I was asked by a reader, “Do animals believe in God from birth and do they communicate with Him?”

Conscious of their spiritual nature and living fully and happily in their current animal form, animals generally do not fear a natural death. Nearing their physical demise, they often leave their bodies gradually, relatively painlessly, and peacefully if they are allowed to do so. Dying can get painful and prolonged if they feel obligated to stay in their worn-out bodies for the sake of people they love who do not want to let them go.

This consultation with a person and her horse and donkey is a great example of how aware animals are. It also shows how even when animals are being stubborn or rebellious, they can be reasoned with to cooperatively solve problems.

When an animal dies, we often experience feelings of guilt and remorse that compound our grief yet again.

Every bond we share with other beings creates a kind of energetic blending of our auras or energy fields. When a friend leaves, there is a tearing of this bond, which can hurt just as if our bodies were ripped open. We have to heal that energetic wound before it becomes easy to connect with our friends solely as spirits.

I received this inspiring letter from Ruggero Grottanelli. His words reminded me of a message I received from the dolphins on the first dolphin journey I facilitated in the Bahamas in 1997. Both messages are very relevant to our relationship with other species and Mother Earth.

Animals are capable of receiving telepathic communication of thoughts, intentions, and feelings of humans and other animals. However, like individual humans, they may interpret or understand others’ communication in unique ways and respond according to their familiarity with human or other animals’ ways of being.

I frequently get e-mails from people lamenting the suffering of animals, how horrible it is and how terrible they feel about it. Some people even conclude that efforts such as education to raise human awareness are fruitless when there continues to be so much abuse of animals in the world.

Nancy Windheart writes this guest feature, "Is it Authentic Telepathic Communication or My Own Thoughts."

In my article on the stages of growth people experience on their journey of opening to telepathic communication with animals, I mention the concept of oneness, a universal connection with all life.

An expansive, rich, tender, full feeling of understanding can accompany realization of this state of telepathic connection.

Some people believe that animals take over illnesses from their humans. A shamanic practitioner I know tells a client that his dog is sick because of his suppressed emotions and the person feels very guilty after that.

I believe that animals too could get sick because they have their own karma. What is your experience with this ?