I chose animal communication as the theme for my story because I'm always channelling my inner-Dr Doolittle to try and understand what the various creatures in my care are trying to tell me. Even beetles have a lot to say and by studying their body language and behaviour, I've learnt to tell when they're hungry, too hot or too cold for example, but what really goes on in their heads? A lot more than we imagine, I suspect. Marine biologists now believe that octopuses dream but what do they dream about? Like Charlie in Talk to the Tail, I'd really like to know!
