Writings
by Jackie
Grief and Loss
Why Should I Trust You?
As Taught by the Animals
Sharing Autumn Days
Senior and Special-Needs Animals
Natural Beauty
A Changing Paradigm
Living With Seniors
Dog Mom
Geriatric Cats
Old Dog
The Story of Satin
Sparkler
The Untimely Death
The Story of Obie
Animals as Spiritual Beings
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Animals
as Spiritual Beings
Working
for the well being of animals doesn’t mean that my contribution
is one-sided.
I don’t just give of my time and effort. I grow each time that I
interact with animals. They share their distinct personalities, their
past, and give me an opportunity to be part of their present. They share
their energy and remind me that we are all a product of our past.
Humans are often prisoners of their past; animals actively work to grow
beyond issues of neglect, abandonment, and disappointment. They are open
to growing beyond the circumstances from which they came. Animals do not
bemoan or resent their disabilities, physical or age-related. They accept
them as part of who they are.
I think about whether my devotion to the well-being of animals has been
entirely by choice. I could not be any other way. It is a calling; I
can’t turn away when my path crosses with an animal in need; I have to
try to help. In return my life is richer, because of who they are - who I
experience that animal to be. My work with animals give purpose and
meaning to my life. They give me a reason for being.
Animals teach you to live in the moment, to accept your past and not
perseverate on, or fear, what the future might bring. Animals can wait,
while humans tend to be impatient. Many animals have waited long periods
of time for their eventual rescuer to come while existing in dismal
situations, not thinking about tomorrow, but focusing on the day.
Animals teach you to be compassionate, because in caring for an animal,
you accept responsibility for another species. Animals teach you about
relationships; each day you care for an animal builds a deeper bond with
that animal. You may not be sure of what tomorrow will bring, or be secure
with your current level of resources, but with an animal in your life, you
will always be sure of all the wealth those relationships can bring.
You may worry about what you don’t have; in the eyes of an animal
companion you see everything you’ve got. Animals don’t speak - but
thankfully, they listen very closely. The closer you are to an animal, the
more certain you are that you are in communication with them; you just
have to listen with your heart as well as your head. Maybe the lesson is
in how well they listen and the dialogue that allows you, as a human to
have with them internally and externally. In conversation with an animal,
I own a space to verbalize my thoughts, as well as a space to think about
what I’ve said. In those moments, my energy bonds with the animal and
makes clear my eventual path. Gazing into the deep dark eyes of a canine
or the prism-like eyes of a feline companion brings new ideas and
inspiration. Through their eyes, I connect with a higher spiritual source.
Animals give back more than they take. When I’m sick or tired, my
animals lay down next to me and I feel better, comforted and soothed. When
I’m watching television, reading, or working on my computer, I feel
supported and inspired. When I play my instruments, I have an audience
that doesn’t judge me harshly if I make mistakes. When I’m sad or
discouraged, my animals console me. Every day I learn lessons about love,
support, encouragement and by those lessons, I am inspired to work harder,
move forward, be less fearful, more trusting, and become more that I ever
imagined that I could be.
Animals are great spirits. Each animal has a completely different soul.
Some are young souls who thirst for depth. Others are old souls, who have
come to allow us to share the insights, those that we have yet to
experience. Their purpose for being in our lives unfolds, as we come to
clearly see their roles in our lives as, nurse, caretaker, recreation
director; bodyguard - there to bring to our lives what we need at the
moment. They possess a sense of duty, loyal to their humans and protective
of their homes.
Animals are consistent. They relate in a simple, pure and direct way. They
reward us with affection, with their presence, and with fun. It’s easy
to have a relationship with one who just loves us for who we are. The
demands they make on us are simple by comparison to human relationships
– a chest needing to be rubbed, a bowl of food, shelter from the
elements. Animals give us total devotion in exchange for being treated
humanely. The lives of my animals, my husband and I are bound together by
love. We are not just a husband and wife with pets; they are not just a
pack of dogs. Together we are a family.
We live a lifestyle that may not suit everyone. We eat at mealtimes
surrounded by our animals, sit with them on couch and chair, and several
sleep with us in bed at night. We observe our pets closely, watching every
move, mood and change. We share our achievements and our setbacks, but as
a family we support and help each other to cope and move forward. The
sense of family I that receive from all living beings under my roof gives
me a sense of belonging, and in that I discover my roots.
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HOSPICE