Get the tissues

Anyone who followed the tragic events of Hurricane Katrina will never forget what they saw... Being subscribed to many newsletters and blogs – I read with mounting hysteria – of the unfolding animal welfare crises. I wondered how I would have coped, had I been stuck on the roof of my house with my three dogs. I wouldn't have gotten into any rescue craft without them, thats for sure! But that is what happened to so many people, already traumatised by the loss and devastation which surrounded them, when help arrived, they had to make the heart-breaking decision to leave without their animals. I couldn't bear the thought of that.

I choose not to read heroic animal tales, I can't bear the tragedy, even if there is a happy ending. In light of that, though, there are two books I can't wait to get hold of... Pawprints of Katrina includes nearly 200 heroic rescues, heartwarming reunions, and stories of selfless efforts of strangers brought together by a disaster to save animals at the Best Friends Animal Society triage center because their owners were unable to. You can watch the video clip here.

The other interesting book I discovered, was in the August issue of Animaltalk. Leaving Jack is a novel by South African author Gareth Crocker. It tells the story of a dog handler in Vietnam, who, at the end of the war, is faced with the realisation that he must leave Vietnam - without his dog!

"... a controversial new novel, entitled Leaving Jack, published in hardcover (Robert Hale Publishers: May, 2008) offers a fictional account of what a soldier endures after learning that the dog which served his platoon with such distinction in Vietnam, has been classified as 'surplus military equipment' by the US Government at the end of the conflict, and is ordered to be left behind.

Although Leaving Jack is a work of fiction, it is based on actual events at the end of the Vietnam War and was written to highlight the little-known plight of the Vietnam War Dogs."

Tear-jerker-stuff, but interesting how the impact of the human-animal bond has become a popular topic. These stories allow us to show our vulnerability and provide opportunities to explore compassion in ways that society has previously pooh-poohed.

Even better then, that Leaving Jack is penned by a man, who wrote this story in the company of his three dogs.

Welcome...

Welcome to our Animal Lover's Blog.

This is a place where we will document the work we do, classes we teach and animals we meet and come to love.

We, being Carol and Colleen Mulrooney - a mother and daughter team who happen to do what they love and love what they do. Both animal lovers, but working in different, yet related fields of animal well-being.

Carol is a Reiki Master and Animal Empath. Her healing path led her to including animals in her healing practice, at a time when there wasn't a lot of information available on animal healing. As her intuition grew, she was able to "see" what was ailing her animal and human clients. This grew into her Empath Readings - answering pressing questions pet owners had about their beloved companion animals.

Colleen Mulrooney was lucky enough to grow up in a family where animals played a central role. She rode ponies from a young age and was the family "vet" administering medication to all the "sick" pets. Scary maths and biology marks meant the idea of actually being a vet went out the window. Three years studying graphic design led her to exploring one of her passions – she started drawing friend's pets which evolved into her PetPawtraits. A troubled horse who didn't respond to traditional training led her down a path towards animal communication and a gentle training method which a sensitive Thoroughbred mare would respond to.

Eventually Carol and Colleen pooled their interests and developed a workshop titled Animals; Our Soul Companions. This has led them on a wonderful journey of discovery, learning themselves as the explored the world of animal healing and communication.

Here follows their stories and experiences - meant to inspire and awaken in you, the same sense of wonder which they have shared with workshop participants since 2004.