Dear Judi,
Susan, Chamois, and I miss you very much. We will always fondly remember the amazing things you did with your animal communication, and the many ways you helped us. Perhaps your most amazing accomplishment was that you even managed to teach me how to do a little bit of telepathic communication with animals shortly before you left us.
Several years ago when we first contacted you, I was a bit skeptical because I had never consulted with an animal communicator before, and I wasn’t convinced that it could be done. I think you knew that I was sort of testing you, and that I continued to test you over the years, but you were always very patient, polite, and humble. You never tried to convince Susan or me that you could communicate with animals, but you quietly proved it over and over again with your impressive results. You correctly came up with a few things that were astounding, lots of things that were pretty amazing, and some things that were not confirmable, but never in over three years did you ever get even one single thing wrong.
During our very first conversation, you had very little prior information from me about Chamois other than her breed, age, color, and so forth. Yet you accurately told us an amazing amount of correct information about Chamois’ personality, her health, her position in the family, and her relationship with everyone in the family. I gave you only a vague description of the main purpose of our call, such as her behavior with other animals. Yet you quickly learned from her that the problems happened when other dogs approached her, and not the other way around. You never asked or even hinted that Chamois was aggressively approaching other dogs. And, of course, we remember your wry and plain-spoken sense of humor. You told us that Chamois had problems with dogs who “got in her space”, and I replied that some dogs didn’t have to get very close before Chamois would snarl at them. You replied simply that “She has a very big space.”
My favorite “spooky” story that I like to tell is about the time you correctly described to me what Susan was seeing at the very same time she was seeing it, as if Chamois and you were somehow looking through Susan’s eyes. It was amazing, especially since we were spread out in three different states. I was in Marietta, GA, talking to you by phone in North Augusta, SC, while you were telepathically talking with Chamois who was with me in Marietta, and she was describing to you what her “Mommy” was seeing in Chattanooga, TN. Whew! We had a consultation with you scheduled for a day that Susan would be out of town singing in a chorus competition. You had previously told us that Chamois understood more than we realized about things Susan and I said to her. So just for fun, we told Chamois beforehand several times that Mommy was going away somewhere to sing, and we planned to see if Chamois could tell that back to you during our consultation. Boy, did we get a lot more that we bargained for! Our consultation day came, and Susan was in Chattanooga while I was on the phone with you. I had finished asking you all of the important questions I had for Chamois, and as my very last question I asked you if Chamois could tell you where her Mommy was. I had not told you anything else at all about Susan’s whereabouts. For all I told you, Susan could have been in the next room, or at the grocery store, or wherever. Imagine my surprise when you said “She’s showing me a large building with lots of glass in front.” You emphasized that it was really, really a lot of glass. Then you said “Now she’s showing me a large room with lots of people.” Next came “Now we’re going down a long hallway with lots of rooms and beds.” I was stunned. You had to be describing either a hospital or a hotel, and Susan was staying at a hotel. I looked at her schedule, and by gosh, this was about the time she should be getting back to the hotel. Within five minutes after you and I ended our call, Susan called me and said “Hi Honey, I just got back to the hotel.” I asked her “Does it have a lot of glass in front?”, and she replied “The whole front is all glass. Why?” Then I told her the whole spooky story of what Chamois had told you and me. Susan and I were both amazed and impressed, but not completely surprised since you had correctly told us amazing things before.
I also like the story about the kennels. Susan and I thought we would ask you to tell Chamois ahead of time that she would be staying in a kennel while we went away on a trip, but that we would come back later to get her. I was sort of startled that you were responding “She already knows…” to basically everything I was trying to say or ask, even before I finished saying it or asking it. When you said that she already knew which kennel we had chosen, I fiendishly thought “I’ve got you now if you’re making this up.” We had visited only two kennels, and they were as different as night and day. There was no way you could come up with ambiguous descriptions that could apply to either one. But, your description from Chamois nailed the correct kennel perfectly, right down to the description of the woman who knelt down to pet Chamois and talk to her.
There were some funny little things, too. One time we were doing a consultation in person, and Chamois was lying down between us with her face toward me and her back toward you. When I would ask a question that Chamois thought was ridiculous, she would pick her head up and turn it all the way around to look at you. You just laughed and said “You should see how she is rolling her eyes at me.”
There was another funny exchange that was a result of one of your biggest successes with Chamois. Do you remember the time that we had been talking about Chamois’ health, and then I asked whether she still liked doing agility? At first you probably thought Chamois and I both were crazy when she immediately and emphatically replied “I know where those yellow things are!”, and I just burst out laughing. On the surface, it seemed to make no sense at all, but it perfectly answered another agility question I had for her before I even asked it.
At that time, Chamois and I had been very actively competing in the sport of agility for several years. Unfortunately, agility has a silly “contact” rule that the dogs don’t seem to understand. When dogs run down the ramps of “contact” obstacles, they are supposed to go almost all the way to the bottom and touch the yellow part of the ramp before they run or jump off of the obstacle. Most dogs, especially the larger ones, usually prefer to run or jump off of the ramp from above the yellow contact zone, and then they get disqualified by the agility judges. With traditional dog training methods, how the heck do you teach a dog that he or she is supposed to touch a certain part of ramp just because it is painted yellow? Agility trainers have all sorts of strange and convoluted ways of dealing with this problem, and none of them work very well.
So, I had gotten you to explain the rule to Chamois a few years earlier. You told her that it was her responsibility to run down the ramp as fast as she could, and to put at least one foot far enough into the yellow part so that everyone could see it before she jumped off. Chamois immediately took to the new method, and seemed to enjoy her new responsibility for handling the contacts herself without signals or interference from me. However, she would forget and miss a contact every now and then, and I continued to watch all of her contacts both in practice and in competition for training purposes. After we were using your method for a couple of years and Chamois had gotten very consistent, I began to get the impression from her that she wanted me to trust her and quit watching and checking up on her. After all, for all of the other obstacles on an agility course I would just indicate the obstacle to her and trust her to take it successfully while I continued to the next one. So, during our consultation when Chamois burst out and told you “I know where those yellow things are!”, I immediately knew exactly what she meant. I quit watching her contacts after that, and instead got our agility instructor to watch the contacts in class, basically the same way the judges watch them in competition. Chamois seemed happier, and I don’t think she ever missed even one more contact from then on until she retired from agility. Having you explain that agility rule to Chamois worked better for both of us and improved our agility performance substantially. It also gave us quite an edge over other agility teams.
For health issues, you were very helpful and predictive by telling us what difficult-to-diagnose mystery ailments were bothering Chamois, even before the vets and physical therapists could find them. You know what they say about veterinarians having a difficult job because they can’t ask their patients where they hurt? Well, you helped us tremendously by solving that problem for us. I could find out from you what hurt Chamois, and then ask the vets/therapists to check out whatever it was you said, and they would eventually find the problem to be whatever you said it was. One of Chamois’ vets is actually receptive to assistance from animal communicators, and I could come right out and tell her that you said such-and-such was bothering Chamois, and she would check it out. That vet has a devilish sense of humor, though, and she wouldn’t miss an opportunity to make fun of us. I took Chamois to this vet one time after you and I had some e-mail consultations about something that was bothering her, and the vet treated Chamois for it. With a twinkle in her eye and a sly grin, the vet said to me that instead of scheduling a follow-up visit, “Why don’t you just have Chamois e-mail me back in about a week and let me know how she’s doing?”
Judi, I’m sorry to ramble on so much with these stories, but they are just a few of the memories that Susan, Chamois, and I will treasure for the rest of our lives. You have been a tremendously positive influence for us, and we wish you the best in your new life. We hope to see you again on the other side.
Sincerely,
Randy, Susan, and Chamois White
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When I think of my friend and mentor Judi Byers I have to smile. Judi brought her love, humor, warmth and passion to everyone around her. Judi was a strong person but, knew how to accept and work with everyone she met.
Judi's commitment in helping us better understand the pets in our life's and the animals around us was amazing. She had a special heart connection with the animals. She helped others trust in their heart connection with the animals. Judi helped us form better relationship and a deeper love for our pets and animals around us.
Judi will always have a special place in my heart and life. I know that she will always be with us and supporting us in all that we do. I know my life has changed by knowing and working with Judi. My passion to give the animals a voice is my full-time commitment. I am truly blessed to have found my gift and purpose in life. I believe this purpose has helped many animals and humans alike. I am deeply grateful to Judi for helping open the door and seeing my true potential.
I have a memorial page on my website that is dedicated to Judi. The memorial page briefly describes what Judi has meant to me and what she has done for me. Of course, one page on a website could never do justice to how wonderful Judi was.
Namaste'
Tim Link
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My story of Judi Byers and my Miss Suzanna
By Katrina Katz
I was getting to know Judi in 2005. Due to my health I knew I really couldn't take a long weekend class. However I was still able to learn from Judi. She has an amazing calm & patient Spirit. Judi did a newsletter article about Miss Suzanna, my feline soul mate. Judi also did part of the article about a big concern of mine. Since before the newsletter was out Miss Suzanna crossed over. At the end I have included the part of her Sept/Oct 2006 newsletter that pertains to Suzanna
. Judi was from Tulsa, where I was born and lived my whole life. We talked about the bad ICE STORM that hit Tulsa December 2007. It damaged 90-95% of our tree, and took over 6 months to clean up. I was also having so behavior problems with Marty a current kitty.
After several suggestions by email, we start talking (by email) about having a session with my cats. At that time Miss Suzanna who was on the Rainbow Bridge side popped in to say hello. This was a common bit for Suzanna to do when the opportunity presented itself.
Then came the day I read the email that said Judi had crossed over. I still feel sad; I personally have lost over 20 people in the last few years. I felt the most concern about who was going to help me continue to learn and understand about Miss Suzanna’s return. One time I had gone to a rescue group, brought home a kitty that I thought was Suzanna. It turned out badly. So I told Suzanna she was going to have to come to me. Make sure I KNEW it was her. In fact, she could just show up on my porch, she knew where I lived!
Guess what? One week ago she did just that! I am sure Judi helped Suzanna get here. A new friend John was here, and called to me since I was in the other room. He said to me, “please come quick!” As I walked into the living room he said, “Miss Suzanna is home!” I was confused since he never met her in the fur! “She is on the porch, as I was about to go out the door, this white kitty face popped up in view. I have heard so much about her, I just knew it was Miss Suzanna.”
I went out and sat on the porch. I had no idea what an amazing event was taking place in my life. I had said for 3 years that I believed she would return. That she had returned to me over 20 years before, but at that time I had no knowledge of these concepts. It is a different experience when you have the knowledge, and state you believe it will happen.
So I sat on the porch steps talking to this all white kitty that was rubbing all over my legs, like she knew and loved me! I said if you are my Suzanna, and want to come into the house, you need to let me carry you because the boys (my 2 boy cats) are in the living room. She then hopped into my lap. I got up holding her in my arms and walked past the boys to my bedroom. I closed the door and sat her on the bed. She took over the bed, just like what Judi had said in her newsletter; she acted like she had never left! I had not read what Judi wrote in the Sept/Oct 2006 Newsletter for a long time. I had found it since I planned to write about my experience with knowing Judi.
”I have known of people who opened their front door and there sat the animal, who promptly would take themselves inside and act like they had never left. The eyes never change. Yes, they may actually be a different color, but when you look into them you will "just know" this is the one.” Judi Byers
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My favorite memories of Judi are "mini books" lol. However, it was her laughter I loved to hear, totally infectious, even on the worst of days!
Judi called one Sunday afternoon, after I had been up for two days wondering if my 19 yr old cat Charlie, who had come in very sick and then split under the house so I couldn't help him, was alive.
Animal Communicators aren't always the best with their own animals, and I couldn't get under the house, plus he had stopped talking to me around 6 AM.
Judi called out of the blue and said "Something's wrong, haven't heard from you all weekend, what's going on?" I told her about Charlie and that at 6, he had told me he was with his dad, Jerry.
Judi checked and said she wasn't getting any energy either. I said, well that just sucks that after 19 years, I don't even get to hold him and say goodbye ! We cried, and agreed, yes it was his choice.
Composed ourselves and went over out list of missing ones, getting into a giggle about a couple of them, like the one who said if she went back home she would be held hostage again in her own house ! Judi said, do you think that one is a bit of a drama queen, ah yeah, lol.
We always seemed to get more done over the phone than we did fighting with "who's" email programs were on the fritz, her's or mine.
Hung up, sad, but feeling a little lighter. A good laugh or two with a good friend always lightens up the soul.
Yes, it was Charlie's choice, his life, not mine and I'd find a way to accept that.
And then...Charlie walked in the back door.
I called Judi back and said, "Charlie just came back from the dead !" and "Boy, are we GOOD or what !" Judi said, "Well isn't that just like a CAT for you!"
And then we got going laughing and could not stop.
Charlie is now going on 21 :)
I miss those good laughs with Judi, as I'm sure you all do.
Kristine
