Author: Deanna Chesnut, Author, Purrs & Promises
The first thing I “train” my cats to do is to come when called. Obviously, then, the first question is, what should their names be?
Words have a mental meaning but also can have a strong emotional content whether we stop long enough to “digest” the word or not. Don’t believe me? Calm yourself, close your eyes, and think of the words “terror,” then “blood,” “accident,” “flower.” Notice how your body feels as you assimilate these words. We don’t usually recognize our response because we “run over them” in the context of the rest of the sentence. Next time you are too hot, close your eyes, and focus on single words like, ice, blue, blizzard, water. You will begin to feel cooler. Try it!
Which brings up the question now of, what do you call your precious pet? Whatever the name selection, it matters to you and the animal. Huh? Your animals read your emotions–well, they also read your minds, but that’s another topic. And every time you call them by their name, they feel the emotion around that word. Imagine hearing the giggles in school if your name was Hamlet, nicknamed “Ham,” or Bathsheba. Read the list and feel them in your body:
https://www.cuteness.com/popular-animal-names
I was a participant in an animal communication class when asked to talk with a woman’s dog about his attacking the other animals. In my less than amateur attempt, I asked him to tell me why. “Killer, your people are very worried about the way you have been attacking the other animals in the household. Why are you?”
“They tell me to,” he replied.
“They tell you to hurt other animals?” (Surely, I was not getting this interpretation correct.)
“Yes, they say Killer, Kill-er, Kill-er.”
Wow. What a revelation. I reported the conversation to the client, suggesting they change the name. I ran into the woman later and asked how the dog was doing.
“They did change his name for a few weeks, and he did get better. But,” she sighed, ”they changed it back again, and he is still attacking.”
Think carefully about what the connotation is of the word you choose to name these companions because each time you call it out, you will be reinforcing what you want from your animal. “Cuddles, I want a kiss” not, “Scout, come be a lap dog.” As always, consider your words well.
In the spirit of “Peace”–wouldn’t that make a wonderful pet name?—HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!
If you’re looking for fun animal related Facebook groups to be part of, check these out!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/CatsOnCatnip/?ref=group_header
https://www.facebook.com/weloveAnimalsfans/