Talk to the animals? Pet communicator shares their thoughts

I promise I did my own homework, well before the recent great "Pet Talk" column ran in the Oregonian on animal communicators.

And, after a short hesitation, I decided to stick with my planned topic schedule and run my own piece along the same line. I figured it would give readers some varied information, and a slightly different spin, on what is definitely a large and fascinating subject. Plus, this is just too good not to share.

The fun part is, you readers who have been with me for a while know some of my pets, and you'll get to "hear" a little from them in this column.

Because I have RagaMuffin cats, I belong to an online list of breeders and owners who share information and advice. Over the past couple of years, I've listened in as different people shared their experiences with one specific animal communicator, Lisa Reber. I became more fascinated all the time. When I couldn't stand it any more, I contacted her early in May.

It was the easiest thing in the world - I sent an e-mail, which gave her my e-mail address to reply to, and I included my phone number, and where I was in the U.S. (time zone). She called me back with the scoop on how to proceed.

She would like a picture of the pet she'd be communicating with, their name and a list of questions I'd like her to ask. She also wanted me to talk with my pet ahead of time to let them know that a lady named Lisa Reber would be contacting them, and it was okay for them to talk with her, and in fact, I would like for them to talk with her.

I ended up making a "package deal" and asked her to talk with everyone - why would I want to leave anyone out? She said that could be fun, and there could be some good group conversations that get going.

Okaaaayyy. I'm not skeptical, in fact I'm really excited, but this is hard for me to get my mind around. This was on a Monday, and she said she would call me on Wednesday evening. Cool.

Let me preface this by saying, I gave this woman no details about personalities, and she absolutely blew me away.

Since Mr. Hobbs' picture runs with the column all the time, let's start with him. She said his tummy felt bloated and uncomfortable and to watch him for the next few hours and I'm telling you the ensuing hairball broke all records.

Then she said he "talked" with an accent - like a Greek or Italian seaman. Okay, Mr. Hobbs was born in Italy.

She said he told her he only wants attention for a little while, that touching irritates him after a little bit, like a hyperactivity in his skin - but he loves talking, and he loves to watch the other two kitties go at it.

(Then she reminded me of lots of pressure in his tummy - yep, mega hairball.)

I have since tried talking more to Mr. Hobbs and he just adores it.

There was more, but I have to spread the spotlight around.

When she talked with the lady Octavia, right off the bat she got "I love Mommy, she's so good to me!" Well, she is my girl...

And then Lisa told me to check her bowel movements or anal gland that she might not be getting enough liquid. Okay, that had me raising an eyebrow, because Octavia's "doodles" had been as dry as could be. Hmmmm.

Octavia told Lisa she likes to "help" Mommy and she saw a picture of hands working and Octavia's paws helping - okay, this happens on the keyboard, or folding clothes, the list goes on.

Then she told Lisa, "Mommy worries about all animals a lot - Daddy wishes she wouldn't feel like she has to help them all."

Was she listening when my husband was asking how much rolled corn we were buying to feed those pregnant deer?

AsTar - our black RagaMuffin - said "Octavia is bossy and won't share" and that she loves "chicken and more chicken and runny eggs" and she does.

Most compelling was when AsTar told Lisa, "I love Daddy - he is my person. He's very good to me" because she absolutely adores Herb.

Kitty Stray (outdoor kitty) said, "Call me Kitty, please, I'm not a stray anymore. Lady takes really good care of us, can you thank her? I'm very happy to have found a home, I was told by others that she would help with my babies."

Her name has since been updated to "Miss Kitty" and Lisa says she like that a lot.

Her daughters -- Bubba Lou and Cooter Sue - answered together. They said "we know you - Mommy told us." Bubba Lou said "Tell her Mr. Hobbs thinks I'm really pretty." Then Cooter Sue chimed in "Me too!"

Then Lisa added that Mr. Hobbs wanted to say that he just likes to talk.

"Tell my gal to tell me her troubles, I'll listen. She should just sit herself down, stretch and rest like a cat. And breathe more - she doesn't breathe deeply enough."

Okay, she couldn't possibly have known that - but apparently Mr. Hobbs did.

Lisa also talked with Mabel, our adopted greyhound (retired racer) and Baby Sister, the blind deer we make food available for. I'll save that for another time.

To contact Lisa, send an e-mail to lisareber@druidicgems.com or petcommunication@druidicgems.com

Her basic fee is $35 for a reading. If you have other questions about my experience with her, please write to me at givingtheheartpaws@earthlink.net.

Christy Caballero, freelance writer and photographer, lives a couple of deer trails off the beaten track in northwestern Oregon. She writes about matters of the heart, and her love for animals - large, small, pets and wildlife. To reach her, write to givingtheheartpaws@earthlink.net.