I first met Su Wickersham when I was a teenager – she went to high school with my brother Robert and his wife, Beth.  They’ve stayed in touch all these years and I’ve reconnected with her through them.

Last year when I was a vendor at a pet expo and pet blessing, Su attended and told me about this new exciting path she was taking in Animal Communication.  She was just about to attend more classes to deepen her understanding and I could see that this was her true passion and wanted to help owners experience a deeper connection with their pets.

Su talks about the many applications that can be helpful for you and your pets such as finding lost animals, introducing new animals into the household and many others.  So, let’s let Su tell her journey in her own words!

I feel like I have a hard time to write down how much I feel this is the right path for me. I love to talk to the animals and be with them. Without sounding sappy, I feel their love, it radiates to me and I want to help all of them anyway I can. I think animals are here to interact with us on that deep level, to show us love and to experience life in a much deeper way. We just have to pay more attention and stop our busy-ness to get what they are trying to tell us.

Su and her dog Angus

Tell me how you got into animal communication. (introduce yourself a little – some personal stuff)

Ever since I can remember, I have loved animals. As a child I was attracted to them and hung out with them whenever I could. I drew pictures of them and always felt I had some sort of connection with them. But to me, it was a normal connection. I understood them. But it wasn’t until I was much, much older did I realize I was actually hearing them. Because I thought I was making it up.

A few years ago, after my beloved dog, Zoey passed away, a friend invited me to an animal communication class. I was so distraught, since it was only a week later, but I thought I’d go anyway and maybe I’d learn something. Well, it was an amazing class and I realized what I had previously thought I made up… was real!

In class we partnered up and communicated with each others animal. My partner was a gal I had just met and she asked me to talk to her dog. Long story short, I received validation that I was talking to the dog. Almost everything I told her, she told me, was true. I could hardly believe it. Couldn’t I just be making it up and have some lucky guesses? “Sure, that’s it”, I thought, until I told the gal that during the conversation with her dog, my head tilted to the left. I didn’t know why, of course, but our instructor told us to note anything and everything. Turns out the dog is hard of hearing in the left ear and tilts his head to the left so he can hear out of his right ear. Wow!! That blew me away. Maybe I can talk to animals after all.

Admittedly, after class I played around with the whole communication thing a little, but not seriously. It was a couple of years later that I found a book, Learning Their Language: Intuitive Communication with Animals and Nature by Marta Williams. I love Marta’s step-by-step explanation and exercises that teach us we can talk to the animals. As I was reading the book, I checked out Marta’s website and discovered she was teaching a class in my area. I was so excited and thrilled to get the chance to learn from her. Since that first class, I have taken all of Marta’s classes and we have become friends.

How can animal communication help me and my animal?

Animal Communication can be helpful for many common problems with domestic animals of all kinds and is guaranteed to improve and deepen your relationships with animals. Here are some applications:

• Deepen your relationship with your animal
• Solve behavior problems – fear, aggression, separation anxiety, unwanted behaviors
• Enhance training
• Make your animal happier
• Address quality of life issues – find out what your animal wants and needs
• Find lost animals
• Get assistance during illness and death
• Get help introducing animals to each other
• Adopting animals – find out about a rescued animal’s past

It’s been wonderful to connect with the animals and their people. Many lives have been changed for the better. And I’ve been told that after a session, the owners notice a deeper connection with their pet. It’s truly amazing. Helping animals and their people gives me great joy.

Since animals can’t talk, how are the messages transmitted to you?

I receive messages by hearing, seeing and feeling. I hear phrases or words, which is sometimes difficult because I hear them in my own voice, so, in the beginning, I had the tendency to think I was making it up. Often the animals show me pictures, like scenes in a movie, mostly from their point of view. I have also been shown pictures from what would be my point of view if I had actually been there. I often pick up how the animal is feeling about a situation; happy, playful, scared, or anxious, are just a few feelings I sometimes get. At first I thought these were feelings I was feeling and it was about me, but I have learned that if they come up quickly and for no reason, they are most likely the animal’s. And of course, when I receive validation from the animal’s people, I know I have truly connected.

Did you have special training?

I have taken many courses, am certified through Marta Williams Professional Series and have practiced a lot. And I do think I have a special gift for listening and communicating with the animals, but I believe we all have the ability to do this. I compare it to playing a musical instrument. We all can learn, as long as we stick with it and practice, and yes, some people have a natural talent, but we can all learn.

Can you communicate with pets that have passed on?

Yes, I have spoken to a number of animals that have passed on. I have been told by their people that they have received fantastic messages from their pets who have passed. Once, when I was connecting to a dog that had passed quite recently, a friend’s dog who had passed over a year ago, appeared and started to talk about his owner. He wanted me to give her his messages right away… he was very impatient. I told him I would soon, but not that day. He insisted I call her and made me promise not to wait too long. I hesitated because I knew my friend would be upset, she missed him so much, but I felt I needed to connect with her to pass on the message. My friend was willing to listen, and yes, she cried, but her tears were out of happiness that her dog wanted to talk to her. She told me later that his messages were very meaningful and came at just the right time in her life.

Animal communication is also a great help to the animal and their people when the animal is dying. We want the best for our pets and sometimes it’s very hard to let go. Talking to the animal gives us insight as to what they really want. When my dog Zoey contracted cancer and was ready to pass, I could not let her go and wanted to provide hospice for her. I spent hours of one-on-one time with her and decided it was best to let her go, it’s what she wanted. As we drove back to the vet, she gave me a feeling of calm and peace and I knew I was doing the right thing for her. Then out of the blue, I heard a very loud “THANK YOU!!” in my right ear. I knew that was her reassuring me that everything was OK and this is what she wanted.

What can someone expect if they use your services?

I offer consultations by telephone, in person, and by email for all animals. Usually I ask for a picture of the animal, their name, age and gender. I introduce myself to the animal, letting them know their person said it was OK for me to talk with them. I ask general questions about what they like and dislike. These questions establish if I’ve connected with the animal or not. Most animals are wiling and happy to talk, although I’ve had my share of personalities that can be tough nuts to crack. But once they start talking and realize I am genuinely there to help, they open up. When I communicate with your animal, I receive information directly from the animal and also get my own intuitive impressions. I relay all of this information to you during the consultation. I will also refer you to any services or experts you may need to help you with your and your animal.

Is there anything else you would like to let us know?

Yes, I also provide other services for animals and their people, including:

• Animal communication classes where you can learn to communicate with your animal for a deeper relationship.
• Equine Touch – a noninvasive, energy and connective soft tissue discipline, inducing deep relaxation, releasing traumatized muscles and reducing pain. Although I have learned this on the horse, it can also be used on other species as well as humans.
• Reiki – a Japanese healing art form that involves channeling energy for the purposes of stress reduction and healing.

Please tell us where we can get in contact with you for your services. (website, phone number, social
media, etc.)

I can be reached via phone at 530.676.4744; by email at DogListen@gmail.com and internet at www.DogListen.wordpress.com.

Of course not, but they can help a young child learn to read better.   BARK (Beach Animals Reading with Kids), is an all-volunteer group of therapy dogs who listen to elementary-age children read.

BARK was started in September 2007 with three dogs and one elementary school.  They have grown to 68 teams in 35 schools and libraries in LA and Orange Counties and one in Lincoln, CA.   They also do one-time visits at various locations such as pet expos, book festivals and street fairs.  The children can even read to them while they’re waiting for their dogs to be spayed/neutered at the free mobile spay/neuter clinic in Compton, CA.

Take a look at BARK’s video to learn more:

Reading out loud is crucial to learning because the children have to speak every word and not skip over those they don’t know.  However, it is very intimidating for many children to read out loud in the classroom.   It’s the equivalent of us giving a speech to a roomful of adults!

The students feel that the dogs are non-judgmental and so friendly that they want to read out loud to them.  They’re told that they are helping the dogs practice their settling skills so they feel honored to work with them.

Very often, the children live in neighborhoods where they only see large fence-fighting dogs. They start off with the handler sitting in between the child and the dog.  Once the student realizes the dog is not going to jump on or hurt them, they relax. By the second or third visit, they’re old friends and they realize that some dogs can be nice.

A recent study with UC Davis showed that students in reading dogs programs increased their reading skills by 12% to 20% over kids who were not in reading dog programs.  BARK’s teachers/counselor indicated that over 80% of kids in the their program increased in reading skills, self-confidence, and class participation.

Abby the reading dog and her friend

This past year, they started working with deaf children who sign their words to the dogs.  These children are shy about using their speaking voice, but learn the dogs will follow commands if they use a strong voice.  They think they’re having fun when they’re actually practicing speaking.

BARK also puts on fun photo presentations about service/therapy dogs and humane education.

Hopefully, these kids will grow up to be responsible pet owners.

Here’s what some of the participants have to say:

Hugo, a Jack Russell terrier, had been going to a school for only three weeks when his handler was stopped by a teacher.  She said she had already noticed that one of her students, who read to Hugo, had a better attitude in class.  Every time he had a test, he took out Hugo’s card and set it on the corner of his desk because it kept him calm and made him smile.

Vinita, a golden retriever, worked with a fourth-grader who tended to get in trouble and did not participate in class.  After a few weeks, he asked if he could bring Vinita to his classroom for everyone to meet.  At the end of the eight week session with Vinita, the boy was given a brand new book and a stuffed dog.  He ran into his classroom and asked if he could read the book to the entire class.  His teacher said he never would have done that before.

BARK is looking to further expand their classrooms in Northern CA.  If you think your dog might be a good candidate, please contact Josie at barkreadingdogs@aol.com.  Just think of the difference your dog can make in a child’s life!

The first rule of owning your own business is getting and retaining clients or customers.  This week I took on a client that I knew I would never see again.

Meet Raider, an 8 year old Lab/Border Collie Mix with Stage 4 Lymphoma . He was only expected to live for 6-8 weeks when diagnosed and it’s been 2 1/2 months.  The owners consider this a miracle and are showering him with love until he passes.

Raider

Due to his Lymph nodes being swollen, his eyes and back side are very red and bulgy and he’s lost 50 pounds in the last 2 months.  He lives on 5 acres and is used to controlling the wildlife on his property.  He can still do all that, but at a much slower pace.

Barring his appearance, you’d never know that he has a terminal illness.  He has a big appetite, still wags his tail all the time and follows me around the house.  He was even trying to get “frisky” with Libby when she came to stay with us.

Raider getting "frisky" with Libby

What really impresses me are the owners two young children and how they accept his illness with grace and love him unconditionally.

Fortunately for Raider, he doesn’t know that the end is near.  Some people may debate that dogs know when their time is coming and I do believe that, but at this stage, I don’t think he’s there yet.

Humans are a very different story.  If we find ourselves in the unfortunate situation to be diagnosed with a terminal illness, we are face with having to deal with that reality and what it would mean to our lives and how we conduct ourselves.

SHOWTIME has a new series called, “The Big C” starring Laura Linney and Oliver Platt in which she is a school teacher diagnosed with terminal Melanoma.  She’s healthy now, but knows that she doesn’t have long on this Earth.  So, she decides not to tell her family and lives life completely on her terms and does whatever she wants.  She kicks her needy husband out of the house and lives life to the fullest.  She does some crazy stuff, but it’s the subtleties of her life that take on new meaning such as the flowers in her garden and spending time with her cranky teenage son. She is joyous and willing to try new things that she dared not do before.  Wouldn’t it be great if we can live that all the time?

Why do we wait until something like a terminal illness wakes us up to live our lives the way we want to?  It’s like the Kris Allen’s song, “Live like you’re dying”. “We only got 86,400 seconds in a day to turn it all around or we throw it all away”.

Raider Relaxing

I believe that we are here to live our truth and to achieve pure joy and love and live in alignment with that truth.  There are many paths to reach this place, but they all are going to the same destination – Spirit, God, Source, Nirvana, Infinite Intelligence, The Universe and for you Star Wars fans, The Force.  Whatever you call it, to reach this destination you must live in accordance with your true and higher self – your divine self.

Think about it, are you living in alignment with your true self??

Are you with the person you truly want to be with?

Are you in the profession or job that you can’t wait to get up for everyday?

Do you treat people with kindness and can you forgive them?

Do you sweat the small stuff?

Do you argue when it just doesn’t matter?

Do you love your friends and family deeply and openly?

Have you put off someone or something waiting for the perfect time that never comes?

I’m still working on all this, but I know that the choices in front of me are limitless – we only have to make the decision to create our amazing life!

What’s the first thing you would do if you knew your time was limited??

People get dogs for many reasons – They may want a Guard dog like the Doberman Pinscher, a hunting dog such as the German Shorthair or a lap dog like a Maltese.  However, the two dogs that I’ve found that are strictly made for love is the Labradoodle and Goldendoodle. Both are crossed with a Poodle and a Labrador or Golden Retriever.  I’ve boarded many doodle dogs and all of them have been extremely friendly, loyal, fun, non aggressive and so loving.

Sweet Charlie the Labradoodle

Labradoodles were first bred in Australia by the Australian Guide Dog Association in 1989 as an allergy friendly seeing eye dog.  The Goldendoodle was first bred in North America in the 1990’s.  Both are bred for their non or light shedding coats for people who were allergic to dogs.  They come in 3 sizes – Standard, Medium and Miniature with many different coat colors and textures.

Barkley the Chocolate Labradoodle

According to Petrix.com, all three breeds rank in the top ten for intelligence, but you’d never know it to look at a doodle dog, as I call them, (or a Dr. Seuss dog).  They can be clumsy looking and sometimes have a vacant look to them.  My husband says that those breeds should never have been crossed because it bred the smartness out of them!  I don’t agree.

Nicky, my buddy, Goldendoodle

Doodle dogs have a quiet intelligence that’s very in tune with humans.   It’s kind of hard to describe, but when they look at you, it’s as though they know what you’re thinking.  If you’re looking for that perfect companion dog that will be a true buddy to you, I highly recommend a doodle dog.  They’re the kind of dog that will be at your side though thick or thin.

Tammy Faye a mini Goldendoodle with Corinna

I few months ago, one of my boarders died at 2 years old from complications after stomach surgery.  His name was Charlie.  He was a very large white, very shy Labradoodle.   He was one of those doodle dogs that wasn’t from the high intelligence pool, but we loved him anyway and brought us much joy and laughter when he was in our home.

Bailey the Goldendoodle

So the other day, I was looking at Barkley, the Chocolate Labradoodle that I’m boarding now, and his expression was so much like Charlie’s that it sparked the idea for this blog about these wonderful dogs.

Roxie the Labradoodle

If you have a doodle dog, I’d love to hear your stories and see if you agree with my assessment.

When I first started pet sitting, I used to do a lot of visits that included walking dogs.  I soon found out that I preferred to stay home and board dogs.  However, there are a handful of clients dogs that I still walk.

This is how I find Ty everytime. He can't hear me come in poor little guy!

Of all the many miles I’ve journeyed with dogs, there is one in particular that I look forward to.  It’s just on the outskirts of El Dorado Hills, CA, but it might as well be miles away in the mountains.  I walk this path with Ty, a 14 year old Queensland Healer/Border Collie mix that looks and acts like he’s 5!  He recently went deaf and I have to wake him up when I get there, but he’s always so happy to see me and ready for our walk.

Here's Ty when he's awake!

The path we walk is scattered with houses.  One has goats, horses and two very protective Bouvier des Flandres.

These are some of the horses from the house across the street

The scenery is set in the foothills with oak trees everywhere.  I relish the solitude and peaceful surroundings.  Not only is it a beautiful walk, but the path has steep inclines which gives me a good glute workout!

This is the begining of the path

After walking over a wooden bridge, there is a beautiful pond – a home sits on top of the hill overlooking the pond.

The Pond

At the end of this journey, we climb to the top of the hill where there is a spectacular vista that spans all the way to Folsom Lake and even Sacramento’s skyline in the background.  One of the homes has a vineyard and a tennis court with a large deck that faces the view.  I can only image what it must be like sitting on top of that deck looking over the magnificent view and knowing how blessed you are to have this little piece of Heaven.

Right next to the tennis courts is the lookout deck

The major glute workout is worth it to see this wonderful, peaceful, thought provoking view.

This is just part of the awesome view

Isn’t that the same with life.  There may be steep hills, rocks, bugs and whatever comes your way, but to reach for something that is your life’s desire makes it all worth it.  As they say, there can be no joy without the pain.

Another look at the view

As a woman my age, I have learned that life is too short to compromise on what brings me joy.  What else are we here for, but to experience happiness – the kind of happiness that comes from deep inside your soul.  The awareness that without this joy, you’re life is less than what it could be.

This is Ty saying good bye and ready to make the trip back home!

We all know what it is, now are you going to spend the rest of your life wishing or doing something about finding your bliss?  It’s all up to you.