TIPS FOR ADOPTING ANIMALS!

While I was preparing (meditating) for my April radio interview with Eluv on the Ultrasounds radio show, I asked what animals have a message for us.
I was immediately intuitively guided from the animals to talk about tips and questions to ask yourself regarding adopting animals. This is what I was guided to say:

• What is your lifestyle - how often will you be able to exercise your animal? Make sure to match your lifestyle with that breed. For example, if you're going to adopt a dog that needs a lot of exercise and you're a jogger - great fit!
• Have you animal proofed your home prior to them coming home? (wires, etc.).
• Have you created a fun place for your new animal friend? For example, for a cat, a cat walkway, tower, a ledge by a window, a special place of their own?
• If you have kids, find out if this animal is generally good around children and teach your children manners - like no tail pulling, etc.
• Are you ready to include them as a family member - talking to them and playing with them and exercising them?
• If you adopt an animal and know you will be having children afterwards - learn how best to integrate when baby arrives from a professional animal behaviorist.
• Know there are flower essences out there than can help your animal adjust to his/her new environment. They are also good to have on hand for many situations, as they help on emotional, physical and spiritual levels.
• If you have an animal in the household already, before adopting a new one - find out through an animal communicator if they want a companion and if so, what kind, younger or older, etc. Lots of times people think their animal gets lonely and think they want a friend, but in reality the animal is fine and wants to be the only one there! Also, believe it or not, sometimes a dog will want a cat friend and vice versa - it can be very different than what we think they want. If they do want a friend, find out from a professional how to integrate the new animal in your home.
• Letting your dog out in a small yard is good, but they still need exercise. Make sure if you can't take them out for a good walk - hire someone who can. LACK OF EXERCISE IS THE ROOT OF MANY PHYSICAL AND BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS!
• Listen to your heart when you go to adopt. You may end up with  different type than you thought you'd get. Remember, they find us! Years ago, when I was looking for a cat, I went looking for a female black kitten and ended up with a 2 year old white male full grown cat! (thank goodness, he found me!)
• And, last tip - you CAN teach a dog new tricks!