Lunar's Legacy

Lunar left his tired body today.  It happened exactly as he had told me it would:  he waited until Kelly had come home from work, and then, without undue drama, he had a stroke.  Kelly held her precious 16-year-old boy in her arms as she whispered, "Go Baby, Go. . ."  Soon, he stopped breathing, and soared into spirit.

Lunar's will to live had remained strong until those last moments.  Though his thin body was scarcely able to do what he wanted it to do, he had a voracious appetite--for food and for life--until the very end.  If he had any foreshadowing that his remaining days on earth were few, he did not show it.  Nor did he show an ounce of fear.  He wanted to be able to make his own choices, and to govern the time and circumstance of his passing.  Kelly honored his wishes, even while sacrificing her own comfort and convenience.  She loved him that much.

During my conversation with Kelly last night, she told me something that made me realize that Lunar's time was drawing very near.  She said she had been seeing fleeting glimpses of Lunar's spirit body running around her, out of the corner of her eye.  He seemed to be frolicking with exuberant feline energy, and then, he would be gone.  When she would look around, there was Lunar:  still deeply sleeping on the other side of the room, giving nary a clue that his spirit was so vibrant that it had leapt out of a weakened body which could no longer contain it.

Today, Lunar shed that body for good.  "I know he has been restored to health and happiness," Kelly told me, through her tears.  "I am so blessed for having been able to love him for 16 years."  As for Lunar, I know he feels the same way.

The Cat Who Cared

Claire asked me to talk with her sweet Ragdoll cat, Casey.  He's a gregarious, funny, friendly, and all-around great cat, but Claire and her husband were losing sleep over him, literally.

Not only did Casey pace at night, but he insisted on opening closet doors and rattling window shades in the master bedroom during the darkest hours.  His night-after-night antics had left Claire and her husband exhausted and exasperated.  Could I find out why Casey was so rambunctious in the midnight hours, Claire wanted to know, and more important, could I persuade him to stop?

When I connected with Casey, he admitted that he did want Claire and her husband to wake up.  The question was:  why?

I wasn't prepared for what he said next.  It turned out that Casey's middle-of-the-night rumblings were inspired by his fear that one of his "parents" had stopped breathing, and his purpose in rousing them was to make sure they were okay.  He knew if he could wake them, they'd have to breathe!

Claire and her husband were astonished when I told them what Casey had shared.  It turns out that in fact, Claire's husband has been diagnosed with sleep apnea, and there are times when his breathing does momentarily cease.  They had no idea that Casey had understood the danger, and that all he wanted to do was to help.

Interestingly, after my session with Casey, Claire reported that her dear cat has been much more relaxed and that he's begun to sleep through the night again.  I'd suggested to Casey that instead of creating noises that would disturb his sleeping parents, he could jump up on the bed and wake them if he perceived that one of them had really stopped breathing.  It's a solution that seems to be working for everyone.

Why I Wait

When we are in the grips of grief after the death of a beloved family member, our first impulse is to try to maintain a connection with him, in an effort to blunt the stark reality of his passing from this earth.  Because we can no longer touch or kiss or caress the person who has just left his physical body, we become desperate to find other ways to connect.

It's no different when we lose our treasured animal companions.  We want some confirmation that they are okay, that they didn't suffer in the process of making their out-of-body transitions, and that they know we love and miss them terribly, even if it's only been hours or days since they left our loving arms.  We ache to know how they are doing, and we feel we can't wait.

But when it comes to scheduling a consultation with an animal who has just died, I suggest that my clients do wait, at least for a few weeks, to allow the torrent of tears and torment to abate a bit, and to give the animal's spirit the space and time it may need to acclimate to a new reality.

And so I was interested to learn that respected Medium John Holland says the same thing.  I've been reading his book, Born Knowing, in which he says:

     "Until you've dealt with your bereavement, you shouldn't think about
     making a connection right away. . .I also believe that the newly arrived
     spirit needs their own adjustment time before they're ready to send
     any messages."

John is speaking about people, of course, but I think the same advice applies to our animals in spirit.  The healing and comfort you can receive from a session in which they paint vivid pictures of their earthly memories can bring healing and comfort even if you wait, just a little while, before you ask me to make the connection.  The animals with whom you joyously shared your life will still be there for you, no matter how much time has gone by.

***

You'll have an opportunity to connect with departed animals and people at  the upcoming Conference on Animals in the Afterlife, when Joanne Gerber will be doing live, spontaneous spirit readings for members of the audience.  You won't want to miss it.

What Animals in the Afterlife Know

Sophie

In celebration of her new book, Speak Woof & Meow, Ronni Ann Hall of The Designing Fairy invited several animal communicators--including me--to submit guest posts for her blog during the month of September.

I was grateful for Ronni Ann's invitation, and delighted to participate.  My piece, entitled "What Animals in the Afterlife Know," was published today.

"In my experience as an animal communicator," I wrote, I've learned that animals who have left their bodies behind can continue to stay involved in our lives in wonderful and sometimes magical ways.  They know what we say; they see what we do."

If you'd like to read my account of the verifiable information that was shared with me by Dawson and Sophie, two amazing animals in spirit, please read the post on The Designing Fairy blog.

Among the other topics that will be featured there through the end of this month are "communicating with feral cats," "hearing animals telepathically," and "how to help your animal transition."  Ronni Ann will also publish excerpts from Speak Woof & Meow on September 24th, as part of this series.

On The Couch

Sometimes I feel like an animal psychotherapist.  So often, something magical happens after a consultation, just because I've made a heartfelt effort to deeply listen to an animal's complaints, concerns, or fears, and sincerely acknowledge them.  Those fears might seem silly or inconvenient, but I take them seriously.  And in doing so, I've honored and respected the animal I'm talking to, letting her know that she has a right to her feelings, whatever others might think.

This is what happened with Maggie, a magnificent Hanoverian mare with whom I've had the privilege of communicating on several occasions over the course of more than a year.  Maggie is a brave and talented eventer, and it takes a lot to scare her.  But of late, she'd been showing signs of stress when she was turned out in a large, lush pasture bordered by tall trees and woods.  Rather than relaxing in this green paradise, Maggie had been anxiously pacing the fence, as if begging to come in.  No one knew why.  To our human minds, it made no sense.

When I connected with Maggie, I mentally put myself into her body to see what it felt like to be out there in the expansive grassy paddock, alone.  I could immediately feel her sense of vulnerability:  there was something unseen looming in the woods beyond the field and Maggie worried that it might spring forth to pounce on her.  A hawk flew overhead:  it, too, felt like a threatening presence in a wide open place where there was no place to hide.

I let Maggie know that I understood why she might feel worried, and gently suggested that she had the power to flee, to run if danger should appear.  She said she might be happier in a smaller pen, closer to the barn, and I passed that on to her dear person, Polly.

That was yesterday.  This morning, Polly sent me this photo of Maggie happily grazing out in the big field alone, showing no signs of care or stress.  Same field, same woods, but something had shifted.  There may be many explanations for Maggie's new-found feeling of comfort in her surroundings, but I believe that as soon as she knew her fears were validated, she let them go.

I Hear You

There are times during a telepathic consultation with an animal that information "just flies in."  I start getting images, impressions, opinions or feelings that seem random:  neither the animal's person nor I have asked about them, but they often reveal something important.

It happens all the time.  Most recently, I was talking with a handsome Irish Sport Horse, Quinn, about issues related to his training.  Before I could even broach the questions his rider had submitted, Quinn interrupted me to convey that his hay seemed dry, with a lot of twigs and indigestible stems.  He said he really didn't care for it, and asked whether it could be dipped in water, to make it more palatable.

When I mentioned that to Quinn's person, Sarah, she confirmed that the barn had recently received a shipment of hay that a lot of the boarders felt was too dry.  In fact, Quinn had experienced a bout of colic shortly after the hay had arrived, and Sarah had been wondering whether the stray-like forage was the culprit.  She thought it was intriguing that Quinn had mentioned it to me; she'd never thought to ask him about it.

A few days later, I received a photo depicting a corner of Quinn's stall that made me realize that I'd definitely been talking with the right horse.  It showed a fresh pile of manure neatly placed on top of the offending hay.  In case anyone hadn't gotten the message, Quinn wanted to make his assessment of the forage perfectly clear:  it would do for bedding, but definitely not for eating!

Newly Redesigned Website Showcases New Animal Communication Offerings

I'm really excited to announce the unveiling of the new Animal Translations animal communication website!  It's been months in the making, and in addition to spiffy graphics, crisp design, effortless navigation, and updated content, it offers prospective clients a host of reasonably priced options for telepathic consultations aimed at remedying behavioral problems,  answering end-of-life questions, and bringing comfort to people whose animals have recently transitioned into spirit.

In honor of my beloved cat, Casey, the "Casey's Legacy" program underwrites reduced-cost sessions for cats with cancer.  And to help horse people who have adopted recently retired thoroughbreds, I'm now doing consultations for those horses, colloquially known as "OTTBs" (Off-The-Track Thoroughbreds) at a special, lower rate.

Emergency consultations are offered on a same-day basis, and website visitors who just want to browse can sign up for my periodic eNewsletter, What's Up With Animals?, with stories about intriguing cases and news of upcoming events and opportunities.

I'm pleased that I've been able to hold the line on fee increases, in an effort to make my services accessible to everyone who wants or needs them.  The $75 rate for a standard consultation remains the same, as does the $60 charge for a full-service followup session within 90 days of a prior consultation.  The cost of emergency consults has gone up slightly, from $85 to $90, and while the "Cats with Cancer" fee is still discounted, it's now $50, up from $45.

The "Meet Maureen" section of the site includes a link to my recent interview, "The Wonders of Animal Communication," with Alexis Brooks of CLN Radio.  Alexis will be one of the featured speakers at the upcoming Conference on Animals in the Afterlife, to be held at the Holiday Inn in Boxborough, MA on November 3, 2013.  Conference details and registration information are available for the first time through this website rollout, too.

I hope you'll take a look!

Popsicles for Blazey

It was on one of the hottest days of the summer that I communicated with Blazey, a 15-year-old dark bay quarter horse with whom I've had the pleasure of conducting remote conversations before.  While we talked, Blazey wandered aimlessly around his paddock in Rhode Island, while I sweltered in front of a fan in my office, an hour away.  Telepathy fueled our connection.

Blazey was chatting amiably about his accommodations, freely sharing his opinions about the quality of his hay, the cleanliness of his water buckets, and the neatness of his stall.  He doesn't hold back his assessments, and though we've never met, I've long been enamored with Blazey's facility at long-distance communication.

Our last session had occurred more than a year ago, when his person, Joan, had asked me to tune into him because he'd been injured.  I didn't know how, when, or why, but those details turned out not to matter, because Blazey promptly let me know that something terrible had happened to his left front foot.  He reeled off what looked like a show-motion movie, in which I could see that he had torn off a shoe while he was running in his paddock, and as a result, his foot was being soaked, and had been wrapped in some type of boot.  He showed me that he'd been confined to his stall, with hand-walking his only exercise.

It turned out that not only had Blazey's shoe been sheared off in the incident, but with it, a weighty chunk of his left front hoof.  His injury was quite serious and it was only through the intervention of a team of expert equine veterinarians that he made a miraculous recovery.  Equally miraculous was the accuracy with which Blazey had conveyed to me the particulars of his accident and his daily aftercare, down to the smallest specific of his rehabilitation regimen.

And so I was a bit puzzled this time, when, as part of our exchange of thoughts and feelings, Blazey showed me what seemed to be a picture of popsicles.  I assumed that perhaps he'd seen barn people taking frosty bites of the colored ices-on-a-stick, but wasn't quite sure why they would have made such an impression on him.

When I shared the popsicle puzzle with Joan, she laughed, confessing that she regularly brings Blazey a special summer treat, in the form of frozen carrots.  Of course!  They look a lot like popsicles, sans the sticks!

My trust in Blazey's telepathic abilities was renewed.  Like so many horses, he's consistently been able to communicate by telegraphing vivid color pictures of the world around him.  We can all learn to "see" what they are saying, simply by closing our eyes.

Using Telepathy with Horses

My Sweet HayleyJ

If you're in Massachusetts, I hope you'll stop by for my free lecture on using telepathy with horses at the Equine Essentials Tack Shop in Oxford, MA on March 22nd.

Horses have a much deeper awareness of our intentions and our thoughts than most of us can imagine.  By learning how to see the world through your horse's telepathic eyes, and by being open to the possibility that your horse can transmit very real silent messages that transcend his body language, you'll uncover a new dimension in your relationship with him, one that at times can seem even magical.

I'm speaking at Equine Essentials as part of their winter "Fourth Thursday" lecture series, which has also featured Dr. Anna Crane of New England Animal Chiropractic, Karen Withstandley of The Refined Equine, Cheryl Anderson of ABC Hoofcare, and Sarah Charest of Stepping Stone Farm Psychotherapy.

In addition to talking about my telepathic work with horses,  I'll describe my ongoing "Barn Visits" program, whereby I do onsite consultations at local stables throughout most of Massachusetts.  Everyone who attends will have an opportunity to win a complimentary remote consultation for one of their animals.  

The free talk will begin at 6:30pm on Thursday, March 22nd at Equine Essentials Tack Shop, 2 Fairlawn Ave., Oxford, MA.  Light refreshments will be served.  You can RSVP by calling 508-731-0071. 

Flower Essences: My February Gifts to You and Your Animals

In honor of Valentine's Day, I'm offering the gift of a complimentary flower essence from the Green Hope Farm Animal Wellness Collection to everyone who schedules a consultation with me this month.

I often recommend flower essences to support my clients after a telepathic consultation, and have received lots of positive feedback about their efficacy.  The 22 essences from Green Hope's Animal Wellness collection are gently supportive and alcohol-free, making them ideal for horses, dogs, cats, and other animals.  They are formulated to help ease problems such as separation anxiety, skin irritations, jealousy, emotional outbursts, and inappropriate spraying.  Other blends assist in the recovery from surgery or serious illness and in easing past trauma or abuse.

Through the end of February, I'll send the essence of a client's choice with each standard telepathic consultation.  If you'd like to take advantage of the offer, just request a session through the Animal Translations website.

A special offer for horses in spirit

I realized I wouldn't be able to see War Horse when I could barely watch the trailer without choking up.

While I know that no horses were harmed during the actual shooting of the film, I also know that millions of horses who heroically risked their lives in wartime service to their countries, lost them.  Steven Spielberg has got me thinking about them, not just the horse of the story, who somehow made it back home alive.

It's with that in mind that I'm offering a special rate ($60) for consultations with horses in spirit this month, through the end of January.

As I start my sixth year as a professional animal communicator, I am increasingly awed by the richness of the stories shared by animals with whom I've connected, and especially by those who have left their bodies for life in a new dimension that we don't fully understand.  In virtually every case, the now-departed animals have provided verifiable information derived from their daily experiences with their human companions, and have brought a drop of comfort to the people who desperately miss them on this side of the veil.

If you're interested in a session for your horse in spirit, you can request a session at the Animal Translations website. If you want to pay by PayPal, just use the $60 followup rate.

Emilie's Spirit Messages

A large measure of the anguish we inevitably feel when cherished animal companions die is the knowing that we will never see them again.  We can no longer caress them, walk with them, talk to them.  The sense of having a door irrevocably shut stings; there seems to be no way to open it again or to recover a semblance of the relationship that brought so much pleasure for so many years.  Only the pain is left in its wake.

But it does not have to be that way, as I've discovered through many "conversations" with animals in spirit, even years after they've abandoned their physical bodies.  And the vibrancy with which our animals live on was brought home again in a dramatic way, during a recent session with a beautiful springer spaniel, Emilie, the soulmate of a woman named Mollie.

All I knew about Emilie was that she had died.  I didn't know how or when.  Mollie wanted the consultation simply to see if Emilie was okay, and whether there were details of their life together that she would be able to share.

As soon as I tuned into her, Emilie came into focus as sharply as any living dog.  She gave the impression that there had been some congestion in her chest, and also mentioned problems with one of her eyes.  Mollie confirmed that the condition that had led to Emilie's death was a large tumor on her chest; she had also suffered from eye infections throughout her life.

Later in our session, Emilie revealed that her role in Mollie's life was as a surrogate child:  she hinted that Mollie had either miscarried, or that she couldn't have children.  That information seemed so personal that I wasn't sure how to relay it to Mollie, so I simply wrote, "She considered herself to be your baby, and there was a feeling that she was almost a surrogate child."

When she read that, Mollie gasped.  In fact, Mollie had indeed suffered a series of miscarriages, and had never had children.  She very much viewed her relationship with Emilie in precisely the way that Emilie had suggested, and I got chills when Mollie finally told me that Emilie had died nine years ago.  "I'm just flabbergasted," she admitted.  "Your session with Emilie brought back a lot of emotions."

What it taught me, yet again, is that the profound connection we forge with our animals is never broken, only changed.  They are still there for us, and though we do not fully understand how this can happen, it does not alter the fact that the ties between us remain real.

Discounts for Fjords, Friesians, Field Spaniels and French Bulldogs

Through the end of November, I'm offering a 20% discount on telepathic consultations with all animals whose breed begins with the letter "F."

The reduced rates this month apply to Fjords, Friesians, Field Spaniels, Flat Coated Retrievers, French Bulldogs, and to all other breeds of dogs, cats, horses, or other animals whose breed begins with the sixth letter of the alphabet.  Both new and current clients of Animal Translations are invited to take advantage of this program.

I'll continue the "ABCs of Animal Communication" promotion in December, when it will be offered to breeds that begin with the letter "G."

The standard fee for an animal communication consultation is $75.  Clients whose animals qualify for the reduced rate this month can purchase a session for $60 by visiting the Animal Translations website.

Discounts for English Setters, English Springer Spaniels, and Exmoor Ponies

Through the end of October, I'm offering a 20% discount on telepathic consultations with all animals whose breed begins with the letter "E.

The reduced rates this month apply to English Cocker Spaniels, English Foxhounds, English Setters, English Springer Spaniels, Egyptian Mau cats, Exmoor Ponies, and to all other breeds of dogs, cats, horses, or other animals whose breed begins with the fifth letter of the alphabet.  Both new and current clients of Animal Translations are invited to take advantage of this program.

I'll continue the "ABCs of Animal Communication" promotion in November, when it will be offered to breeds that begin with the letter "F."

The standard fee for an animal communication consultation is $75.  Clients whose animals qualify for the reduced rate this month can purchase a session for $60 by visiting the Animal Translations website.

A breakthrough for Willow the cat

It had been a rough few months for Tina.  Her parents had died within several weeks of each other, and Tina was not only sad, she was exhausted.

Tina's dear cat, Willow, felt the stress, too.  Plagued by a variety of health issues, she needed medications to preserve her quality of life.  She hated them.  Whenever she saw Tina approaching with the meds in hand, Willow fled.

Though Tina could eventually catch Willow and administer the soothing salves, what she could not do was to stop Willow from peeing on the bed, the pillow, and the rug--everywhere except in the litter box.  I had worked with Willow on a similar problem about a year ago, and from then until now, she had been perfect in her bathroom habits.  But with the recent emotional upheavals, Willow's litter box manners had taken a downturn, and that was more than Tina could take.

That's when she contacted me.

When I checked in with Willow, she felt depressed and worried.  She fully understood that Tina was becoming increasingly upset with her, and that only seemed to be making things worse.  But something Willow said really hit me:  she said that she felt broken, and disposable.  She felt like she was just facing away, and that she didn't matter anymore.  I sensed that Willow wouldn't return to the litter box until her hurt feelings had been healed.

It was hard to tell Tina what Willow had communicated.  I knew that Tina loved her with all her heart, and would do anything she could to help her precious feline friend feel better.  At the same time, Tina admitted that there were times when she'd had fleeting thoughts of re-homing Willow if she continued to urinate on the bed. Tina knew she'd never follow through on those silent threats, but still, they hung in the air, palpably enough for Willow to read them, internalize them, and conclude that she was, indeed, "disposable."

I suggested that Tina talk with Willow in a way that she'd never done before, letting the sweet orange cat know that she cherished her and that she would lovingly care for her forever.  It worked.  

Within 24 hours, Tina messaged me to say that willow had made it through the night without a wet spot in sight.  Three days later, she sent me this quick note:  "Day 4 and no pee.  And Willow is as cuddly as ever.  It's amazing!  Keep your fingers crossed, and thank you so much!"

Calling all Dachshunds, Dalmations, Dobermans and Dutch Warmbloods

Through the end of September, I'm offering a 20% discount on telepathic consultations with all animals whose breed begins with the letter "D."


The reduced rates this month apply to Dachshunds, Dalmations, Dobermans, Devon Rexes, Dutch Warmbloods, and to all other breeds of dogs, cats, horses, or other animals whose breed begins with the fourth letter of the alphabet.  Both new and current clients of Animal Translations are invited to take advantage of this program.


I'll continue the "ABCs of Animal Communication" promotion in October, when it will be offered to breeds that begin with the letter "E."


The standard fee for an animal communication consultation is $75.  Clients whose animals qualify for the reduced rate this month can purchase a session for $60 by visiting the Animal Translations website.

Calling all Basset Hounds, Beagles, Bloodhounds, Bengals, and Belgians

I'm continuing my alphabet-inspired discount program during the month of July, offering a 20% discount on animal communication consultations to all animals whose breed or species begins with the letter "B."

The reduced rates this month will apply to Basset Hounds, Beagles, Bloodhounds, Border Collies, Boxers, Briards, Bengals, Belgian Draft Horses, and to all other breeds of dogs, cats, horses, or other animals whose breed begins with the second letter of the alphabet.  Both new and current clients of Animal Translations are invited to take advantage of this program.

I'll continue this whimsical "ABCs of Animal Communication" promotion in August, when it will be offered to breeds that begin with the letter "C."

The standard fee for an animal communication consultation is $75.  Clients whose animals qualify for the reduced rate this month can purchase a session for $60.00 by visiting the Animal Translations website.

Calling all Abyssinians, Airedales, and Arabians!

I've just launched a new client appreciation program whereby animals whose breed or species begins with the letter "A" will receive a 20% discount on telepathic consultations with me during the month of June.

The discounts this month will apply to Appaloosas, Arabians, Andalusians, Abyssinians, American Shorthairs, Afghan Hounds, Airedales, Akitas, Alaskan Malemutes, American Foxhounds, Australian Shepherds, and to all other breeds of dogs, cats, horses, or other animals whose breed begins with the first letter of the alphabet.  Both new and current clients of Animal Translations are invited to take advantage of this program.

Animal Translations' ABCs of animal communication will continue in July, when it will be offered to breeds that begin with the letter "B."

The standard fee for an animal communication consultation is $75.  Animals who qualify for the reduced rate can purchase a session for $60.00 this month by visiting the "Consultations" page of my website.

The Way of a Cat

Cats have an energy that is different from dogs, that's for sure.  And that's true when it comes to telepathic communication, too.

When you call to a dog, he'll usually acknowledge you right away; there's not much of a lapse between the time you send the message and the time you receive a response.

But as I realized yesterday when I addressed my cat, Neil, his style is quite different.  Neil was cozily ensconced near a sunny window, alternately waking and sleeping on a quiet winter afternoon.  I said "hello" to him as I walked by, and was surprised when he acted like he hadn't even heard me.  But I knew he had.  I stopped to watch what he would do, and then, after perhaps 45 seconds had passed, he slowly turned his head, looked up at me, smiled, and returned the greeting.

That's interesting, because if I had been communicating telepathically with Neil from a remote location (or even the next room), I might have jumped to the conclusion that he hadn't heard me, or worse, that I wasn't hearing him.  What I saw today in Neil made me realize that cats can be quite considered and deliberate in the way they respond to a request or an inquiry, whether it's spoken aloud or in silence. 

I'll remember that the next time I'm talking telepathically to a cat who's far away, and try to create the time and space for him to respond--in his own time.

The Dachshund and the Doughnut

I recently had the pleasure of communicating with a discerning dachshund gentleman whom I'll call, "Danny."  He is a self-confident dog who knows his mind, and also know how to use pictures to convey what's important to him.

During the course of our telepathic conversation, Danny showed me small pieces of cake, which looked like they had been punched out of the center of a doughnut, much like a McDonald's "Munchkin."  It seemed to me that Danny considered these doughnut holes to be tasty treats, so I mentioned them, in passing, to his person, Marcie.

I was fascinated by what she told me.  "To be honest," she said, "I'm not really sure where Danny is getting that image, because I can't ever remember giving him doughnuts or doughnut holes."  Marcie thought for a moment, and then acknowledged that she gives Danny Cheerios (which look like miniature doughnuts, in a way), so we both thought that must be it.  But, she added, "It's funny that you got a picture of a doughnut, because another animal communicator got the same thing."

Now that's pretty interesting.  Even though no one is really sure why Danny seems to be obsessed with doughnuts, the fact that he telepathically transmitted that idea to two unrelated animal communicators who talked with him on different occasions, makes it much easier--even for a skeptic--to believe that his message was real.