How do animals communicate with each other and how can we talk to them?  Can anyone talk with animals, or only a gifted few?

 Researchers around the country have been studying intra-and inter-species communication for many years.  Studies range from trying to interpret whale calls to teaching sign language to chimpanzees, but the fundamental, most basic type of communication, common to all species including humans, is telepathy.

 Telepathy is defined as the transfer of pictures, thoughts and feelings using mental energy.  This is how geese know when to change leads in their flying formation or how your dog knows when you're going to the refrigerator.  Have you ever noticed that the cat who always comes home for breakfast stays away on the day of his veterinary appointment?  All of these animals are simply focusing or tapping into the thought process of another.

 Telepathy isn't the only type of communication, to be sure.  Most animals have some kind of vocal skills and body language signals are also highly developed in many species.  The more communication cues available to two parties, the more complete will be the thought exchange process.

 Where many people who share their lives with animals have been mistaken, however, is to think that body language and vocalizations are all there are to animal communication.  To add depth to our understanding of our animal friends, and indeed, all animals, we must recognize and add the telepathic component.

 All humans have the capability of communicating telepathically, but often this ability has been under developed or arrested early in life.  A parent who tells a child that it is "impossible" to know what an animal is thinking may cause the child to repress his abilities to talk to his dog until the child , too, believes he can't do it.  Also, our emphasis on verbal skills in our education system tends to eliminate any latent intuitive skills.

 By adulthood,  the repression process is so complete that it takes a re-education approach to once again become fluent in a long-forgotten language.

 There are about a dozen professional animal communicators around the country.  Most of us have periodic workshops designed to teach people how to regain their skills in telepathy.  We are also available to talk to animals both in person, or by telephone, to help resolve conflicts and smooth relationships.

 I consulted with one miniature dachshund who began lifting his leg in the house after 5 years of being a model citizen.  When I asked him "why?", he replied, "I'm the boss now, isn't this the way I'm supposed to show it?"  Upon inquiry, I discovered that the older dog had just been neutered due to a prostate problem.  This, indeed, changed the relationship between the dogs.  The behavior stopped when I pointed out how distressed the people  were about his choice.  Fortunately, for him, being the dominant dog was not a priority and being a respected member of the family was.

 Another reason for actively trying to talk to animals includes pinpointing health concerns.  An animal isn't likely to tell you she has "epilepsy", but she can tell you she hears a loud buzzing in her head, everything goes dark and she thinks she'll explode as one little dog told me.  Symptoms can then be used by health professionals to make correct treatment choices.  A dog with a mammary tumor told me about emotional changes in her life revolving around the recent death of her close canine friend and a changing relationship with her human friend.  With conversation, it became apparent that her mammary growth was related to emotional growth which had turned inward for lack of appropriate expression.  Her homeopath  is using this information to prescribe more accurately for her.  Her person recognizes that environmental changes also must be made to remove the source of her misdirected feelings.  With this two pronged approach, I am confident that her body will be able to return itself to balanced health.

 Some animals are overt clowns and we enjoy laughing with them.  Others have a more subtle sense of humor and we miss that unless we can listen to them on that more subtle level.  Animals are often observant and perceptive.  We can learn about life from listening to them.  If we choose to share our lives with animals, we probably want to have as complete a relationship as possible.  Talking with them in their own language adds this dimension and enriches us all.

Do you want to make an appointment with Betty to talk with your animals? Here is the information on how to do that:

Information on a Paws & Reflect Appointment with Betty Lewis, Holistic Animal Consultant, Animal Communicator, Energy Healer

I work by appointment by telephone and it's best to set up the appointment by phone. Email has turned out to be unsatisfactory for this.

I charge for my *time* only, at $2.00 (American) per minute with a $30 minimum. Missed appointments without notice are $15. My appointment hours are between 8 AM & 3PM Eastern Time, although I make special hours on a case-by-case basis.  You call me at the appointed time and mail a check at the end of the conversation. I do not charge for the conversation itself, but I *do* charge for the time spent. Please be prepared to pay for my services at the end of the phone call based on the time I spend with you and your animals. I can now also take payment by PayPal as long as no credit card is involved.

 Just because you can talk to an animal in its "native" language doesn't guarantee that you'll get the answers you seek. You might, and often do, but each animal is an individual as is each person. Some are more articulate than others, some know their own bodies better than others and some are more willing to communicate than others.

Please call to set up an appointment. If you get the answering machine, please leave a message. I often screen calls and may not answer if I don't know who is calling. Also,  I do not answer the phone after 6PM Eastern Time, USA.

To buy Betty's book Animals Speak!  go to  http://www.dogwise.com/itemdetails.cfm?ID=AN285 or request it from your local bookstore.