-h/got+reiki+RP+lic+pltfrm.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 238px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_2IeFcJ2ewxqJMrlAz5yAUW26tndkyaeNSj6vOAvHTrtN9cJqOH1ksAPrd52Mhi1OO6SsNi2N_121uKaOWlE37jr1ezR2ng-cJQYbliB0_rHi9yOdattHDHBexnlV_-iPGgxAxbctdGbr/s320/got+reiki+RP+lic+pltfrm.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278568094231467538" /></a><strong><a href="http://www.cafepress.com/reikishamanic/6246527">Power Up Your Reiki Practice!</a></strong><br /><br />Your car, your t-shirt, hat, purse or shopping bag can all be vehicles to help drive your healing practice to success. Check out our <a href="http://www.cafepress.com/reikishamanic/743956">Reiki wares</a>: License Plate Frames, Mugs, Earth friendly canvas shopping bags, buttons, etc. Tell the world what you offer!<br /><br />License plate frames are an excellent way to generate free advertising buzz. Available in several slogans: "got reiki," "reiki on!," "reiki practitioner," "reiki master," reiki for better living," "the reiki way...helps keep the doctor/vet away," "animal reiki practitioner," etc.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_YzbGHDgtWBIULtM9wza8TBIbhKrHmXmX0uB9jjd2zqimHX0Ftf7kYhiOZle7eCJSeedBAXJ0I41_6qSR0WTI-pWny5HXuV2OihfMrU2FmDxkeTyD4EzLC2tUcdYnFE2O8LwLZ_M6_seS/s1600-h/Reiki+Black+Hoodie.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_YzbGHDgtWBIULtM9wza8TBIbhKrHmXmX0uB9jjd2zqimHX0Ftf7kYhiOZle7eCJSeedBAXJ0I41_6qSR0WTI-pWny5HXuV2OihfMrU2FmDxkeTyD4EzLC2tUcdYnFE2O8LwLZ_M6_seS/s320/Reiki+Black+Hoodie.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278568557893183682" /></a><strong><a href="http://www.cafepress.com/reikishamanic/6246527">New Reiki Wear: Clothing with Meaning</a></strong><br /><br />Just in, popular <a href="http://www.cafepress.com/reikishamanic/743978">hoodies and sweatshirts</a> for women, men, and children in your choice of colors and slogans.<br /><br />The Japanese kanji for Reiki, pictured here, was designed specially just for Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing by calligrapher David Engstrom. It looks different from the modern style Reiki symbol you are used to seeing because this kanji is done in old style calligraphy. In essence, this style shows the word "Reiki" as it would have been written during the time period in which Dr. Mikao Usui, founder of Reiki, was living.<br /><br />Happy Holidays, and a wonderful New Year from all of us!<br /><br />Rose De Dan, Saqqara, Kiya, Puma, Cougar, and Sand<br /><br />Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLC<br />Website: <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.reikishamanic.com">http://www.reikishamanic.com</a><br />Blog: <a href="http://www.wildreiki.wordpress.com/">www.wildreiki.wordpress.com"</a><br />Animal and Reiki Art: <a href="http://www.cafepress.com/reikishamanic">www.cafepress.com/reikishamanic</a>Rose De Dan, Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05293500010636551868noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8368482943345779418.post-69887189284905089742008-12-06T20:37:00.000-08:002008-12-06T21:50:50.297-08:0012 Proven Ways to Help Heal the Earth and Yourself<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfQ5UNCs_hAF6bA30El7v2ktjaWvV5hnp3ZnBPZhaIgkjEnRJVF3oAfx2l94aSa3A0_iW7Sx2EocbTi-RLHDtYiZ6x6_vQ_vaS4boePuqqY6dASpZ9bpnjJvL6PNPPJH667iWaY_GBY9P/s1600-h/Tails_Cal_Cov_09+thmbsm.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 305px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfQ5UNCs_hAF6bA30El7v2ktjaWvV5hnp3ZnBPZhaIgkjEnRJVF3oAfx2l94aSa3A0_iW7Sx2EocbTi-RLHDtYiZ6x6_vQ_vaS4boePuqqY6dASpZ9bpnjJvL6PNPPJH667iWaY_GBY9P/s320/Tails_Cal_Cov_09+thmbsm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276903949293019666" border="0" /></a><br />After many months of hard work, I am thrilled to be able to announce the arrival of a new shamanic calendar inspired by the need of so many people and animals for healing, both personal and global. Here is the official announcement!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Are you feeling rushed, tired and drained?</span><br />Our world seems to be moving faster and faster, causing us to feel depleted and off balance. There seems to be little time for us to replenish and renew our life force. In addition the news about global warming and its impact on us, the Earth, and all its inhabitants seems overwhelming.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">New and Unique Shamanic Calendar/Workbook Helps Restore Balance and Promote Healing for Self and the Earth</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.reikishamanic.com/">Rose De Dan</a> and <a href="http://www.gratitudeforchange.com/">Carolyn Riley</a> are proud to announce that the new Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing 2009 Calendar has just been released. Entitled <a href="http://www.cafepress.com/reikishamanic.335143134">Tails of a Healer: Animals, Reiki and Shamanism Calendar and Workbook</a>, each month contains energetic and insightful photographs paired with carefully chosen accompanying quotes. Photographs and quotes are by writer, artist, shaman and Reiki Master Rose De Dan, some never before published.<br /><br />Printed in oversize 11 x 17 format, this calendar is more than just a beautiful and articulate face. Accompanying the photos and stories are 12 powerful shamanic ceremonies and meditations, custom crafted by Rose De Dan and shaman, Reiki Master and self-improvement coach Carolyn Riley, that can assist you in gaining deeper connection with your animal companions, the natural world, and with yourself.<br /><br />These heart-centered exercises are shared with you from their collective 25 years of training and experience in the Peruvian shamanic tradition, and can be just what you are seeking to help restore your sense of connection and well-being. Carolyn and Rose have carefully designed the ceremonies and meditations so that they can be done by anyone—no prior training or experience in energy work is needed.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCcrL18p0sBE5wWDIBKdSO8bR2VEetYGFZcSTLKgxvFssqdDB5OYeqAw1dQUb-qM5rHRE9ziDz6IRIHZLjllXTeq7UCV45ugI-rgw4B-OYfGWjgzlAMrDr_edAMpdMOWCZbwrP6bLBMxsG/s1600-h/Jan+Witchy+Woman+calpg+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 192px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCcrL18p0sBE5wWDIBKdSO8bR2VEetYGFZcSTLKgxvFssqdDB5OYeqAw1dQUb-qM5rHRE9ziDz6IRIHZLjllXTeq7UCV45ugI-rgw4B-OYfGWjgzlAMrDr_edAMpdMOWCZbwrP6bLBMxsG/s320/Jan+Witchy+Woman+calpg+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276904318286933954" border="0" /></a><br />By following monthly or daily practices in this unique calendar/workbook you will be able to increase your intuition, restore harmony, and improve your relationship with domestic and wild animals while at the same time helping to heal the Earth. Each exercise is designed to empower you on your journey as you embrace your connections to the Universe.<br /><br />As you discover greater insights about who you are becoming, you will also discover the unique nature of your relationship to the Earth and all of the beings with whom we share this world. The pages have oversized date boxes that not only provide plenty of room to write in important events, you can also track your progress with the workbook exercises.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">In 12 months you can learn how to:</span><br />• Stay energetically clean in a dirty world<br />• Restore balance using only a stone<br />• Speak with Animal and Plant Teachers<br />• Connect with the Earth and the Sacred anywhere<br />• Embrace the Light<br />• Synchronize with the natural cycles<br />• Create transformation and release limiting fear<br /><br /><a href="http://www.cafepress.com/reikishamanic.335143134">Tails of a Healer: Animals Reiki and Shamanism Calendar and Workbook</a> is available now, and with a variety of shipping options you can have yours, or a gift for someone special, delivered in time for the holidays or the New Year!<br /><br />Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLC<br />Website: <a href="http://www.reikishamanic.com/">www.reikishamanic.com</a><br />Blog: <a href="http://www.wildreiki.wordpress.com/">www.wildreiki.wordpress.com</a><br />Animal and Reiki Art: <a href="http://www.cafepress.com/reikishamanic">www.cafepress.com/reikishamanic</a>Rose De Dan, Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05293500010636551868noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8368482943345779418.post-49803670473053707172008-11-20T15:22:00.000-08:002008-11-20T15:31:37.938-08:00Tails of a Healer: Animals, Reiki and Shamanism Goes Wild on Kindle, Oprah’s New Favorite Thing<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicF7793cMFwhCCR_kDMAiVj54xhSNinX4e1jzZbxy7CNqkbjGkzNDt_uxXGFm2Z4623GAgCgV_NfUkEsbWsZDt-lO0lrbv6IqxO-cKEkNy6zbgj0c4J79uf9zLUdkUM7sX5k-LmPqQCh5o/s1600-h/Tails+frt+cvr+Kindle.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicF7793cMFwhCCR_kDMAiVj54xhSNinX4e1jzZbxy7CNqkbjGkzNDt_uxXGFm2Z4623GAgCgV_NfUkEsbWsZDt-lO0lrbv6IqxO-cKEkNy6zbgj0c4J79uf9zLUdkUM7sX5k-LmPqQCh5o/s320/Tails+frt+cvr+Kindle.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270885953018759234" border="0" /></a>Acclaimed book, <em>Tails of a Healer: Animals, Reiki and Shamanism</em>, by author Rose De Dan, is now available as an ebook worldwide through <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tails-Healer-Animals-Reiki-Shamanism/dp/B001KVYZ9K/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=digital-text&qid=1227220366&sr=1-6">Kindle Books</a> and <a href="http://www.mobipocket.com/en/eBooks/eBookDetails.asp?BookID=123909">Mobipocket</a>.<br /><br />Acclaimed by reviewers as “a gem,” “packed with wisdom and heart,” this book is a singular collection of inspirational anecdotes based on De Dan’s personal experiences as an animal communicator, Reiki Master and shamanic practitioner. <em>Tails of a Healer</em> is one of only a handful of books on Reiki or shamanism available at this time on Kindle or Mobipocket, bringing these ancient healing modalities into the new technological territory of virtual publishing for the first time.<br /><br />What’s a Kindle you ask? Who is Mobipocket?<br /><br />This summer Oprah received a gift that she says changed her life. "I'm telling you that it is absolutely my new favorite thing in the world," she says. The device she refers to is called a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FI73MA?ie=UTF8&tag=wildreikisham-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000FI73MA">Kindle, Amazon.com’s Wireless Reading Device</a> with instant access to more than 200,000 books, blogs, newspapers and magazines. Simple, portable, easy to use, it has a screen that looks like real paper. Mobipocket is a free software package that consists of various publishing and book reading tools for PDA, Smartphones, cellular phones and e-book devices such as Symbian, Windows Mobile, Palm OS, J2ME, BlackBerry, Psion, Kindle and iLiad, etc.<br /><br />De Dan is thrilled that her book, “Tails of a Healer” is now available in ebook form. De Dan says, “I feel good knowing that having my book in paperless form will help save trees. Every tree is needed to assist with our current global warming crisis.”<br /><br /><em>Tails of a Healer: Animals, Reiki and Shamanism</em> can be purchased as either a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1434355012?ie=UTF8&tag=wildreikisham-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1434355012">print or e-book at Amazon.com</a> or as an e-book at <a href="http://www.mobipocket.com/en/eBooks/eBookDetails.asp?BookID=123909">Mobipocket</a>. Currently in production is a matching Calendar and Workbook featuring De Dan’s photographs and articles, and earth-friendly daily shamanic practices created by De Dan and fellow shaman Carolyn Riley. Release of the matching Calendar and Workbook is anticipated by end of November 2008.<br /><br />Rose De Dan, Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLC, offers private healing sessions for people and animals at her home office in Seattle or by phone consultation. She also teaches classes in Reiki and shamanism.<br /><br />Website: <a href="http://www.reikishamanic.com/">www.reikishamanic.com</a><br />Blog: <a href="http://www.wildreiki.wordpress.com/">www.wildreiki.wordpress.com</a><br />Animal and Reiki Art: <a href="http://www.cafepress.com/reikishamanic">www.cafepress.com/reikishamanic</a>Rose De Dan, Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05293500010636551868noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8368482943345779418.post-8556447945193940602008-10-08T09:04:00.000-07:002008-10-08T09:06:31.712-07:00For Healthy Change, Vote with Your Dollars<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikMXPgtIuPKgXOG0SpuNMvAB8IZGRcTacwL9663rn4TEEb2v0UElXhHwVm9WCH3GAAxVzgqYeqV-z7zanMSTU8294pobd4OU6tnQFfMkQE1jbEAz_80xk9ZHQNP2xvJYrsjMen-GEFO-_7/s1600-h/chicken+scratch+web.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikMXPgtIuPKgXOG0SpuNMvAB8IZGRcTacwL9663rn4TEEb2v0UElXhHwVm9WCH3GAAxVzgqYeqV-z7zanMSTU8294pobd4OU6tnQFfMkQE1jbEAz_80xk9ZHQNP2xvJYrsjMen-GEFO-_7/s320/chicken+scratch+web.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254814968113409186" border="0" /></a>Food Animal Concern Trust (FACT) is dedicated to making farms healthier and more humane places for animals to live through research, advocacy, and education. Founded in 1982 by Robert A. Brown, they rely on firsthand, on-farm research to make science-based recommendations to federal regulatory agencies and as the basis for organizing a broad public response.<br /><br />I have been a supporter of FACT for many years, there is no reason other than greed and ignorance that farm animals cannot be raised humanely. Indeed, it is in the best interests of our own health that they are, and I have written about this in another article, <a href="http://www.reikishamanic.com/newsarticles/article.nhtml?uid=10006">The Dance of Life</a>.<br /><br />FACT believes that all farms should be humane and healthy places to raise animals. In support of those aims, and others in the <a href="http://www.reikishamanic.com/animalrightsorganizations/">Animal Rights links</a> in my Resources section of my website, I wanted to share their vision from a recent FACT newsletter:<br /><br />"Scott and Roxanne Bok, FACT supporters since 1995, are a positive example of what is possible. They operate Twin Lakes Farm, a small, humane and sustainable farm in northwest Connecticut that supplies grass fed beef, free range eggs and fresh produce to their restaurant a few miles down the road. The Bok's, with the help of two young, third generation farmers, are giving dozens of cows and chickens a better life. They are also improving environmental health, protecting green space, and contributing to their local economy.<br /><br />"In this time of industrial-scale, confinement agriculture, Twin Lakes Farm illustrates a healthy and humane way of raising animals. The laying hens roam freely on a grassy meadow and can retreat to an enclosed house during inclement weather. The beef cattle have access to pasture year-round, as well as a state-of-the-art barn that is equipped with a sand floor for cooling and fly control. The barn is also outfitted with a large brush wheel the cows use for scratching. Currently the herd consists of 75 adult cows and 12 calves, all experiencing a happy and social life on the pastures at Twin Lakes. They are curious animals and creatures of habit. The cows can be heard bellowing to each other, perhaps signaling that it is time to go out to graze on the pasture or return to the barn, a routine that happens four to five times per day. It is not uncommon to see the calves playing together with one adult cow watching over the group, and image that reveals and innate awareness and distinct personalities these animals possess."<br /><br />This is how farm animals should live; laying hens should not be confined to cages so small that they cannot even stand up. Farm animals should not live in such appalling conditions that they must be continually fed antibiotics to keep them healthy, and that are then passed along to us.<br /><br />So, what can you do? Vote with your dollars, one of the most persuasive arguments in a supply and demand economy such as ours, and support local, organic farmers. As more of us make caring and healthy choices we can change the marketplace and educate others.<br /><br />Labels can be deceiving, the word organic can be used very loosely, and cage free does not mean free range, so educate yourself by shopping at someplace like <a href="http://www.pccnaturalmarkets.com/">PCC Natural Markets</a>. PCC is a certified organic grocery store and co-op, located in Seattle that specializes in natural food, organic produce, and naturally raised meats. They go the extra mile and research every item that they carry. You can find a link to their list of PCC-approved ingredients in my <a href="http://www.reikishamanic.com/nutritionresources/">Nutrition Resources</a> section under Human Nutrition.<br /><br />And <a href="http://www.foodanimalconcerns.org/">make a donation to FACT</a>, so that they can continue to create positive change for farm animals.<br /><br />Rose De Dan<br />Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLC<br />Website: <a href="http://www.reikishamanic.com/">www.reikishamanic.com</a><br />Blog: <a href="http://www.wildreiki.wordpress.com/">www.wildreiki.wordpress.com</a><br />Animal and Reiki Art: <a href="http://www.cafepress.com/reikishamanic">www.cafepress.com/reikishamanic</a>Rose De Dan, Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05293500010636551868noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8368482943345779418.post-73290212682895046942008-10-08T02:03:00.000-07:002008-10-08T02:08:33.121-07:00Voter Guide for the Environment ELECTION '08<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRvlmKzbbNjpBtqOcEmXr0X4U45LHwdpcUrF3R91GsxGOhjnmA7pd07hkKeSVulNxnL1R1VXd-vuujLQhj_cpyjmCJq9R3sJH1-2VuYyT4RFOZupY4Ai05zor24s25lcFFnTFNzZIRE1zv/s1600-h/Eagle+Pt.+Defiance+web.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRvlmKzbbNjpBtqOcEmXr0X4U45LHwdpcUrF3R91GsxGOhjnmA7pd07hkKeSVulNxnL1R1VXd-vuujLQhj_cpyjmCJq9R3sJH1-2VuYyT4RFOZupY4Ai05zor24s25lcFFnTFNzZIRE1zv/s320/Eagle+Pt.+Defiance+web.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254706486360269522" border="0" /></a><strong>Where Does YOUR Congressman Stand?</strong><br /><br />In addition to working towards personal solutions, we should all hold our elected officials accountable to offering Americans the policy solutions that will help to protect wildlife for their sake and our children's future. CandidAnswers.org allows you to put the Congressional candidates from your district side by side and compare their answers to some of the most pressing questions for America's conservationists. So before you make your way to the voting booth next month...<br /><br />Please take a few minutes to find out where your candidates stand on some of the most important issues for the future of wildlife. Visit the <a href="http://www.candidanswers.org/">CandidAnswers</a> website, where you can join others in asking your candidates for Congress where they stand on pressing environmental issues.<br /><br /><strong>Special Report: The Presidential Candidates on Environmental Issues</strong><br /><br />Senators John McCain and Barack Obama state their positions on some of the key conservation and environmental issues facing the United States today. In this <a href="http://www.nwf.org/nationalwildlife/article.cfm?issueID=124&articleID=1650&utm_source=NationalWildlifeMagazine&utm_medium=Article&utm_term=Oct08&utm_content=PresElection&utm_campaign=1">Special Report</a>, National Wildlife Federation offered both the opportunity to answer the same questions on some key conservation issues, limiting each answer to no more than 200 words. The unedited responses to their questions provide an opportunity for you to learn more about their policies and plans.<br /><br />And now I'm done being politically correct, and it is time for something different...<br /><br /><strong>Douglas and Benny Catpaign for Animal Rights</strong><br /><br />Catidates Douglas and Benny are two black cats that have jumped on the catpaign trail in order to highlight animal rights issues in the 2008 Elections. Check out their <a href="http://douglasbenny2008.wordpress.com/">Official Campaign Hindquarters</a> (no, that is not a typo) for an up-to-date scoop on the latest issues.<br /><br /><strong>82 Year-Old Grandmother Tells It Like It Is</strong><br /><br />Helen and Margaret have been friends for over 60 years. To celebrate that bond her grandson helped Helen Philpot set up a blog so that they could keep in touch. In response to some comments that Margaret made Helen posted HER take on Sarah Palin and the current political situation. Someone who read it posted a link to her blog in comments on the recent Saturday Night Live Sarah Palin skit, and since then Helen has become a blogging celebrity. Check out her intelligent, feisty, pulls-no-punches perspective, "<a href="http://margaretandhelen.wordpress.com/2008/10/03/bitch-there-i-said-it/">Sarah Palin is a Bitch...there I've said it.</a>" And don't forget to read the reader responses, a fun treat in itself, one commented, "You said it all, and have set the rest of us free. The emperor has no clothes..." And if you want more Helen, she wrote a follow-up blog responding to all the hundreds of comments she received "<a href="http://margaretandhelen.wordpress.com/2008/10/06/yep-i-called-her-a-bitch-and-i-am-not-taking-it-back/">Yep. I called her a bitch and I am not taking it back</a>." Helen, I hope I am as sharp as you are when I'm 82!<br /><br />Rose De Dan<br />Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLC<br />Website: <a href="http://www.reikishamanic.com/">www.reikishamanic.com</a><br />Blog: <a href="http://www.wildreiki.wordpress.com/">www.wildreiki.wordpress.com</a><br />Animal and Reiki Art: <a href="http://www.cafepress.com/reikishamanic">www.cafepress.com/reikishamanic</a>Rose De Dan, Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05293500010636551868noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8368482943345779418.post-48118524078630974332008-10-03T14:15:00.000-07:002008-10-03T14:19:45.109-07:00Blessing for the Animals, and One for the Shaman<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3oGNsWOmzT2ytStdKWQCJvb-NtXIRkyhp5UR4aHs0giqdgAw8AoHjAE7OG8eqNB3e-mZpJaxd_e0nR7LCYmBvkgQqbkJwVlHbYMGWAyGoq-u9qvIJnwQ5NJw3tBFy3E5KN4mAs0x1ANPi/s1600-h/Rose_AniBless_7+nwsltrsm.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3oGNsWOmzT2ytStdKWQCJvb-NtXIRkyhp5UR4aHs0giqdgAw8AoHjAE7OG8eqNB3e-mZpJaxd_e0nR7LCYmBvkgQqbkJwVlHbYMGWAyGoq-u9qvIJnwQ5NJw3tBFy3E5KN4mAs0x1ANPi/s320/Rose_AniBless_7+nwsltrsm.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253039734150367874" /></a><br />It has been a whirlwind and a roller coaster last two months! In this month’s newsletter we focus on some of the highlights, as well as a preview of current attractions.<br /><br />First, thanks to <a href="http://www.rhondasreiki.com">Rhonda Hanley</a> who graciously volunteered her photographic eye, I have a pictorial history of my participation in the Blessing for the Animals Day, which took place on Sunday, September 14, 2008 at Heavenly Spa, a therapeutic canine hydrotherapy spa located in Fall City, Washington. My thanks, also to Georgette Mendez and her two new puppies (so cute), and K.C. Anderson, both of whom were kind enough to assist me at the event.<br /><br />Group blessings began at 2:00pm, offered by a series of people of various backgrounds, Native American, Sufi, Christian, Peruvian shamanism (yours truly), Reiki, crystals, etc.<br /><br />There were a fair number of people and dogs who showed up, first for the blessings, and then to meet those of us who had booths set up (I got to reconnect briefly with fellow energyworkers/friends <a href="http://www.tonglenhealingarts.com">Polly Klein</a> and <a href="http://www.vimiere.com">Vicki Draper</a>. There is one photo where I am working with my boxer-type dog client and his person (I am giving an individual blessing), and behind me Rhonda captured the swirl of energy of many excited dogs and their happy people. I was so focused that I had no idea that so many had arrived until I saw the photo, later! I also vaguely recall seeing someone taking photos while I was working (that was not Rhonda), who later turned out to be a photographer for the local paper. One of those photos, in which I was <a href="http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/east_king/svr/community/28459649.html">blessing</a> a very happy mini American Eskimo dog named Q-tip, was published in the Snoqualmie Valley Record. <br /><br />In addition to the fun She Walks and I had interacting with all the dogs and people, I was deeply moved by how well my dog, Puma, played his role. He was my emotional support and held energetic space while I offered the group shamanic blessing. Then, throughout many individual blessings, he stayed quietly by my side, never once needing my attention, staying in a down position, calming the dog clients, and graciously accepting the attention of friendly children. Not once did he get up to greet another dog. At the end of the day, I thanked Puma thoroughly, and let him off leash to explore the grounds, which he did happily, returning straight to me when I called him back so that we could leave. Bless you, Puma, and bless you, Cesar Milan, for all I have learned about transmitting calm, assertive energy!<br /><br />So, if you would like to see the full story of the Blessing of the Animals in photos, with explanatory captions, <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/wildreiki/sets/72157607605027072">click here</a>. If you were present at the event, and your dog is one that appears in a photo, I apologize for not remembering names. If you contact me and tell me your dog’s name I will be happy to include that information, and if you would like a digital copy of that photo I would be happy to send one as well. To everyone who came and visited, thanks, I had a wonderful time meeting all of you and your animals, and I hope all are doing well! <br /><br />I, however, had been struggling with sinus problems the whole week prior to the Blessing Day, and it finally caught up with me. The day after the event this shaman was the one who needed a blessing, in the form of the very traditional “Gesundheit!" (perhaps I can get a blessing of another type when Puma and I attend the <a href="http://alkiucc.org/index.php?s=au&nid=45348&news_id=8602">Blessing for the Animals</a> at the Alki United Church of Christ).<br /><br />Of course, with clogged sinuses, I now sounded like Donald Duck, just in time for my second internet radio interview, <a href="http://www.modavox.com/voiceamericacms/WebModules/HostModaview.aspx?ScheduleTime=11&BroadcastId=37550&ShowId=750&Flag=1">The Wisdom of the Animals and Global Warming</a>. I did my very best to be not only clear in my intent and message, but also voice-wise, and hopefully I succeeded.<br /><P><br />The first interview was an amazing success, Liana reported that within the first week afterward there had been 4,000 downloads of it! Of course, she told me this right before we started in on the second interview. I had to put the thought of how many might hear this one right into a closet and slam the door firmly on it so that I did not get more nervous than I already was. That interview and the first, <a href="http://www.modavox.com/voiceamericacms/WebModules/HostModaview.aspx?ScheduleTime=11&BroadcastId=37253&ShowId=750&Flag=1">Wisdom of the Animals: Shamanism for Modern Times</a> are available online.<br /><br /><strong>In Ceremony for Healing of Self and the Earth</strong><br /><br />The despacho ceremonies have been taking an interesting turn, Spirit has been very clear that I am to focus on ceremonies for healing the earth, the animals, and global warming. This focus began with the New Year’s despachos, see <a href="http://www.reikishamanic.com/newsarticles/article.nhtml?uid=10030">New Year’s Revolutions, Part 1</a>, progressed through the fire ceremony for the Woodland Park zoo animals, and continues to evolve in each monthly despacho. Last month Spirit focused on healing the animals affected by mankind’s breaking of our contract with them. This month’s <a href="http://www.reikishamanic.com/brochure3/list.nhtml">Ayni Despacho Ceremony</a> will focus on personal healing and healing of the waters and ocean dwellers. If you are interested in attending please sign up ASAP as space is limited.<br /><br />As part of my preparation for the October despacho, last night I traveled up the Duwamish River with representatives of various agencies dedicated to clean-up, and tonight I will be at REI attending a <a href="http://pugetsound.org/connect/events/1002REI/">Effects of Climate Change on Puget Sound</a>. In support of the focus on healing the earth I have created another page under Resource Links, <a href="http://www.reikishamanic.com/globalwarmingresources/">Global Warming Resources</a>. I took lots of photos on my trip up the Duwamish, gained more information, both shamanic and factual, and will blog about both experiences soon.<br /><br />Other features in the <a href="http://www.reikishamanic.com/june2005newsletter">October newsletter</a>:<br /><br />• Will your political candidate help save the environment?<br />Find out where they stand on environmental issues.<br /><br />• NEW <a href="http://www.reikishamanic.com/shamanicgifts/list.nhtml">Peruvian rattles with animal carvings</a>:<br />Condor, Dolphin Owl, Llama, Hummingbird, Eagle, Serpent, Scorpion, there’s even a monkey and a coatimundi!<br /><br />• NEW <a href="http://www.cafepress.com/reikishamanic/743956">Reiki Pet Bowls</a> for the dog or cat who knows what they want!<br /><br />• NEW <a href=http://www.reikishamanic.com/dowsingpendulums1>one-of-a kind healing pendulums</a><br /><br />• NEW <a href=http://www.reikishamanic.com/advancedshamanictrainingincainitiation>Advanced Shamanic Training: Inca Initiation</a><br /><br />And more in the <a href="http://www.reikishamanic.com/june2005newsletter">October newsletter</a>:<br />• Story of the Tortoise Who Went Walkabout<br />• 2009 Reiki Classes<br />• Humane choices for farm animals<br />• NEW Reiki Review and Advanced Training Classes<br /><br />And finally, Keiko, the darling foster cat who has been with me for over nine months is still looking for her forever home. Do you know where it is?<br /><br /><em>If you would like to read more musings by Rose De Dan, <a href="http://www.reikishamanic.com/newslettersign1up">sign up for our newsletters</a>.</em><br /><br />Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLC<br />Website: <a href="http://www.reikishamanic.com">www.reikishamanic.com</a><br />Blog: <A href="http://www.wildreiki.wordpress.com">www.wildreiki.wordpress.com</a><br />Animal and Reiki Art: <a href="http://www.cafepress.com/reikishamanic">www.cafepress.com/reikishamanic</a>Rose De Dan, Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05293500010636551868noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8368482943345779418.post-84681061234825242032008-09-30T23:13:00.000-07:002008-09-30T23:18:49.124-07:00Wisdom of the Animals, Shamanism and Global Warming<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Gy_MfgjTrmwJbfi3XEekv74I-kUac07CYZ1xFLXctHfO_niw-2oBSyoAqIQf7pFosdPd_D2LNwGcRh7xsSZQ34PFJnkv3UPfWejd4kXZDd6hBozGQHz0zA-W7rTiHdFoXBGn7T4ekKoj/s1600-h/Rose_De_Dan_Puma+sqweb.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Gy_MfgjTrmwJbfi3XEekv74I-kUac07CYZ1xFLXctHfO_niw-2oBSyoAqIQf7pFosdPd_D2LNwGcRh7xsSZQ34PFJnkv3UPfWejd4kXZDd6hBozGQHz0zA-W7rTiHdFoXBGn7T4ekKoj/s320/Rose_De_Dan_Puma+sqweb.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252065541641722242" border="0" /></a>The following are two recent interviews, now archived for those who might have missed the live broadcast on the 7th Wave Network program, "Living Wisdom" with Dr. Liana Carbón, Institute of Shamanic Wisdom.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.modavox.com/voiceamericacms/WebModules/HostModaview.aspx?ScheduleTime=11&BroadcastId=37253&ShowId=750&Flag=1">The Wisdom of the Animals: Shamanism for Modern Times</a><br /></b> with Rose De Dan and Dr. Liana Carbón<br /><br />Do you love animals or have an animal companion that shares your life? Ever wondered what it is like to experience the world through their eyes, what is it like to be an animal healer? Rose De Dan, Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing, energy worker and animal communicator and author of <a href=http://www.reikishamanic.com/tailsofahealeranimals1reikishamanism1>Tails of a Healer: Animals, Reiki and Shamanism</a> has been a voice for the animals since 1996. Our technology has set in motion rapid change worldwide, and the animals those changes affect want to be heard. Join Dr. Liana Carbon as she interviews Rose on what it means to be an animal shaman for domestic and wild animals and what messages they have for us. To listen to this archive, <a href="http://www.modavox.com/voiceamericacms/WebModules/HostModaview.aspx?ScheduleTime=11&BroadcastId=37253&ShowId=750&Flag=1">click here</a>.<br /><br />9/16/08<br /><b><a href="http://www.modavox.com/voiceamericacms/WebModules/HostModaview.aspx?ScheduleTime=11&BroadcastId=37550&ShowId=750&Flag=1">The Wisdom of the Animals and Global Warming</a><br /></b> with Rose De Dan and Dr. Liana Carbón<br /><br />Have you wondered how the animals are being affected by global warming and what their perspective is? The animals are reaching out to us to help restore balance, are we ready to answer the call and help save them from species extinction? In this show Rose De Dan, Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing, and author of <a href=http://www.reikishamanic.com/tailsofahealeranimals1reikishamanism1>Tails of a Healer: Animals, Reiki and Shamanism</a> shares her shamanic vision from the animals of how to change the trajectory of global warming through the use of ceremony, energy work, and practical changes in our daily lives. Rose has been a voice for the animals since 1996, helping reconnect people, animals, and the natural world. Join Dr. Liana Carbon as she interviews Rose on how the ancient technologies of shamanism can be used alongside modern science to bridge the gap we have created and restore balance. To listen to this archive, <a href="http://www.modavox.com/voiceamericacms/WebModules/HostModaview.aspx?ScheduleTime=11&BroadcastId=37550&ShowId=750&Flag=1">click here</a>.Rose De Dan, Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05293500010636551868noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8368482943345779418.post-55343300875611782742008-09-11T08:57:00.000-07:002008-09-11T09:00:14.616-07:00The Wisdom of the Animals and Global Warming<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXIGRoVRvEAoyqg28yCGVqofxH3FbHyfQ7mW8yBNaaceGXBH163no-UbHFrlIxa7cIOBPjFyJOZSBCo6HQRvo9R_Wl_TZHD478lvd9goJVJtF2g1xGFdMK7moW-CFzZq8g2yJl-7FqTvG7/s1600-h/Rose_De_Dan_Puma+sqweb.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXIGRoVRvEAoyqg28yCGVqofxH3FbHyfQ7mW8yBNaaceGXBH163no-UbHFrlIxa7cIOBPjFyJOZSBCo6HQRvo9R_Wl_TZHD478lvd9goJVJtF2g1xGFdMK7moW-CFzZq8g2yJl-7FqTvG7/s320/Rose_De_Dan_Puma+sqweb.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244793634848749346" border="0" /></a>Well, I did my first ever live radio interview yesterday and thought it went well despite our having computer challenges that did not enable Liana Carbon to communicate to me when the breaks were coming up. At least it made us sound like we are really excited about the conversation we are having! If it was the shamanic energy interfering with technology at least it was gentle (-: Thanks to all of you who listened and offered positive feedback!<br /><br />Yesterday's broadcast "The Wisdom of the Animals: Shamanism for Modern Times" is available in the archives at 7th Wave Network.<br /><br />To listen at any time, go to <a href="http://www.modavox.com/7thwavenetwork">7th Wave Network</a> click on the Tuesday schedule, scroll to "Living Wisdom" show and click on the title Living Wisdom. Then click on "9/9/08 - Broadcast Title Unavailable (title and description will be posted soon)." This will take you to a link to listen to archived recordings.<br /><br />And, I will be a guest on the show again, next week, speaking about how the animals want us to get involved in halting global warming.<br /><br /><strong>The Wisdom of the Animals and Global Warming</strong><br />Guest Speaker Rose De Dan<br />Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 11 am Pacific<br />7th Wave Network<br /><br />Join Dr. Liana Carbon, Institute of Shamanic Wisdom, as she interviews Rose De Dan, author of the acclaimed book <a href="http://www.reikishamanic.com/tailsofahealeranimals1reikishamanism1">Tails of a Healer: Animals, Reiki and Shamanism</a>. Rose is the founder of Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLC. A gifted animal communicator, Reiki Master Teacher, and artist, Rose was invited to work with the animals of the Philadelphia Zoo, as well as other major zoos in the USA. She is currently involved in speaking on how global warming is affecting all animals, as well as shamanic approaches to working with the animals and Mother Earth, and has a new book in progress.<br /><br />Rose is actively involved in how we can energetically work toward changing the current trajectory of global warming. Relying only on technology we cannot reverse the trend in time before many species perish. There is a chasm between the old ways (shamanism) and the science of today, we must bridge that gap and reincorporate a shamanic way of being in this world in order to heal what has been torn asunder.<br /><br />In practice since 1996 and in partnership with her companion animals, Rose offers private sessions and ceremonies for humans and animals, and teaches Reiki classes and shamanism workshops in Seattle.<br /><br />Call TOLL FREE 866-472-5794 to speak with Liana and special guest speaker Rose De Dan.<br /><br />If you cannot listen live recordings are archived, to listen at any time, go to <a href="http://www.modavox.com/7thwavenetwork">7th Wave Network</a>, click on the Tuesday schedule, scroll to "Living Wisdom" show and click on the title "Living Wisdom" which will take you to the archives.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Photo of Rose De Dan and Puma by dane + dane photography</span><br /><br />Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLC<br />Website: <a href="http://www.reikishamanic.com/">www.reikishamanic.com</a><br />Blog: <a href="http://www.wildreiki.wordpress.com/">www.wildreiki.wordpress.com</a><br />Animal and Reiki Art: <a href="http://www.cafepress.com/reikishamanic">www.cafepress.com/reikishamanic</a>Rose De Dan, Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05293500010636551868noreply@blogger.com1