In Raymond Buckland's "Scottish Witchcraft" he talks about "mind merging" with animals and plants brfore you use them tomake dinner! You can use the idea to "mind merge" with animals for other reasons:
Ground yourself, then sit or lie on the ground. Let your mind be led to the animal. Make mind contact(it's best if you can see theanimal or you are within sight of it's home). Let your mind go out and touch the other form of life. Blend with it; sense thesurroundings, smell the smells; hear the sounds; be aware of the temperatures. Once you have blended, introduce yourself. Explain why you want to communicate with the animal. 
