Shop Talk: As children, we were open to all the possibilities this fantastical world had to offer. We were captivated by the magic of Santa, the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy. As touchable, live beings, our pets were even more special. Best friends, they'd follow us anywhere, always listened intently, never told our secrets and equally enjoyed tea parties or alien warfare. Sadly, as we age, the door to wonder and enchantment, once open in our hearts, slowly closes and the magic vanishes.

As a child, Catherine Ceci talked with animals. As a child, she too, was dismissed by grownups as nothing more than an over-imaginative kid. As she aged, she too, put the childish nonsense aside, got married, had a child and a full time job. For years, her ability to communicate with animals stayed locked deep inside and kept secret . . . even from herself.

Then, a few years ago, the door cracked open. "I started feelings those animals again," Catherine said. A competing equestrian, she took the opportunity to test her telepathic skills by talking to show horses. "I'd walk up, touch them and mentally ask them questions like, "How are you? Do you like your rider?" Catherine said, "I act as a translator or guide, giving the owner my impressions of what the animal said."

Catherine's "readings" became so popular, people started offering payment for her services. The requested "donation" of $5 certainly wasn't enough to put bread on the table, so she kept her job as a respiratory therapist at the hospital and did readings on the side.

In the spring of 2000, Catherine's world came crashing down. A reorganization at the hospital where Catherine worked resulted in the loss of her job. "I cried for days and just started praying about what to do," she said.

Through what Catherine described as "divine intervention" a TV reporter happened to see Catherine's ad in a livestock publication and interviewed her. A Florida Morgan Horse Association member saw the interview and asked Catherine to do a presentation. Word spread like wildfire. "Within weeks, I started getting lots of calls," she said. The Kansas Humane Society flew her to "Woofstock" to give personality readings for dogs. She opened the mailbox to find a request for her services and an airline ticket to Hong Kong. "I took it as a sign from God," Catherine said, "this is a gift; this door was being opened, so I needed to walk through it."

Although she specializes in horses, Catherine has helped many other animals and owners. She specifically requests to be told nothing about the animal other than name and age. "I don't want anything to color my perceptions," she said.

So, what do animals tell Catherine? Do they have any complaints? A Tallahassee Cockatoo told Catherine he'd been abandoned at birth and was sick alot. His owner said the bird indeed had been hatched by humans and suffered health problems.

BB, an Arabian gelding, told Catherine that the kids his owner was letting him ride were really getting on his nerves. He also complained about his teeth hurting. The vet diagnosed and corrected his painful tooth problem.

Although Catherine's animal communication and lecture services are booking up fast, "I am not rich from it. I haven't written a book or anything." After all, loads of money is not Catherine's aim. "I just want humans to understand that animals are sentient and may be missing another animal, person or suffering from a trauma in their past that's affecting them now. I try to shed light on their animal's behavior and help deepen their understanding of each other."

Sage Advice: "Get really clear in your heat and mind about what you want to do," Catherine said. Then, "Get down to the logistics."

A computer, a professionally designed website and e-mail top Catherine's list. "If money's a problem, a functional website that tells people who you are and what you do can be printed and mailed out," she said, adding that she also saves money by making her own business cards.

No matter what your talent, Catherine's sure of one thing. "I feel everybody has a gift from God that only they can do. Find it and live it," she encouraged.

Vital Force: A Tallahassee native, Catherine was very close to her father, the late Cy Ceci, part owner of one of Tallahassee's legendary restaurants, Garcia's.

The two most important men in her life today are her son, Christopher Bartels, and her mate Dan McElwain. Catherine still works prn as a respiratory therapist and during quiet times she loves to paint and draw animals.

Goals: "To work more with young people who are first-time horse owners and help them understand more about their horse's individual needs. They need to understand their animals as friends and partners, not as machines."

Closing thought: "Put yourself in someone else's' hooves or paws for a moment. That's my job, to be the animal for a few seconds." ...Catherine Ceci

Alice is a freelance feature, business, sports, travel, advertising and news writer who charges reasonable rates and quick turnaround for her services. If you would like to contact Alice, you can reach her at 850-671-7553 or e-mail her.