It is ALWAYS an honor when I am asked to reveal a person’s Spirit Animal Guide (or totem) and relay the message(s) channeled through me intended for that person. Usually the request comes from the individual themselves and they will send me a photo they like that clearly shows their eyes. I have even seen and channelled messages of Spirit Animal Guides of souls that have passed over by veiwing a photo sent to me, along with the reading request, by a loved one…this is also a unique honor as it gives the living something to treasure and understand just a little better about that person. Recently, I had the most interesting and greatest honor yet: To see and channel the Spirit Animal Guide of an unborn child; a boy-to-be named “Brady”.

This request was presented to me by my sister who is an artist and was commissioned by the soon-to-be grandparents of the baby to do a special painting. The painting request was consistent with a “theme” that seemed to appear out of the blue with the pregnant mother in her second trimester ~ Owls. Not your usual 1st born baby theme! So my sister wondered at the signifigance of this and asked if I would “write something” about the owl. I took it a step further and allowed myself to zero in on where the unborn child and his family were located (I knew they were neighbors of my sister) to see what would come forth. From my sister’s loving description I found it very easy to tap into the love and energy of this soul. What I discovered was amazing!; Brady has Owl as a Spirit Animal Guide that has been with his soul for a long time. In fact Brady himself will come into this world a very old soul with something special to share and do. His Spirit Animal Guide “Owl” knows this and came ahead of Brady to ensure that his family and surroundings were ready for him in that his environment ws being prepared to welcome both Boy and his Guide with love and familiarity. Spirit OWl has followed this soul for many lifetimes and is devoted to to the growth and development of this soul…all the way to wholeness with One. 

My sister loved the message and asked if it would be ok to share my reading with the grandparents…of course it would be ok :o} The family accepted the information enthusiastically and quickly identified with the message in anticipation of Brady’s birth. I wondered what baby Brady’s eyes were going to look like? I suspected they would be calm, deep and soulful – maybe larger than usual. Since they all live 2,300 miles away; east of Toronto in Ontario Canada, and I live east of Phoenix, in Arizona USA, I was hoping at best to see a picture of the baby once he was born so I could look in his eyes and see if my mind’s eye read it right.

Well, a week ago I was lucky enough to take a spontaneous suprise, and “whirlwind”, visit to Toronto to visit both of my sisters, the younger of whom was competing in a dragon boat race near Ontario Place. On the morning following an overnight stay out at my artist sister’s home, we were graced with a visit by the grandmother neighbor…. and 6 day old baby Brady! I can’t even express how big my heart and soul felt the moment I took this warm little bundle of baby into my arms and looked into his big, deep, calm, wise and soulful eyes. Brady looked at me and then all around as if all was as it should be…no worries, no hurries, and then went off to sleep in peace on my lap. An honor beyond words. Indeed my mind’s eye saw correctly…baby Brady and his Spirit Owl guide are here for a good reason. 

Big Hugs to Brady, Spirit Owl and his mother, and many thanks to Brady’s grandmother and my sister for bringing this duo to my attention. And though he may not know it, many thanks to Brady’s grandfather for the beautiful Owl carving – one of several he lovingly crafted as baby shower thank you gifts. My sister had two and sent me home with one – it is looking at me from my special shelf as I write.

Yet another heart-light on the great grid has appeared, accompanied by a loving and devototed Spirit Animal Guide…as all the heart-lights are :o}    

Luv, Light, Peace and Strength,

Andrea, “Critter Doc”

Did you ever have one of those days where you just “come up blue” and even though you KNOW better, you let your ego self mess with your psyche? Sets a nasty tone for everything you try to do, and that little black cloud just follows you everywhere!

Today was one of those days until a friend finally said “ask your guides for help! They are anxious for you to just give them permission to guide and assist you”. Humpf, of course I know that, isn’t that what I would tell someone that I saw struggling with themselves? Sometimes we see clearly the whole world of souls when looking out the window, but are blind when looking in the mirror. I was so grateful for my friend’s kind attention and advice to allow myself to “stand down”, that I instantly started to feel a little better and guess what? Something good happened to drop a little “hope bubble” in my day! Good energy attracts more good energy 🙂

From there I resolved to wait until the sun went down and visit the pool to do a little Tiger Water Meditation – Crossing my fingers that I would have the space to myself. For someone who loves living in the desert, I find my best travel and meditation time is in the still water. Lucky for me, not only did I have the pool to myself, but the usual bright pool wall lights were turned off….nice dark still water.

As I slid into the water under the stars, I enjoyed the silky feel that water seems to have only at night. Little bats were fluttering about overhead, but politely not disturbing my space. A few deep long breaths in…then out…and I felt the tensions and blues of the day melt away and float off. All seemed to be so peaceful and quiet as if it was planned for me. I reflected on the very issues that had crept up on me and had come close to setting me off on a prolonged funk, and with the calm gentle ripples of water caressing me as I moved slowly through to the center of the pool, the issues seemed to feel further and further away. Now the water felt like the loving caress of a mother – it was. I took this time to declare my love for Mother Earth and all her creatures great and small, and confirmed once more my promise to do what is within my power to help her restore the precious balance.

Then I asked for help. I humbly asked my spirit animal guides, angels, and All That Is, if they would kindly help me by guiding me in the right direction, protect me from dark energies, and show me signs when I am on the right path. The water seemed to ripple back gently towards me, and for a moment there was complete silence….until the Great Horned Owl spoke. As if in answer to my plea, the night silence was suddenly split by the gutteral call of the Owl. How perfect.

Just ask your spirit animal guides for help, they are always there – ready and willing to help you on your journey called “life”. 

Always In Gratitude,

Andrea, “Critter Doc”

Have you ever found a perfect shiny clear crystal quartz in the forest? Just lying there on the ground? There is something magical about that. I am blessed to have friends who often invite us up to their lovely little cabin in the pine forests north of Payson for a little R&R, hiking, nature, and sometimes just escaping the heat of the Arizona valley.  This past weekend was one of those times and even MORE special since it was “just the girls” (much quieter…and a lot less food involved! LOL!).

We arrived early Friday afternoon, and as we relaxed in the shade watching the hummingbirds air-dance around the feeder, we discussed our leisurely plans for the next two days. The plan was my favorite; hiking, crystal hunting, making a delicious pasta dinner, wine, camp fire, and something new….crafting something pretty out of the crystal treasures we find!

As usual the view from the rim is exquisite, and the hike throught the high desert forest is so calming. You can just feel the spirits of the native people that once lived there, the air tingles with the presence of elk, mule deer, coyotes, bear, big cats, reptiles, and of course all around you see and hear the winged ones. We found many beautiful clear crystal quartz, and this time I even found my first arrowhead! I was so excited 🙂 And then I seemed to keep coming across lovely little Horned Toads. These little critters are just so cute that I can’t help but pick them up. My friend informed me that holding one close to my heart would bring good luck. Seemed like a good idea…so I did. I felt an instant connection with the earth and shared the life and love energy that the little critters emit so big from their tiny being. Like the wee humming bird, the Spirit of the Horned Toad is certainly not confined by the size of its body, they are amazingly resilient, calm, and content to skitter from one shady spot to the next. Quite friendly too!

As planned, we crafted the most lovely tealight holders from the crystals we found. Each crystal is a gift from Gaia and the crystal chooses us, we don’t choose them. We made our own candle holders, but put them all togehter and sat by their radiating light and energy as the sun went down and into the evening. I adore my little de gists, and I adore my friends that I share space and time with. I adore spending time surrounded  by nature and the big blue sky. I think all that love was put into our little creations…I will treasure tham always, and can’t wait for the next trip!

Have a BRILLIANT Day,
Andrea Sobotka, “Critter Doc”

They say when you spend hours upon hours tirelessly and happily toiling away at something you love to do, this is your special calling and will serve you well if you only let it evolve.

“Spirit Animal Wisdom” was born out of my love for all Gaia’s creatures, discovering that my odd gift helps others and is appreciated on many levels, and most of all my desire to do my part in this lifetime to help restore the natural balance between man and nature as it was always intended to be. On this last point, I believe our very survival as a species depends on it.

We have so much to learn from the animal world, in form and in spirit. I am honored to be able to share the messages, love, compassion and wisdoms that I see, hear and feel from the world of Spirit Animal Guides. Now I am ready to spread my own wings a little further…and step out from the FB nest that so kindly nurtured and encouraged me to do so.

I hope you will visit and share my new website. This very blog is now embedded in the site and you are welcome to jump into blog discussions!

A special THANK YOU for the creativity and technical know-how of my dear friends, Bazma, Nusrat, and Octav. I am blessed to have them in my back pocket ~:o} And much love to those that helped me by way of generous feedback, encouragement, and testimonials along the way.

I’ll “SEE” you soon at www.spiritanimalwisdom.com

In Gratitude,

Andrea Sobotka, aka “Critter Doc”

While walking my very stubborn English Bulldog through our quiet neighborhood at 10pm last night, we both stopped short when we heard a small but distinct and persistent bird cry. Undoubtledy a baby, undoubtedly on the ground, undoubtedly NOT in the nighttime comfort of a nest. My dog, Jack, was in “lizard hunting mode” (I don’t let him actually catch them, but he knows they hang out around the ground lights and loves to seek & chase them – I’ve hauled little lizards right out of his chops before! Crazy dog, no lizard munching on MY watch!). Well, we both start to follow the small cry to a spot on a neighbor’s front walk across the street. Sure enough, I spot a tiny baby Killdeer (Sand Piper). No water close by! I had no idea how it got to be there but knew it wasn’t going to make the night alone. So, I distracted Jack long enough to scoop the baby safely up.

I am happy to report that after my oldest son and I figured out a comfy and warm little ”nest”, and got a little water and bug into him, he settled down to a peaceful night’s sleep.

In the morning, after checking on our little winged house guest, I look out our front door and see an odd lump at the end of our front walkway. I go out to see what it is….it is another displaced baby bird, this time a dove who cannot fly yet. Hmmmm. So I watch for an hour or so to see if mamma is close by. No mamma. So, After I get directs to the closest wildlife rescue ( http://www.libertywildlife.org/index.asp ) and organize my youngest son into the car for soccer camp, I load our little house guest into the car and then scoop up the baby dove in cozy box and load her into the car too and off we all go.

Both little critters have been safely handed over to caring volunteer experts and although I will miss the little SandPiper (he was such a cuddler and so adorably marked!), and hope the wee dove finds her way again, I know they are in good hands. Thank goodness for volunteers! Now, I am back home and as I write this, there are two big thumps at my back deck sliding doors, and Jack is startled into barking….it is two doves who appear to be trying to get in the door! (of course Jack has scared them away now).

I think I better pay close attention to what Spirit is trying to tell me by way of these little winged ones. I thought I found them…but I think they found me.

Hugs and blessings,

Critter Doc