I would like to take this opportunity to introduce our readers to someone who, with her partner, has dedicated her life supporting animals in need. Dawn and Bonnie are the creators of Spring Farm Cares, in Clinton, NY. I met Dawn years ago when Spring Farm was in the beginning of its metamorphosis into the expansive sanctuary that it is today. At that time I was also going into my own metamorphosis and Dawn helped me, through our sessions, as I found it necessary to place my dog into a new home, to see the signs that he presented to me. Heartbreaking as it was, with the help of an animal communicator I was able to know in my heart that he was the ultimate decision-maker and that he would show me with clear signs where his new home was to be. About 4 weeks ago he transitioned at the age of 18, and shared the second half of his life with people who loved and shared themselves with him as he had with me and continued to with them.

Places like Spring Farm operate with the help of donations both material and financial and continue to support our companions, and in turn all of us with love and acceptance. I highly recommend seeking the support of an animal communicator or learning to listen to these wonderful creatures that are here to support us. Please take the time to check out Spring Farm's website www.springfarmcares.org and the wonderful work that the folks there are doing to allow us to expand who we are as humans. Thank you Dawn for sharing yourself with our community and for being a part of our journey.

As an Animal Communicator, I have worked with thousands of people and their animals, and I am continuously humbled to observe the magic and healing role that animals play in our lives. What is it about animals that is so powerful? The answer is so simple. Animals love us unconditionally. As a result, we let them into our lives and into our hearts in places that we often do not allow other humans. We feel their unconditional acceptance for who we are in their lives. We experience their lack of judgment of who we are or what we do.

When we walk in the door each day, we are greeted by our cats and dogs with complete love and enthusiasm. Well, OK, in the case of cats, we are met first with their demands to be fed, then with their appreciation for us afterwards. For those of us who have horses, we can experience the absolute bliss of hugging them and feeling like every heavy worry or care we have in the world temporarily melts away. Horses are profoundly good at staying grounded in the moment and connecting us with the Earth. For those of us who have cats, when we meditate, it is like a magnet pulling them in. Cats love to share that inner wisdom and peace with us. Cats are great at reminding us of our spirituality. For those of us who have dogs, we experience that profound heart connection with them as they work with us daily on not only staying in the moment, but staying focused in our hearts. Dogs have signed on to bring us back to our hearts. It is their prime work and I’ve watched them literally give their lives doing it.

I am not meaning to imply that animals are here only to serve humans. That is not the case. But the animals, as the rest of nature other than mankind, have long understood the inner connectedness of all of Life. They understand that we are all in this together and that no part is superior to any other. They also understand that humans are the one species left on the planet that has forgotten that. We humans have separated ourselves apart from nature. We have thought that we are the “advanced species” because of how we can communicate. But how well do we actually do that? We not only have forgotten our connection and ability to communicate with animals and nature, but we don’t fare too well at communicating with each other, either. If that is the factor that makes us more advanced, then we are not scoring very high.

In the many thousands of consultations and conversations I have had with animals over the years, I have been awestruck as to the genuine love and patience they have for the human race. They look at us through eyes of compassion and grace. From that place, I have seen them offer amazing healings. I have received messages from them repeatedly about their love for us, their belief that we can find our way, and their willingness to help us in any way they can offer. This, when on our part, we often use animals for our own benefit without even considering if they have feelings or desires of their own.

The following is a message I received from a very special dog with whom I had the privilege to work. She is a dog who came to work with humans at the heart level. I asked her one day if she could share a message with me for a class I was about to teach. I simply asked her, “Do you have a message for humans as to why dogs are here with us and what they are doing?” This was her response.

When is the last time you sat beneath the stars and cast a dream to the sky?
When did you last thank the world around you for being there?
When did you last wake up and say 'good morning day,'  with a sense of play and excitement?
When was the last time that you took a moment in quiet peacefulness and thought about those you love, those in your heart, and sent them the sacred love you feel?
When was the last time you told them you love them? And if you think you can’t – why?
When was the last time you looked into your own eyes and beheld the wonder of a still unexplored universe?
When did you last walk on the earth and think that each step was a caress to the earth?
When did you last explore the wind and where it came from?
When did you last follow a raindrop’s path – its lifetime being lived right before your eyes?
When did you last feel the depth of your heart?
When did you acknowledge the love you found there?
What was the last brave step you took – and did you answer that question with the correct answer of every step is a brave step?
When was the last time you cast a tear at the utter beauty of the world before you?
When did you last feel the pain of others more lost than you and feel blessed for where you are?  
When is the last time you felt the warmth of the sun and realized that it is God’s love filling your heart?
When did you last look at the animals around you and understand how much we love you and share with you – and that we are always here for you.  
When will you finally realize that unconditional love is always there within you to be shared? That love can not be stored within the heart because it is a constantly flowing river. That your heart will not break if you allow yourself to open to the love right before you. That your dreams are indeed being answered but you turn them away for lack of feeling worthy.  That death and life are one and the same. That walls protect you from nothing except the love you so richly deserve. That boundaries within the heart only keep you from yourself, from true joy, from God. That the simple act of breathing can be a shared moment of eternal memory to two souls in unison. That life is for living and life is about loving. That time is not important, except for the present moment at hand. That material goods are nothing but a distraction. That the heart never lies or deceives. That the only real path to enlightenment is trust. That trust is deepest love being expressed. That only safety fills the heart.  
When, dear friends, will you find these truths?  
You asked me for a message from the dogs and why we are here? I tell you this simple answer.  Humans have closed off their hearts from the simple answers of life. They disconnected and unplugged their lifeline from that of All That Is. We came to fetch you home. Home to the heart. Because if you could answer those questions above, we’d know you found us. We longingly await your arrival home. Waiting by the gate, tail wagging, ears perked forward.  The next step is yours. All you need to do is come home to your heart. We can call, we can cheer you on, we will be here, but you need to walk the steps. Live the love. Breathe through the heart. Acknowledge the love in your hearts to acknowledge its existence. It's one thing to feel it and know it, but you need to go the next step, which is to acknowledge it. It is not an impossible journey. In fact the path is quite simple. You just need to take it. That is why dogs are here for you. This is what we want you to know.

I chose this example not because I think that dogs are superior in any way to other animals. In fact, it is a human notion to constantly be questioning who is superior to another. The point that the animals want us all to understand is the simplest of concepts, yet the one that we humans really need to understand. We are all One. There is not a single one of us who does not affect the world around us. Each of us brings with us something unique that no other has. We each carry and hold a piece of the puzzle of life. The only way the picture becomes whole and clear is when all the pieces are seen for who they are and come together. That is by far the strongest, clearest message I get from the animals to all of us. It is the gift they share with us. It is their special healing. And it is why animals play such an important role in our lives.

Dawn Hayman has been an Animal Communicator for over 21 years. She has talked to well over 35,000 animals, sharing their thoughts, observations, and wisdom. Dawn is co-founder of Spring Farm CARES, an animal sanctuary and center for animal communication, in upstate New York.  Spring Farm CARES is home to 250-300 animals, many who are co-teachers with Dawn in the workshops she teaches on opening the human heart and learning to listen to the animals and nature. Spring Farm CARES is home to horses, ponies, donkeys, goats, sheep, ducks, chickens, geese, rabbits, dogs, cats, and a couple of parrots. It is from her extensive relationships with these animals and the thousands she has worked with during consultations, that Dawn draws on for her teaching others to communicate with their animals as well. Dawn is also co-author, with Spring Farm CARES co-founder, Bonnie Jones Reynolds, of a book about the history of the farm called If Only They Could Talk: The Miracles of Spring Farm. For more information on Dawn Hayman or Spring Farm CARES, you can go to their website at www.springfarmcares.org or you can also enjoy many communications from the animals at their blog, http://hoofandheartbeat.blogspot.com.