In 1998, I filed the paperwork to give birth to the 501 (c) (3) organization that would become Hummingbird Farm. At the same time, my best friend, George, was in the process of leaving his body. Fifteen years earlier, when I went into my vet's office, there on the counter sat a little cage with a "please adopt me" sign on it. Inside was a skinny brown tabby kitten with white paws. It was love at first sight, and George and I were inseparable from that moment on. It was George who asked me to make a commitment in my life, something I had never done before. It was George who asked me to open my heart, and it was George who supported me and gently guided me on this path of working with animals and humans that fills my life with more love than I ever thought possible. When I was a child I had a dream, or a vision. In this vision I was living on some beautiful land, surrounded by nature and animals, with a sense of well being, of peace, and of harmony. In this vision, all beings “spoke”, were listened to and respected; and the land, the plants and the animals (including the human animals) co-created their living space. In 1998, George and the dolphins spurred me on and I opened to creating the vision of this sacred place in 3D reality. We formed a nonprofit organization and named it Hummingbird Farm. George pointed out to me that Hummingbird Farm was more than a physical place, that it was a dream about a way of living with all beings realizing their connection to each other and holding a reverence for all of life. He said that Hummingbird Farm would be a vehicle through which information could be passed, people could learn, and a network could be built to create this dream all over the world. When I opened to the reality of Hummingbird Farm, two llamas came to live with us. Then three more llamas came, and five years later we were living on 49 acres of beautiful land, bordered by the Rocky River. We have become a pretty large family now: 4 cats, 2 dogs, 5 llamas, 1 alpaca, 6 goats, 1 miniature horse, and a myriad of wild animals.             This land found me, truly, as the dream of my childhood was here already, seeded many generations ago and waiting to unfold and blossom. In an area where development is now rampant, Hummingbird Farm’s 49 acres is surrounded by protected land. Nowhere on the whole property can you see another house. This land is vibrant and sacred, with pastures for the animals, woods with trails through them and, the longest border of the land is the river.             Hummingbird Farm is a space of peace and harmony where all beings are listened to, respected, and asked to participate. It is an example of the peace we can create in our world, and reminds us of our connection to all life. We teach classes in Animal Communication, Reiki Healing, Earth Awareness, and hold ceremonies to celebrate the Earth and our connection to all the species who share this planet with us. George, my love, is no longer here in his body, but he is present in every part of Hummingbird Farm. I feel him in every blade of grass; I see his face in every flower. I feel him watching me, encouraging me, and laughing with me as I learn how to work and play with this dream. He is with me as I mow the grass or mend the fence, as I meditate, dream, and teach classes. George and Hummingbird Farm are not separate from each other, I feel them as one great love in my heart, so close, so dear, the very best part of me. Hummingbird Farm sponsors a meditation on the Solstices and Equinoxes to focus on the vision of living in a world of peace where all beings acknowledge their connection to each other and work together with mutual respect and harmony. This meditation takes place from 8-8:30 pm Eastern Time, 5-5:30 pm Pacific Time on the day of the Solstice or Equinox. We now have people from all over the world participating in this meditation. We offer a free quarterly newsletter that prints stories and ideas to keep people connected to this dream and to support all of us walking this path. We are creating new workshops and community events to help bring people into the awareness of the healing potential of partnership between humans and animals.   Dreams for the Future  The vision of what we want to create for the Hummingbird Farm Center is grand—twenty to thirty animal teachers, a large space to hold classes, an information library, a network of people, a place that can be open to the public, a place where animals and humans can interact and heal and re-establish their connection to All That Is. This center will be a place to experience working and playing in partnership with all life and to learn the tools to support that lifestyle wherever we each may live. We will have this center some day on this beautiful land, and it will be a cooperative effort, built step-by-step by all of us, humans and animals, who believe in this dream. One of the things I am learning is that my dreams are merely seeds and that I don’t have a clear view of the big picture—it is often far better than I could have imagined it. So I am always open to the suggestions of the animals, the land, and spirit. I know that some wonderful things are in store for all of us and I am grateful and excited to watch it unfold. We need your help to build this center on our new and beautiful land. We welcome your ideas, suggestions, wild dreams, experiences, and your financial contributions.   Awakening the awareness of our connection to all beings can:  * Open us to embrace all species (including humans) with Love and Respect—When we recognize the heart and spirit of another person or another species, we see that at the core we are all spiritual beings and we can embrace that connection while allowing differences of expression. * Stop Animal Cruelty—Once we have had an experience of oneness with another species, it opens our hearts and it is no longer possible to abuse or misuse other creatures. * Encourage Conservation—When we feel the Earth as a living, breathing, conscious being, we can no longer abuse her and the desire to love, honor and care for her is stirred within us. * Help to Heal Emotional and Physical Trauma—It has been well documented that animals of all species and the power of nature can assist people to overcome physical and emotional hurdles and to begin to live more fulfilling lives. * Teach Children and Adults to be Responsible for Their Actions—An experience of kinship with all of life is never forgotten and can be taken with us everywhere. When we embrace all species as members of our own family, it spills over to touch everyone we come in contact with. * Provide a Sanctuary for Animals and the Earth—This land will be left in trust to serve animals, humans, and the Earth as a space of natural beauty and peace long after we are gone.   Animals Changing the Consciousness of Humans When I began working as a professional animal communicator, I thought my job was about saving animals. The animals taught me very quickly that I needed to open my heart to my own species as they (the animals) had a lot of work to do and they needed me to be in a space of love and compassion. I now love my own species with a depth I never felt possible and have watched, often in amazement, as the animals of Hummingbird Farm, as well as the companions of my many clients, have gently, lovingly, and adeptly changed my life and the lives of all the people they touch.             As an example of animals healing people, a few years ago a reporter came out to talk to me about Animal Communication. She was very open and eager to learn about this work. The photographer who came with her was very quiet and not so keen on this strange assignment. At one point as we were moving into the pasture to get some photos with the llamas and goats, he piped up and said, “I don’t believe in all this stuff. I think animals are okay and all, but when I come home tired I just kick my cat.” I think it was the shock of this statement right in the middle of an interview on animal communication that kept me quiet. What could I say that would touch this man without alienating him?             My goat, Merlin, had his own ideas about the situation. He walked right up to the photographer and began checking his pockets. He unzipped the man’s fanny pack, took out his cell phone and waved it around. He pressed his head next to the photographer’s to see how he focused the camera. He unzipped the pockets of his cargo pants and took out batteries and film. Merlin was having a great time and the cameraman couldn’t stop laughing at his antics. When the interview was finished, the cameraman knelt and put his arms around Merlin’s neck and kissed him. He rubbed his head against Merlin, snuggling up with him and suddenly started to cry. “It’s horrible that I’ve kicked my cat,” he said, tears streaming down his face. I nodded quietly. “Will you talk to my cat for me and tell him I will never, ever hurt him again?” Merlin had worked his magic by offering an open heart and gentle play. The man held onto Merlin’s neck as we contacted his cat and he made his promise to change.             We hope you will visit Hummingbird Farm for yourself—whether you can physically come to our home in North Carolina, or you visit by connecting with us in your own home. We are here, holding the vision of a planet that is healed, whole, and where all beings are consciously connected. Please join us!   Our Mission Statement: Hummingbird Farm is a 49-acre learning center and inspirational sanctuary where animals, humans, and the earth work in partnership. We are dedicated to deepening the understanding, respect, communication, and relationship between all living beings and the natural world around us. We are a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization. Hummingbird Farm, P. O. Box 1603, Pittsboro, NC 27312. (919) 742-5929.  www.hummingbirdfarm.org.http://www.hummingbirdfarm.org/shapeimage_5_link_0