Ask Your Pet

Dear Jennifer,

I’m going to be moving to a new home soon. My cat, Gabby, was very fearful the last time we moved three years ago, when she was 5 years old. It took a long time for her to start behaving normally and treating our new place like home. What can I do to make this move easier on her? Is there anything she wants me to know that would help her adjust?

Thanks,

Denny

Dear Denny,

Yes, I’d love to help you and Gabby transition more easily into your new home. Many cats have difficulty adjusting to change, especially moves. So, Gabby’s past behavior isn’t at all surprising. Before I developed my skills as an animal communicator, my beloved cat Alicia had a horrible time with moves, and would hide behind sofas or under beds. But, after I learned the tricks of the trade, moves became no problem for her.

One of the most helpful things in preparing an animal for a move is to warn him or her in advance. As you do this, do not hold feelings of nervousness or anticipation of negative behaviors in your mind. Instead, try to emanate feelings of calm, peace, safety, love, and joy to Gabby as you tell her about the move. Picture your new home in your mind, and picture yourself and Gabby there doing some of your favorite things. Think of spots in your new home that Gabby might like, and picture those for her, while telling her how much she’ll love them.

Because animals are pick up our feelings and mental pictures, the above technique can be extremely effective. Once, when Alicia and I were moving to a new apartment with a large sliding glass door that I knew she’d love, I used the door as one of the focal points of our preparation work together. When we entered the apartment the day of our move, Alicia went straight to the door after I released her from her carrier. She sat there happily watching the birds, and exhibited none of her former fear-based behaviors.

Flower essences can also be helpful in preparing animals for moves, as well as helping them to adjust to their new environments. I often recommend the “Anxiety” and “New Beginnings” remedies from the animal wellness collection at www.GreenHopeEssences.com for this purpose.

Gabby would like you to know that your worry about her adjustment to the move, which she’s aware of from your thoughts and conversations with others, outweigh her own fears. She says that while it might take her a few days to adjust, she trusts that you will always keep her safe. Gabby says she will be happy as long as she’s with you. She says that the more you relax about her reaction to the move, and project confidence that she’ll be fine, the easier it will be for her to feel relaxed about it herself.

Best of luck as you transition to you new home, and many blessings.

Jennifer Dickman

Jennifer Dickman is an Animal Communicator, Reiki Master-Teacher specializing in Animal Reiki, and Intuitive Counselor. She conducts phone and email sessions worldwide. She may be contacted at Jennifer_Dickman@ymail.com , or through her website www.JenniferDickman.com , where her MP3s "Journey to Contact Your Animals in Spirit" and "Deep Relaxation" are also for sale. To subscribe to Jennifer’s newsletter and receive a free copy of her essay, "Five Things Your Cat or Dog Wants You to Know", please email Jennifer with the word "Newsletter" in the subject line.