The garden is overrun with hollyhocks. Sheldrake has studied case histories of psychic cats, chickens and ferrets, and he has performed more than 100 videotaped experiments on a mixed-breed terrier in northwest England. The terrier, Jaytee, was adopted as a puppy from the Manchester Dogs' Home in 1989 and formed a close bond with his owner, Pamela Smart. Smart's parents noticed Jaytee would sit in the French window of their house 45 minutes before Smart arrived home. When Smart was laid off from her job, Jaytee still anticipated her arrival, even when she returned at odd hours.
Scientists find the evidence underwhelming.
Others dismiss Sheldrake's theories as impractical, despite his credentials. It doesn't fit in with their mechanistic view of life. Scientists may disagree with Sheldrake, but they acknowledge he's on to something. And Sheldrake has the romantic view that everything is connected. People can't cope with the fact there's no greater meaning.