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Moving? Better tell your pet
TELEPATHY: Pet communicator says dogs request bigger yards

Connie Adair
For CanWest News Service

Sunday, January 30, 2005

Dr. Doolittle, move over. Dr. Monica can talk to your pet and tell you just what your furry friend thinks about his living space.

Pets have preferences about what they want and where they want to live, says Anaheim, Calif.-based pet communicator Monica Diedrich. All you have to do is ask.

Pets can be contacted in person, when Dr. Monica visits their homes if they live within a six-kilometre radius of her California office, or they can go to her.

She also does e-mail and phone consultations, but that doesn't mean you hold the phone receiver to your pet's ear. The phone and e-mail are ways for her to communicate with humans.

She says she talks to the pets telepathically, early in the morning. She makes notes of the animals' comments and concerns, which she later discusses with the owners. Usually, she says, after one hour-long session ($55 Cdn), and with the owner making the pet's requested changes, problems stop.

"Many people are willing to redecorate, rearrange or change or buy new things at the request of a pet."

Planning to move? You'd better sit down and tell your pet, especially if you have a cat. "Cats don't like change," she says.

"Prior to your move, tell your pet where they are going and give them a visual of what the house is going to look like. A change in routine bothers cats. Tell them it will be a change for the better, and highlight the differences.

"Pets won't understand that you're moving to another city, but will note differences, for example if a house is bigger or smaller, has one or two storeys or has wood floors instead of carpet. Tell them it's a change for the better and it will be less stressful."

Dr. Monica says she has had instances where the pet requests a bigger yard, or grass instead of a cement patio.

Once, a cat requested a balcony with green shrubs to munch on and another wanted some sand on the side of the house.

Cats and dogs aren't her only clients. As long as an animal is a pet, she can help. Past clients have included birds, rabbits, reptiles, pigs, sheep and a crocodile.

Diedrich, 51, has been a professional pet communicator for 15 years.