RE: Hello from Kat in Texas!

[Hideyo Yamamoto]

Welcome to the list, Kat!  How so exciting to have you on board! I enjoyed learning about your family very much!  I too rescue cats and dogs – right now, I am owned by over 50 plus cats and 4 dogs – (I know it sounds like a nut to have so many) – just that 90% of the cats I rescued were very feral (and some of are still very feral), and I couldn’t release them back (as some were ill or injured), and couldn’t find a home since they are not a lap cat – anyway, I love them all so dearly and I try to do everything I can to take care of them.  I work to feed them, and to pay vet bills…   I also do follow holistic practice for care of my animals – I have been following for the past 6 or 7 years now – I have a holistic vet, Todd Webster who helps me very much to take care of my animals, and also I am a big fan of Dr. Don Hamilton (I just loved his books) –   Anyway, ever since Nina mentioned to me about ACs, I have been so fascinated by this new world – and have had opportunities to meet (on the phone) with several of them, and they are all so incredible – I am in the process of setting a workshop with one of them so that I can learn more about it – having so many animals, being able to communicate with them become a big part of my life.   Anyway, I hope to learn more about you and hope you can share lot of your experience and knowledge to us as we all are dedicate to take care of our furry animals so very much!   Hideyo   From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Kathleen A. Berard Sent: Monday, June 06, 2005 12:24 PM To: Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Subject: Hello from Kat in Texas!   Hello, everyone! I’m very excited to join you this week! J Thank you, Nina, for inviting me.   I live in San Antonio, Texas and am proudly owned by two Weimaraners (Max, 8yo gray, and Barney, 3yo blue), Peaches (the perpetual foster dog, a mixed breed of some sort of Pointer), and Miss Cali, the forever feral cat who loves her life of luxury indoors. I was thrown into the holistic care world 7 years ago because of Max. Weims are one of the breeds more prone to vaccine reactions. Max had numerous health problems including seizures, and was diagnosed as having rabies miasm. After 18 months of homeopathic treatment (using LM potencies because he couldn’t handle the C potencies), and being switched to a raw diet, he has recovered rather well, although he suffers from hypothyroidism that homeopathy isn’t addressing. Max has been a master teacher for me, opening my eyes to raw diets, alternative care and the dangers of vaccination.   Barney came to me off the streets as a rescue because I volunteered with Texas Weim Rescue at the time. Barney was so ill and emaciated, he almost died. He required a blood transfusion due to a heavy hookworm (and tapeworm) infestation, and then he came down with severe pneumonia. 12 days of IV fluids and everything we could think of were given to him (from homeopathy to supplements to conventional meds). He had 7 vets working on him, one from as far away as Spain (homeopathic vet). This boy had a will to live but nothing to work with, and it was touch and go for about a month. He had a very rough beginning in so many ways (you can see his story on my website, http://www.katberard.com/rescue_barney.htm). After many long months of natural care, including a raw diet, Barney is doing excellent.   Because I was fostering but had not yet decided to adopt Barney, I was required by Texas Weim Rescue to vaccinate him. Like Max, he had reactions to vaccines. So I now have exemption letters on both boys that they are not to be vaccinated again. Barney has been training with me for the past 15 months to be my Search And Rescue (SAR) canine partner, and he loves it! You’ll find that story on my site as well. He’s helping me fulfill a 10-year goal of doing SAR work. Barney has been a master teacher for me, showing me that while natural care is important, so is addressing the mind, emotions, and spirit of the animal. I utilized many different tools as well as alternative care practitioners to help him release terror at the mental, emotional, physical and spiritual levels.   Peaches is a dog who was ultimately “dumped” on me by a rescue group (long story). I wasn’t looking for a third dog. That being so, I firmly believe the animals you need (i.e., your “teachers”), and who need you, cross your paths when the time is right. And that has been the case with Peaches. She came to me with a serious incontinence problem caused by a broken tail that damaged nerves in the lumbar region which enervate the bladder. We’ve tried many different things (B vitamins, cornsilk, cranberry, you name it, and finally resorting to low doses of DES out of desperation), to no avail (was hoping for some sort of nerve stimulation/improvement). Now we’re doing LM potencies of a homeopathic remedy and there has been some improvement – it’s no longer a nightly event. She is lively, sweet, and has been teaching me about many things including love.   Miss Cali the cat was rescued by Max and I about 6 years ago. She is almost as feral now as she was then. She runs her life as she fits, and interacts with us only when she wants to. There’s no picking her up and petting her, she’ll rarely tolerate it. But she’s funny, very smart, and has taught me what being the Essence of Cat means. She definitely moves to the beat of her own drum. I have not tried to switch Miss Cali to a raw diet because she’s so very finicky; but the thought has been in my mind for a while.   So that’s my 4-legged family. I’ve had a love affair with animals since the day I arrived on this planet and found a Weim pup waiting for me J  After many years in Corporate America, I finally gave in to my heart and pursued my dream of working with animals in many different ways, and helping others find better ways of caring for and connecting with theirs. I’ve telepathically communicated with animals in one way or another since a young child. I love what I do, and am so grateful to be living my dream! J   My website is www.katberard.com. You’ll find lots of info up there about Bach flower essences, animal communication, natural care and more.   I am host of a weekly internet radio show called Animal Corner on www.healthylife.net that airs at 9am Pacific time on Thursdays. To get to my show archives, go to that site and click on “Show Archives” (located under the “Listen Live” button) and then on my name. Guests are top pet industry experts such as Dr. Richard Pitcairn, Suzanne Clothier, Michelle Bernard (raw diets for cats), Dr. Don Hamilton (homeopathy), etc.   One last thing . . . I have a free monthly email newsletter that covers animal communication, Bach essences, what the animals teach us, rescue stories, immune system support and much more. If you’re interested in subscribing, please send me a private email at [EMAIL PROTECTED] with your first and last name.   I look forward to your questions and sharing information with each other!   Blessings, Kat     Kathleen A. Berard, Animal Communicator, Bach Flower Essences Practitioner and Holistic Care Consultant KATALYST FOR ANIMAL WHOLENESS, INC.  www.katberard.com    [EMAIL PROTECTED]   EMAIL ME TO RECEIVE A COMPLIMENTARY SUBSCRIPTION TO THE MONTHLY “KAT’S JOURNAL” NEWSLETTER!   "If you don't know what your passion is, realize that one reason for your existence on Earth is to find it."  Oprah