Everyone who lives with an animal knows that they communicate with their actions, vocalizing, and body language. Most animals express their feelings, wants, and needs in ways that are unmistakable, even to us dense humans.

But there is a group of people who believe that it's possible to hear animals speak and communicate with them. By listening and responding to animals' thoughts and reading telepathic images from their minds, humans are able to ask questions and actually get answers.

We happen to fall into the camp of believing that these things are possible. Animal communicators have helped us through tough spots with our pets. "What can we do to help you trust us?" we asked of our rescued dog Leaf. "Why aren't you eating your cat food?" we wanted to know from our cat Speedy.

When our beautiful yellow Lab, Taylor couldn't walk around the lake with us anymore and appeared to be in great distress, an animal communicator helped to prepare us for the fact that Taylor wanted to leave a body that no longer served and was riddled with pain.

Two dear author friends have books that we think clarify and bring into perspective this mysterious world of animal communication. Marta Williams has a new book, ASK YOUR ANIMAL: Resolving Behavioral Issues through Intuitive Communication. It contains a great foreword by actress Vanessa Williams whose kidnapped dog Marta helped her to find. For more about Marta go to www.martawilliams.com.

Another author friend who writes in a delightful and entertaining style is Amelia Kinkade. Her book THE LANGUAGE OF MIRACLES: A Celebrated Psychic Teaches You to Talk to the Animals takes readers on a well-lit journey with its practical tips. Her website is www.ameliakinkade.com.

As for our skill level, we seem to be able to pick up some images and thoughts from our own animal family members, but we don't have confidence yet in an ability to catch communication from other people's pets.

What about your experiences with animal communication and animal communicators? Has anyone proven to you that this form of interspecies connection is possible?

This week's Angel Animals Story of the Week is about a positive little calico cat who entered a child's life when he most needed a friend and protector.


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ANGEL ANIMALS STORY OF THE WEEK

POLLYANNA, THE ANGEL CAT
By Debbie Boote

In early September 1998 I asked my youngest son Chris what he would like for his tenth birthday. Without hesitation he replied that he would like a pet but most of all a young, female calico cat.

I contacted an acquaintance who worked at a local cat re-homing center to see if they had a suitable cat who needed a home.

A few days later I had a phone call to say that a stray four-month-old female calico cat had been handed in at a center on the other side of town. She had not been claimed and would be ready to be adopted in a few days.

The day of my son's birthday came and went, and he did not show any disappointment in not getting a cat. The weekend after his birthday I told my son I was going shopping into town and went to the re-homing center to collect his cat.

I instantly fell in love with this sweet little cat named Pollyanna the moment she was put into my arms. She never stopped purring even when having her vaccinations and a microchip implanted in her neck.

When I arrived home I put the unopened box on the floor and called Chris. Even before he opened the box, the noise gave away its content. Chris and Polly bonded instantly and soon became inseparable best friends.

Nearly two years later, just before his twelfth birthday, Chris became seriously ill. He contracted flu followed quickly by glandular fever and shingles. The result of all this battering left Chris with a weakened immune system. Soon afterwards he was diagnosed with M. E., or chronic fatigue syndrome.

For many months Chris was too weak to get out of bed and Polly became a permanent fixture, curled as close as possible to him. He frequently suffered with cold, aching limbs. One day Chris told me that Polly seemed to know where he was hurting most, because she would try to get as close as possible to that spot.

During this time Chris would often feel very low and become rather weepy. Polly always seemed to sense his mood. She would gently touch his face or hand and purr loudly to try to cheer him up.

Early one morning I was in my bedroom getting dressed when Polly head-butted open the door. She started meowing very persistently and rubbing against my legs. Thinking she was just hungry I got up to follow her to the kitchen to feed her. Instead of heading downstairs she led me straight to Chris's room.

As a further complication Chris had also developed mild asthma. A recent cold had turned into a chest infection, which had seriously worsened overnight. Now, Chris was having great difficulty in breathing. Polly was obviously concerned enough about his condition to fetch me to help him.

Chris is now nineteen and has made a ninety percent recovery from the M. E. He still gets tired very easily and is prone to infection. He is now full-time at college studying art and making new friends. Polly is still his best friend. Although she spends less time in his room these days, she still watches over him.

I am certain that someone heard my son's request for a little calico cat and sent Pollyanna as an angel cat to watch over Chris in his time of greatest need.

To view a photograph of Debbie's Pollyanna visit
www.angelanimals.net/nlimage04.html/

BIO:
Debbie Boote is a fifty-year-old mom.  She works for the British Geological Survey dealing with public enquiries.  Debbie is also a portrait and animal artist. She is married to Sam and has two sons, Matthew, 25, and Christopher, 19, and their little angel cat Pollyanna.


SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT:

Has an animal come into your life at exactly the right time to assist with healing?