Earth Talk

05/13/2026

A couple of weeks ago, I had the honor of meeting this sweet pup.
His person invited me into their home to see what he had to share, and from the moment I arrived, he showed me his true colors: jovial, good-natured, playful, and incredibly charming. From what his person shared, many people don’t get to witness this side of him — at least not right away.
During our time together, several supportive tools and approaches came up, including shifts in food ingredients and the use of flower essences. But one of the most beautiful parts of this experience was the reminder that the thoughts, feelings, and energy we carry truly make all the difference.
It would be easy to say that I came in with some kind of magic touch. But honestly, what happened feels even more beautiful than that. His person chose to welcome me into their home with trust. They believed I would meet him without judgment, no matter what behaviors I saw. And with those thoughts and feelings, the shift had already begun.
I truly believe we are all animal communicators. He sensed the change immediately. He knew he was about to meet a new friend who would love and accept him exactly as he was. That realization seemed to take the pressure off, and from there, the rest was magic.
Another thing that deeply touched me was the love and devotion his person has for him. The care, understanding, and willingness to support him in every way was beautiful to witness. They have both found a very special place in my heart, and I feel so honored to have been part of this experience.

04/22/2026

I was blessed with meeting this handsome gentleman last week. His wonderful person asked me to have a conversation with him and ask him how we can help him be comfortable.
The beautiful thing about animals is that they are always honest...it's up to us at what level we are willing to listen.
It is always such an honor for me. I"m grateful to have a fulfilling practice that fills my heart. 🙏💝🐾
Thank you also to his person for taking pictures..that doesn't usually happen. A beautiful momento 🧡

10/22/2025

It’s so easy to get caught up in what’s not working — the barking, the pulling, the reactivity, the perceived "stubbornness" or "resistance". When we live or work with animals, it’s natural to notice the things we’d like to change to make our lives easier.

When a student brings an animal to a training we invite them to introduce them to the group. Their name, age, breed, level of training a little background, why they came to the workshop - which invariably leads to discussing some challenges, physically, mentally or emotionally. It is totally understandable to highlight the things we want to change about an animal's behavior - those difficulties are usually what drives us to learn more and do better BUT we always remind guardians to pause and acknowledge what they love about their animals, too.

Sometimes, behavior can overshadow personality in our minds — yet behavior is simply a reflection of how an animal is feeling and responding to the world around them. It’s not who they are.

Taking a moment to remember the gifts, quirks, and qualities you appreciate helps you approach challenges with more calm and compassion. It builds self-control, helps you take things less personally, and reminds you to give your animal (and yourself!) the benefit of the doubt.

The next time you find yourself frustrated, try this: say out loud three things you love about your animal. Notice how your energy shifts — and you are better able to understand where the behavior is coming from and use your skills to give your animals better ways of coping. It all comes back to learning to act rather than react, the same way we hope to have our animals respond to new or stressful situations.

10/22/2025

💝🐾

"It's a half- joke I tell at parties, but there is truth in it: cats don't pretend. They don't say yes when they mean no; they don't smile when they are about to strike. They grant affection when they feel safe and retreat when they need space, and in these gestures there is an honesty I crave. Loving a cat requires a respect for autonomy and a willingness to be okay with not always being the center of someone's world. In return, you get a connection that is real, not out of obligation but out of choice. And that kind of mutual respect is something I'd pick every time."
R.M. Drake

Artist: Naoko Stoop Illustration

Paired by Whispers from the Heart

09/18/2025

I look forward to speaking at The Common Ground Fair this Saturday at 11:00 (Whole Life Tent). Topic is the one dear to my heart..Animal Communication. I always enjoy the interaction with the audience at this event. ☺️