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It's animal magnetism: pet psychic fair, auction

Two women will do sorta-psychic pet "readings" today at the Hernando County Fairgrounds.

By RICK GERSHMAN
Published July 22, 2005

BROOKSVILLE - Ever try to figure Fluffy's feline fantasies? Or what circulates through Cody's canine consciousness?

Why did Morris shred the duvet? What prompted Scout to eat, of all things, the XBox? And why does Scamper focus so much attention down, um, there?

Help is on the way. Two women who claim particular intuitive abilities - one for pets, one for their owners - will do sorta-psychic pet "readings" today at the Hernando County Fairgrounds.

The term "The Pet Psychic," specifically, has been trademarked. It refers to Sonya Fitzpatrick, who delves into critters' craniums on the Animal Planet show of the same name.

So Donna Lorenzen and Karen "Natasha the Psychic Lady" Kuzsel won't be using that term per se at today's appearance, but that's basically what they do.

Lorenzen, a retired accountant who owns seven cats and two dogs - a pair of show Newfoundlands - is hooked into the pets' vibe. Kuzsel, who does extensive appearances as Natasha, a psychic entertainer, is the "people person."

"I expect I will be able to know from the owner what the pet perceives, while Donna will work it from the pet's end," Kuzsel said. "I think it will work out well."

The pet reading exhibition begins at 5:30 p.m. at the fairgrounds' livestock arena. There is a $10 admission charge, which also includes entry to an exotic animal auction - typically miniature horses, camels, zebras and the like - on Saturday morning.

Those who skip todays' event can pay $5 to check out Saturday's auction, which begins with a viewing at 8:30 a.m. (bidding starts at 10 a.m.).

"I suppose in most respects, (the pet readings) are kind of a tongue-in-cheek thing," said Bill McConnell, owner of Floral City-based USA/FLA Exotic Animal Auction. But pet owners could get some real benefit from the experience, he said.

Lorenzen, who lives in northern Polk County, agreed. While she has never previously "worked" as a psychic, she said, she has had a lifelong knack for knowing what cats and dogs are thinking.

"I helped some people with a dog they thought was absolutely vicious," she said. "It turns out the dog was scared to death (due to an incident) when it was younger. . . . They were able to change the way they approach the dog - bend down more, speak more softly and - eventually it was fine.

"It's like how the mom knows what a baby needs when everyone else just sees a crying baby."

Kuzsel, her friend, was born into a family in which reading tea leaves and fortune-telling cards were common. She regularly works conventions and trade shows as a psychic entertainer.

"I tell people all the time, everyone has this ability," said Kuzsel, who lives outside Orlando. "It's being receptive to what you feel; it's trusting your instincts.

"I'm not there to tell somebody (that) on this date, this is going to happen. And I'm not going to find dead bodies, thank God. I tell (subjects) what I feel about how they'll handle things, what they're thinking about. It's just something that the more you practice, the better you are. I'm very accurate."

Rick Gershman can be reached at rgershman@sptimes.com or 352 754-6117.

WHAT: Pet psychic fair/exotic animal auction

WHEN: Pet readings: 5 p.m. today Exotic animal auction: Saturday, viewing begins at 8:30 a.m., bidding begins at 10 a.m.

WHERE: Livestock arena, Hernando County Fairgrounds, 6436 Broad St., Brooksville.

COST: $10 admission for pet readings includes admission to Saturday's auction. Admission for auction alone is $5.

ON AUCTION: Organizers expect to put more than 400 exotic animals up for bid, including anteaters, kangaroos, sloths and bushbabies. See www.fxanimalauction.com/index.html for information.

[Last modified July 22, 2005, 00:33:20]