I know I have discussed Animal Totems and I have a page of it on my web sight.  Animal Totems are an animal that is with you all your life.  But there are other animals that come and go in our lives.  That symbolize who we are at that time.  Or they may have a message for us.  The idea is to be aware of the Animals that come into your life.  What family is it from...bird, cat, dog.  Spirit is in constant contact with us using nature to communicate with us is one way.  This hawk here came and landed on a branch by my window and looked right at me.  If that isn't a message I don't know what is.