Pet Psychic Shocks and Delights

By Jen Thomas03:34PM / Saturday, July 21, 2007Print Story | Email Story

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 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 â€œreadâ€ life force energies, Strange recently decided to utilize her love of animals in her practice. "Itâ€™s an innate ability that everyone has," said Strange, who is an elementary school teacher in Pownal, Vt. "Itâ€™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. â€œShe was completely accurate. It was just amazing,â€ 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 fatherâ€™s presence in the house after China was adopted from the Berkshire Humane Society in the spring of 2006, five years after his death. â€œI believe that China is channeling my father. Thereâ€™s been more of his energy around us since we got her and I can feel Papa around me,â€ said Collins, who also said that sheâ€™s begun to smell her fatherâ€™s signature cologne in the house. Even more startling was Strangeâ€™s reading of Collinsâ€˜ daughter, Cheyenne. The psychic said that the 11-year old had a strong tie to animals and was perfect for any pet-sitting tasks. â€œMost kids play house, but Cheyenne plays animal hospital,â€ said Naureen Collins. I just really like all kinds of animals,â€ 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. â€œShe was 99 percent accurate, but some of the stuff she said about me wasnâ€™t really right,â€ 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. â€œWe will take her advice and get Schnookie a carrier,â€ 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. â€œShe knew that I needed healing and that Tallulah [an American domestic shorthair] and I have a very close relationship,â€ said Adler. But, Strange said not all pets are willing to open up to her. â€œI have had pets who keep information from me,â€ she said. â€œThey just donâ€™t want to worry their owners.â€ 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. â€œI met so many interesting creatures today,â€ she said. Jen Thomas may be reached via email at jthomas@iberkshires.com or at (413) 663-3384, ext. 23.

Winter Storm Warning Issued for Berkshires

11:52AM / Friday, December 26, 2025

Another snowstorm is expected to move through the region overnight on Friday, bringing 5 to 8 inches of snow. This is updated from Thursday's winter weather advisory.

The National Weather Service in Albany, N.Y., has posted a winter storm warning for all of Berkshire County and parts of eastern New York State beginning Friday at 4 p.m. through Saturday at 1 p.m.

The region could see heavy to moderate snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour overnight, tapering off Saturday morning to flurries.

Drivers should exercise caution on Friday night and Saturday morning, as travel conditions may be hazardous.

Saturday night should be clear and calm, but warming temperatures means freezing rain Sunday night and rain through Monday with highs in the 40s. The forecast isn't much better through the week as temperatures dip back into the teens with New Year's Eve looking cloudy and frigid.