A UNIQUE QUESTION AND ANSWER FORUM
Amber Donkey got a little carried away with the last issue of Kibbles and Bits.(If you haven't seen it yet, click here to download the PDF file).
After her column in the newsletter, Ask Amber D, was such a hit, she suggested that we could do this on the website. So, here we go!
Each month, we will select at least 2 questions from you, and Amber will answer them. You can email your questions for Amber Donkey at this address: dawn@springfarmcares.org Please notate in the subject line that it is for Amber Donkey. Your questions can be about any topic. Believe us when we tell you that Amber has not just vast knowledge, but many opinions, about many things. We are sure her answers will not just be informative but will be answered with her unique wit and humor as well. So, go ahead, Ask Amber Donkey! (Note: All answers are being given through Animal Communicator Dawn Hayman, co-founder of Spring Farm CARES.)
MARCH 2008
Question: Do animals believe in reincarnation? If so, how do you understand it? Are you aware of any of your past lives?
Amber Donkey: This is a question that is really quite simple. It is interesting to me actually that humans even have a word for reincarnation as if it is some strange phenomenon. I am asked about this a lot though. Yes, in your terms, animals believe in reincarnation. But to truly explain this, I must first say that there really is nothing to believe in. It would be sort of like me asking you if people believe in life. Now there may be a far more interesting question!
Life is a continuum. There really is no stop and start. I can be Amber, a donkey, and then stop being Amber a donkey and start being something else all in one breath. I can be Amber in spirit and then Amber in body. There is nothing to it really. There is not some sort of hierarchy either. People ask me that all the time. Life doesn't start out as a flower and then move on to an insect and then maybe a bird and the upgrade to a cat or dog or something. And the ultimate, of course, must be to be a human. People ask me all the time if I've ever been a human. I won't answer that question actually because it really doesn't matter. No matter what my answer to that would be, you would put a spin on that in your mind. I'd either be lesser than what you thought if I haven't been human, or you'd think I was crazy if I said I have been a human. The bigger question there is .... why are you a human? Its my responsibility to ask why am I a donkey. Then its also my responsibility to find out what I am choosing to do in this lifetime as THIS donkey. And then I can set out to be the most of THIS donkey that I possibly can be. And that is ME!
But, for the edification of all those reading this, I do have some awareness of other lifetimes I have lived. I have predominantly been equines because that form suits me most perfectly for what I am here to do. I will tell you this though. I have once lived as an elephant as well and that was a supreme experience indeed. My advice to you humans though is to stop worrying about your past lives and start figuring out your present one. That is what makes most sense to me.
Question: When at your barn I notice that there are a lot of birds in the rafters. Do they communicate with you, and what kinds of news do they bring to you?
Amber Donkey: It just so happens that I adore birds. You may have noticed when you visit me that I frequently have a lot of ducks in my stall and around me. They feel safe with me. And, it is true that we chat a lot. I happen to be a donkey of the world you know. I love to know what is going on outside the farm. You may call me nosy but it is important for me to get a feel for what is happening in the world. The birds are the news gatherers. They have connections from far away. In fact, we get the most of our distant news during the change of the seasons. When migrating birds come through, we get an instant news feed. I am not the only one here in the barn who likes to hear the news. Many of us do. And the birds love to tell us all they see and all they have heard.
Birds are very connected to many things on the planet. They are sensitive to energy shifts that you don't notice at all. They are also sensitive to weather shifts and patterns as well as upheaval and activity in your community. This won't be news to you but there is lots of upheaval in your human world right now. And it is deeply affecting the planet as a whole. The planet is also shifting, separately from what you are doing to it. The birds monitor all of this. The water birds bring us messages from the oceans as well. So we get to hear news from the whales and dolphins and other sea animals. We also get news from the jungles as to what is happening there. That news is more generalized by the time we hear it.
We get very specific news too from off the farm but from our immediate area. We know, for example, all the movements of the bird man in the sanctuary. (Editors note: That would be Matt Perry, our Director of Conservation for our Nature Sanctuary, who I'm sure would love to know he is known as the bird man.) We know about the deer and squirrels and raccoons and all of the life around the farm. We know, in advance of you by the way, what the weather will be like. And we are also aware that the weather is more rapidly changing and harder to predict. It is not following the usual norms that we have come to know.
The birds are special and they love to have a place to stay here at the farm as well. Some live here all year. Some just pass through. Some are frequent visitors but don't stay. But all of them share what knowledge they have with us and we with them. I tell them a lot about the humans of the farm and the ones that visit. And they go back to their other connections and share those stories with them as well. So it would be good for you to know that even the whales and dolphins and elephants know about what we do here. If you have a hard time believing that then you'd better take a better look at how connected things are on this planet. The earth is smaller than you think. It just seems bigger to you because you humans are not as tuned in.
FEBRUARY 2008
Question: When I see an animal that is mistreated or abused or neglected I really try to do something about it. I feel so helpless knowing that these animals deserve so much better. For example: We live in the country and there's a house near by that has a horse and three dogs. The dogs are always penned up in a barn. Needless to say, it's not very clean place. I just feel terrible that these poor animals have to live this way. I worry about them in the freezing cold if they are warm enough and have food. I can't call animal control, because we don't have one and if I call the sheriff, they really don't care. Should I be sending this kind of message to these animals the pain how I feel? Am I making it worse for them? My heart just aches for these animals and I need somehow to deal with this. --Anna
Amber Donkey: It is often hard to understand why individuals choose the paths that they do in life. I know this is hard to believe, but many times animals that you think are living lives of trouble, are actually not as bad off as you think. This is not to say that abuse doesn't exist. It absolutely does. (See my response to this question in January 2008.) Obviously if you think an animal is in trouble, it is always good to call for help to see if help is needed. But in the meantime, take into consideration that you can help in a situation by sending love and light to those animals for them to gain some strength from. To send them the pain that you are feeling only adds to their own plight. Sometimes the thing we need most from humans is compassion, understanding, and hope. That goes a long way and is something that everyone can do. Sometimes, the physical condition of a place does not match the love and care the animals actually do receive and feel. It is important to be clear with this and sort this out. Until you actually check in with the animals and understand what is happening you cannot know what their truth is. Many times people come into our farm here and see an older horse or one of our special needs animals and they instantly think the animal is suffering or miserable when, in fact, if they checked with the animal themselves, they'd realize something much different. It is important to know the difference between animals truly suffering from abuse and neglect and animals who are just living different lives than you are comfortable seeing.
Question: Do you have any tips or suggestions that will help me hear animals speaking more clearly? I have taken some classes on animal communication, but I don't always "hear" the animal I am trying to communicate with. Thanks for any advice you can offer! -- A.W.
Amber Donkey: Well, now this is a question we get a lot of around here. So let me tell it to you like it is. There are only two things you need to do. You need to believe you can hear us. And then you need to practice, practice, practice. Also, it would be helpful to understand that there is a difference between hearing and listening. You need only look to the human experience to understand this principle. Humans hear a lot of things, but they don't listen all that well. So practice not just listening to animals, but to your fellow humans as well. Then you will see that there is no difference at all. Trust in your ability to listen. And hang in there. Its not as difficult as you all make it out to be! We know you hear us.
Question: I have read many books about the different jobs that animals do for the Earth. Such as whales sing for the ocean, elephants tone to the Earth, etc. Can you give a list of what other animals do for the healing/well-being of planet Earth. Is there a song humans can sing to help? ---W.G.
Amber Donkey: I appreciate your question. It would be impossible to list various animals and what they do for the planet, so I will answer this more generally than specifically. But you have come to the right being with this question. The donkey voice is one of the strongest on the planet! And we donkeys love to hear ourselves sing out and wake up those around us to pay attention. We had a dog here on the farm who was very much like a donkey and I truly loved to hear her sing out. (Editor's note: That dog was a beagle and Amber is right.... she was almost as loud as the donkeys.) But the truth is that all creatures on this planet have a specific purpose and part in the healing and well-being of the planet. Every one of us, and all you humans included, have something important to say. Each of us carries a piece of knowledge that is specifically ours to share. It is when we start a grand conversation with one another that we each contribute our piece of information and we each learn and grow from and with one another. We animals have been trying to engage you in this conversation for some time, and it looks like its starting to happen. All of us need to understand that we are all a part of a grand symphony. Yes, there is still a song being played when just one musician drops out, but the song is ever so more enhanced with the addition of each new instrument and each new musician to play. So pick up your instruments, find your voices, and join the conversation. The planet needs all of us to sing to her.
JANUARY 2008
Question: I would like to know why animals are experiencing so many 'human diseases' currently. - J.B.
Amber Donkey: This is a somewhat difficult question to answer since it really has many parts to it. From the physical level, animals are exposed to many of the same environmental factors that you are. This means we face the same exposure to toxins in our air, food, and water, just as you do. These things account for a lot of illnesses and diseases. Our body systems are enough alike that we respond in the same way that you do. Those of us who have more access to the earth, do not succumb as easily to toxins. Many humans just don't have enough contact with the earth and it affects their health in negative ways.
From a spiritual and energetic level, many animals have signed on to be closer to humans for the purpose of healing and enlightenment. In some cases, the animals then are exposed to and taking on tremendous amounts of unhealthy energy that humans tend to surround themselves with. Some animals are actively taking those on to help their humans and to try to give the humans in their lives some balance. And others, are not purposefully taking on the energy but are weakened by it nonetheless.
Animals, in general, are much more in tune with the natural energy emanating around them. When in situations where they can remove themselves from such harmful energy, they will. Humans sometimes marvel at how animals sense danger many times before it arrives. It is just being tuned in to the energy around us. Other animals feel the unhealthy energy but stay to be with the humans they chose to come to be with. In any case, it would serve all of humankind and the animal kingdom well if humans would become more aware of the mess they are creating with the environment both in and around themselves. Awareness is the first step to health.
Question: I am someone who worked in the field of animal welfare for many years. Though still extremely passionate about the subject, my confusion has mounted right along with my expanded understanding as I have attended animal communication workshops. How can humans, who are not yet adept at telepathic communication, know when animals desire their assistance (for example, if the animal is stray/injured/mistreated) as opposed to well-meaning "help" being perceived more as interference? Also, with animals' nature of being so loving and forgiving, is there a general consensus on the topic of humans being prosecuted on charges of cruelty to animals? - B. E.
Amber Donkey: What a wonderful question to be given the chance to answer! Let me first say that I have lived a good life and have not been exposed to neglect or abandonment or even worse. However, so many of my friends on this farm are from situations exactly like that. Some came from abuse situations that were deliberate, some from neglect situations out of ignorance but not malice, and some were just abandoned and left to fend for themselves. In all cases, there is one thing I can assure you of, and that is that they have never given up on loving again. They have never held a grudge. And they do not seek revenge. This is a powerful statement.
Animals understand forgiveness. They understand that when they have been treated badly by someone blind to their own heart, separated from kindness, and filled with hatred inside of themselves, that this does not mean that all humans will be like that. They heal when they find safety. They trust when they feel an open heart. And they give all they have to continue to live lovingly, AND to forgive those who have blocked their hearts and did these things so that they too may heal and find their own freedom from their pain. Animals understand that revenge comes out of anger. And anger is a poison to the heart that must always be set free. I am not saying that animals do not know anger, despair, sadness, and hopelessness. We do experience all of those. But we don't like to dwell there once we find freedom to be open again. We seek healing, not revenge or justice.
I have known some of my animal friends here to have gone through horrific abuse, nearly dying at the hands of humans. And, yet, here at our farm, knowing they are safe, they welcome the touch of the human hand. They welcome the connection of the human heart. And once safe and renewed again, do you know what they do? They ask us all to send healing energy to those humans who did these things to them so that they too may find peace. We understand that if that human heals their heart, that they could never do anything to cause another pain again. We ask the humans here to join us in our wishes and healing. We ask them to give up their anger and put it aside. Their anger about what happened to us only keeps us and them in the darkness of the abuse that happened. It just perpetuates the dark energy. The humans that did these things would learn far more from kindness than from punishment. But that is just our view on things. Humans do tend to like to hold on to things much longer and mull them over and over and over again. Until the darkness that was done to them is now within them. That is what we notice.
While it is true that we do need protection at times, it is also true that humans often perceive situations animals are in without understanding why an animal is there. Frequently, dogs come to children in abusive situations to let them know they are still loved. All to often, that dog is the only thing keeping that child's heart open. So, before judging anyone for anything, we ask that you look carefully at all situations to understand what is going on. And we ask that you do not judge on our behalf. That you do not hate on our behalf. But we ask that you learn forgiveness in our name. That you learn to let go of hatred and angers that serve no one well. And that you join us in loving unconditionally. If that were the case, there wouldn't be any abuse, because all life would be honored and treasured for what it is. And so it is.
