I communicate with my animals, often when I cannot see or hear them. We communicate in pictograms. I pick up images...or I send them images. If my dogs disappear from my sight for too long, I panic and imagine them in a horrific situation. I believe they pick up the image, at least Jake does. He will appear from around a corner after I generate such an image, before I've had a chance to call him. It happens so often that I've concluded that he picks up my panic and shows up to reassure me. Because he often only comes when I call him if my voice gets that strangled, terrified pitch to it when he is, say, heading into the road. And Algiers sent me a message, a plea for help, years ago. He was colicking; I was 30 miles away and doubled up on my bedroom floor, cramping up and sobbing.

And I can get a strong sense of what is going on with a person based on the words they choose...

I don't believe there is a "blockage," so much as an extra challenge "tuning in" to a complete stranger's "radio waves."

it is MUCH harder to read over the phone. In person helps a lot. On the other hand, in person, people can fool you with their natural personage, even when they're not trying to. I listen 95% to the chart. I do have that advantage. I do have great respect for those of you who fly solo, i.e., just reading the person right in front of you.