Posts Tagged spirit

Rider’s Story – Wisdom on Life After Death

Most of the animals I work with in my animal communication practice teach me something. These little bits of learning add up over time; sometimes a whole new concept is unveiled by one wise animal. Such was the case with Rider, a beautiful canine who enjoyed a very full life. At the end of his time on earth he took the opportunity to teach his human and me his view on life after passing.

Red Rocket Rider

A few weeks before his passing, Rider was clear with his human that he loved his life and would gladly just replace his tired-out body and stay in this life with his human if he could. He was clear that he would be exploring options to be in a physical body again just as soon as feasible – he didn’t want to miss out on any exciting earthly adventures if he had the choice!

In our first connection with Rider shortly after his passing, he expressed joyfulness to his human, and he said he was already watching for opportunities to come back to earth in a new body. During our consultation with Rider, his human asked if he had seen his canine companion, Wally, or had any contact with him yet? Rider responded “yes, I am aware of Wally, we are in contact, we can be each other.” We moved on to other topics and closed our session with him.

In the next connection with Rider, his human, an open and loving person who has her own gifts with animals and people, remembered Rider’s response and asked him to expand, please. Rider took a breath, in a manner of speaking, and began his lesson. From Rider’s perspective:

Rider – “all spirit beings are one another.” He offered an image of minuscule particles intermingling and the individual particles were moving around, but also through and into, other particles.

Huh?

Rider – “All of us spirits are each other. We don’t “become” one another on demand; we *are* one another all the time. We don’t have to ask questions of one another or respond, we don’t have to see each other or have a conversation. As spirits, we are all spirits with all the experiences, knowledge, and wisdom from all.”

Rider and his special human companion

So you are part of one big spirit community?

Rider – “I am the spirit community; the spirit community is me. I can be individual when I choose to be, like right now talking to you. But when I am with my fellow spirits, I am them and I have experienced their experiences, and their adventures, and I know what they know. We are not individual. We are one; we are one another.”

In the spirit world, do you have a body?

“I can have an image of a body if I need one. I can express myself in the physical world by showing my spirit in a body.”

I had to ask, Kelly to Rider – “Why is this a new concept to me? Why have I not understood this from other animals who are newly in spirit form?”

Rider – “The questions you ask, the questions most humans ask of their animals in spirit are individual in nature. We speak to you as individuals. This time my mom wanted, needed, and was ready to know more.”

I will be forever grateful to Rider’s wise human who identified his initial comment as one worth exploring. Not only have I learned from Rider an additional aspect of life after passing, I am learning to hear beyond what our limited human context might indicate. This lesson is a work in progress….

Rider also talked to his human about reincarnation. That, too, was a new way of considering the process of reincarnation. A good topic for a future blog post!

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Tele-Class: Connecting with Our Animals in Spirit

It is a heartbreaking experience when our beloved animal companion passes away. For some, animal communication assists with closure and wishing our best friend peace in their afterlife. For me, there was no blessing greater than being able to connect with my cherished companions after they passed from their physical life to their new spirit form. It was so comforting to know – really *know* from their perspective - that they were safe, happy, healthy, and still with me every minute of the day.

Now, through this tele-class ”Communicating with Our Animals in Spirit“ you will have an opportunity to connect with your animal friend who has passed on. With some introductory instruction followed by a guided meditation, participants may have direct connection with their beloved pet, and will learn skills and tools to help communicate with them after the class concludes. A recent class participant comments:

“I want to again thank you for giving me the opportunity to connect with Topaz.  I feel such relief from the experience. I made her the promise, as she was making her transition, that I would learn how to keep in touch with her, and I had felt as if I had failed her, not because I wasn’t trying, but because I couldn’t do it. With my experiences this afternoon connecting with Topaz through your guidance and my other kitty’s encouragement, that’s all changed now.”

Communicating with Our Animals in Spirit
Next class offering: September 22, 2010
Time: 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. Mountain Time  (6:00 p.m. Pacific; 8:00 p.m. Central; 9:00 p.m. Eastern)
Cost $20 (plus possible long distance phone charges for the teleconference)

 To register and for more information about this class offered by Articulate Animals, click here.

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Communicating with Animals in Spirit

Many people ask me if animal communication works with animals who have passed on. The short answer is “yes” but of course, there is a longer, more detailed answer as well. As an animal communicator, my experience is that most animals remain available, willing, ready, and even anxious to communicate with their humans. Occasionally this is not the case, but I can think of only about four animals who have passed away with which I have not able to connect at all.

There are a variety of reasons we might want to communicate with our beloved animals in spirit. First and foremost, a communication session offers an opportunity for closure, especially if the animal passed unexpectedly. Even with animals whom we expect to pass, or whom we assist to pass, closure a few weeks after their passing has proven to be extremely valuable for many clients. I have received a number of follow-up emails and voice mails from clients stating that they were suddenly able to let go of guilt, or move through their grief more gracefully after having the opportunity to talk with their deceased companions.

So closure is at the top of the list of reasons for communicating with our pets in spirit. Other reasons on the list are varied and individual.

  • Some clients wish to know if their beloved animal companion intends to return to them – reincarnate – in the future. If so, sometimes the deceased animal can provide signals or clues on how and when to find them.
  • Often a family intends to eventually bring a new pet in to the home, and they request assistance from their animal in spirit to help them find the pet that is waiting for them.
  • Animals who have passed can provide wonderfully profound wisdom and guidance for their humans as they continue on in their lives.
  • Clients sometimes request assistance from their beloved and trusted animal in spirit to help those who are readying themselves to pass. This was extremely comforting to me, personally, knowing that my deceased dog, Pugsley, was available at my request to assist my beloved Valentino as he passed from this life to his new life.

Communicating with our animals who have passed away is not something that is right for everyone. Many do find great comfort and relief, however, in having an opportunity to check in with their beloved companion once, or regularly after their passing.

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Animals Remain With Us In Spirit

Frequently I work with people in my animal communication practice whose animals have transitioned to the spirit world. It is an emotional topic and I am honored to help them connect to their beloved pets after they have passed. My hope is for the human client to gain peace, closure, and possibly even some insights by connecting to their companions who are no longer with them in a physical form.

A client recently sent me this “Raising Duncan” strip by Chris Browne. It sums up so perfectly what I often understand from the animals.

Many times the first communication to come from the animal to their human is “I’m here.” What a comfort it is to know that animals can, and often do, remain with us in their new spirit form.

My blessings to all of you who love your animals, as they love you, no matter their current form.

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Terminal Care and Assistance for Our Pets

I attended a workshop last fall which addressed the topic of the animals’ perspective on dying and when/if assistance is appropriate. The guest presenter of the workshop, Paloma Bärtschi-Herrera, has published an e-book on this subject. I found the e-book to be insightful and helpful in answering some questions about the dying process based on the wisdom of her own animals in spirit.Final Journey image

Animals and the Final Journey:
Help in Passing Over and Assisting
by Paloma Bärtschi-Herrera

This is an emotional topic, but one which we all must face at some point. If  you have an aging animal and are beginning to have questions about resources to help your animal to pass peacefully, whether assisted or unassisted, you may want to consider browsing through this e-book. I started the e-book before my beloved Valentino passed, and finished the book after. While I was at peace with his transition and our agreements with one another, I still found some “ah ha” items in the e-book which helped validate and gave me a clearer perspective on the dying process and why he chose this particular timing and circumstance for his unassisted passing.

The e-book “Animals and the Final Journey” is available on Paloma’s website.  The price is listed on the site; the e-book is 51 pages in length.

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Flower Essences for Emotional Healing – Part Two

Part One of ”Flower Essences for Emotional Healing” discussed the properties and benefits of flower essence remedies, which can offer valuable support for our beloved animals in times of emotional stress. Whether one chooses individual essences, pre-mixed or a custom-blend, the results are often obvious and quick.

Mimulus

Mimulus

This post will discuss common indicators for the consideration of a flower essence, as well as a few essences which I recommend for animals in need. Flower essences don’t appeal to all animals, but those who are open to trying an essence for their particular emotional imbalance tend to know right away if a flower essence is right for them. As mentioned in Part One, Bach is a well-known brand of flower essence remedies and is easily found in most natural food and drug stores. Many other brands of individual essences and custom blends are available and equally beneficial.

Anxiety, worry, certain types of fear– There are many reasons an animal can exhibit anxiety or fear and there are a few different essences which may work well for an animal. Thunder and lightning fear, for example, may be lessened with Mimulus, and anxiety during veterinary clinic visits can also benefit from Mimulus. More extreme cases of terror may benefit from Rock Rose. Aspen can provide a deeper sense of security for anxious or worried animals, and I have used Cherry Plum successfully for calming hyper-sensitive animals.

Star of Bethlehem

Star of Bethlehem

Grieving, loss, sudden devastating changes – Most often I recommend Star of Bethlehem for animals who recently lost a companion (animal or human) or are showing signs of grief and mourning. Sometimes Wild Oat is helpful if the animal seems to lack a sense of purpose after a loss. Honeysuckle is a good choice for animals who may be grieving the loss of his/her previous environment (i.e. homesickness) and is also helpful in supporting animals to release their attachment to a past home or situation.

Lack of confidence, self-esteem, and shyness– Larch is great for a gentle boost in self-esteem and confidence. Water Violet encourages a more confident and social animal. Mimulus (also listed above for fears and anxiety) can help shy animals become more confident and courageous.

Aggression, dominance, territorial behaviors– Fear-based aggression might be lessened with Mimulus, while jealous aggression would be better served with the use of Holly. Vine is a good essence to use for some dominant and territorial behaviors. A disclaimer here: aggressive and dominant behaviors can escalate quickly and I highly recommend the assistance of a qualified trainer or animal behaviorist in addition to the possible use of flower essences.  

Cherry Plum

Cherry Plum

Rescue Remedy (a combination of several essences) – Rescue Remedy is a great “all purpose” remedy which I use for a variety of common stressful situations. Visits to the vet for routine or minor procedures; mild separation anxiety; mild fears brought about by sudden noises (i.e. firecrackers); and any change of situation or environment which could be stressful such as the family going on vacation, moving from one home to another; the first few days of a college freshman not living at home; the addition of a new baby in the home, etc.

Flower essence remedies may be a consideration for you and your pet as you move through life. I have listed just a handful of possible reasons to experiment with flower essences, and only a few of the possible remedies available. Remember, flower essences do not alter your pet’s temperament or personality; essences simply allow your animal to access their natural ability to cope with stress, bringing them back into emotional balance.

If you have a success story you would like to share about the use of a flower essence, please leave a comment!

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