Tag animal behavior

Three cats, one lap and other versions of ‘enough’

Nancy Crowe

Healing energy is infinite. My lap is not.

That’s what I told the three cats, but they worked out the logistics themselves. The tabby stayed put, the black cat sat on my shins and the calico decided it was more fun to sit on the counter and swat at everyone else. We all settled in for the meditation session … just as it was, which is what the Let Animals Lead® method is about anyway.

Here’s what I’ve learned in my animal communication and Let Animals Lead® meditation practice … and in my own home.

When someone sticks their neck out, pay attention.

If a horse comes to the fence or sticks his head out of a stall, I go see him first. For example, a Tennessee Walker who kept catching my eye and pressing against the fence told me about some hip and back pain. I was able to pass that along to the equine chiropractor and help him with Let Animals Lead® in the meantime.

The animals probably know who needs help first.

Animals can be astute, too, about who might need help more than they do at the moment. Two mini horses (one of whom was disabled), were hanging with a mustang who’d been battling a persistent infection. When the three of them approached me, the two minis hung back. I thanked them, worked with their mustang buddy, and made sure to see those kind minis before I left that day.

A cow at an animal sanctuary had adopted two young calves. When I approached their stall and offered to share a healing meditation, the cow turned her head toward the calves. I assured her all of them were welcome to participate — but following her lead, turned toward the youngsters. As the session continued, mama cow joined us.

Don’t placate. Just toss the ball.

Dogs are famous for their “how could you?” looks if you pay attention to another dog or come home smelling like one. (Canine jealousy was even documented in a University of California study.) Yet imploring any being not to be jealous is likely to be ineffective.

Over time I learned that when I come home with the scent of other dogs on me, it’s best to let my dogs sniff without comment. Then I make sure they get a belly rub or a couple of toy tosses sooner (like now) rather than later.

When we build even a little more awareness and trust, “enough” can look like plenty.

Get the most from your animal communication session

Nancy Crowe

Your animal companion, like my Dusty here, is ready to offer up her opinions. You are ready to arrange an animal communication session. How do you get the most from it in order to help your animal and build a better relationship?

Based on my experience as an animal communicator, here are a few tips:

Choose a communicator who’s right for you.

There’s no substitute for a personal referral when you’re looking to hire an animal communicator. However, not everyone is able to get that. Even if you do have a name from a trusted friend, spend some time looking at their website and social media. Look for whether the practitioner subscribes to or mentions a code of ethics. Do you feel more confident and hopeful, or more anxious? Trust your research, but also trust your gut.

Read the instructions.

Just about any practitioner will have a form to fill out or information you need to include to arrange a session. You may be asked to acknowledge your understanding of the session; for example, that it is not a substitute for veterinary care. We all struggle with information overload. However, it saves your time and the animal communicator’s time if you read all of this and understand how the process works before reaching out.

Decide what’s most important.

What do you most want to find out from your animal during this communication session? If you have several questions, can you narrow it down to, say, two? Animals have limited attention spans just like we do.

Be ready to hear and follow through in good faith.

You probably already are; otherwise you wouldn’t have read this far. Animals may bring up concerns or express needs or preferences. They may tell me something you’re doing isn’t working well for them and ask if you can try another method. We owe it to our fellow beings of whatever species to listen to one another and give change (such as more play time, a cleaner litter box or being fed separately from the other dog) a chance.

curious tortoiseshell cat

Four things to know before hiring an animal communicator

Nancy Crowe 1 Comment
curious tortoiseshell cat
Whether you have a mischievous kitten, an anxious dog, or a sad horse, you’ll likely benefit from working with a well-chosen animal communicator. (Image by Doris Metternich from Pixabay)

Most people who contact me for an animal communication session are trying to solve a problem — a seemingly intractable behavior issue, adjustment to change, or painful end-of-life concerns. I’m sure many of them never thought they’d consult an animal communicator.

It’s hard to make decisions when you’re upset, dealing with a million other things, or both … so here are a few points to remember as you seek the right animal communicator for you and your pet.

1. You’re already on the right track.

Considering a discipline based on listening to the animal and his or her needs means you are willing to listen and learn. Maybe animal communication is a new concept, but you love your animal. You’re willing to at least think “outside the box” in order to help.

Even if you decide working with an animal communicator is not the right move at this time, you’ll be closer to finding what will help. So stop, take a breath, and give yourself credit for this alone. 

2. Trust your research AND your gut.

Referrals from people and businesses you trust are time-honored for a reason. You can also contact local metaphysical shops. Some, like Catalpa Tree Shops here in northeast Indiana, maintain directories of healing arts practitioners. A worldwide directory of animal communicators, with paid listings and ads, is on author/teacher Penelope Smith’s Animal Talk website. (I am not currently listed here, as I did not find it especially helpful before, but you never know.)

Whether you get an animal communicator’s name from a friend, directory, or random Google search, spend some time on his or her website and/or social media pages. Pay attention to how you feel as you read. Are you calmer, or more anxious? Clearer or more confused? Does the person follow the Code of Ethics for Interspecies Telepathic Communicators, or any other code of ethics or guiding principles?

3. No one is 100 percent accurate.

I am human and can’t do everything perfectly. With God’s guidance and my own self-care, I can be present, clear, and helpful to the animal and his or her family. Any animal communicator claiming 100 percent accuracy is best avoided.

4. You’ll learn something.

If you’ve chosen a communicator with whom you feel comfortable, chances are very good that you’ll find a valuable takeaway. It could be information you can act on immediately, such as moving the litter box to a quieter place or telling your horse where you’re going as you’re loading. It could be insight into how your animal views her place in your household, or his feelings and needs as his life on earth is drawing to a close.

Animals see our gifts and struggles in a way that even the humans closest to us cannot, so you may even learn something about yourself. Nothing is ever lost by listening.