A special thanks to Tim Link for taking the time to let us interview him and get to know him and his special talent a little better.  Tim was nice enough to send us a signed copy of his recent book “Wagging Tales” .  We’ll have a random drawing on Friday including all of those who comment on the post. Can’t think of a comment?  …What do you think your pet would communicate with Tim about? …What was your favorite pet? …Strangest pet experience?  Congratulations to Gale G. (badgerdoglover)!

Tim Link

Tim’s Bio: Tim Link is an author, writer, speaker, president and CEO of Wagging Tales and is a full-time animal communicator. As part of his passion for helping animals, Tim also has mastered Reiki – an ancient art of energy healing – which he uses on animals.

Tim has recently been featured in numerous newspaper, television and radio shows including the Associated Press, “FOX & Friends”, “The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet,” “Good Day Atlanta,” Forsyth County News, The Bronx Times, Species Link, “Live Your Legacy”, “Cumming Home”, Luxury Las Vegas, Woman2Woman, Atlanta Magazine, “Everyday with Marcus & Lisa”, Detroit Free Press, “Good Day Columbus”, “Good Morning Texas”, Gwinnett Daily Post, “Colorado & Company”, “Good Day Colorado”, Shirley MacLaine’s “Independent Expression” internet radio show, Pet Gazette, “San Diego Living”, Aquarius, “Mornings with Lorri and Larry”, “Sonoran Living”, “The Pat McMahon Show”, Palladium-Item, “Arizona Midday”, Tails, “Tennessee Mornings”, “More at Midday”, Animal Fair and remains a regular guest on two internet radio shows. Since May 2008, Tim has been a featured AJCpets.com expert for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Tim Link with Better Mornings Atlanta host Jennifer Valdez and her dog, Sadie

Tim grew up in Richmond, Ind. He married his high school sweetheart, Kim, and graduated from Ball State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in sales and marketing. After graduation, he built a successful twenty plus year career in sales management for the telecommunications industry, earning numerous awards and promotions for his achievements. He was living his dream as an all-American guy.

We Asked Tim:
When and how did you come to realize you had this special ability to be able to understand and communicate with animals?
I realized, with much surprise, that I could communicate with animals in February 2004 while attending an animal communication workshop. During the workshop, which had about 10 participants, we would practice asking questions of the pets that were present at the workshop as well as pets that were represented in photographs at the workshop. Once we were through asking the questions and receiving answers, we would relay the answers we received back to the pet’s human companions to see if what we received was correct. I was totally surprised to learn that all of the answers I had received were correct from each pet that I communicated with that afternoon.

Like many other talents, is this something that was difficult at first and you had to work/study to get better at, or could you tell right away you had a special talent?
I realized right away that I had the gift to communicate with animals. At first, the information came as a few words or an image or two. Over the years, as I have used my gift more and more, the way in which the animals communicate with me has expanded to include feelings, emotions, tastes, smells, full sentences, etc. Any sensation that we can experience as humans, they can experience as well. So, they communicate with me in whatever way they are most comfortable.

You are probably most often contacted about cats and dogs, but can you communicate with all types of animals, and what is the strangest animal that someone has asked you to communicate with?
The most unusual animal that I have been asked to communicate with has been a wart hog. After receiving Jack Hanna’s endorsement on my book, I was sent four pictures of animals that he would be working with in Kenya. One was a wart hog.

Are some more difficult than others?
I haven’t found it difficult to communicate with any type of animal. What is sometimes challenging is determining what the animal means when what they say has no meaning to me. That is when it is helpful for the human companion to be a part of the conversation. Usually, when an animal says something, it definitely has meaning to the family they are a part of.

How do you respond to the doubters?
When someone contacts me to help them with their pet I don’t mind if they are a little skeptical. It’s only natural. However, during the consultation I am able to share things that the pet tells me that no one else would know. That is when they know that the gift I have is real. After all, we all want what is best for our furry friends and that is what I am here for.

How many pets do you have?
I have 2 dogs, 8 finches, 1 turtle, 1 rabbit and 4 fish tanks.

Do you feel like you are able to understand what they are thinking all the time, or just at certain times?
I don’t have my gift “on” all the time. However, if I notice that one of the pets is acting differently than they usually do, then I will communicate with them to find out what the problem is.

What is the most unusual animal problem you have been contacted to help with?
The most unusual problem that I’ve been asked to work on is a horse that had stopped eating and drinking over a two week period. The vet said that there wasn’t anything medically wrong with the horse. So, the human companion called me. When I asked the horse why it wasn’t eating or drinking, the horse initially only communicated the words, “Green water”. I didn’t know what that meant and neither did the family. When I asked for clarification from the horse, he showed me an image of the pales in his stall that he ate and drank from. So, I asked the family if there had been a change with these pales in the last two weeks. They said that they used to be green but, about two weeks ago they put new ones in the stall and they were blue. So, I recommended that they put the green pales back as soon as possible and remove the blue pales. As soon as they did this, the horse resumed eating and drinking as usual.

I see you are from the Atlanta area- Do you have a favorite place to go with pets in Atlanta?
I love to take my dogs to the locally owned Red Bandana pet supply stores. When my dogs walk in the door, the look on their faces is priceless. They act like they are in “doggie heaven” with all of the food and treats that they smell. It’s great!

Part of the proceeds from your book, “Wagging Tales”, is donated to animal rescue organizations. Which ones?
During the book tour this year, I partnered with a lot of local rescue organizations in the cities that I visited including Little Shelter in Long Island, NY, Humane Society of North Texas in Fort Worth, TX, Denver Dumb Friends League in Denver, CO, Arizona Golden Rescue in Phoenix, AZ, PAWS of Coronado in Coronado, CA, Humane Society of Forsyth County in Atlanta, GA and Lifeline Animal Project in Atlanta, GA. Throughout the year, I also participate in a lot of rescue organizations’ charitable events at which I donate a portion of my proceeds back to those groups including Gwinnett Humane Society, Rescue Me! Animal Project, Our Pal’s Place, Mostly Mutts and Good Mews. In partnering with local groups, it helps them to gain exposure for their organization and donations through the sale of my books.

Have you found animals that are rescued to be different ‘spiritually’ from ones that are not rescued?
Not at all. Each animal is as unique as each human being. They all have their own personalities, likes and dislikes and reasons for being here.

How did you learn about PaperBackSwap?
I initially learned about PaperBackSwap from one of my friends. That same week, at the Georgia Literary Festival, I met someone that worked for PaperBackSwap. He suggested that I participate in an author interview when I had time.

What do you have on your night-stand?
I am usually reading the latest pet/animal-related book.

Find out more about Tim by visiting his website Wagging-Tales.com.