Pet Psychic Shocks and DelightsBy Jen Thomas
03:34PM / Saturday, July 21, 2007
 | | Cheyenne Collins and her dog China were amazed by "pet psychic" Bonnie Strange's readings. |
North Adams - All it takes is really listening to your pets to understand what they are trying to say, according to Bonnie Strange, local "pet psychic."
On Saturday, Strange gave free readings for pets and pet owners at North Adams Commons, eliciting awe, delight and sometimes shock, complete with tears of joy.
"I was completely surprised about how good she was," said Susan Solak of North Adams, who brought her 8-year old walker hound Sadie to the reading. "She was completely right about so many things."
"He read her personality so well," said Mark Solak of Sadie who the couple have owned since February.
Strange uses a combination of energy-reading and animal 
Pet psychic Bonnie Strange sat surrounded by people and their pets on Saturday morning. |
communication skills to connect with animals. Her analyses range from interpretations of why pets experience separation anxiety to insights into their past lives.
Beginning her career as a reiki master for humans, using the ancient Japanese technique of healing to “read” life force energies, Strange recently decided to utilize her love of animals in her practice.
"It’s an innate ability that everyone has," said Strange, who is an elementary school teacher in Pownal, Vt. "It’s just a matter of recognizing it for what it is and using it."
An Amazing Story
About 75 people showed up at the nursing and rehabilitation center with their pets in the hope that a better understanding could be created between human and animal.
Naureen Collins, of North Adams, brought her miniature poodle, China, to Strange and was moved by her reading.
“She was completely accurate. It was just amazing,” said Collins.
Strange said that China had the feeling of once being human. According to Collins, the family had begun to feel more of her late father’s presence in the house after China was adopted from the Berkshire Humane Society in the spring of 2006, five years after his death.
Kelsie Cote, 11, poses with Toby. |
“I believe that China is channeling my father. There’s been more of his energy around us since we got her and I can feel Papa around me,” said Collins, who also said that she’s begun to smell her father’s signature cologne in the house.
Even more startling was Strange’s reading of Collins‘ daughter, Cheyenne. The psychic said that the 11-year old had a strong tie to animals and was perfect for any pet-sitting tasks.
“Most kids play house, but Cheyenne plays animal hospital,” said Naureen Collins.
I just really like all kinds of animals,” said Cheyenne, who wants to be a veterinarian when she grows up.
A Little Skepticism
While most analyses were completely on target, some pet owners felt the psychic was vague and abstract, leaving room for individual interpretation.
Tallulah sat on Susan Adler's shoulder during Strange's reading. |
“She was 99 percent accurate, but some of the stuff she said about me wasn’t really right,” said Carl Tiernan, of Lenox, who brought his toy fox terrier Schnookie to Strange.
But, some aspects of the reading rang true for Tiernan and his wife, Sarah Russell. The psychic said Schnookie loved small places and might benefit from having an enclosure of her own.
“We will take her advice and get Schnookie a carrier,” said Tiernan.
Despite the skepticism, most participants were amazed by how easily Strange could communicate with their pets and pinpoint problems in both the animals and their owners.
Susan Adler of Williamstown said that Strange immediately knew what was affecting the Adler family after communicating with her cat, Tallulah.
“She knew that I needed healing and that Tallulah [an American domestic shorthair] and I have a very close relationship,” said Adler.
But, Strange said not all pets are willing to open up to her.
“I have had pets who keep information from me,” she said. “They just don’t want to worry their owners.”
Having only done public readings twice before, Strange said she was happy with the turnout and she hoped she had made a difference in how people interact with their pets.
“I met so many interesting creatures today,” she said.
Jen Thomas may be reached via email at jthomas@iberkshires.com or at (413) 663-3384, ext. 23.
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