As I write this newsletter we are fast approaching Thanksgiving, my favorite holiday of the year. Despite the same concerns we all face about our economy, I know I have a lot to be thankful for this year. At the moment I’m surrounded by my three dogs, two cats and bird. I’ve been able to get horseback riding into my life again on a regular basis, which not only makes me thankful but also makes me downright giddy at times. I have a healthy human family and I have amazing clients that honor me by allowing me to work with their animals. To be able to do work that I love and to contribute to the well-being of others makes me indeed feel grateful.

I would like to extend a special offer as a way to say thank you to all of you who have worked with me. Between now and the end of this year, all consultations will be available to you at a 15% discount. You may also use this discount toward the purchase of gift certificates for friends and family! The only thing you have to do to get this offer is to tell me at the time that you set up your appointment(s) or purchase gift certificates that you want the offer from this newsletter. There are no limits to the number of sessions you can purchase at this rate as long as all are booked and paid for by December 31st, 2008.

Also, please know that helping you and your animals is my utmost priority at all times of the year. I never want anyone to feel they are in need of my services, but can’t afford them. I’m happy to talk with you about options that might work for you if you need assistance. Please just ask me.

Happy holidays to you and your animal family. Looking forward to working with you or seeing you in one of my classes in the New Year.

Paws for Peace,
Polly

Healing Is Where You Find It

This past August I found myself in a place I would normally never dream of being. While on vacation with my family, we went to Sea World. I have to be honest; I’m not a fan of seeing animals in captivity. As I once heard it put, if your are living in a closet, even if you get the best food, it’s clean and others treat you with respect, you are still living in a closet. But, I also want my children to see the beauty and variety of creatures that share this planet with us. So, with this in mind we all piled into the car and headed off to Sea World.

We watched the majestic orcas swim around in there pool, even though I couldn’t overcome the feeling that I was looking in a glorified goldfish bowl. We watched dolphins twirl around and flip in the air to the soundtrack of upbeat pounding rock music. We ate junk food. In a nutshell, we were having the quintessential American adventure at a theme park. As we sat at a picnic table and ate lunch, I looked through the show schedule. That’s when I saw it. A chance to get into the water and swim with beluga whales! “Okay,” I thought to myself, “I know this could be hokey, but when am I ever going to get the chance to actually touch a beluga whale again?” I signed up immediately.

Before I knew it, it was time to leave my kids and husband, don a wetsuit and meet the whales. I was both apprehensive and incredibly excited as I departed from my family. Part of my apprehension was about leaving my kids alone with their dad for three hours. My children had missed their naps and on top of that were in need of food. Naps and food are very important ingredients to semi-civilized behavior when you are one year old or three years old.

I was also a little nervous about actually being with the whales. I had swum with dolphins many years before, and truthfully they had felt really big and a little intimidating. However, by this point I was standing in a tiny dressing room attempting to squish my post pregnant body into what can only be described as a two inch wide vacuum seal sausage casing with the words “Sea World” emblazoned across the chest. What had I gotten myself in to?

After finally managing to get myself into the wet suit, I joined the group of other whale enthusiasts and we headed over to the pools. The first place we stopped was at a tank with two female beluga whales. Within a few seconds of seeing me, one of them started talking to me. She fixed her eye on me and said, “It’s okay.” At the same time she sent me the most peaceful and soothing energy. One second I was a knot of anxiety and the next I was as supple as one can be while standing in an extremely tight wet suit.

Seeing the two large whales in what was a fairly small pool, I wondered how all this felt to them. I asked the female whale who was still sending me calming energy and she explained she was in this place for the people. She was there to help the people who came to her. She was what some would call a bodhisattva, an enlightened being who has chosen to return in physical form to be of service to others. Despite her close quarters, she seemed truly content and happy to be able to do her work.

I was so overwhelmed by the sense of calm and peace that I could have stood there endlessly transfixed on her. When it was time to move on I thanked her, which from my side felt like an inadequate exchange for such great healing.

By the time I reached the tank with the whales I would be swimming with, I was in a completely different state of mind from when I had left my family. I felt confident with the idea of meeting the whales in the water, certain the female whale was correct. I was indeed okay. My heart was open to the experience and I was ready.

I stepped into the pool where the two male belugas were cruising around. I watched them as they swam, their alabaster bodies reflecting in the sunlight. A trainer showed me how to put my hands in the water as the sign to call one of the whales over to me. Within a minute I was touching a gorgeous bulbous white head. His skin felt like shiny pliable rubber. The whale stayed patiently with me as I touched his head and back. Ever the CranioSacral Therapist, I immediately felt for the CranioSacral rhythm in his head. It was so amazing to feel such a subtle pulse on this large and alien looking creature.

One thing which impressed me while being in close proximity with these two whales was their incredible gentleness. They had the ability to sense each swimmer's strengths and modulated their own movements accordingly. Unlike my previous dolphin encounter, I never felt intimidated by these whales. In fact it was clear to me at any moment they could have knocked me down or accidentally hurt me, yet they didn’t. Both their trust in humans touching them and their gentleness in return was awe-inspiring.

I must tell you unlike my cosmic encounter from the female whale, the male whales were, well, guys. Very nice guys, but still guys. They were much more interested in where the food was and much less interested in offering healing energy. What they did offer was a great display of physical play, which might indeed have been a little scary for me to be around if I hadn’t encountered the female whale first. Instead, I was able to be there in every minute with these two big males who happily splashed me in the face and let me rub their flukes.

As my time with them came to an end I offered gratitude and Reiki to all the whales. I had started the day full of angst over being part of the human masses who watched intelligent beings forced into a life that amounted to tricks for treats. I ended the day profoundly moved by four beluga whales who had graciously allowed me to have glimpse of their world. Thank you my beluga friends.

If you have a question you would like to see addressed in an article, please send it to Polly Klein at paws@tonglenhealingarts.com.

	Animal Communication Tip: When Are You Coming Back? For many of our animals, the most difficult part of us being away from them is that they really have no idea we will be returning. I’ve mentioned this tip in a previous Animal Talker, but because the holidays are upon us I think it bears repeating. The next time you need to leave your animal try these simple steps to let them know when they will see you again: First, picture the sun arcing across the sky, setting, and then rising again. Second, say out loud or think to the animal the number of these day to night cycles they will see while you are gone. Third, imagine a picture of your animal resting calmly in the house without you and/or enjoying time with the person who will care for them while you are gone. Finally, show a picture of yourself coming back through the door and happily being with your animal again. This is a great way to show your animal what to expect, and your animal will be more at ease while you are gone.

Client Profile: Meet Sweetie

Sweetie

Sweetie is a wonderful 18-year-old dachshund. Sweetie’s person, Denise, brought her to see me after being referred by her veterinarian. Denise wanted to find out how Sweetie was doing due to Sweetie’s advanced age and the fact that Sweetie’s body was failing in a number of ways. Denise worried she might be keeping Sweetie around for herself and didn’t want to be contributing to Sweetie’s suffering.

When I spoke with Sweetie, she had a strong life force that permeated the conversation. Simply put, I didn’t feel I was talking with a dying soul, just an old one. Sweetie made it clear in our session that even with her limitations she wanted to stay in her body and was not suffering. This was wonderful news for Denise because she’s happy to provide love and care for Sweetie for as long as Sweetie likes.

As Denise wrote:

“I really want to thank you for the wonderful session. It was very helpful for me and has helped me to be more at ease with Sweetie and her situation. It is good to know that she is still finding pleasure in her life and does not want to leave her body yet.

From a totally selfish standpoint, this is such a relief to me, as it will break my heart to have her leave, although I know and I do have the strength to do the right thing for her when she lets me know. I believe that I will be open to hear that message from her when she is ready.

I also wanted to let you know that the session was very good for Sweetie too, as she slept the entire drive home, not a peep, whine, scream, nothing! And, I ran into a lot of traffic, so it took me longer to get her home than usual. She was great, so I know Reiki and CranioSacral obviously agree with her, as the trip home from treatment was 180 degrees opposite of the trip there.

I know that there are those people who have a special gift, which the rest of us do not have or understand, but I know you have it and I am so thankful that you shared it with me and that I was open to receive it.”

Talking with Sweetie really helped her person understand Sweetie’s own perspective on life in her old dog body. When we need to make decisions about extending care or euthanasia, talking with our animals and understanding how they perceive their lives is invaluable.

Some animals in Sweetie’s position might feel trapped or depressed, and ready for help to let go. Even with a body that doesn’t work as it did in more youthful days, there are many others like Sweetie who are just fine being old little souls.

If you would like to see your animal profiled here, just e-mail a picture to paws@tonglenhealingarts.com. We will profile at least one client in each newsletter.

Upcoming Classes for 2009

Reiki Classes

Reiki Level I
Saturday, January 24, 2009, 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Location - Tonglen Healing Arts for Animals, Issaquah, WA
More Information

Reiki Level I
Saturday, February 21, 2009, 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Location - Tonglen Healing Arts for Animals, Issaquah, WA
More Information

Reiki Level II
Saturday, March 21, 2009, 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Location - Tonglen Healing Arts for Animals, Issaquah, WA
More Information

Reiki Level III
Saturday, April 4, 2009, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Location - Tonglen Healing Arts for Animals, Issaquah, WA
More Information

Animal Communication Classes

Introduction to Animal Communication Workshop
Saturday, January 10, 2009, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
and
Sunday, January 11, 2009, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location - Tonglen Healing Arts for Animals, Issaquah, WA
More Information

Introduction to Animal Communication Workshop
Saturday, February 28, 2009, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
and
Sunday, March 1, 2009, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location - Bastyr University, Kenmore, WA
Special Note to Boeing Employees!!!
( You can receive tuition reimbursement for this class only. Contact us to find out how.
More Information

Introduction to Animal Communication Workshop
Saturday, April 25, 2009, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
and
Sunday, April 26, 2009, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location - Northwest School of Animal Massage, Redmond, WA
Continuing Education Credits available for this class!
More Information

	We NEVER give or sell your e-mail or contact information to anyone else. If you prefer to be removed from The Animal Talker™ mailing list, please send a reply e-mail with the subject line saying “Unsubscribe” and your e-mail address will be deleted from the list. Thank you. © Polly Klein 2008. Polly Klein, owner of Tonglen Healing Arts for Animals, is an animal communicator, Reiki Master and Certified Animal CranioSacral Therapist. You can contact her online at www.tonglenhealingarts.com.