by Kara Udziela, Animal Communicator and owner of Pet’s Eye View
Losing a great companion animal is one of the biggest heartaches we will ever experience. Some people are so heartbroken, they swear they will never love another animal. Although I understand this deep pain, after years of communicating with animals, I can tell you that almost without fail, they want you to give that great love to another pet. Dogs and cats especially seem to know that there are many living animals needing love, and you, as a good person, should share it. If you have decided it is time to get a new companion animal, it can be a challenge to pick the best fit.
Here are some key tips I give my clients to help them pick their next favorite best friend. It can’t just look good, or play cute. It has to be suited to you energetically. Perhaps you have always had Golden Retrievers. Is that the best choice for you now? That depends.
Don’t get a dog or cat on impulse.
Although it is important to give love to another pet, eventually, it is equally important to give yourself time to mourn. If you can’t make a wise decision about a new pet for a few months after your first has passed away, gift yourself that time. You might also want to consult with a pet loss grief counselor. I also find that some clients who hastily acquire a new pet experience a vague sense of dissatisfaction, often related to the idea that that new dog isn’t the old one. Then we have a whole raft of other issues to sort out, so the new dog or cat doesn’t feel he has to “measure up.”
What do you like to do?
If you were 22 when you got that last puppy 15 year ago, you may or may not be up to the same level of walking or hiking, or biking that you once were. Maybe you have children now, and you need a dog who is easier to manage than a puppy. Potty training a three-year-old child and a two-month-old puppy simultaneously is nooooo picnic—take it from me—I did it! A decade later, I will happily pass over all the cute puppies of any breed for a mature middle-ager or elderly lap dog who was abandoned and just wants loves, a daily walk and treats, but knows how to behave.
A pet who is not your energetic match is a really big problem. One common example is when elderly, somewhat frail women buy purebred large dogs as puppies, like a Labrador, thinking it will be great for the grandkids. These well-meaning ladies often fail miserably in obedience class because they have neither the stamina nor the will to put an energetic baby dog in its place. Sad for the human and sadder for the dog if it gets passed around or dumped at the pound.
There are also the very busy people who get a cat, but really want it to live alone 20 hours a day like a goldfish. Cats are social creatures with their humans. Truly evaluate your schedule. If you are on the go constantly, consider a beautiful fish tank, or volunteer one weekend a month at your local shelter to get your dog or cat fix, without the burden of full-time responsibility.
Review the rescues or breeders closely.
There are some communicators who scream, “Adopt. Don’t Shop.” Although I agree that I don’t want you buying a pet store puppy, I also see a place for responsible breeders. If we did not have responsible breeders, our breeds would fall away. What’s responsible? Not Craig’s List or NextDoor or an ad that looks sketchy in any way. Any “breeder” who checks you out on the phone, but doesn’t have you come visit, or openly show his or her breeding facilities is suspect. You can look for local references, and you should be checking out the mother and the father. As for rescue organizations, look for ones that are reputable, and take in few enough animals at a time that they actually know the animals, and can pair you with one that matches your needs.
This begs the question of whether you should go to your local county shelter for your next pet. I would honestly love nothing more, as these are the pets most in need. However, do not let shelter behavior fool you. The quietest animal can be the barkiest at your house, and the loudest animal can calm right down once in a calm and loving place. You just don’t know. But you will need to be committed to training, offering security and helping heal a broken heart and possibly some bad behaviors. If this suits you, these cats and dogs are almost always deeply grateful and TRUST ME, they know you saved them from death. They can smell it.
Ask an animal communicator for help.
One of the best parts of my job is getting to help explain the personality and essence of a new potential pet in the house. Clients who have lost a pet often call me and send me pics of two-three cats or dogs, or even a horse they are considering adopting, and ask what personality they are getting. I never try to sway their choices, but I tell them the energy profile of the animals they are considering, and even map it with other pets that might be in the home. If you are having trouble deciding between dogs or kittens in a litter, or between a few rescue animals, an animal communication session can help immensely.
Best of luck finding a new companion. Just remember the new animal is a whole new spirit, and should be honored for that spirit, not ever compared to whomever came before.
About the Author:
Kara from Pet’s Eye View is an Animal Communicator and Teacher certified by CWALU, a 20-year initiate in British Earth Wisdom traditions. Her mission is to help pets and their people form stronger bonds through telepathy and energy work. Reach her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/petseyeview or at her website: www.petseyeview.com
