Words may come up, such as kind, curious, explorer, teacher. Those will identify the core essence of who your animal is. And then you can ask your animal questions. But first it's just good to sit and be with them. Animals also send you lots of images and impressions.
Some people just get one word.
We need to get in touch with the animals' feelings, because animals are beings with feelings. But there is that bridge of intelligence of course. Think the thought clearly or feel the thought clearly. You can either do it out loud or silently. The thought carries energy so when we think the thought and intentionally focus it, that thought will get to the animal and then our subconscious imprints the image that follows the thought.