Learning to Live a Good Life

A client called not long ago to ask my assistance with his horse, Snow. Although Snow was a friendly, caring gelding, Bob was worried that his friend was having a really rough go of it lately, and his trainer had been hinting that perhaps he should consider putting him to sleep.

My client was hopeful that Snow would tell us that he was fine, really didn’t hurt much, and wasn’t ready to make his transition… maybe he even knew of something that would help him recover. Sadly, that wasn’t the case.

When I tuned in and began listening to Snow, it became immediately apparent that he had been holding on for Bob. He’d been suffering miserably through his days, knowing he would never be whole and healthy again, envying his fellow horses at the stable where he lived.

He was so grateful for the chance to tell Bob to let him go. And for the chance for Bob to tell him he loved him, thanking him for all the gifts, joy and lessons over the years. Bob was finally able to face ‘the beginning of the end,’ with permission to feel his grief, starting the process of letting go with love, dignity and respect.

Snow wanted to have a Celebration Party, helping us choose a good day to die, and taking the time to see all his friends, humans and animal, having a chance to say good bye to each one. This way everyone got to express their love and caring, and share in the gift of transition. And, Bob also got to experience the support and love of his community in the loss of his dear friend and companion.

When the day came, it was clear to everyone that Snow was happy. When the vet came to assist in the transition, Snow’s head was high, and even though he walked slowly and stiffly, there was a prance in his step. There was a palpable joy and peace about him, as Bob escorted his old friend out to the field where a place had been made for his body to rest. Snow laid down under the tree, closed his eyes and sighed as he gently left his body.

Have you ever wondered about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives? A child once said, “Everybody is born so that they can learn how to live a good life -- like loving everybody and being nice. Animals already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long."

In my practice as an Animal Communicator/Behaviorist and Certified BodyTalk Practitioner, I often find myself assisting both humans and their beloved companion animals in facing death with courage and dignity, honor and respect. Other Beings in our lives sometimes serve us by reflecting back to us the lessons we are here to learn.

I’ve often noticed that I’ll get numerous calls within a short time period all with people dreading to hear that it’s time to let go, and put their animal companions to sleep. This seems to go in cycles with many making transition around the holidays. These sessions are never easy for me or my Clients, but we always find comfort and certainty through inviting our animal friends to tell us what they want and need, participating in their own care, achieving death with dignity and respect. And sometimes they’re ready, and sometimes they’re not. That’s when talking with them can be such a great gift.

Working with my health care professional is so different when I can be the voice for the animal. They can ask questions and I can answer them based on what the animal tells me and on what I’m observing. This makes it so much easier for the vet or practitioner, and for the animal as well.

The gift of birth and the joy of entering a life comes with the gift of leaving it as well when it’s time to go. The death process need not be traumatic or especially painful. I’ve counseled many clients with beloved animals in transition during the ten years I’ve worked as a professional animal communicator, and in almost every single case the animal wasn’t afraid of dying.

They welcomed it like an old friend, grateful for the release from dysfunctional and pain-ridden physical bodies. Their main concern and worry was their human friends not understanding the process, painful interference and intervention, prolonging life beyond it’s time, and being besieged with fear and panic in a desperate attempt to hold on to life at all costs.

These very special sentient and wise beings have taught me much about dying, and what happens when we leave our bodies. Basically our spirit floats out of physical body, leaving the shell behind. We are welcomed back to the spiritual dimension from which we came. I find that animals go to the same place that we humans do when we’ve finished our purpose here. There is nothing to fear in letting go of life as we have known it, and much to welcome with joy.

If you are facing the dreaded euthanasia question, or have lost an animal friend and are having trouble making peace with their transition, call me. I can help. If you feel that you and your animal friend could use a communication mediator or animal behaviorist, or if you would like to learn more about BodyTalk for both humans and animals, Contact Me to make an appointment.