The biggest impact and yet the most under used in my opinion are flower essences to support rescue animals. We live in a world where all and sundry seem to think that everything is disposable; our clothes, our food and even our animals. Some of us humans breed animals for financial gain, although I believe that comment 
would be disputed by the majority. They gloss over the fact that rescue centres around the world are bursting at the seams with animals for rehoming. The sad fact is that it is about the money and there is no way that they can know how the lives of their sold produce will turn out.
There are many reasons why animals end up at a shelter, the main one being that the animal is no longer wanted. There are numerous excuses as to the reason why they cannot keep their pet. Here in the UK, a person brought a dog into a rescue centre because he did not match her curtains! There are of course very genuine heartfelt reasons why animals go to a shelter and these cannot be under estimated as to the impact on the owner and animal.
Below is a selection of reasons which have often been used:
- He is too old
- He is too young
- He is too expensive to keep
- He is too hard to handle
- He has wrecked my home
- He barks all day and night
- I am moving home and I cannot take him with me
- I have just got divorced and cannot keep him
- My children are allergic to him
- I cannot afford the vet bills
- He pooped in my kitchen
- He peed on my bed
- I am too old to keep my dog
- I am too young to have a dog
If you look at the above individually or collectively, the emotional feelings of the animal will be a combination of different feelings; fear, grief, loss, shock, change, uncertainty, sadness, despair and a sense of being heartbroken. Each animal will react differently to the new situation that they have been thrust into. The animal will either draw on a past experience as a coping mechanism, or the whole situation will be so overwhelming that they will withdraw into the furthest corner of the kennel/cage.
By addressing each animal as an individual, with flower essences you will be able to get to the heart of the emotional problem. It will make it easier for the animal to be re-homed and will ultimately raise the optimism of the animal.
There is of course the more difficult subject of abuse, where the animal has experienced cruelty from the hands of a human. Here, the emotional wounds are deeper and more ingrained into the very soul of the animal. Flower essences have an important part to play here also, as they are able to work layer by emotional layer to get to the true inner core of the animal.
I have worked with horses, where their lifeless eyes and demeanour meant they had given up on the human race and themselves. By combining a selection of flower essences and giving it to them over a few weeks, it was amazing to see their trust and friendship start to shine through, to eventually be spirited and carefree with the other animals and people. The horses in the images here – Cocoa, William (in the photo above) and Stix (in the opening photo) – are from Remus Horse Sanctuary. When I first met them, their eyes were lifeless due to terrible cruelty but after taking flower essences for a few weeks, their playful side emerged and they found the fun in life that they had been missing for such a long time.
Here are my favourite flower essences for rescue animals:
- Honeysuckle (Bach) – Powerful essence to move on from the past and to live in the now
- Aspen (Bach) – Fears of the unknown (the animal feels fearful but not really sure why)
- Larch (Bach) – Allows animals to gain confidence, especially if they have spent a lot of time in a Shelter
- Mimulus (Bach) – Known fears such as the vet, farrier, horse box
- Star Of Bethlehem (Bach) – Shock and grief
- Sweet Chestnut (Bach) – Extreme mental anguish
- Walnut (Bach) – Allows the animal to adapt to change
- Chiming Bells (Alaskan) – Despondent, worn out, no joy
- Single Delight (Alaskan) – Feeling isolated and alone, especially in a dark time
- Pink Flannel Flower (Bush) – Allows the animal to find deep peace in the present situation
- Sturt Desert Pea (Bush) – Allows the animal to move forward by using the experience to let go of the past.
- Illawarra Flame Tree (Bush) – For animals who feel rejected
By choosing a combination or just one of the above add 2 drops for Bach, 7 drops for Bush (however I use 2 and it works fine) and 2 drops for Alaskan from the above stock bottles. Add them to a 30ml (1 oz.) treatment bottle of spring water and shake vigorously. This allows the ‘life force energy’ of each flower to come to life. Give 4 drops 4 times a day to your animal in their water, food or on treats until you notice a change.
Caroline is available for consultations in person and via Skype. She also has her own combination range of flower essences called “Animal Spirit” which are handmade to the highest holistic standards to meet the emotional needs of your animal.
