As we have done from time to time, we would like to share a story from our Angel Animals Story of the Week. "A Camel's Gift of Grace" was fist published in the weekly newsletter on July 26, 2008. It is a lesson in acceptance from a very wise camel.
A CAMEL'S GIFT OF GRACE
By Damaris Miller
I was at the Greeley Stampede working as a wrangler one beautiful day in June 2008. This is our yearly celebration with lots of things to do for the kids. When my shift was finished, I walked through the park area. I noticed a large camel waiting to give rides. As I watched him, I started to talk to him on the inner, soul to soul.
Being an animal lover, I said, "I am so sorry you have to do these things with all the noise around."
With such grace he said to me, "Acceptance means for now, this situation, this moment, requires me to do it, and so I do it willingly."
The camel's communication reminded me of an important quote from the book A NEW EARTH. I had been reading it at that time.
A quiet went through me. I felt no one around, just the camel and me. He had no anger in him, only love for what he was doing.
What a lesson for us all. It doesn't matter whether you are human, horse, dog, or a huge camel. The lessons are the same, because we are all soul learning the same lessons on our road to God.
The camel's grace was so evident. It made me realize that our teachers are all around us. We just have to be open and listen.
Thank you for the gift from a very special camel.
BIO:
Damaris Miller's story "Dreaming My Farewell to Springer" is featured in ANGEL ANIMALS: Divine Messengers of Miracles. She has two children, three grandchildren, and one great-grandson. Her passions are horses and going to the mountains. She lives on a ranch in Colorado, where she takes care of horses. Damaris also works as a medical receptionist.
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT:
When you observe animals doing less than pleasant work, what lessons in graceful acceptance could you learn from them?
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Saturday, July 26, 2008
A Service Cat to the Rescue
An article caught our attention this week because it's pretty rare to hear something about a service cat. In a February 4, 2008 article by Theresa Campbell for the DAILY SUN, a newspaper in The Villages, Florida, Campbell writes about Dusty. He is a Persian cat who belongs to Kathy McDonald. She has had seizures ever since being a teen. Although she takes medication, sometimes the seizures still occur. That's where Dusty comes in.
Before McDonald is about to have a grand mal seizure, Dusty alerts her by licking her face. That's how she knows to sit down in a safe place where she won't be hurt.
Dusty is a registered service cat. Trained to walk on a leash, the cat wears a badge and accompanies McDonald everywhere. Dusty sleeps by McDonald's head at night, ever vigilant. In the article she says, "I heard about a lady who has a bird that can tell when she's going to have a seizure. The bird can talk and he says, 'She's doing it again.'"
McDonald calls Dusty her "feline angel." We agree.
Have you heard of or experienced animals, other than dogs, who perform healing services for people?
Before McDonald is about to have a grand mal seizure, Dusty alerts her by licking her face. That's how she knows to sit down in a safe place where she won't be hurt.
Dusty is a registered service cat. Trained to walk on a leash, the cat wears a badge and accompanies McDonald everywhere. Dusty sleeps by McDonald's head at night, ever vigilant. In the article she says, "I heard about a lady who has a bird that can tell when she's going to have a seizure. The bird can talk and he says, 'She's doing it again.'"
McDonald calls Dusty her "feline angel." We agree.
Have you heard of or experienced animals, other than dogs, who perform healing services for people?
Leaf and the Enormous Black Crow
Part of being a mother, whether to an animal or human, is to teach our young ones how to protect themselves. Our rescued cocker spaniel Leaf reminded us of that responsibility this week.
Now that it is spring, the crows have returned to our neighborhood. Since this is our first spring with Leaf, we hadn't thought about how these enormous black birds might view our tiny new family member.
One morning we let Leaf out in the backyard to take care of his bodily needs. Linda suddenly had an inner nudge to go out and check on him. Linda stood on the back deck, watching Leaf sniff and enjoy spring dew on green grass. Then she noticed a huge crow, the size of a hawk, perched on a high branch of a tree overlooking the yard. The crow focused silently and ominously on Leaf. He seemed to be thinking, "Breakfast!"
Linda immediately called to Leaf and brought him back in the house. Our little guy remained oblivious to the fact that he might have been tempting a predator with his small body. So as good "pet parents," we had to sit down to have a talk with Leaf about the facts of life in a neighborhood with crows.
Ever since hearing our parental admonitions, Leaf has become more aware of his surroundings. Before venturing to the backyard, he stands at the top of the steps on the deck and surveys the sky and tree branches. After he is certain there are no crows around, he enjoys his outing. We have been pleased to see that our little dog is a quick study in the ways of a world where danger lurks in unexpected places.
Now that it is spring, the crows have returned to our neighborhood. Since this is our first spring with Leaf, we hadn't thought about how these enormous black birds might view our tiny new family member.
One morning we let Leaf out in the backyard to take care of his bodily needs. Linda suddenly had an inner nudge to go out and check on him. Linda stood on the back deck, watching Leaf sniff and enjoy spring dew on green grass. Then she noticed a huge crow, the size of a hawk, perched on a high branch of a tree overlooking the yard. The crow focused silently and ominously on Leaf. He seemed to be thinking, "Breakfast!"
Linda immediately called to Leaf and brought him back in the house. Our little guy remained oblivious to the fact that he might have been tempting a predator with his small body. So as good "pet parents," we had to sit down to have a talk with Leaf about the facts of life in a neighborhood with crows.
Ever since hearing our parental admonitions, Leaf has become more aware of his surroundings. Before venturing to the backyard, he stands at the top of the steps on the deck and surveys the sky and tree branches. After he is certain there are no crows around, he enjoys his outing. We have been pleased to see that our little dog is a quick study in the ways of a world where danger lurks in unexpected places.
New York Animal People
Animals reveal the softer side of humanity even in places that are usually associated with brashness or lack of compassion. Rightly or wrongly, movies and news reports often depict New Yorkers as too busy to befriend strangers. Yet, we were delighted by an especially rewarding experience prior to the event we were about to do at a Barnes & Noble bookstore in Long Island.
As residents of Minnesota, we have often watched lines of cars stop to let a family of ducks waddle cross the road. But what we experienced in New York showed us that people's loving connection with animals unites all of us in ways that express the best in human nature.
Mary was a bookstore patron who had arrived early to attend our presentation. She rushed into the area where we setting up the event and urged Allen to go with her. She asked, "Can you help an injured sparrow?"
Allen followed Mary to find that a baby bird had flown into the storefront display window. The little fellow stood very still on the sidewalk, looking dazed and in shock.
By this time, a circle of men, women, teens, and children, who were rooting for the little fellow, had surrounded the stunned bird. Nearly a dozen New Yorkers all wanted to help the bird. Mary repeatedly and sincerely said to those who had gathered, "This sparrow was trying to attend the God’s Messengers’ book lecture." Pointing to Allen, she said, "This is the person who is doing the lecture. The bird was trying to get into the store but didn't know about the glass."
Another woman, Pat, gently touched the bird's back, stroking his feathers. The crowd gave a cheer when the bird moved his head back and forth and opened his tiny eyes, blinking, and taking in all that was going on around him. After a few seconds of Pat's gentle touch and the encouragement of the onlookers, the sparrow flew off into the parking lot area. At that moment, the people who had been watching began shouting and saying things like, "He's going to be okay! Look, he's flying!" They were delighted to witness the spunk and courage of this tiny New York survivor.
Pat stayed outside to follow the sparrow's progress. Allen went back into the store and continued to prepare for our presentation. A few minutes later, Pat hurried over and said, "Good news! The little bird flew to the trees. He's going to live!"
We were touched by the love, respect, and openhearted generosity that these Long Island, New York residents gave to a small creature. When Pat announced that the sparrow was fine, someone said, "God keeps his eye upon the sparrow." Such a beautiful moment reminded all of us of the truth in this statement.
Just the previous day Linda went to a hair salon in Stony Brook, Long Island. Her visit started a party when she asked if anyone had pets. The first words out of the manicurist's mouth were, "I have a cat and she saved my life." From that point on, everyone had a pet story to share. Animals brought Linda, a stranger, together with a roomful of the salon’s regular clients in an instant bonding as they shared their mutual interests.
We loved our visit to the Big Apple where we found friendship flourishes among humans and animals in homes, businesses, and in nature.
What does your love of animals reveal about you?
As residents of Minnesota, we have often watched lines of cars stop to let a family of ducks waddle cross the road. But what we experienced in New York showed us that people's loving connection with animals unites all of us in ways that express the best in human nature.
Mary was a bookstore patron who had arrived early to attend our presentation. She rushed into the area where we setting up the event and urged Allen to go with her. She asked, "Can you help an injured sparrow?"
Allen followed Mary to find that a baby bird had flown into the storefront display window. The little fellow stood very still on the sidewalk, looking dazed and in shock.
By this time, a circle of men, women, teens, and children, who were rooting for the little fellow, had surrounded the stunned bird. Nearly a dozen New Yorkers all wanted to help the bird. Mary repeatedly and sincerely said to those who had gathered, "This sparrow was trying to attend the God’s Messengers’ book lecture." Pointing to Allen, she said, "This is the person who is doing the lecture. The bird was trying to get into the store but didn't know about the glass."
Another woman, Pat, gently touched the bird's back, stroking his feathers. The crowd gave a cheer when the bird moved his head back and forth and opened his tiny eyes, blinking, and taking in all that was going on around him. After a few seconds of Pat's gentle touch and the encouragement of the onlookers, the sparrow flew off into the parking lot area. At that moment, the people who had been watching began shouting and saying things like, "He's going to be okay! Look, he's flying!" They were delighted to witness the spunk and courage of this tiny New York survivor.
Pat stayed outside to follow the sparrow's progress. Allen went back into the store and continued to prepare for our presentation. A few minutes later, Pat hurried over and said, "Good news! The little bird flew to the trees. He's going to live!"
We were touched by the love, respect, and openhearted generosity that these Long Island, New York residents gave to a small creature. When Pat announced that the sparrow was fine, someone said, "God keeps his eye upon the sparrow." Such a beautiful moment reminded all of us of the truth in this statement.
Just the previous day Linda went to a hair salon in Stony Brook, Long Island. Her visit started a party when she asked if anyone had pets. The first words out of the manicurist's mouth were, "I have a cat and she saved my life." From that point on, everyone had a pet story to share. Animals brought Linda, a stranger, together with a roomful of the salon’s regular clients in an instant bonding as they shared their mutual interests.
We loved our visit to the Big Apple where we found friendship flourishes among humans and animals in homes, businesses, and in nature.
What does your love of animals reveal about you?
What does your love of animals reveal about you?
Question: Why would the University of Oregon College of Business Administration be profiling 667 pet owners?
Answer: People with pets are major players in the world of business.
The American Pet Products Manufacturers Association reports in its 2003/2004 National Pet Owners Survey that 62 percent of U.S. households now welcome at least one pet into their homes. These humans are fueling $31 billion in pet products, more than people spend annually on human toys or candy. Add to products the popular pet services – massages, chiropractic, acupuncture, liposuction, gourmet dinners, and hotel accommodations – and you get an industry that is vitally interested in what will make you buy that designer dog dish or French day bed. (“New Survey Shows America’s Love Affair with Their Pets Stronger than Ever” by Tierra Griffiths and Julie Rowe)
So Oregon’s College of Business Administration graduate students, under the leadership of Lynn Kahle, head of the marketing department, tried to figure out what your choice of a pet tells about you. With that essential information, marketers can appeal to your sensibilities and convince you that Precious really does need a plastic bowl with a lid that doubles as a Frisbee.
Here’s what they found with their questionnaire:
--Dog owners tend to be more honest and forthright than most other people. They are loyal and religious;
--If you consider yourself to be a cat person, you probably are a bit of a loner yet have fairly high job satisfaction. You tend not to toe the line when it comes to the rules and rituals of an organized religion;
--People who are primarily attracted to fish as pets are more optimistic than most and not as materialistic or concerned about social status.
Kahle concludes, “A more thorough understanding of the motivations, values, and lifestyles of pet owners can help marketers design more effective advertising approaches, both for pet products and in advertisements for nonpet products.” (“We Lavish Love, Money on Our Pets Study Reveals Psyches of Animal Owners” by Ranny Green, Seattle Times, 1993)
So the gathering of this kind of data is how pet commercials are targeted directly at what excites and interests you – not your animal companion.
Well, we have a slightly different take on the subject. We think that not only do animals often reflect a person’s psyche, they also mirror their souls, or the amount of love in their hearts. It’s our opinion that a person who says, “I don’t like animals,” is experiencing a disconnect between the heart and the mind. Ask any animal lover and they will tell you: Animals are our hearts.
In our book, God’s Messengers: What Animals Teach Us about the Divine, we write, “Sometimes before we speak at a book event, we say to the bookstore manager, ‘Watch the people who come in the door. Animal lovers are the most compassionate and generous people on the planet.’ We speak about you with confidence because we know that when you relate to animals in a loving and respectful way, you have the opportunity to learn from some of life’s wisest teachers and to be restored by its most skillful healers.”
Answer: People with pets are major players in the world of business.
The American Pet Products Manufacturers Association reports in its 2003/2004 National Pet Owners Survey that 62 percent of U.S. households now welcome at least one pet into their homes. These humans are fueling $31 billion in pet products, more than people spend annually on human toys or candy. Add to products the popular pet services – massages, chiropractic, acupuncture, liposuction, gourmet dinners, and hotel accommodations – and you get an industry that is vitally interested in what will make you buy that designer dog dish or French day bed. (“New Survey Shows America’s Love Affair with Their Pets Stronger than Ever” by Tierra Griffiths and Julie Rowe)
So Oregon’s College of Business Administration graduate students, under the leadership of Lynn Kahle, head of the marketing department, tried to figure out what your choice of a pet tells about you. With that essential information, marketers can appeal to your sensibilities and convince you that Precious really does need a plastic bowl with a lid that doubles as a Frisbee.
Here’s what they found with their questionnaire:
--Dog owners tend to be more honest and forthright than most other people. They are loyal and religious;
--If you consider yourself to be a cat person, you probably are a bit of a loner yet have fairly high job satisfaction. You tend not to toe the line when it comes to the rules and rituals of an organized religion;
--People who are primarily attracted to fish as pets are more optimistic than most and not as materialistic or concerned about social status.
Kahle concludes, “A more thorough understanding of the motivations, values, and lifestyles of pet owners can help marketers design more effective advertising approaches, both for pet products and in advertisements for nonpet products.” (“We Lavish Love, Money on Our Pets Study Reveals Psyches of Animal Owners” by Ranny Green, Seattle Times, 1993)
So the gathering of this kind of data is how pet commercials are targeted directly at what excites and interests you – not your animal companion.
Well, we have a slightly different take on the subject. We think that not only do animals often reflect a person’s psyche, they also mirror their souls, or the amount of love in their hearts. It’s our opinion that a person who says, “I don’t like animals,” is experiencing a disconnect between the heart and the mind. Ask any animal lover and they will tell you: Animals are our hearts.
In our book, God’s Messengers: What Animals Teach Us about the Divine, we write, “Sometimes before we speak at a book event, we say to the bookstore manager, ‘Watch the people who come in the door. Animal lovers are the most compassionate and generous people on the planet.’ We speak about you with confidence because we know that when you relate to animals in a loving and respectful way, you have the opportunity to learn from some of life’s wisest teachers and to be restored by its most skillful healers.”
What might a hidden camera reveal about animal world in your home and yard?
The Washington Post's David A. Fahrenthold recently wrote an article that ran in our Minneapolis Star Tribune on Wednesday, November 14, 2007. It was titled, "What Wild Animals Do. . .When Humans Aren't Looking." The article reported on a Smithsonian Institution project in which fifty motion-triggered cameras were placed strategically along the Appalachian Trail for six hundred miles.
Everyday life in the forest turned out to be both fascinating and funny. Scientists who collected and studied the 1,900 digital photos found out that black bears have increased in numbers greater than anyone knew.
Deer stared into the camera like, well, a deer caught in headlights. Bears attacked or scratched the cameras. According the article, the bears' relationship with the cameras were "producing some extreme close-ups that were hard to decipher. Eventually, researchers realized that they were looking at fuzzy posteriors." Take that, you scientists!
This article made us speculate about what hidden cameras might pick up in our "forest" while we are away. Would a camera find the cats with their arms lovingly around the dog? (Wishful thinking.) Would the bird shout out things we've never heard him say?
What might a hidden camera reveal about animal world in your home and yard?
Everyday life in the forest turned out to be both fascinating and funny. Scientists who collected and studied the 1,900 digital photos found out that black bears have increased in numbers greater than anyone knew.
Deer stared into the camera like, well, a deer caught in headlights. Bears attacked or scratched the cameras. According the article, the bears' relationship with the cameras were "producing some extreme close-ups that were hard to decipher. Eventually, researchers realized that they were looking at fuzzy posteriors." Take that, you scientists!
This article made us speculate about what hidden cameras might pick up in our "forest" while we are away. Would a camera find the cats with their arms lovingly around the dog? (Wishful thinking.) Would the bird shout out things we've never heard him say?
What might a hidden camera reveal about animal world in your home and yard?
Friday, July 25, 2008
Animals and the Art of Having Fun
The black and white kitty sat in the window ledge, looking out at squirrels skittering by and birds swooping down from the sky. Only her white whiskers twitched as soft spring air breezed past her face. Occasionally her tail, with the tip looking as if it had been dipped in vanilla ice cream, waved back and forth, charting the movement of a neighbor out for a jog or a mother pushing her baby's carriage on the sidewalk. Nothing disturbed this cat. No muscles twitched in her body as she rested on her chest, paws tucked like a monk's hands within the folds of long black sleeves.
This is a cat who has mastered the art of having fun. She has discovered the joy of letting life pass by without needing to participate in or control it.
Most of us have had memorable experiences with animal companions who have shown us how to play by throwing a ball, chasing a string, grooming feathers or hair, or playing hide and seek. Their antics have added much to our sometimes overburdened days and nights.
As part of the spiritual and deeply loving connections people and animals make with each other, one agreement that seems to be universal is that when we most need it, animals will show us how to become more balanced. Through their friendship and creativeness, pets enrich our lives by bringing smiles to our faces.
Let Us Entertain You
In our home we've learned that animals serve as messengers when God or Life is trying to let us know that it's time to dump the workload, release our attachments to getting things accomplished, and relax.
Our dog Leaf, is an example of an animal who knows what is fun. He sits, ball in mouth, ready to run, catch, run, catch, run. If we're not paying enough attention, he drops the ball and bats it back for himself like he is playing soccer. If we still don't figure out that it's supposed to be playtime, Leaf will even roll his ball to the cat, Cuddles.
We've observed how Cuddles can make almost anything into a toy. She sits like a princess for long periods of time and then without warning attacks a paperclip, rubber band, or Q-tip that has fallen to the floor. The object becomes a monster that she has to stalk, hunt, and conquer. This cat can see the most innocent objects and with her creative imagination turn them into playthings. If only we could amuse ourselves that well, we wouldn't feel the need to rent videos or go to movies to entertain ourselves.
Jake and Jill
We've received many stories from people who rescued animals and, in turn, felt rescued by them. During times of hardship, animals help people move past their emotional turmoil into a brighter outlook.
Jill East from North Carolina sent the Angel Animals Network a story about how a special dog friend named Jake taught her to slow down and enjoy each day.
Jill writes:
"The first time I saw Jake, I fell in love. I knew he was meant to be with me. A three-month-old border-collie mix, this ball of fur and love needed a home. I had recently moved into my first house and was happy to adopt this dog to share it with me.
"Jake and I had a strong spiritual connection on every level. I could think about something and he'd respond. Many times I'd look at him and his love would engulf me. He'd wake up from a sound sleep and look at me with so much love in his eyes that it would overwhelm me.
"Everyone who met this dog saw his uniqueness and loved him. We visited a rest home for five years together and there, Jake impacted many lives. He brought smiles to faces of people who otherwise no longer responded to anyone. He knew who needed special attention and gave it with love and tenderness. Jake was a ray of sunshine for their darkened lives.
"One of the things I loved most about Jake was that he knew how to have fun. He was a comedian and prankster who loved to make people laugh. No matter how down I felt, he could make me grin.
"Once we were going to visit my parents and I put Jake in the car. I was running late and getting stressed. Then I had to go back in the house to get something I'd forgotten. By the time I came back to the car, Jake had gotten in the driver's seat and put his paw on the steering wheel. It looked as if he was saying, 'I think I'll drive today.'
"I couldn't resist taking a picture of Jake driving my car, so I ran in the house for the camera. While I was gone, Jake stayed in the same position, still posing and grinning. This was a dog who always let me know when I needed to slow down, not take it all so seriously, and have a good laugh.
"Another time, Jake got bit by a snake on his back paw and was very sick for several days. When I brought him home from the vet, I must have been overdoing the special attention and "poor Jake" talk. He would hold his head down and limp around like the most pitiful creature in the world.
"Several days later, he was still doing the "poor Jake" routine. I let him outside to potty and looked out the window. That's when I saw him tearing through the yard without the slightest limp.
"I went out and called him to come. He ducked his head and limped back to me. I said, "OK Jake, I'm onto your game. I know you're not hurt anymore.
"He seemed to sense that the gig was up. He never limped again. What a character!
"Throughout our time together, Jake taught me to have fun, enjoy life, savor the moment. He was a wise soul and a great teacher."
Have animals been trying to teach you to stop the frenzy, live in the present, and fine more joy in your life?
This is a cat who has mastered the art of having fun. She has discovered the joy of letting life pass by without needing to participate in or control it.
Most of us have had memorable experiences with animal companions who have shown us how to play by throwing a ball, chasing a string, grooming feathers or hair, or playing hide and seek. Their antics have added much to our sometimes overburdened days and nights.
As part of the spiritual and deeply loving connections people and animals make with each other, one agreement that seems to be universal is that when we most need it, animals will show us how to become more balanced. Through their friendship and creativeness, pets enrich our lives by bringing smiles to our faces.
Let Us Entertain You
In our home we've learned that animals serve as messengers when God or Life is trying to let us know that it's time to dump the workload, release our attachments to getting things accomplished, and relax.
Our dog Leaf, is an example of an animal who knows what is fun. He sits, ball in mouth, ready to run, catch, run, catch, run. If we're not paying enough attention, he drops the ball and bats it back for himself like he is playing soccer. If we still don't figure out that it's supposed to be playtime, Leaf will even roll his ball to the cat, Cuddles.
We've observed how Cuddles can make almost anything into a toy. She sits like a princess for long periods of time and then without warning attacks a paperclip, rubber band, or Q-tip that has fallen to the floor. The object becomes a monster that she has to stalk, hunt, and conquer. This cat can see the most innocent objects and with her creative imagination turn them into playthings. If only we could amuse ourselves that well, we wouldn't feel the need to rent videos or go to movies to entertain ourselves.
Jake and Jill
We've received many stories from people who rescued animals and, in turn, felt rescued by them. During times of hardship, animals help people move past their emotional turmoil into a brighter outlook.
Jill East from North Carolina sent the Angel Animals Network a story about how a special dog friend named Jake taught her to slow down and enjoy each day.
Jill writes:
"The first time I saw Jake, I fell in love. I knew he was meant to be with me. A three-month-old border-collie mix, this ball of fur and love needed a home. I had recently moved into my first house and was happy to adopt this dog to share it with me.
"Jake and I had a strong spiritual connection on every level. I could think about something and he'd respond. Many times I'd look at him and his love would engulf me. He'd wake up from a sound sleep and look at me with so much love in his eyes that it would overwhelm me.
"Everyone who met this dog saw his uniqueness and loved him. We visited a rest home for five years together and there, Jake impacted many lives. He brought smiles to faces of people who otherwise no longer responded to anyone. He knew who needed special attention and gave it with love and tenderness. Jake was a ray of sunshine for their darkened lives.
"One of the things I loved most about Jake was that he knew how to have fun. He was a comedian and prankster who loved to make people laugh. No matter how down I felt, he could make me grin.
"Once we were going to visit my parents and I put Jake in the car. I was running late and getting stressed. Then I had to go back in the house to get something I'd forgotten. By the time I came back to the car, Jake had gotten in the driver's seat and put his paw on the steering wheel. It looked as if he was saying, 'I think I'll drive today.'
"I couldn't resist taking a picture of Jake driving my car, so I ran in the house for the camera. While I was gone, Jake stayed in the same position, still posing and grinning. This was a dog who always let me know when I needed to slow down, not take it all so seriously, and have a good laugh.
"Another time, Jake got bit by a snake on his back paw and was very sick for several days. When I brought him home from the vet, I must have been overdoing the special attention and "poor Jake" talk. He would hold his head down and limp around like the most pitiful creature in the world.
"Several days later, he was still doing the "poor Jake" routine. I let him outside to potty and looked out the window. That's when I saw him tearing through the yard without the slightest limp.
"I went out and called him to come. He ducked his head and limped back to me. I said, "OK Jake, I'm onto your game. I know you're not hurt anymore.
"He seemed to sense that the gig was up. He never limped again. What a character!
"Throughout our time together, Jake taught me to have fun, enjoy life, savor the moment. He was a wise soul and a great teacher."
Have animals been trying to teach you to stop the frenzy, live in the present, and fine more joy in your life?
Friday, July 18, 2008
The Act of Surrender
The subject of how to know when an animal is ready to leave came up last week. As we talked with a distraught person who had to face that most painful decision, we told her something that we want to share with you.
We've noticed over these many years (since 1996) of hearing people's stories that there is an essential element to making the tough choices. It can be summed up in one word - surrender.
Surrender with its twin sister, trust, are undoubtedly the hardest things you'll ever do. This means accepting that you will know when it's time to let go of your beloved pet and that you'll do the right thing.
We mentioned to our friend that we'd seen the act of surrender have various outcomes.
For some people, when they truly released the situation to divine guidance, they had a peaceful knowingness that the animal needed to be released from a debilitated physical body. This usually was accompanied by some type of outer confirmation from the pet, the veterinarian, or from life.
Making the true and selfless act of surrender allows the animal to choose whether to stay or go. At times, the pet who seems about to die, instead, rallies and recovers. Perhaps because the animal has been holding on to life out of love for a human, this effort has taken energy away from his or her own recovery. Now the pet can focus on
getting well.
In the case our friend's beloved pet decided to live. This has been a journey with a happy ending. But it did take her act of surrender. She had to say to her animal friend, "It's your choice. Don't stay only for me."
What have your experiences been with surrendering and accepting whatever outcome is truly best for the animal?
We've noticed over these many years (since 1996) of hearing people's stories that there is an essential element to making the tough choices. It can be summed up in one word - surrender.
Surrender with its twin sister, trust, are undoubtedly the hardest things you'll ever do. This means accepting that you will know when it's time to let go of your beloved pet and that you'll do the right thing.
We mentioned to our friend that we'd seen the act of surrender have various outcomes.
For some people, when they truly released the situation to divine guidance, they had a peaceful knowingness that the animal needed to be released from a debilitated physical body. This usually was accompanied by some type of outer confirmation from the pet, the veterinarian, or from life.
Making the true and selfless act of surrender allows the animal to choose whether to stay or go. At times, the pet who seems about to die, instead, rallies and recovers. Perhaps because the animal has been holding on to life out of love for a human, this effort has taken energy away from his or her own recovery. Now the pet can focus on
getting well.
In the case our friend's beloved pet decided to live. This has been a journey with a happy ending. But it did take her act of surrender. She had to say to her animal friend, "It's your choice. Don't stay only for me."
What have your experiences been with surrendering and accepting whatever outcome is truly best for the animal?
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
The Giving and Receiving of Animal Names
What names have you given your animal companions?
When we do our workshops or book events, we always ask the participants to introduce themselves and tell us the names of their animal companions. This exercise gets a lot of laughs as people share the creative names they have given their furry friends.
Diana, from Australia, says that the impulsive adoption of two pullet hens caused her to name these new members of their family, Spon and Taneous. They joined Diana's other two hens, Little Red and Riding Hood.
Literature often provides the inspiration for animals' names. Janice says that she and her husband named their five puppies after characters in THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, a book Janice had loved to read as a child. They called the pups Christian, Purity, Chastity, Tenacity, and Charity. Another woman re-created her childhood by naming her new kittens Papa Bear, Mamma Bear, and Baby Bear. They joined Bear, the adult cat, who already ruled their household.
Beverly says that Shana Punem, in Yiddish, means "beautiful face." The name had special significance to her because this is what her father used to call his niece when the girl was little. Beverly says, "He would cup her face in his hand and say, 'Shana Punem.' It was such a sweet gesture." When Beverly adopted a dog nine years ago, she named her Shana Punem.
Lisa wrote to tell us about her dog, Trouble. He got that moniker because when Lisa adopted another dog in addition to the two she already had, her sister-in-law predicted that Lisa's husband wouldn't be very happy about it. "You're going to get in trouble," was her admonition. As it turned out, according to Lisa, "Trouble was never any trouble at all. My husband and I both adored him." She says that Trouble was a dog who never did live up to his name.
An orphaned kitten named Gabriel was so sweet that his new human companions named him after the Archangel Gabriel. They write, "It backfired! We've found out that feline angels can be very mischievous!"
Although people get very creative about giving names to their animal companions, some say that the animals have let their humans know what they want to be called.
Melodie writes about the adoption of her tiny, juvenile green iguana. She says, "For a week, I tried many names that seemed perfect for her, but none of them were right for this little creature. During the second week of having her, a strange name was just in my mind. I truly believe that Eeghana-guana told me her name."
Our beautiful golden retriever, Prana, chose us from a litter of adorable puppies by coming forward and untying Allen's shoelace. On the way home, she seemed to whisper her name in Linda's ear. Later, we found out that "prana" means "breath of life." Prana surely was a breath of life for our family during the years we were blessed with her presence.
What names have you given your animal companions? Did you choose this name or did the animal choose it for you?
When we do our workshops or book events, we always ask the participants to introduce themselves and tell us the names of their animal companions. This exercise gets a lot of laughs as people share the creative names they have given their furry friends.
Diana, from Australia, says that the impulsive adoption of two pullet hens caused her to name these new members of their family, Spon and Taneous. They joined Diana's other two hens, Little Red and Riding Hood.
Literature often provides the inspiration for animals' names. Janice says that she and her husband named their five puppies after characters in THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, a book Janice had loved to read as a child. They called the pups Christian, Purity, Chastity, Tenacity, and Charity. Another woman re-created her childhood by naming her new kittens Papa Bear, Mamma Bear, and Baby Bear. They joined Bear, the adult cat, who already ruled their household.
Beverly says that Shana Punem, in Yiddish, means "beautiful face." The name had special significance to her because this is what her father used to call his niece when the girl was little. Beverly says, "He would cup her face in his hand and say, 'Shana Punem.' It was such a sweet gesture." When Beverly adopted a dog nine years ago, she named her Shana Punem.
Lisa wrote to tell us about her dog, Trouble. He got that moniker because when Lisa adopted another dog in addition to the two she already had, her sister-in-law predicted that Lisa's husband wouldn't be very happy about it. "You're going to get in trouble," was her admonition. As it turned out, according to Lisa, "Trouble was never any trouble at all. My husband and I both adored him." She says that Trouble was a dog who never did live up to his name.
An orphaned kitten named Gabriel was so sweet that his new human companions named him after the Archangel Gabriel. They write, "It backfired! We've found out that feline angels can be very mischievous!"
Although people get very creative about giving names to their animal companions, some say that the animals have let their humans know what they want to be called.
Melodie writes about the adoption of her tiny, juvenile green iguana. She says, "For a week, I tried many names that seemed perfect for her, but none of them were right for this little creature. During the second week of having her, a strange name was just in my mind. I truly believe that Eeghana-guana told me her name."
Our beautiful golden retriever, Prana, chose us from a litter of adorable puppies by coming forward and untying Allen's shoelace. On the way home, she seemed to whisper her name in Linda's ear. Later, we found out that "prana" means "breath of life." Prana surely was a breath of life for our family during the years we were blessed with her presence.
What names have you given your animal companions? Did you choose this name or did the animal choose it for you?
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