Friday, June 13, 2025

Lillie's Furever Home


While sharing a tea with my neighbor Teri, she mentioned our other neighbor Rebecca had recently (last Saturday and this was only Tuesday) adopted a dog from the local rescue shelter. She mentioned the dog was afraid and she wasn’t eating or drinking so Rebecca was really concerned about the new dog. I asked Teri if she would contact Rebecca. She was closer to her than I and suggest that I come over and speak with Lillie, the new dog. Rebecca was thrilled. She texted me and the next morning I went to see her new adopted dog Lillie.

When I arrived I realized she had weaned puppies very recently and was wearing a collar as she had been fixed prior to her adoption as well. I spoke with Lillie telepathically letting her know she was loved and safe and this was her new mommy and her new home. She was so surprised how quiet it was. She’s so used to the barking and yelling and all the stuff that goes on at the shelters. Lillie was moved to multiple shelters before she came to live with her new mom. I told her all the toys, all the food, all the water, even the comfy beds in the living room and the bedroom were all for her. She was so used to sharing. She was afraid she was gonna fight off another one just to be comfortable - poor baby. I did notice her water bowl was quite large so I suggested putting a smaller one as she seems to be so overwhelmed with things. The more contained that they can be the more she’ll get used to them. As Rebecca and I were talking, I noticed Lillie was getting more and more comfortable even to the point where she was laying, curled up in her bed with her back to us, not a care in the world. The next day, her mom texted me this: 

Hi Frances! Lillie is doing wonderfully - more relaxed, eating, and drinking her water. Thank you again!!! 

For the Love of Animals,

Frances


 

Friday, May 16, 2025

I am Always With Him in his Heart


 

I recently did a reading for a client who wrote:  

"This will be for my girl, Jessie. She was a beautiful American Eskimo. She came into my life in 2001. We rescued each other. We were together until just before Christmas 2012. She was possibly about 14 when she passed."

 Frances:  Hi Jessie – your dad wants to talk with you.  Is that ok?

Jessie: Of course, anything for Dad, he’s the best.  He was such a good man to me.  I never wanted for anything.  He knew when I was unhappy or in pain.  He did everything right for me.  What was right for him was right for me.  He didn’t have to explain anything to me about any actions he had to take, I understood it was always for our best interest.

Frances:  Thank you, Jessie.  Were you in pain at the end?

Jessie: I had some pain but Dad made sure it was at a minimum.  He always knew and was so good and caring to me.  

Frances:  Are you taking care of someone else now? 

Jessie:  Well, not in the physical world, but from here we can assist many at the same time.  When Dad thinks of me a part of my energy is there with him.  I hear him and I see him. Sometimes I jump on the bed with him so he can feel me with him.  I don’t think he realizes that that is really me with him, not a dream.

Frances:  Oh, I’m sure that will make Dad happy to hear that. Were you concerned about any choices made by Dad?

Jessie: I knew if it was best for Dad, it is best for me.  I just want Dad to be happy.  I know he misses me in the physical sense, but I am always with him in his heart.

Frances:  Is there anything else you want to tell your dad? 

Jessie: Please tell Dad how much I love him and want him to be happy with his life just as it is.  There is nothing more to ask for or prove to anyone.  He is a kind and generous man who just needs to love himself as much as he loves me.  Please take care of yourself and give yourself some treats – not the ones you gave me of course, but you know what I mean.  My beautiful dad, I love you.  

Frances:  Thank you, Jessie for your beautiful message.  

Jessie: Thank you for giving me the opportunity to talk with my dad.

Frances:  My pleasure, Jessie.

For the Love of Animals,

Frances

Saturday, April 5, 2025

Why is That Other Cat Here?

Lucas and Simon are both recently rescued male cats.  Lucas has been with his mom for two months and Simon just joined the family two weeks ago.  It seems Lucas is not happy with another cat coming into his new home.  My client wrote: 

"I don't know what to do. Tried asking/explaining nicely several times, talking more firmly while holding scruff, spray bottle, smacked his butt once in middle of the night. Separated them last night. Nothing stops him. I give him attention which he loves till he remembers Simon. Then he's off again."

Frances's reading with Lucas:

Frances:  Hi Lucas – Mom asked me to talk with you, is that ok?

Lucas:   I guess so since I’ve got a lot to say.  Why is that other cat here?  Is he replacing me?  Why did she bring him here?  Is he staying? 

Frances:  Ok, I hear you, Lucas.  Let me first assure you that you are staying, this is your forever home and Mom loves you very much.  So far so good?

Lucas: Yeah, ok – go on.

Frances:  When mom adopted you, you needed a home with love, food and a roof over your head, right?

Lucas:  Yeah, so?

Frances:  Simon, this new cat is in the same situation and Mom wants to add him to your household to be a companion for both you and her.  She realized she is not home for many hours at a time and this way you have someone to keep you company.

Lucas:  So he’s not going to leave? 

Frances:  No, he has no other place to go and there is so much love and food for the two of you.  Can you be nice and accepting of him instead of the aggression you are showing him?  He doesn’t deserve that.  He just wants to be part of the family.  What if he was first and then you came in to join the family and was treated like this, how would you feel?

Lucas:  Well, when you put it that way, yeah I wouldn’t be very happy.  Okay, okay.  I get it.

Frances:  So no more aggressive biting, attacking or anything else mean to Simon, right?

Lucas:  Yeah, yeah – I’ll be nicer.  Please tell Mom I’m sorry, I’ll be better.  Maybe even share a toy or two.  But I keep my favorites. 

Frances:  Thank you, Lucas.  Mom will be happy to see the two of you happy with her in the same room.

Lucas:  I’ll see if I can do that for her. 

Frances:  Thank you, Lucas.  Mom will be very appreciative.

Lucas:  I understand, I will do better, I promise. 

Frances:  I hope so because I will bug you again and again – like that voice that doesn’t stop.

Lucas:  Wow, ok that’s pretty harsh, but I will, I promise. 

Frances:  Again, thank you, Lucas.
 
My client updated me the next day after our session:
"Lucas has been perfect since you and I spoke. Very affectionate and he invites Simon to play instead of forcing him. So far when they play he resists the urge to be too aggressive. I can see him stop and think for a moment, sometimes a result of a gentle word but not always necessary. So grateful and hopeful,  Catherine Darras."

Now here’s the picture of Lucas (dark grey stripe tabby) and Simon (orange) sleeping peacefully together.

For the Love of Animals,

Frances

 


Wednesday, March 12, 2025

What's With the New Guy?



When bringing another pet into your home it is important to make sure your family is ready for the addition – and that means the pet who has been an only pet for all his life with you. 

My client has a cat named Homer, he is approximately 16 years old and was rescued 10 years ago.  He has been a single pet, although she tried to introduce other cats in the beginning, and he reacted badly. 

Lately she has befriended a cat, whom she named Dusty, who appeared on her hillside, and she’s been feeding him. He is now limping badly and she’s keeping him in a bedroom, separate from Homer. He is being neutered and his leg treated.

Here is my conversation with Homer:

Frances:  Hi Homer – how are you?

Homer:  I’m ok, why?

Frances:  Your mom asked if I would talk with you, is that ok?  

Homer:  Yeah, I suppose so. What about?

Frances:  You know she loves you very much, right?  

Homer:  Yeah, so?

Frances:  So, she would like to bring another cat to join your family.  He is living outside, and it isn’t safe for him due to the coyotes – the big mean dog like animals.  They eat cats and other animals as they don’t have a loving mom like you do.  

Homer:  So why are you telling me this?

Frances:  She would like you to accept the new cat and be kind to him.  There is plenty of food and love for both of you, you know that, right?  

Homer:  Yeah, I get that, but aren’t I enough?

Frances:  Yes, of course you are – you are more than enough.  But there is so much love for more and more kindness to share too.  He needs a safe place to live, and your mom would like you to be kind and accepting to this new cat. 

Homer:  Oh, I suppose so as long as he doesn’t get into my stuff.

Frances:  He’ll have his own stuff, but it would be nice of you to share some stuff.  

Homer:  Yeah, I suppose so.

Frances:  Thank you, Homer.  Would you like to tell your mom anything?  

Homer:  Please tell Mom I love her very much and sorry I’ve been making such a fuss over other animals coming inside.  I guess I was being kind of selfish.  I know what it’s like not having a loving family to care for you.  Thank you for all you do for me, and I guess we’re expanding the family – at least by one more.  I know I’m getting older and won’t be around forever so this might be a good fit to have another be there when it’s my time to go.  Not planning on anytime soon, but you know, thinking ahead as I don’t know when I’ll have this chance to talk to you like this.  

Frances:  Thank you, Homer – I know Mom will appreciate your change of heart.  Bye for now. 

Homer:  Bye and thank you for talking with me.

Frances:  My pleasure, Homer.



For the Love of Animals,

Frances


 

Friday, February 7, 2025

Some Favorite Conversations with the Animals



I recently found a printed copy of a talk I gave in 2011 at the Temple of Light in Lake Forest, CA.  As I read the talk I was reminded of some of my favorite early conversations and lessons while speaking with the animals.

Animals take on things for us such as (emotions, illnesses) and represents aspects or needs in our lives - like the need to receive unconditional love, giving our full attention to them and staying with us until a human love comes into our life, a partner or a baby. Our life changes and their purpose for us has been fulfilled. 

Over the holidays my cat Itty-Bitty Kitty took on an upper respiratory infection, a cold. People all around me were ill with colds, but not me. I had my health, no problem at all. My poor kitty had to be on antibiotics and fluids. I thanked him and let him know he didn’t have to do that in the future. I beefed up my immune system with vitamins.

Animals have feelings and emotions just like humans although they are much more forgiving and most don’t hold grudges. I say most because I asked Buddy a Pitbull terrier why he didn’t like the brown poodle. When he was walked by the house, Buddy barked and barked. I asked what the brown poodle said to him that got him so upset. He replied, “He called me ugly.”

Nala is a female mixed breed adopted only six weeks prior to this phone reading. She was hesitant to be affectionate or receive affection from the family. I asked her why. She told me she didn’t want to get too close since she wouldn’t be staying too long. She thought this was just another foster home, not realizing this was a permanent placement, her forever home. I explained to her that this is her home and the family loves her. My client on the phone started crying saying Nala was coming to her and laid down next to her. She was so happy. Nala was now able to receive affection and was relieved to know this was home. 

Feisty is a female West Highland terrier or (Westie). My client called saying she was throwing up, should she take him to the vet? I asked Feisty what was going on. She told me she was nervous about mom‘s upcoming surgery. My client confirmed she was having knee surgery. This was an outpatient procedure so she’ll be home and have someone over to help her. I related this info to Feisty, feeling relieved, the throwing up stopped.

The animals hear our spoken words and our telepathic thoughts so before you call them unkind names or talk of giving them away, etc. know that they hear, feel and know the meanings and may take those emotional releases as real. Not just your frustration expressed. 

Vader is a male Lhasa Apso. His mom asked me if there was anything he wanted to tell her. He told me he didn’t want her to call him stupid. She said, “But I don’t call him that to his face”. He also didn’t want to be thrown into the pool. She thought he liked it because he barked.  The barking was to tell her to stop. He would go in when he was good and ready. 

Lucky was a 15 year-old Springer Spaniel who is deaf and almost blind. His mom wanted to know if he was ready to go to heaven. He said, “No, the food‘s too good”. I didn’t know that she had special marked meat in the freezer labeled “Lucky” that she cooked for him every day.

I hope you enjoyed my travels down memory lane.

For the Love of Animals,

Frances


 

Saturday, January 11, 2025

Raymond Misses his Dads


My client was concerned about his dog Raymond who is a 7-year-old male mini schnauzer mix. His husband passed away three years ago and has been working through his grief.  Throughout the years Raymond has occasionally urinated in the house. However, when my client returned from a recent vacation the occasional urinating had become a constant whenever he would leave him for any amount of time.  He had him medically checked for urinary tract infection, diabetes, kidney function and a complete blood panel. The results were all within normal ranges.

Here is a portion of the initial conversation with Raymond:

Frances:  Hi Raymond – how are you?

Raymond:  I’m ok, I guess.

Frances:  You guess?  What’s going on? 

Raymond:  I guess I’m bored.  I know I have toys, but I want to go outside and play with other dogs.  I want to go to a park with grass.  I like seeing other places, people and dogs.

Frances:  Is that why you are peeing in the house?  Are you mad at Dad for leaving you alone sometimes? 

Raymond:  Not just leaving me, but he doesn’t tell me where he is going and how long he’s going to be away.  Why can’t I go with him?  What’s wrong with me that he can’t take me with him?  I miss playing with my other dad.

Frances:  I’m sorry, Raymond – it’s hard on us when our dads pass away.  Does he ever come to visit?

Raymond: He used to but he stopped coming to visit us.

Frances:  Is that when you started peeing in the house more?

Raymond:   Well, kind of, yeah.  My dad went away and didn’t tell me anything, so I got mad.  Every time he leaves and doesn’t take me, I get mad.  It’s not fair.  What if something happens to him too?  What happens to me?

Frances:  Honey, I’m sorry you are upset with your dad for leaving you.  It scares you that he’s not coming back, right?

Raymond:   Yes, I get really scared I’ll be all alone.

Frances:  Raymond, your dad loves you and will always come back to you.  I will tell him how to tell you where he is going and when he is coming back so you won’t be scared for him to leave the house, ok?)

Raymond: Ok.  I guess I kind of got myself all worked up with worry, didn’t I?

Frances:  Yes, honey, I think you did, but that’s understandable when we get scared, we do things we don’t normally do – like peeing in the house, right?

Raymond:   Yeah.  I’m sorry.  I know it upsets dad.  Please tell him I’m sorry for that, ok?  

Frances:  Yes, honey, I will tell him.  Is there anything else you want to tell him?

Raymond:   Please tell him I love him so much and just get scared when he leaves the house.  Maybe he can take me sometimes?  I’ll be good, I promise.

Frances:  We will talk a bit later this morning.  Bye for now.

Raymond:   Bye and thank you for talking with me.

Frances:  You’re very welcome, Raymond.

During our appointment I shared with my client the way to share his comings and goings – not by hours of the clock, but by the actions of the day (breakfast, lunch, dinner, bedtime) i.e. “I’m going to go to dinner with Joe and I’ll be back before bedtime.”  In the case of overnight or vacation days I describe it as how many times the sun goes down i.e. “I will be going on a vacation and be back 7 times the sun goes down.  Aunt Susie will be staying here to make sure you have food and walks.”

I asked about the timing of the vacation and my client realized that on this trip he had released his grief of the loss of his husband.  His husband stopped coming around, so Raymond no longer was seeing him.  I assured Raymond that he didn’t love him any less, but dad no longer needed his energy to move forward in his life.

Two weeks later I received a follow-up email from my client:  Since our session two weeks ago, I have been using the time techniques you gave me, and there have only been 3 peeing accidents during this time. Thank you and I will keep using them.

For the Love of Animals,

Frances