Many people come to us for a reading because they’ve already adopted a pet, it isn’t working out so well and they want to know why. That’s what I love about being an animal communicator; the people who seek us out are almost always aware of their pets as capable beings with their own emotions, ideas and preferences.
I remember Leo, a beautiful, gray 5-year-old cat that lived nearby. His person reached out because Leo was depressed and she and her husband couldn’t figure out why. I hopped in my car and drove over to see what was going on with the cat. Upon arrival at the person’s house two newly adopted kittens greeted me. They were small, audacious and active in that disorganized way where the limbs seem to operate independently of each other.
Their person ushered me into a living room littered with cat toys, the kittens trailing behind us. They sat before us as we talked about Leo. The kittens were rickety and unfocused, then periodically one would come to some sort of astonishing realization and dart off after nothing in particular. The house was noticeably spare but they had thought to feature framed photographs of the new family members on the mantel over the fireplace. If you didn’t know you’d think there were just the kittens; there was no evidence of Leo to be seen.
The person led me into the office. Leo lay on the window sill in the sun and the depression was immediately evident. He was clearly a very regal, dignified character and the kitten business was weighing on him. He looked at me, sighed and turned away. It seemed obvious what was wrong so we started there. “It must be pretty hard to have those kittens in the house,” I said to him. Then I sat down and waited.
This cat was a great example of how some animals just need to tell their story; you don’t have to do anything but have a conversation!
Leo, as many animals do, had once had a job. His people were well aware of it and they always had been. Over the phone, his person had told me how proud the cat was and how much they appreciated his leadership and grounded presence in the household. According to Leo, after the arrival of the kittens his people didn’t notice him in the same way. They no longer thanked him when he returned from his daily rounds of the yard, they didn’t ask him about his day, they didn’t talk about how beautiful and special he was or come looking for him, just to enjoy his company. They were preoccupied with the kittens and he no longer felt he was part of the team.
We talked about how awful kittens are. Please, I said, they’re tiny, they’re obnoxious, they wake you up when you’re supposed to be sleeping! They don’t stay small and cute forever; they’re gonna turn into full grown cats and then what are your people gonna do? He didn’t look at me but he was very still and appeared to be listening. We talked about how, if he wanted, he could be a mentor to the kittens, teach them how to do it right. Anybody can be cute, I reminded him, but when you grow up you better have something else to offer! Like you. You’re a leader, Leo, you help your family be grounded!
That cat brightened before my eyes. He just wanted to be acknowledged! It was only a few minutes before he stood, yawned and stretched, then got down and sashayed at a leisurely pace to his bowl for a snack. His countenance had relaxed, he was smiling. His person appeared and remarked at the difference.
I told her, get a frame and put Leo up on the mantel. Get back into your routine with him. Thank him for being such a great mentor to the kittens. Remind him that they won’t always be crazy!
Animals are just like people. They want to be seen! They want to find meaning in their lives; they want to be part of a community. Sometimes we just need a little reminder that they are spirits in bodies, just like us. We can talk to them like we talk to other people; they don’t necessarily “speak english” but they’re able to translate the information for themselves.
So, go talk to your pet! Tell them I said hello. The more you talk to your pets, the more information you will get back: how they feel, what they want, who they are. It’s easy!
Blessings,
Katie
Rt. Rev. Katie Heldman is the Co-Director of Psychic Horizons Center, and wrote this article for the December 26th, 2022 eNews.
