AWAKENING to ANIMAL VOICES Chapter Eight: A Look at Death This chapter excerpt looks at the art of letting go and become more present with a beloved animal who is transitioning to the spirit world.

 

 

Letting Go

 

For many humans, it is the letting go part of death that is most painful. It need not be, of course, but even as our mind reassures us that spirit lives on, we may still experience a good deal of sadness and aching in our hearts as a much-loved friend transitions to the great beyond.

           

Author and animal hospice director Rita Reynolds had the following experience with her beloved dog Oliver:

 

The day before Oliver died, he laid his head on my foot as I wrote down my thoughts about him. He communicated to me, “Don't begin missing me yet. Share this moment with me, everything is as it is meant to be. And if you let me, I will guide you for all the moments to come."   

                                                  (from Blessing the Bridge, by Rita Reynolds)

Like so many animals, Oliver accepted the end of his time on earth. He didn’t want Rita to miss the experience of being with him – truly being with him – by losing herself in grief or worry. For Oliver knew that to trust the process of life, and death, is to realize a great truth: all unfolds perfectly. We who remain on earth may not always think the unfolding is perfect, but we may not be tuned into the bigger picture.

           

When we let go of our own desires and surrender to the natural flows of life and death, we open to a larger way of seeing the world. We expand ourselves and experience being in the world in a different way. Instead of trying to control events, we release ourselves to a more expansive way of living. By letting go, we open ourselves to the deeper messages that are always available for us – be they from an animal’s actions, a specific communication, or a simple turn of events.

           

This is what happened when Mike, a young man who was just learning animal communication, was asked by a cat he had never met to help convey a last message to his human family. He wrote to me,

 

Well, it's been a long journey, full of trusting myself. Tonight I had a wonderful experience, though bittersweet. A friend of mine wanted an on-line animal medicine card reading for Cain, her boyfriend's cat, who was going to be put down. After I finished the reading, I got a persistent feeling from Cain. He wanted me to type a message, so I typed. This is what he said:

I just want them to know I love them very much, and they are doing the right thing. I know it seems hard, but I do have to move on. I feel very itchy and painful in some ways. It is definitely the end of a cycle.

 

For right now, just spend as much time with me as possible, and see if you can enjoy my physical body while it is still around. I really want to be free of this form. My lesson to teach has been enjoyment of simple things – being with family and friends. Also, the importance of having strong convictions and sticking to them.

 

When you think of me randomly, remember that I am there, and checking in. Sit in silence and hear my messages. It's not important to be enlightened – it’s not important to be able to do anything spectacular. It's most important to love, and to be loved. It is also very important to be who you are, enjoy the moment, and love your family. Remember, I will be around.

Just Be

 

Like Oliver and Cain, so many animals preparing to transition request such a simple thing of their humans: be with me, sit with me, talk to me. We may also be asked to deepen, to inwardly travel with our friends in a voyage of discovery.

           

A cat named Queen I once spoke with invited her person, Rain, to sit beside her and quiet her mind so as to better share her experience. “I invite you to see,” said Queen:

 

Please don't feel bad for me. I had a great life as Queen. I know I was loved and I hope you know that I loved all of you, even the mice and birds and bugs. It was a great life and I learned many things. We all go on. Know that I am really where I want to be. My body is finished and will be gone soon, and that is how it is with all of us. But I am still alive and I will always be alive, just as you will always be alive. If you quiet yourself and go very deep inside yourself, there you will find me, and many others too … even yourself. In this quiet space, you find the deeper you.

Many animals impart similar messages of comfort in their final days. So too, when we are calm and open to the natural flows of living and dying does shared time offer some of the most profound moments of healing and elevated awareness. Rain was comforted and touched by Queen’s invitation to take a more conscious role in the process of death. In doing so, she began to see both death and life with new eyes.

           

Animals in pain and distress can likewise benefit tremendously from our simply being present with them. Many healing modalities can help assist to animals in their final days. Bodywork is comforting, may relieve pain, and offers both animal and human a precious time to deepen in relationship. Flower essences can also be of great help in lessening fear, opening awareness, and offering support to animal and human alike. In addition, there are several essences that address death specifically (see Resources).

           

In her hospice sanctuary for animals, Rita Reynolds uses cotton blankets in colors of deep blue, gold and white to cover and soothe animals in their transition. Favorite music, special songs, soft chanting and heartfelt prayer may also be calming and pleasant, not only for your animal but for you as well.

 

 

Be open to your animal’s moods and needs as they shift throughout the day. Perhaps you will sense that quietly laying in the sunshine, feeling the earth beneath you, breathing in fresh air and resting a hand very lightly on your animal’s body is just what’s needed. Some animals prefer to be indoors, seeking out the warmth and comfort of their bed or favorite place in your home.

           

Each situation is different and you may not know how or when or why you are called to participate. Listen; stay tuned; ask your animal how you can be of help. Some animals desire to die naturally while others ask for assistance. Making the decision to euthanize an animal can be difficult, but remember: you are not without resources. Ask for help if you need it. Draw upon support and suggestions from friends, family, healers, animal doctors, animal communicators, as well as your own animal guides and teachers.

           

Above all, breathe deep and trust your animal friend. Trust yourself and trust the experience as it unfolds. As we shrug off ideas of what should be or might be, we open to what is. As we move beyond our usual frame of reference, we are met with greater levels of knowledge, experience and wisdom. Whether we are talking, resting or communing in silence, we enter a deeper place of communion – not only with our animal friend but within ourselves as well.

 

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