Fresh from my "live" video call with Megan's mom, I was wondering how I could progress in this area of doing live readings. The idea to talk to two animals together came to mind — likely put there by Pea and Pod, two guinea pig sisters who seemed to want to help me practice. But as I thought about how it would work, I worried that I wouldn't be able to give them each the attention they deserved, that it might water down the experience. But whenever I tuned back into them, they were jumping with excitement. They weren't so much concerned with the quality of the conversation, but the fact that they got to do this together. It was like a party! So I sat in front of them, greeted them, and they were giving off little squeaks, purrs, and chirping noises. "Do you guys talk to each all the time?" I asked. "Of course!" said Pod. "What do you hope will come of this conversation where all of us are talking together?" I asked them both. Pea said, "We talk individually all the time. We talk with each other all the time. But this is something different. This creates a live back and forth conversation unlike the others." Either they showed me or it popped into my head the question I recently wondered about interacting in a live session, where you are able to react to in-the-moment questions and feedback between the person and the animal. It's much different than simply connecting one-on-one with the animal. Since my skills are not yet developed in the live session area, I was wondering a lot about the experience and wishing I could do it. So it dawned on me… "Did you guys set this up to simulate a live session to give me a chance to practice?" They both excitedly nodded their heads while making little squeaky grunt sounds. They looked like they had just given someone a gift and were watching him open it. "I'm touched!" I told them. "Really, that was so nice of you!" They both looked on in anticipation and so I asked where to begin. "Pod hogs the food," Pea said flatly. It didn't sound like she was truly upset, but going through the motions of a performance or play. I looked at Pod to see what she had to say and she shrugged and said, "It's true." "Pea, what does that mean when you say Pod hogs the food?" I tried to get clarity. "She always gets there first and starts eating the good parts," she answered. I see carrots, apples, pumpkin seeds. Pod seemed amused at this observation. She wasn't ashamed or sorry. "You still get some," she said. "But do you always have to get there first?" confronted Pea. "We both have equal opportunity," Pod explained. "No use waiting around for a treat when it's sitting right in front of us." I interjected, "Pod, to me it sounds like it isn't necessarily about Pea not getting the treats — because clearly you both still get them — but about the thrill of getting there first sometimes." I looked to Pea for confirmation. "Yes, that's right. Would it knock you off your bobbin to let me get there first sometimes?" She posed to Pod. Pod kind of giggled in a slightly nervous/guilty way, trying to push it off like it was nothing. But Pea's expression remained stern and so Pod wiped the grin away and said to Pea more seriously, "Yes, you're right. I apologize. I will try more restraint." Pea seemed relieved and surprised by this turnaround. They had both begun this conversation thinking it was more of play-acting for my benefit. But at some point they got lost in the actual conflict they didn't know they felt so deeply. When I viewed them again in my mind next to each other, they were now making little sounds to each other, this time more tenderly. I wasn't getting a translation to these sounds. It felt like this was on purpose, like they were speaking privately. So I waited until they were done. As I wondered what they would want to talk about next, I felt a deep love and connection between them. Any of these issues they were bringing up really were trivial to them. The important things were their companionship and that they care about and for each other. But like most sisters, there are bound to be squabbles. I usually tap into an animal's character and try to get a feel for who they are, but since there were two at once, I was finding this more difficult. So I thought I would take a moment to try to do this individually. Pea feels very gentle. She enjoys being held by her people. She's comfortable enough to eat a treat they feed her while holding her. She seems very happy in life, looks forward to each day, enjoys routine but also some variety and new things to explore and experience. Pod feels gentle as well, but a little more high-spirited and independent. Doesn't mind being held, but seems to want to wander off more, do things on her own. She's maybe a little bolder, a little feistier. I wonder if she has any favorite foods and she shows me watermelon. It's not something she gets regularly, but maybe it was a treat at some point and she remembers it fondly. Back with the two of them, I asked what they want to talk about next. I get a visual of being in a glass enclosure and it doesn't feel like they like it much. It doesn't feel like it's their regular home, but where they are put sometimes, maybe while their main home is cleaned? They feel trapped in it, with no fresh air, no way to sense what's going on around them. On the other hand, they don't necessarily like a cage. Even those it's more open-air, they feel more vulnerable. "As long as we can burrow, we will be okay," says Pea. I see what looks like wood shavings and other natural material where they can dig under and feel protected. "Is this a current issue you feel you need to resolve?" I asked. "We are generally happy with the accommodations," said Pea. She almost feels like the "big sister" who is looking out for them both. "Any suggestions for improvements? I asked. Pod seemed to want more space to wander and explore. But when I pictured this for her, it felt like they might both be a little afraid of the unknown and it was perhaps good and safe for their world to be a bit smaller and comforting. "She has dreams that aren't reasonable," said Pea of Pod's preference for more exploration. "We're good as is," she spoke on their behalf as if she knew what was best. When I checked in with Pod to see if Pea was accurately representing them both, it felt like she was bit irritated that 1) She was speaking for them both, 2) That she was saying that they didn't need more exploration space, 3) That deep down, she was right. "I don't want to just fit in a mold," said Pod. "I'm an individual, not the result of a cookie cutter." "She says that, but in the end, she's fine with things as they are," inserted Pea. I felt she was slightly missing the point, so I spoke up. "To me, it sounds like Pod's point is not that she necessarily wants something different than what is happening, just that she wants to be treated as her own being, not grouped together. Even though you two have very similar preferences or needs, she still wants the opportunity to be seen on her own." I looked to Pod to see if this was accurate and it seemed to be. I looked to Pea to see what she thought of this and she grudgingly acknowledged Pod's feeling this way, but said, "It's all going to end up the same way." Her meaning seemed to be that Pod could have all these preferences and ideas that were her own, but in the end, Pea knew her well enough to know where things would end up. "I think the point is not so literal, Pea," I explained. "It's just the consideration that Pod is her own person. It doesn't matter whether you know from experience or history or intuition where things will end up. She may know that, too. But she still wants the option of feeling otherwise." I was starting to feel like Pea was taking on a "nagging wife" role as she said these things to and about Pod. But when I tried to step back and look at it neutrally again, that went away and she felt much different. Very gentle and loving. She just wanted the best for Pod and was just looking out for her. But she is happy to now be more aware of Pod's feelings and to let her express her individuality — to give her the space to do that. This again felt like a situation that began as a dramatic play put on to help me, but evolved into a real-life drama as they both got lost in some real issues that came up. The tension melted away and they both posed next to each other, happy and contented again. I thanked them for this experience and they sent mutual gratitude. "It was a gift for us as well," said Pea. Feedback from their person:Wow Josh, what a fantastic communication! Thank you so much, it was really awesome. 😍 I LOVE that you had this idea to speak with both of them. It's the first time anyone has done that & it was fascinating to read. Ha ha they do squeak, purr & make chirping noises when they are happy! It's obvious that they were excited to chat to you together. They do enjoy these communications so the fact that you included both together added a new dimension for them. "Pod hogs the food" – 😂 This cracked me up! Firstly it's true, Pod really does make a dash for the food. Secondly that's so like Pea, to state a fact like that. Pea is a very sweet & gentle girl but she's very matter of fact. Pod seemed amused at Pea's observation that "She always gets there first and starts eating the good parts." 😂 LOL, no Pod has no shame! She's a cheeky monkey that one! This is so fascinating, hearing how they interact with each other. Pea is definitely the more serious of the two, Pod is the joker, which sometimes annoys Pea who is very vocal about her displeasure. Sometimes she goes on for ages. However, Pea is the much bigger piggie, she dwarfs Pod in her size & she does use this size to block Pod in so that she can't get to the food! Since you've spoken to them though, Pea has been the one to get to choose the first piece of food so Pod has kept her promise! "It felt like this was on purpose, like they were speaking privately." Ha ha talking behind your back in front of your face! I wonder what they were saying?! I'm glad that they love each other and enjoy their companionship. Yes Pea is very gentle. She loves her cuddles & is a very snugly piggie. I'm glad that she is happy & enjoys her life. I do try to stick to a routine with them but I do introduce new things for them to explore & play with. Pod is very sweet, she is gentle but much more high spirited than Pea. She's the cheeky one, the joker, the prankster, definitely bolder & more feisty. She's ok with being held, but doesn't enjoy snuggling like Pod does. She wants to explore, have freedom & room! She does occasionally get water melon, so I will remember that she particularly likes it. They do have a cage, but they only go in at night time for safety. It has lots of places for them to snuggle & hide. Pea likes to bury herself in the hay, which is what she was showing you I think. Pod is a greedy girl & Pea is the sensible one! They already have loads of space. They are not confined to a space. I set up a play area for them, in a tent, with tunnels, beds, toys, food, hay & they have the whole upstairs of the house in which to wander freely. I don't like keeping animals restricted to a small cage, I like them to be able to run & explore. I think Bean would love to explore the world!! Wow, Pod has so much personality, I couldn't see her as anything other than a total individual. Guinea pigs are often dismissed by people. I constantly tell people that they are completely sentient, super intelligent & are individuals...maybe Pod wants EVERYONE to know that!! Pea is definitely the sensible one & as the bigger piggie, she does take on the role of bigger sister. Bless them! This was a really great communication Josh.
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AuthorMy name is Josh and I'm a learning animal communicator, hoping that sharing my journey will help others. Categories
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