They Sing To Our Souls - The Animals Speak 9781636848525, 9781636848532

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They Sing To Our Souls The Animals Speak

Naomi McDonald

Copyright © 2020 Naomi McDonald www.NaomiBMcDonald.com All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in case of the brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. The author of this book does not dispense medical advice or prescribe the use of any technique as a form of treatment for physical, emotional, or medical problems without the advice of a physician, either directly or indirectly. The intent of the author is only to offer information of a general nature to help you in your quest for emotional and spiritual well-being. In the event that you use any of the information in this book yourself, which is your constitutional right, the author and the publisher assume no responsibility for your actions. Cover Design by Kathleen Blanchard-Grell Book Design by www.Delaney-Designs.com ISBN: 978-1-63684-852-5 (sc) ISBN: 978-1-63684-853-2 (e) Library of Congress Control Number: 2020920320

To my fur family that sing to my soul: Luke, Bobbie Jo, Sarah, Mary Katherine, Tubers and Pearl.

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ur animals bring to us a depth of wisdom and purpose that goes far beyond what it seems like on the surface. For some, this collection of stories will open new paradigms of thought. For others, they will affirm existing beliefs. Each true story has been chosen for the depth, innocence, and honesty the animals brought to not only me but other humans as well. My hope is that this compendium will deepen, strengthen, and awaken not only our relationship with our pets but also that of the entire natural world.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LESSON ONE: LUKE 9 Dancing Into an Unimaginable Life LESSON TWO: PENELOPE 15 Recognizing the Intuitive Talent We All Possess LESSON THREE: DREAMING 21 Animals Counsel and Teach Through Our Dreams LESSON FOUR: MRS. DUCK 27 We Are All Connected LESSON FIVE: ESA 33 Imagination is More Important than Knowledge LESSON SIX: GATSBY 39 Communication Through Preverbal Intention LESSON SEVEN: RINGO 45 Sharing Joy Through Celebration LESSON EIGHT: LACEY 51 Reawakening the Soft Within LESSON NINE: B.J. 57 Gratitude—the Most Powerful of Emotions LESSON TEN: SCOOTER 63 Using Contemplation and Intention to Bring Our Animals Home

LESSON ELEVEN: OSCAR 69 Oscar Shares the Matrix of Joy to All Around Him LESSON TWELVE: DYLAN 75 Emotions Manifest in the Physical LESSON THIRTEEN: PRINCE 81 Finding Margie’s Voice LESSON FOURTEEN: CHA CHA 87 Alternative Healing Modalities CHAPTER FIFTEEN: JACKPOT 95 Healing Through Sound LESSON SIXTEEN: TANNER AND SIMON 101 Past Lives Affect the Present LESSON SEVENTEEN: BAILY 107 We Are Connected to Our Animals, Even After Death LESSON EIGHTEEN: TEX 113 You Are My Sunshine LESSON NINETEEN: ODESSA AND DOC 121 Spirit Leaving Our Bodies LESSON TWENTY: SARA AND LUKE 131 Creating Our World Through an Animal’s Eyes In Gratitude

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You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do. -Eleanor Roosevelt

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They Sing To Our Souls

Lesson One : Luke Dancing into an Unimaginable Life

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tanding near the end of the kitchen counter, my husband, Mac stared at me, his eyes narrow. His lips turned down. “You’re going to do what?” Giving him my best Mona Lisa smile, I said, “I’m going to fly to Austin, Texas, drive three hours to the Hill Country and take an animal communication course.” His chin came up. “Look, I know you think you heard Luke calling you to come and get him that night.” Luke was my beloved border collie. Still talking, Mac walked to the fridge and poured two glasses of tea. “Let’s face it. You wanted him back so badly you would have gone to any length to hold him again.” He handed me a glass. “We don’t have the money to waste on a crazy-out-there thing like that.” Many of us have felt the need to follow a different path, to follow our hearts into the unknown. Often, this results in a conversation like mine with family members or friends. Breaking away from familiar tribal beliefs, from generational customs and religion takes courage. Following the urgings of our soul can also be a tremendous opportunity to look our fears in the face—and dance with them. —9—

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Often, an animal like my sheepherding dog, Luke, will come into our lives and pull the strings of our hearts to the rhythm of our own personal soul-dance. During a time of great duress and separation, I heard Luke call out to me. The fervency and clarity of his words, “Come and get me, Mom,” reverberated through my very being. Answering his call not only brought us together again, it was the catalyst that propelled my life toward an unimaginable direction—animal communication. Our intuitive connection to our animals can answer questions such as: Does my horse like his new feed? Why did my cat pee on the pillow? Or what costume would my dog like to wear for a photo shoot? (See Lesson Eleven: Oscar) My experience with Luke led to more esoteric questions: Do animals have multiple lifetimes? Can past lives affect the present? Is an animal’s spirit still alive after the physical body passes? While wondrous in itself, tapping into my ability to receive information from another being sent me further into the energetic aspect of who we are: How can I understand an animal that lives across the ocean around people who speak a different language? How can I visit with an animal that passed twenty years before? I found the answers in the study of quantum physics, metaphysics and ancient mystery teachings. Great minds like Albert Einstein, Deepak Chopra, the Dalai Lama, Gregg Braden and Teresa Ballard suddenly became my teachers. Many times, I — 10 —

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would hear ideals, philosophies or theories that were different, even contrary to my upbringing and perceptions of the world. To my amazement, when my mind and heart were in the most turmoil, a client and their animal would come along and bring me valuable understanding. Instead of pretty phrases or someone else’s philosophies, the animals allowed me to find the personal truths of my soul. This book is a collection of the stories that helped me navigate a new world—a marvelous, wondrous world I entered with my partner, my savior, my sheepdog, Luke. So, what exactly did appear to my wondering heart? As my beliefs and perceptions expanded, I felt as if my life had become an eternal Christmas for me and my family. We found more beauty in the world. We led healthier and more abundant lives. I felt a deeper connection to our Earth and all the animals that come to us as teachers, companions and guides. My wish is that this work will help others to actualize the same. Mac and I had several heated arguments that resulted in stepping on each other’s emotional toes. My thoughts raced in all directions: How could he judge me the way he did and not understand the need to follow my heart as he had done in the past? How could he let money come into the picture of something so important? We were at an impasse that our fifteenyear marriage had not experienced before. Attending the animal communication course was important to my soul in a way I did not fully understand at the time. I knew that during class I would need to be centered and focused, not distracted by Mac’s unhappiness at my going. In — 11 —

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reality, I wanted and needed my husband’s blessing in my new endeavor. Finally, the small voice of common sense inched its way through the anger that had clouded any possible solution. From a more balanced place, I could look at the bigger picture. Suddenly, I remembered Mac was a logical and fact-driven man. My animal communication books by Penelope Smith, Carol Gurney and Amelia Kinkade held the answers I needed. All humans and animals are born with intuitive abilities. Most often, children are told that anything aside from one of our five normal senses is not real. As a result, our intuitive abilities begin to atrophy around the age of five or six. Our sixth sense often goes unnoticed, a good example is when thinking of a person and soon they call or we run into them somewhere, or that feeling when the hair raises up on our arms or chills run down our spine. The tipping point for Mac was Quantum Physics. He comprehended the science. He believed that information passes on invisible waves with different frequencies. Finally, he understood what I wanted to do. Just as I breathed a deep sigh of relief, a suffocating band of fear clamped around my chest. What if Mac had been right about my not hearing Luke? What if a class setting was so different that I can’t make a connection when I get there? Galloping gargoyles, what if I am just making it all up?

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Thanks to Luke, thanks to that hollow loneliness that opened my desperate heart to hear his words, “Come and get me, Mom,” I drew the strength to look my fear in the face. I got on the plane that took me to Texas and began the journey to an unimaginable life.

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As our world evolves, the majority of our society will reawaken and use their intuitive ability. In this, humans will find an expansion of their universe well beyond the ordinary. Animals delight in our efforts to share in this wondrous experience with them. -Penelope Smith

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Lesson Two: The Black and White Husky with Amazing Blue Eyes Recognizing the Intuitive Talent We All Possess

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y hope is that you as a reader might say, “Wow, maybe the voices in my head or feelings in my body are not meaningless figments of my imagination.” Receiving information from another being is the easy part. It’s a very natural occurrence. Recognizing, believing and interpreting the information… not so easy. More than likely, each one of you have been receiving subtle intuitive suggestions all your life. To recognize and use your intuition, you must first discover your primary mode of receiving information. For me, it was hearing—clairaudience. For many, it’s seeing—clairvoyance, or for some, it’s feeling—clairsentience. Many centers and teachers use time-tested exercises to aid someone in re-awaking and developing their intuition. For me, my attraction to the animals led me to animal communication classes all across the country.

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While attending these classes, hearing the animals flowed as naturally and as beautifully as a sunset in autumn. Practicing at home was a different story. What if I’m wrong and something bad happens? Many people don’t believe it’s possible to hear animals. If I make a mistake, I could make other communicators look bad. I felt like a turkey with a feather duster tail, trying to pass myself off as a peacock. Often, a desperate friend or family member would push me into practicing. One evening, Marty, the feed store manager, asked me to help a friend who had a Siberian Husky. This not-so-gentle push took me so far out of my comfort zone, anxiety and adrenaline had me shaking as if I were full of bees. When I arrived at the store, the beautiful black-and-white Husky tilted her head. Her kind blue eyes gazed into mine. “Please,” they said. Despite the urge to hurry back to my truck, I walked down the aisle, sat on a dog food sack and took a deep breath to quiet the buzzing. I started by asking her questions. I heard that her new collar and leash were purple. I heard that her favorite treats were chicken jerky. I heard it burns when I pee… and that she was afraid of one of the other dogs. When I relayed the messages, the dog’s owner grinned from ear to ear and opened the sack she was carrying. She brought out a purple leash and collar and a bag of chicken jerky treats. The next morning, I got a call that the vet had confirmed a bladder infection. — 16 —

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“Okay… enough.” I said to myself. “It’s time to decide what’s more important, your ego, or helping others.” Over the next two years, my confidence and the understanding of my intuitive abilities grew. I found that each of my five primary senses also had an intuitive aspect. While helping find a lost cat, I smelled fabric softener although I had not done laundry in days. The desperately searching owners rushed home to find their kitty snuggled in an upside-down laundry basket. When helping to find a thirty-five-year-old tortoise, I felt barbed wire scrape across my back. I smelled rotting wood and leaves. His frantic family unearthed him two miles away where he had buried himself by an old barn to escape the sweltering heat. Sometimes, I can’t tell past from present or the human thoughts from the animal’s. I learned to simply say what I received and let the animal’s person assemble the puzzle pieces. An unexpected speaking invitation from Susan Suggs, the owner of a pet boutique in Oklahoma City, sent me swirling into the world as a professional animal communicator. At the Paws Around Town’s one-year anniversary celebration, I spoke on how animal communication works and its benefits. Soon after, Susan created a lovely private-session space in her store. One Saturday each month, Mac and I traveled to Paws Around Town where I would connect with fifteen to — 17 —

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twenty pets. And yes! I did say Mac. Once he realized I had not grown horns, a tail, or a long nose with a wart, he fell back into the familiar role of being my rock, my biggest fan, my partner. Mr. Personality loved greeting the pets and their humans. He kept my schedule straight and me on time. Sometime later, I realized he was changing and growing right along with me. He enjoyed the pet stories and soon… the world he had once thought too “out-there” was not so out-there at all. With each animal session I gathered wisdom and understanding that flowed naturally into my horse training business. Instead of asking myself, “Why does this happen to me?” When the horses came up lame or had behavioral issues, I searched for alternative solutions. I found answers in herbs, essential oils, vibrational healing, floral essences, chakra clearing, acupuncture, chiropractic care, massage and craniosacral therapy. The list continually grew as I attended the Four Wind’s Light Body School and classes taught by Betsy Bergstrom. Thank you, Penelope, Leta, and all the teachers and masters that share your hearts and wisdom with the world. Thank you to all the animals that lead the way. How has intuition shown up in your life? Think about the times you simply knew what your pet or loved one needed.

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The unique value of dreams for our waking life rests on the fact that we do something asleep and dreaming that we cannot do nearly as well while awake. We look at ourselves with greater honesty and greater depth. -Montague Ullman

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Lesson Three: Dreaming Animals Counsel and Teach Through Our Dreams

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nimals opened my world to new thoughts, new understandings and new experiences. When I thought about organizing the stories and writing them down, my heart would agree, but self-doubt would send my mind running in the opposite direction. I would say things to myself like, You know nothing about writing. You’re silly for trying. How can you take such profound wisdom and effectively convey the meaning? The most ridiculous of all my excuses: You are too old. In this story about my Shih Tzu, Sarah, I was hit by a cosmic dream-by-four, so I would take an honest look at the excuses that caused me to shut down my computer instead of putting the stories on paper. *** Shortly after my husband, Mac, and I moved from our horse ranch to a house in the city, I woke up one morning in a panic. My heart hammered against my chest and I shook from head to toe. I scooped up Sarah and held her cream-colored body close. I gazed into her precious Shih Tzu face. “You’re here.” I said, stroking her head. — 21 —

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One of her eyes was milky-white from an old scar. She looked at me quizzically. I took a breath and my shaking ceased. “What a dream,” I told her. I held her tighter. “I would never put you in harm’s way.” In my dream I had done just that. Mac and I were moving, so we decided to allow Sarah to temporarily stay with Bob who lived across the street from the ranch. He had always liked our little dog. Often, I would return to the ranch to find my precious Sarah curled up in the center of the road with cars whizzing by. As if on cue, when I pulled in the drive, Bob would walk into the road and gently pick Sarah up as I dashed across the street in a frenzy to question him. “I can’t stop her,” he would tell me. “It’s as if she knows when you’re coming. I think she wants you to see her in danger.” The next instant, I was screaming at my husband. “I have to get Sarah! I made a wrong decision! I have to get Sarah!” Sarah wiggled in my arms, wanting down. As I sat her on the floor, she looked up at me with complete trust, complete innocence, complete honest devotion. The word honest stirred in my mind, and I thought of Montague Ullman’s words “We look at ourselves with greater honesty and greater depth.” Then I questioned, what am I not being honest about? I dearly loved Sarah. She owned a deep piece of my heart. What is precious to my soul in the profound way that Sarah is? What or who am I putting in danger? Suddenly, I felt my face flush — 22 —

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and I knew—this book! I had made the decision that writing was beyond my ability. I had filed away the stories I’d already written and closed the computer, for what I thought was the last time. To comfort someone, a loved one might say, “It’s only a dream,” or, “you had a nightmare is all,” when in fact, the deeper we hide the truth from ourselves, the more intense our dream needs to be to gain our attention. I had to repeat my life lessons to follow my heart. My Border Collie Luke, had taught me to do that in the most profound way possible, yet here I was, once again, needing to overcome self-doubt. The higher part of myself, my subconscious, knew that to put an animal loved one in danger would get my attention. Hence, I had been hit with a cosmic two-byfour in the way of a nightmare. Thanks to my lovely Sarah and the wisdom of Montague Ullman, I went forward with this book. An important realization was that I did not have to do it alone. Someone with a story to tell can find a writing coach or a creative editor that will honor and hold their individual voice and intention. My friend and editor, Rhonda, beautifully guided me through the process with the original version of this book. Often, our logical mind alone cannot see the way to our goal or purpose. That is when we need to let our soul direct our way. Our soul sees the big picture. Our soul guides us without self-judgment. Had this collection of stories not been completed, I would never have had the confidence to write Away To Me, My Love: A Sheepdog’s Tale of Two Lives, a — 23 —

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book that has blessed the lives of so many. When frustration and doubt would come swimming through my mind, I would look at my precious Sarah, think of Luke, and keep going. When we feel drawn in an unexpected direction, guidance can be subtle—a simple knowing or a feeling in our heart or stomach. When old ways of thinking unknowingly sabotage us, the divine or higher aspect of ourselves knows our path, knows our purpose and will often find ways to get around our waking thoughts. This is a time to leap though the rivers of our conscious mind and look at ourselves with more honesty. This is a time to look past our limiting beliefs and imagine a grander life for ourselves. Thank you, Sarah, for being a part of our world. Thank you for the nudge in the right direction. Thank you for helping me look at myself with more honesty. What about you, have you felt that nudge?

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A human being is part of a whole, called by us “the universe.” Our task must be to widen our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty. -Albert Einstein

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Lesson Four: Mrs. Duck We Are All Connected

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ometimes the most profound understanding comes from someone short, brown, feathered and beautiful.

A week after my first animal communication class, my husband Mac and I did something we had never done before. We picked up burgers and fries and went to the park. We sat at a stone picnic table by a stream and fell into deep conversation. Moments later, rustling leaves drew our attention and we looked up to find ourselves surrounded by ducks. When we offered no handouts, our feathered friends dispersed—except for one. She was brown with white-and-black spots. Her eyes drew me in and held me there. Finally, in my mind, I said, “Hello, Mrs. Duck. You are so beautiful.” Her reply popped into my head so unexpectedly that my breath hitched for a couple beats. “Thank you very much, and I do like French fries.” “Honey,” I said to Mac. “This beautiful lady would like a French fry.” I gestured toward my new friend. “Maybe she doesn’t like French fries, too much oil and — 27 —

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salt,” Mac replied. “Oh, she likes them.” A huge smile crossed my face. Somehow, I knew Mrs. Duck was smiling too. She politely ate six fries as I gently handed them to her one at a time. When I stopped, she waddled to the stream and joined the other ducks. “That was weird,” Mac said, sipping his drink. “No! That was amazing. It felt like she and I were one. Like we shared a heartbeat with something much bigger, something wondrous.” I spread my arms out in a large circle. “Like my body held no boundaries.” My mind raced back to an exercise in my animal communication class led by Leta Worthington. Leta had guided us through a creative visualization as taught by a prominent metaphysics teacher, Shakti Gawain. We were to think about what we wished to accomplish for the weekend and encase our desire in an etheric pink bubble. Instantly, I had known what I wished to manifest. I had read and heard that we are all part of a larger whole and made of the same Earth elements. That although we seem solid and separate from one another, we are simply different configurations of atoms and molecules that are constantly moving and shifting. We also have our own vibrational frequency. Aligning one’s frequency with another establishes a resonance, a harmony within the Oneness or the Divinity of all that is. I desperately wanted to know this as truth. During the pink bubble meditation, I imagined how — 28 —

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it would feel to know without a doubt that we all are truly connected. I encased my heartfelt wish in a sparkling pink bubble, then released the bubble to the universe to manifest and return to me. Native traditions have long taught that the rivers and the trees—all of nature—speaks to us. That we are both earthly and spiritual beings. The stone people, the plant people, the two-legged, four-legged, the finned and the furred, even the elementals are All Our Relations, and they are here for a purpose. At the picnic table, the still cool air suddenly blew a warm wind around Mac and me. The branches of the nearby tree swayed. This feeling, this new sense of being one with the Earth, brought nature spirits to mind. I felt as if the Sylphs, the air elementals, had caressed my face. The gurgling brook we sat by, drew my attention. Were the Undines, the water elementals, giggling in joy as I noticed them? The sun glinted in oranges and reds on the damp stone table. Was Salamander, the fire elemental, greeting me? Were the keepers of the trees and plants, the Gnomes and Sprites, watching my awakening, my connection, my shift in reality? For most of my life, I would have been unaware of the synchronistic events that created this experience. Going to the park on a chilly day in February, picking up food we rarely ate, meeting ducks at the stream in winter—each part had fallen beautifully into place.

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Before, I would have been unaware of the subtle elemental changes. Even if I had noticed, I would have thought I had gone a little crazy in my head. Well… a lot crazy in my head. That day, because of a hungry Mallard and the words, Thank you very much and I do like French fries, I knew the wish in my pink bubble had materialized as a great gift. Down to my soul, I felt one with the entire universe. Long ago, Albert Einstein blessed us with his intellect through his love of science and the unknown. His science showed we are all vibrational beings in a connected universe. His science showed that information can be shared over long distances, something he called spooky action at a distance. Contemporary science calls this establishing resonance. As I contemplated the meaning of our connection to all that is, these words came rushing into my mind: Do no harm to another in thought or physical action. Admire, respect, and honor each and every being on Earth as an aspect of the Divine. If we intentionally harm another, we are harming a fragment of ourselves. -Unknown. We are all one. As Albert Einstein said, “Our task must be to widen our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.” Thank you, Mrs. Duck, for showing up in my life at just the right time and place. Has a wild animal appeared to you with a message? — 30 —

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“Thank you very much and I do like French fries.” — 31 —

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Imagination is the uniquely human capacity to envision that which is not, and therefore the font of all invention and innovation. In its arguably most trans-formative and revelatory capacity, it is the power that enables us to empathize with humans whose experience we have never shared. -J.K. Rowling

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Lesson Five: Esa Imagination is More Important than Knowledge

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hat do we do when we hear a dog tell us she saved fortytwo dollars for a new bed? Have a serious talk with our looney-self and chalk it up to imagination? Of course not. We go online, find one for forty-two dollars and buy it for her. By embracing her imagination, J.K. Rowling left a legacy of storytelling in the Harry Potter series that is surpassed by no other. I take her message a step further to include not only humans, but all of nature. Imagination allows humans to empathize with any being about experiences they have never shared or animals they have never seen in person. Many adults teach children that imagination is make-believe, the opposite of real. Eventually, some of us abandon imagination and embrace the real world. WRONG! Our imagination, or intuition, is very real. Nothing in the physical world came into existence before it was first imagined.

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Albert Einstein said, “Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world and all we will ever know.” You might guess, Einstein is one of my heroes. In our everyday lives, we trust in our five primary senses: hearing, seeing, smelling, touching and tasting. When we embrace the more subtle aspect of our senses: clairaudience— hearing, clairvoyance—seeing, and clairsentience—feeling, we expand our experience of the world beyond anything we might have imagined. We live in a world that is primarily operated by our logical left brain. This is necessary for us to accomplish many of our daily activities, including using the technology available today. Many of us believe that our brain is where all our thoughts and ideas begin. Think of our mind as software, the information that it holds must be downloaded or keyed in by reading, hearing, or seeing. So, where do new ideas and new thoughts first originate? Luckily, from our higher self, from our angels, our guides, from… the animals. They speak to us through our imagination. By observing the animals foraging, gathering and hunting, early man learned how to provide food. If early man had not seen something round and let his imagination create a wheel, we would still be walking everywhere! — 34 —

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Most humans live in a seemingly isolated world. Animals live in a connected sensory universe. An animal communication workshop can reawaken and strengthen our bond with the animals. The participants’ common desire to connect to their pets combined with the openness of the animals, creates a safe, loving, and high vibrational environment. As the animals sense the awareness of the humans, they respond with willingness, and in fact, gratefulness for our efforts. This makes reawakening our more subtle senses much easier. “I am just imagining this. I’m making it up,” many of my students have said. “Yea!” is my response. “That’s where the good stuff comes from.” We develop confidence in what we are making up as we work with photos of animals. Getting verification and feedback from a photo of someone’s pet that you have never met in person, that you only heard in your head or felt in your body, builds trust and confidence. Seeing an animal in your mind aligns your frequencies and establishes a resonance—meaning, we can see, hear and feel the animal over long distances. Although, animal communication is a good place to start, the internet holds a plethora of sites that aid in re-awaking intuition. Sites that offer exercises to allow someone to gain confidence in their abilities. My conversation with Esa, a Boxer who lives in Arizona, is a perfect example of establishing a long-distance resonance. I worked with Esa remotely at the request of her mom, Maryann. — 35 —

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It took me a while to connect the dots in the following conversation with Esa. Esa: I have forty-two dollars saved. Naomi: Can you tell me why? Esa: To buy a new bed, one of the foam ones. My mom is good with money. Her accounts are always balanced. Her dogs always come first. She’ll get one when she knows I want one. Our toys are squished, but I still play with them. During our conversation, I felt as if eight-year-old Esa wanted me to know she was still very active. At this point, I asked about her mom’s concerns around Esa’s health. Esa: Sometimes it feels tight behind my eye. The light was not bright for a while. It’s better now. Naomi: Do you want your mom to take you to the vet? Esa: No, it will correct. Naomi: Is there anything else you want to tell your mom? Esa: She knows what shoes not to wear. Despite the conversation ringing my Doubting Thomas bells, I relayed the information to Maryann. Maryann’s response: “Goodness, I’ve put off buying Esa a new bed. Olly, my new puppy, has squished all her toys and shredded her foam bed. I am good with money. Esa sits under my desk when I balance my checkbook. Last night she was there when I bought new shoes online. I’m diabetic and certainly know what shoes not to wear. I don’t understand the forty-two-dollar thing though.” — 36 —

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The next morning, I received this email from Maryann. Naomi, Thanks for the conversation… I really enjoyed it! And… you’re not going to believe this… (actually, I would believe anything by now). I decided to get Esa the type of bed she wanted even though they are expensive. I got on the Internet and was just about to order one then, what did I see? A special price on a solid foam bed in a different color… the price: $42.95. LOL! So… I ordered the different color. She wasn’t that far off after all! Thanks to our uniquely human capacity to envision or imagine that which is not, Esa now has a new bed that just happened to cost $42.95. Sweet dreams, Esa.

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All of material creation is structured out of information and energy… Before a thought becomes verbal and is experienced as language, it is just an intention, an impulse of energy and information. In other words, at the preverbal level, all of nature speaks the same language. -Deepak Chopra

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Lesson Six: Gatsby Communication Through Preverbal Intention

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ave you ever thought of doing something, and your animal responded before you spoke? Have you ever arrived home to find your pet waiting at the door? Maybe, you have wondered why an animal had a certain reaction to a person they never met before. What is this sixth sense our pets seem to have? Every word we say begins as a thought. Every thought has its own invisible energetic impulse that generates a feeling. This exchange of thought as energy is cohesive with all of nature. I once had a client tell me that his dogs knew what kind of mood he was in before he got out of the car. As he drove home, the man’s feelings traveled ahead of him on silent waves. Animals know when we are sick, sad, happy or fearful. Our preverbal thoughts have a universal language. It does not matter in a spiritual intuitive exchange, whether the animal is in Germany, Italy, France or right next to us. A communication experience with a horse named Gatsby had me looking at our world so differently that I felt as if I had been blind all my life until, suddenly, I could see.

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A week after she moved to the U.S. from Germany, tall brown-haired Regina Lorra came to work as my assistant horse trainer. With Regina’s knowledge and riding talent, her presence allowed me to double the amount of horses we could work in a day. One morning, Regina asked, in her clipped German accent, “Is there any way you can visit with the horse I sold before I left Germany?” Her beautiful hazel eyes were moist as if holding back tears. “Last night, I had an email. He and his new owner are not getting along. That doesn’t sound like Gatsby, and I don’t understand it. His new owner is doubtful about animal communication, but she agreed.” “Sure, I don’t see why not,” I replied. Regina handed me a photo of a beautiful sorrel-and-white Criollo gelding, a strong compact breed known for its stamina and endurance. “I bought Gatsby as a baby,” Regina said. “I trained him myself. He’s a sweet horse. We did well at horse shows.” She shook her head. “I don’t know what’s going on. Last night he bucked his new owner off for the third time.” Regina scrunched her shoulders upward. “I want the lady to be happy with Gatsby, but it looks like they are both unhappy. I’m so worried about the whole thing.” I took a breath to focus, and our conversation began: Naomi: Gatsby? His thoughts arrived at the speed of light. I could feel his heart racing and deep sadness. — 40 —

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Gatsby: You are with my mom, my real mom? Naomi: I’m with Regina. We want to help you with the sadness. You have a new mom now. Will you tell me about where you live? I relayed the images I saw to Regina: white painted wood fencing, a red metal loafing shed, mountains in the background. I saw a horse’s hooves standing buried in several inches of mud. Excited, Regina nodded. “Yes, that’s where Gatsby lives. In the email I received last night, his owner said it had been raining for days, so the mud makes sense.” Once we confirmed I had the right horse, I asked more questions. Naomi: How is your food? Is it doing what you need? Gatsby: Food is fine. It’s been the same for a long time. Naomi: Do you hurt when you walk, trot, or lope? Gatsby: My back hurts. Naomi: Do you know why your back hurts? Gatsby: The woman bounces on my back. Her legs hit my sides. I get confused about what she wants. She hurts me, so I just get her off. Naomi: Thank you, Gatsby. Regina sends lots of love your way. We will do what we can for your pain. That night, Regina asked the new owner if she had continued taking riding lessons. Her answer: “No, I learned from you before you left. Besides, your old trainer is too far for me to drive.” — 41 —

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Gatsby had spoken to her in the only language he felt she would understand. I hurt. I’m confused. Get off. As a result of our communication, the woman understood the problem. She realized that Gatsby needed a more experienced rider who could stay in rhythm with his movements and not bounce in the saddle. Within a few weeks, Gatsby had a new owner. I was thrilled at the happy resolution for Regina, Gatsby, and his new owner. As I thanked Gatsby for sharing, the hair on my arms stood straight up. I told Regina, “I don’t speak German. He is across the ocean, thousands of miles away. It happened at the speed of light!” “Naomi,” she said, “I felt confused and sad. You said Gatsby was confused and sad. Could we be sharing the same feelings?” My mind took off like a rocket. Albert Einstein’s spooky action at a distance explained how our thoughts travel on light waves with no constraint as to time and distance. These events showed that Regina and Gatsby were sharing thoughts and emotions—something she would never have believed. In fact, who would have believed it without an irrefutable, extraordinary circumstance like this? “That means…” my wide-eyed assistant said, “… our hope, our love, our excitement can be intentionally sent to another being, no matter where we are!” All I could manage in the moment was a crazy, happy nod as my mind raced to embrace this new way of looking at — 42 —

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universal language. Light is the fundamental building block of life. Green plants absorb light directly from the sun. Animals and humans eat those green plants. The internal essence of every living creature is light, surrounded by living matter and held together by a luminous energy field. Called by many names, such as aura, different cultures have recognized the luminous energy field for centuries. This energetic field is the part of us that is eternal, the spirit that lives forever, creating new bodies lifetime after lifetime. Gatsby’s magnificent body of light held information that we could share, no matter how far apart we were. If you’re saying to yourself, “This is all too strange,” then have it in mind that you’re not alone. Below is Astronaut Edgar Mitchell’s observation: While staring out the window of the Apollo 14, I experienced the strangest feeling I would ever have: a feeling of connectedness, as if all the planets and all the people of all time were attached by some invisible web. There seemed to be an enormous force field here, connecting all people, their intentions, and thoughts. Thank you, Gatsby. Because of this pivotal moment, Regina and I asked ourselves one of the most important questions of our lives: “What thoughts and intentions do we want to send out into our universe?” Why? You may ask. The answer is simple, because they matter. What about you? — 43 —

Naomi McDonald

The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate. -Oprah Winfrey

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They Sing To Our Souls

Lesson Seven: Ringo Sharing Joy Through Celebration

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riests, saints, gurus, mystics, shamans, philosophers, enlightened talk show hosts and a Boxer named Ringo, all have something in common: wisdom for a happier, more complete life. Ringo lived hundreds of miles away with his mom, Kimberly, and four other dogs of various breeds. Regardless of the distance, I felt embraced by Ringo’s loving, wise spirit as I spoke to him. Ringo: My name should have been Starlight. I’m a special being of light; we dogs have much love to offer. I’m very good at snuggles. I can lift your spirit to the stars. My vision is not so good though, my world is dimming. Naomi: Is there anything you wish to change in your home? Ringo: Sleeping arrangements. Ringo’s mom Kimberly, confirmed that, yes, Ringo was a great snuggler and could brighten anyone’s day. — 45 —

Naomi McDonald

However, when I mentioned his vision, she thought I must have mixed Ringo up with one of the other dogs she had been treating for an eye infection. Although each of her dogs was special, a tickle of joy always buzzed through my body when I talked with Ringo. A few months after my first conversation with all her dogs, I received this email from Kimberly. I wanted to chat with you again about Ringo. I’ve attached three pictures that I took this morning after he had eye surgery. He mentioned to you back in January that his vision was fading. In March, I learned of a tumor and refractory ulcers that were present in his right eye, as well as secondary glaucoma developing. Never in a million years did I think that it would all lead to the removal of his eye. I will forever be amazed about how you connected with him and that he told you about his eye issue. Could you speak with Ringo in the near future and let me know how he’s feeling about the ordeal and if there is anything else going on that I need to know? I would be very grateful, as I have been worried about him. Ringo’s post-surgery comments: Ringo: I don’t know what all the fuss is about, I’m doing okay. My stomach is upset sometimes. My balance is off. This is going to be so much better, my eye hurt a lot. Naomi: Is there anything your mom can do for you? — 46 —

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Ringo: Of course, have my birthday party. I missed my birthday party! But would you let my mom know I’m really okay? She knows it but doubts herself. When I shared this with Kimberly, she said, “Yes! Goodness, Ringo did miss his birthday party. I even had a cake made for him. He was at the vet’s office during the time his party was to take place. I was so upset with what we found out that I didn’t reschedule.” The following week, ten dogs and six adults gathered for a belated doggie birthday party. Dogs ran, jumped, played and ate liver flavored birthday cake. Their humans laughed and ran and hugged their animals, grateful for the time they had with Ringo. And, no, the humans didn’t eat the liver birthday cake. One evening soon after, I watched 10 Questions for the Dalai Lama. As I sat in my living room listing to the Dalai Lama’s light tone, his easy-going manner, his warm sincerity, a realization caused my skin to warm. I spun towards my husband. “The Dalai Lama feels like Ringo, or Ringo feels like the Dalai Lama!” Rick Ray asked the Tibetan Buddhist spiritual teacher, “With all the division around the world how do we attain peace?” The Buddhist’s reply had me laughing and dancing. “Have more festivals and picnics,” the spiritual teacher said. “So many of our world leaders are reacting and perpetuating negative emotions such as fear, retaliation and the need — 47 —

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for more power. What better way to break this pattern than to have more celebrations of joy and love?” Ringo knew this. What better way for Ringo to ease the sadness of his health issues than to celebrate his life? To be with human and animal friends in joy, wagging tails, beautiful eyes, soft fur and liver birthday cake. Ringo is a lovely example of the deep wisdom our animals bring to us. Today’s quantum science tells us that the positive emotions of gratitude, joy and peacefulness are ten-thousand times more powerful and outreaching than negative ones. Oprah’s words, “The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate,” rings so true. Thank you, Ringo. You have touched so many with your light, love and celebration.

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— 49 —

Naomi McDonald

Until one has truly loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened. -Anatole France

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Lesson Eight: Lacey Reawakening the Soft Within

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eople and their pets crowded the aisles at Paws Around Town. The pet boutique offered everything from the best quality holistic pet foods, to natural health products, to collars and leashes. Artistically displayed was a vast array of dog clothing: raincoats and tiny boots, rhinestone studded collars, halters, dresses and costumes. The most stunning—a sequin and gold threaded white wedding dress, designed for the canine maid of honor. One Saturday each month, the store offered appointments with me—a pet psychic. A tall red-headed man dressed in a sleeveless shirt, jeans and black biker boots weaved his way toward my area. Cradled in the bend of a well-muscled and tattooed arm rested a white, silky-coated Maltese. “He has to be my next appointment,” I told Susan, the store owner. She laughed, “You’re right, his name is Larry. He seemed uncomfortable making the appointment last Wednesday.” Smiling warmly, she added. “Poor guy, this is not his kind of store. He must really need your services.” — 51 —

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Once seated, Larry, dwarfed the tiny room where I held sessions. “Ah-hum…” the man stroked the tiny dog’s head as if not to disturb spider silk. “Ah… This is Lacy. “This is the strangest thing I’ve ever done, but… but someone at my wife’s work said you could ask Lacey questions.” His grave, square-jawed face tilted down at the white furry creature as she eyed me knowingly. This must be a life or death situation for this man to come and see me! “Tell me what you’d like to know, and I’ll try to get the answers.” “My girl here,” he stroked the dog again. “Goes pretty much everywhere I go, even got a safety pouch on my Harley and a special seat in my truck.” Without warning, I heard in a tiny voice, “I let my dad’s soft hang out.” I shook my head. I hadn’t asked the dog a question. Then I heard it again. Lacey: I let my dad’s soft hang out. I rubbed at the goose flesh on my arms as I recognized her meaning. I could not help grinning from ear to ear. Oblivious, Larry went on, “Like I said, Lacey is used to going everywhere with me. In a few weeks, my wife and I are going on a trip.” Lacey whined. Larry set her down on the floor. “I want to know if she would rather stay in a hotel alone for hours — 52 —

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at a time or stay here with my mother-in-law.” He pointed toward the dog drinking water from a paw print ceramic bowl. “I know Lacey likes my mother-in-law,” he continued in one long breathless sentence. “But, well, it’s been years since we’ve been apart, so the most important thing is for her to be happy. We’ll do whatever she wants.” When Lacey looked directly at me, I heard it again: Lacey: See, I let my dad’s soft hang out. She paused and looked up at the man. “I want to go with my dad. The hotel is okay.” Coupled with the expectant look on the man’s face and Lacey’s words, I thought I might melt into a puddle of awe. “She would like to go with you.” Larry visibly relaxed. “Oh… oh… good.” “She said something else.” I watched the man intently. “She lets your soft hang out.” His eyes crinkled with concentration. “What… you stumped me there.” I repeated, “She lets your soft hang out.” The big biker man’s expression turned inward. It was several moments before he spoke. “Well, you see, my Pa got rid of the only dog I ever had, ever loved, said they were a waste of time and money. When I dated my wife, her daughter didn’t like me much. She loved dogs though. Out of desperation, I took her to a pet store to buy a puppy.” — 53 —

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He gave me a lopsided grin. “Brownie points, ya know. Anyway, when they let the Maltese puppies out, this girl bolted straight for me, like I was her savior or somethin’.” He picked up the tiny white dog and rested her back in the seemingly custom fit bend of his arm. “Of course, she’s the one we bought. But she never bonded with my wife’s daughter. Every time I went to see them, this ball of fur only had eyes for me.” All I could do was smile and nod in affirmation. Then he went on, “I don’t know what happened. It’s like, when I knew she loved me… me of all people, somethin’ just burst open. My mom says she’s made me a better person, a nicer, more caring person.” The man’s eyes glossed over. “I guess she has. Ya know, I think she’s the one that did the savin’.” “Maybe,” I said. “She let the real Larry out because the soft was in there all the time.” When Lacey and Larry left the store that day, I knew that tiny creature had reawakened a part of the man’s heart and soul that had been closed for a very long time. Thank you, Lacey and all the animal kingdom for allowing us to let our ‘soft hang out.’ Do you have a piece of your soul that an animal has truly awakened?

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Naomi McDonald

If the only prayer you said in your life was “thank you,” that would suffice. -Meister Eckhart Gratitude turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity… it makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow. -Melody Beattie

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They Sing To Our Souls

Lesson Nine: B.J. Gratitude—the Most Powerful of Emotions

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he Dynamic Laws of Prosperity by Catherine Ponder sent my life careening in a new direction. The book taught me that expressing deep gratitude in all things could create something more, something better. It also allowed me to connect the synchronistic dots between many of the events that happened in my life. It confirmed that all things happen for a reason, even at elaborate Halloween parties. *** Thousands of string lights illuminated the grove of trees with tents erected between them. White-faced mimes in garish costumes stood as motionless as monuments. The tinkling sound of finger symbols flowed with the swaying hips of belly dancers. My thirteen-year-old daughter, Heather said, “This is the biggest Halloween party I’ve ever seen.” Pointing to the right she added, “The food must be over there. I smell popcorn and smoked meat.” Her head turned all directions as if on a swivel. “Look, Mom, a palm reader. I know it’s silly, but can we give it a try?” She sprinted straight ahead. “Come on, it might be fun!” — 57 —

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The scent of patchouli incense greeted us as we entered the tent. A woman with auburn hair and a round face sat at a purple-and-black draped table. She fit the Halloween theme perfectly. With smiling eyes, jingling bracelets and earrings, she motioned us to sit. “My name is Mara,” she said. Excited, Heather held her hand out to the palm reader before she was fully seated. “Ah, you’re an only child,” Mara said in a voice that added an air of mystery to the space. My daughter smiled and nodded. With wide eyes, I listened to the woman tell Heather a few more things that were unmistakably true. Then she gestured for my hand. Her fingers felt like butterfly wings as they passed over my palm. “You’ve had a rocky road. I can see you’re still struggling.” Her words touched my core. The financial worries of the past few weeks seemed unbearable. My shoulders collapsed forward. She released my hand, took a pen and paper and wrote something down. I thanked her and stuck the note in my purse without looking at it. The next day, I decided to call a friend to see if they wanted to purchase one of my saddles, so I could pay the feed bill. Looking in my purse for my pocket phone book, my hand pulled out the paper from the palm reader. Instead of making that call, I drove to town to buy a book: The Dynamic Laws of Prosperity by Catherine Ponder. A palm reader at a Halloween party changed not only the — 58 —

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course of my life but that of my family. The words in the wondrous book explained how we create our world with our thoughts and feelings. It said a heart filled with gratitude is the most powerful of all. The gift of feeling such deep gratitude came from a horse named—B.J. The stunning bay gelding was the deep color of red wine with a black mane and tail. A white star graced his forehead. Although I had adored all fourteen horses born at Dream Maker Ranch, B.J. held my heart enthralled from the moment of his first wobbly steps. When the time came to ride B.J., I found he contained equal measures of charisma, beauty, and lightning fast reflexes. The added dose of scaredy-cat pushed me to become a better trainer. His quick reactions to unexpected noises and movements often found us on the opposite side of the arena or in a corner. Occasionally, after being tossed to the ground, I would dust the dirt off my jeans while shouting words at the horse I shouldn’t share here. After a few years of determined work, B.J. was ready for showing in the reining horse pen. With my head held high and my shoulders squared, my talented, beautiful boy and I entered the show arena. Instead of doing the job he knew so well, the horse hopped, jumped and whinnied at the top of his lungs. I conceded and left the arena. As I unsaddled and brushed B.J., a man approached that I knew to be a cutting horse trainer. — 59 —

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“You must be disappointed, I watched you and that animal in the warm-up arena with the other horses,” he said. “He’s got talent, maybe he needs more of a job. Bring him to my place this afternoon. Let’s see what he thinks of cows.” Later that day, watching the trainer work cattle with B.J. was like watching my Border Collie, Luke work sheep. Something greater than pride welled up in my soul as I witnessed the horse respond beautifully to the man. Every muscle in my horse’s body seemed to say, “I’m doing what I was born to do.” I braced myself for my own personal devastation. I had no place to keep cattle and didn’t know how to train a cutting horse. For B.J. to be truly happy, he needed to be doing what he was born to do, not what I wanted him to do. A week after, I sold B.J. to the trainer, I attended an advanced animal communication counselor’s course with Penelope Smith. Penelope is one of the forerunners of animal communication and has been teaching since the ’70s. During an exercise, I went outside to sit on a boulder. The bright sun warmed my skin. For the first time since B.J. left, I felt at peace. Then, I heard his voice. B.J.: Thank you. Automatically, I responded: You’re welcome. I so hope you’re happy. A feeling of gratitude, or maybe it was love, hit me so powerfully it felt as if the moorings of my mind let go, and I swayed. — 60 —

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B.J.: You don’t understand. All the animal kingdom— thanks you. We come to offer ourselves to allow humans to make choices. Those choices come from anger, fear, unworthiness, respect, love… many places. We hold no judgment. Judgment is simply not seeing the bigger picture. We hold every human in the deepest gratitude and love for allowing us to learn and grow with you, to complete our purpose. I thank you for understanding who I am, and what I needed. My breath hitched, as the image of B.J. morphed into the kind face of the bejeweled, auburn-haired fortune teller. Without her, I would have stayed in the place of emotional and financial lack. I would never have purchased the book that spoke truth to my soul. A tremulous bubble of joy hit my chest. The words from The Dynamic Laws of Prosperity, and the all-consuming feeling of gratitude from B.J. took on a more profound meaning. This is just a glimpse, a tiny morsel, of Divine gratitude and love. These feelings are the creative fabric of the universe. Thank you, B.J., for showing me that gratitude and love of all things, not only brings more of the same into your life—it equally makes us more of who we truly are. What do you hold in the deepest gratitude?

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Naomi McDonald

Contemplation is the highest form of activity. The very act of reflecting on an idea sets the process of creation into action. -Aristotle

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They Sing To Our Souls

Lesson Ten: Scooter Using Contemplation and Intention to Bring our Animals Home

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ouldn’t it be wonderful if a stolen horse could tell us he had ridden in a trailer for four hours and gotten out at th 17 Street North? Many hours of heartache could be resolved if our lost Beagle could tell us she was in a culvert under the Riverside bridge, across the street from Quick Trip. Instead, I receive images of houses, fences, cars, and bodies of water that could be anywhere in an animal’s consciousness. Meaning, it can be hard to differentiate between past and present, near and far. My olfactory sense seems to be the only one with an accurate time stamp. To show an example of what I receive objectively, I’ll share the following story of Scooter. “My son’s horse was stolen over a year ago,” Shirley said. “Mark is fourteen and still cries at night. It breaks my heart.” Shirley was silent for a few seconds as if gathering up her nerve. “My chiropractor said his wife heard from a friend in Wichita that her sister lost a cat and you helped her find it.”

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Really! I’m often referred through a several-person grapevine. In Shirley’s case, desperation drove her to make the call. Shirley emailed a photo of a lovely, fit, sorrel gelding with four white socks and a white blaze down his face—Scooter. I felt Scooter’s presence in seconds. Naomi: Scooter, can you describe your surroundings? Scooter: Chain link fence, large tree, red truck. I’m afraid. Naomi: I felt Scooter tremble. In the image I received he was bone thin. Old shoes on his feet caused his hoofs to be so long he stumbled. I saw a large, bearded man in dirty coveralls. Naomi: Why are you afraid? Scooter: All the horses are crowded together bumping me. My legs and feet hurt. People are shouting all around. “It sounds like he’s going or has gone through the Bristol sale,” I told Shirley. “I feel his fear.” “I would know it if he was there,” the woman said. “I’ve taken flyers and photos to the authorities multiple times. Heck, I’ve pasted this town and surrounding towns with flyers. If Scooter steps a foot on the Bristol sale property, someone will call me.” When I thought of this precious gelding at the sale barn, I trembled, and my throat constricted. His fear had felt so real. I knew many of the horses sold at the sale were packed like — 64 —

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sardines into large vans and taken to slaughter. Shirley had done her homework and exhausted all her resources. “Scooter could be somewhere else or at a sale in another state,” I told the woman. “I wish I could be of more help. There is something you and Mark can do. It might be different than anything you’ve done before, but it’s been known to work.” “Anything. I don’t care. Anything that might bring my son’s horse home.” “Scooter is already connected to you and Mark. You can strengthen that connection by imagining your horse in your mind and attaching a golden chord from your hearts to his. Contemplate or reflect his connection back to you. Feel how wonderful it will be when you see him again. Nudge the universe into action and let the synchronistic events fall into place that can bring him home. Then give thanks as if it has already happened.” A week later, Shirley called. “We did it!” she said. “Mark and I both kept visualizing the chord. We kept hugging him in our minds. My son kept holding his glove, so he could smell Scooter. We kept thanking God for bringing him home.” “And?” I could feel her excitement through the phone line. “I heard it, or I felt it, or I something’d it.” Shirley took in a breath. “I don’t know, but suddenly I knew to take Scooter’s photo back to the Bristol sale.” “Mark approached one of the barn cleaners as he was getting in a red truck. The young man remembered a sorrel horse with four tall white socks going through several months — 65 —

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before. He told Mark, ‘The horse was skinny and filthy, but those tall socks and that white blaze were unmistakable.’ “A lady bought Scooter nine months ago,” Shirley exclaimed. “The sale barn had lost my first notice. He had already gone through when I took the second and third.” “Is Scooter home now?” I asked. “Yes! When we drove up to the lady’s property with the police, Scooter was standing in a chain link yard with a giant oak tree. He’s fat and healthy and shiny. You mixed it all up.” “I did,” I said. “I mixed it all up. It’s as if I had connected to a database and pulled out the most intense images and feelings without the timeline.” “I feel sorry for the lady,” Shirley added. “She bought Scooter in good faith, but we have his registration papers. There is no denying he is Mark’s horse. The sale officials are apologetic, of course, and they will refund her money. But she loves Scooter. Mark has offered to have her come over and ride.” I was thrilled for the family and happy for Scooter to be safely home again. When I first learned of the Golden Chord exercise, I could not see how contemplation could be more powerful than physical action. Speaking telepathically to animals was weird enough, why add something harder to believe into the mix? I could not have been more wrong. Shirley and Mark accomplished two distinct but interfacing phenomena—or powerful woo-woo, as I once would have called it. — 66 —

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First, by visualizing the chord between their hearts, they strengthened the very fabric of the universe that held them together. As their bond strengthened, the Divine Matrix simply let events fall into place. Shirley knew to go back to the sale barn at the right time to catch the young man with a red truck who remembered Scooter… absolutely amazing! Second, Mark’s reveling in the scent of his horse, imagining his arms around solid warmth, feeling what it would be like to be reunited with his loved one—this and giving thanks, put them in perfect alignment to draw the same vibrational frequency back to them. Thank you, Scooter. The once hard-to-believe philosophies, like that of Aristotle, now feel profoundly and inexplicably right. Because of my experience with you and your family, contemplation and positive prayer is my first line of action. As a result, more of our lost furry family members are finding their way home.

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Naomi McDonald

A growing body of recent research suggests not only that a field of awareness and intelligence exists between all beings, but also that through it we influence each other in powerful ways. -Robert Kenny

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They Sing To Our Souls

Lesson Eleven: Oscar Oscar Shares the Matrix of Joy to All Around Him

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ight years of monthly trips to Paws Around Town gave me the opportunity to work with the most remarkable animals and their humans. Animals come to us with such trusting purity, childlike innocence and playfulness. They come to us with wisdom and often—an agenda of their own. Oscar, a Brussels Griffon, is such a character. This cheerful terrier-like dog, known for his almost human expressions and personality, is a part of Jim and Sally’s family. After several trips to see me at Paws, Sally would tell Jim, “Let’s take Oscar to see Naomi, so I can remember what I’ve been thinking about.” Jim and Sally would laugh as their dog would tell me that Sally wanted a new car, or to build a pool in the backyard or needed to clean the laundry room. This led me to wonder who I was connecting with, Sally or Oscar? Although Oscar was one of the firsts, I came to understand that all members of a family, including pets, live in an energetic matrix. Oscar was simply a conduit for Sally’s thoughts. — 69 —

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One November Saturday, Oscar sat in Sally’s lap. His reddish-blond, brush-like fur reminded me of Chewbacca. His deep brown eyes shone with mirth. “He says he saw children with no arms,” I told Sally and Jim. Sally shrugged her shoulders, puzzled. Jim’s eyes grew round. “He means the children at the cancer center. Their arms are wrapped from elbow to hand, so the IVS stay in. Oscar can’t see their arms.” “Ah,” I said. “He says he loves going. He makes them happy.” “He struts around when I dress him in costumes,” Sally said. “He has a mini Oklahoma University helmet and jersey. We hook him up to a tiny covered white wagon with a red OU emblem. When I shoot off a cap pistol, he takes off and runs around the ward as if at a football game.” “All the kids and staff have the best time singing the Boomer Sooner song,” Jim said. “We all celebrate.” Oscar added. “We make the world a better place.” Slowly, like pouring honey, I realized what Oscar had just done. “Your dog tapped into my memory of another client’s dog—Ringo.” The hair stood up on my arms. I told the couple bout the Dalai Lama and his philosophy around celebration and sharing joy instead of dissension. I told them about Ringo missing his birthday party. — 70 —

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“Yesterday,” Sally said excitedly, “I went to a meeting for a rescue organization that had just extracted several puppies from the shelter. They needed toys desperately. Upstairs, Oscar has an entire box of toys he doesn’t play with. On the way home, I made a mental list of the ones I would bag up and take to the rescue organization today. “Last night while cooking dinner, Oscar brought every one of the toys on my list into the kitchen. He tossed them all around and then glared at me, as if to say, ‘Don’t take these.’” Oscar had not only shown us that awareness and intelligence exist between beings, he showed us that it can influence us in powerful ways. Sally laughed. “I’ve been in the process of organizing a birthday party for Oscar here at Paws Around Town. I guess I better get those plans finished.” But alas, Oscar had more wishes. A few months later, Sally attended an animal communication class at Lee Anne Wilson’s home. I had instructed everyone to bring photos of their animals for practicing. On the second day, Lee Anne seemed hesitant to share what she received while looking a photo of Oscar. “All right, I’m just going to say it. I don’t know if it’s possible, but I’m just going to say it.” Lee Anne raised her eyebrows in question. “In this photo, Oscar has on a cowboy costume.” Lee Anne showed the photo of Oscar in a brown cowboy hat, red vest, and six shooters strapped to his side. “He says he would rather be a pirate.” — 71 —

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Sally threw up her hands, “I knew it! I thought the pirate costume might be his favorite, and now I know. He looked so dashing and proud in the costume I had his portrait painted. But it’s way too large to take down from the wall and carry around.” What do you do when your dog would rather wear his pirate costume? Shiver me timbers, plan your next visit to a hospital with your pirate beside you… Of course! Thank you, Oscar, for your love of the children, and thank you for adding fullness and wonder to Jim and Sally’s life. This verification of Oscar’s wishes helped Lee Anne gain confidence in her intuitive abilities. Throughout that class and several others, Lee Anne’s talent grew stronger. In the next story, you will see how I came to meet Lee Anne and her Maine Coon cat, Dylan.

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We all possess a luminous energetic field that surrounds our physical body and informs our body in the same way that the energy fields of a magnet organize iron filings on a piece of glass. -Alberto Villolodo, PhD.

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Lesson Twelve: Dylan Emotions Manifest in the Physical

W

e have all heard the cliché: There is a reason or a purpose for everything that happens in our lives. However, when we or our loved ones are hurting, that can be the last thing we want to hear. We simply want the issue resolved… to go away… to feel better. Study with the Four Winds Society helped turn my shadows into lessons by simply changing the questions I asked myself. Instead of looking upward and asking, “Why are you doing this to me?” I shifted to, what am I triggering? Why am I creating this? What am I supposed to learn, or heal? Every accident, disease or dis-ease that affects us in the physical world first originated in either the etheric, mental or emotional planes. These realms are part of our luminous energetic field or aura. This field is a template for every incident that happens in our lives—both past and present. Here we store traumas, issues and events that, if left unaddressed, will eventually manifest in the physical realm to be healed. If we wonder why we keep sabotaging our wealth, health or have reoccurring accidents, it might be time delve to into the energetic aspect of these issues. — 75 —

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A Maine Coon named Dylan has a story that is a perfect example of how an imprint of old trauma, when triggered, came raging through in some messy and life-threatening symptoms. Dylan’s mom, Lee Anne, sat on a barstool in one of Oklahoma City’s restaurants having lunch with a friend. “I’m at my wit’s end with my Maine Coon,” she said. “He’s still having that raging diarrhea?” her friend asked. “For months now,” Lee Anne replied. “I’ve taken Dylan to three vets, had every test imaginable done and no one can find the reason. I have to hold his bottom under the water faucet to clean him every few hours or he blisters.” “I bet he’s pretty smelly too,” her friend said. “The smell in my house is horrid. Most of all, I feel so helpless. My cat is withering away right in front of me. At first, I was just concerned, but now, now, I’m scared.” Lee Anne’s friend took out her cell phone and searched for Paws Around Town. “Here… call this number and make an appointment to see the pet psychic who comes there once a month. She helped one of my co-workers with her dog.” “You’ve got to be kidding!” Lee Ann shied away from the phone. “What can some shady witchy woman do?” “All I know is she helped my co-worker. Look at it this way, you’ve wasted far more money than what she charges.” Her friend held the phone out again. “If she doesn’t help, pick up your smelly cat and go home.” *** — 76 —

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A few days later, Lee Anne opened Dylan’s cat carrier in my tiny session room. A gray streak darted under her chair and peeked out. He was a large tabby with a white nose and white front paws. Business-like and blonde, Lee Anne recapped the vet visits and the lengths she had gone to in trying to provide relief for her loved one. With no resolution, her cat grew thinner with each passing day. Naomi: Dylan, would you like to tell me about your home?” Silence Naomi: Okay, no hurry. I’m here because your mom is worried. Still, silence Naomi: We want to help you feel better. Dylan: Do I have to stay here? Naomi: No. Of course not. You will go home with your mom. Dylan: The boxes do not come back. “He’s talking about boxes not coming back. He thinks he has to stay here.” Lee Anne placed her palms over her temples and said, “I’m having an estate sale. I’ve been packing boxes for months and taking them to the garage.” I felt Dylan’s body tighten. — 77 —

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“Could he be thinking he will be put in box and not come back?” Lee Anne asked. “Sounds like it. Feels like it. He might think they are large brown cat carriers. When did this all start?” Lee Anne moaned, “The same time I started carrying boxes to the garage.” “I think you better tell him in your own words, with as much feeling as you can muster, that you love him, and your home is his forever home.” Lee Anne went on to explain what she thought had caused her cat’s trauma. Dylan had been raised by someone who bred and showed Maine Coon cats. Many times, his siblings would go into a carrier and not come back. Dylan had been carrying this trauma in his energetic field for most of his life. His old fear imprint had been triggered when the packed boxes did not come back in the house, resulting in his physical manifestation of diarrhea. “He’s always been timid,” Lee Anne said, “so I didn’t notice a change in his personality when I took the boxes out. Come to think of it, I’ve been tense around organizing the estate sale, maybe my emotions added to his?” “Now that you recognize the old trauma, and he has felt the intentional love and support of your words, he might have released the old imprint,” I told Lee Anne. “Let’s hope this helps.” Lee Anne called me a few days later. “Dylan’s diarrhea has completely cleared. It’s truly wonderful. I’m so grateful.” — 78 —

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“Often,” I replied, “we don’t relate changes, disruptions or highly charged emotions in our home to our animal’s behavior or illness.” “I have four cats. Maybe it’s a good idea to ask myself what’s going on with me when something comes up with them?” “Yes. You all live in the same emotional and environmental soup, so to speak.” Lee Anne chuckled. “My soup got pretty messy.” Thank you, Dylan, for showing us how beautifully we draw events to ourselves so we can acknowledge and release old traumas. Thank you for bringing the businesswoman and the shady witchy lady together.

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We shouldn’t mess with another person’s or animal’s reality. In other words, everyone has a right to his or her experiences. Just because you or I would like someone to be in a more resourceful state, doesn’t mean they want to be. Each being has a right to their personal lessons. -Tom Kenyon

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Lesson Thirteen: Prince Finding Margie’s Voice

“

Prince hasn’t peed in the house or barked at my hair salon patrons since his last visit with you,” Margie said. A redheaded woman in her fifties, she rubbed the cast on her arm in a soothing motion. “Can you ask him not to pull so hard on the leash when we go for walks? He’s a fifty-pound Labradoodle, and he pulled me down.” She showed me her cast. “I can’t work for six weeks!” “Someone has to be the boss.” I snapped my head toward Prince. Naomi: Prince, can you clarify that? Prince: My mom takes care of me and everyone in our family. She is not the boss. We all do what we want. I take charge… They make her cry. “I’m glad our last session helped,” I told Margie. “It can be hard to tell if an animal’s behavior is miscommunication or an obedience issue. I think the urinating inside had been a miscommunication. But the pulling is definitely disobedience.” Sitting back in my chair, I watched the lovely, cherub-faced — 81 —

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woman ponder what I had just said. She gazed at the floor, her shoulders slumped and folded into her chest. “Margie, does Prince bark or snap at your husband?” Margie’s eyes grew round. “Did he just tell you that?” “A feeling,” I replied. “He thinks he needs to take charge.” Margie let out a long sigh, “My husband is a good man, but in our world, he is the boss regardless of what I want. I keep meaning to talk to him...” She shrugged. “I guess thirty years is a long time to be meaning to do something. Every time I gather up enough nerve to have that conversation, I… I lose my voice. I can’t seem to make my vocal cords work, then I feel defeated and worthless.” I handed Margie a tissue. “And, yes, Prince does,” Margie patted around her eyes, “sometimes snap at my husband. The dog is almost twoyears-old. We chalked it up to his protective nature.” “My suspicion is,” I said, “that Prince is sensing your distress. He’s protecting you emotionally as he would protect you physically.” Naomi: Prince, are you afraid of your dad? Do you think he might hurt you or your mom? Prince: Noooo. Naomi: Can you tell me why you pull on your leash when you walk with your mom? Prince: So I can go where I want. She doesn’t walk fast enough. — 82 —

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I ran my hand down the dog’s curly, cream-colored-fur. “It appears as though you have both issues with this sweet, smart guy. A lot could be solved by some good old obedience training. It’s time for you to be the alpha.” A dog so unruly that he pulls his middle-aged human down, breaks her arm, and nips at her husband—poor Margie. She needed to get rid of that dog and get a more docile one… or maybe not. Under the tutelage of positive, experienced trainers, Margie and Prince’s relationship blossomed into one of a respectful partnership. With each command that Prince so willingly learned, Margie’s confidence grew. She found that the training was not only about Prince learning word commands, but also her tone and the authority in which she spoke. As this confidence carried over into Margie’s home life, her personal relationships also shifted into a more respectful co-existence. “My husband never knew I was unhappy,” Margie said, later. “Instead of the anger I expected, he was impressed that I spoke up.” She giggled. “He said I grew some, well… you know, some balls.” Margie made new friends and continued on to agility training. Thanks to Prince, Margie found her voice. You might be asking by now, if Prince felt Margie’s distress with her husband and snapped at him, why did he not feel the same distress and walk quietly beside her? If you can ask a pet not to pee on the floor and he quits, why aren’t all pets perfectly house trained? — 83 —

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I’ve discovered many reasons. Like Margie, every relationship always has a purpose and a lesson—be it animal or human. Also, animal communication is not a replacement for basic positive training. One cannot take the natural instincts out of the animal. Finding the answers can be as elusive as trying to stuff clouds into a burlap sack. Sometimes, we simply need to wait and see how events unfold. Thank you, Prince, for being alpha when you felt Margie needed you. Thank you for helping your mom’s inner strength take wings and fly.

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— 85 —

Naomi McDonald

The art of healing comes from nature not from the physician; because the physician must start from nature, with an open mind. -Paracelsus

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They Sing To Our Souls

Lesson Fourteen: Cha Cha Alternative Healing Modalities

R

honda and Jack walked into my home with a fawncolored Chihuahua named Cha Cha. When the couple sat down on the sofa, quick as a blink their tiny dog ran behind Jack’s back, wedging herself between the large man and the brown leather. Frowning, Jack said, “That is why we’re here. We’ve had Cha Cha for several months, and she’s still afraid of us. She hates to be touched or held. If we walk into a room where she is, she runs to another room or under something.” “We’ve tried everything,” Rhonda added, “treats, holding her in blankets when we can catch her, even puppy tranquilizers. We figured out if we put her food in the garage, leave the door open and go to another part of the house, she will dart in there to eat.” “From the brief second I saw Cha Cha, she looks like a mature dog,” I said. “Is she a rescue?” Jack crossed his two heavily tattooed legs and shook his head.

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Rhonda ran her fingers through her short, silver-gray hair and leaned back. “No. We bought her.” Jack went on to say that Rhonda had wanted a Chihuahua since childhood. The couple had gone to a dog show and found a breeder that described the perfect dog—six-months-old, well socialized and playful. She would be willing to sell the dog for $300 because he had been returned by the first people who purchased him. “When we arrived on the property,” Rhonda went on, “we realized we were at a puppy mill and almost went home.” “I’m glad we didn’t,” Jack said. “We met Flea. He is everything the woman described, long black fur, sweet, playful, jumped right up into Rhonda’s lap.” “While Jack wrote a check for Flea, I went to the restroom,” Rhonda said. “I passed a grimy crate and saw a tiny dog inside, so I asked the woman why the dog was in there. She immediately picked up the crate and set it down in front of us. She explained that Cha Cha was seven years old and had produced several champions for her kennel. No longer able to have puppies, she was scheduled to be euthanized the following day.” Rhonda and Jack looked at each other and said in unison, “No way could we leave this precious being with that monster!” Rhonda’s voice went up an octave. “We asked if we could have her. We would give her a good home, and she would be a companion to Flea.” Rhonda’s voice went higher. “The blasted monster, said no, we couldn’t have her, but we could buy her for FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS!” — 88 —

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My eyebrows climbed, “Oh, goodness!” I glanced at the two black eyes staring at me from behind Jack. A quivering, minuscule pink tongue, peeked out the side of her lips. “Looks like you paid her price.” Jack nodded. “She saw us comin’—two giant soft-hearted suckers.” My thoughts and emotions were flying swift and thick. I took a few deep breaths. I could not help these lovely people and their dog from a place of anger. I allowed myself a few gratifying seconds to bring up an image of that puppy mill owner hanging upside down with dog poop in her mouth and stringing from her hair. Then I let the image go. That woman conducting her business in greed and neglect had to be suffering. She could never find peace and prosperity while harming others. I brought my thoughts back to the worried couple and their traumatized baby. “A few of my clients are puppy mill dogs,” I said. “The conditions I’ve seen break my heart.” I tilted my head for another glance at Cha Cha. “At seven-years-old it will be hard to overcome the neglect. You’ve tried the conventional options...” I shrugged, holding back my next words. “Please.” Jack’s brown eyes glossed over. “This is no way for any human or animal to live.” “Well then, are you up for an alternative option?” I got up and walked to the kitchen counter where a stack of papers lay. “I could try an energy healing I learned a few weeks ago…” — 89 —

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“Anything!” Rhonda said. There was that word again. That word clients use when it comes to helping their loved ones—anything! “Do you know what chakras are?” I asked. “I’ve heard of chakras,” Rhonda said. “They have something to do with the body’s energy and stuff.” I chuckled. “Yes. Stuff such as fear, anger and anxiety are often a result of emotional or physical trauma carried in a person’s or animal’s luminous energy field. This field nourishes the body through chakras. Cleansing or balancing someone’s energy or light body has been practiced by ancient healing traditions for eons. More recently, these healing practices have been studied and utilized throughout the world. It is one of the anythings people turn to when conventional modalities don’t work.” I held up a line drawing of a dog with markings showing the colors and positions of the seven chakras. “If we clear the fear from Cha Cha’s chakras, she might start the healing process.” Rhonda and Jack nodded enthusiastically and said, “Whatever... Do it.” “Okay.” I moved my finger in a clockwise motion. “Every cell in our bodies, the Earth and our chakras, spins in a polarity of either counterclockwise or clockwise.” I reversed the direction of my finger. “An out-of-balance or traumatized chakra will change polarity and spin in the opposite of what is natural.” — 90 —

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I asked Cha Cha for permission to work with her. Once I felt a yes, I called her spirit to the counter in front of me. I checked each chakra with my pendulum for its natural polarity. I opened each one and brought forward love and safety from my heart. Then I sent the feeling into the dog’s energy center. When I felt her accept each element, when I felt love and safety become a part of her, I closed each chakra. Jack exclaimed in a soft voice. “Look at her!” Miss Cha Cha had come out from behind Jack and perched in his lap. She looked at me and blinked as if wondering what had just happened. My heart flitted against my chest like a tiny bird trying to escape. “She has never willingly approached either one of us,” Rhonda said. Her face flushed with wonder and excitement. “You didn’t touch her. How did that happen? I would have never believed this dog would come out of hiding and get in Jack’s lap.” “I’m afraid to move,” Jack whispered. “She’s trembling. What if I scare her?” “This is a big step,” I whispered back. “Give her a minute, then see if you can cradle her in your arms.” Not only did Cha Cha allow Jack to cradle her to his chest, she rested her head on his shoulder as if to say, “I’m finally home.” And she was—finally home. Rhonda wiped the tears streaming down her cheeks. “We have to know more about this energy stuff.” — 91 —

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Jack nodded. “With so many books and articles out there on energy healing, herbs, floral and homeopathic remedies, this topic can be confusing. The easiest one for me to understand was written by Lynne McTaggart, a journalist who wrote, The Field. Her book is a science-based observation of case studies.” The stunned couple and their precious Cha Cha left with instructions to put Rescue Remedy in the dog’s water every day. The Bach floral remedy contains essences of five flowers known to ease mental tension. I asked them to play a Solfeggio frequency 528 Hz in the evenings from YouTube. This musical sound would keep Cha Cha’s chakras balanced and supported. Two weeks later Rhonda left this message on my recorder: I just had to let you know, Cha Chas’ improved every day. We didn’t understand what you did, but it seemed to open our little girl, so she could heal and accept us. We can tell the Rescue Remedy and sounds are helping her. A natural way of healing has opened for Jack and me, and we thank you. If it wasn’t for the other animals in her care, we would thank that awful puppy mill woman for the experience. What a joy to be a part of this transformation. I treasure every story like Cha Cha’s. — 92 —

They Sing To Our Souls

Animals do not live in a consensual reality like us, where drugs and conventional medicine are the answer for our woes. As a result, alternative modalities are often very effective for our pets. If we lived in an animal’s reality, alongside the Hippocratic oath would be the words of Paracelsus: The art of healing comes from nature not from the physician; because the physician must start from nature, with an open mind. Thank you, Cha Cha, for combining our worlds and for opening our minds.

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Sound is the force of creation, the true whole. Music then, becomes the voice of the great cosmic Oneness and therefore the optimal way to reach this final state of healing. -Hazrat Inayat Khan There is no organ system in the body that is not affected by sound, music and vibration. You can look at disease as a form of disharmony. -Mitchell Gaynor MD

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They Sing To Our Souls

Lesson Fifteen: Jackpot Healing Through Sound

A

familiar number displayed on my cell. I answered to a hollow silence. “Jeanne are you there? Are you okay?”

“I… I could talk until you answered the phone,” she gasped.

A feeling of dread dropped an anchor into the bottom of my stomach. Jeanne was a long-time friend and client. If she had difficulty speaking, something must be gravely wrong with one of her dogs. “Take your time, love. Which one is it?” “Jackpot.” While Jeanne spoke, I heard… My mom is singing and making all kinds of noise. I’m going to be okay. After recognizing the voice as Jackpot’s, I said, “I don’t know what’s wrong, but he says he’s going to be okay.” I grimaced at the phone. An animal’s assessment of okay and a human’s assessment could be very different. After a long sigh, my friend’s voice grew stronger. “Jackpot’s been sick for weeks. He’s been to my holistic vet — 95 —

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and several specialists with some rare bacterial or viral infection. He’s been hospitalized in the infectious disease unit and on oxygen and fluids for five days.” Another long silence, then she blurted out, “The vets don’t think he will make it through the night!” My initial thought was, Oh, poor Jeanne. Then, my training kicked in. It was not my place to judge my friend’s situation. I must be straightforward with her and ask the hard questions. “What do you need to learn, girl? What does his illness mean to you? Why are you experiencing it?” “I’ve been asking myself that stuff for days. I’ve been singing and chanting around the clock. I’ve only left the hospital to eat and shower. I can’t lose him… We’re bonded like no other being in my life. I simply cannot lose him.” The only one who can honestly and effectively share her incredible journey with her precious Jackpot is Jeanne. The following pages are from her. I felt the color drain out of me as I registered the expression on my holistic vet’s face. Dr. Tan said, “Jackpot needs to get to an emergency hospital right away. He needs to be on oxygen and fluids.” I unhinged. Like an old white sheet, I almost fell to the floor in a heap. Instead, I rallied and scooped up my silver Schnauzer and headed across Phoenix, leaving Dr. Tan to make the arrangements. This was only the beginning of specialists and hospitalizations. Not one test gave us the medical — 96 —

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answers I needed to save my dog. While studying to be a Reiki Master, I learned that our true nature is energy and frequency, and that all illness begins in the emotional and spiritual realm. The Course in Miracles taught me that we are all of God and that God is perfection. I understood that all of our relationships are a reflection of our own emotional health. While meditating and asking my Angels and my higher self why this was happening, I slowly understood. I knew that Jackpot was reflecting my wounds, my emotional imbalance. I knew without a doubt, that in order to heal my loved one I had to first heal myself. I knew I had to let go of the grief, guilt and anger that had eaten away at me all my life. I had to tap into the world of God, the perfection that could be nothing but omnipresent love. I needed to raise myself to the vibration of pure love. In sound alchemy, I learned that every organ within our bodies and every emotion has a frequency of health and wholeness. Singing bowls, tuning forks, gongs, didgeridoos and many other instruments are calibrated to bring the body and emotions into balance. But using these instruments did not feel right for Jackpot and me. Somehow, I needed to bring my body to the place of surrender, to the place of wholeness. When gripped by fear for Jackpot, I would make up songs and dance until I felt better. I would tone and hum different sounds so deeply that my entire body would tingle and vibrate. Through this, I found — 97 —

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a place of peace within myself. I found what true prayer felt like. My friend, Naomi, had said, “Jeanne, it’s important to tell Jackpot it is okay if he passes into the next life. I know it’s hard, but this is his journey, and we need to honor it by letting go. He says he wants to stay with you. But in reality, he needs to do what is best for him.” My entire body had instinctively rejected Naomi’s words. But as I felt the love of myself grow, felt my strength, felt the gratitude for the lessons he had taught me, I found that, despite the enormous hole it would leave in my heart, I could let go. Jackpot and I were the only ones in the infectious disease ward, so I could do energy work with my hands. As I felt the truth of God within, the truth of love and acceptance, I knew I had found the song of my soul. As I toned next to his ear. The love that stirred within me tickled our hearts and eardrums simultaneously. Through the vibration and sound, I could feel my love echo into him. I could echo our perfection, our truth. The monitor beeped to say that Jackpot’s breathing was erratic. Seconds later, the veterinarian came into the room. “I need to take him back to the breathing machine.” She batted at a large fly. “I’m sorry. I’ve never seen a fly in this room before.” Bending to my lovely dog’s ear, I said, “It’s okay, sweetheart. Whatever is best for you, it’s okay.” — 98 —

They Sing To Our Souls

My curiosity piqued as the fly buzzed around the room. I went to my phone and looked up the spiritual meaning of fly. The website said: “The fly spirit animal symbolizes abundance and prosperity during times of adversity. It sends the message that being persistent, consistent, and determined, even in the face of tragedy, will result in victory.” Instantly, I knew I would be taking my dog home the next day… and I did. The Course in Miracles and Way of Mastery both state that in order to truly experience the love that YOU are, you must first extend that love to another and thereby you will receive that love back to you. By cracking open my heart with his illness, Jackpot brought me to a deeper level of surrender, forgiveness and gratitude. We found true healing and love—and we found it together. Thank you, Jeanne, for sharing your story. Thank you, Jackpot, for showing us how to heal, how to love. As I write this two years later, Jackpot and Jeanne are well and navigating this beautiful path of life together.

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Naomi McDonald

Our luminous energy field has existed before the beginning of time. It was one with the unmanifest light of Creation, and it will endure throughout infinity. It dwells outside of time by creating new physical bodies lifetime after lifetime. -Alberto Villoldo, Ph.D.

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Lesson Sixteen: Tanner and Simon

Past Lives Affect the Present

H

ow can a palomino horse named Tanner, who passed twenty years before, be a brown jumping horse named Charlie—today? Holy guacamole, can reincarnation be real? Do humans and animals have multiple lifetimes? My first experience with multiple lifetimes in animals was with Sherry, Tanner’s owner, or previous owner, or one of many owners. That session changed my world forever. The story begins three years earlier when Sadie, one of my broodmares, received a vaccination for the West Nile virus. Out of the three foals born that spring, Sadie’s foal was the only one born with abnormalities in his ligaments and tendons. The long-nosed, rather homely, sorrel colt would stand idly under a tree while the other young horses kicked up their heels around the pasture. He reminded me of a crippled child, watching from a window while the neighborhood kids played ball. Two ligament surgeries before the age of nine months gave Simon enough mobility to walk but not run. Early in the horse’s third year, I discovered homeopathic remedies. I had a suspicion that Simon might be suffering from a reaction to the West Nile vaccine given to his mother, — 101 —

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so I treated the horse with remedies for vaccinosis. Within three weeks, Simon not only ran in the pasture, he joined my training line up. With his atrophied muscles, Simon’s training was slow, methodical physical therapy for strengthening, lengthening and balancing both sides of his body. The horse’s willingness to learn and sweet personality made training him a joy. Within a few months we were competing at horse shows and doing well—until he went lame. Knowing Simon loved his job, I spent thousands of dollars on X-rays, injections, chiropractors, acupuncture and herbs. After a year, my precious horse was still in pain whenever I rode him. While Simon was lame, I had the life-changing session with Sherry and her horse, Tanner. After twenty years of grieving the loss of Tanner, Sherry brought a tattered photo of her horse to a communication session. I hadn’t gotten my questions formulated in my mind before Tanner sent me a image of a palomino horse eating peppermints from a little girl’s hand. It felt as if the horse had been eagerly anticipating our connection. It felt like he was standing behind Sherry in my living room. He told me about tossing thirteen-year-old Sherry into a creek while she wore pink jeans and black riding boots. Sherry confirmed the events as I saw them. Then, Tanner said he was now Charlie, a big brown horse that jumped over things, including water and walls. Within an hour after Sherry left my house, she called to — 102 —

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say, “I’m shaking from head to toe.” She paused for a couple of deep breaths. “I’m in a feed store holding a Warmblood Horse magazine. On the cover is a photo of a big brown horse at the Olympics, jumping a wall and a body of water. His name is Charlie! It’s Tanner! He’s mine. No, he’s not. He belongs to the woman riding him.” Sherry let out a huff. “I know this is Tanner I feel it in my soul. But how can it be? My search for answers took me to Michael Newton’s books, Journey of Souls and Destiny of Souls. Dr. Newton, a traditional hypnotherapist, discovered ways to unlock a patient’s memories between lifetimes. His groundbreaking, myth-busting work explained what Sherry and I had experienced. This knowledge set the little workshop in my brain into overdrive. Our luminous energy field truly does dwell outside of time. We truly do choose our experiences here on the University of Earth, to grow, heal and evolve. Right after reading Journey of Souls, I came across The Calico Shaman by Carla Person. Carla’s book contained stories about how an animal’s past lives could physically affect him or her in this lifetime. While reading Carla’s stories, I felt as if someone had removed the pull-tab in my brain that separated the world of my professional training from my out-there world of animal communication. Immediately, I contacted Carla to schedule a long-distance session for Simon. During the session, Carla connected with four of Simon’s past lives. Each one relating to a leg or the four quadrants of his body. Without prior knowledge, Carla described each lameness issue with surprising accuracy. Actually, I wasn’t — 103 —

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surprised. I could tell from the beginning of the call that Carla was good at what she did. Simon’s two sound healthy legs related to happy lifetimes without major injury. The two legs with lameness issues showed Carla that Simon had been crippled in the Civil War and in a later lifetime during a cattle drive. Carla used energetic clearing and healing techniques while working with Simon. This work removed the traumatic imprints the horse had carried with him into this life. The phone call took a little over an hour and cost two hundred dollars. Simon improved immediately. Within a few weeks I had a sound happy horse again. The experience with Carla took me into the feeling of coming out of a tunnel or a cave and suddenly seeing daylight—the world looked and felt different. It was time for me to immerse fully into animal communication and shamanic studies. That meant leaving horse training and shows behind. I went to tell Simon. Standing near his head, stroking his face, we had a conversation: Naomi: Simon, I’m retiring from horse training and shows. You know how dearly I love you. I’m giving you two choices to fulfill your purpose: one, to be my pasture friend with lots of brushing and hugs, but often standing idle again. Or two, you can have a new owner and stay a working show horse. Long silence. — 104 —

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Simon: A new owner, please. A girl, a small one. I leaned my head against his, weeping softly, already missing him. Naomi: Okay, let’s keep the perfect girl in our thoughts and bring one to you. I’m not sure if you would call it a match made in Heaven or the synchronistic fulfillment of Simon’s desire, but a few days later Mary Kate and her family showed up at the ranch looking for a horse. Thank you, Simon, for changing the course of my career. Thank you for taking care of eleven-year-old Mary Kate. I wish you both many years of joy and companionship. Often, I go to sleep at night with visions of Mary Kate’s long blonde ponytail swaying as the two of you canter into the sunset.

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“The world beyond” is not separated from this world by an impassable wall; in fact, a single reality embraces all worlds, all times and places. At the end of our lives we “cross over” into a new phase of the same soul journey we are on right this minute. -Deepak Chopra

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Lesson Seventeen: Baily We are Connected to Our Animals Even After Death

O

ne autumn afternoon I was sitting on my porch enjoying the shade when my cell phone rang. When I picked up, I heard a woman crying. She said, “My Great Pyrenees, Baily, passed a few weeks ago, and I just can’t function. I can’t do my job. My client, Matt, suggested I call you for help. It’s taken a few days to get up the nerve.” She drew in a shaky breath. “I’m desperate.” “I understand,” I said. “What is your name?” “Paula,” she said. “My Baily…” Silence on the phone line. “Take all the time you need.” A slight breeze felt good on my skin. The leaves of two giant aristocrat pear trees waved and shifted colors of green and gold. Paula let out a long breath. “I need to ask you something.” “Sure.” “If they’re dead and gone, how can they talk? How do I know you are for real?”

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I like this woman’s honesty, I thought. “Let me answer your questions. Then we’ll visit with Baily if you still want to.”

“All right.”

“Like you, I used to believe in the consensual reality, or myth, that there is no life after death; either we go to Heaven or we do not. Soon after I began my communication and shamanic studies, my perceptions of transition—what we think of as death—shifted dramatically.” I moved the phone to my other ear. “But even then, it never occurred to me to ask if our pets had souls. It took actual irrefutable experiences with the animals to show me.” “Animals have souls?” “Most certainly. Each and every being has a soul, makes choices and has a purpose when they come to Earth.” “That sounds good but… when they’re gone… the loss is devastating.” “You are hitting on the single-most important reality shift that changed my perspective on death. Our loved ones are not gone. In fact, the essence of who they truly are—never dies. I’ve heard mystics refer to that spiritual essence as our true-self.” “I don’t get it.” Taking in a soft breath, I organized the responses rolling around in my head and started again. “We are all made of the Earth’s elements. That means we are not of the Earth; we are the Earth. We appear to be separate beings—human, — 108 —

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animal, plant, insect—whatever. Our pure spirit joins the Earth elements, and we become visible.” I paused. “Still with me?” “I think so.” “We are spiritual beings getting to have physical and emotional experiences such as eating, sleeping, singing, happiness, sadness, grief—all of it.” “So, Baily’s spirit is still with me?” “Let’s ask him.” “Please.” Baily: Tell her yes, I am still her assistant. “She says she is still your assistant. What do you do?” “Massage therapist. When clients were comfortable with her being in the room, she would lay near the massage table.” Baily: Yeah, she still steps around me. “You still step around her?” A whisper-thin voice asked, “Is she by my bed too?” Baily: Of course. “Of course,” she says. “I feel it. I really feel her around me. I thought I was imagining it. Or, it was a habit, like automatic muscle memory.”

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Baily: She had to imagine it to feel me. Smiling, I repeated her comment. “Oh, my goodness,” said Paula. “She is really, really here.” “Yes ma’am. I see her running around a vacuum.” “She’s played with the vacuum since she was a puppy! I can’t believe you know that.” “Can you imagine that scene in your mind right now?” Paula chuckled, “I can. She made me laugh. She was always the funniest dog.” “I think she is sending laughter to ease the tears.” After another long silence, Paula said, “This isn’t what I expected today. All you’ve said is what I think I knew in my heart. It goes against my upbringing, the opposite of what my parents taught me.” “Well, sometimes animals and events come into our lives to show us another path. They certainly have for me.” I sighed. “I hope it helped.” “My mind is reeling with all this. Someone’s spirit is alive, not gone. You can feel their presence around you. They can communicate with us… with you.” “Baily is not in a physical form that you can see, but she is most certainly still helping you. Her spirit will be alive to you as long as her memory remains.”

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“That’s forever.” She paused. “This changes everything I thought I knew about, how I felt about death.” My skin prickled as I felt something shift in Paula—a budding awareness. “Naomi, my clients tell me I intuitively know where to put my hands. They say I help them release emotions as well as tight muscles. Does me stepping around Baily in my work room and feeling her by my bed mean I am intuitive, that I have been all along? That Baily’s death had some meaning besides shattering my heart?” Nodding, I said, “Well, aren’t you intuitively amazing, topped with smart?” “I take that as a yes. Now my heart and mind are at war. I want to believe all this. I want to go bask in the golden miracle of it all. It just seems surreal, like my whole world shifted. I need to go think. Thank you. Will you tell Baily thank you, and that I love and miss her so much?” I felt Baily smile and wag her body. “You just told her yourself.” Thank you, Baily, for the time you spent on this Earth plane with your mom. Thank you for staying close and showing us that our lives never end. They only change form. Thank you, Mother Earth, for providing us with our physical bodies and all we need to sustain them.

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The heart’s electromagnetic field—by far the most powerful rhythmic field produced by the human body—not only envelopes every cell of the body but also extends out in all directions into the space around us. Research conducted at the HeartMath Institute suggests that the heart’s field is an important carrier of information. www.heartmath.org

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Lesson Eighteen: Tex You Are My Sunshine

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o we sing to our animals’ souls? According to Tex, a recently passed Shetland Sheepdog, we absolutely do.

When Tex’s mom emailed that he had passed, I replied, “Let’s allow his spirit to settle for a few days. We can make a phone appointment for Thursday morning… say, 11:00?” During our session, Jodie said, “You’ve worked with my dogs for so long, and you’ve taught me so much. My mind knows Tex is okay, but my heart needs to hear it from you.” “Sure. I love Tex, too.” “One more thing. It’s silly, but I need to ask. I sang ‘You Are My Sunshine’ to Tex every day of his life. Will you sing the song to him for me?” Naomi: Hey, Tex. Tex: I knew mom wanted you to check on me. Naomi: Yes, she loves and misses her boy. She asked me to sing “You Are My Sunshine” to you. Tex: I feel her when she sings it, but you can if you want to. Singing to me helps mom get through her day without my gorgeous self. — 113 —

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I told Jodie, “He says he hears you sing it, but I can if I want to.” “Really? He hears me?” “Often, we do not recognize it when they send us feelings and thoughts. The super amazing thing—they always hear and feel us. Even though he has taken off his physical fur coat, you are still connected.”

Tex: Tell her no guilt allowed.

“Jodie, he says no guilt allowed.” Silence, then a sharp intake of breath and a choking sound. “I feel so guilty. I let him be in pain too long.” Another silence. “Tex collapsed in the kitchen. My selfish need to keep him with me let him suffer. I am such a bad mom.” My client had just uttered one of the most often used phrases in my profession: “I feel so guilty.” I put the phone on speaker and leaned my head back against my gray-fabric desk chair. “You love Tex with all your heart.” Jodie sighed. “With everything I am.” “According to research at the HeartMath Institute, feelings from the electromagnetic field of our hearts are several thousand times stronger than thoughts from our brains.” “I’m not sure I follow…” “Tex is connected to your heart waves, Jodie, to your heart feelings. Our pets do not regret the past. They do not worry — 114 —

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about the future. For them, passing cannot be too soon or too late. They feel our love without judgment. First and foremost, Tex felt your love.” I let out a soft breath as the image of a tri-colored Sheltie surrounded by a white joyous light drifted through my mind. “Let’s do something that might help. Please take a minute and remember the love connection you felt when you sang, ‘You Are My Sunshine.’ Let your love permeate every cell in your body. Feel it gliding along the powerful rhythmic field pumping out from your heart.” “I can see my voice wrapping him in love,” Jodie murmured. My skin prickled. I blinked back my own tears—no crying with clients. “Even though we understand we are still connected to our loved ones after they pass, their passing still leaves a big gaping hole in our hearts. It doesn’t keep it from shattering into pieces. Maybe that beautiful image can help fill some of the emptiness.” I leaned forward. “My guess would be that feelings of guilt torment other aspects of your life.” The phone made a rustling sound. “Well… yes, it does.” “Think of our pets as furry, finned, feathered or scaly emotion-reflectors who have two main purposes.” “Okay,” Jodie chuckled. “Vic and I do not have children, so our dogs give us an outlet for the deep abiding love and nurturing we need to give. I’m not sure I understand the reflecting part.” — 115 —

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“Let me see if I can explain it properly.” I sorted through the myriad of animal sessions in my memory. “You understand that pets fulfill a natural biological need to nurture— and that’s great. Other aspects with the same principal might be: Someone needing to be rescued will often work in animal rescue. Someone needing to build confidence might do so with training or competition. Someone needing to save and heal will often draw animals with health issues to themselves.” “Ah… got it.” “What if we looked at any emotion we feel with our animals, or anyone really, as a reflection? No matter what the emotion is: laughter, love, joy, grief, victim, unworthiness—all are a reflection of what’s inside of us. They give us an enormous gift that allows us to look honestly at ourselves. To unveil negative emotions that unknowingly sabotage our health and well being.” “Hummm, now that I think about it, I’ve felt guilty for most of my life, not just with Tex.” Excited, I waved my hand. “Exactly. Over and over again, we attract the feelings we need to release until we recognize them. Tex lovingly and willingly gave you the opportunity to feel guilt.” Jodie sighed, “Gemini, I wouldn’t have felt so much guilt if I had known he didn’t think of me as a bad mom. That was me doing the judging… huh?” “Yes ’m. I believe you got it.”

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“It would be nice not to feel like I have this depressing cloud of guilt following me around. The damn thing dumps on me whenever anything goes wrong.” Nodding, I grinned. “Tex left you homework.” Chuckling softly, I added, “I think I just felt him smile. He feels a profound sense of completion.” “This got pretty deep,” Jodie said. “I feel better knowing he is okay.” This time, as I felt peace embrace Jodie, it took all my willpower not to tear up. “If our society had an inkling of how much our animals come to serve us, to love us, to teach us, there would never be a neglected or abused animal ever, ever, ever.” I closed my eyes and sat in silence for a few heartbeats, breathing through the wave of emotion in my chest. When I could speak firmly, I said, “About the song… Oliver Hood wrote ‘You Are My Sunshine’ in the 1940s.” “What a legacy,” Jodie replied. “My mom sang it to us when we were kids.” “I sang it to my daughter, who sings it to her daughters.” “Can you imagine,” I added, “the loving heart waves that have been sent around the world with that song?” Jodie’s turn for silence. “You know… I think I can now.” Thank you, Oliver Hood. Thank you, HeartMath Institute, for adding the science that confirms how powerful and far-reaching our feelings, thoughts and emotions are. — 117 —

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Thank you, Tex. You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are gray. I know you know, dear, how much we love you; no one can take that sunshine away.

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We are energy using earth matter as an expression of life. -Matias De Stefano In the most favorable circumstances, we witness the earth’s gradual reclaiming of the matter we temporarily utilize with our soul and spirit. -Betsy Bergstrom Our luminous energy field or spirit cannot completely detach from our physical bodies as long as our heart continues to beat. However, our spirits can and do take temporary flight, i.e. out-of-body experiences. -Alberto Villoldo, Ph. D.

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Lesson Nineteen: Odessa and Doc Spirit Leaving Our Bodies

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ou might be saying, “All right all ready, that’s enough stories about our babies passing. It makes my heart hurt.” This one’s important. I promise. Standing in the park with my two dogs, Mary Katherine and Sarah, I jerked my head to the left, trying to follow a brown flash. Zoom. Zoom. Zoom. This time I could make out the silhouette of a brindle Boxer as she sprinted from one end of the park to the other. “Odessa… Odie?” I was covered in chill bumps as if someone had poured cold water down my spine. Before her illness, Odessa, fondly known as Odie, had been an awesome agility dog. She lived in California. I was standing in the sunshine in Oklahoma. Odie: Isn’t this awesome! Naomi: Odie?

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Odie: Yep, it’s me. Naomi: Well… at least I know who you are. Please tell me you’re okay. Odie: Better than ever. “Sarah, Mary Katherine, come.” I ran to attach their leashes. “We need to go, guys. I have a phone appointment with Karla and Odie.” Karla and her husband, Steve, raised and showed Boxers. Karla, an AKC judge, had been a client for several years. She and her dogs held a special place in my heart. When the phone rang at the appointment time, my body tensed, fully expecting to be told Odessa had passed. “She’s better,” said an excited Karla. “She’s walking. Her eyes are bright. I’m hopeful for the first time in weeks.” Dread gripped my heart. “Karla, Odie came to me in the dog park this morning. She was zooming around, running like she did in agility. Odie was happy and fit and beautiful.” “So, that proves she’s getting better. My dogs often say things to you before our appointment.” “Yes, but I don’t see them. I hope I’m wrong. I so hope she came to show me she was better.” I sighed. “But that’s not how it usually works for me.” “Oh, I hope you’re wrong. She is such a beautiful, precious girl. I don’t want to lose her.” “You have the best holistic and conventional vets in your — 122 —

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state. There is nothing you won’t do for your babies. If anyone can save her, you can.” “Does she need anything?” Karla asked. “Is there anything she wants me to do?” Odie: Lay on the ground in the sun and SpaghettiOs. “She wants to lie on the ground in the sun and SpaghettiOs. I know you hand-make your dog’s food, and SpaghettiOs are… probably not on the menu.” “No, but if that’s what she wants, I’ll get her some.” Karla paused. “None of my other dogs have come to you before they passed. Why her? How can she leave her body like that?” “I don’t know why she’s been the only one. It felt as if she were trying to tell me she was free and doing what she loves. As death approaches, our spirits slowly detach as the Earth reclaims the physical body. As long as the heart beats, the spirit is attached by a luminous umbilical cord. The spirit is free to observe, see family members, go on adventures—whatever they wish. The spirit is drawn home… to a plane of existence most of us can’t see. The spirit never suffers.” “I think my grandpa did that!” Karla exclaimed. “The hospice nurse thought he was suffering from dementia. I felt he was leaving his body because he was in unbearable pain. When he was lucid, he would describe all the places he had been.” — 123 —

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“What a blessing, huh?” My wire-haired dachshund, Mary Katherine, jumped into my lap. Absently, I ran my fingers through her coarse red fur. “Maybe your grandpa was going on practice flights knowing he would soon take his last breath.” “But Odie is better. It cannot be her time. It just can’t.” “It might be fire going out.” Karla sighed. “What?” Odie: Yes, explain it to mom. “Odie says to explain it to you.” I relaxed into my office chair. “So, here goes. When the Earth reclaims a physical body, there is an orderly process—Earth, Water, Fire, Air. “First, Earth—The ground draws us. We sit more and sleep more. Humans will sit and walk in a more slumped posture and lose height. We lose our appetites. We no longer need the intake of the Earth’s food resources. “Second, Water—We drink, but we do not hydrate. Water passes through our bodies back to the Earth. “Third, Fire—Our physical body’s natural tendency is to survive at all costs. Animals have a more organic understanding of life transition, but when physical life is threatened, they can still panic. They rally. They might seem better, more alert, even younger or healthier for a while. In humans, brain function can improve, or they might verbally or physically fight.”

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A memory rippled through my body and brought up the sweet face of a man I respected and loved dearly. “I wish,” I said. “I had understood that was happening with my fatherin-law. The day before he passed, Marvin got out of bed and fell in the hallway. Seventy-pounds, skin-and-bone, he fought with indescribable strength. Mac had to call his brother in to wrestle their dad back to bed.” I blew out a huge sigh. “That same night, I awoke with a vision of Marvin strolling nonchalantly around our bedroom. He appeared to be in his forties and healthy. The hospice nurse had told us we had four or five more days with Mac’s dad. Had I understood the vision, had I trusted in what I saw, Mac would have stayed home from work the next day. I would not have taken a nap that afternoon. Instead of passing alone in his room, Mac and I would have been holding the precious man’s hands.” Odie’s luminous form stood beside me, her nub of a tail wagging so hard her body waggled. “I hope this is not fire going out. I hope with all my heart your girl is getting better.” Karla’s tension resonated through the phone. “I wish you could tell me for sure.” “Me too. Sometimes, I think there are things I’m not supposed to know, or I’m too emotionally involved to get clear responses.” The next day, I received this Facebook message: “You were right. She’s gone. Can’t talk, can’t think. Can we check in with her next week?” — 125 —

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“Dang it!” I exclaimed to whomever might be listening. *** A few weeks later, I was at Paws and a middle-aged man sat in the chair across from me, his drawn, shadowed face framed with short blonde hair. “I feel so guilty,” Martin said. “He has to be angry with me. Please tell him I’m sorry. I am so sorry I stayed in the waiting room—didn’t go in with him. Didn’t hold him.” My heart went out to the man. He handed me his iPhone showing a photo of a mixed-breed black dog. “His name?” I asked. “Doc. I wasn’t there when he took his last breath. I just couldn’t do it. Is he okay? I need to know if he is okay.” “Let’s check.” Doc: He needs to start biking without me. “So, he ran along while you biked?” Martin’s blue eyes rounded. He sat up straighter. “Yes! I haven’t been able to ride since he’s been gone. It really is him.” Handing the man a tissue, I said, “He is showing me a deck under a giant tree with water nearby.” “That’s the lake house. We loved it there. I feel so guilty for not holding him when he passed. If I could do it over I would. Please tell him I would.” Naomi: Martin is devastated and worried that you are — 126 —

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angry with him for not going into the room when the vet helped you release your body. Doc: Aw, hell, I didn’t go in there either. I simply could not help the laugh that erupted. He says, “Aw, hell, he didn’t go in there either.” The look of shock on Martin’s face brought me back to seriousness. “I apologize. He was so casual about it.” I went on to explain how the spirit can leave and come back to the body. “Like those movies when someone is in a coma or dies, and their spirit is looking over the body?” “Exactly. The coma person is still attached to their body because their heart is beating. The person who has passed is completely free.” “He is okay, isn’t he?” Martin gave me a weak smile. “He isn’t mad?” “No, he isn’t mad. I think that’s a human thing, not a dog thing.” Martin closed his eyes and took in a deep breath. As he let it out, his thin frame relaxed into the chair. The deep shadow lifted from his face. I love my work, I thought. I said, “There is something you can do to honor his passing.” “Anything!” I nodded and smiled. “Go to a quiet place with pen and paper. Light some candles if you want. Picture Doc in your — 127 —

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mind sitting beside you. As you talk out loud, write down everything you are grateful to him for: biking companion, kitchen patrol, soul partner—whatever seems right. Then feel that gratitude deep inside as you bury or burn the paper. Believe me, he will feel it, and it might even help you.” Doc: Thank you. Doc hadn’t mentioned still biking with Marty. So—I didn’t either. I felt he had another purpose to fulfill. Maybe with another person. I’d learned quickly in my career, that even though the time spent with our pets seems monumental to us, in the grand scheme of their eternal spirit, we are but a blip in time. If your purpose together has not been fulfilled, your pet may come back in another form. If the purpose has been fulfilled, very often, they are off to be of service to another person. Thank you, Odie. Thank you, Doc.

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All that we are is the result of what we have thought. It is founded on our thoughts. It is made up of our thoughts. If one speaks or acts with a pure thought, happiness follows one like a shadow that never leaves. -Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

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Lesson Twenty: Sara and Luke Creating Our World Through an Animal’s Eyes

“

What is so hard about this last story?” I asked my laptop. “I’ve been sitting here all day, and all I have done is wear the symbol off my backspace key.” Elusive words floated just under the surface of my mind. I could not grab hold of the thoughts and pull them forward. Sarah, my Shih Tzu, came out from under the dark wood desk and scratched at my leg. “Okay darlin’, let’s go out.” Sarah rolled in the dry grass. I sat on the ground under a purple ash tree. Within a few minutes, she stood in front of me and shook bits of yard in all directions. “What do you see?” I felt her ask. I laughed. “Besides grassy, leafy jeans?” She gazed directly at me and tilted her head. A bald-cypress twig caught on her ear and brown bits stuck in her beard. A smile overcame my body, as it often did when I took a moment to gaze into her gremlin-like face with one brown eye and one milky white eye. Her face had cream-colored hair sticking out in all directions. — 131 —

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She moved closer as if to say, “Please get this thing off my ear.” I cuddled her into my lap and extracted the offending twig and grass clippings. I inhaled the pleasant scent of dog. My mind went back to Dr. Dyer’s quote about creating our world with our thoughts and feelings. With precious Sarah in my lap, I pondered how contented, how loved, how pure I felt. Then a startling realization hit me. I had been so focused on the Sarah I almost hadn’t noticed the gift that surrounded me. The sunset had come softly and bathed the yard in rich reds, yellows and oranges. As I reveled in that single delicious moment of utter joy, I felt him. I closed my eyes and created his image in my mind: his shimmering black coat with white face-markings and human-like eyes full of wisdom: Luke, my Border Collie. When I could breathe, I whispered, “Luke.” I felt your joy. So long ago, I had stored away a tactile memory of his fur on my face… his fur gliding through my fingers. I sighed, immersing in the golden memory. Naomi: How is it that you are here, now, at this perfect moment? Luke: Call it an instantaneous return on your joy investment. Besides, what would give you more joy — 132 —

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than sensing my handsome, awesome, sheepherding self? Naomi: Absolutely nothing. My smile grew bigger and bigger. Naomi: It’s hard to believe your physical body passed twelve years ago, and I can still create your image in my mind as if it were yesterday. I can still feel the aweinspiring love we shared. Luke: As long as my memory remains, my spirit will always be a part of you. Naomi: I feel your presence and know that you are fulfilling another purpose with another human. Finally, the grief has evolved into sincere gratitude. Gratitude for what we shared, for what I learned, for who I am— because of you. A thought crystallized and sent chill ribbons down my spine. Hugging Sarah tighter, I said, “I have my story now. I needed to have this experience with both of you. My precious beings—sing to my soul. You are my own personal happiness shadows. Your love, your acceptance, your devotion follows me everywhere!” That pure happiness-filled moment expanded outward in an electromagnetic force. The waves of it mirrored back to me all those beautiful feelings like iron filings on a magnet. We are surrounded every day by what we need to create more joy, more love, more gratitude in our lives. Recognizing the Earth’s beauty and all she provides, recognizing our own inner beauty, — 133 —

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our own Christ consciousness or true self without judgment only brings more of the same. If all that we are is a result of what we have thought, let us think about and give gratitude for all our animal loved ones: Sarah for the dream. Mrs. Duck for the connection to all that is. Esa for showing us how to use our imaginations. Oscar, our pirate, for caring about the children and sharing his mom’s thoughts. Gatsby for showing us that all the universe is only a preverbal thought away. Ringo for celebration. Lacey for showing us that animals open our hearts to let our soft hang out. B.J. for your gratitude. Simon for showing us that our past lives can and do affect us in the present. Tex for letting us sing to your soul. Baily for showing us our loved ones are still with us after physical transition. Cha Cha for leading us to the Earth’s natural remedies and energy medicine. Dylan for showing us an example of emotional imbalance and old trauma manifesting in the physical.

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Jackpot for helping your mom release old negative emotions and heal through the frequencies of sound. Odessa for showing us the Earth’s recalling of the physical bodies. Scooter for showing us that contemplation and intention can bring us together. All of the animal kingdom and your gift of devotion to the world of humans. All the humans who have allowed me to share in your journey with your animal loved ones. Thank you.



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In Gratitude

K

athleen Blanchard-Grell, mere words cannot express the gratitude I have for the cover you envisioned and created. Your image mystically captures my intention and can be nothing less than a melding of our hearts. You are a treasure my wonderful friend. Rhonda Bryant, to call you friend, mentor, editor, web designer, is not enough. You are always there for me—sister of my soul. In 2002, I attended my first animal communication workshop with Leta Worthington. I still remember the questioning look on her face when I said, “You changed my life forever.” Now, this many years later you are still adding richness and wisdom to my life with your editing skills and guidance. Thank you. The ability to take my wondering and often disjointed thoughts and form them into something meaningful and readable to others, is nothing short of a miracle. Thank you, Lana McAra and Leta Worthington, and Jennifer Mathews, this book could not have happened without you. Mac, you are not the last, you are the first in my heart, in my thoughts, in my appreciation. Partner, friend, lover, unwavering supporter—I love you! — 137 —

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Bibliography Animal Talk by Penelope Smith When Animals Speak by Penelope Smith Learn How to Talk to Animals by Leta Worthington Learning Their Language by Marta Williams Straight From the Horse’s Mouth by Amelia Kinkade The Language of Animals by Carol Gurney Animal Afterlife by Leta Worthington Conversations With the Other Side by Sylvia Browne Destiny of Souls by Michael Newton, Ph.D. Ghosts Among Us by James Van Praagh Life After Death by Deepak Chopra Excuses Begone! By Dr. Wayne W. Dyer Hands Of Light by Barbara Ann Brennan Shaman, Healer, Sage by Alberto Villoldo, Ph.D. The Biology of Belief by Bruce H. Lipton, Ph.D. The Dynamic Laws of Prosperity by Catherine Ponder The Divine Matrix by Gregg Braden The Field by Lynne McTaggart

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