Talia with her father Michael

On December 23rd, Talia's plane crashed on the southern slope of Panama's Baru Volcano. The crash killed Talia (age 13), her father Michael, and Edwin Lasso the pilot. Miraculously, Talia's best friend survived.

HERE TALIA'S ANIMALS REMEMBER HER:

This is Gus, Freddie and Herbie's cousin. On our first meeting Gus says to me, “I know why you’re here. Fred and Herbie told me that our people have you come over to tell us what we do wrong. They also told me that if I don’t want to sit on your lap, you can still hear me from across the room.”

Herbie fell jumping onto the bed and slammed his head on the floor. When I asked him how he felt he said, "The inside of my head feels loose. I need someone to sew it back together. My head hurts so badly that I can not look at the sun. I can only look at the moon."

I asked Fred why he is scared of the wind and runs into the bathroom to hide. He replied, "I heard that the trees can fall over from the wind and hurt people. The wind can sound very mean. I like it when there is a gentle breeze blowing on my face and when the air smells nice."

This is Rocket a professional Cutting Horse. He is being ridden by his trainer Scott Weis. Rocket is very talented. I asked him about being disciplined and he replied, "Discipline is doing your best even when your body is sore and your mind is tired. If you concentrate for a short period of time you can rest later. Discipline is believing in yourself and knowing that inside of you is powerful and worthy of greatness."

I noticed Joey was not yet on The Tribune so I asked him if he had anything to say. He answered, "I think that people would be less lonely and more complete if they payed quality attention to their animals everyday."

Vinnie says, "Sometimes when you first meet someone you hate them. You think they smell bad and are weird. Then all of a sudden, you see them differently and they become one of your best friends."
I believe Vinnie is talking about his relationship with me.

Harley has been my good friend for many years. He is highly intelligent. Every now and then he pees in the house. This time he peed in a room where his aunt (person) sleeps with her dog, Ranger. No humans were home at the time. When I asked Harley why he peed, he answered, "Ranger was scared and wanted me to sleep in the room with him. I didn't feel like it. This way I thought Ranger would feel safer because he would smell me there....I forgot mom (person) doesn't want me to pee in the house." I know for a fact Harley did not forget he is not suppose to pee in the house. Yet his reasoning makes me think a bit.

This is Ben. He is a Bengal Cat. His people tell me that he will wait till the tub fills up with water then he will bat things into the tub and then jump in. I asked him about the water and he replied, "I love the water. I didn't know it is unusual for cats to love water. I am looking for something to slither away so I can catch it." I believe he is instinctually referring to a snake.

This is Girly Girl she is a Bengal Cat. She reminds me of a Border Collie. She talks about wanting to learn tricks and says she chews her bed because, "I have anxiety because there is too much in my head." When asked if she was nervous about getting outside and not being able to be found on Christmas Eve she replies, "I was not scared at all. I was having too much fun. I knew I could find my people instantly."

Even though Lotus' mom is kind and loving, at times Lotus is scared to come to her. Lotus explains, "Even though I know my mom loves me and would never hurt me. There is a feeling I can not explain in my body. It tells me to be careful and run away. I wish I could be more brave." This is common for animals that have fear imprinted in them from the first year of their lives.

This is Barney and his person Wanda. Barney once had to have surgery on his rectum. Wanda is nervous he may need another surgery. Barney says, "I am willing to do surgery because it is only one day. My mom's friends who are light workers all pray for me, I go to sleep in the vet's care and then I get to go home and feel better soon. I can handle it."

Chewy is my sister's family's Sussex Spaniel. He lives with two little girls. He says, "I know that when my mom’s (person) belly gets big it means a baby is coming and my family gets bigger. Which means there is less time for me to be walked, but more time to laugh and play."

MR. T says, "I would like to hear more music around the house and I think my dad (person) is reading the wrong book. He should be reading the book with the brown cover."

Sunny says, "The best thing about my mom (person) is that she plays with me everyday and she treats all of us animals as well as she treats her children and her best friends. She is like an angel."

These are my dogs, Storm & Maia. We take long walks in the rain. Since their fur stays damp and they are older, I got them rain jackets. Here is what they think of their jackets.
Storm says, "I didn't know they made these for dogs. It is great because I didn't get cold on our walk."
Maia says, "I love it. I don't mind having my fur wet when I am outside playing, but I hate it when my fur is wet when I am inside. I can rest better after the walk if I wear my jacket in the rain."

I had to tell Shadow that in order for him to go any farther in his Search & Rescue training he is going to have to give up chasing deer. He replies, "Sometimes you have to give up something you like to get something better."

Angel is a Search and Rescue Dog. She was at Katrina. She says, "Whenever you are suffering or hurt. There is help on it's way if you want it."

This is Chirpy's Girl in her cage for the night. Her best friend, Chirpy, has recently died. She said that when Chirpy died she saw, "A bright ray of light fly faster than the finches" She also said, "I see animal spirits around the property. I think heaven and earth are one."
This is Chirpy and Chirpy's Girl. Before Chirpy died he said to her, "Please come lie next to me. I am going to die."

Luna said, "I want to go outside. Can my mom (person) build me a house in the trees?"

Osa said, "Can we take the pink blanket on the trip with us? I love how it is soft on my face. Can it be mine?" The "pink blanket" ended up being her person's cashmere scarf.