"Truly, as companions, friends, equals, in opportunities of self-expression, they unfold to me the dignity of creation, and their joy smiles the blessings of St. Francis."~~Helen Keller

"As a child I automatically trusted the feelings and messages I received from animals. Since then, I have learned, once again, to trust what the animals tell me. Many times, I have experienced a wide range of emotions with my own pets because I treat them as family members, giving them the same love and respect most people reserve for humans."

"We need to try to see the world from [the animal's] perspective. If you can imagine this, you will have a far better idea of the motivation behind the animal."

"Animals are not always motivated by food, praise, or a reward. Sometimes animals respond out of the goodness of their heaerts with no thought of compensation."

"Animals have an innate ability to give companionship and love unconditionally."

"Animals are such agreeable friends. They ask no questions, they pass no criticisms.--George Eliot"

"I advocate positive reinforcement. I have yet to meet an animal that will not respond to praise. Positive reinforcement is necessary for success."

"There is a magical coexistence between a horse and a human. For those of us who are horse lovers we realize how all consuming this passion can be. Once you have gazed into a horse's big expressive eyes, and had his warm breath gently caress your face, the hearning for the velvet touch changes your life forever."

"...[the horse] taught me...how important it is to remember that every animal is an individual, and how I must always honor and respect the spirit that resides within each one."

"By nature, horses are social and communicate with each other by scent, touch, and calling verbally. Humans have been successful in training these magnificent animals, not because we overpower them, but because they consider humans honorary members of the herd."

"Horse lovers are well aware that each horse has individual needs. My work with animals over the years has illuminated this understanding time and again."

In regard to a horse with negative behavior: "I would buy a fifty-lb bag of carrots and every time the "stinker" stood still I would give him [a piece] and praise his good behavior. Simply standing still was good behavior and worthy of a carrot."

"A good trainer is like a good teacher, two eyes in the front, two eyes in the back--and always aware."

"Sadly, many animals are forced to do things they do not want to do. They have no choice...their emotional needs are never considered."

"Animals accept each other for who they are and see beyond the physical..."

"Over the years I have continued to be humbled by the depth of emotion and the variety of personality characteristics all animals are capable of."

"I was moved and inspired by the realization that animals, like people, can rise above extreme adverse conditions."

"Aromatherapy: Lavender, used for calming. Homeopathic: Arsenicum album, keep moods level. Flower Essences: walnut to help with transition or change, and honeysuckle to help with the feeling of nostalgia and homesickness, Star of Bethlehem, loneliness, loss, Agrimony for separation/anxiety."

"Animals can travel great distances quickly. I have realized that animals travel in a counter-clockwise direction in their attempt to return home. At the same time they create a spiral shape pattern."

"One animal can never replace another. Each animal is as unique and individual as a human being. I have also observed that a division of people exists--those who treat animals as property, and those who treat animals as family members."

"Making the final decision whether or not to euthanize a pet is one of the most difficult and paintful choices pet owners are called upon to make. This decision can be wrought with conflicting feelings of guilt and relief."

On death: "When the mind is open, the animal's energy--a heart memory--can come into our space."

"Memories enable a pet lover to keep animal companions nearby even after they die. It is never too early to collect cellular memories. Cellular memories are the remembrances we keep, which seem to be filled with minute details that we inhale and store."

"Our animals are gifts. We do not control how long we have them, so we must treasure them for the brief time they grace our lives."

"Somehow, on some level, an animal most likely touched you with a lesson or opened you to a heightened sensitivity. It may have been an animal whom you remember from your childhood or it might be an animal in your life now. These shared relationships bring forth a deeper understanding of life. I believe that humans and animals offer one another greater understanding every day we share the earth together."

"It has been my long-held believe that any human wishing to talk to the animals has the capability to do so, the only stipulation being an open mind. I do not believe that merely a chosen few have this ability..."

"The most important message I want to impart regarding animal communication is that although people think it is hard, it really is not. It is just that you can't hold it in your hand. I can prove to anyone who is receptive and willing to try, or for that matter even a skeptic, that animal communication can be learned. Each of us has the potential to develop this ability. Basically what we need is a refresher course to take us back to the way we first communicated before we began using verbal language. It is also necessary to have confidence in your inner voice--to trust that inner knowing. In addition, guidance and counsel from experts are a tremendous help. But always remember that your higher self is the clearest channel for hearing an animal's voice."

"There are positives and negatives any time a risk is taken, and being open to hearing what an animals says constitutes taking a risk. We must be prepared for favorable as well as unfavorable truths."

"Animals send their perspectives. It is up to the human receiving the message to discern what is communicated. Animals send clear messages, but humans may misinterpret them."

"Animals live moment to moment, one day follows another. Animals live on quality time, not quantity time. Use time to your advantage. Ten minutes of your attention in the morning means everything to your animal."

"Emotions are experienced by both animals and people. My beliefs concerning animal emotions parallel those of Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson and Susan McCarthy, authors of When Elephants Weep. In their book they devote entire chapters to the emotions animals experience: joy, shame, anger, fear, compassion, and loneliness--the same emotions ordinarily associated with humans. Passionately they state: Human beings are not always aware of what they are feelings. Like animals, they may not be able to put their feelings into words. This does not mean they have no feelings."

"Positive terms are the only phrases to which an animal responds. Across the board, animals disregard negative instructions. Tell an animal what to do instead of what not to do."

"Practice [communicating with animals] brings comfort, which enables you to go beyond the basics and ask better, richer, more detailed questions."

"Find a quiet place with no distractions where you and your animal can be comfortable together. Some people choose to begin this quiet time with meditation."

"After you ask several general questions and get a sense of conversing with the animal, then you will do what is called the "body scan." This is an important element within the conversation, and may prove invaluable. Many of us, knowing something was not right with our animal, have consulted a vet only to be told that everything checked out and was normal. Follow your instinct. It is this feeling that I encourage you to pursue, because your animal is attempting to communicate with you."

"I always than the animal for talking to me. You might be surprised, but most animals are very eager to talk. You may also notice the animal looking at you in an odd way. This commonly happens when "mental pictures" are going back and forth between the human's mind and the animal's mind. Most often the animal is intrigued that a person is willing to make the effort to communicate..."

"Practice, practice, practice--but not for hours at a time. Communicating with an animal is work. It is normal to be tired after concentrating...take a break and try again when you are refreshed."