Sow the Seeds of Change and Reverse U.S. Climate Impact from Global Warming

I just received this email from the Environmental Defense Fund which essentially breaks down the impact of climate change or global warming into areas of the U.S., creating a very real scenario of how the effects will be felt in our own backyards.

Not only will our daily lives be affected but also that of our life-giving plants, trees and local wildlife, each of which are essential to a balanced ecosystem. No matter which part of the country we hail from, losing even one species in the chain could create a cascade effect that brings the whole system down. Our world took millenia to evolve, please don’t let our present lifestyle destroy its’ beauty — help sow the seeds of change.

Rose De Dan
Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLC
Website: www.reikishamanic.com

Photo Sowing the Seeds © Rose De Dan 2009

From the Environmental Defense Fund:

If you aren’t sure why global warming is our top priority, please read this email.

Moments ago, the White House released a detailed scientific report forecasting devastating impacts of global warming in the United States if we don’t take dramatic steps now to cut our global warming emissions.

The report, Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States, breaks down climate impacts region-by-region

The Northeast:
• Hartford and Philadelphia could average 30 days of 100+ temperatures per year while Boston could see more than 20 100-degree days per year;
• Native maple, beech, birch, spruce and fir forests could be almost entirely lost;
• The climate of New Hampshire could resemble the climate of North Carolina.

The Southeast:
• Much of Florida and southeast Texas could see more than 180 days in the 90s per year while other southeastern states could see more than 100 90-degree days per year;
• Spring and summer drought has already increased by 12 percent and 14 respectively over the last 30 years. The frequency, intensity and duration of droughts in the region are likely to increase;
• Sea level rise and stronger storm surges could inundate and ultimately flood coastal communities along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts.

The Midwest:
• The climate of Michigan could resemble the climate of Oklahoma and the climate of Illinois could resemble the climate of Texas;
• Deadly heat waves like the one that killed more than 700 people in Chicago in 1995, will become more frequent. Under higher emission scenarios, Chicago could experience up to three such heat waves every year;
• Higher emissions scenarios would cause a water level drop of 1-2 feet in the Great Lakes, threatening shipping, infrastructure, beaches and ecosystems.

The Great Plains:
• Hotter, drier summers will threaten the already overused High Plains aquifer, which irrigates 13 million acres and provides water to 80% of the people in the region;
• Increased temperatures and higher carbon dioxide levels will threaten farming activities with more drought, pest infestations, and faster weed growth;
• Under higher emission scenarios, North and South Dakota, which currently see only a handful of 100-degree days, could see 50 or more days of 100+ temperatures per year.

The Southwest:
• Under higher emission scenarios, the southern half of Arizona, southeastern California and Las Vegas could see more than 120 days with 100+ temperatures;
• Most of the region could see precipitation levels decline by more than 40%, pushing already water-strained areas over the edge;
Southwestern forests will be decimated with less water, more wildfires and more invasive pests. Under higher emissions scenarios, California’s mountain forests could decline by 60-90%.

The Northwest:
• Mountain snowpack runoff, critical water needs, could run 20-40 days earlier, threatening water resources in summer months;
Declining summer streamflows and warmer water temperatures could push salmon and other cold water fish species, already stressed by human activities, over the brink;
• 100-degree days are rare today in the Northwest. Under higher emission scenarios, much of the region could see 30-40 days of 110+ temperatures per year.
• Without action, this is the future that awaits our children. We can’t let it happen.

The good news? The U.S. House could vote on a landmark energy and global warming bill as soon as next week. We’re doing everything we can to pass this bill and keep the pressure on the Senate to move a bill of its own.

Here are three things you can do now to help:

1. Take action to urge passage of the bill in the House.

2. Forward this email to all your friends and family.

3. Share facts about your region on Facebook or Twitter. Please include a link to our action alert: http://support.edf.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=118

Thanks for all you do,
Environmental Defense Fund

P.S. In addition to the human toll, this report reinforces the dire threat American wildlife face in a warming world. Go to our Warming and Wildlife campaign to meet and see seven “ambassador” species that face a bleak future in a warmer world.

 

Purrs and Catcalls in Interview with Rose De Dan on A Life on Fire

This Wednesday, June 3, 2009, my interview with the Sisters of Sizzle, Elise Kloter and Jill Pagano on A Life on Fire, airs on ContactTalk Radio at 3pm PST.

Elise and Jill’s mission is to search out people who are living their passion and and get them to share it with others. Their excitement is contagious, this was the most fun I have had so far doing an interview. You won’t want to miss our purring contest, or our standup comedy routine on cat calling. And yes, we do cover serious issues such as my dream of bringing the benefits of energy healing and animal communication to zoo animals.

You can listen online around the World and in Seattle on 106.9 HD Channel 3 this Wednesday at 3PM Pacific Time, and if you can’t listen at that time the show will be archived for your convenience!

Rose De Dan
Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLC
Blog: www.wildreiki.wordpress.com
Website: www.reikishamanic.com
Animal and Reiki Art: www.cafepress.com/reikishamanic

 

Alki Celebrates Going Wild!

Five years ago I joined the Alki Wildlife Habitat Project, and I am happy to announce that we have finally achieved our goal. I’ll be at the celebration this Saturday (see below for details), hope to see you there!

Rose De Dan
Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLC
Blog: www.wildreiki.wordpress.com
Website: www.reikishamanic.com
Animal and Reiki Art: www.cafepress.com/reikishamanic.

Almost six years ago, the Alki Community Council invited its residents to “Get Wild.” And they did it!

The National Wildlife Federation has certified Alki as a NWF Community Wildlife Habitat, the first in the Seattle-Metro area, fifth in the state and thirty-first in the nation. This certification recognizes the community of Alki’s commitment to the stewardship of their properties for the benefit of wildlife.

Come Celebrate!

When: Saturday, May 23, 2009, 11am – 3pm (1pm Award Presentation)
Where: The Alki Bathhouse, Alki, West Seattle

Find out how Alki did it and how you can help sustain the effort. Check out the displays and activities of interest to all ages, and enjoy the music and the refreshments…
• National Wildlife Federation display/Ranger Rick
• The Nature Conservancy
• Seattle Aquarium beach naturalists
• Seattle Audubon Society
• Washington Native Plant Society
• Native plant sale – Mariposa Naturescapes
• West Seattle Chamber of Commerce/Green Team
• Feet First/Sustainable West Seattle
• Camp Long/Seattle City Park Dept.
• Seal Sitters
• Bluegrass music by Squirrel Butter (11am-1pm)
• Activities for children…and more!

Questions? Contact Sue Oliver, 206-935-5702

 

Gun Shy, Murder Mystery that’s Dog-gone Good

When the intensity of the type of work that I do gets to be a bit much, and I’m feeling like I need a break, I take a mental vacation. My favorite form of doing that is to dive into a good book like Gun Shy (Raine Stockton Dog Mysteries, Book 3), by author Donna Ball.

While the book has well-developed characters, including the dogs, the best part of reading it was arguing mentally with the main character. This supplied an unexpected pinch of zest to my usual reading style which is more passive. Raine Stockton is quite dog savvy, yet finds it difficult to wrap her mind around the concept that animals and people might be able to communicate telepathically.

However, when the only witness to a murder is a golden retriever, Raine finds herself seeking the help of Sonny Brightwell, an attorney with an uncanny knack for animal communication. What did Hero really see? Will he overcome the trauma?

Now I found myself mentally taking stock on the type of energy healing approach I would have taken to help Hero (I do the same thing sometimes when I watch Cesar Millan work with some dogs that I feel could transform more quickly if energy healing was included with the rehabilitation process). At this point I realize that I may be working rather than taking a break from work, but I am too caught up in the story to stop.

Add a dash of the dysfunctional relationship that Raine has with her sort-of ex-husband (it’s complicated does not even cover it), and you’ve got the makings of a great soap opera as well! Now I find myself mentally cataloguing the many shamanic ways to clear out relationship baggage. I resolve to stop armchair coaching, and read on to the end of the book.

Gun Shy is a murder mystery with dogs, dog training, and animal communication all blended together into an enjoyable page-turner of a book. Now, after all that mental activity over fiction, perhaps I should take a break from reading, and escape by watching some reality TV?

Rose De Dan
Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLC
Blog: www.wildreiki.wordpress.com
Website: www.reikishamanic.com
Animal and Reiki Art: www.cafepress.com/reikishamanic.

 

Answering the Call of the Wild

I am in the process of writing a series piece on the nature of our relationship with animals. This series was inspired by an encounter with a wolf in the local zoo in Seattle, and details a shamanic journey into deepening awareness of our connection to the Other Nations, our animal brethren.

Entitled Answering the Call of the Wild you can follow the series as it is filed under the Articles section of my website or sign-up for our newsletter.

Rose De Dan
Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLC
Blog: www.wildreiki.wordpress.com
Website: www.reikishamanic.com
Animal and Reiki Art: www.cafepress.com/reikishamanic.

 

Lost cattle dog Sophie Tucker survives four months alone on island

It must be amazing dog story month, previously it was the internet story of Jasmine the Rescued Greyhound. Now Sophie Tucker, a cattle dog named after the famous singer-comedian, has been reunited with her family after falling overboard from her family’s sailboat four months earlier.

She managed to swim five miles to an island off the coast of Australia, and adapted from life as a house dog to that of a Survivor-type wilderness lifestyle. Who says man is the superior species, how many of us could do the same? Click here to read her full story.

Rose De Dan
Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLC
Blog: www.wildreiki.wordpress.com
Website: www.reikishamanic.com
Animal and Reiki Art: www.cafepress.com/reikishamanic

 

Reiki Attunements for Animals

Beth Lowell posed the question Attuning Animals: Yes or no? in the online publication The Reiki Digest on October 30, 2008.

I thought about answering but shelved responding for later. I was very busy, and surely others would reply.

It came back to the forefront of my mind today in relationship to a recent ruling by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops committee on doctrine where their group denounces Reiki.

Reading that brought back memories of when, as a teenager, I had broken away from the Catholic Church. Up until that point I had a strong love of the religion I had been raised in from birth, so strong that I had seriously considered becoming a nun.

As a teenager I learned the true history of the Catholic Church, which historically is one of persecution. Disillusioned I rejected both organized religion and spirituality. I never returned to organized religion, but taking training in Reiki in 1996 restored my connection to universal energy and love, and my belief in a spiritually based world.

Reading the article about the stand of the Catholic Bishops confronted me with the real reason I had not immediately written in response to Beth Lowell’s question, and that reason had little to do with my being so busy, and everything to do with fear of persecution.

In checking back to Beth’s article I discovered that only one person had left a comment but that comment only focused on the benefits of Reiki sessions for animals, something very different from offering attunements to animals.

What’s the difference? When taking a beginning class in Reiki, a student receives a series of attunements by a Reiki Master Teacher that opens their energy channels, connecting them up to the universal life force energy known as Reiki. The process of attunement to the Reiki energy offers personal benefit to the student as well as the ability to facilitate the healing Reiki energy for people and animals.

Experiencing the healing energy of Reiki in a session also helps to balance and calm, but the recipient does not leave with the ability to carry that energy forward and offer it to others. In my Reiki classes students are taught how to offer Reiki not only to people, but also to animals and plants. And in Master Level training I teach my students how to do attunements for animals as well as people.

Why would I do this, you might ask?

When I took my Reiki Master Teacher training in 1996 in Massachusetts there was no mention of attunements for animals, and it never occurred to me to ask about them. My Master Teacher was a nurse who worked in a local hospital and she taught many nurses and a few doctors the art of Reiki for their patients.

In my Level I and II Reiki training with a different teacher there was only a passing reference to the fact that Reiki could benefit pets, there was no mention of how to do sessions for animals, never mind any mention of attunements for them.

It was not a human teacher but the Reiki energy itself that reawakened me to my dashed youthful dreams and sense of spiritual connection. It happened during the first attunement in Reiki that I received in my Reiki Level I class. Suddenly I could feel energy coursing through my hands, and a new level of awareness washed through me along with great love and joy as I connected fully with the Reiki energy. Simultaneously I reconnected with myself and knew in the core of my being that I was born to be a healer and that I would work with animals.

From that moment on I was in love with Reiki and all its many benefits. It transformed my life in a very positive fashion and, when I opened a practice in 1996 immediately after my Level I class, that of many of my clients and students, human and animal. I named it Wild Kingdom Reiki and to the best of my knowledge, it was the first Reiki healing practice for animals on the East coast.

Not long after finishing my Reiki Master Teacher training I began to feel pulled toward offering Reiki attunements to the animal companions that shared my life and my practice. I did a lot of soul searching about that desire, no one talked about it in the Reiki community, none of the books I had read mentioned anything about it, yet the pull would not go away.

With a great deal of trepidation I offered it to my animals and they accepted, and they enjoyed the process. I mentioned what I had done to no one in the community, I was afraid that people would shun me, after all, who was I, this newly trained Reiki Master to bring something new into the tradition?

And I probably would have kept quiet indefinitely if it had not been for an elderly dog named Abbie.

My friend Joanne Wilson called me one day, in tears, because they had made the decision to put their canine companion of many years to sleep. She and her husband felt that Abbie’s quality of life was no longer good enough to justify their keeping her in her ailing body just because they loved her — that she had reached the point where she was suffering. She had developed hot spots all over her body which she tried to scratch constantly, she didn’t move around much, and when she walked she would often lose control of her bowels, and would hide in embarrassment. She no longer wanted to do any of the fun things she used to love to do, like going for rides in the car. In short, she had no joy in daily living.

I felt that pull again, and found myself offering to come over and build Abbie a Bridge of Light and offer her some Reiki. Joanne, a fellow Reiki practitioner, told me that when she offered Reiki the dog would walk away. I replied that I would ask her permission and if she did not want any I would respect her decision.

When I arrived Abbie was accepting of my presence, and I asked her if she would like to receive a Reiki attunement. She was uncertain what that was so I explained that it was an energetic process that would reconnect her to the universal life force energy, and that it might help her feel better and could assist her in getting ready to leave her body or in healing. She was willing to give it a try and so I began the attunement process. During it I suddenly felt a weight lift off her, but had no idea what it was, and kept going with the attunement until it was complete. Abbie seemed quite content, and I left.

I received a call from Joanne the following day, and fully expected to hear her tearfully tell me that Abbie was gone. Instead Joanne joyfully explained that they had cancelled the euthanasia process because Abbie was outside playing like a puppy! She further added that Abbie had asked to go for her first car ride in two years. I was speechless, and amazed.

As the days unfolded Abbie’s hot spots healed up and she no longer had issues with her bowels. And from the time of the attunement on Abbie enjoyed receiving Reiki sessions, which she never had before. Her quality of life, and joy in life, continued for another six months until her body simply wore out.

With Abbie’s response to her attunement I acknowledged that it was time for me to come out of the Reiki closet and begin offering this to my animal clients where appropriate. It was made very clear to me by the Reiki energy that if I was not supposed to offer Reiki attunements to animals then Abbie would have had no response. Instead, with her miraculous and positive response to the Reiki attunement, I received validation that the animals needed and wanted the attunements. They, too, were spiritual as well as physical beings.

From that point on I began offering it to my animal clients within the context of a healing session (always asking their permission), and began teaching the process to my Reiki students (there are some adaptations to the attunement process necessary when offering it to animals).

And I mentioned it in passing from time to time in the articles that I wrote over 11 years that were eventually collected into the book Tails of a Healer: Animals, Reiki and Shamanism. Animal Reiki attunements were very important to the healing process for the dog, AJ, in “Freedom from Fear,” and to the many animals injured during a pet store burglary in “When You Care Enough.”

But I realized that I had never fully stepped out and said bluntly, publicly, yes, I do attunements for animals. Some part of me was still in hiding.

I do not know how many other Reiki Masters there may be out there that do attunements for animals that may also be in hiding, but with the latest article I am writing, Answering the Call of the Wild, I am now very aware that the needs of the animals and the world are greater than my personal fears. Perhaps there are other Reiki Masters who may read this, and who may be inspired to speak up so that the world can know that animals are spiritual beings deserving of, and responsive to, Reiki attunements.

So, I now consciously and fully step forward and declare, “YES, I do attunements for animals, and they can be very healing.” And I also offer them to trees, but that is a story for another time!

Rose De Dan
Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLC
Blog: www.wildreiki.wordpress.com
Website: www.reikishamanic.com
Animal and Reiki Art: www.cafepress.com/reikishamanic

 

Dogs Speak On Peace for Dogs

An amazing and beautiful video Peace for Dogs has been released as a Public Service Announcement (PSA) in the campaign against dog fighting. Rather than appeal to the public by presenting the usual truthful and horrifying images of dogs that have been wounded or killed in dog fights, the creators were inspired to tell the story from a different point of view, that of the dogs.

I was moved to tears by the simple, yet poignant tales that each dog told of what a fighting dog endures when the loyalty and love that dogs naturally have for people is subverted into the unnatural world of dog fighting. And some of the dogs that appear in this video know the experience first hand, having been rescued from dog fighting rings and breeding operations.

As an animal communicator I know first hand the abuse that some rescue dogs have suffered because they share their stories with me, and I feel that the creators of this moving video have accurately depicted the perspective of the dogs. You don’t have to be a professional animal communicator to do that, you simply have to open your heart and be open to shifting your viewpoint to that of a different species. Compassion will do the rest.

The idea for the video originated from the director, Michael Killan, the man responsible for animating the California Cheese cows. Driving to work one morning, listening to the story unfolding regarding Michael Vick’s involvement in dog fighting, he thought of his nine year-old daughter Erin and her love for animals, and how hard this story would be for her to hear. And from that thought the video was born, and support gathered.

If you want more information about the making of this video, you can visit their site, Peace for Dogs and read a full account and see behind-the-scenes photos of Erin and the dogs.

Spread the word, the dogs are counting on us, one person can make a difference!

Rose De Dan
Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLC
Website: www.reikishamanic.com
Animal and Reiki Art: www.cafepress.com/reikishamanic

 

Alki Kayak Tours seeks support for sustainable ecotourism

One of the most valuable resources Seattle has is its remaining wildlife. The shores of Puget Sound are still home to osprey, eagles, harbor seals, sea otters, and salmon still migrate here yearly.

Alki Kayak Tours offers everyone an opportunity to enjoy the beauty of our local wildlife, and are staunch supporters of  the conservation and preservation of Puget Sound as a working marine ecosystem that supports the industries of Seattle as well as the spawning salmon headed up the Duwamish River. Their guides provide an additional set of eyes on the Sound for preventable ecological harm.

One of their star kayak guides, Spring Courtney, has written an excellent article about their sunset tour and entered it into a contest to win a $25,000 grant for sustainable tourism development in Seattle. Sustainable tourism can help generate much needed education and support to ensure that the needs of wildlife are met for the future.

The judges take the number of visitors and comments into consideration, so please take a moment to visit the site, and embark on an armchair sunset tour of Alki.

 

Rescued Greyhound Jasmine Pays Love Forward

Normally I don’t post forwarded stories I receive by email, but this one was just too good to pass up. The photos are as beautiful and heartwarming as the story. Jasmine, the rescued greyhound, is an example to all of passing the kindness we have received on to others — paying love forward.

If you would like to read more animal stories, visit our newsletter.

I could not find an original source for the copy, I apologize to the author. If you contact me I would be happy to include well deserved credit and congratulations for having gone viral!

Rose De Dan
Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLC
Blog: www.wildreiki.wordpress.com
Website: www.reikishamanic.com
Animal and Reiki Art: www.cafepress.com/reikishamanic

“In 2003, police in Warwickshire, England, opened a garden shed and found a whimpering, cowering dog. It had been locked in the shed and abandoned. It was dirty and malnourished, and had clearly been abused. In an act of kindness, the police took the dog, which was a greyhound female, to the nearby Nuneaton and Warwickshire Wildlife Sanctuary, run by a man named Geoff Grewcock and known as a willing haven for animals abandoned, orphaned or otherwise in need. Geoff Grewcock and the other sanctuary staff went to work with two aims: to restore the dog to full health, and to win her trust. It took several weeks, but eventually both goals were achieved. They named her Jasmine, and they started to think about finding her an adoptive home. The dog had other ideas.

“No-one remembers now how it began, but Jasmine started welcoming all animal arrivals at the sanctuary. It wouldn’t matter if it was a puppy, a fox cub, a rabbit or, probably, a rhinoceros, Jasmine would peer into the box or cage and, where possible, deliver a welcoming lick.

“Geoff Grewcock relates one of the early incidents. ‘We had two puppies that had been abandoned by a nearby railway line. One was a Lakeland Terrier cross and another was a Jack Russell Doberman cross. They were tiny when they arrived at the centre and Jasmine approached them and grabbed one by the scruff of the neck in her mouth and put him on the settee. Then she fetched the other one and sat down with them, cuddling them.’

“‘But she is like that with all of our animals, even the rabbits. She takes all the stress out of them and it helps them to not only feel close to her but to settle into their new surroundings.’

“‘She has done the same with the fox and badger cubs, she licks the rabbits and guinea pigs and even lets the birds perch on the bridge of her nose.’

“Jasmine, the timid, abused, deserted waif, became the animal sanctuary’s resident surrogate mother, a role for which she might have been born. The list of orphaned and abandoned youngsters she has cared for comprises five fox cubs, four badger cubs, 15 chicks, eight guinea pigs, two stray puppies and 15 rabbits.

“And one roe deer fawn. Tiny Bramble, 11 weeks old, was found semi-conscious in a field. Upon arrival at the sanctuary, Jasmine cuddled up to her to keep her warm, and then went into the full foster mum role. Jasmine the greyhound showers Bramble the roe deer with affection and makes sure nothing is matted in her fur.

“‘They are inseparable,’ says Geoff Grewcock. ‘Bramble walks between her legs and they keep kissing each other. They walk together round the sanctuary. It’s a real treat to see them.’

“Jasmine will continue to care for Bramble until she is old enough to be returned to woodland life. When that happens, Jasmine will not be lonely. She will be too busy showering love and affection on the next orphan or victim of abuse.”

Photo below: from left, Toby, a stray Lakeland dog; Bramble, an orphaned roe deer; Buster,a stray Jack Russell; a dumped rabbit; Sky, an injured barn owl; and Jasmine.