Interview with Animal Communicator and Author Karen Anderson

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Interview with Animal Communicator and Author Karen Anderson
January 16th, 2010
by Annette Munnich
The Paranormal Python

Annette: I know this is a general question Karen, but what kinds of things do you think our pets wish we understood about them?

Karen Anderson: First and foremost that they have needs that may be different than our needs. We sometimes forget they are animals and have a need for being the dog or cat or horse that they are. We tend to ‘humanize’ them and don’t give their biological, physical or emotional needs priority. I run into a few clients who make sure they are meeting their animal’s requirements but most of us have a long way to go in this area. As much as we like to think of them as our babies we need to remember that they have animal needs too. Boredom is the number one source of behavior problems. Make sure you provide good physical and mental stimulation and you will have a harmonious animal family. Brain challenges such as putting part of your dog’s daily ration of kibble in a treat ball. They have to roll it around to get their food. If you have indoor cats then you are their entertainment center. Make sure you are providing them with something fun, interesting and different. Don’t leave the same old stuff out. Cats get bored in about 5 minutes. Rotate empty boxes, bags with no handles or empty cartons for them and take some away to be reintroduced later. Be creative, most cats are happy with the lid from the hairspray bottle or a ball made out of foil.

Annette: Besides feeding, petting and playing with our animals what other ways can we use to reassure and express our love?

Karen Anderson: Stop stressing out about your animals! Stress and worry are negative emotions and send out negative waves to our animals. Turn that negative wave into a positive by shifting your perspective. I challenge you to stop right now and think of what you are stressing about over an animal. Perhaps an illness, a behavior problem or even if you are leaving town. Stress and worry can make matters worse. Think of that song, “Don’t worry, be happy!”. It’s corny but it’s so true when it comes to our animals.

Annette: I never thought of it that way. I think that is very important to realize how stress and worry in and of itself can be a problem in the relationship with our animals… Is it true that our pets will over time reflect the same types of personality traits as their owners?

Karen Anderson: In some cases yes I think so. Here is a good rule of thumb. If you are happy, healthy, balanced and feeling good about yourself, your animals will too. If you are sad, depressed, angry, unhealthy and feeling bad about yourself…your animals will too. They are our barometers reflecting back what we put out into the world.

Annette: What is the best way for people to introduce a new animal into the home… especially if there are other pets already?

Karen Anderson: Go slowly. Most introductions are done way too fast. Animals are scent oriented and allowing them to smell each other before they actually see each other is the best way to start. Kittens meeting other kittens or puppies meeting other puppies are usually the exception to this rule. Remember animals think with animal minds. Territory, space, food, water, toys, are all claimed by the resident animals. I use baby gates to separate them too. Let them smell first then let them see each other with a barrier up so no one can touch the other. Try to think positive about how you would like them to respect each others space. When the time is right, after observing their behavior, then they can have monitored ‘visits’. Take your time and go slowly. The slower the better in most cases.

Annette: Really good to know! Do our animals stay connected to us after they pass on? What generally happens and how do they feel about us if we had to put them to sleep?

Karen Anderson: Absolutely yes our animals stay connected to us. Even though their physical body may die their soul or energy lives on. I call it transitioning because it really isn’t dying. Some animals tell me they feel more alive now than when they were in their bodies. As for their feelings of being euthanized, this is case by case. But most of the time the animals are ready to leave their body especially if it is failing them. They see death and dying as a natural stage in their journey and usually don’t make a big deal about it. They usually only get upset when their human gets upset. It does not change their love for us nor do they hold a grudge. Animals are quite forgiving even in the worst cases of abuse or neglect. We have a lot to learn from them.

Annette: I had to put two of my dogs to sleep and am still traumatized by it. Your answer gave me some comfort. Can anyone develop the ability to communicate with animals?

Karen Anderson: I do believe we all have the ability to learn to to communicate with animals. However I do believe that some people are just not open to the process so they would not have much success. But if you believe it can happen, are open to the process and love animals then it’s a snap. Once you learn the steps it’s like any other new skill. The more you practice the better you get.

Annette: Are you able to receive messages from wild animals and also smaller creatures such as fish or even insects?

Karen Anderson: All animals communicate with me through the same transmission of messages. Wild animals are no exception. I think of ‘Christian the lion’ and his love for his two humans. Even years after returning Christian to the wild he still remembered them and showered them with affection. All animals are capable of sending messages. Fish and other aquatic creatures are very interesting to communicate with. Understanding their world from their perspective has been so rewarding. I generally don’t communicate with insects much but it is possible. All living creatures have a soul and it’s the soul I connect with.

Annette: Please tell us a little bit about your book Hear All Creatures and what gave you the idea to write it?

Karen Anderson: My book is an inside look into the hearts and minds of the animals. I share my first moments communicating with animals and how I learned to understand their messages. Sometimes they will send me an image or picture of something and it’s up to me to figure it out. I also included some of my favorite sessions with the animals. Their incredible and sometimes heart wrenching messages still humble and amaze me. The idea to write a book came to me as I was touring the United States attending psychic fairs and expos. At each show I would speak before and audience and share some of my most recent sessions. The audiences could not get enough of my stories and would beg for more. Once I sat down to write it practically wrote itself. The stories of the animals in the Afterlife seem to be the most popular. So my next book will highlight some of my favorite sessions from the Other Side.

Annette: What was it like growing up being able to talk to animals and know what they thought and felt?

Karen Anderson: I thought everyone could understand the animals. It wasn’t until I was about 7 or 8 years old that my parents started to discourage me from ‘talking to the dog’. They didn’t quite know what to do with me and figured I had an overactive imagination. Since I loved animals so much it was very easy to tap into their energy. I think children are very open to these types of abilities as they don’t know they can’t. I loved every minute of it and still remember some of the silly conversations I had with them.

Annette: Nice. Have you ever come across an evil animal? Do you believe in people or animals being evil?

Karen Anderson: I have met some very fearful and some extremely aggressive animals but not an evil one. That is more for the humans in this world. Animals will generally act out for some kind of instinctual purpose. They live in the moment and are usually very happy as long as all their needs are met. If an animal is fearful it is usually because it’s humans are living in the past and keep replaying past events in their minds. Be in the moment with your animals. They are in a good home with lots of love, food, water and exercise. Don’t live in the past. It will help your animals move through their fears.

Annette: Thanks Karen for your very helpful insights. I am eager to incorporate what I learned today in to our daily life with our ‘fur people’ ;)

Karen has teleclasses and CD’s to help you learn to communicate with animals. Signed copies of her book are also available. Karen Anderson does private sessions by phone as well. Find out more about Karen Anderson by visiting her website.

	Dana in NY says:	2010-01-21 01:29:59
	Great information! I had no idea our animals stay connected to us after they die...this is great to know as I have so many animals that have died. Thank you Karen! I''ll be scheduling a session soon!