Why?

Because so many animals suffer from the fireworks. 

Did you know that more pets go missing over this holiday then any other time of year? 

While fireworks might be fun for humans, they’re deeply distressing for our animal companions. Every year around July 4th, I hear from heartbroken pet parents whose animals bolt from the house, tremble uncontrollably, or even end up in the emergency vet.

The loud bangs, flashing lights, and deep vibrations overwhelm pets’ nervous systems.

And once they’re in panic mode, it’s incredibly hard for them to settle. Their fear drowns out everything—including your voice and any attempt to soothe them.

My Dog Feared Fireworks

My beloved Keeshond, Kobe Bear—now In Spirit—struggled terribly with fireworks. The first July 4th we spent together, I had no idea he’d melt down the way he did. He trembled, barked, paced, and tried to hide in the smallest spaces he could find.

Even though I could communicate with him telepathically, the fear was louder than my reassurances. One year, he became so panicked he tried to jump out of a second-story window—desperate to escape what felt like danger all around him.

I closed windows. I played music. I tried to distract him and stayed by his side. But it wasn’t enough. Looking back, I wish I had explored medication with my veterinarian. Sometimes, even with all our tools and love, our animals need more support than we can give on our own.

Now is the time to set your animal family up for safety:

Create a plan of action now to make sure they are safe and secure when the fireworks are happening. 
Keep them in a cool, quiet and secure space away from the action.
Make sure they have fresh water and shade if their outdoors.
Don’t let guests feed them—even accidentally.
Avoid sparklers, glow sticks, and noisemakers around pets.

A little prevention goes a long way in protecting the ones you love.

9 Tips Keep Your Pet Feel Safe and Calm

These simple steps will go a long way in helping you keep your animal family safe and secure as their world explodes.

1. ID tags = your pet’s ticket home.
Even indoor pets can bolt through doors or screens. A collar with a current ID tag and your mobile number is the quickest way to get them back. Check microchips and keep info up to date. Horses benefit from breakaway halters with contact info, too.
Consider attaching an AirTag or GPS tracker to their collars

2. Fireworks don’t have to be close = still scary.
Your pet can hear and feel fireworks going off blocks away. Their hearing is far more sensitive than ours.
Stay aware of neighborhood plans and prepare ahead.

3. Early exercise = less panic later.
A good walk or play session helps burn off energy and tension. Tired pets are often less reactive.
Potty breaks should happen before the booms begin.

4. Safe space = sanctuary, not punishment.
Set up a cozy, quiet spot with familiar bedding and scents. Use crates or closets if that’s where they feel safe. For cats, provide water, litter, and hiding spots.
Consider streaming pet calming music

5. Your presence = their greatest comfort.
You don’t have to fix it—you just have to be there. When you stay grounded and calm, your animal feels it.
Sit with them, distract them with toys or tasty treats, or simply breathe together.

6. Less stimulation = more calm.
Close curtains and windows. Dim the lights. One bright flash can undo hours of calm. Play calming music like My Zen Pet.
Cover crates lightly if that helps your pet feel tucked in.

7. Comfort tools = extra support.
Animal Reiki help regulate your animal’s nervous system.
I’m offering distant Reiki sessions all week.

8. Animal Communication = Help your pet feel safe through shared understanding

Explaining the fireworks and your plans helps your animal feel included, supported, and more grounded—even during chaos.

9. Medication = a valid form of support.
If your pet melts down every year, talk to your vet before the holiday starts. The right medication may save your pet from trauma—or worse.
This isn’t about sedating them. It’s about protecting their well-being.

Bonus Reminder: Keep Pets Safe at Gatherings and BBQs

Did you know that most pets end up at the emergency vet on July 4th for reasons that have nothing to do with fireworks?

Greasy BBQ scraps, corn cobs, and chocolate can cause serious digestive issues—or even require surgery.
Hot pavement burns paws quickly.
Heatstroke can set in fast at crowded, noisy backyard parties.

You’re Not Alone

If you need extra support, reach out: cathy@animalmuse.com

Book a session here

Wishing you and your animal family a safe, calm, and connected 4th of July.

The post July 4th Tips to Keep Pets Calm and Safe appeared first on Cathy Malkin -- Animal Muse Communication and Reiki.

Every 4 months, Jamie travels 4 hours to the veterinary hospital to receive follow-up tests like CT scans, ultrasounds, and blood work. These visits are stressful for Jamie, especially since he needs to be sedated for his tests.

Since his diagnosis, his person Annie sets up Animal Communication sessions before each vet visit to find out how Jamie is feeling, figure out what he needs and prepare him for the arduous trip. Talking with Jamie also helps Annie cope and deal with her anxiety, stress, and fear.

Besides communicating with Jamie before his visits, I also offer him Reiki right before he receives his tests to help him.

Before his last visit, we decided to give Jamie 2 Reiki sessions: one the night before his vet visit and another an hour before his Ultrasound.

After Jamie’s visit, Annie shared the following:

“The 2nd Reiki session made a massive difference because it helped Jamie to reduce his stress enough to receive his Ultrasound and obtain a tissue sample without sedation! His vets were pleased because this was the first time Jamie hadn’t needed sedation! I believe Reiki was the reason why.

Bless you, Cathy, for your care, compassion, and understanding of what Jamie needed.”

The post Reiki Eases Dog’s Anxiety Before Ultrasound appeared first on Cathy Malkin -- Animal Muse Communication and Reiki.

If you ask your pets what the best gift you can give them is, they will more than likely tell you that they want your undivided attention and love in a calm, peaceful way.

Pets know that if you create a healing space with them using meditation, it will have many positive benefits like stress reduction, relaxation, feeling safe and loved, happiness, and strengthening your heart connection and bond.

Therefore, cultivating a daily meditation practice with your animal family is a precious gift that allows them to flourish in all aspects of their lives—physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually- which ultimately keeps them healthier and happier.

The ancient art of meditation can be layered with different expectations and be practiced in various ways. However, animals perceive mediation in straightforward terms. For them, it’s all about being in the present moment. Animals live in the moment and are drawn to peaceful, calm, and open-hearted energy. Through animal-led meditation, we can learn to live in the moment, which is where they live.

This is why animals, especially our pets, are incredible examples of being present and grounded. It’s time for us to shift from human doings to human beings with our pets’ help and guidance.

Here are 7 reasons why you should start a daily meditation practice with your pets today:

Meditating with Your Pet Builds Trust and Safety
If your pet doesn’t feel safe, then it’s hard for them to trust you. And if your pet doesn’t feel safe or trust you, then they can’t experience your unconditional love. Many times, we don’t recognize when our pets feel unsafe. Therefore, it’s essential to create a safe environment so your pets can feel comfortable expressing themselves in whatever way they feel.
Daily meditation practice is a beautiful way to give your animal companions a sense of stability so they no longer need to come from a place of fear, worry, and insecurity. This is especially true for rescued and abused animals who need their human guardians to create a safe space for them.

Pets Mirror Our Energetic States
Whether you realize it or not, your energy and thoughts influence your and your pet’s health and well-being. Our thoughts are energy that ripples out from our physical bodies into the environment where our pets live. As your feelings of anger, anxiety, and fear reverberate, it can create stress, anxiety, and fear in your pet. The more you meditate with your pets, the more you will be in a calmer and more open-hearted state of being. The more calm, peaceful, and present you are, the less your energy will negatively impact your pets and you!

Animals make great teachers because they mirror our energetic states of being and respond to it, whether it’s loving or unkind. That’s why it’s important we work on being calm, open-hearted, and balanced because it helps everyone feel more relaxed and joyful, which is healing and nurturing.

Meditating With Your Pet Promotes Healing and Overall Wellness
When you meditate together, you can have a profound influence on the health and well-being of your pet. Meditation creates a healing space that can relieve stress, anxiety, fear, and anger. This can be especially helpful for all pets but is an essential healing tool we all possess to help older, ill, dying, and rescued pets.

When my dog Bodhi Bear was riddled with terminal stomach cancer in his last days, I was anxious, scared, and worried. I noticed that my anxiety and fear were adding to Bodhi Bear’s pain and discomfort. When I shifted my focus and awareness to my heart center through meditation, I found that not only did I settle down, but it allowed Bodhi to relax.

Bolsters The Love Hormone Oxytocin
No one can open our hearts better than our animal companions. When we are heart-connected with our pets and feel their unconditional love, oxytocin flows freely. Oxytocin is a hormone and a neurotransmitter associated with empathy, trust, and relationship-building, which is crucial for developing a strong, loving bond with your pet.
Daily meditation practice with your pet bolsters loving kindness, compassion, joy, and awe because it increases oxytocin. What could be better?

Develops Mutual Understanding and Deep Listening
Meditation deepens your listening skills and the telepathic connection between you and your pet. Clear communication is the basis of all healthy and balanced relationships. In the silence of meditation, you will learn to listen from your heart center, which builds a spiritual bridge of mutual understanding where your pets can share their thoughts, viewpoints, and heart with you.

A fun and easy way to hear your pet at a heart level is to feel all the unconditional love you have for them. Then visualize radiating your love outward from your heart center like the rays of the sun. Then remain open and receptive to whatever your pet wants to communicate with you in the moment. It’s okay if you don’t receive any messages since the goal is to share your hearts together as one. However, this will open the door for your pet to share their heart with you.

Pets Flourish with a Daily Meditation Practice
A daily routine of spending at least 5 minutes a day (of course, the longer the better) being quietly present while sharing your heart with your pet can go a long way to helping them feel safe, secure, and loved. Pets do exceptionally well when we establish a daily meditation routine. It helps them in all aspects of their life.

Once I recognized that being quietly present with my cats or walking in Nature with my dog was meditating with them, it transformed how I viewed meditation and my relationship with my pets. Every day, I meditate with my cats first thing in the morning. It’s a perfect time for Mona to sit in my lap or Elvis to drape himself across my chest for at least 10 minutes (if it was up to Mona and Elvis, I’d never move!). Our goal is to be quietly present, so we can share our hearts together. Another way I meditate is when I take my puppy, Yogi Bear, on our walking meditation in Nature, where I practice being quietly present, feeling my heart connection with him, and being mindful of our natural surroundings.

Tells Your Pet You Love and Value Them
When you meditate with your pet, it supports and improves your relationship. Our pets give us unconditional love daily and deserve nothing less than our loving presence in return. It also tells your pet that you cherish them.
The more you take the time to meditate with your pet, the more connected you will feel. Doing so will foster spiritual growth, health, wellness, and transformation, benefiting you and your animal family!

The post Daily Meditation with Pets Helps Them Feel Their Best appeared first on Cathy Malkin -- Animal Muse Communication and Reiki.

Luigi and Pierre

Donna shared the following,

My husband, dog, and I met Cathy at an art event awhile ago. She read my dog right there and figured out that he did not like going to the dog park at all. She later remotely read Pierre and told me why he would run away when I coughed or cleared my throat.

When my veterianarian and I were confused about how to care for my other dog, Luigi, I decided to hire the “Animal Muse” for a full reading and an Animal Reiki session. 

We first talked with Luigi because Donna and Ned were concerned about his health and overall wellbeing. When I asked Luigi how he was feeling, he showed me pain in his front right leg and trouble walking. It felt like arthritis. Donna confirmed he suffered from arthritis and has mobility issues because he was born with that leg turned out. He also has problems with his spine.

Luigi also shared that he has stomach issues that are related to his severe food and environmental allergies. It turns out the dogs are vegan because Luigi is allergic to meat-based protein. I asked the dogs about their diet. They said they liked their food but especially enjoyed their treats and the human food they received.

Donna promised to share Luigi’s insight with their veterinarian in hopes they can find ways to help him with his allergies and mobility challenges.**

Luigi receiving Reiki.

Donna and Ned inquired about their dogs’ incessant barking at the front door and in the backyard. They wanted to know how they could stop this unwanted behavior. Luigi and Pierre explained that from the time they were puppies, they always rushed the front door barking. It turns out no one taught the dogs what to do when people visit.

After talking with the boys, I suggested they be taught to stay on mats near the front when visitors arrived. I assured Donna and Ned their dogs were quick learners, and with patience and consistency, everyone would learn the new front door ritual.

The backyard was another issue because there’s a walking path next to their yard. People, dogs, and wildlife are constantly walking by. Pierre and Luigi said it’s their job keeping their yard safe and letting their people know when there was any movement back there.

We turned our conversation to Pierre, who feels Luigi gets most of the attention. Pierre said he understood that Luigi had health issues, but wanted to remind his people that he deserves more attention because in Pierre’s words, “I’m perfect!”

Donna and Ned promised Pierre they would spend more time with him. They also promised to spend time with Pierre without Luigi.

Pierre receiving Reiki

Once we were done talking with the dogs, we shifted to doing Reiki, which is a separate service from Animal Communication.


As soon as I began sharing Reiki with the Corgis, they got onto the couch with me. Luigi is quite aloof and doesn’t like to be touched, so it filled my heart when he laid his head in my lap during the Reiki session. 

Both dogs went into deep relaxation and felt more relaxed and calmer after their treatment.

Cathy after sharing Reiki with Luigi and Pierre

Donna shared her experience after their Animal Communication and Reiki session:

Both dogs were so drawn to Cathy during the Reiki healing that they proceeded to lay their bodies on her. The reading and the Reiki treatment were worth every penny!

In the few days since the reading and receiving Reiki, we are all communicating better. Luigi and Pierre bark less, seem happier and we all have a more loving relationship.  

Animal Communication and Reiki help animals feel more peaceful and balanced. It also empowers them, which strengthens their bond with their people.

**Please note that I’m not a veterinarian. I do not treat or diagnosis anything. I work in partnership with vets. It’s the veterinarians’ job to treat and diagnose illness and disease in your pets. 

The post Dogs Benefit from Animal Communication and Reiki appeared first on Cathy Malkin -- Animal Muse Communication and Reiki.