An Animal University student shared a common issue when communicating with animals. Her experience is when she is in the vicinity of dogs, cats, horses and other animals. She feels bombarded with their input. It’s like they know I’m a receptical for all their pent up emotions and issues and they see me as an easy target to let it all out. Her question is, “How do I protect myself from all the emotions that they want to spew out on me? I’m willing to listen but gosh, I have a hard time saying ‘no’ when I really want to.” My question in answering her question is, “Who’s in control here, you or them?” As an animal communicator, you are allowed to ’say no’ when you want to. No different from when you are in a room filled with people. You don’t have to talk to everyone.  When and if you are in that similar situation and you are feeling pressed to listen or talk to all, consider a tip from another AU student, Paticia, and take a Conscious Pause. A Conscious Pause gives you back your control of the situation. It provides you a time, a ‘pause’ to relax, breathe and consider if this invitation to enter into a conversation or just be a listener is what is right for you in that moment? It gives you the chance to consider and then react accordingly. Great tip from Patricia and terrific question from our AU student. It happens to all of us who are sending out signals that we are a clear channel, well, almost. Talk with animals when it is right for you. You’ll be a sharper and more accurate participant. All will appreciate it, especially the animals who really do want their voice heard, again, accurately. Communicating with animals doesn’t follow one set pattern or have a certain set of rules. You make what is right for you, right for you.