Notes from an Animal Psychic's Casebook

Thank you Smudge

By Elaine Harrison

In fact, as a child I had chronic asthma and it was decided that I shouldn't venture near to anything furred or feathered in case it created a huge allergic reaction. Even my teddy bears were banished to the attic! So instead I satisfied myself with reading anything and everything to do with animals, plus occasionally sneaking off to spend time with friends who had ponies, dogs and cats - and, yes, getting ill afterwards.

However, I did soon realise that there was something 'different' about me. I was able to see lights around living things, to see and hear people that no-one else seemed aware of and was also blessed with the ability to see Fairies - who first made themselves known to me by visiting me in my bedroom when I was unwell. To this day that story creates much hilarity at certain family gatherings. You know the sort of thing "Remember when our Elaine had the fairies visiting her?" "Guffaw, guffaw!" I have learned to laugh along, too.

The realisation that animals were communicating with me was a gradual one. Into my 20's and after at long last acquiring my very own pony (with no wheezing!!) I obviously began to meet many other equines and their humans. And somehow, somewhere - coincidentally - along the line I became the person everyone turned to whenever there was anything wrong with his or her horse or pony. I always seemed to know what was wrong and even found myself consulted by visiting vets. It only dawned on me that there was 'something going on' when I found myself diagnosing over the telephone, or from a photo. And not just horses, but dogs, cats - and even the occasional human, too.

I just accepted this as the norm and life remained pretty much unchanged until one day I visited a yard and saw a very sad and dejected looking horse hiding away in the far corner of her stable. Upon enquiry I discovered she had been chronically lame for some weeks and the vets seemed unable to do anything. She was due to be 'put out of her misery' later that week. As I lent over her stable door I was suddenly consumed with a deep sorrow - I could feel her pain, but I knew this horse was not ready to go to spirit. Then - as clear as a bell - she 'told' me she had fractured her leg and it was very painful, but she could not understand why the vet kept treating the wrong leg!

Circumstances allowed me no time to decide how to handle this piece of information for just as she finished telling me her person arrived. Evidently pained by what was happening and what was due to happen to her horse, the poor girl struggled to even look at me. There was so much sadness in her eyes, which seemed to plead with me to please not ask after her horse - it was way too hard for her to talk about it. But what could I do? I simply said, "Look this is going to sound a little crazy, but I believe your vet is treating the wrong leg. Get a second opinion, get them to look at the other leg and it will all be ok". She did - and it was. It was time for me to start listening some more.

As I got to this point in my story I found myself drawn to look at one of the many photo's dotted around my office here. (I must just say digressions are likely within my column, because when spirit decides to make a point - I have learnt not to argue). The photo in question was the one of Smudge - a beautiful little black and white cat who shared my life for many, many years and made the transition to spirit almost a year-and-a-half ago now. As I looked at her photo I couldn't help but feel a tinge of sadness. Here am I - able to communicate with animals (incarnate and discarnate), yet I cannot even sum up a mental image of my beloved Smudge! Thank goodness for the photos - otherwise I sometimes feel like her image would be lost to me forever!

As I asked why my attention was suddenly drawn to Smudge's picture the room became filled with an all-powerful, loving presence. Even the light changed - suddenly everything was infused with a beautiful golden glow. For a short while I simply sat and drank-in the atmosphere, then all of a sudden a little doorway seemed to open up in my mind and at speed I was remembering just what a huge role Smudge played in my life with regards to my animal healing and communication work. How could I have forgotten!

First, there was the time I actually heard 'aloud' (yes, with my own human ears), Smudge speak to me! I had been away for a couple of days and a friend had been on house sitting duty. My first night home and Smudge did the usual - climbed up onto the bed and nestled down beneath the quilt with me. "I've missed you Smudge, I do love you so," said I. "I love you, too," replied Smudge. WHAT? The shock was momentary - so infused was that moment with pure love and wonder that human surprise or disbelief had no space to be.

Then there was the time Smudge got ill and 'introduced' me to a well-known animal healer and communicator who helped her to get better and told me I was just as capable as he of 'doing all of this'. The time she got ill (again) and had to be left at the vets overnight - only to appear in spirit to me that very evening. Of course I assumed she had 'died', but she informed me she was fine! The following morning I discovered she had been in some sort of coma - and she was indeed fine. The stories could go on and on - suffice to say for now that Smudge 'nudged' me along the way.

However, as wonderful as my trip down memory lane had been I still wanted to know WHY do I not see/sense Smudge 'the cat' around me, when we had been so incredibly close? The answer came back as clear as can be: "I am no longer a cat and you have no need to sense me as such." Much more was said, which I may share with you at a later date. For now, I hope that this little tale may offer some peace to others of you who may feel you have lost 'contact' with one you loved.

I feel this has been something of a brief introduction into my world of work and play, but feel sure that more stories will arise as and when appropriate. Starting next month I will begin to share with you the many delights of my working diary - and my sometimes 'extra'ordinary home life, too. But more than that, I will also offer as many practical (and sometimes a little impractical) hints and tips as possible to help you relate to your own animal friends. I also work as a TTeam (Tellington Touch) Practitioner and look forward to sharing this knowledge, too.

Elaine was born and raised right in the very heart of England, in the County of Nottinghamshire. Able to see spirits and auras from childhood, she tried to put a lid on her apparent 'differences' as she left school and ventured into the world of journalism. As a writer, Editor and Marketing Manager she enjoyed many years working for a number of prestigious titles and travelling the world in the process. Of course her spiritual quest could not be ignored and soon any spare time was spent exploring mediumship (studying at the world-famous Stansted Hall in England) and healing. Animals have played a major role in her life and animal healing and communication work now take up much of her time. Elaine is also a qualified TTEAM (Tellington Touch) Practitioner. Elaine currently divides her time between her animal work, lectures and demos, mediumship and freelance writing.