NEWS FROM FOUR LEGS & A SOUL 2

BROOKE’S RECENT AND UPCOMING APPEARANCES

In late November, Raquel Wynn interviewed me for her show, Wynn with Dogs, on Pet Life Radio.  We had a great time sharing stories about animals and healing, and I also offered some practical ideas for listeners to try at home.  Our podcast interview (episode 23) is now available on iTunes, PetLifeRadio.com and here.  Also, take a peek at Raquel's website for info on how to purchase her wonderful book, Stretch Your Dog Healthy.  

Next Tuesday, December 15th, you can find me at Thomas Tails' natural pet product shop in Crystal Lake, IL.  I'll be leading an educational talk on animal nutrition entitled The Energetics of Eating: Muscle-Testing our Animals' Diet for Optimum Health.  For more information, check out the Four Legs & A Soul Calendar or Thomas Tails' website.  (Although the event was originally scheduled for Tuesday, December 8th, a blustery Midwestern snowstorm delayed it by one week.)

BROOKE'S HOLIDAY THOUGHTS

Snow has blanketed our corner of Illinois, the smells of the season--fresh-cut pine, cinnamon sticks, baked desserts--permeate our home, and I find myself reflecting on ways we can help the less fortunate in our communities.  Reach out to your local shelters or rescue groups, offering the gift of care and attention by walking dogs, grooming cats, talking with birds and otherwise spending a few hours sharing love with homeless animals.  If you cannot give your time, donate much needed funds, food, warm blankets and toys to these animals in need.  The Humane Society of the United States, Best Friends Animal Society, the ASPCA, Return to Freedom, Equine Angels Rescue Sanctuary and H.A.R.P.S. are just a few of the organizations that can help get you started.

Remember that holidays can be hectic and overwhelming for the animals in our life as schedules shift from the routine, families travel or welcome guests, festive food and not-so-safe sweets abound, and emotions run high.  Take a few minutes everyday to focus on your four-leggeds, quietly touching and talking to them in a serene corner of your home, reminding them that this is a joyous and brief season and that all will return to normal shortly.  Breathe deeply together as a grounding exercise to help all your family members—human, equine, canine, feline, avian, reptilian and otherwise—enjoy the holidays with lightness and laughter.

As temperatures sink and winds start to howl, make sure all animals have insulated shelter and fresh water (snow and ice do not count).  Clear paws of icicles and warm them up quickly upon returning inside; delicate paw tissue can burn and crack in extremely cold environments.  Clean out horse hooves daily to prevent painful snowballs from forming and blanket thin-coated, older, immune-compromised or actively competing equines.  

Finally, take time to laugh daily in the company of two- and four-legged family members.  The healing sound and feeling are happily contagious!

GIFT IDEAS FROM FOUR LEGS & A SOUL

Gift certificates for animal communication, energy healing and natural nutrition services make wonderful last-minute gifts and stocking stuffers for your animal-loving loved ones.  Certificates can be mailed through the postal service or emailed instantly, as you prefer.

Click here to contact Brooke and order yours today. 

THIS MONTH, BROOKE RECOMMENDS…

DYNAMITE  DYNA-PRO PROBIOTICS FOR HORSES, DOGS & CATS

Extensive studies have shown that live probiotics are incredibly important in keeping our digestive systems running smoothly.  With the holidays fast approaching our animals will be more at risk for stress-induced or food-related stomach upsets.  Used preventatively or curatively, Dyna-Pro is a fantastic, natural, side effect-free solution to colic, diarrhea, vomiting and a host of other digestive ailments.  What sets Dyna-Pro apart from other products on the market is its proprietary blend of enzymes that trigger the animal's own system to heal itself by producing more native healthy gut flora.

To purchase Dyna-Pro for horses, dogs or cats, click here and enter “Dyna-Pro” in the search box. 

WITH LIGHT,

FOR THE ANIMALS,

BROOKE

NEWS FROM FOUR LEGS & A SOUL 1

News FROM FOUR LEGS & A SOUL

BROOKE’S RECENT AND UPCOMING APPEARANCES

In early November, my husband, Wood and I and our three lab mixes, Belle, Harmony and Scout, took a road trip down to Louisville, KY for the Healthy Paws Festival of Healing for Pets.  This holistic expo and education conference focused on alternative therapies and preventative health for animals.  It was a wonderful weekend of working with fellow practitioners, broad-minded veterinarians and caring pet owners, helping them to better understand and connect with the animals in their life.  In addition, I taught an exciting introductory workshop on animal communication techniques.  Everyone who attended was able to leave with a few new “tools in their toolbox,” skills they could take home and practice right away with their animal companions.

On Saturday, November 21 and Sunday, November 22, Four Legs & A Soul will have a booth at the Horsemen’s Council of Illinois’ 2009 Equestrian Lifestyle Expo.  With more than 150 vendors at the new Lake County Fairgrounds’ Expo Center, it promises to be a fun and vibrant weekend focused on all things equine.  If you are in the area, please stop by and join us!

BROOKE’S AFRICAN ADVENTURES

During the end of September and first half of October, Wood and I traveled to Africa for the third time, revisiting the continent of our dreams.  In Uganda, we trekked through Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to spend time with several families of rare and endangered mountain gorillas.  Then, in South Africa, we traveled to three different wildlife regions to meet white rhinos, leopards, African wild hunting dogs and many other incredible species.

Along the way, I talked with the animals, gaining perspective on their way of life, survival techniques, familial relationships and more.  The divide between prey and predator became potently real: herd animals in the wild just don’t have time to chat the way well-fed pack members do!

I had a particularly stunning Reiki experience with a female cheetah in the Timbavati region, which is situated on the border of the famed Kruger National Park.  This particular cheetah had a severe injury to her right front leg and according to the ranger, had not been weight-bearing on that limb for over two months.  During this time period she had been scavenging birds, lizard and other very small or injured prey in order to survive.

When we located the cheetah, she allowed us to approach closely in the vehicle.  I worked on her at this distance from the open Land Rover.  Two and a half hours passed as I sent healing, loving energy to her lame paw, helping to clear the scar tissue, bone calcification and inflammation that had encased the old fracture.  At the end of this super session, to the ranger’s astonishment, the cheetah moved off with a far-smoother gait, put weight on her right front and was able to sprint for the first time in months.  After a few minutes of getting used to her renewed regal bearing, the cheetah left us to hunt, loping off in hot pursuit of a steenbok gazelle.  A beautiful morning in Africa!

For more stories and details from Africa, check out Four Legs & A Soul on Twitter.

THIS MONTH, BROOKE RECOMMENDS…

YOUNG LIVING LAVENDER ESSENTIAL OIL

Lavender is an incredible essence to use in healing and in everyday life.  Unlike many oils, lavender is completely safe for all animals (including cats and birds) and humans of all ages.  Lavender is anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, anti-fungal, anti-septic, anti-tumoral, anti-convulsant, anti-inflammatory and definitely anti-anxiety.  It is wonderfully soothing on burns and open wounds, and on animals, helps the hair coat grow back smoothly and quickly.  Lavender calms skittish animals, relaxes hot, tense horses and enhances the brain’s ability to focus on the task at hand and think clearly.

It is very important to use therapeutic grade essential oils, which is why I recommend Young Living’s well-researched products.  They are of the highest quality and integrity.  It is particularly vital to use lavender oil from a pure source because many brands use synthetic or hybrid lavender, which do not have the same healing properties and may even burn or sting delicate, injured tissue. 

WITH LIGHT,

FOR THE ANIMALS,

BROOKE