CARNATION - Rafaela Pope prefers to be called an animal communicator, not a pet psychic.

Either way, the part time nurse from Carnation says she can tune into your pet's thoughts and emotions and figure out what's wrong.

"I think we all have this ability," says Pope. Some, clearly, better than others.

Rafaela has five to 10 clients a week. They are pet owners who've tried everything, and figure they have nothing to lose by trying out a psychic.

"One cat told me: 'I don't like the person who smokes.' It turns out, it was the boy's girlfriend,' " says Rafaela.

Most clients go to her for behavioral problems.

"My kitty's 12 years old," she says of one hypothetical situation. "She's always used the litter box. Now she's peeing in the closet. What's going on with her?"

What about her critics, who believe all this talk about pet psychics is mumbo jumbo?

"I don't have any critics," says Rafaela as she laughs.

Of course. Critics wouldn't go to her to solve their pet's problems. But a lot of other pet owners do.

"When I tune into an animal, I get a strong picture," she says.

Rafaela charges $60 for a half hour session.