Marta Williams - Learning Their Language: Intuitive Communication with Animals and Nature

Copyright 2003 by Marta Williams

All rights reserved. This book may not be reproduced in whole or in part, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, or other without written permission from the publisher, except by a reviewer, who may quote brief passages in a review.

Edited by Katharine Farnam Conolly and Carol Venolia Cover design by Mary Ann Casler Text design and typography by Tona Pearce Myers Interior photograph on page 99 by Dominique Cogne

The material in this book is intended for education. No expressed or implied guarantee as to the effects of the use of the recommendations can be given nor liability taken.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Williams, Marta

Learning their language : intuitive communication with animals and nature / by Marta Williams.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN 1-57731-243-0 (pbk. : alk. paper)

1. PetsBehavior. 2. Human-animal communication. 3. Animal communication.

4. Human-animal relationships. I. Title.

SF412.5.W57 2003

636.088'7dc21 2003000164

First Printing, May 2003

ISBN 1-57731-243-0

Printed in Canada on acid-free, partially recycled paper

Distributed to the trade by Publishers Group West

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

I wrote this book for the Earths animals, all the plants and the
forests, the rivers and mountains, the wild and beautiful places, and
the spirit of the Earth herself. They all want us to hear them again,
as did our ancestors, and to welcome their voices on the council. I
hope that in some way I will help to make this come about.

P ART F IVE C OMMUNICATING WITH N ATURE

V irginia Simpson-Magruder, thank you so much for setting this process in motion. If it werent for you, Id still be scratching my head wondering how to get a book published. May the red-tailed hawks visit you daily and may magic be always with you.

Certain members of my family are, Im sure, hoping that I never decide to write another book. Thank you to my parents, Jean and John Williams, and my sister, Anne Millington, for their tireless editing. I promise that if I ever do this again I will hire help.

The people at New World Library have been a pleasure to work with. I extend gratitude to everyone on the staff and particularly to my editor, Georgia Hughes, for her support and expert guidance and insight, and to Munro Magruder for his creativity and enthusiasm in promoting this book.

Thanks to all my clients, colleagues, and students over the years both animals and people who have supported my work. Special gratitude to Sylvie Maier, Petra and Freek Gout, Ellen Spiegel, Sam Louie, Janet Shepherd, Marla Williams, Madeline Yamate, Tina Hutton, Carol Gurney, Barbara Chasteen, Diana Thompson and all those who offered their stories for inclusion in these pages. Thanks also to my animals for their love and support.

A nimals have a unique way of affecting our hearts. They sidle in closer than humans do, opening us up emotionally and allowing us to confide our deepest thoughts, feelings, and aspirations. A nuzzle, a lick, a meow, or a rub can bring a smile and make our day.

Some of us talk to our animal friends as if they completely understand what we are saying and, possibly because of this, they do. People who have not had the pleasure of living with animals think were nuts. Yet human-animal communication transcends the limits of the spoken word; it has a feeling of mutual respect and caring. Animals allow us to be ourselves without shame, embarrassment, or doubt.

Ive practiced veterinary medicine for twenty-five years, and holistic veterinary healing for twenty-three of those. During this time, Ive experienced amazing interactions between animals and their human caretakers. Most people who live with animals have ongoing conversations with these friends. When I lost my cat friend, Hollywood, I began talking to myself whenever I was home alone filling the gap where my furry buddy used to be.

While Ive always communicated with animals, especially those who come to me for healing, I never really thought about it consciously. So when Marta Williams asked me to write a preface for her book, I was excited about doing so.

Marta has written a very basic, loving instruction book. It is filled with stories about her animal and human clients, along with step-by-step procedures for understanding and speaking with animals whether or not you are already acquainted with those animals. It gives credence to all the times when youve said something to your horse, cat, or dog, and felt them reply in kind.

This book has helped me to slow down and remember to ask my animal patients how they feel and whether they want my help. I let them know that I will be as gentle with them as possible, and that in order to begin any healing process they have to be part of it; its a partnership. Communicating these things to them is as important as any medical treatment. Without communication and permission, stressful situations can occur, diluting any beneficial result. Conscious communication helps promote understanding between me and my patients. It is unbelievably rewarding to ask an animal for help, and then see him acknowledge this by doing what I asked.

A few days ago, I was examining a dog patient for a colleague of mine. This is an older dog who is usually uncooperative. In fact, my colleague carries scars on his arm from an attempt at opening the dogs mouth to see his tongue a part of diagnosis in the practice of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine. When the dog walked in, I had no knowledge of his past behavior. So while meeting him and finding out what was wrong, I asked him to open his mouth. His human caretaker almost fell off her seat when the dog simply yawned, showing me his tongue.

Another time I was attempting to help a horse named Sam, whose neck was bothering him. He had difficulty bending to one side, and nobody had taken the time to ask him what was wrong or if they might help. When I approached Sam, he was in the pasture, not the slightest bit interested in getting caught with a halter and lead rope. So I stayed where I was, about twenty yards away. I told him I had noticed that his neck seemed to hurt and asked him if he wanted my help. I just stayed there, and after a few minutes he approached me, bowing his head for me to put the halter on.

Working in partnership with animals is always more effective than the human-dominant model. One day, my good horse pal and teacher, Louie the thoroughbred, was teaching me about trotting, changing directions, and moving forward in general until he did not want to move forward with me on his back. When I asked Louie to trot, he would trot for a few steps, then he would slow to a walk or he would stop as if he were caught in quicksand. He then decided he was not going to move forward at all, and, try as I might, I could not move him. What was he saying? At the same time, I was having difficulty moving forward emotionally in my life. Could Louie be responding to my mood via some type of body language?