I have talked a lot in all of my books about how to deal with the death of an animal, but I haven’t said much about dealing with the time before they go, when they are old and you know death is coming, you just don’t know when. I find older animals to be really sweet, even though they often require a lot more time and care. Just being willing to slow down to their pace and hang in with them for however long they want to stay can be an enlightening experience. Normally people don’t get much exposure to that time at the end of life, but through our animals we learn of it. And that knowledge helps us live better I think. My advice to frantic clients who are panicked about when and whether to euthanize is to slow down and pay attention. Your animals will tell you when it’s time to go and whether they can go on their own. This is all very close to home because I just had to put down Bear, the dog in the photo with me. He told me very clearly when he wanted help. He was in pain, couldn’t settle, and finally wouldn’t eat. Very unBear like. I think our timing was perfect, but there is a hole in the world without him.

Your Stories

This is a story a reader sent in in response to the piece I did about how animals really can hear you. If you have a story you think others might like please send it in with a photo, if available.

This week I had an amazing experience with Charlotte, my 7 year old golden retriever.  I was telling her that a guest was coming.  She knew the guest as he had visited before, so she should let him in the house as I would not be there.  She should not bark at him or scare him but give him a nice greeting. I put that image out to her.   I had just come home from work and was frazzled and sorting out all kinds of details for a project I am working on, so I was not ready for the big message that came blasting in.  I was really worried that Charlotte might get very upset with someone just walking in the door without me there.  But Charlotte looked at me very intently and a few minutes went by, and then I heard “But I am going to be with you at the warehouse that day, so I will not be at home alone”. It was amazing.  This is the first time that I have ever gotten such an immediate direct message.  Believe me, my mind was cluttered with all the work stuff, and she came through loud and clear.                    

Deb

 

 

Column in StableWoman Gazette

Check out my new monthly column in the StableWoman Gazette and read some of the other columns there. It is a great resource for all us hopeless horse honeys (it’s ok for you guys to read it too!). For those of you who have horses… would you ever not?

http://www.stablewomangazette.com/intuitive-connection/

 

Virtual Practice Groups

The Virtual Practice Groups for January are coming up next week: January 13, Wednesday. (Note:  if you are more than  half a world away from California  it will be your Thursday!

Choose from three sessions: (these are all PST time – to check your time go to the world time converter at   http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/converter.html

• 10am – noon PST  – this is a Skype session (no land lines, works for Europe) 

• 5:30 – 7:30pm PST (by conference call,  you will call a US#and pay the fee, works for any landline, cell phone)

•  8:00 – 10pm PST (this is by Skype – works for AU/ note this will be your January 14 Thursday)

When you sign up tell me which session you want to do. I will send you instructions for the session once you register. Please register early.