ANIMAL CHANNEL
NEWSLETTER
ANITA CURTIS * P O BOX 182 * GILBERTSVILLE, PA 19525
* PH: (610) 327-3820
FAX (610)
970-2696 * amicom@aol.com
* www.anitacurtis.com
Written by: Elena Smith
Winter
2001/2002 NEWSLETTER Editorial and Edited by: Anita Curtis
Happy
Holidays!
Greetings.
It
seems like a lifetime has passed since our last Animal Channel Newsletter. September 11 is the first event that comes
to my mind. I was heading home in my
car when I heard the news on the radio and raced into the house to turn on the
TV. My son and I watched in horror as
did millions of others in the world. I
am afraid that my spiritual growth has not advanced as far I would hope in this
lifetime’s journey. I wanted to get
even, and do it immediately.
I
had been scheduled to fly to Kansas City on the 16th to speak at a
convention, but it was canceled. There
was a workshop near home the following weekend, which was held. As always, I meditated the evening before
the workshop. When I asked for
direction, I was instructed by Porcia to ask the group to pray that the
conflict be settled by words instead of weapons. I did as I was told, and was grateful to know that the animals on
both sides of the veil
are
working with us. I’m also glad to know
that I’m not in charge.
I
received several calls from people around the country who had animals that were
unusually nervous and upset the week before the attack. Jean’s horse and one of mine had requested
Rescue Remedy the week prior to September 11th, but wouldn’t tell us
why. They told us afterwards that there
was a shift in the energy that they were having trouble handling.
Changing
the subject, I have talked to two different clients who have made a difference
in the animal world. One worked hard to
change to law about transporting horses from the sales to the
slaughterhouses. The conditions were
unspeakable, and she managed to have large fines imposed on anyone mistreating
the animals on their last ride.
Ideally, there would be no last ride as such, but one step at a
time. I cannot remember the name of the
person who told me about this and hope she will call again and remind me. I will make amends in the next newsletter.
Heather
Devlin of Lancaster, PA wrote to me about what she was able to accomplish. Heather found that unwanted wild animals
that were removed from a house or property were often drowned as a form of
euthanasia. She went to Harrisburg to
a quarterly public hearing for the Game Commission and presented the subject of
policing guidelines of euthanasia along with copies of the Cornell University
Report on Humane Euthanasia. No one
seemed interested. Four years later the
State Game Commission approved and adopted changes in the Wildlife Pest Control
Law and the entire change is about animal handling and cruelty issues.
The
law is scant, but there are guidelines now and it’s a start. You go, girl!
I
have given much thought to the following:
After keeping my prices the same for ten years or so I find that I have
to raise them. The cost of living
continues to go up and I am finding it necessary to make some adjustments to
keep up with it.
I
will be adding $5 to the fee for a fifteen-minute consultation as of January 1,
2002. I hope you understand.
Peace
and love to all of you throughout the holidays and New Year,
Anita
Survey Results:
The totals are in!!! We have 717 people sign up for our online
newsletter and 22 non-online newsletter recipients. Are you curious as to how many people have the same pets as you?
Well here is the percentages biased off our sign up survey.
(Note many people have opened their homes to more that one pet).
Bird Owners 6.7%
Cat Owners 30.7%
Dog Owners 36.8%
Horse Owners 17.8%
Ferret Owners 0.4%
Other Pets 7.6%
VETERINARY CARE
The following numbers are provided if you wish to
get information on holistic and chiropractic veterinarians near you.
International
Veterinary Chiropractic Association
(309)
658-2920
American
Holistic Veterinary Medical Association
(410)
569-0795 phone
(410)
569-2346 fax
PHONE MESSAGE
If you
call between 10: 30 am and 5pm, eastern, Monday-Friday and get our voice mail,
please leave a message. Jean is on a
call helping another client and will call you back as soon as possible.
FRIENDS NOT FORGOTTEN
If we
have inadvertently omitted the name of one of your animal friends, please
accept our apologies. Give us a call or
write us a note so we may include your friend in the next newsletter.
Rainbow
Bridge
Just this side of heaven
is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet
goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and
play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and
comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor;
those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we
remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss
someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and
looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers.
Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs
carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you
cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses
rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look
once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but
never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown...
WELCOME BACK!!
Many of you have heard
me say that our animal companions can come back to us after they have passed
on. This new column is dedicated to our
loving friends who have returned to us.
Please contact us with any names and/or stories about friends that have
returned to you.
Gumbo
Walsh (was Gracie)
Hadley
Bourque (was Beau)
Kira
Mahler (was Snow)
Lucy
Boik (was Magnum)
Onyx
Barndt (was Striker)
Smokey
Ross (was Smokey)
Lucy
Rand (was Myah)
Meeko
Williams (was Rascal)
Amy
Bird (was Tansy)
Foxy
Allison (was Foxy)
Ashley
Joy (was Tina Muffin Joy)
Laugh Lines:
You Know You
Are a Dog Person When
*Lint wheels
are on your shopping list every week.
*You have
baby gates permanently installed at strategic places around the house, but no
babies.
*The trash
basket is more or less permanently installed in the kitchen sink, to keep the
dog out of it
while you're at work.
*You refer
to yourselves as Mommy and Daddy.
*Your dog
sleeps with you.
*Poop has
become a source of conversation for you and your significant other.
*You can't
see out the passenger side of the windshield because there are nose-prints all
over the
inside.
*You have 32
different names for your dog. Most make no sense, but she understands.
*You like
people who like your dog. You despise people who don't.
*You carry
dog biscuits in your purse or pocket at all times.
*You talk
about your dog the way other people talk about their kid.
*You sign
and send birthday/anniversary/Christmas cards from your dog.
*You put an
extra blanket on the bed so your dog can be comfortable.
*You'd
rather stay home on Saturday night and cuddle your dog than go to the movies
with your
sweetie.
*You go to
the pet supply store every Saturday because it's one of the very few places
that lets you
bring your dog inside, and your dog
loves to go with you.
*You open
your purse, and that big bunch of baggies you use for "pick-ups" pops
out.
*You and the
dog come down with something like flu on the same day.
*Your dog
sees the vet while you settle for an over-the-counter remedy from the drug
store.
*You lecture
people on responsible dog ownership every chance you get.
*You are the
only idiot walking in the pouring rain because your dog needs her walk.
*You keep an
extra water dish in your second-floor bedroom, in case your dog gets thirsty at
night
(after all, her other dish is way
down on the first floor...).
******************************************************
A
horseperson’s famous last words
My horse is totally bombproof.
How hard could deworming be?
Get off-Ill show him who’s boss.
No-a bareback pad will be fine.
Check out the rowels on my new spurs!
I saw this in a movie once.
Mind if I pass?
He was born broke.
Let me tighten that cinch just a speck more.
Don’t worry-I’ve got a way with horses.
Riding helmets? They’re too hot and confining.
Hey, watch this.
-Stephanie Osborn
Aug 2001: Horse and Rider
Uncle Sam's Help with Critter Care
by Susan
Ajamian
Are you one of the people who regularly reaches into your wallet
to help lost, homeless and injured animals ? Well, there may be a way for you
to ease your financial impact.
Animal psychologist Dr. Tom Nova is President of The American
Animal Care Foundation, Inc. founded in 1968. It is a federally-recognized
publicly supported non-profit charity under IRS code 501(c)(3). When I talked
with him in January he explained that AACF has two programs which can help
those of us who are helping the animals. He explained that this extends to any
animals under our "care, keep or control". These can be any animals
-- including rescued or homeless animals, or wildlife, of any species.
His first program is the Animal Medical Health Assistance Program
which issues an IRS Tax deductible Certificate for 100% of the cost of an
animal's medical care. This certificate from AACF verifies the donation of
medical services by private veterinarians or animal hospitals/clinics. They
receive credit for a deductible donation to AACF. This is an alternative to
your paying for the cost of the treatment. You must talk with your veterinarian
to get their agreement to do this. And you, or a sponsor, must send AACF the
medical invoice along with a fee of 10% of the invoice for administrative
costs.
The second program Dr. Nova described is to establish your own
non-profit animal program as an affiliate of AACF.
You become the Executive Director of your affiliate organization
and can do your own fund-raising and apply for grants. You administer 80% of
the funds you raise, the other 20% goes to AACF. If you need to issue an IRS
Tax Deductible Certificate AACF will do it on behalf of your affiliate, for a
10%
fee. Your organization will have its own bank account, but uses
the AACF Federal ID number.
Dr. Nova described many ways AACF affiliates raise money. One
woman's son has a big trucking business. He makes a tax-deductible monthly
donation to her organization, and she uses it to feed homeless cats. Some
airport workers had a yard sale and put the money into their organization's
account. They got credit for the tax deduction, and then could spend it to feed
the animal's
abandoned on the airport's grounds. Another affiliate issues Tax
Certificates to a pet food retailer in exchange for dented containers of pet
food. These truckloads of food are given to the elderly to help feed their pets.
Dr. Nova has many ideas of ways to raise funds to help the animals, and he
talks
regularly with the IRS to keep abreast of the rules.
It is up to you to decide if these programs suit you. For more
information contact AACF, their address is : The American Animal Care
Foundation, Inc., Financial Recovery Dept., 1108 Philip Court, North Valley
Stream, New York 11580-2434. AACF's website is www.animalcareusa.org. Dr. Nova
can be reached via a 24-hour phone/recorder line at 516-285-7680, a 24-hour fax
516-285-7712, or e-mail at "tomnovausa@aol.com".
Mel's Message About Animal Abuse
by Susan
Ajamian
In mid-January there was a very disturbing story in The News
Journal. On New Year's Day a 4-year-old male orange tabby cat was found on
Blackbird Forest Road near Townsend DE with steel traps locked onto each of his
forelegs. His torturer had left him there to die. Since the traps were
defective there was no doubt this had been done deliberately.
This cat was taken to Bonnie Kruch's wildlife rehabilitation
center. Bonnie and the volunteers named this beautiful, friendly, and loving
cat "Mel" in honor of Mel Gibson's character in the movie Braveheart.
In early Feb I asked Anita to communicate with Mel. He said his
name was Butter, and he lived with two adults and three children in a stone
house with a lot of windows. It was in a hilly area, with trees. He did not
know his assailant but described him as a heavy-set teenage boy with black
hair, a clear complexion, and rosy cheeks, wearing an Elmer-Fudd hunting hat
and knit gloves.
Mel said his plight will help to make people more compassionate
toward animals, but even more important, it will address local problems with
kids. The story in the paper will help this happen. Mel said people are letting
their kids get wild when they KNOW there is something wrong with them
mentally, and this trend is getting worse and worse. Not only do
they know, but they turn their backs. Everyone says it can't happen here, or it
can't happen in my home, but it can and it does.
We sent Mel's information to the News Journal reporter, and not
surprisingly did not get a reply. But later that week, he wrote an article
about the Delaware Attorney General's Task Force on Animal Abuse and Personal
Violence. One Task Force recommendation has already been acted on, prosecutors
will now advise against suspending fines in animal abuse cases. The Task Force
is also
trying to get police and animal cruelty investigators to exchange
information. They recognize the links between animal cruelty and personal
violence. Their goal is to tighten existing animal-cruelty laws and increase
the enforcement of existing statutes.
Mel has had four surgeries. His right front leg was amputated,
along with three toes from his left leg. He has also lost several teeth due to
damage from gnawing on the traps. When we called Feb. 21 to ask for an update
Bonnie said Mel was doing well medically. The dentist had saved some of his
teeth,
and was coming again that day to check on him. Mel was walking and
had successfully negotiated a four-foot jump from the playpen to a tabletop.
Help and concern for Mel has poured in, including many offers of
adoption, and $5600 for a reward for information leading to the arrest and
conviction of the person who did this. As of Feb 21 Bonnie was told an arrest
was imminent.
To help pay Mel's medical bills, or volunteer, contact Bonnie
Kruch c/o Townsend Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, 913 Grears Corner Rd,
Townsend, DE 19734, 302-378-4761. For more information about the Attorney
General's Task Force on Animal Abuse and Personal Violence e-mail Delaware
Attorney General M. Jane Brady at
jbrady@state.de.us or call 302-577-8338.
Just
Released!
How to Find
a Lost Sheltie - What EVERY owner should know, if your Sheltie( or any
breed) is lost.
It can
easily happen....they slip out when you open the door.... something spooks them
and they slip their collar....a neighborhood kid or repairman leaves a gate
open.....it happens to even the best owners. Unfortunately, because of
their nature, Dogs that are lost often become scared and will even run and hide
from those they have known for years. This booklet can be a
lifesaver. Find out what types of areas a frightened Dog will seek out,
how to get the word out about your lost dog, how to catch the dog once you know
where it is, and more. No owner should be without this booklet!
Price:
$2.00/ea.
Proceeds
will benefit Central Ohio Sheltie Rescue (Penny Sanderbeck), WV Sheltie Rescue
(Jo Ann Jones), and Jacksonville Sheltie Rescue (Ernie & Darla Duffey)
To get your
booklet contact either Penny Sanderbeck Uncentavo@aol.com or Darla
Duffey DDuffey@aol.com
Jacksonville
Sheltie Rescue
5204 Beige St.
Jacksonville, Fl 32258-2207
904-262-5420
From the Kitchen
If you have a favorite recipe for treats for you
pet please share them with us. Here are a few snacks we have come across:
Suet Recipe*************************************************************************
Ingredients:
1 Part white flour 1
Part Crisco 1 Part Peanut
Butter
1 Part of any or the following: raisins, sunflower
seeds, cracked corn
Directions:
Along with the peanut butter, Crisco, flour and
seeds (or raisins….) add 5 parts cornmeal.
Mix all the ingredients together and stuff into suet bags or plastic
molds. Refrigerate or freeze.
{Thanks
rie/pa}
De-Skunking Formula (non-food!!!)***************************************************
Ingredients:
1 quart (2 bottles) hydrogen peroxide
¼ cup baking soda
1 teaspoon liquid dish detergent (Dawn works well)
Directions:
Mix and scrub animal well and follow with a
lukewarm rinse. (DO NOT DOUBLE SOAP!!)
{Thanks
rie/pa}
Cat
and Dog Mini Cakes*************************************************************
Ingredients:
2 cups Whole wheat flour ½ cup Soybean flour 1
Cup Skimmed milk or water
1 tb Honey 1
tb Canola or Sunflower oil
1ts Sea salt
Directions:
Mix dry ingredients. Add liquid and honey. Mix
and let the dough rest in a warm place for 15 minutes. Add oil and allow to sit another ½
hour. Take walnut sized portions of
dough and flatten into small cakes. Bake in oven at 400 for ½ hour.
For cats, roll dough into 1/4" inch thickness
and bake on a sheet scored into small ¼ inch squares or smaller.
{Thanks
Pyewacker’s treat recipe page}
The
ASPCA has a new poison control hotline phone number for pets.
If you have reason to suspect
that your pet may have been exposed to something toxic, either internally or
externally, this phone number will connect you with an ASPCA veterinarian
specially trained to assist pet owners or other vets.
This is the only
dedicated animal poison control hotline in the world manned by veterinarians,
not telephone operators. The number is staffed 24/7.
(888) 4ANI-HELP or (888) 426-4435
OF GENERAL INTEREST
I sometimes forget that not all the readers
of my newsletter are clients and that we have added new services as this
business evolves. Listed below is a
brief description of the services we now offer.
Consultations - $25.00/15 min. as of
January 1, 2002
These consultations are all done over the
telephone. I can help many more animals in a shorter amount of time this
way. It is also less distracting for
the animal to be in his own home environment.
Tape
recording -
$5.00/tape
A tape recording of your consultation is
entirely optional. If you decide you don’t want the tape after having your
consultation recorded, you just don’t send the extra $5.00.
Workshops - $85.00 and up
The workshop fees can vary because of travel
costs, space rental, and lunches provided.
Lectures - Mileage fee
Sponsors
of the lecture may charge admission as a fundraising event. I do require reimbursement for travel
expenses.
Books
& Video tape- see below + $2.00 to ship item & PA tax for PA residents.
v
Anita’s books: ‘Animal
Wisdom: Communications with Animals’ and ‘How to Hear
the Animals’ (kit) have been combined into one book: ‘Animal Wisdom:How to Hear
the Animals’ $15.95 (Meditation Tape $2.00)
v
The Psychic Connection $15.00
A video of interviews with
animal communicators featuring Anita Curtis, Carol Gurney, Lydia Hiby, Beatrice
Lydecker, Penelope Smith, and Teresa Wagner.
v
Flower Essences - $10.00 + $3.00 shipping.
If you are unable to find
flower essences in your area we are able to provide these for you. They can be mixed to suit your needs. You might be interested in a line of flower
essences carried by Equilite that are designed especially for either small
animals or horses. Call 800 942 LITE
for more information.
v
Gift Certificates - variable
We can provide gift
certificates for consultations (w/wo tape), workshops, books, flower essences,
virtually any service we provide.
PHOTOS,
PHOTOS, PHOTOS
Anita receives many photos from clients of
their animal friends and we would like to share them with you. Starting with this newsletter we would
like to ask you to send us cute photos of your animal friends. Unfortunately we can’t guarantee that your
photo will be printed. But if we do use
your photo we will send you a $5.00 Gift coupon good towards a discount off of
any of Anita’s services or products.
Please don’t send any original photos to insure that we don’t lose your
only copy. We can’t take that kind of
guilt!!!!! If you would like the photo
returned, please send a self-addressed envelope and we will do our best to
return it to you.
Please label the picture with your name, the
name of your animal friend or friends in the picture, and any caption you would
like printed.
