The universe will reward you for taking risks on its behalf. 
— Shakti Gawain

Dear Shannon,

[My dogs] Becca, Charlie, and I all really enjoyed talking with you. My two Labs have looked at me with longing eyes over the years as if they had something to tell me. I was excited to finally hear what they had to say. And, judging by how both of them jumped on me the minute I hung up the phone, I would say they were happy too.

During our conversation, we spoke about Becca’s responsibilities in the home. My response to Becca’s question was that she was only to stand guard outside while my three-year-old played and that her only responsibility ever would be to protect my daughter.

The next day my daughter went out to play on her swing set. Becca lay next to the swing set the entire time. She never wandered around the yard at all. She stayed in that one spot watching Faith until Faith came back into the house. I could hardly believe what I was seeing. Becca has continued to do the same thing every day since.

I would have to say that both of my dogs seem so much happier, and I am grateful that you are doing this kind of work.

Thank you again,

Kim

When I first learned about animal communication, I thought the conversations with my animal friends would be limited to the mundane world: food, bodies, habits, relationships. Boy was I in for a surprise!

Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that, eight years later, I would be consulting my animal friends about my life purpose (and theirs!), the nature of Spirit and the universe, and how to live with the same kind of grace they embody every day.

Not just a roll in the yard

I still remember one of my early conversations with my beloved Bill the Cat, who instructed me to go outside and lie down in the grass. But this was not just a roll in the yard, it was a lesson in being.

Bill asked me to walk barefoot and be in connection with nature, noticing how the grass loved having its essence released into the air. Then he asked me to lie down, sensing and feeling the nature of the grass – its own character and service to the world. “Be one with the grass,” my Bill advised.

It is with some remorse that I note I never did take that walk in my backyard. I felt foolish and on display, as if my neighbors had nothing better to do than watch me tromping around outside as my cat directed.

Cats as wise as mine

However, Bill’s guidance seems to have caught up with me all these many years later. This summer I found myself darting out the doors of a Los Angeles conference center. Tired of sitting under fluorescent lights for three solid days while blue skies and palm trees beckoned just a few hundred yards away, I hurtled myself outside during a break and flopped onto the first grassy patch I could find. Shoes off, face to the sun, I not only breathed in the essence of the grass, I rejoiced in it, danced with my senses, wallowed in it.  

Ten minutes later, when the chime sounded for the next conference session, I opened my eyes to discover I wasn’t the only one thus occupied. I could only conclude that my fellow conference attendees had cats as wise as mine.

Bless you Bill.  

Thank you, thank you, thank you! The session Rudy and I had with you has absolutely transformed us. I feel like a communication channel opened up between Rudy and me and is just staying open. I don't get his communica-tions anywhere near as clearly as you do, but it's worlds better than before. We really are feeling like partners now. Thanks so much for your beautiful help.

Be E. after a consultation with her Dutch Warmblood gelding Rudy

Animals, including human animals, experience richly textured emotional lives. And while our animal friends are much more “in the moment” than we are, sometimes they too can benefit from assistance in releasing emotions such as fear, confusion, anxiety, anger, and grief.

This assistance is different for each animal. Some animals need a listening ear and the freedom to experience their emotions, others benefit from gentle energywork, and there are also animals who need help understanding the situation. Mac, a shih tzu, fell into this last category.

Mac and I first spoke in November of 2005. His human mom, Betty, observed that Mac was still grieving the loss of his friend Pip, who had passed two years earlier.

Apart from a lovely letter Betty sent with her payment, I hadn’t heard from her in a long time; so, I was wonderfully surprised to receive an on-air call from her when I was the featured guest on the Sacred Insights radio program this summer.

When Betty called into the radio program, I asked her to share her experience of our 2005 communication session.

“I would tell anybody about it [animal communication]. It’s so wonderful. I had to have my dog Pip put to sleep and for two years after that Mac would not have anything to do with anybody. And I knew that he was grieving but I couldn’t get through to him, so I called Shannon. And she talked to him and explained to him why Pip had gone and what had happened. And he said all he knew was that we took Pip away and Pip looked back as he was going but he didn’t know why he [Pip] didn’t come back

“Well Shannon talked to him [Mac] and explained to him what happened and that very night – see Mac and Pip had always slept one on each side of my leg, but Mr. Pip died and Mac would not come up to me at all at night – that very night Mac came up and laid on the side of my legs again.

“He was a different dog. It just – it was incredible. It was like whatever she said to him cleared it over and he was just wonderful. I just can’t tell you how pleased I was.”

There are truly no words to express how much our experience meant to me. I have given you many referrals from Dogster when people have asked me about it. I know of two that have done sessions with you and it has changed their lives and given them peace. Thank you for all you do.

Karen Finley, Elizabethtown, Kentucky

Communicating with Animals Who Have Crossed Over

I really believe that I have the best job in the world – I get to help connect humans and their animals. Many times this happens long after an animal has crossed over.

These consultations are a special joy because the humans can finally hear the news they’ve been waiting for: “I’m still with you even though you can’t see me. My body feels better than ever. I love you so much!” And the animals know the humans in their lives have received the message and understand at last.

Karen Finley and I spoke with her sweet Pug Piggy at a Kentuckiana Pug Rescue event last year. Piggy showed me that she was still very much with Karen.

“The animal communicator also said that Piggy was laying her head over my heart like she always did and that she can feel my love for her. (Every afternoon when I came home and I picked her up, she would lay her head over on me, just at the heart).”

Read about Karen’s experience and see more pictures on Piggy’s Dogster page.

I thought I was helping when I suggested my dear friend Nancy purchase a ramp so her arthritic Border Collie Kelly could easily get in and out of the car. That was until Nancy called and announced Kelly wouldn’t go near the ramp.

I really couldn’t blame Kelly. As Nancy’s car leases ended she transitioned to taller and larger vehicles to accommodate her many grandchildren. And while Kelly was easily able to leap in and out of an SUV when she was younger, lighter model, things were different now. In addition to being an older, less athletic dog, Kelly’s vision was dimming and her arthritis was increasing … and that meant that when she leapt to enter the car, and missed, she fell and fell hard. The fact that she was having trouble making it onto the sofa in the house did not bode well for leaping into a giant SUV.

While Kelly had once been overjoyed to ride around town with her mom, she was no longer interested in the car and was in fact beginning to associate it with pain. In addition to the leaps, misses and bone-jarring thuds, Kelly’s arthritis was such that when she needed to be transported somewhere, to the vet for example, she had to be hoisted into the car while her mom or dad held her mouth shut to prevent Kelly from biting out of discomfort as she was bundled into and out of the car. …Which was why all signs seemed to point to a ramp.

Now before I get any further, allow me to note that Kelly is also deaf as a post, so there wasn’t going to be any persuasion of the verbal kind.

To continue, the first time I saw the ramp extended from the back of the SUV to the ground I had second thoughts myself. I looked at the ramp’s box, complete with pictures of dogs gladly, joyously even, trotting up and down the ramp. And I looked at the steep pitch of the ramp from Nancy’s vehicle to the ground. I looked at the note that said the ramp would accommodate 200 pounds. And I looked at the four-foot drop from the back of the SUV to the ground. And I looked at Kelly. And I thought, “Smart dog.” (Ha ha ha ha ha.)

Who would have guessed that after a few animal communication / training sessions, Kelly would use the ramp voluntarily?

Find out how it all came together (and see a picture of a very proud Kelly) in the next newsletter.

"When I truly know someone – and I can do this in just a few moments – I can bring their love into my heart and back out to them. Thus they receive the love that they have never given to themself, and it is magic."  - Henry

You may have wondered how animals seem to find their way to your door. I am convinced there is a well-lit neon sign above my head that reads, “Pushover for animals – try me.”

The most recent animal to take me up on my sign’s offer is a young orange and white tabby I call Henry.

I am very fond of Henry – in fact I’m guaranteed to squeal his name when I see him on the deck in the evening – but the kitties who live with me have made it quite clear that there is no room at the inn. So I told Henry we would use this interview as a personals ad to attract his purr-fect family.

Henry is the most entertaining of cats so I knew we would have fun communicating. What I didn’t expect though was the depth of knowingness and connection he shared. In hindsight, it’s no surprise but at the time all I could think was, “Wow! That’s my Henry!”

Henry is a cat full of heart: funny, charming, and insightful. And you just might be his fur-ever person. Read on and see.

Shannon: Henry, tell me a little bit about yourself.

Henry: (Deadpan) I’m a cat. What do you want to know?

S:  (After a moment of laughter) Well, you’re looking for a home, correct?

H:  (Excited) Oh yes! Do you think they’re coming soon?

S:  I think this may help someone realize they’re your family.

H:  (Relieved) Oh good. That’s wonderful. (Excited again) Can they come soon?

S:  Well, we’re working on that.

H:  Let’s get started. (Joking) What’s taking so long?

S:  (Shaking my head) Alright Mr. Funny Guy. It takes me a little while to type my questions and your answers.

H:  (With a grin) I was wondering what was taking so long.

S:  Ha ha.

H:  Well really, usually we communicate much faster. I thought maybe you needed me to (speaking in an exaggeratedly slow voice) speak slower because you didn’t understand.

S:  (Groan) No, I understand completely. I just can’t type as fast as we communicate. Ready to help attract your new family?

H:  (Earnest) I’m always ready for that.

S:  What would you like them to know about you?

I’m a very funny cat. I like making people laugh. … I bring the gift of humor as an illusion of love.

H:  Well, as you can tell, I’m a very funny cat. I like making people laugh, and Shannon is a particularly easy target. All I have to do is look at her sideways or roll on my back and show my tummy and she melts all over the place.

S:  That’s true. You also have a way with words.

H:  That’s true!

S:  Ha ha. Henry, you’re just a silly cat. Not in a comedic way, but in a very deliberate I’m-going-to-make-you-laugh-and-you-just-don’t-know-it-yet kind of way.

H:  Bingo. (Grin)

S:  So you bring the gift of laughter.

H:  Oh yes, and of not taking yourself seriously.

S:  Well it’s hard to take oneself seriously when one is faced with a cat head one moment and a cat belly the next. You’re always rolling and stretching and making chirping noises.

H:  (In mock seriousness) Now let’s get this straight. I only chirp when I come to the deck, and that’s to let you know I am here. And if you want to see funny, you should see yourself running up to see me. Sometimes I think you’re going to run right through the glass door.

S:  Okay, you’ve got me there. I’m a very big fan. I quite adore you.

H:  I’m glad. (Smiling) I’m a very attractive cat you know. [Attractive as in he attracts you like a magnet.] It’s one of my many charms.

S:  (Laughing)

H:  Yes, you are correct in your understanding of attractive. Although I’m a very handsome cat too. (Posing) Don’t you think so?

S:  You are so silly.

H:  (With a twinkle in his eye) I believe we’ve already covered that. S:         (Chuckle) So we have. Now, what kind of home would you like to have?

It’s time for me to be able to shower someone with my gifts.

H:  (Growing serious) Well, I’m ready to come home to a place where people value me, where they see me and want to hug me and cuddle me and understand what love I bring.

S:  Once you told me that your last home was just a place to eat.

H:  That is correct. It wasn’t a home. No one saw me for who I am. They just put out food and all the animals came for that. It’s time for me to be able to shower someone with my gifts.

S:  What are your gifts?

H:  (Serious and questioning) Haven’t we already discussed this?

S:  A little bit, but I think we can help people understand even more clearly.

H:  Alright. (Focusing his energy) I bring the gift of humor as an illusion of love. When people see me they are attracted to me and they don’t know why. Yes I am a handsome boy, but there is something else. It is because when I truly know someone – and I can do this in just a few moments – I can bring their love into my heart and back out to them. Thus they receive the love that they have never given to themself, and it is magic.

S:  That is a magnificent gift Henry. I didn’t know about that.

H:  (Shrugging) Well, you never asked at this depth.

S:  I would like to know more.

When someone is open to me and deeply trusting I open myself even further. I work my magic ... open[ing] them to a deeper knowing of awareness and their child’s heart springs forth, asking for love.

H:  That is good. When someone is open to me and deeply trusting I open myself even further. I work my magic as I roll and stretch and purr and they want to have their hands on me. It is because, unknowing, they seek to gather the love to their heart/unto themself. My “jokes,” as you call them, open them to a deeper knowing of awareness and their child’s heart springs forth, asking for love.

S:  This is a precious gift they offer you, their child’s heart. Are you talking about what humans often call the inner child?

H:  It is the same thing but there is a different essence. This inner child you speak of often has hurt associated with it. This child’s heart is only joyful. They hear my heart – I call to them and the total being feels oneness. It is as if they have come to be fully present in the moment and they are united unto themself.

S:  There is great healing in this Henry.

H:  Oh yes! You cannot be healed with yourself when you are separated. Invite your child’s self to be with you and you will open the doorway to happiness. There is much that lies there.

S:  Oh Henry. I have loved you for so long and never known this. Thank you for being this even when I didn’t think to ask.

H:  You are welcome.

S and H as one thought: Now I/you will know to ask of this.

S:  It is a gift all animals bring.

H:  It is. You are wise in this way. Let your wisdom sing.

S:  I will, my sweet precious boy. You are my dear.

I am waiting for you. I am waiting for our hearts to be together. I know they already are, but I want to feel you and you are ready to hear my purr. ... I’ll be waiting. 

H:  (Swaggering) I am everyone’s dear. It is one of the wonderful things about Henry. (Lightening up again) There is enough of me for everyone.

S:  Is there anything else you’d like to say to your potential family before we end tonight?

H:  (Serious) I am waiting for you. I am waiting for our hearts to be together. I know they already are, but I want to feel you and you are ready to hear my purr. Shannon will know who you are and she will tell me so when you come I won’t run away. I’ll be waiting. Come soon so we can be together this time.

S:  Goodnight darling.

H:  Goodnight. (Being playful) Dinner time?

S:  No you silly goose. You already ate.

H:  Oh. (Making chipmunk cheeks) Well I can always eat more!

[End]

On December 17, 2006 I had the great pleasure of uniting Henry and his new dad. Mine was only one of many roles in the process. Hen and I had a lot of helpers, mostly unseen, to thank for his happy home with Rick. It’s a magical story – aren’t all animal stories? – but more than this webpage can comfortably manage. (Nobody likes reading that much text on a computer.) An entire chapter of a book might suffice. ;)

“Kenny had food aggression and just aggression issues in general … After 35 minutes of speaking with Shannon and her showing Kenny how to calm himself [by releasing traumatic memories], he was a totally different dog. He is the love of my life even more. I don’t know if we could have ever helped him out of his terrors but with Shannon’s help we did. Thank you Shannon. Kenny is the calmest dog I have ever seen.” Nicole Hahn, Kenny's mom

Stuck on the Trauma Setting

Sometimes when humans or animals go through a traumatic experience, their systems seem to get stuck on the trauma setting. Every moment thereafter becomes about survival. Is this a safe environment or not? Are these safe people or not? Survival-oriented messages constantly circulate throughout their systems like troops scouting for danger and, before long, these fears become stored in the body. This was the case with Kenny, a rescued Manchester Terrier, who I met this month at Kentuckiana Pug Rescue's PugPalooza.

Although he had been part of a loving home for seven months, Kenny’s system was still set to “danger.” In fact, when I asked Kenny if it would be alright to talk with him, he said he wasn’t sure. The reason? He didn’t know if it was safe to do so. When, with Kenny’s permission, I tuned in to his body I immediately became aware of his system’s hyper-vigilance. It felt as if all of his nerves were working furiously, at the same moment and without any coordination. This was how Kenny felt all the time. It was easy to understand why he might feel anxious and aggressive.

Learning To Let Go

I began by showing Kenny and his “mom,” Nicole, how he could release some of these feelings by letting them go down and out his spine, and then filling in the spaces with divine love. Kenny was delighted with this new experience and, after a few moments, indicated he was ready to continue. He also showed his appreciation by approaching me for the first time. Where earlier he had stood a few feet away from me, he now came and touched his nose to the palm of my hand.

Now that Kenny was feeling more secure, it was relatively simple to help him understand that Nicole and David were indeed his forever family. This wasn’t the first time Kenny had heard he had a forever home, but it was the first time his heart was open enough to feel it and believe it. As we continued our session, Kenny was also able to receive Nicole’s assurances that he would always have enough to eat. Thus, he could release his fear of starving and the accompanying need to be aggressive when it came to food.

My Hero

If you’ve ever had a traumatic experience, you may understand how difficult it can be to let go of the need to guard against future attacks. As I pointed out to Kenny, there are many beings who go through their entire lives feeling stuck over something that happened years ago. They are afraid of the emotions and even the process of moving through the trauma.

Having been in Kenny’s shoes myself (paws, rather) I could appreciate the courage it took to open his heart and trust. I was deeply encouraged and moved by Kenny’s bravery, and I was quick to tell him so.

Relaxed and It Shows

Just as Kenny’s body had previously shown the results of holding on to fear and anxiety, it now showed the calm that came over him as we continued to release his previous trauma. His nervous gait changed from constricted tippy-toe steps to full, long strides. His body lengthened and relaxed and he began to breathe into his belly. Nicole gleefully noted that Kenny’s ears had dropped to a relaxed position for the first time since he had come to live with her. And where Kenny had once preferred to keep his distance from me, by the end of our time together he was asking for and appreciating a through rub-down.

When I asked Kenny recently if it would be alright to share his story, he generously gave his permission, “Maybe you could help other dogs learn to open their hearts too.”

One Big Happy Family

My heart turned over when I received this message from Kenny’s mom and dad a few days after our session. It’s a wonderful testimony to the courage of a little dog with a big heart.

“I just wanted to say THANK YOU. I have to admit that at first I was a little leery. Not sure exactly what I would learn and if I wanted to or not. Once you told me some things that only Kenny would have told you, I knew that he really wanted you to help me help him. He is a totally different dog. He is the most calm and relaxed dog in our house. He is no longer food aggressive and is just so laid back and content. I didn't think I would love him any more than I already did but since he has become so calm, he is a better dog. Thank you for helping him to open his heart up and to learn how to be content.

“He makes our house calmer. I just look at him with that calm look on his face and he just makes me calm. We still have a few issues with possession, mainly when another dog is around me, but I just tell him to release the energy down his back and out his tail and he calms immediately. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU. I can never thank you enough. Kenny is a great dog and I love him and my family loves you for helping us. THANK YOU. David & Nicole Hahn"

© 2006-2007 Shannon Gross LLC. The information on this website is protected by copyright. In most cases I am happy to share information about animal communication. Please remember to ask for before reprinting any content from this site.