Once you have identified your animal, learn everything you can about it. What does it eat, and where does it live? Read about its history, behaviors, and the way it is portrayed in literature and the media. What does this animal represent? An animal's particular wisdom is called its "medicine," or power. This medicine can be used to help during a time of need. For example, a hawk's medicine might be its ability to see clearly when others cannot. If possible, spend time near your animal's habitat. Do not be disruptive, but try to learn as much as you can about how the animal exists in the wild. Take what you have learned and use it to help you deal with making big decisions, confronting difficult situations, and reaching your goals. You can draw on your animal's wisdom in everyday life, too, in your treatment of others and the earth. Pay close attention each time your animal appears to you in any form. Do your best to interpret the messages the animal seems to be sending. Remember, the messages will not be straightforward, since animals do not communicate the same way humans do, so you will have to do some deep thinking to understand. Here are some questions to ask yourself: What emotions do you feel when the animal comes? Does the animal seem to be a sign of foreboding or comfort? Does the animal seem to be leading you in a certain direction? It is believed in shamanism that you gain a deeper connection with your spiritual animal by honoring it. In doing this, you are letting it know that its assistance in helping you with your life is appreciated. You can do this by standing up for the environment and animal rights and, in particular, the well being of your spirit animal. Remember that each time an animal species goes extinct, we lose the wisdom of that animal.
++++++++++
One-sentence summary -- Learn about your animal. Apply your animal's wisdom to your own life. Be open to messages. Honor your animal.

You should identify why you are writing in the first paragraph of your letter. If you don't do this right off, the recipient might be confused and set your letter aside. Remember to get right to the point. For example, you can write, "I am writing to ask you to vote 'No' on the upcoming Senate bill authorizing drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. I believe drilling will cause serious harm to the environment." Generally, you will probably send a letter to an important person because you want to change their mind about something. Accordingly, you need to give them a reason to see the issue the way you see it. This might mean you need to do some research. Refer to books or articles by name. Cite facts, statistics, or anecdotes to support your argument. If you are relying on personal observation, then include key detailswho, what, where, when, etc. If you have more than one reason for your position, then develop each in separate paragraphs. This type of organization makes it easier for the reader to follow along. If you aren't writing a letter to argue, then simply include the bulk of the information you want to convey in the body of the letter. Remember that you are writing a letter, not a master's thesis. Accordingly, you might want to point the reader in the direction of where they can find more fully-developed arguments. For example, you can include the address to a website where the recipient can find additional information. You can also mention the names of books or articles on the subject. It is particularly effective to mention common counter-arguments and then rebut them. Only mention the strongest counter-arguments but provide a reason why the reader should not give these arguments too much weight. For example, you can argue that a counter-argument is based on faulty data. You might write something like, "Supporters of Arctic drilling argue that abundant oil exists beneath the surface. However, newer data has cast doubt on those claims." Alternately, you could argue that the counter-argument is mistaken. For example, you could write, "Preserving the Arctic will not result in higher oil costs. In fact, newer wells in Texas and Oklahoma can make up the difference." You convey important information through tone. Tone is hard to define, but you hear tone when people are speaking. Someone can say, "That's crazy" in a humorous tone or in a fearful one. Tone also exists when we write. You want to maintain a professional tone when addressing someone important. Avoid using contractions, which are too casual. Write "I am" instead of "I'm." Don't use slang or jargon. Write "I was disturbed" instead of "I was freaking out." Be polite and respectful. Don't insult someone or call them names. This can be difficult, especially if you are writing a letter because you want to argue. Your sentences should be as forceful as possible. Accordingly, write in the active voice. Active sentences are clearer and usually simpler than passive voice sentences. Compare the following: Passive voice: "This issue was already decided ten years ago." In this sentence, someone decided the issuebut you don't know who. Active voice: "Congress decided this issue ten years ago." With an active voice sentence, you know exactly who the subject is.
++++++++++
One-sentence summary -- Explain why you are writing. Support your argument. Direct the reader to additional supporting information. Address counter-arguments. Use an appropriate tone. Write in the active voice.

Place the whites in a large sink or bathtub. Add 1 cup (235 mL) of white vinegar. If the clothing labels state bleach is okay, you can substitute the vinegar with cup (60 mL) of non-chlorine bleach. Add one gallon (3.8 liters) of cool water. Soak for 30 minutes. After you have soaked the white clothing for 30 minutes, rinse with cool water. Then place the laundry in the washing machine. Add detergent and wash with cool water. Air dry the clothing. If soaking and washing the white clothing in vinegar or bleach does not remove the dye, you can try a color remover like Rit Color Remover or Carbona Color Remover. Mix the product with water according to package directions, and then soak, rinse, and launder the clothing. You should only use color remover on all-white clothing as this harsh product will strip all dyes from the fabric.
++++++++++
One-sentence summary --
Soak white clothing in bleach or vinegar. Rinse and launder. Try a color remover.