THIS book promises so much for animal lovers with a subtitle like "What your pet is thinking and trying to tell you".

I'd love to know just what my beloved pooches, Gus and Lily, think about me hugging them (all the time), grooming them (not often enough) and finding them tasty gourmet treats not really intended for small furry creatures.

But dentist-turned-"animal whisperer" Trisha McCagh doesn't shed much more light on the experience of communicating with animals than the average pet owner already knows.

This book tells of her journey as an animal communicator and is full of case studies of animals and owners she has helped along the way.

McCagh claims we all once had the power to communicate telepathically and intuitively with other species, but lost it once we began using formal communication in the form of speech.

She now harnesses the power to get in touch with pets that have passed away, with sick animals and with those who have behavioural issues, such as the cat who is unhappy its scratching post has been moved to another room so takes to scratching the nearby furniture.

Much of the communication and remedies McCagh writes about seem to be simple common sense, but for those interested in cross-species communication, connecting with the spirit world, or tips on meditating and stillness to a point where you can "hear" your animals' thoughts, this is the read for you.

It also contains some good, practical advice on animal care, based on McCagh's perceptions of what animals have told her they need and want, such as a discussion on breeders and pet shops, moving to a new home with a pet, and the good and bad in cat enclosures and outdoor access for your fluffy one.