Finding out about Your Pet’s Past

By Donna Velardi
www.zodiapet.com

In my line of work as an animal communicator I have been asked by numerous caregivers to ask their pets about their past.  Many times when people rescue their pets from shelters or their pet finds their way into their home their curiosity gets the best of them and they want to know all about their pet’s previous life.
In many instances the pet will give up the information on their previous homes.  However, we must remember that animals live in the present and do not dwell on the negative.  So for them to relive an unpleasant past is a difficult task.  Some will because it is important for their caregiver to know the past, others will do it as healing or closure for themselves.  Some will even do so because they want to resume some activities in their new home as they did in their previous one, especially ones that they enjoyed, such as being a therapy pet.
It is important to respect your pet’s wishes on how far back they want to go.  An example is of a cat that was horribly abused on the streets of Hartford.  This cat was tortured and left for dead.  Through a miracle this cat survived and was brought to a shelter.  When I first visited this cat at the shelter shortly after this occurred, this cat had such a void, an empty look, as though his soul was missing.  He was a shell of himself.  A woman who adopts cats with either medical or emotional problems adopted him into her home with her other four cats. 
I had the opportunity to visit him on several occasions to see how he was doing and offered him massage therapy, which at first he reluctantly submitted to.  Trust of humans was obviously a big issue for this cat. 
Now it is several years later, this cat is very well adjusted and now looks forward to his massages, and enjoys life to the fullest.  When I prod him about his past, he does not want to go there and according to him, his life began when he came to live is this wonderful home of love and friendship.
There are other pets that have been in a loving home and their caregiver has passed away and they don’t know what happened.  If it hasn’t been explained to them, they have no idea as to why they were abandoned by their loved one.  They too need to grieve and have closure on their past situation. 
When people adopt a pet from a shelter or find a stray pet, you as the human need to offer understanding and allow the pet to trust you first.  So when asking your pet about their past be ready to honor their wishes and offer love and compassion for what they have endured.