Podcast Part 11 - Loss Of A Furry Member Listen Here
One of the most challenging experiences for us animal lovers is to consider the death of our precious furry friend and confidante.
:: We never truly know if the most loving thing is to give the animal more time, because, who wants to shortchange someone else’s life?
:: But, there is also the deep love that can be expressed by letting the be-lov-ed exit the aging or aching body.
:: According to many animals I have communicated with, the general consent about transition is as follows. Animals, just like people come from consciousness into a physical body. After the physical body expires, the consciousness mingles back fully with the larger consciousness.
:: “Is my cat Moose coming back as another cat?” This is what Moose shared with us, “Once I am spirit, you can invite me to come back in some form.”
:: The animals generally say they will not come back with the exact same features they had in this lifetime. When I asked Moose why not, he told us that he had been Stephanie’s best friend and support as she went through College, her first big job, and finding her now-husband. During that time he was her touchstone. He continued explaining that Stephanie was now in a different place and therefore needed a different cat for this part of her life. But, since the new cat was being created once again out of consciousness, she could ask for some parts of his former self to be reincarnated.
:: We are part of the Universe, the Consciousness that at some point manifests itself in a form that is a new Being. A person or animal, a tree or a bee.
:: With that come all the personality and features, and essence unique to that being.
:: You and your animal, you’re both a physical extension of consciousness, and when your physical body dies you go back to consciousness.
:: This perspective makes me see the transition out of the body as a homecoming and it also means that we are not gone but simply again part of a larger - ocean - of energy that surrounds all. And, if that is true then the animals and people, who have died are not gone but still around us in ethereal form.
:: The animals also often tell me that once they are in spirit, they are still making themselves known. You might see a quick flash of light moving in the peripheral of your vision. Or, you feel a gentle pressure against your leg while sitting alone on the sofa or lying in bed, as if your animal is pressing up against you.
:: You might feel your animal’s presence while you cook dinner as if your dog or cat is still hanging out with you.
:: Here is another version, your other animals might be staring up at the ceiling or at the doorframe at the front door. That is often an indicator that a spiritual being is hanging out with you.
:: Having shared this, let’s go back to the actual transition.
In most cases the process of the transition is three-fold:
The animal is beginning to fail physically.
The transition.
Closure.
:: When our animal health fails our job as their guardian gets pushed into high gear. We start asking ourselves, the vet, our family, and friends is this the time?
:: In my experience, the most important being to ask is the animal itself. Literally.
:: Let’s say you have a single pet on the threshold of transitioning back into consciousness. What can you do? Tell your cat, dog, hamster, or budgie that you would like his/her help making the decision. Something like, “Hi Amber, please let me know when you want me to help you move out of your body. Please show me you’re ready with your eyes. ” Or, “Show me you’re ready by not getting up anymore.” Or, simply ask your animal to be super clear when the time has come.
You will be surprised how many ways animals can show it’s time. My dog Amber simply didn’t get up anymore. And, though she usually would lie in the kitchen looking toward the front door. The day the vet came she was facing into the house, ready to close herself off from the outside world.
:: My horse Star had a painful chronic hoof condition. I made the pact that he’d stay on the ground when the day of his transition had come. One morning I found him in his stall, greeting me but making no effort to get up. I went out and cut him buckets full of luscious grass and sat with him while he munched. We both felt content at that point to end his physical discomfort.
:: The eyes of your animal usually change when the time has come. The spark has left, and there is either a faraway look that seems otherworldly which usually means that your animal is already spiritually shifting out of the body. Or, the eyes might express a sense of deep exhaustion, also a sign that the body is tired and ready to be put to rest.
:: At that point, reassure your soul companion and tell her or him that you will take care of the next step and provide the ease your animal seeks.
:: From the moment the decision is made you have three important jobs.
Keep your animal abreast of the who, what, and hows.
“Amber, Dr. P. is coming to the house, you will feel a little poke, you will get tired and before you know it you will feel light and pain-free and at ease.”
Then, if you have more animals, tell everyone what is happening.
“Hey, Flitzer (the cat), Amber is going to physically leave us today and it will feel odd without her. If you need some extra attention just let me know.” And then pay attention if he needs more.
Once you had all your chats, you will preferably give your other animal/s the chance to be part of the euthanasia so the animals can wrap their heads around the departure. They might sniff their furry companion and walk away, especially if they weren’t close. Or, as Cutter did with his best friend Kaylaa, he nudged her nose with his and pawed at her to get up.
:: As painful as these moments can be to watch, they are so important to ensure your animals can find their own closure over a beloved herd or pack member.
:: One of my sweet clients, Hailey a 17-year-old Goldendoodle had several months of physical ups and downs and her people were very unsure of what to do. Hailey had told us that she didn’t want to suffer in the summer heat anymore. That gave us some indication of timing. Hailey also said that her eyes would show when she was living more ‘out of body’ than in the body. The out-of-body experience for her was a mix of wanting to escape the ache and also the experience of dementia, meaning she was sometimes confused and couldn’t remember where she was. Then one day, her people just knew it was time. They shared with me that they had felt that life was no longer joyful for Hailey. The spark was gone. Hailey’s people told her they were taking her to Dr. Chris and she would be released from her body. They took Hailey to the vet who was kind enough to euthanize her in the family car which held many fun adventure memories.
:: Releasing a furry member of your family can be heartbreakingly sad, and it can also be a heartbreakingly generous gift when you provide the animal ease, for the last time ease, ease to leave the body behind.
:: When you chat with your animal throughout his or her life and when you continue the dialogue through this last transition, your heart will be left filled with the connection you and your animal had on this fun and sacred journey called life.