When you were born,
you cried and the world rejoiced.
Live your life so that when you die,
the world cries and you rejoice.
-Cherokee Proverb
This is one of the most visited entries and has been around the world I don’t know HOW many times. It was posted March 4, 2009. I have decided to keep it as a page making it easily accessible to my audience. I hope you find comfort in this.
We love our animals. So many of you ask if they make it to heaven. This week’s Kick! Is about death and dying and our beloved companions. My interpretation of animal energy and animal consciousness is a different interpretation process than human energy, in part because of the human ego. Cows are different than goats, and horses are different from dogs and cats, well, cats are cats but don’t tell them (they call themselves supreme beings).
I love them all, and over the past four years, I have had quite a classroom available to me to learn about animals, humans and energy. Dr. Tom Lavelle, is a large animal veterinarian. I have had the privilege of going on rounds with Tom many times through our four year friendship and being there when he has had to euthanize beloved companions. I have also been there when he has had to euthanize animals no one gave a hang about. The animals are grateful, yes -grateful. Interesting that some of those animals particularly the one’s not honored in life find their way to Tom’s farm in spirit and touch in, in part because it was the one time in their life, through their death, where they found compassion with him.
Along with his compassion and support Tom is also very curious about what happens from a spiritual standpoint when animals transition. I can say each transition is different, and each transition is honorable. We all love our animals. Yes, they do make it to heaven. Animals are on a different vibratory level than humans, and before you go to judge, I will tell you they are a higher vibration, not lower.
Animals do not contend with ego, and many vibrate to the color green, which is the color of teaching and unconditional love. Tom even has a passage on his office refrigerator, someone had sent it to him when his dog “Blue” died. It is a story of a little boy telling his parents that dogs didn’t live as long as humans because they already came into the world knowing how to love. In a way, that is so, so true.
I recall one incident with Tom involving an old draft horse, she was beautiful, but in so much pain, she could hardly walk. We led her to the place the owner had made for her to rest and I held the halter while Tom gently talked with her and told her she was going home. In his magic healing way saying, “I will take the pain away, it is time for the next step in your journey.” (Which was as much for my comfort and the owners’ as it is for the animal.) With that, he gave a sedative to relax her and then proceeded with the transition. It was honorable and blessed.
What happens next? Each animal experience is different, just as each person’s death experience is different, but in all, the spirit leaves. The spirit of this old draft horse lifted up and took off with the freedom and the joy it had not experienced in quite a while. There was another horse, a young mare that stood on a hill, which overlooked where we were. The minute the old draft horse transitioned, and her spirit took off, so did the mare on the hill! She saw her friend and took off running with her. If you have ever seen the movie Michael with Jean Stapleton and John Travolta, the end of that movie is the BEST depiction of death…they dance, dance, dance…and animals dance, too.
Imagine getting out of that restrictive shell of a body, be free of pain AND see your friends ALL at the same time.
How magical is that?
Yes, living animals can see the other side, and sense what is going on. Cats and dogs are very clairvoyant and clairaudient. They also know what is happening, animals are intelligent, emotional beings and we are just now starting to recognize this. Christmas Day last year, Tom was called to see a young colt with pneumonia. It was suffering, and too far gone to help. In the barn stood a row of young girls, who had been with the colt nursing him and trying to help, doing the best they could. Tom went to his truck to get his kit, and as he gathered his things, the barn filled up with other animals as they made their way in to say goodbye. Even the chickens were there, AND quiet. There were also some other animal spirits, so both sides of the veil were represented. Tom knelt down and took care of the sick colt, uttering his words. There was a reverence in that barn that went beyond any cathedral or church I had ever walked in. It was an honor to be part of that experience.
What about animal communication?
I am often asked if I can communicate with animals, again it is a different energy. They show me pictures and I can feel (yes even fish have a consciousness to tap into) but it is not a literal read, it is as if I can put myself in their “place” for a brief moment. It is more energy interpretation for me, not literal conversation. I know many intuitives that communicate with animals. Actually, they tune in to the owners -as much- if not more.
This is not to negate the animal communication in any way! but perhaps letting you know it is the BETWEEN, the connection between the owner and the animal, this relationship that animal communicators tune into. It is a talent I applaud. So the stronger the relationship, the bond, with the human companion (I don’t like the term owner very much) the stronger the communication. It has nothing to do with the perceived intelligence level of the animal, although I am sure cats will argue that point.
Why will animals go away to die?
I was asked last week by a woman why her dog, diagnosed with cancer kept going out to the barn? She wondered if he was looking for a place to die, and asked why did animals go off to die? Animals disappear or try to seek comfort and shift surroundings as a matter of energy. More than anything, it is about nesting and finding a place to ground and soak up energy, in order to return “home”.
Instinct allows them to seek out a place to let go. In part, it is to spare you any pain, but also nature provides the enormous amount of energy it takes to transition to the other side.
What about putting my animal to sleep?
Assisted transition, euthanasia for animals is not a bad thing, and should not be met with guilt and regret, for that guilt and regret negate the life that has been lived. I asked Tom about euthanasia and he said he knows when it is time when he looks in their eyes, eyes are their window to spirit. And with that he can provide comfort to the owners. He explains that the most anguishing moment is the moment you decide it is time for your companion to be released, time to let go. I knew what he meant, as I had to have several dogs put down over the years.
He has struggled with his own pets, with tears and with that muscle of regret. He has told himself what he has told his clients over the years: the decision is difficult, yes, but it is a decision of love and of caring for your pet. A decision just as vital as feeding them, petting them, playing with them. It is a decision of nurturing, a decision based on love. It is your gift back to them.
Did my animal suffer?
Some animals have actually left their earthly body before the actual death process, those that have been in immense pain, often are not even in that body! (Yes, that goes for humans as well!) So, for those of you that carry the guilt of a beloved companion suffering alone due to an accident or you not being there, it is time to release this. Just as our guardian angels will take us out of our bodies to help us avoid suffering, so will they our beloved companions. Many animals do not contract to suffer. If their suffering offers a “teaching moment” for someone, they accept that burden, but in general, they do not reside in that body at those intense moments, so release the guilt and replace it with gratitude for the life they lived.
Death is as sacred as birth. We, as humans do not realize that it takes as much energy to die as it does to gestate and be born. Just as we wait for the birth on this side of the veil, there are loved ones (including your animals) waiting for us on the other side. In a client reading, I can often see animals, all types, with the people they loved. Everything from pet birds to elephants. Many pets can be childhood companions that have stayed on to guide you and be your companion throughout your adult life.
Human death/transition is more difficult than the transition of animal companions. Fear, particularly of judgment day and “fear of God” is such an anchor for many. A trip to the nursing home is peppered with souls afraid that they doubted God or Christ sometime in their life and will be met with judgment or punishment. This fear anchors them to this life. (yes, another blog for another day).
Animal companions do not contend with the ego. The ego that keeps humans from the flow of death and life thereafter. Although there is fear, it is instinctual and love based fear. Animals have emotions! Animal fear is fear of leaving their human companion. Alleviating YOUR pain and YOUR fear of their departure can help alleviate THEIR fear. It is flow. Think of Dr. Lavelle and his words when you are faced with the decision: “I will take the pain away, it is time for next step in your journey” use these words in their comforting and prophetic tone, because they can be as much comfort for you as they can be for your beloved companion.
When we can assist their transition with love, comfort, and grace, then assisted transition of animal companions is accepted and blessed. There is honor in compassion.
I hope this brings comfort to the many of you that have reached out the past few weeks. I dedicate it to all your beloved companions on both sides of the veil. Blessings, Catherine