Odie's Eyes

As many of you may already know at the end of this month Odie is going to have surgery on his eyes. He has severe glaucoma which causes a constant low level pain for him and the only way to relieve this is to remove both of his eyes. Due to his advanced disease he currently has no vision so it will be a small adjustment and a big relief for him.

This surgery for this is very expensive and I have been fundraising for the past month to raise enough money to cover expenses incurred. We have done very well so far and have raised $1485 of the $2500 goal.

(click here to donate)

I wanted to share a letter that my dear friend Patricia sent out as I feel it truly sums up the true nature of giving and support. I am so thankful for her words:

Hello my Pet-Loving Family and Friends!

Each year we are inundated with media advertising requesting donations for this cause or that. This week (and it is only Wednesday), I received snail-mail charity requests from PAWS, St. Jude's Children's Hospital, our church (St. Mary's of the Lake), Greg's childhood church (St. Athanasius) and the International Reading Association (literacy outreach). On TV, ASPCA, the Amercian Cancer Society, Susan Komen Breast Cancer Fund and the American Red Cross ads have been interspersed with the nightly news and runnings of our favorite holiday films. And, of course, it wouldn't be the season if we didn't come in direct contact with a Salvation Army volunteer ringing the bell at the red can.

All of these causes are terrific and I personally donate to many of them throughout the year. Despite a few exceptions in that list above, most of our dollars are applied to overhead prior to actually going towards direct services for those in need. I always find it empowering to give to organizations and/or people that use most, if not all, of our donated dollars towards immediate help for intended persons.

Alicia Halloran is an Animal Communicator and a great friend of mine. In addition to her Pet Readings and energy work, she has volunteered countless hours in direct service to pets and their people. She rescued a Shih-Tzu named Odie last Spring. Odie has a severe eye condition that now requires significant surgery with necessary follow-up treatments. The costs of this surgery are a bit overwhelming for Alicia and she has humbly asked for help.

It has been two months today since Greg and I lost our Australian Shepherd, Teague. In many ways, I feel that bringing comfort to Odie is a way to honor Teague, who unconditionally loved and brought comfort to me. Helping Odie also honors Teague's sister Staley, who continues to be a source of joy for us. I have and would do anything for my dogs... Maybe that is why I feel particularly drawn to Odie's cause and decided to share with the people I thought might feel the same.

You can visit the website

https://www.wepay.com/x2tagcz/donations/122183

Through that website you can learn more about Odie and gain access to the account Alicia has set-up to help raise funds for Odie's upcoming surgery. Donate if you can, send positive thoughts Odie's (and Alicia's) way no matter what!

In memory of Teague, in honor of Staley and in great hopes for Odie... and all of our beloved furry friends,

Patricia Clancy

I had the honor of knowing Teague and working with her as an animal communicator when she was in and out of her body. She was/is an amazing light and I feel so honored that she and so many of the animals and people I have worked with are shining down on us through this time. If you can find it in your heart to donate to Odie’s Eye Fund every dollar helps, and even spreading the word to those you know you might be able to donate is a tremendous help!! We have less than 2 weeks to go! I know we can do it with your help! 

May your New Year be as bright as Odie's!!
Love to you all!

Six Months of Odie

Six months ago today I adopted this little 10-year-old blind pooch. Odie started off his stay here sleeping most of the time. Actually I think he slept for about 2 weeks straight. He would startle in his sleep and launch himself across the room disoriented and confused. This went on for months. He launched himself off the bed several times and into the occasional wall.

He went through a phase of territorial marking (pooping around the house) and fear aggression. That scared the crap out of both of us!

I enlisted the help of a trainer, Marlene from Bark Busters, and she taught me how to maintain my space while Odie was losing his. Odie acted out and put on a couple of really good shows but has now relaxed and knows that there is nothing he has to defend. Marlene was awesome in showing me how see him through all that fear and bravado. I also took cues from my cats, who, surprisingly, had very little adjustment to him. It’s like they knew he was coming all along…hmmmmm.



Odie has come to enjoy and trust his new home. We have both come such a long way!! In great words of wisdom my sister Jennifer told me, during an “I hate my dog” freak out, just wait until he’s been with you 6 months! It seemed so far away and completely intangible. But today, here we are the day before Thanksgiving! We bond more and more every day! He eats treats (that took 5 months) and walks very well…. there were some dragging episodes (me dragging him…). He spent some time in a crate and now has full run of the house, leashless, by day and sleeps with me all night. We both have so much to be thankful for in our meeting! Both of our lives have changed tremendously since his arrival.

Odie has begun to snuggle a little bit more and I think we will enjoy the cold Chicago nights cozied up (4 cats and a dog, who needs the heat on!?!). Soon enough it will be spring and we will be celebrating our 1-year anniversary! Until then, we are off to Albuquerque for Christmas. Odie has landed in the lap of luxury and adventure!

Oh MY! It's July!

Oh my, it's already July!
It has been quite a month. June was very busy plus having my pup on top of it all! Odie and I have been adjusting to each other but it is taking time and focus. We are learning about each other and ourselves by leaps and bounds. Our next step is working with a trainer to teach us both how to do this whole dog thing! There will be stories coming about our experience, stay tuned!

BUT I wanted to make sure I invite you to all the amazing events coming up in July!
On July 14 I will be at PAWS Chicago's Beach Party at North Avenue Beach House. I will be doing mini-readings for all attendees so if you are in town come on by, PAWS is a great cause!

Then, the following Tuesday I will be doing an Animal Healing Hour Teleseminar hosted by Seven Levels Coaching. This is open to everybody. I will be talking about how we can change how we communicate with animals around the world and in our own home. Bring your questions and I will give your animal as well as the animals of the world a healing!
I know that both of these exciting events will be full of great stories and energy so come and share with me your love of animals! We need as many people to talk and listen to them as possible. Tuesday July 19, 8-9 PM EDT. $45 Contact Seven Levels Coaching for registration.

Additionally, I am still offering Halo readings. They are an amazing way to clear a ton of energy super fast.  See how your connection with God or Source heals your life and shows you the abundance that you are. If you have animals I show you how your animals are guiding you to have even more in your life. These are open to everyone and done over the phone.

And lastly, a reminder for people who live in the Chicago-land area, there is nothing like a turn on my BIOMAT to solve all of life’s stiff and stuck joints, nervy nerves or any physical ailment you may have. It is an unbelievable price of $75 for 45 minutes (packages of 3, 6 and 12 are also available). You will remember how good your body should feel! Please email or give me a call if you have any questions and to schedule your BioMat bubble bath!
 

Thank you for supporting all that I do! I am so thrilled to have you in my life!
If you would like to share your experience with Healing Habitat please write a review on Facebook.
Enjoy your summer, the amazing warm weather and the glint of your Halo!
In Love,
Alicia

Please feel free to pass this along to anyone your know who will be interested in Healing Habitat. For more detailed information and to schedule your appointment please email, call or visit Healing Habitat.

Healing Habitat's Newest Employee

First, I want to thank you for your amazing outpouring of support in my loss of Moonshine last week. I am always surprised at what changes when a loved one leaves us.  I find that something completely unexpected happens. Something that moves us forward and makes us a little uncomfortable. And lo that is what happened to me.

After a rather unplanned exit of my beloved Moonshine I was surprised by who Love chose for me. He looks like a little Yeti, and is about 10 years old and mostly blind. A sweet little shih-tzu named Odie is the newest member of Healing Habitat.

He was rescued from Chicago Animal Care and Control (an amazing place housing 1400+ animals on any given day, also known as the pound), by a pet store in Evanston called Thee Fish Bowl.

He had been there for almost six months.  It can be hard to adopt out older and disabled animals. Odie is my first dog ever so, actually the fact that he is disabled and older gives me the ability to learn all about having a dog without having to teach him how to be a dog, he already knows! I currently have a blind cat, Ralfie, and it is amazing how similar they are.What is also amazing is that he is gold and white.  Of course I work with gold energy! How could he be any other coloring!

I had come up with all of these cute little tag lines for this introduction but, I am realizing that there is so much more than a cute headline (there is a Yeti in my house). 

I feel that I have landed in a whole new place in society (the Yeti is out of the bag). I am excited to be part of the dog community!

Everyone tells me that dogs are so different.  It is a whole new world but what I have found so far is that he, like all other souls, Odie has more love then all of the water in all of the oceans. A wonderful reflection, and reminder. Create away my little Odie.  

Along with the fabulous addition to my life I am participating in a ton of super fun events this month! If you are in town I would love to see you!

On June 8^th I will be teaching an Introduction to Animal Communication at Harmony House in Chicago. The class is 1-hour long and $20 with 50% donation to Harmony House.  Come and find out what your pet has been living to tell you!

Then on June 11^th I will be at Jookie Studio for the guinea pig pignic!  There will be treats for young and old and a great opportunity to learn about how great GPs are as pets. Find out more about adoption and guinea pig care. You will also have the opportunity to meet Fermi, the George Clooney of guinea pigs.

June 12^th I will be doing mini readings at Red Door Shelter’s Gimme Shelter Walk.

June 17^th I will be doing mini readings at an adoption event sponsored by Pedigree and Anti-Cruelty Society.

And finally, so far, on June 22^nd, I will be teaching another Introduction to Animal Communication Class at Harmony House. The class is 1-hour long and $20 with 50% donation to Harmony House.  Come and find out what your pet has been living to tell you! And come again if you didn’t quite hear what they said the first time! 

Phew!  What a month!  I am super excited for all of these events and to talk to so many animals and people. If you are in town come on by and see what your animal friend has to say!  If you can’t bring them, bring a picture, if you don’t have a picture just bring yourself and a question!). For more information about any of these events follow the links or send me an email!  I look forward to seeing you there!

Thank you again for all of your support in all that I do.  It means the world to me to have people like you in my life!
Enjoy the beginning of your summer and let your Halo shine!!

The story of the Shines

(I wrote this quite a while ago and now I post it in remembrance of three amazing birds.)

A few years ago I recognized that I did not know any birds (this is definitely pre-Easy).  As an animal communicator I decided it was time to get a bird of some sort. I wasn’t familiar with the chat of the bird species. Having them in my home would ignite my awareness of all the birds and I could hear them daily. My first thought was a finch but after looking around I decided that canary was the way to go.

I was told about a bird show somewhere in the suburbs.  Honestly I don’t remember where I was and have never been there since, or heard of another show there either.  I think it may have been one of those magical wormholes where everything is perfect and easy.  An alternate universe, the one that shows us how simple things really are!

The day before my trip to the bird show I met my birds.  They showed up to me energetically while I was brushing my teeth.  All of sudden I saw 3 birds.  They told me they were called the Shines. It sounded like a rock band. They each told me their name; there was Starshine, Sunshine and Moonshine.  Phew, well at least I knew who I was looking for but how would I know them? I asked that they be really obvious to me as I was not familiar with birds and how they went about identifying themselves.

When I got to the show there was only one guy with a huge cage full of canaries.  He said that all he had left were females, which do not sing and are actually very quiet.  I thought that would be a benefit.  As I peeked into this cage I again ask for them to be obvious to me and the first one I see is sweet little yellow bird…that was Sunshine! Then the next flew by. She was white with brown and gray.  And she has a star over her eye. She was Starshine! So, two were ready to come home with me.  And the third, where was Moonshine?  Well, she flew by like Woodstock, half upside down and looking crazy like she was drinking moonshine!  She made me laugh and there she was, Moonshine in all her glory.

 They all came home with me and became the most interesting thing in the world to my cats and me!  We lost time watching them hop around, eat and fly.  They brought so much joy into my home and became an important part of my healings.

Over the past two years the shines have dwindled in numbers.  First Sunshine, then Starshine and today Moonshine.

 




 

 

I have to say that Moonshine was the most special of the bunch.  She was a full singing canary despite all that says the females don’ t sing.  She had her morning song, mid-afternoon song, and her strongest, the evening song. She belted out songs during reading, agreeing when things were coming clear. She laid eggs a few years ago.  She told me that they were her gifts of prosperity for me.

 




Moonshine made the move to Evanston with me and has kept my new healing space well tended.  I will miss her amazing songs but know that she is free and flying,  shining with her golden voice.  Good-bye Moonshine.  You have been such a great healing and window into the beautiful world of birds.


I recently found a lilac tree on my property and have buried her there. Her sweet song remembered through the sweet smell of lilacs.

Easy's Tree

I have a beautiful Yoshino Cherry tree in my yard. I planted it last year after my dear cockatiel friend, Easy, took her next step. I got this tree at Gethsemane, a nursery in Chicago. It was the last tree I looked at, in the sale section and had a curve to its trunk (teeny, tiny, little trunk) and was all of $20. I knew that Easy wanted that tree as much as she had an eye for beauty, she also had an eye for a bargain. But when you buy a $20 tree that seems so small I just had to hope that it would survive the winter. 
Who knew what we were in for! It has been a long, hard winter.  At one point there was a 4-foot snowdrift up to the branches of this poor baby tree. There have been 60 MPH winds, soaking and seemingly endless rain. I would look out at the tree and ask if it was okay and she would tell me how happy she was. After it all spring has arrived and today, amazingly enough, Easy’s tree is in full bloom,six months to the day after Easy’s passing.


She show me all the time that as hard as it may appear moving through challenges it can be easy. Sometimes you just have to wait for the snow to melt and wait for the rains to end. The sun in the sky is always shining down healing and loving and life-affirming light is always there. It can be obstructed by whatever we choose, but it is always there, giving and inspiring life.

It makes me so happy to know that there is a tree who was inspired by a little bird that can show me everyday what it is to be still and know. Thank you Easy and all of the nature that you inspire. You are my love.

Halos

 

 Recently in meditation the concept of halos came to me.  Who has them?  Do all religions use the symbol of a halo?  What is a halo?  I began to look at my own animals, all of which have a halo and began to see that a halo represents no separation from God…no separation between Creator and Creation.  It is an energy center that is always receiving, without doubt or question.  Always receiving the right information from the Universe.  That seems to be the journey, returning to the place where there is no longer separate from Creation/Creator/God.  

 

Fermi, my fabulous guinea pig, pointed out to me that it isn’t about doing anything.  It is about seeing and then knowing that it is done.  There is nothing to solve, just upon looking at the energy/problem/thing is a reflection that it is already taken care of.  It is like watching something float out into space.  There is nothing to do about it so you might as well enjoy the view.  Be happy in the knowing that you are watching this energy travel.  It may be traveling to you in the form of a desire that you sent out ages or seconds ago, or it may be an energy that has been an obstacle to you, a hurdle that you have needed to jump over. Truthfully there was no jumping involved.  By the time it was seen, the leap had already been made.  Now it is time to experience.  Feel the ripple move through you.  Enjoy the wave knowing that there is nothing other to do other than know that energy center is within you, and receive.
 

 If you have doubts turn to your (or any) animal and ask them to show you.  It is their passion to show us how to receive.

 

I am offering a SPECIAL 1-hour telephone reading looking at the energy of your Halo.  How do you receive communication with Divine Creator/Creation?  Are there any obstacles preventing you from receiving fully? I will help you remove any blocks or doubts about what you can have in this life.  If you have animals I will see how they are guiding you to deepen your ability to receive.  $90
Call 
773-396-0222 
or email 
alicia@healinghabitat.net 
to schedule your Halo reading today!

Today is Earth Day

In honor of Earth Day be kind to the Earth.
Be kind to the Animals.
Be kind to the Plants.
Be kind to All Living Beings of the Planet.
But most of all be kind to Yourself.
The Earth would not be here without You.
You are the Light of the World and the Earth celebrates You.
Gentle the Earth,
Gentle Yourself.
Happy Earth Day, Love and Light.

Spring is for planting

Today I dug my very first hole.  I learned a lot of things.  I learned that dirt is heavy. Holes have a lot of dirt in them.  Shovels are awkward. Do not throw your dirt too close to the hole as it will spill back in your hole as your pile of dirt grows. Gloves are extremely helpful.

I am planting a row a hedges in my new yard.  You know, the one with the shed. I am going slowly as I have all summer to plant.  But the excitement of spring and the thrill of having new greenery is infectious!

This is what is left to plant.

And this is where I am now.  It looks a little lonely.

Update: what a difference a few hours makes!
                   By 3:30 they were all planted!

So much for leaving the shrubs for a summer project!  Within a short time I had 3 planted then a good friend came over and expressed an interest in digging a hole and ta-da there were seven hedges planted!  It seemed that they had a pact.  We were all bought together and we will all be planted together.  Each one has it’s own personality and were very clear on where they wanted to be planted.  So, welcome my new yard shrub family.  I think we will be very happy together.  May we all live long and prosper!  :)

What will I dig next!

 

(original post 4/13/11)

Tilli goes for a walk

Tilli has taken to going for walks.  He hops out of his cage strolls around for 20 minutes or so and hops back in.  I am often on the phone when he hops out.  It is shocking to see a guinea pig walk across your living room!  I think it is really good for him.  He was a rescue and his back legs have always been weak.  I believe he was cage bound.  Big pig in tiny cage. No room to exercise those legs.  He has since moved into a HUGE cage and actually runs around and “popcorns” like a very happy piggy!

Tilli is the sweetest guinea pig and loves to be petted.  Not so much held, he’ll pee on you almost instantly.  But I can sit next to his cage and scratch his chin (s) for ever! Sometimes I think he is a puppy at heart.

Enjoy this little video of Tilli taking a walk.



(original post 3/31/11

Valentine meets the cats

Valentine has been busy lately getting to know his new environment.  He is an amazing eater.  Anything green and leafy he goes to town!  So, I thought he needed a little exercise.  I put him on the floor of the room he lives in and off he went.  he motored around like a speedy little tortoise with no regard for the giant furry creatures who were absolutely fascinated by him.

Five met him first and wow, I think it was love at first site!

Then Francy, she decided to take a sniff. Who is taking the attention off of her?

And finally Hazel, would like to take a taste but can’t seem to get anywhere with that shell thing!  I think they call that posture rubber-necking.

















(original post 3/3/11)

My Funny Valentine

I just adopted a tortoise.  His name is Valentine.  I had been keeping my eye out for a turtle and soon realized its hard to find a hibernating creature in the middle of hibernating season! 

Soon after, my little guinea pig Agape had a “hay poke” in his eye.  It actually turned out to be a ¾ “ piece of hay stuck in there.  It took close to a week for it to work its way out.  I think it took a tour of his brain! Well, that required a vet visit and as it was not as stressful a visit as Fermi’s was just days before I had the clear thinking to mention that I was looking for a turtle.  The receptionist looked at me strangely and I told I thought that people might turn in turtles to them on occasion.  She laughed and said they had just gotten one in today! Mere hours before!  He was a Greek Tortoise and was very sweet.  She brought him out for me to see and we ooh’d and ahh’d.  I said put me on the list for that guy!!  He stayed at the vet for about 2 weeks to make sure he was healthy and on 2/8/11 he came home with me.

What is remarkable about this story is that Red Door Shelter turned Valentine into the vet.  That is where I adopted Hazel from and Agape introduced us at an open house!  AND for the week before I met Valentine Hazel was nowhere to be seen.  Spending her evenings somewhere else.  I had even mentioned to someone that I thought she was working on the turtle thing!

These are the moments that it is so much fun to communicate with animals and see how they communicate with us.  Who ever are meant to be with you will find you no matter where they have to go do it.  I guess that is the lesson of all love.  Happy Valentine’s Day!! Squeeze your loves!!

(original post 2/14/11)

Not for the Faint of Heart

 This is what I have been through the past 2 weeks.  I had a failed community experience with my 3 guinea pigs which left my beloved Fermi with a bite that abscessed and needed to be opened and drained.

I have flushed some nasty stuff (2 years ago Agape was neutered and then abscessed on both sides…I referred to that experience as flushing junk out of Agape's junk) but this was the worst.  Having to squirt lid into that wound then sticking a swab in there full of cream.  It never felt like a bonding as it did with Agape.  Fermi and I were expelling a demon.  There was something growing in us that had to go.  He used his body to show me my spirit.

The first night his little (not really) wound closed and needed to be reopened, the same the next morning.  There have been a lot of tears and sobs and squeals and so many horrible sounds that happen when things are being extracted.

(this is after 1 week)

I am happy to report that we are all healing.  Fermi's wound has completely closed and healed and my spirit has restored and is turning all that garbage back to love.

(2 weeks)

I am happy to report that we are all healing.  Fermi's wound has completely closed and healed and my spirit has restored and is turning all that garbage back to love.

One of the miracles that I have seen from this experience is that Fermi suffered from congestive heart failure.  He had symptoms of coughing and runny eyes and since his wound he has had no symptoms at all.  Fermi has the strongest heart I know.  My Love.

(original post 2/4/11)

Healing Habitat, a spiritual sanctuary

Healing Habitat