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We are glad you are interested in practicing talking together with an animal!
To get started, greet the animal and ask if they have time to talk with you. Remember that animals also lead busy lives even though we may not see all that they do. If they aren’t available, check back later.
Introduce yourself and explain why you are reaching out to them: that you are a member of the Animal Talk Coaching & Mastery Club and learning to better communicate with animals and would appreciate their help. You can ask them any questions you want. Typically they do provide a response. Please share your impressions of their personality, energy, how they feel and any insights they may share with you. By sharing what you get, the animal’s person can provide you with feedback and others can jump in too.
Some conversations have been lively, and we’ve learned some amazing insights, and laughed at jokes. Remember that this is a safe place to practice. This is about practice and learning, it is not about getting it perfect. The animals have much to teach us, to share with us and we with them. Enjoy!
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Hi Melanie,
Please disregard if this does not resonate, as I am only practising :
I sense that you are a very kind and calm person.
I feel that with Rolo there occurred over time like a swap of role or better said the leadership scale tipped out of balance.
He arrived as an insecure dog and had a lot to learn in his new environment where things were so different from what he knew. From his behaviour now you can tell that it often used to be a ‘scramble’ for certain things (toys, food), a scramble where he probably often did not come first.
Rolo has overcome his past life experience and is getting his confidence back. He is finally the dog he always wanted to be – confident, courageous and determined. He was able to learn that in your safe environment and through your understanding and kindness. You acted as strong proctectors and providers of safety and food etc. for him. This way, over time, his confidence was able to flourish.
He is a dog with lots of energy. It is as if he was saying « if you do not like what I am doing, give me a different job ».
He likes to use his mouth as a tool.He needs to be given a job, some training, it will involve quite some of your time. Some training with other dogs, to learn to listen to what is wanted and where he learns to accept that YOU are the leader. He will love you all the more for your crystal clear instructions (he reads your vibration and knows whether your NO is a determined NO or a wavering NO) and your confident leadership.
Rolo helps you this way to become more of a stronger leader yourself who dares to claim the things YOU want in life.
If Rolo did not feel safe with you, he would not act slightly aggressive at times, living with you he was able to train himself back into confidence which is great. But he is overstepping a bit. And now you claim back YOUR leadership to tip the scale back into balance. And things will balance out.
Many blessings,
Gabriela -
Hi Gabriela,
That makes so much sense to us. Thank you.
I was literally just talking to my husband about him before I read your message.
Christmas and birthdays were always so exciting for Daisy and she loved to open presents. This was new to Rolo when he arrived, and whereas Daisy understood that the paper meant presents and excitement, Rolo probabaly just saw that ripping paper was fun. At Christmas he would take his presents to his cage and guard them, but we let him keep them because they were his. I can therefore see our part in it.
This year, as the balance has tipped we are fully expecting him to try to take anything he wants from under the tree, so we are already thinking of ways to counteract that. As I’m writing I realise a conversation with him is needed.
I opened your message straight after having this conversation and your words make so much sense.
Thank you so much for connecting with him and sharing.
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. Communication with ATH: Conversation with Melanie Appleyard’s dog Rolo.” I like to have fun and play. I don’t really know how old I am. We really don’t do age like you people do. I’m young. I call Melanie “my person”. I love her. She’s special. She’s had lots of dogs, and she always treats them real well. It’s a good home to be in. I’m lucky. I have lots of toys, and I like them. I don’t like to take baths. Why do you ask? Don’t like to get my nails clipped either. They say it doesn’t hurt but it does. I like to run and jump. I like to get my fur brushed. I like to sit on Melanie’s lap. That makes me a lap dog. My day isn’t special. I sleep. I eat special dog food. I go outside for a while and play. I go inside and take a nap. I play with my toys. I have more dog food. I go outside, I rest. I go to bed. I have my own bed. It’s in Melanie’s room. That makes us a pack. Nothing exciting, but it’s a good life.”
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Hi Karen,
Thanks for connecting with Rolo. He’s getting on now and is nearly 13, but still full of energy. He does have a lot of toys, which he does play with. He is a very neurodiverse dog, who likes his routine. Usually a long walk in the morning, a shortish evening walk, then in and out throughout the days for numerous wees, a bit of a play and then naps. He does like to run and chase balls, but only really jumps on and off the couch – or table if he gets an opportunity to steal something when we’re not looking.
His day is quite structured and settled now, as he has recently started taking medication to help his anxiety. Previously it was a very different story, with lots of criminal activities (stealing and resource guarding) thrown into his day.
Rolo has to have a low fat diet due to pancreatitis, so we do have to be careful what he eats. We have had to start feeding him 3 smaller meals a day now too instead of two, as he is often hungry.
He’s not a fan of baths, and hates his legs and nails to be touched. I wonder if the pain is due to his nails being cut, or his legs being sensitive. He’s not too keen on being brushed, but does love the attention.
He loves a cuddle, but tends to lie down next to me or my husband on the couch, leaning right into us with his head on our legs. He gets as close as he can to us. He sleeps in his own bed next to me in our bedroom. Daisy always used to sleep with us too, so I guess we are a pack really. I have had a lot of dogs previously too.
That’s a really good connection and it’s nice to know that he’s feeling more settled now.
Thanks for connecting with him Karyn.
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Dear Melanie,
Today I communicated with Rolo. As I connected, he was a bit reserved and cautious as if he did not understand why I chose him. But following the advice to pick the animal who attracts us, it was Rolo. So,
I explained it to him and he was open to conversation.
He said that he was not feeling well today and that his eyes are hurting him. I had a feeling there were cataracts but he was also feeling a bit cold. I saw him in a comfortable soft armchair where he felt warm and comfy. As well he showed me his snout, as if was itchy so he was itching it with his paw. He would like some warm tissue to help him clean it faster, as if it was a cold. He would like some pumpkin in his food to make it softer. He would like to be even more cuddled and cuddle with you and he showed me that he sometimes like to lay with all fours up and cuddled his belly.
I felt red light within his abdomen and I did not get exactly what organ it was so I read after our communication, it was pancreas. It is a test of my communication as I am still learning a lot.
I asked him how old he was and then it was 15, 10, 5, 5.5 but in this life, he feels like 5,5, he confirmed. He used to be very anxious and scared he said, as he was puppy and had some painful experiences and trauma that caused this health issue with pancreas now. He enjoyed running and jumping, catching a ball when he was younger much more but he is slower now, he confirmed. Could it be that the situation with eyes is also slowing him down?
He showed me a small shirt or jacket that he would like or likes to wear to feel warmer. And finally, he relaxed so much that he licked my face and hands and allowed me to cuddle his soft hair. Thank you, Melanie, and thank you Rolo from my deepest heart. I enjoyed learning from such a wise fellow being. It was a joy and a big learning lesson for me and I am very grateful.
Please let me know how this resonates as it helps me a lot learning as I am dealing with my protectors:).Love and blessings,
Ivana -
Hi Ivana,
Thanks for connecting with Rolo. You’ve done really well. He does have cataracts and recently had conjunctivitis, so I wonder if there is still some pain from that. He is also losing his sight and gets a bit anxious in the dark, as his vision is really poor at night. We have to watch his diet due to pancreatitis too.
He does feel the cold and has a warm jumper that he wears on cold nights. I didn’t put it on him last night and it actually got quite cold in the night, so that’s what he will be telling you about. I’ll put it on him tonight.
Rolo was raised on a puppy farm until he was rescued at 3 years old and eventually went to live with his previous family. We adopted him from them when they decided to rehome him at 7years old. He’s 13 now and has slowed down a lot from his younger days. He would play fetch for hours when he was younger. We probably get a couple of slow retrieves now.
Rolo is an anxious dog, for which he takes anxiety meds. It wouldn’t surprise me if this is due to a prior experience. He also resource guards, which I believe is linked to his anxiety levels as well as attention seeking behaviours.
He’s a cuddly boy and is lay next to me now. He’s always loved to cuddle in. He lies on his back when he’s fully relaxed.
You had a great connection there. Well done and thank you for passing on how he feels and what he needs.
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