Voice For Animals 2021
We love our animals deeply, and give unconditionally, and we know their life on this planet is shorter than ours. Here is a child’s perspective after his senior, sick dog was comfortably euthanized in his own home, “People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life – like loving everybody all the time and being nice. Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don’t have to stay as long!” A great message for us all to remember. And we know there are those animals that don’t get to experience the kindness of a human and their journey here is quite different.
There are so many varying situations around when our animals choose to leave us. Although, do they leave? Or are they shifting into a different form? Transition happens in different ways and I believe this is why it can be so challenging for us. Whether there is an emergency and quick decisions need to be made, or a diagnosis that gives time for planning, or an illness that gives no warning, are some of the ways our animals will leave us in their physical form.
When my dog Nira, a Rhodesian Ridgeback, guided me so gracefully through his transition, I was oblivious at that time, as to how animals saw this path through their eyes. At almost 12 years old, his respiratory health had been failing. We worked together, played together and lived life together. His greatest gift was guiding me through his transition, and guide me he did. These gifts have helped me support people to a place of peaceful decision making, helping to alleviate the when, how, where….. or for people feeling doubt, guilt, lack of closure, a way to connect with their animal in spirit to help release these feelings).
In 2007, after a lovely walk in Plymouth NH, Nira and I were sitting in the back of my hatchback car and I heard him say “I want to go now, and you know someone who can do it!”. I looked at him in disbelief and shock. “What? Now? Really?” He was correct, I did know a lovely and compassionate vet in the area. However, I was unable to carry out his wishes so spontaneously and we drove home to South Berwick ME. That night, he was lying on my bed, I looked over, he was staring at me, a dark, blank stare. He was serious about his request and said “I need to be released from a failing body, so my spirit can fully express itself, and not be inhibited.” In that moment, something shifted in me, I understood how he saw this time of transition – it was then a no-brainer to make the appointment and honor a dog who had stood by my side for so many years. “OK, OK, tomorrow!” I made the plans for his euthanasia with a vet I knew well. Nira wanted to be in the back of my car when he transitioned, to keep his essence where we spent so much of our time together. He also requested that his ashes be spread at Wells Beach in Maine. A favorite place of ours and a beach I walked with him, following my Reiki Master Attunement, when I was too ungrounded to drive home. The appointment the next day was such a loving and gentle experience. Nira was fully honored and the vet and staff were wonderful and kind. A song came on the radio as I pulled out of the parking lot – the lyrics were clearly him sharing that he was on his journey – and whenever that song came on the radio I knew he was around me. His ashes were spread at Wells Beach per his request (my book ‘Hindsight is 20/20’ is about our life together).
The synchronicity of timing, the understanding of the animal’s experiences, the profound soul to soul connection and the inner wisdom of knowing all is in divine order. The animals who have blessed my personal life have taught me this and each one has transitioned in a completely different way. I am in awe of the spiritual connections and giving time for the grief and emotional rollercoaster. Respecting the grieving process as there is no text book healing, no specific way, no quick fix. There is compassion, deep resonance, feeling their essence and soul connection, and finding your place of peace. (There is probably an article for each of my animals, to fully explain the experience – here is Dasher’s blog).
When I met Carrie, her dog Youki was in the later stages of her life. Following our initial in person session, revealing some deeper teachings Youki had for her family members, we continued to connect whenever Carrie felt the need to check in on Youki. It is always so heart wrenching when our animals are in this time of change and trusting our intuition to know the right thing to do, at the right time, in the right way is challenging. These are the questions people have and it causes anxiety, fear and trust issues, as we all want to honor our dogs. Each time Carrie and I connected Youki, she would share her needs, and more so the messages and soul teachings for Carrie. These wise interactions with Youki were embracing how she oversaw her family and would not leave her earthly body until she knew it was the right time for everyone. Sometimes medically there is nothing more that can be done, however, they are in contract with us and choose to wait on a more emotional and spiritual plane until their contract with us is complete. This usually happens when our lives are about to change quite drastically and they know this is the closing of their chapter and the beginning of a new one for us.
In September of this year Youki’s time was closer. We did a remote communication along with energy work, Carrie knew in her own heart it was time. The vet came to her home. Carrie shared afterwards: “She was ready – a deep content sigh just before the injection. It is very hard even knowing it’s her time. The sigh felt validating. Thank you for your support. I never could have navigated this as gracefully without you.”
This process is different for everyone and healing the heart is an experience that each of us will follow in our own way. I checked in with Carrie over the following days to offer support and a chance to share her feelings as she finds her peace through her grieving.
When you seek to understand the reasons our animals are with us, and the subsequent way they choose to transition, it can be the most beautiful experience, with a deep knowing that changes your life forever.
(click on the photo to learn more about this book)