This morning our cat Fingles came home limping. I looked to see what the matter was & there was a deep wound to his back leg. He was obviously in pain & was understandably feeling very sorry for himself. I got straight onto the Vets & booked an appointment.
Fingles does not like his basket & a trip in the car is on his Top 10 of things he hates so I felt bad having to put him through the trauma of taking him to the Vets on top of his injury. I dug out the cat basket from the garage & placed a fresh warm towel in the bottom, topped with his favourite fleecy & a freshly heated lavendar bean bag to get the bed toasty. Setting off he seemed a lot happier than usual which I put down to his lovingly warmed fleece & the pre-Vet chat we had! I talked him through everything that was going to happen before putting him in the basket so there were no nasty surprises.
So here's my advice as an animal guardian & animal communicator on trips to the vets:
1) Prepare their basket with love - put in their favourite blanket with smells of home & a heat pack of some sort if you feel inclined.
2) Sit down with your pet as you would a person & explain what's going to happen ie "I'm going to place you in your basket in a moment, we're going to go to the Vets who is going to help heal your wound & give you drugs to ease the pain. You're going to be ok, please don't be distressed"
3) (This part is very important) Get yourself balanced/centred/present by focusing on three of your senses.. sight (stare at one spot), hearing (be aware of the noises around you without dwelling on them) & touch (be aware of the feel of your hand on your thigh for example).. if any thoughts come into your head do not dwell on them & ask them to leave. Once you feel balanced ie (you no longer feel pacicky or anxious in your solar plexus area) gently pick up your pet & place them in the car or basket gently soothing them with calm words of reassurance. If you feel fearful/worried/anxious they will feel this also - you need to take charge & ease them emotionally.
4) During the car journey turn off the radio & continue to talk to them soothingly. DO NOT TAKE YOUR FOCUS OFF DRIVING AT ANY TIME. If you feel your emotions spike with worry/fear etc focus on that feeling, ignoring other thoughts that come in & focus on it until the feeling subsides.
5) Continue to support your animal friend emotionally. Be aware that they are very sensitive, even more so at a time like this. If you are not balanced and instead worried/fearful they will feel this feeling tenfold.
I understand it is easier said than done as we naturally worry about our loved ones, however, if you can be centred & calm you are more use to them & they will feel your unconditional love & support.
If you are in a rush to get to the Vets DO NOT take time to sit & get present as every second will count but try & stay as balanced as you can & remember that they need you to be strong for them.
I hope this post helps you on future Vet appointments or other trips that your pets dislike.
With love Gemma & Fingles xxx
