From Animal Communication to Community

The world becomes less wild -- and more amazing -- when we listen and learn from animals

Photo by Dmytro Koplyk on Unsplash

Whew! “That was a close one!” the little stinkbug exclaimed.

I felt the same way. He had nearly made an exit down the drain in my shower but I’d caught him on a tether of toilet paper before he was swept down. Thank God!

I could almost feel his relief and mine! 😅

And then I put him down on the counter to dry off and we went our own ways.

But the feelings of connection and love are still palpable as I write this.

I didn’t grow up with stinkbugs. Stinkbugs are molted grey and black bugs that look like they’re carrying a shield on their backs. They emit a stinky fluid when disturbed. Their batty way of flying distractedly through the air, flapping in my direction used to set me on edge!

And, at first, I felt really freaked out by them. I didn’t know what to think. So I did what felt natural; I decided to befriend them.

I began like I would with any conscious being, asking: What’s your name? How old are you?

The stinkbugs always guessed their age wrong (I’m 2 years old – nope! My guides would respond – that one is 3 days old! Or, I’m 2 months old. Nope! One week, my guides would share).

Hearing their ordinary names also reminded me they weren’t so different from me or anyone I know: Fred: (female), Steven (male), and (Hen, short for Henrietta).

 Talking to them has made it harder to fear them.  

A month ago, I took one outside, and I surprised myself by telling her that I wanted her to feel safe and loved. And when I said that intuitively to her, she responded, “Thank you, Mother!” and I felt her love in return.

 It was incredible! I can actually feel my throat tightening with tenderness as I write this. I still feel such love for her!

Communicating with animals makes my life richer.

But I couldn’t always do this. My partner, Erin is a natural. She could tell – to the second – when our dogs were unhappy with the dog sitter – or translate our dog, Teddy’s bark as meaning he didn’t want to eat 3 day old croissants! ;)

And, I wanted to be able to do what she could do. I was so jealous! It was  my greatest wish to hear our dogs and feel that inner closeness and understanding!  

Finally, I decided to call an animal communicator to sign up for her class and she paused and said, “I don’t often say this but you don’t need a class; you just need to listen!”

And, she was right!

Photo by Geranimo on Unsplash

I had been talking at them and wanting immediate responses rather than pausing to let them speak. And this way of listening is the cornerstone of intuitive conversations!

Since then, I’ve learned so much about my dogs, stinkbugs, and all types of animals.

In fact, I had a conversation with a mama squirrel who was concerned her babies were going to be eaten by a cat (whom I later found lurking where she said he’d be: under the neighbor’s car), and whom I got to assist in making safe by telling the cat to leave!

Animals are amazing! They communicate telepathically and once we learn how to listen and translate their energy (often beginning in our hearts), we can connect with them. It improves every area of our lives because when we reach out to connect and feel the mutual caring, our views of the world change. We can see from others' perspectives and this increases a sense of safety, love, and connection.

I remember the day I talked with the squirrel and amazed myself that I could hear her so clearly. My perspective shifted! I remember looking out at the rare blue sky in Portland (where it often rained and was grey) and thinking, "Oh my God, I belong here. Not just because of my partner, or my dogs, but out in the world! I feel this connection so strongly -- with the trees and all animals who make up so much of our world!"

From that day, my world shifted. I felt intrinsic belonging inside and around myself.

When we listen to the animals, there's no question about belonging; we belong everywhere. And our love and mutual respect grows...

As Shakespeare wrote, " One touch of nature makes the whole world kin."