Animals are teachers, healers, and guides.  The more I meditate with animals and listen to their musings with an open heart, the more conscious I become of my spiritual essence and interconnections with all species in the web of life.

Here are five lessons I’ve learned from meditating with animals:

1. Animals mirror our strengths and challenges on the path of self-awareness. They also reflect our energetic state of being. 
2. Meditating with animals creates peaceful and balanced energy, which brings about healing in all aspects of our lives. The more we meditate, the more this compassionate healing energy ripples outward. 
3. Animals instinctively know that meditation includes all aspects of our being– body, mind, and spirit. 
4. Meditating with animals opens our hearts at a deep spiritual level to feel our oneness with life. 
5. Animals live in the present moment, which is a state of enlightenment. 

Being on a spiritual path of self-discovery takes courage. Animals support us on our journey with their unconditional love, wisdom, and nonjudgement. 

Meditating with animals is enlightening and transformative. When we meditate with them, we become more conscious of our true authentic selves at a spiritual level. They teach us how to listen with an open heart as they guide us home. 

It’s also more fun to meditate with animals because they naturally put us in our heart centers which is a win-win.

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Many times clients say to me, “I don’t want to give you too much information because I’m concerned it will diminish what you’ll receive from my animal.” However, the exact opposite is true. What you share about your animals doesn’t influence what I receive from your animal. If anything, it adds insight and essential details to the conversation.

Animal communication is not a one-sided conversation: it’s a dialogue. The goal of a session is to create a mutual understanding between you and your animal family. Everyone’s perspective is important and needs to be heard.

As an Animal Communicator, it’s my role to facilitate clear communication with me acting as the animal’s interpreter. My goal is to create a communication bridge between animals and their people. While your animal’s perspectives are essential, so is your input and viewpoints.

Casper

My recent conversation with two mini-Aussies, Casper and Emma, along with their human, Terry speaks to why hearing everyone’s perspective leads to clear and accurate communication.

Terry contacted me shortly after her beloved dog, Casper, transitioned. She wanted to discuss with him the circumstances around his departure and find out his future plans. When I asked Casper if he was going to reincarnate, he expressed a clear desire to return to Terry as a mini-Aussie puppy body.

Casper’s reply brought joy to Terry’s heavy heart.

At the time, Casper gave no more specifics about his reincarnation and suggested Terry check in with him again in the not too distant future. He explained that life is fluid, especially the spirit realm.

Emma

The conversation then shifted to her other dog, 16-year-old Emma. Terry asked Emma how she felt about having a puppy in the family. Emma responded with a resounding, “Yes! As long as it’s Casper reincarnated, I’m open to welcoming my good friend home.”

A month later, Terry called to inquire about Casper’s reincarnation plans. Casper shared he was still planning on returning to Terry but hadn’t found his puppy body yet. Casper assured Terry that he would send her a clear sign when he reincarnates.

Terry then asked Emma again about her feelings about getting a puppy. Emma immediately answered back, “No! I don’t like puppies and want nothing to do with them. They are too crazy and overwhelm me.”

When I shared Emma’s answer, there was a long pause from Terry. Terry said Emma’s feedback was 180 degrees from the last time we spoke with her. I felt Terry’s surprise and disappointment that Emma might not embrace Casper in his new incarnation as a puppy.

I was also a bit baffled by Emma’s change of mind, so I asked Terry if Emma had any recent interactions with puppies. It turns out Terry’s friend had brought a puppy over to the house for a visit that morning. Emma was not pleased with the puppy’s presence and snapped at his nose to let him know he was overstepping his boundaries. 

As Terry relayed the story, Emma’s response began to make perfect sense. I shared with Terry that Emma’s feelings about puppies were situational and related to her unpleasant experience earlier in the day.

Once the mystery was solved, Emma once again said she was open to a puppy as long as it was Casper reincarnated. Emma then made Terry promise to set clear limits and boundaries when Casper comes home.

Terry said she was on board with Emma’s needs and wishes. They are now waiting for a sign from Casper that he’s found his new puppy body.

An animal communication session should never be one-sided. My conversations with Terry, Emma, and Casper show why it’s important to hear everyone’s perspectives during an animal communication session to bring clarity and mutual understanding of all involved. 

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If you are, you’re not alone. 

• Accurately send and receive telepathic messages.
• Interpret the animals’ messages. 
• Focus on the animal’s issues and problems.
• Clear up miscommunication and misunderstanding.
• Remain open and receptive without judgments, projections, or expectations.
• Empower animals by giving them a “voice,” so they can be better understood. 
• Provide feedback and insight from the animal’s perspective.
• Offer support, counseling, and guidance to animals and humans.
• Advocate for the animal as an equal partner in the human-animal relationship.

While an Animal Communicator doesn’t need to have a counseling background, I find it’s helpful to my clients and myself that I have a master’s degree in counseling. A crucial aspect of the Animal Communicator’s job is to take good care of the human during a session, especially since no one wants to feel judged. A counseling background gives the Animal Communicator essential tools that are needed to create a safe healing space for all involved.

The goal of an Animal Reiki treatment is to help animals through passive Reiki meditation.

• Hold a healing space of peace, love, and compassion using Reiki meditation.
• Not focus on the animal’s issues/problems or need to know about them.
• Not interpret animals’ messages.

It’s difficult for the animal and AR practitioner to go into the Reiki space if there is an expectation that the animal needs to do something other than relaxing. Plus, it’s impossible to carry on an active two-way conversation with the animal and their human while being in the passive state of meditation.

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Mustang Ambassadors Amore and Sol

Horse-crazy since childhood, I was excited to find out there is a Mustang sanctuary located at the base of Mt. Diablo State Park in Walnut Creek, California not far from my home. 

I wasn’t sure what to expect spending time with the Mustangs. As a child, I dreamt about being a Mustang running free and wild across the Western Plains with my herd.

Initially, the seven Mustangs who live at Bryerly Farms seemed like ordinary horses who live in 3 separate paddock areas. There was nothing to suggest they were wild horses.

It’s interesting to note that there is a difference of opinions about whether Mustangs are descendants of domesticated horses brought to the Americas by the Spanish conquistadors or are indigenous to North American.

Traditional Dakota/Lakota people believe the aboriginal North American horse did not become extinct after the last Ice Age but actually survived it. According to the Protect Mustangs.org website,

Dakota/Lakota Elders as well as many other Indian nations contest this theory  and content (that wild horses aren’t indigeneous), that according to their oral history, the North American horse survived the Ice Age, and that they had developed a horse culture long before the arrival of Europeans, and, furthermore, that these same distinct ponys (sic) continued to thrive on the prairies until the latter part of the XIXth (19th) century, when the U.S. government ordered them rounded up and destroyed to prevent Indians from leaving the newly-created reservations.

The first Mustangs I met and communicated with were Amore and Sol who share a paddock next to the driveway. Their energy was calm and welcoming. I felt a childlike excitement to be in their company.

Sol and Amore have accepted their role as Mustang Ambassadors. Sol and Amore told me that they hadn’t wanted to be a bridge of understanding for people, yet they’ve embraced their circumstances. They’ve come to enjoy meeting the curious humans who sometimes see them as an anomaly.

Amore Used to Run Wild and Fre

The background stories for Amore and brothers, Sol and Val are heartbreakingly familiar when it comes to Mustangs and the way they are treated (or should I say mistreated) by certain humans.

Sol, along with his brother Val, were rescued from a wild horse holding facility when they were mere babies. Tragically, the young colts were taken away from their mother.  The brothers were inconsolable as they screamed for their mama. Thankfully, AWHI heard their cries and rescued them vowing to keep the brothers together forever.  Sol and Val now live in adjacent paddocks.

Sol, who is wise and majestic immediately introduced himself as the herd leader. He explained he was comfortable with his leadership role as he knows how important it educate people about the challenges the Mustangs face for survival.

Sol shared his feelings about being at the sanctuary,

Because I came to the sanctuary as a colt, I know no other life or existence. In many ways, I feel less like a Mustang and more like a domesticated horse. I’ve learned to connect to my domesticated side as a matter of survival. I appreciate hearing Amore’s stories of being with her herd as they explored the Western Plains.

Before being rescued, Amore was free and wild living with her herd in Nevada. She was captured and bought by a kill buyer who planned on selling her to a Mexican slaughterhouse for human consumption.

Amore shared that it was hard to trust people, especially after being captured. The humans around her were cruel and uncaring. She was scared and forced to do things that were unnatural to her. Amore showed me that she fought hard after being torn away from her life as she longed to be free again.

Despite being severely traumatized by her ordeal, Amore tells me she now feels safe and happy to be at the sanctuary. She admits she dreams of the day that she’ll be able to roam free and run like the wind with her herd.

After communicating with the Mustangs, I thanked them for sharing their hearts and wisdom with me.

Val is Sol’s Brother

After listening to the Mustangs, I found their commuication to be similar to the many messages I’ve received from wildlife like wolves, coyotes, elephants, dolphins, and whales.

The genocide humans continue to wage on wild animals, including wolves, elephants, rhinos, and wild horses has to stop. It’s heartbreaking to think of how many animals have gone extinct or have become endangered in the past 60 years.

As long as there is an appetite for horse meat in Western Europe and Asia, wild horses will be killed just like elephants are killed for their ivory tusks. The continued destruction of habitat to feed human needs for housing, food, and cattle raising is destroying our environment and way too many animal and insect species.

It’s naive and shortsighted to believe that humans won’t soon become extinct given their lack of connection to Mother Earth.

Amore and Sol

I came away from my Mustang encounter feeling concerned, but cautiously optimistic that Mustangs and other species will survive the wrath of human destruction.

Animals are crying out to be heard before it’s too late. Humans need to remember we are interconnected and interrelated so what harm we cause animals will ultimately harm ourselves.

One way we can change is to open our hearts to hear the musings of the animals. You can improve the lives of the animals by increasing your telepathic animal communication abilities.

When we work in harmony with Mother Nature instead of against her, the better our chances are to stem the tides of destruction.

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My Animal Muse, KC

Valentine’s Day is a bittersweet day for me because it’s my beloved KC the Keeshond’s birthday. I don’t really know when he was born; I rescued KC close to Valentine’s Day in 1993. It seemed fitting that this exceptional dog, who was so full of compassion, wisdom, and love would be born on Valentine’s Birthday.

I find it hard to believe it’s been 18 short years since we said “goodbye.” My KC was an incredible partner and old soul in a beautiful fuzzy Keeshond body. A bright spirit, he had a fantastic way of opening peoples’ hearts, especially mine!

When KC died, it was hard for me to move forward given the vital role he played in my life. He was a catalyst that catapulted to me where I am today. I will always be grateful for setting me on my current path.

It was a cold sunny January day by the San Francisco Bay when I initially heard KC calling to me telepathically. I heard a voice say to me, “It’s time for you to have a dog. Come find me.”

At the time I didn’t know what I was receiving was called Animal Communication. Yet, I knew it was time to find a dog to assist me in my life. After a brief two week search, I found KC in Placerville, Ca at the Keeshond rescue shelter.

From the moment I laid eyes on him, I knew KC was the one calling out to me. It was love at first sight. Finding him felt magical.

KC worked tirelessly to open up my intuition and telepathic abilities. His divine guidance and inspiration led me to become an Animal Muse.  His steady and wise presence nurtured me as he guided on my journey of self-discovery of my true self. I credit KC for many good things in my life.

KC accompanied me to graduate school while I earned my Master’s degree in Counseling and Education. My school awarded KC his own honorary Master’s degree: Conscious Canine because of his loving and compassionate participation in my classes. KC is the first and only dog to receive an honorary Master’s degree from John F. Kennedy University.

As we worked on our Master’s, KC  telepathically communicated to me his desire to teach children about being kind and responsible to animals. While I liked the idea of doing Humane Education programs, but I never lost sight of my desire to become an Animal Communicator.

After graduation, KC and I became volunteer Humane Educators. Together, we planted seeds of kindness and respect about all living beings in the web of life in classrooms around my county. 

We loved doing school programs. I particularly enjoyed watching KC as he was a masterful teacher and skilled partner who always put smiles on the faces of our students.

KC was right by my side while I did my Animal Communication training. His loving support and encouragement helped me develop my telepathic abilities. KC made sure I didn’t give up on my dream of being an Animal Communicator.

One of the hardest lessons my best friend and constant companion taught me was how devastating grief could be when he transitioned home to Spirit way too soon in 2001. 

Losing KC was earthshattering and life-altering to put it mildly. It was hard coping and dealing with the pain of his loss. It took me months to recover. Always wise, KC’s death inspired me to become a Pet Loss Grief Counselor. 

KC told me, 

“Now that you understand how hard it is to lose an animal companion, I urge you to help others. No one should grieve the death of a pet alone. I want you to offer them solace.” 

Besides bringing solace to people around pet loss, KC encouraged me to give hope to humans when their animals are going through the dying process with Hospice and Euthanasia Counseling. 

While I miss his physical existence, KC’s ongoing Spiritual Presence in my life continues to teach me about unconditional love, self-acceptance, mutual respect, and compassion towards all living beings in the web of life.

Thank you, my dear KC, for all that you continue to do for Mother Earth and me.

Every day I’m grateful for your loving Presence, Guidance, and Love.

Happy Birthday my Sweet Angel!

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Reiki works by bringing about a deep relaxation response. 

By increasing relaxation, Reiki promotes healing while decreasing stress, pain, and anxiety in your animal companions.

Holistic by nature, Reiki helps with all aspects of your animal’s being, whether it’s physical, emotional, mental, behavioral or spiritual. One of the best aspects of Reiki is it can do no harm and safely complements all healing modalities whether they are holistic or Western that you may be using under the supervision of your veterinarian.**

Sabrina Renee loves receiving Reiki from Cathy

There are many benefits to offering Reiki to your animal family including:

1. Reiki can be offered in-person or from a distance so your pet can receive Reiki in their homes or where ever they feel comfortable and safe. This facilitates helping pets enter into a deep relaxation space where innate healing begins.
2. Animals, no matter their species, intuitively trust, understand and respond to Reiki.
3. Animals with behaviorally-based issues like reducing fear, anxiety, aggression, depression can benefit from regular Reiki treatments. 
4. Holistic by nature, offering on-going Reiki treatments promotes balance and harmony in your pet’s life. When pets feel peaceful it adds to their happiness.
5. Offering Reiki when you’re on vacation or go out of town helps your animal family to stay calm and relaxed. It also reinforces to them that you’re always connected to them and will return home.
6. Surgery and other veterinarian procedures can be stressful for your pet. Reiki supports your animal by helping them to stay calm and relaxed. 
7. Regular Reiki treatments help pets cope and deal with acute and chronic illnesses. 
8. Reiki supports animals who are in hospice care and throughout the dying process. 
9. All species, including those who have returned home to Spirit, benefit from receiving Reiki. 

Cathy offering Reiki to Honey

Of course, there are many more benefits to regular Animal Reiki treatments besides the ones I mentioned.

Interested in learning more about Animal Reiki?

CLICK HERE or email me to schedule a Reiki treatment or for more information

**Disclaimer: Animal Reiki is never a substitute for veterinarian care. If you feel your pet isn’t well, contact your veterinarian immediately.

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Talking with your pet can give your insight, support, and guidance in ways that may be totally unexpected yet welcomed. 

Lisa Spector’s Animal Muses’ Sanchez and Gina

Lisa Spector, creator of the music and sound therapy series Through A Dog’s Ear and Through A Cat’s Ear, recently reached out to me for guidance when she was feeling guilty about leaving her senior dog, Sanchez. 

Here is Lisa’s guest post about her experience talking with Sanchez and how it helped alleviate her guilt about leaving him.

Feeling Guilty While Caring for My Senior Dog by Lisa Spector, Guest Blogger

Lisa Spector’s Lab, Sanchez

My 13 and 1/2-year-old yellow Lab, Sanchez, has been recovering from an E. coli infection. It was touch and go for awhile. While I was waiting for his lab results to come back after a few weeks of treatment, I didn’t know whether he just needed a diet change or if it was to be our final days together. I was on a complete emotional roller coaster.

Truthfully, his care was really hard. I didn’t know how much more I could endure of making all of his meals, giving him subcutaneous fluids daily, and barely leaving the house in case he needed my help.

I had already decided I wouldn’t take any measures to prolong his life if his quality of life wasn’t likely to improve. But, I had to figure out how to get myself off of this emotional roller coaster.

I was trying to communicate with Sanchez to find out what he really wanted, but I felt too unsteady like I was on rocky ground. I wasn’t trusting myself. I decided to reach out to Animal Communicator, Cathy Malkin, whom I’ve known since taking her beginning level animal communication class when Sanchez was a young dog.

On the phone, I updated Cathy on Sanchez’s health and was stopped dead in my tracks when Cathy said,

“Lisa, you have to remember that your quality of life is just as important as his.”

In all honesty, I hadn’t considered my quality of life. Caring for senior dogs is not for the faint of heart. But I signed up for the long haul when I adopted him as s a youngster. And I’m one of the lucky ones. 13 and a half is a long life for a large Lab.

Sanchez Loves Lisa

It’s hard for me to admit, but in all honesty, I felt guilty when I sometimes thought about how much easier my life would be if I only had Gina to take care for. I craved our old lifestyle when Sanchez so willingly went for walks with us and enjoyed a very mobile lifestyle. On top of those feelings, I had some important trips coming up, and I didn’t know how I was going to leave Sanchez in someone else’s care, given his current state.

I’ve been through it before, so I know how painful and simultaneously precious the end of life is with our beloved dogs. I don’t want to miss that time with Sanchez. And, I’d rather choose to be a week early on that decision than a day late. But, how could I make that decision based on my lifestyle needs and travel schedule?

The truth is that caring for him in such a tender state has increased our bond and strengthened our relationship. It’s been hard, but it’s time that I wouldn’t trade for anything. I feel more connected to him than ever.

Cathy advised me to take care of myself, take my trips, and say good-bye to Sanchez before I left, just in case he needed my permission to pass when I was gone. While she didn’t tell me that would happen, I actually felt somewhat relieved of responsibility knowing that I could leave him knowing that he would do what was best for him.

Fortunately, Sanchez showed me that it’s just not his time yet. I’m very happy to report that he is on a complete trajectory of improved health. Not only were his lab results very encouraging, but he’s back to his normal weight again, getting out of the house more (as am I), going for short walks, asking for tummy rubs many times a day, giving kisses again, and chewing on dog bones (and even went digging for one outside). He’s now back to his old normal self.

I’m eternally grateful for his recovery and renewed health. And, I’m well aware that every day with him is a gift. I know it’s only a matter of time before I have to re-consider both of our lifestyles if his health fails again. But, for now, he’s reminding me to be present and enjoy our time together. I even took him to the ocean this weekend and let him sniff everything in sight.

Attaboy Sanchez!

Sanchez relaxes with his iCalm Dog 3.0 sound machine

Shortly after we talked with Sanchez, Lisa wrote: 

I drove Sanchez to the ocean on Friday. It was our first trip there in awhile. He definitely is slowing down more now, and he wasn’t quite himself today, just slower and less engaged. It’s the first day in months that he didn’t ask for a tummy rub. But, his appetite was strong. So, we’ll see what tomorrow brings.

A few days later, Lisa updated me on Sanchez’s health and how his eldercare was going:

Sanchez is doing better now. I realized Monday morning that it was his neck that was bothering him, from an old injury – slipped disc from 4 years ago. I got him to the vet today for an acupuncture treatment and he’s now back to his old normal self. He’s quite the miracle dog!

I have to agree that Sanchez, with Lisa’s love and support, is doing remarkably well especially for a senior dog. Way to go, Sanchez and Lisa! I’m proud of you both.

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A good example of how Animal Communication and Animal Reiki work together was when my sister, Stefani, received the devastating news that her eleven-and-a-half-year-old rescued Keeshond, Mugsy, was terminally ill from a failing gallbladder.

From the moment Mugsy bounced into our lives with a rubber basketball in his mouth, I frequently communicated with him from California where I lived given he lived in New York with my sister and her family.

Mugsy the Keeshond came from a horrific puppy mill to change my family’s life.

After receiving the devastating diagnosis that he was suffering from irreversible gallbladder disease, Stefani depended on regular telepathic communication with my assistance to validate what she was sensing and feeling from Mugsy.

Besides Animal Communication, frequent Reiki treatments also became a valuable part of Mugsy overall hospice plan.

Kathleen Prasad, President of the Shelter Animal Reiki Association and my Animal Reiki Teacher, explains that “Reiki helps us to connect more deeply with the animals we love. Within this energetic connection, we often understand more fully what they are going through or how they are feeling. This can be a great support in communication.”

When Mugsy’s veterinarian suggested Stefani consult with a surgeon about the possibility of surgically removing Mugsy’s gallbladder, Stefani didn’t know what to think, feel or do. She loved Mugsy with her entire heart and wanted to give him the best shot at life. Her gut told her that surgery wasn’t the right option for Mugsy due to his age. Plus she couldn’t shake the vision of Mugsy dying on the operating table. Neither could Mugsy.

Stefani felt it was important to know how Mugsy felt about the surgery. If he had said yes, she would have been surprised given his fear at the veterinarian.

When I asked Mugsy telepathically what he’d like do, he sweetly replied, “While I’m not afraid of dying, I am scared I will die while in surgery. I want my beloved Stefani by my side when I transition. Therefore, I’m willing to forgo surgery and wait it out until my gallbladder fails, if Stefani is on board with me.”

When I conveyed Mugsy’s message to Stefani, she felt a huge sense of relief. She said it felt like a huge burden had been lifted because Mugsy’s words validated her strong intuition about surgery. Once Stefani felt she was on the same page as her dog about his treatment options and subsequent hospice care, a wave of calm washed over Stefani and Mugsy.

“Communication with Mugsy was paramount in helping me feel less anxious and stressed about his deteriorating health. This, in turn, helped Mugsy to feel safe and supported so he could enjoy whatever time he had with us,” Stefani explained.

Mugsy is my “Fuzzy Nephew” and Angel Dog

For the next few months, I offered Mugsy Reiki on an as-needed basis. As his disease progressed, he received more frequent treatments. After each treatment, Stefani reported that Mugsy seemed more relaxed. She seemed surprised when he’d perk up and become more animated. He even walked with a spring in his step that was noticeably absent before receiving Reiki. He approached his daily walks with more enthusiasm and seemingly less pain. Mugsy, a true “chow hound,” consistently exhibited an increased appetite after each Reiki treatment which contributed to him feeling better overall.

Stefani said, “Reiki gave me hope and something positive I could offer Mugsy when I felt anxious and hopeless about his future. This was especially true when my Mugs was having a bad day.”

One of the hardest aspects of Mugsy’s illness was the fact that no one knew when his gallbladder would fail, which produced tremendous anxiety for my sister and me. The vet’s diagnosis made it clear his gallbladder was a ticking time bomb since it was only a matter of time before it would rupture and end his life.

Mugsy’s regular Reiki treatments, while not a cure, did bring more balance and peace to Stefani and Mugsy during his long eight-month journey receiving hospice care.

Stefani credits both the Animal Communication and Animal Reiki for bringing more peace and understanding throughout Mugsy’s life, his illness, hospice care and dying process.

I feel honored to know Mugsy. He was an amazing dog who came from auspicious beginnings, at one of the worst puppy mills in New York state, to becoming a dear friend and valued family member. Despite being In Spirit, I continue to communicate with Mugsy.

This is a collage I made through my tears when I heard that Mugsy had transitioned. Thankfully my sister and her family were not dogless for long. Within a few days of Mugsy’s departure, our family was blessed with another bouncing Keeshond, Fozzie Bear. Fozzie Bear arrived after Mugsy soared with the Angels.

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