Pets: Second-Guessing and Trusting Spirit

I can remember looking back at various pet incidences:  when they died, when to make that crucial decision about ending their lives, and mourning those losses.. and the notion of second-guessing.. which is a hot button topic for me right now.. on other subjects…Was it the right thing.. was the pet suffering?  Was he/ she ready to go? Was there anything else I could have done?  What if I had known sooner…?

I remember a philosopher, I think Kant, talked about how there was no such thing as a mistake, or wrong. He noted that we made mistakes, or bad decisions, based on imperfect knowledge. In thinking about this now, I imagine he may have been countering the periods notion of “sin.”..

But still, in thinking about this notion, in relation to, say, my first dog- Gamekeeper.. I can understand and appreciate the premise. I fed Gamekeeper Science Diet- under the absolute faith and belief that it was the best food. Years later, long after he had died, I had an Akita rescue. Along with the dog, came information about the importance of good quality dog food, and that many top brands had a soy based diet. And while most people who are health conscious understand the problems with soy- this was a bit different. There was something about the process of extracting the soy, or the oil or something… I can’t remember exactly. But the bottom line was.. it depressed the thyroid and caused a lot of damage.

Looking at the line of impacts and symptoms.. I could absolutely see all of the things Keeper (Gamekeeper) experienced. The skin problems I had attributed to fleas, dry skin…the low energy and soreness to “normal aging.” I know so much more now.. and wish I had known more then. I truly believe that he died, not of age or anything age related.. but of thyroid failure, or something related to thyroid failure/shut down.

And my other dog at the time, Bridget- was also beginning to exhibit symptoms. We had her thyroid tested- it was decidedly low/below normal function. The vet recommended strongly.. that the dog NEEDED to be on synthroid. We argued for changing her food, at which the vet thought we were insane. Within 2-4 weeks.. ( I can’t remember exact time period), her thyroid had come back up to complete normal!  It absolutely WAS the food!

I so regret not having known this more than 30 years ago. Keeper could have had better quality years, and more of them. He was only 10-11 when he died.. and that didn’t need to be old.. and his last years didn’t need to have been diminished.

I know several animal communicators.. and while I will admit to holding a slightly skeptical opinion about intuitives.. and I’m not sure why, as I work with them.. and rely on intuition in my own work, both as healer and horse trainer… but that teeny little bit of.. hhmm… was I really getting that? picking that up? etc. 🙂

Anyway- I have known a few people who have a decided gift for tuning in to animals and hearing what they need to say. and I would recommend a few of them, in terms of connecting with an animals needs/emotions or information to communicate.

I think animals can be very wise about their time to leave.  But, sometimes their biggest concern about leaving– just like with us.. — is to know everyone on their “care list” is going to be okay…

I had a friend who had a pet who had cancer.. my advice.. which I think was coming from the Dog.. was to let him help them pick out his replacement.. they weren’t ready to “go there”.. but I trust that when they are ready.. he will send/ line up.. the replacement to watch over his family.

Anyway- what I have been trying to hold, is that we can only make the best decisions, with the best information we have at hand, in any moment. Is it up to us to search for any missing pieces? Absolutely. That might be scientific digging.. and it might be spiritual, personal, energetic digging…

I think if we combine these, and hear the voices of those truly concerned.. after that, we have to trust.. or as healers would note.. turn it over to Spirit (God). I think if we do that.. then we live better with the choices we make in those moments.

 

 

I am an Education Specialist, Health Coach and Author. I work with aspects of the teachings I have learned from Andean shamanic and cosmology, to health, nutrition and education.  Everything is energy. Energy must flow. Like water, when it does not flow, it stagnates and is not healthy. These techniques help your life to flow. I have been initiated into many of the ancient lineages and learned ceremonies, rites of passage and healing techniques.  I have worked as a healer and done workshops and taught some of these aspects – passing the teachings on.

Author of:
Dancing in Your Bubble : ancient teaching, modern healing
Natural Support for Alzheimer’s
Getting a Handle on Happy : find and fix causes of stress and depression
The Naturally Smarter Kid : a parent’s guide to helping kids succeed in school and life
Cafe of the Hungry Ghosts : behind the veil of ordinary – a paranormal-ish fiction book