Review of Mustang DVD!

Wild Horses in Winds of Change

By Mara LeGrand

DVD – Skydancer Productions LLC, 2011

30 minutes - DVD $20.00

Available at: http://wildhorsesinwindsofchange.com/purchase/

Reviewed by Carol M. Upton

How can they be other than legend, nature at her most elegant? They speak of our most cherished longing. They speak of freedom. ~ Mara LeGrand

The opening scenes of Wild Horses in Winds of Change take us on an unforgettable journey into the souls of mustangs, portraying their freedom, sensitivity and delightful family units. It is a trail interwoven with our own freedom. This award-winning documentary stimulates awareness, offers fresh understanding of the wild horse crisis, and is a film for all who care about our planet’s fate.

The stunning photography cuts abruptly to the current reality of wild horse lives. These “dolphins of the land” are driven from their natural habitat by the Bureau of Land Management helicopters into holding pens to be held indefinitely in cramped conditions. Many die of untreated disease or turn up in slaughter pipelines. Their protection, enshrined by law in 1971,originally won by Wild Horse Annie and huge public outcry, has been lost.

Can we re-direct the path of wild horse injustice and extermination we are currently following?

Yes we can, according to LeGrand, “We should be able to find solutions for all the problems we’ve created for Nature and its inhabitants.”

Wild Horse experts and long-time advocates Mary Ann Simonds and Karen Sussman are the main storytellers of this film, observing that these horses are born, raised and survive in the wild and have always existed here. Yet based on outdated myths and attitudes, we don’t study them as we do other wild species.

While there is a need for more unbiased studies, LeGrand meticulously illustrates that archeology, molecular biology and paleontology already make a plausible claim that the horse is indigenous to North America. An animated map is woven into the film, along with footage of ice age, desert and plains horses, explaining exactly how they belong in our ecosystem like other wildlife.

Viewers are skillfully shown what is being lost, what urgently needs to change and what can be done to help. This outstanding film reflects LeGrand’s mission of calling people to action for the health of the planet and its inhabitants. The next steps clearly belong to us.

Mara LeGrand, PhD. is an award winning photojournalist, screenwriter, and film director. She brings wisdom from her international career in holistic health to her films and offers compelling presentations to accompany screenings. More information, including the film trailer, is available at: http://www.wildhorsesinwindsofchange.com

Great Dog Books!

Not all dog owners have horses, but I know of not one horse owner that doesn't have a dog; therefore, I'd like to include these dog books on this site.

A Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron is my new favorite book! I laughed, cried and was amazed at the author's insight to a dog's attitude about life.

The protagonist is a dog who lives multiple lives, and remembers them all as he is reincarnated. The previous lives aid him in the next life as he tries to understand his purpose. He is funny (cats have no purpose), a rescuer (more than once), loyal (except when he separates from his feral mom), fun loving (diving in the pond with his boy) and has a satisfying ending as he fulfills his purpose.

This is a must read for all dog lovers!

*******************

A Lucky Dog by Dirk Wales is a delightful true story about Owney, the official U.S. Rail Mail mascot. From from 1888 - 1896, this lovable mutt visited not only American cities as he traveled by train across the country, but also Canada and overseas! The Albany, NY Post Office was his home.

Although a well-illustrated (by Diane Kenna) picture book, the story will appeal to all dog lovers.

I found this book at the railroad museum in Glenwood Springs, Colorado while on my 2011 Book Tour. See photos from that visit at http://authorevents.blogspot.com/2011/08/glenwood-springs-co.html

Communication with all Life, Revelations of an Animal Communicator

Communication with all Life, Revelations of an Animal Communicator

Reviewed by: Kelli Kozak
Author: Joan Ranquet
Website: www. joanranquet.com
Publisher: Hay House
ISBN-10: 9781401916817

Joan Ranquet’s “Communication with all Life, Revelations of an Animal Communicator” is not only truly fascinating reading, but is full of inspirational stories and lots of tools that any animal lover can use to communicate with animals. As the author notes, we are all animal communicators, whether we know it or not… even whether we believe in it or not!

There are many ways we communicate with our animal companions. We use words, of course, but what we don’t realize is that we are constantly communicating using pictures and feelings, as well. For example, when we tell – in words – our animals not to do something, they don’t understand the “not” part, because the picture we invariably have in our minds is of the animal actually doing what we wish they wouldn’t. In our minds is, “Go ahead, pee on the couch.” Our expectation is often, “Well, they going to do it again anyway!” Another example of how we unknowingly send messages is by what we are feeling: When packing for a trip, we are apprehensive about leaving our animals behind, worrying that they will miss us and feel sad and that we will miss them terribly! This often leads to separation anxiety and depression. We can try being happy about the trip and about the fact that we will be back soon and that they will have a great time while we are gone!

This book contains many exercises we can use to deepen our intuition, as well, in order to get pictures, words and feelings from our companions. I have been working with the techniques and have been able to get images from my dogs and horse. My dogs were out late enjoying their nightly run. I began to worry – it had been an hour – and tuned in to the pack leader. I got an image of a large white curve. When the dogs returned five minutes later, I realized that the image was of the roof of the barn next door. That’s what the pack leader saw from the distance and that’s the direction they came back from!

This book contains many stories of how Joan’s advanced communication skills saved many a relationship – between animal and steward, between animals in the same household and even between the human members of a family!

This is a truly fascinating read and one that will change forever the way you behave, communicate and think about the animals around you.