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He Walked The Earth

Prudenta GeoffreyI was on the phone when he wandered into the yard. I saw him cross the street and head towards the cranberry bushes by the goats. The goats in unison watched him pluck the berries. I saw P, our horse, turn her head in more than mild curiosity. I thought to myself, “Oh, look at the lone Canada Goose” and continued my conversation. It took me a few moments to register how highly unusual it is to see a lone Canada Goose on foot during hunting season.

I cut the conversation short when I saw him walk up the middle of our road. As I prayed that he would be kept safe from hunters and cars, he turned eastward and walked up towards our coyote den and the hunter-filled woods and fields beyond. He disappeared from sight. P started to graze again.

The next day, P was consumed with terror and concern about something in the east towards the coyote den. I could not see what worried her so and assumed it was the coyotes. Running into her stall, she slipped. For hours, she would not eat. I brought her in early, but she continued to watch eastward through her stall window. Finally, towards dusk, she settled down.

The next morning she was again worried. She snorted and blew as if to shoo something out of her pasture. It seemed unlikely anything would be inside the fence as we had fortified the wooden fence against coyotes. I went to the second floor of our home and gazed, through binoculars, into the field. At the far end, inside the fence, was the goose.

My reassurances to P were of no avail. I decided to walk up to see if the goose could fly. P watched me with great concern. As I got to the far end of the field, the goose seemed to disappear. Suddenly I almost stumbled upon him. He had pulled himself into a tiny ball. The goose rose to his full height, spread his wings and took a few steps away from me. He turned to look at me and seemed to beckon to me to walk with him. I did. Side by side, we walked down the hill towards P’s paddock, the goose carrying on a conversation the entire way.

With great concern, P watched us approach. Suddenly, the goose stopped and looked at me. I knew he wanted to go further but was cautious of going into P’s paddock. I assured him I also was wary of entering her paddock when she was frightened. He turned and walked back up the hill. I continued on out the gate. I thought if I could entice P into her stall, the goose might make his way to freedom.

Again, once inside her stall, P watched the goose through her window. I went back into the house and soon after, I looked out my kitchen window. The goose was in her paddock.

When I went out the next morning, I found the goose asleep in her paddock near her stall. He rose and disappeared into the grass in the larger field. Once out of her stall, P was wary but not panicked. All that morning I watched as the goose would approach P. When she showed signs of fear, he would retreat. With great patience and persistence, he gained her trust.

Towards late afternoon, I saw him come around the corner of her barn and stand in her little paddock, ten feet from her. He bowed his head, his beak touching the ground. P lowered her head, nose touching the ground. Again, the goose bowed. P bowed. They repeated this several times. Then, the goose turned his head to the left. P did the same. The goose repeated the gesture as did P. After several minutes of this, the two of them relaxed and stood in quiet comradeship. I left P out a little later that afternoon. When I brought her in, the goose again explored her paddock and then settled down in some deep grass near her stall. P moved her hay under her window so she could watch the goose.

Again, the next morning, the goose was resting in a pile of hay near her stall. P was quiet, calm, and content. I asked her what the goose’s name was and imagined she answered “Jeff”. I imagined the goose preferred “Geoffrey” and so he was named.

Geoffrey moved a short distance into the larger field to graze when I opened the door for P. She moved her hay out of her stall so she could watch him. The two were never far apart that morning.

In the early afternoon, I heard P blowing and snorting. I looked out of my kitchen window to see P in a frenzy. Geoffrey had wandered eastward into the large pasture, towards the fields and woods beyond where there were now many hunters. I knew immediately P’s concern for his safety.

I walked up the field to where Geoffrey had wandered, P watching. He looked at me with curiosity and I told him he was unsafe and needed to come back to the barn. Incredibly, he walked back with me and went to stand a short distance from P. I returned to the house. The two of them stood side by side for some time listening to the gunshots in the fields above.

When Geoffrey started to wander into the field again, I saw P gently herd him under the fence into the yard next to the house. He looked around and settled in a corner on the grass. The shots increased. P went in to her stall later than usual that afternoon, keeping an eye on her new friend.

Again that night, Geoffrey slept by her stall.

The next morning, he went north into her smaller pasture while she ate her breakfast. I walked the dogs at the usual time. As I was standing in front of the house, I could hear a chevron of geese approaching from the south. It was unusual to hear geese flying in the early morning during hunting season. I looked up, and could see 5 or 6 small chevrons flying towards me. They travelled over my head, north to the pasture where Geoffrey stood. Chevron by chevron, they flew over the lone, earthbound goose. They called to him. I could hear him respond. The geese then changed direction and flew south. Geoffrey was quiet. I so hoped he would follow his flock.

He seemed so very little after that.

For the rest of the day, he and P were inseparable. In the late afternoon, Geoffrey, on his own, came into the yard while the gunshots flew in the fields above.

I became very conscious of how I carried myself. When I went out of the door, I gently closed it behind me. I was ever so conscious of what I was thinking and feeling. Like Geoffrey, I stepped slowly and gently upon the earth. I bowed whenever I met him and lowered my gaze. He responded likewise and did not flee.

That night it rained. When I went out to the barn to feed P her evening meal, Geoffrey was lying down, head outstretched, in the spot where P usually stands during the day. I paused, not sure he was if he was all right Gently I called to him. He did not move. I held my breath and watched. Finally he rose wearily and went to the tall grass near the barn.

The morning after he had bade farewell to his flock, I saw him lying in the smaller field, north of the house. He had chosen a spot I could see from my kitchen window. I watched with concern as I did my dishes. A raven flew over the house, down past my window and towards Geoffrey, claws outstretched. At the last minute, the raven flew upwards and away. Geoffrey laid there for a long time.

He came back to P’s paddock and stood with her, both gazing eastward. It was Saturday, and the woods were filled with hunters. I placed some cracked corn out for him which he readily accepted. I left to do some errands. When I returned, I slowly drove into the driveway and saw Geoffrey standing at the gate waiting for me.

That evening, he stayed close to the house, near his food, water, and a little shelter we had bought for him. I marveled at how how the dogs had accepted him in their yard, never barking or approaching him, never glancing his way. I felt a peace that he was staying closer to the house. My husband and I spoke of ways to help him through the long winter.

The next morning, he was again in the long grass by P’s stall. My husband went to feed P. I walked the dogs. I heard my husband call me. Something was wrong. He had seen Geoffrey get up, move a few feet, then lie down. When my husband got to him, Geoffrey was limp

We brought him into the barn and wrapped him in warm towels, placing him on a bed of hay. We moved a little heater near him. It was of no use. P and the goats ate their hay somberly.

Seven days with Geoffrey. A lifetime in seven days.

Our own life has to be our message.
     -Thich Nhat Hanh

He Walked the Earth: Postscript

You must always look with both of your eyes and listen with both of your ears. He says this is a very big world and there are many many things you could miss if you are not careful. There are remarkable things all the time, right in front of us, but our eyes have like the clouds over the sun and our lives are paler and poorer if we do not see them for what they are. If nobody speaks of remarkable things, how can they be called remarkable? 
― Jon McGregor, If Nobody Speaks of Remarkable Things

It has been a week since Geoffrey passed away. The animals have been somber. For several days, P stood in those places in her paddock that Geoffrey had stood. Only yesterday, she began to show some sparkle in her eyes. When I went to give her the evening meal, she chuckled and pointed to her bag of favorite hay.

As for me, I also have been somber, reflecting on the lessons of this gentle, wise bird who walked with such dignity. I, like P, find comfort in standing in those spots where he rested. I find myself thinking a great deal about how I touch the earth.

This morning, when I went outside with my youngest dog, Maria, the skies were quiet, beyond quiet. It was early Saturday morning, in hunting season. As I walked through the yard, a chickadee flew across my path and into a lilac tree at eye level, chirping at me vigorously. I wondered what he was trying to say. I opened the gate and P looked with concern towards the East and then caught my gaze. Maria and I went through the gate and as we did, a squirrel chattered in a nearby tree, then ran down the trunk, still chattering, towards us. He stopped about 20 feet from us then ran back into his hiding place. I wondered if he was one of the squirrels we had wintered over last year when he was a baby.

I could hear the ravens calling loudly from their own hiding places in the nearby pines. They often tell us when coyotes or bear are near by, alerting both sides to avoid a chance encounter and conflict. This was different. P began to become more worried and started bucking and racing in her paddock. I realized the ravens were warning us of danger. I was sure at that point, it was a hunter.

My husband walked up the slight hill to the East. Sure enough, a blue van was parked on the hunters’ road. As he went to check, P stepped up her vigilance until he returned. Maria and I went back to the house. We were being warned against our own species.

My husband said that as he had walked up the hill, a swarm of chickadees had appeared, chattering mightily at him.
Nothing goes unnoticed here. We are really part of a much larger community than we know. That we are accepted is a gift. The legacy of Geoffrey continues.

If we listen, they will speak.

Namaste. I am Here for You.

Where was the Reiki? I think about this constantly since Geoffrey’s passing. It was a magical week with him. Compassion, love, peace, and calm were pervasive.

Several times, I thought to offer Reiki to Geoffrey and P, but every time, I sheepishly stopped. It seemed presumptuous and foolish on my part. I was in the presence of masters. This was their dance, not mine. My role was as student, as facilitator, as recipient of the love and compassion that passed between them and spread over the land.

They were Reiki. There was no chanting, no hand gestures, no symbols – the tools we humans need to shed our humanness. They simply were Reiki. Geoffrey and P breathed love and compassion.

What is my role now? To learn from them; to become compassion and love for all that I touch; to simply become Reiki.

For sentient beings, poor and destitute,
May I become a treasure ever-plentiful,
And lie before them closely in their reach,
A varied source of all that they might need.
-The Way of the Bodhisattva – Shantideva

By:  SARA Practitioner Emma Duvefelt

Monk: R.I.P.: Love, Reiki, and Letting Go

Last Friday, I said goodbye to my dear Reiki kitty friend, Monk.

I shared many Reiki sessions with Monk since early July, as he had Chronic Renal Failure.  I had worked with him prior to this diagnosis as well.  He always enjoyed Reiki, and anticipated it more and more as he got to know me.  When he saw me, he would go jump on the bed to get ready to settle in for his session, often sitting on his person Suzanne’s lap for the session.

Late May, Suzanne had called me to cat sit for Monk and his cat girlfriend Jade, and when I saw Monk, I felt so strongly that I wanted to help.  I could see that due to the kidney disease, Monk’s appetite and life force were rapidly diminishing.  I had such a strong sense that Reiki would be of help to him, not to mention that I already had a very strong bond with Monk.  So I began to do Reiki sessions with him very often – every day at times, but at least three to four times a week.

I felt the sessions needed to be often, to continually reinforce the balance, peacefulness and sense of well-being that Reiki can bring.

We quickly saw his appetite improve from nearly zero to nearly normal, he began clearly enjoying his food again, and his energy level and general vitality improved a lot as well.  I always offer Reiki energy for the highest good, but one can never know exactly how that will play itself out.

I was so happy to see him feeling better for what seemed to be extra time, time which we had not anticipated him having, time which I know that we all cherished him having, especially his beloved owner Suzanne.  It was such a delight to see the light back in his eyes, to see him prance along with a spring in his step, to see him comfortable and to see him with an appetite.

Monk adored his owner Suzanne, and I felt him wanting to hang on to life as long as he could. And I am glad that until last week sometime, he really was hanging in there strongly, as strongly as he could, Even though his body was frail, I felt such a strength of spirit, of love, of determination.
I treasured the sessions I spent with him.  I will never forget them.  The lovely summer days with him on my lap as I sat on the terrace with the breeze blowing, and later with him curled up on my lapas we sat on the couch.  I knew that I was walking with him on the last part of his road in this life, and it was an honor to be able to spend this time with this very special creature, to feel the very deep connection that happens with Reiki energy with him, to share the light with him.  He had such a pure heart, such pure sweetness about him.  Most often, it felt like my heart was merging with his heart, that our breathing became as one creature, that we were together in the emanating light.  And this emanating light felt like emanating, healing love, like the most pure, beautiful feeling of love that one could have for another creature.

After we began doing more of the sessions inside, sometimes Jade would curl up right next to Monk, and they would take in the energy together.

Last Wednesday, when I arrived, I felt from Monk such a strong feeling.  It was a lovely day with the sun streaming in through the window, a fall day that gives you that rather melancholy feeling of the summer ending and fall beginning.

It was as if he were laying outside in the sun, temperature just warm and so perfect that he didn’t want to move.  That he knew he would have to go soon, but he wanted to stay a little longer, a little longer.  A little longer to feel this beautiful time on earth.  That he knew his time to go was soon, but he wasn’t just quite ready, that he so wanted to enjoy it a while longer.  To feel the connection with the earth, with me in the moment as my hands emanated warmth and energy, with his kitty friend Jade nearby, and most of all with his person Suzanne, who, though she was not present in body during the session, she was and is always with him.

I felt so sad knowing that his time was near, that our time together on the earthly plane would not be much longer.

When I left, I made sure he was comfortable, curled up on this lovely shaggy pillow, as though it were a soft form of grass that was all around him.

Thursday he settled into my lap, and it took him a while to get comfortable but then he got so comfortable there, connected with the flow of the energy.  After the session ended, I very gently placed him in one of his cozy places.

Friday I arrived at Suzanne’s place a couple of hours before the vet and his assistant were to come.  As sad as this was, this was a special and powerful time of connection with both Monk and Suzanne.  She held him gently on her lap for most of the time, while I kept the Reiki energy flowing.  I felt him become more at ease as we sat there.  So much love and light surrounded him.

I kept imagining him resting in a field of grass, and then running in a field of grass, with sunlight around him.

A very unexpected thing happened then.  The first four or five lines of the 23rd psalm came to me, in bits and pieces.  I think it was because I was see the green pastures, then the still waters, then “he restoreth my soul”.  I grew up Episcopalian, but do not really follow any particular organized religion – I am a spiritual person and keep myself open to whatever rings true to me.  But at this moment, the bits and pieces of these lines and the images especially, the feeling of being out in the grass with Monk, the feeling of the soul being restored, it all felt very healing.  I let the images and lines flow through my mind, which eventually led to the image of light all around the three of us, a calm, healing, heavenly light.  We had very quiet music playing, and the door was open to the terrace, with fresh air coming in.

At the end, he was surrounded by such loving energy, it felt like the most gentle, peaceful exit that he could have.  Much gratitude to the kind and respectful vet and his assistant who were present and helped make this transition so gentle.  And the utmost gratitude to Suzanne, for taking Monk in as a kitten and for giving him such love and care for his whole life.  Much, much love to Monk, to Suzanne, and to Jade.  And all my sympathy.  It is such an honor to know you all and to have been a part of your lives.

There is something that I often say to an animal when I am working with him or her, and I usually say it silently.  This is something I said often to Monk (and still say in my mind), “I love you so much, and I always will.”  With those words I feel that the feeling travels over time and space, a love that exists eternally.  Animals help remind us of the feeling of that love with no boundaries, that we can be connected forever no matter whether on the earthly plane or not.

xoxoxo with love and gratitude to Monk, Suzanne, and Jade

By:  Sarah Hauser, SARA Practitioner

Worry, Reiki and Animal’s Perspectives

“Just for today, I will not worry.” The second Reiki Precept. Like the first Precept about anger, this one encourages us to be fully present as a clear conduit for the flow of healing Reiki energy.

What is worry but another name for fear? Do we ever worry that things will turn out the way we want them to? No, just that they won’t.

We worry when we feel we’ve lost control, when we fear the unknown, and in situations when we face a decision or difficulty and don’t know how it’s going to turn out. We’re anticipating that something unfortunate will happen in the future. Worry creates anxiety, that eating-away at your insides sick feeling.

Paradoxically, when we worry, we’re actually pulling energy away from our desired outcome and feeding it toward what we’re afraid will happen. Working against ourselves.

The Buddhist proverb on worry is, “If the problem can be solved, why worry? If the problem cannot be solved, worrying will do you no good.” [Śāntideva]

It’s easy and frustrating to tell ourselves or someone else, “Don’t worry.” Or in musician Bobby McFerrin’s words, “Don’t worry, be happy.” Yeah, right. Telling ourselves to not worry only adds to the stress of worry—now we worry about worrying.

I asked the animals for more specific guidance, and sensed splash, bubbles, sparkles of sunlight through water, movement. Otter popped up and said, “Why worry? It’s all a game. Be flexible. Find joy in each moment, even when the unexpected happens. When you worry, you get stiff and solid. That blocks the flow. Worry can make you sick inside, and that’s no fun.

 

“Be in gratitude for the abundance that surrounds us. I trust that there will be enough fish for me and my family. If I worry, it drives the fish away and we are hungry. That’s no fun, either. Life is a gift, and everything in it. Just relax and enjoy it.

 

“Have courage, be strong, set and follow your intentions. Watch as I turn and swim through the water. I waste no energy. When I am hunting, I am focused, and I eat. Be sleek like me. Point all your energy in the direction you want to go. It’s more fun that way.”

Splash! Ripples of water spread out where a moment ago Otter had been.

Next, Rabbit hopped into my meditation: “Ah, fear,” Rabbit said. “We tremble. We’re gentle and are prey. Our whiskers twitch, sensing, always alert. Walk towards what you fear. Face it. What you fear will not go away. It will linger outside your burrow while you tremble, waiting for you to emerge so it can pounce on you. Ask yourself, what is it you fear? The great unknowing? It is so human, to want to know everything. You can only prepare as best you can, stay alert, watchful, and be ready to run if you need to—lest you become Fear’s dinner.”

 

Confronting fear and worry brought Boar to mind. I heard him snort, “What!”

“Would you share your thoughts about worry with me?”

“Worry? Confront it head on, do your groundwork, focus, and then go forward.” Boar continued, “To worry is to scatter your energy. Prepare, commit, put your head down and move toward your goal. You can’t control what is beyond your reach, but you can prepare for it. Prepare for the unexpected. Focus. Set intention. When you worry, you send mixed signals. You feed energy to what you fear. I didn’t get to be this big by scattering my energy all over the field. I know what I want and I go for it. Sometimes it works, sometimes not. So be it.” Snort. A hoof stomps. Boar’s head wags from side to side.

Rabbit, Otter, and Boar give good guidance: Otter reminds us that when we’re worrying, it’s time to take a break, have some fun, and then focus. Rabbit reminds us to confront our fear, for it won’t go away. Boar reminds us to set our intention and direct all our energy toward it. All say that when we worry, we divert our energy away from our goal and toward what we fear. Worry is a distraction.

We invite worry when our head/mind speaks more strongly than our heart, when we have doubt about the outcome. Prepare as best you can, and then move forward. When we make a mistake, worrying (fretting, stewing) will not fix it. We can only acknowledge and own it, apologize or make amends, and move forward. When worry creeps in anyway, breathe. Let yourself ground deep into the earth. Invite the earth’s energy to flow through with each breath you take, and open your heart. The worry will dissipate. Call on the animals. They are always willing to help.

Just for today, I will not worry.

By:  Rev. Nancy Schluntz

Rev. Nancy Schluntz is a SARA practitioner member and animal communicator. As an Animal Chaplain, she offers pet loss bereavement counseling and facilitates a support group. She offers for Reiki for animals (and their people) who are approaching the end of life and as part of her intuitive communication readings. Nancy also offers Reiki to animals at the wildlife rehabilitation center where she volunteers.

Anger, Reiki and Animals’ Perspectives

“Just for today, I will not anger.” The first Reiki Precept. On first hearing, I transmuted the words to “… I will not anger others,” but then realized that no one can make anyone else angry. We (or someone else) can be the spark that ignites anger, but the emotion comes from within. The Precept is about maintaining the self as a clear conduit for the flow of healing Reiki energy.

Anger has cropped up a lot lately – in news reports, Facebook posts, other venues. Are people more open now about expressing anger, or is it one of the impacts of these times of change?

Do I have anger? I had to think about that. The anger that often calls our attention is the burning, violent kind. The punch-in-the-nose road rage anger. There are many varieties. Have you ever felt irritated, annoyed, resentful, mistreated, disrespected, even outraged or filled with righteous indignation? Those are all forms of anger.

In his lecture series, Nonviolent Communication,* Dr. Marshall Rosenberg says that anger is an emotional response triggered by an outside stimulus when a core need of ours is not being met. Core needs such as security, safety, love, nurturance, and yes, respect. When I feel resentment, what need or hurt within me has been disregarded, to trigger that feeling?

The animals always have answers and opinions about such questions. The first to speak was Coyote. I sensed yellow-gold eyes and tawny fur dancing and feinting around me while Coyote spoke:SageJazz2

“Anger is one of my tricks. It distracts your energy and attention. That rush of emotion feels good, feels powerful. When you’re caught up in it, you don’t recognize that you’re being spun away from your purpose, whatever that is. I am the Trickster. I am a great teacher, who teaches you through your mistakes. When you learn to recognize the pull and eddies of my magic and see through them, you can stay on your true path. It is all a game, don’t you see? You can follow Coyote and get lost. Or you can say, ‘Hello Coyote, I recognize you,’ and not follow. That strengthens you. When you feel the anger, know it is my trickster magic at work. Enjoy the thrill of explosion if you wish. Or, this time, ask yourself why you are drawn to my magic. Remember, I teach backward lessons. When you’re turned around, I will bite you!”

Skunk came next, its parallel white stripes moving in rhythm as Skunk gently shuffled forward on delicate paws:

Shadow“My medicine is more about boundaries and respect. Skunk is respected, and respects others. We carry a formidable weapon, but are gentle. We give a warning when we are being encroached upon. We do not release our scent indiscriminately, for then we would be vulnerable for defense. Priorities are important – safety, respect, courage, being gentle. Get your point across without aggression toward self or others. Those we spray recover and learn from the experience to respect us. When you feel anger, learn from us to seek the boundary that is being encroached upon, and address it. Perhaps you will not need to spray at all.”

Condor (Turkey Vulture) flew into our conversation to add its message:

“Anger? Rise above it. We soar in the air, the home of spirit and intellect. Rise above the smelly turmoil of emotion. Air helps bring discernment, an ability to sort out cause and effect. Call on me. I will help pick away that which does not serve the highest good – that which doesn’t smell right.”

Instinctively, I knew that Whale also had a message, and asked. Whale said:

“Call on me to guide you through the deep waters of emotion. We withstand great pressure in the deep, and rise to the surface to expel old air and breathe in fresh air. Sing our song with us, move with grace and strength. Swim with us, and come up for air.”

Their messages remind me that the key is not to deny, bury or push away anger, but to reach into myself, locate what has been ignited within, and address that.

These wise teachers offer workable suggestions. Coyote reminds us that when our energy spins off in anger, we diminish our power and lose our focus. Skunk reminds us to respect, be respected, and hold our boundaries. Condor reminds us to rise above the smelly stuff and use discernment. Whale reminds us to come up out of the deep emotion and take a breath of fresh air. Thank you all.

Just for today [this hour, this moment], I will not anger. I will be a clear vessel for Reiki energy. It takes practice.

 

By:  Rev. Nancy Schluntz

*Rosenberg, Marshall. Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life. PuddleDancer Press, 2003; recording available from Sounds True, P.O. Box 8010, Boulder, CO 80306, www.Soundstrue.com.

Rev. Nancy Schluntz is a SARA practitioner member and animal communicator. As an Animal Chaplain, she offers pet loss bereavement counseling and facilitates a support group. She offers for Reiki for animals (and their people) who are approaching the end of life and as part of her intuitive communication readings. Nancy also offers Reiki to animals at the wildlife rehabilitation center where she volunteers.

 

Note: Subsequent articles will address the remaining four Precepts of Reiki: Worry, Humility/Gratitude, Honesty, and Compassion.

True Love of Animals

Michele Santom
Michele Santom

I have always been a huge animal lover.  I had many unusual pets such as skunks and a pot belly pig.  For over 20 years I had Great Danes and Maltese and showed them in confirmation dog shows.  I also owned a pet grooming salon.  My eyes for beautiful animals fell in the wrong direction.  I was focusing my attention on the outside.  One day I was jolted to awaken when a vet tech told me that a particular Maltese I was showing, who was staying with my professional dog handler, was “not happy” and she warned me to get her home as soon as possible.  At that time, I was so wrapped up in all the reasons why I loved dog shows and failed to see that this little dog did not.  Fortunately, she finished her Championship that very same weekend.  I took her home, cut off all of her beautiful, long luxurious coat and made an appointment to have her spade.  I wanted no chances to have a change of heart and breed her for more puppies.  I never sold a puppy.  I kept each and every one of them and showed only the best.  My friends in the business thought that I had lost my mind. I did not lose anything.  I found at that moment in time so much more…my true love of animals.  It is not about me at all.  It came to me at that moment that the animals are so giving of themselves that they would do anything for us.  Go to shows that are loud and scary, have strangers place their hands on them while they stood perfectly still, be dressed in silly clothes like dolls and yes, they are so loyal they would die for us.

So, in my search I started to find something to do for them.  To give back the love to these devoted beings.  In January of 2010, I began my journey into Reiki. Reiki is a Japanese technique that results in deep relaxation so the body can heal on a cellular level.  A technique designed for people.  After completing my studies, I started practicing on myself, friends, family and eventually clients.   It came to me:  This was how I could give back to my precious animals, through Reiki.  I started giving Reiki to my beautiful cat, Veronica when she became ill and I was giving Reiki to her as she made her transcendence.  I experienced this wonderful connection to her and it was extremely peaceful.  It assisted her along with me with her transcendence.  I started offering Reiki to my other pets as well.  They sat on my lap and seemed to enjoy the process.  I wanted to find out more about offering Reiki to animals.  After all, they were not willing to lay on the massage table for one hour.  After many books and videos, I came across an organization called SARA (Shelter Animal Reiki Association).  Wow!  Offering this wonderful Reiki to shelter animals, what great way to give back.  I started taking courses with two very accomplished ladies Kathleen Prasad and Leah D’Ambrosio from SARA.  I can say no less than working with the animals has been a profound experience.  I have now studied the traditional Japanese method of Reiki and have been certified in these techniques.

Tigger
Tigger
Bahl-Shoy
Bahl-Shoy

I am also a member and teacher with this organization.  My highest honor was to work with two very special clients a Siberian Tiger named Balh-Shoy and a Bengal Tiger named Tigger.  I went to the CARE Foundation to give them something but truly it was I who received the gifts.  To have a connection with these beautiful beings in such a deep manner is something I will never forget.  I will always hold these “teachers” in high regard as true Masters.  People call themselves “masters” without doing the work.  They take a few classes and certify themselves as a master.  It takes a tremendous amount of work, love and dedication to be a master.  I myself am a work in progress.

This connection is available to all of us if we take the time to be still and listen with our hearts. You, also, can give this gift of love to your animals.  Schedule a session for your animal friend or better yet learn these wonderful, life changing techniques so you can share this special connection with your beloved pet.

By Michele Santom

Michele Santom is a SARA Animal Reiki Teacher and owner of her own yoga studio based in Delray Beach, Florida.

Note:  If you would like to learn more about Animal Reiki, please visit our website www.shelteranimalreikiassociation.org. Kathleen Prasad will be teaching the Animal Reiki Teacher Training Course at the CARE Foundation in February 2014. You can learn more about this class at http://animalreikisource.com/reiki-classes/reiki-iii-care. To find out more about the CARE Foundation, please visit www.thecarefoundation.org.

A Reiki Share with the Horses

Reiki Share at Ivelolharele Retirement SantuarySharing will enrich everyone with more knowledge.  ~Ana Monnar

This quote highlights the purpose of a Reiki Share.  It is a time to get together with like-minded people to share our experiences, to learn from each other and to practice and share Reiki with each other and with the animals.  We support each other and grow together in Reiki.

I host a regular Reiki Share for my Animal Reiki students.  We get together every six weeks or so; sometimes we offer Reiki to each other, and other times we take a field trip to offer Reiki to the animals.  On June 9, 2013, we met at Ivelolharele Retirement Sanctuary in Chilton, Wisconsin, to share an afternoon of Reiki with the horses and donkeys.  Everyone had many wonderful Reiki experiences; and I have two that I would like to share.

Smokey and Buddy

Offering Reiki to BuddyTwo of my newer students asked for some guidance as we began the afternoon.  So, we went together to offer Reiki to Smokey and Buddy who were sharing a small pasture near the house.  These two sweet horses along with some other sweet spirits taught my students about just “Being Reiki” and letting go of what might happen.  We sat outside the fence overlooking the countryside.  After I guided us in creating a Reiki space and inviting Smokey and Buddy to join us, we sat in the beautiful healing energy.  Smokey and Buddy moved around a bit as they grazed, but stayed a few feet away sharing the energy with us.

I think my students were hoping the horses would move closer and stand more directly in front of us, but Smokey and Buddy wanted us to have a different experience.  As we sat there in this quiet space, some birds in the evergreen tree next to us moved closer and began chirping very loudly; they were making sure that we knew they had joined us in the energy.  Some insects also joined us, flying in and crawling on our notepads.

Ann and SadieAnd at one point, I happened to look over to my right where Sadie, a very sweet donkey, had been grazing nearby; she was looking at us very intently and quietly connecting with us.  After we finished, the owner of the sanctuary, Jody, shared that as she was taking pictures, she noticed that the cats in the house had all congregated at the window just behind us; they too were connecting with us.  Wow, what a great learning experience for all of us.  If we create a Reiki space and invite all of the animals to connect with us, we are able to assist not only those that we intend to work with, but also any others who may choose to join us.

Cziello

Ann and CzielloFor our second practice session, I was inspired to spend time with the horses in the barn.  Yoda and Mikey were in their stalls next to each other, and Cziello was across the aisle.  I had worked with Yoda in the past, so I stood in the middle of the aisle facing Yoda and invited all three horses to join me in the Reiki space.  Yoda knew why I was there and stayed at the front of his stall often reaching his head out toward me; he was very sweet and open to the energy.  Just as I was about to move closer to Yoda, he moved back in his stall, and I immediately felt something warm over my left shoulder.  I looked back, and there was Cziello extending his head as far as he could toward me, almost brushing his muzzle against me.  I turned around to face Cziello and moved right in front of him placing my hands under his muzzle. He continued looking directly at me; he would push his muzzle into my hands; he would lift his head and smile; and he would cock his head to one side.  I just stood there mirroring his movements and sharing the moment with him.  Thank you to Cziello for this wonderful experience and for sharing such a beautiful and peaceful connection with me.

I am grateful for all of the wonderful people I have met who share my passion for supporting the well-being of animals through Reiki.  I look forward to our Reiki Shares when we have the opportunity to get together, to experience Reiki and to share and learn and grow together.  And I thank the animals for connecting with us, teaching us and guiding us on our Reiki journeys.

Thank you everyone who joined us at Ivelolharele Retirement Sanctuary – it was an amazing afternoon sharing Reiki with the horses!

Ann Noyce

Liam’s Perfection

Some rights reserved by Tambako the Jaguar
Some rights reserved by Tambako the Jaguar

Upon entering a bottle-feeding goat petting zoo area, a teeny- tiny lone white goat was curled up against a concrete post underneath a gazebo.   Immediately I was drawn to squat down beside him while my hands rested on my knees 5 inches apart to create a Reiki space.  I stated, “I’m creating a Reiki space.  You are welcome to join and take what you want and leave the rest.”  Within minutes, two black baby goats came up one-by-one to investigate my hands then each one chose to stand on the outside of my hands with their eyes closed known as a “Reiki nap”.  Slowly, I shifted my eyes to the lone goat who introduced himself as “Liam”.  Both of his eyes were crusted shut with a thick substance, yet I saw him as perfection.  He slowly stood up, carefully placed his feet, turned 180 degrees, and walked straight between my knees as he delicately centered his head between my hands.  Tears streamed down my face for although he could not physically see, he knew exactly how and where he wanted to go.  Our shared space transcended time, feeling absolute peace, love beyond words, a complete stillness….a pure energetic connection.

Less than five minutes of him joining me and his two black guardian goats, the crusty substance around his eyes began to loosen and one-by-one chunks fell to the ground.  It was interesting to note that when several other baby goats approached, the two black goats near my hands would wake up, gently guide them away, come back to stand guard with their eyes closed…all in a very respectful manner.

The four of us basked within this pure love space, diminishing our physical bodies to embrace our oneness of perfection of connections of our souls.  A sense of perfection beyond perfection enveloped us.  When Liam was finished, his eyes slowly opened to softly gaze into my eyes while his nose gently nudged my hands to thank me.  He walked back into his space to curl up…only this time he could physically see.

Curiously I looked up the meaning of “Liam” which means “helmet of will and protection”.

Camille Pukay
SARA Animal Reiki Teacher
Animal Reiki Divine, LLC

Gerry the Magic Dog

GerryIn January of 2013 my two sons and I adopted a beautiful little Blue Merle Sheltie named Gerry.  The day we picked him up from the shelter he was so timid that he ran and hid under the desk when he saw us.  It took a while, but finally we managed to coax him into the kennel with some treats.  My oldest son took him to the car and he headed home with us, his new forever family.

The first night at our house was stressful for all of us.  He seemed calm and relaxed in the car ride home so when we got him to the room where he would be sleeping, we opened the kennel door.  Unfortunately Gerry was so terrified and stressed that he ran out and messed all over the carpet. We managed to coax him back into the kennel and gave him an hour or so of quiet time before taking him for his first walk.  Gerry was so frightened that when he got out on the front step he bolted and slipped his collar.  Fortunately he turned to the right when he got to the end of the driveway and thankfully ended up in our neighbor’s backyard.  It took a while but we eventually managed to catch him.  By the time we put him to bed that night we were wondering if we had made the right decision adopting a timid dog like Gerry, especially when we had never owned a dog in the city and we were quite inexperienced.

Fortunately things began to improve after that, we became more comfortable with Gerry and Gerry became more comfortable with us.  He was still extremely timid and often cowered when you made a move towards him.

5 weeks went by and Gerry was slowly coming around, he knew the morning routine and would actually venture up the stairs on his own to await his walk.  He had improved to the point that I felt it was time to switch from a harness to a collar so that I could teach him how to walk beside me versus walking in front or behind me.  The night I purchased the collar I took Gerry for a walk and I was so proud of the way he minded with the new collar, he seemed proud of himself as well.  It was the perfect end to a perfect day, it felt like things were finally turning around.

The next morning he came up and waited in the porch for me to get ready.  I checked his new collar and noticed that it was extremely tight so I decided to loosen it a notch.  When we got out on the front step something startled him and he slipped the collar, I watched him run down the street as fast as his little legs could carry him and by the time I got to the end of the block he was already halfway up the next one.  I was mad at myself for switching to a collar, how could I have made the same mistake twice?  I was also terrified that we may never see him again.

Gerry was spotted numerous times in the first week, both in our subdivision as well as in acreages 2 miles south of us, then suddenly he disappeared for a week.  I was worried sick about him being out there all alone and I felt responsible.  The 2nd week he was missing my Reiki teacher and practitioner Hazel Butterworth sent Gerry’s picture to Kristy Mcgale who specializes in Animal Reiki.  Kristy connected with Gerry, she said she saw train tracks and popcorn. Asked him if he was okay. Got a yes and no answer, she said he seemed to be missing his foster family.  She also sent him Reiki.  Hazel suggested that I too send Gerry distance Reiki.  I had taken my level 1 & 2 in the fall of 2011 and for some reason had stopped practicing daily.  I decided it was time to get back to it.  I had a stuffed dog that has a mane similar to Gerry so I decided to use this dog whenever I connected with Gerry and sent him distance Reiki.  Hazel suggested that while he was away I should contemplate what I was learning from this experience.

I had been seriously contemplating the lessons I was learning and the one that stood out the most was “acceptance”, we were so hung up on his Gerry’s timid nature and wishing he was more friendly and cuddly.  But the day he left I could feel the absence of his loving and peaceful energy and I realized in that moment just how much he brought to our household just with his presence.  It seemed Gerry had an impact on everyone who met him.  He had the most beautiful mane and it is shaped like a heart.  He really is a miraculous, magical dog.

Hazel suggested that I surrender the outcome, he knows you are there and he is wanting to return on his terms.  Letting go and surrendering the outcome was proving to be difficult indeed, especially since Gerry had been missing for almost a week, but the Reiki helped lift me up and renewed my faith.  Each morning and night I would connect and send Reiki to Gerry, and during these times I could feel the energy exploding through my heart, there was definitely a connection between us.

A few days later Gerry appeared one morning sunning himself under a tree in the park just beyond our back fence.  He had eaten the food we continued to leave out for him on the front porch.  As soon as I went out to the backyard with his kennel he ran away to the woods behind our house.  I left the kennel in the backyard with food thinking he may come back, but he didn’t return that night.

The next night he appeared in the backyard looking for food.  I snuck out quietly and closed the gate, as soon as he heard me he started to pace back and forth along the fence line.  I decided I would let him settle for a few minutes before I went out to catch him, but by the time I got outside he must have figured out how to jump the fence and was long gone.  I started to receive messages that Gerry was not coming home until I surrendered.  We tried 2 more times that week to trap him in the backyard but each time he jumped the fence.  On the third night he waited until we were in bed to return and eat the food we left for him, then he vanished.

The days passed and no sign of Gerry and no calls either.  It suddenly became apparent to me that we were not “getting” the lesson that Gerry was here to teach.  A week after he vanished Kristy McGale stopped by with her dog Logan.  She wanted to take a walk around the area where he had last been spotted to see if she could connect to Gerry.  She also visited with my son Cody and I and offered some suggestions on how we could connect with Gerry.  She suggested visualizing a  bridge, one on which he could meet us half way.  I am so grateful to her for sharing this information as I found it enabled me to connect with Gerry in a different way.  My focus now became acceptance of who he is (timid or not) and suggesting that we both release our fears about this situation and meet in the middle.

Hazel and Kristy’s recommendations enabled me to surrender the fear of him never coming back and to instead focus on love and acceptance.  On March 24th over a month after Gerry had run away I connected with Gerry at bedtime.  I asked him if he wanted to come home and he said YES.  I asked him if I had his permission to trap him, if that’s what it would take to bring him home, he said YES.  I then let him know that in order for him to be found he would have to let someone see him so that they could contact us.    This session moved me deeply and gave me a sense of peace that I had not felt in a very long time.

The evening of March 27th a gentleman named Ben called to say that he thinks he has our dog.  He works at a Landscaping company about 28 km southwest of us.  He said that this little dog started appearing about 3 days ago.  The reason he had not called right away is because it took him a couple of days to find my lost dog ad on Kijiji. He said Gerry was staying in one of their storage sheds so they started to feed him.  They had attempted to get near him but he would run up into the back of the property and stay there until they went home at night.  They started to close all doors to the shed except one and hoped that the following morning when they came in they would manage to trap him in the shed.

I connected with Gerry that night and let him know that these people wanted to help him come home and that it was okay to trust them.  The next morning Ben called to say that he was not in the shed but when they went looking around the property they found him caught in the fence.  They brought him into Ben’s office and made him a comfortable little spot where he felt safe and secure.  It’s hard to explain the happiness I felt inside when I saw our Gerry lying there on the floor in Ben’s office.  He looked smaller than I remembered…  I sat with him for a bit then put his harness and leash on and coaxed him into his kennel.   I thanked them with all my heart for reuniting us with Gerry.

I must make mention that railroad tracks run very near the place where Gerry was found and the movie theaters (popcorn) are also nearby. Thanks Kristy!

It’s impossible to express in words how grateful I am to all who assisted us in bringing Gerry home.  I also feel such gratitude for this little dog Gerry who sacrificed himself so that we may learn the importance of letting go of judgement and surrendering the outcome of our lives to God and the Universe.  Gerry truly is a Magic Dog and we are extremely blessed that he chose us to be his forever family.

Brenda Tompkins

NOTE FROM SARA: Brenda Tompkins is not a SARA member but her story came to us from SARA Teacher Kristy McGale who thought our members might find it interesting.  If you know of a story that would fit our blog, please feel free to submit it to [email protected].

Lessons From a Moose

Living where I do I have many opportunities to get out in nature.  I like to walk late in the day in hopes of catching the deer or a fox. Every once in a while, the wildlife comes to me.

The MooseBack in the fall I was in my kitchen preparing to go out for the day. When I turned toward the window I was startled to see a full grown moose staring in at me! He was beautiful against the autumn leaves, sporting a full rack and looking for all the world like he belonged there.  My kitchen window is half a floor up so you can get an idea of his height.

Thrilled, I called for my husband then ran furiously around the house trying to locate my camera or cell phone. It’s been my experience that these things are never handy in such a situation.  I have missed photographing a bear and a bobcat looking for that elusive camera!

Meanwhile, my husband was standing at the kitchen window, keeping an eye on our visitor. He was totally enjoying the moment. That’s because he doesn’t have a Facebook page.  As I ran past the window going up the stairs I could see him turning away.  It is my belief that he felt the chaotic energy coming from the house.  In my defense, I did have the presence of mind to thank him for coming.

In the days following the moose’s visit to our dooryard, I have thought a lot about how often I miss the moment. Perhaps I am thinking about the perfect quote that will go with the picture I am about to take, or how pretty this view will look on my website. Whatever plan I have for the thing that has captured my attention, more and more it seems to be about social network sharing.  It’s impossible to be present while doing this.

This wayward moose taught me some valuable lessons:

  • Be in the moment.
  • Enjoy what you have while it’s still here.
  • Having the experience is far better than having the picture.
  • When a moose comes to visit honor his presence by being present.

I never did get the picture. He was heading up the mountain when I finally found the camera. At least my husband had the full experience. Guess I learned something from my husband too.

The irony is not lost on me that this article will appear on a blog.  The photo is a stock photo.

Kelly McDermott-Burns

Lessons from the Tiger Buddhas

TiggerEvery February for the past three years I have had the most incredible opportunity to visit a wildlife sanctuary in Apopka, Florida, The C.A.R.E. Wildlife Sanctuary.  It is located on a beautiful piece of property tucked away in the middle of rural Florida amongst the trees.  C.A.R.E. houses two bears, two black leopards, three tigers, venomous snakes, raccoons, foxes, monkeys, a cougar, a panther, even a variety of barnyard animals.  They are all cared for by an amazing woman named Christin who founded CARE back in 1998.  Of course she has staff and volunteers that help her but when she walks around, the property, the animals only have eyes for her.   If you ever have the pleasure of meeting her you will be as drawn to her as they are.  She is like meeting a powerful warrior princess.  This incredible woman has scars from being bit by every animal imaginable and when sharing her war stories, she will humbly tell you how it was her fault she was bit.  She takes amazing care of each and every animal housed on her property and knows every small detail of their personality. They all exude health and happiness which is a rarity for many sanctuaries and a testament to her love and care.

What brings me here each year is my business partner Kathleen Prasad of Animal Reiki Source. Kathleen teaches a three-day animal Reiki teacher training class once a year at the sanctuary.  I have the incredible honor and job of being her assistant during class and educating the students of the benefits of joining our non-profit, the Shelter Animal Reiki Association (SARA).  CARE is an official SARA shelter which means they are open to animal Reiki and happily allow it to be offered to the animals by SARA members.

Although each of the animals at CARE is amazing in their special way, for me the two Bengal tigers, Tigger and Punkin, are the draw.   As soon as I arrive I run to the back of the property to sit with them and enjoy their overwhelmingly powerful energy.  There is simply nothing better in life than those moments I share with the tigers. I am not really a cat person but these cats are an exception.  They have a strength and beauty you can’t help but admire, respect and fear.  All you have to do is be around them at feeding time to realize they can switch from calm to fierce in the blink of an eye, reminding you that as cute as they are, they are still wild animals. If you still don’t get it after witnessing the fierceness at feeding, Christin will be sure to give you a lecture on all the reasons wild animals do not make good pets.   Unfortunately some of the animals at CARE are there because they were being raised as pets and the owners quickly realized they were in over their heads.  Luckily for them, their stories ended well by being rehomed at CARE.

Punkin with her tongue outDuring my first visit to CARE, I was immediately drawn to Tigger and Punkin.  On the first day of class I couldn’t wait to get up to their area and practice Reiki on them.  As a Reiki practitioner I sometimes find myself in the mindset of “I’m going to offer Reiki and make you feel better” which is my ego getting the better of me.  The tigers who are masters at sensing bullshit, immediately corrected me and said “No! You’re going to let go, stop doing, stop feeling sorry for us and see what true Reiki feels like!”  And once I let go of all thoughts of doing and all thoughts of “oh you poor caged tigers”, I was able to connect with them and feel their energy wash over me. In that space of connection it was like riding a wave and feeling completely loved and free.  The strength of it was overwhelming yet it was at the same time calm and peaceful.  If I had to paint of a picture of the feeling it would be of a beautiful sunset with the sky bathed in deep orange, red and pink.  The kind of sunset that takes your breath away and you hope never ends.  As I sat with them in the Reiki space, I let go of all worries, all thoughts of doing and immediately was in a place of just being.  They reminded me that this is what the true nature of Reiki is – being without thought or expectation.  For a control freak like me, on my own this is a very hard concept to grasp but in their presence it was easy and natural.

Their energy is addictive and impossible to leave but eventually leave you must and it is with a very heavy heart when you do.  Luckily with Reiki I found I could easily tap back into that energy and bring them into my meditations to help guide me back to the place of just being.  During the year between our first and second visits, I practiced with them on a regular basis.  I felt so blessed and thankful to have such amazing Reiki teachers. Tigger and Punkin are masters on the level of Buddha.  Actually, I can’t help but think he would fall short too!

The year between my first visit and second visit seemed like a lifetime but finally, February 2012 arrived and Kathleen and I were back at CARE!  We were both excited and anxious to see if the animals would have any memory of us at all. Although our hopes were high our expectations were low. As great as we might think we are, we know from personal experience animals will be the first to pop your ego and let you know you’re really not!

Our first visit was to Makoto, a beautiful black leopard who just happened to be a man-eater. Yes, a true, “I would just as soon as eat you as look at you” kind of a leopard.  No one could believe Christin took this boy on but she did and in her care he was at least manageable for her. But for the rest of us lowly people, he only had contempt.  The year before, Makoto had made a very special connection with Kathleen which had been surprising given his nature and history.  During the year between our visits, Kathleen had been connecting with Makoto through Reiki to help her find the strength to not only beat cancer but to live and thrive.   For her, this first visit was unique because she wanted to thank him for all he had done to get her through the darkest moments of her life.

Quietly we walked up to his cage where he sat still, looking at us out of the corner of his eye.  Kathleen started talking to him sweetly and thanking him for all he had done.  Makoto turned and looked into her eyes and then started sniffing the air.  He tried to stick his nose out of the cage to get a better smell.  And then the most amazing thing happened.  He started purring and rubbing his head on the cage like a domestic cat happy to see his partner! Wait, isn’t this the man-eating leopard that tolerates no one?  To say we were shocked at his response to her is a huge understatement.

Punkin
Punkin

After some much needed Makoto love for Kathleen, we were off to the tigers.  I could barely contain myself!  As we walked up the path to their area we started talking to them. They immediately jumped off their perches and came to the fence where they started chuffing – a sound they make when they see a friend – and rubbing their bodies on the fences close to us.  What a wonderful hello and welcome back!  It was such an amazing feeling to know these beautiful beings remembered us and were so happy to be seeing us again!

That visit and our most recent visit with them made me realize that when I let go and connect with my heart to the tigers’ hearts in the meditation space, they are really truly feeling it as much as I am.  Of course this is something I always tried to believe, wanted to believe, but my ego always had reasons why it may not be possible.  Their response to me removed any and all doubt.  They let me know they felt the connection as deeply as I did.  It was such an amazing lesson to know that in the space of connection, there really doesn’t exist any time or space.  In that space of heart connection, you are truly together.   So profound yet so simple. It was this lesson that made me realize Tigger and Punkin were the real teachers and that I was just a student who had a lot to learn.

Tigger

Looking into the eyes of a tiger is an incredibly humbling experience.  There is no hiding your insecurities, weaknesses and dishonesty. They see you for exactly who you are and if you come to them with an agenda, they will quickly let you know they are playing no part of that.  Like true masters, they teach you to be mindful of the precepts.  Do not come to us with anger or worry. Be humble, honest and compassionate to yourself and others.  If you are anything but, the tigers will show you their backs and insist you do not bother them again until you can sit in their space without ego.  I wish I could say I have never been reprimanded by Tigger and Punkin or felt their cold disconnect, but I am human and needy and in practicing the honesty precept I will share that I have once or twice gone to them with an agenda expecting them to look at me and do their cute chuffing sound and make me feel special.  Unfortunately, tigers, much like homies, don’t play that game.  They give you a disdainful look for a quick second before they turn and pretend you are nothing but a pesky fly.  If you have never been dissed by a tiger, be glad. It is a very humiliating feeling!

A few months have passed since my last visit but every day I am with them in my meditations.  When I close my eyes and let go of the day’s worries, I connect to them with my heart and feel their powerful energy bring me to a quiet place where my body and heart start to heal. They generously offer this beautiful space where I can connect and experience, if only for a moment, what it feels like to really live in the precepts. A human teacher may be able to offer this too, but the animals bring it to you in a way that allows you to experience this lesson with every cell in your being.

If you ever have a chance to get to CARE (and really you have no excuse not to since Kathleen offers a class there every year!), be sure to take a moment and sit with Tigger and Punkin.  You will find yourself in the presence of two beautiful Buddhas whose looks fill you with a sense of peace and love you never knew existed.

Namaste.

Leah D’Ambrosio

If you were inspired by this story and would like to help Tigger and Punkin and the other animals at CARE, please visit www.carefoundation.org. 

Kathleen Prasad of Animal Reiki Source will be offering another Shinpiden Animal Reiki Teacher Training course in February 2014.  For more information, please visit www.animalreikisource.com. 

About the author: Leah is the Vice President of the Shelter Animal Reiki Association (SARA). She has taught animal Reiki classes at the Humane Society Silicon Valley, the Homeless Cat Network, Rabbit Haven and offers regular classes at Pregnant Mare Rescue in Aptos, California. She is currently teaching the SARA Animal Reiki for Reiki Practitioners teleclass. Leah is available for in person animal Reiki treatments.

Frosty, the Reiki Dog

FrostyI wasn’t looking for a dog. I was quite happy and content with seven unique cats. (Yes, you could say I live in a cathouse). I certainly didn’t anticipate a little dog to come into my life, teaching me to look at my Reiki practice and The Precepts in ever new ways. But let me back up a bit.

I had been volunteering Reiki at a wildlife refuge, for almost two years when Beth, the founder, came up to me and said, “I was at the shelter and one of the people said he was trying to use more natural and holistic ways of calming the dogs down and I told him about you and Reiki. Give him a call”. So I did.
Mike had two particular dogs in mind to work with; Serafina, a very sweet, incredibly shy lab mix, and Frosty, a Jack Russell Terrier/Chihuahua mix, who would nip at people and would circle her kennel endlessly.

After working with Serafina for two visits, she was less shy and was adopted by a nice family. Frosty, who had been in shelter/foster environments for almost two years, was still there. I was warned when I went to work with her” “Don’t pet her, even if she jumps in your lap, she’ll bite”. Volunteers were afraid of her. At one point, one person mentioned that someone recommended having all of her teeth pulled so she would be more adoptable. As it was, she could not be in a home with children or other dogs. For a couple of sessions I worked with her right outside of her kennel. Then we moved into a room, away from the barking and distractions of all the other dogs. She would circle the room and then settle in my lap, sigh and fall asleep. She would put her head under my hand and stay very still.

As the weeks went by, I offered Reiki to all the animals and watched as many were adopted. I wasn’t tempted to adopt any of them because, 1) the shelter was very careful about who adopted, so I knew they would be okay and 2) it is a No-Kill shelter, so there not a deadline, so to speak. Still, it is hard on animals to be a shelter, no matter how kind the people are.

Frosty started to be more affectionate to me and I started to have a nagging thought to maybe adopt her. (I’d have to make sure my landlord wouldn’t mind, that she and the cats would get along, etc.). Then Frosty went into a foster home. I asked how it was going and it sounded like he was going to adopt her. He had one cat and a bird and I thought it would be great for Frosty. And I didn’t have to disrupt my calm little life.

Then, after a month in the foster home, I came to the shelter and Frosty was back in the kennel. For personal reasons, her foster dad was unable to keep her. She looked heartbroken. I was heartbroken for her.

I kept working with her and learned that she didn’t just bite or snap out of the blue, she gave very clear warnings, if you were paying attention. I began to think about adoption becoming a reality.

I checked with my landlord (he said okay) and we had several home visits to see how Frosty would be with the cats and vice versa. So far, so good.
I adopted Frosty at the end of November.

So this 5-7 year old dog, who had been a stray, then in a kill shelter, rescued to a no-kill shelter and had been in two foster homes, with back and knee problems, was now my dog. I had not had a dog before.

Thank God for The Precepts! For Today Only is the only way to live when everyone is learning to adjust to changes in household! I learned that I have to get up a bit earlier so that Frosty can have her morning walk and take care of bathroom issues. (I recently saw a cartoon with a dog talking about its person saying: “She seems nice enough, but when we go on a walk, she steals my poop!”) The cats learned they had a new housemate, and tried to graciously welcome her. Sometimes Frosty was equally gracious, sometimes, not so much. A couple of times she chased a cat into another room and then I’d hear a hiss, followed by a yelp and Frosty running back with a scratch across her nose. Another time, Frosty was trotting thru the house, leash trailing behind her, when she came to an abrupt stop. I investigated and there were seven cats all sitting on her leash. Frosty doesn’t hold a grudge, doesn’t plot to get those evil kitties. In fact, she will sometimes give them a big, sloppy kiss. And I will often find them all curled up on the bed together.

Frosty, with all of her past pain, lives each day without worrying or fear. There is only today. What happened a month ago is over. How she ended up in the streets doesn’t matter. And there is not the slightest sign that she is concerned about the next minute, let alone the next day. She savors each moment, with a look of “Isn’t this the most amazing day ever– don’t you see it”?! She is a very happy dog; she will come in after a walk and roll around on the floor in sheer joy!

One day, coming home from a walk in the neighborhood, I heard a low growl and looked up to see a very big dog loose, with no owner to be seen. The dog looked at Frosty and charged. I got Frosty up onto my trash can, opened my door and got her inside while holding off the big dog. (The dog was not the least bit interested in me, I was in no danger, Frosty was). The dog took off and I went inside to a concerned Frosty. I sat down and started crying from the stress, and Frosty came over and started licking my face and sat in my lap. She showed me such compassion and simply was present with me and let me be, as she simply was herself, fully present to me and fully present with me.

Frosty shows me The Precepts in being fully present in the moment. I realized I was more rigid than I had thought, attached to a particular way of doing things (or to sleeping an extra hour). She teaches me to let go, to breathe, to dive into the now. I look at the snow falling in a different way; I always thought it was beautiful, but to see Frosty dive into the snow and tunnel her way out makes me laugh out loud. There is newness in everything when you see with fresh eyes. The Precepts tell us that, that’s why “For Today Only” is so important, it is the only time, the only moment, so it is ever new. Frosty lives this, without pretense, in an utterly free way; no worries about if it is correct or if she is correct. She simply is; no worries, no apologies, no angst. And I am learning and feeling lighter and freer as I continue to learn from Frosty, Reiki Dog and Teacher.

Kris Azzarello – Shelter Animal Reiki Association Teacher

A Plea to Help Our Wild Horses

I am writing this on what, according to the ASPCA, is National Horse Protection Day. Which is somewhat ironic, because I woke up this morning to read yet another story about more of wild horses being rounded up and removed from their homes. The pictures were heartbreaking. The eyewitness accounts even more so.

Wild Mustang RoundupIt seems like almost every day I am getting these emails from people I know who are working tirelessly to stop the massive removal of these magnificent animals from their homelands. Wild horses have roamed our countryside for hundreds of year. Yet now, under the direction of the government, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is staging nationwide roundups of wild horses so they can turn over the land to cattle ranchers. While I have never witnessed a roundup live, friends of mine have. I have seen harrowing pictures and video and heard tragic stories. Once they are captured, the lucky horses are saved by rescue groups and sent to sanctuaries. They will never again roam free, but they are safe. The unlucky ones are sent to feedlots where they are held in small pens indefinitely or possibly shipped to slaughter.

In my opinion, this is unacceptable and must be stopped. And as Reiki practitioners, I believe we can do something about it.

After I read the most recent roundup story this morning, I sat down to do my morning Reiki session and decided to send Reiki to the horses who had been captured and their family members who were left behind. As I started to connect to them, I felt their pain. I felt their terror and fear. It broke my heart. I started to cry and tears continued to run down my face as I continued to send them love and what comfort I could. I could not tell them “You are loved, you are safe…” because I don’t know if they are safe. I could only tell them that I sent them love, I saw them, I recognized them, I wanted to help them, and I appreciated them for the magnificent beings that they are. As I did this, I felt their energy shift. I felt the love being returned to me. After all they had been through, THEY were sending love and comfort to me. It was wonderful and beautiful and heartbreaking all at the same time.

And it made me more determined than ever to do all I can to help them.

I have been thinking for some time about starting healing circles, where Reiki practitioners and other energy workers can get together to work as a group on particular animal issues – one issue at a time. I’m putting this in motion now, and I intend to start with the wild horses.

I know many SARA members volunteer at horse sanctuaries. I know whenever I do Reiki with any horse, it is a healing experience for me. They heal me as well as teach me. They help open and heal my heart. They are incredibly loving, healing and giving. And they need our help.

Kathleen and Leah always tell us that when you work on one animal, you can have an impact on all animals and how they are treated. Imagine the impact we could have if we all focused a little bit of our time and energy to help the horses.

I think it would be wonderful if SARA members could include the wild horses in our Reiki sessions. I am going to do this as often as I can. We can include those horses who have been captured, those who were left behind, and those who remain at risk of being captured. We can send Reiki to the entire situation and hold the vision of a day when our horses are left alone and allowed to run free, as they should be.

(A friend of mine, another SARA member, is working on getting a list of dates of future scheduled roundups. We could send Reiki at that particular time and place also. If anyone is interested in that information, or any other information about what is happening with the wild horses, please feel free to contact me directly at [email protected].)

I hope we can all consider joining forces and sending some of our Reiki love and energy to the wild horses. I know it will help. I know we can make a difference. And I know, regardless of what happens, the horses will feel it and it will help them. And, as never fails when working with animals, we ourselves will get healing in the process.

Cathy O’Brien

A Spiritual Blessing for Charlie

Can or should animals receive reiju, the spiritual blessing ritual? Let me recount what happened recently and then you decide.

CharlieCharlie, a handsome white cat with bright jade eyes, came into my family’s life last summer. His owner, an aged German lady named Millicent, refused to be taken to the hospital by the town ambulance service unless she was given assurance that her cat would be taken care of. The managers of the service, Lisa and Jerry, both animal lovers, agreed to take care of the kitty and went to the house to feed him daily. But neither of them could take another animal into their homes. Looking for a solution, Lisa turned to my partner Carol, a part-time medic, for ideas. The upshot was that Carol and I agreed to foster the cat and adopt him if Millicent didn’t return home.. We dubbed him Charlie, got him a collar and tag, and welcomed him into our home. He immediately took over and proved to be a people lover, if not a lover of our other cats. Several weeks later, Charlie had a forever home with us.

The little guy wanted to be a part of our daily routine, inquisitively following us about and climbing up on everything. Part of my routine as a Reiki and Animal Reiki teacher is to practice Reiju regularly, usually to an empty dining room chair. Usually I imagine someone sitting there. That is, a human sitting there. While I regularly offer Reiki to my critters, I hadn’t given any thought to whether animals could or should receive Reiju. One morning as I faced an empty chair and began the ritual, Charlie jumped up and sat there attentively. It seemed to me that he wanted whatever I was offering. So I went ahead and completed the ritual.

While I think the ritual itself is for us and that animals don’t regard that aspect quite the way we do, I believe they can benefit from receiving such a blessing, just as they can benefit from a Reiki treatment. Charlie seemed to enjoy it. Possibly he passed the word to the other cats, because soon afterwards Becky my supersized tiger jumped up on the chair as I prepared to offer Reiju.

Have any of your readers offered Reiju to a pet or thought of doing so? I’d like to hear the experiences and opinions of others.

Diane Anderson
Shelter Animal Reiki Association Teacher

Reiki Beyond the Chain Link

Reiki Beyond the Chain Link8 years have passed since I rescued my beloved dog, named Deeds, from the Tulsa Animal Shelter. Inspired by him, and the benefits of offering Reiki to shelter animals, this time I returned to teach my very first SARA Level I Reiki & Animal Reiki class.

It was the end of the second day of our class. Here I stood outside with my 7 students circled around me. This group of open and compassionate people included the Shelter Director, Veterinarian, a Vet Tech, the Adoption Coordinator, a Shelter Volunteer and 2 of my dear friends who have supported through my own Reiki journey.

The sun was setting; my student’s eyes were closed in meditation, as I was performing my 4th initiation with them. One by one, I peered into their faces. Something had changed, shifted. There was a visible peace and calm about them, about me, in the midst of the sounds of barking dogs playing outside beyond the chain link. Along with the muffled sounds of dogs barking in the shelter building, I was reminded of where I was and of so many homeless animals in need. I depended on all the Reiki breathing techniques, symbols and mantras I had learned and practiced to keep me focused and grounded. Calm and balanced, we all had created a space to allow healing to occur in this moment and we were holding it for one another. I experienced a beautiful connection with my students, despite the distractions.

Our faithful class dog, named Nolan, was resting on his bed in the center of the circle. A recent pit bull stray, brought in with a broken leg, his ribs were visible and his face was scratched. Yet, in this Reiki healing circle, I only felt his balanced state of being as he rested there among us. His blue cast was decorated by a green heart, which had lovingly been taped on by the staff. His grateful presence and loving spirit humbled me. He had soaked up all the Reiki love and healing created by our group during both days of our class. In return he was opening up our hearts for healing and supporting me as a “newbie” teacher!

Nolan was truly my co-teacher this weekend, showing the students on day 1 the peaceful effects that Reiki had on him. He took in Reiki like a sponge and showed them what a “Reiki nap” truly looks like. My teacher, Kathleen Prasad has continued to tell me, “ The animals will come to you, Karren. “ Nolan was another validation for this truth…

Now that the Reiki seeds of hope have been planted, I trust that these seeds will bloom and grow in me, the staff, volunteers at the Tulsa Animal Shelter and people of our community. As one of my students wrote to me after our class, “It only takes a spark to get a fire going!” Reiki to the Rescue!

Karren O’Sullivan
Shelter Animal Reiki Association Teacher

A Gift from Pete: Experiencing the Circle of Healing

In 2012, I twice had the honor of sharing Reiki with a sweet 10 year old Shetland pony named Pete. Through a beautiful two-way connection each time, Pete gave me a gift; he taught me the power of the “circle of healing” through Reiki.

PetePete lives at a barn near Green Bay, WI, with a wonderful family, about 10 horses and a couple of mini horses, a place where he receives a lot of love and attention. Pete’s life has not always been so idyllic. Pete came to live with Diane from a place where he was most likely abused and not well-cared for. It seems that Pete received little attention; he was kept in his stall most of the time; and his stall was rarely cleaned. These people really did not want Pete, and luckily for him, Diane was willing to give him a loving home. As a result of his past, Pete had lost trust in humans and responded very cautiously and fearfully when people came near him or tried to ride or interact with him.

I offered Reiki to Pete in the pasture he shares with the two mini horses. At first, Pete was very shy and guarded around me. As I created the Reiki space and invited him to join me, he moved away from me towards the edge of the bubble, his tail swishing. But, Pete stayed; as we shared this beautiful space of Reiki energy, I could feel Pete become more and more relaxed and mellow. At one point he did move away for a minute, but he soon came back and stood next to me. His head dropped, he began chewing and his eyes closed. Then, he gently leaned his body against mine. Pete was totally relaxed and part of the energy; he was no longer concerned about what was happening around him. There was just a beautiful energetic connection between us, which we shared for a few minutes.

As I was talking with Diane after the treatment, Pete came over to stand by me and to nuzzle his face against me. Diane commented, “He really likes you!” A couple days later, Diane reported that she was playing with Pete in the arena with all of the horse toys. For the first time, Pete was not scared and thoroughly enjoyed himself. I was honored to have this opportunity to connect with Pete and assist him on his journey to overcome the fears of his past.

But the story does not end here……

About six months later, Alan and I were asked by a friend to come to the same barn to offer her horse a Raindrop treatment. On that particular day, I was not in a good state of mind; I was stressed and overwhelmed; I was definitely not following the five precepts. I even forgot to bring my barn boots and didn’t have shoes appropriate for the barn. I told myself that I should have stayed home. Our friend suggested that she would bring her horse outside for the treatment since it was a nice day; I asked Alan to apply the Raindrop treatment since I was not prepared. We happened to be right next to the pasture that Pete shares with the mini horses.

When Pete saw me, he quickly came over to the fence, looking very intently at me. I didn’t go over to him right away, but he stayed there grazing. After a few minutes, I realized that Pete was calling me to come over to him, so I approached the fence to say “hi”. As I stood there with him rubbing his nose and muzzle, I felt this warm energy surrounding me; I felt my demeanor shift; I felt the stress melt away; I felt calmer; and I felt this strong connection with Pete. We stood there sharing the Reiki space for about 10-15 minutes. It was so peaceful!

Pete gave me a beautiful gift that sunny fall day, a gift that definitely was not expected. Pete created a Reiki connection with me, he offered me that space of balance and harmony that I so needed. He helped me to feel better and happy that I did not stay at home (and happy that I forgot my boots!).

Reiki really is a gift, a two-way gift. When we truly connect with animals and open our hearts, we have the opportunity to experience the “circle of healing”, either in the same treatment or over multiple treatments. We not only help the animals through Reiki, but they in turn help us. I want to thank Pete for trusting me, for connecting with me and for giving me this beautiful gift.

Ann Noyce, Animal Reiki Teacher

Return to the Popcorn Zoo

The following is a letter from one of the attendees at a recent Animal Reiki class conducted by Bill Stevens. Bill had posted earlier about the first visit to the Popcorn Zoo. This is an account of a return visit by the same two people.

Dear Bill,

Again I want to thank you for an amazing day at Popcorn Zoo and especially for asking that we be allowed to go into the enclosures to see Princess the camel and the mountain lions!

I know you tried to be with us as much as possible, but I wanted you to get the “inside” story according to me!!

Some highlights:

CaesarSeeing Caesar the tiger strong and healthy’ still pacing, but chuffing and purring each time he reached the fence where we were standing.  He seemed to rub his face against the fence to let us know how content he was.  He did not mention feeling stressed about the noise of children to M at all this time;

The parrot in the cage at the office seemed sad, but he did not repeat his story about how someone “took” his wing, so he must have understood the last time we talked to him and explained to him that he was in an accident and it was injured and had to be removed;

There were 3 amazing highlights to our visit:

M and I were standing next to the indoor bird cages and she was giving Reiki to the small female white bird.  She said she was not doing well and was taking in a lot of Reiki.  One of the birds in that area was loudly squawking  and we were telling him to be more quiet and that he was going to be ok.  I walked around to the other side of the cages and one of the birds said “hello” – that was a shock because none of them were talking “out loud” before..then I walked around to see the squawking bird and he stopped and also said “hello” to me.  Then I walked around to check on M and the sick bird and she was feeling much better and doing a little dance and also said “hello”.  I was shocked!  M said they talk when I am around.

PrincessWhen I went in with Carol to see Princess the Camel I was in awe of her size and a little intimidated!  I have always loved camels and could not believe I was going to see one that close and with no fence!  When Carol walked right up to her I was shocked because I had no idea she actually can touch her!  Princess was lying down with her legs tucked under her and she still was the size of a car to me!  Princess reached up her massive head and began to rub her huge head against Carol’s body while Carol rubbed her.  I stood at a distance and was more than happy to just be there, but when Carol said I could come up to Princess and actually touch her I thought it was too good to be true!  To actually have contact with such a huge, beautiful creature was humbling..that she would actually allow a stranger to touch her.  I wondered if she remembered our animal communication session the last time I saw her!  I told M that if she had stood up I would have passed out from sheer excitement of being that close to her!!!

LanceAnother highlight was when we were allowed to go into the inner cage of 2 of the mountain lions.  The male (non dominant one) named Lance immediately ran up to the fence where M was kneeling down and began rubbing his face against the fence and making a lot of happy noises,  He immediately began telling her how happy he was and how wonderful it was to be fed and that he is not hungry anymore, on and on..Then the dominant female Gwen came up – she had been hanging back as would be her dominant nature to check things out from a distance at first before approaching.  When she came up to M she did the same face rubbing on the fence, but the male got a little possessive of his conversation he was having with M and slapped the dominant female a few times.  It got a little tense and we backed away.  It was amazing how the male was so happy to be able to find someone who could hear him talk that he was willing to show aggression against the dominant lion!   He kept saying to M “oh, you can hear me?” and then told her how happy he was over and over.

PixieAnd the 3rd treat of the day for me was Pixie the little monkey!  When we saw her the last time she was shy and told us she did not like children and if we could please throw the peanuts on the top of the cage so they fall down into the cage instead of throwing them against the front of the cage, where they bounce off sometimes and fall to the ground and she can’t reach them!  She was very cute and sweet when we saw her then.  But this time she gave us an amazing gift!  We walked up to her cage and M called her name.  She came running over and really did seem to be thrilled to see us!  So much so that she sat down right in front of us and began to “perform”!  She would raise her eye brows up and down and with her flat top that alone was adorable!!  But she added a little tongue wiggle and placed both of her arms across her chest and stood on her hind legs and did a little dance which included ducking her head and putting it to one side and made a cute little noise.  This performance went on and on and it seemed the more we talked to her the more she played!

Pixie dancingAt one point I called Brother Bill and asked him to come over to see her and as soon as Pixie saw him, she stopped everything and turned into a very normal little money and walked to the back of the cage and started grooming herself.  She would not make eye contact and stayed there while we walked away.  Later before we left I walked up to her cage and there was a girl there who was also getting a “performance” and Pixie continued to perform when I walked up so we started talking and it turns out the girl used to work at the zoo and knows Pixie well and continues to visit her when she can.  She said Pixie does her act for people she knows and trusts, so she much have remembered M and I and that was our reward!

There was a sad moment when we were in the kennel and a very sweet looking younger yellow lab with cuts on his face was trying to tell M that a door hit him in the face, but she told me he was actually hit in the face with the door by his owner..  It broke my heart that he did not even know that his owner caused his pain, but I guess that is better for his heart in the long run.  I hope someone takes him home soon…

So again, thank you for allowing us to go with you and your animal Reiki class.  It was a privilege and an honor to be there.

Love,  K

Reiki Helps a Parrot

Originally published in Reiki News Magazine – Reprinted with permission

When an early morning request arrived with an urgent plea for Reiki for a parrot, I had no idea what an amazing journey was in store for me for the next several weeks. Even though the parrot would ultimately transition, Reiki would provide peace and comfort as well as a temporary rejuvenation for him.

Sydney the Reiki parrot
Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Mills

Sydney was a 13-year-old Quaker parrot that was quite ill. His person, Elizabeth, explained that he had pneumonia, had been having difficulty breathing in the last few days, and that his overall health had taken a downturn several months back.

He was currently being treated with antibiotics and other conventional veterinary medications at one of the local animal clinics, where the vet was somewhat experienced with avian cases. The veterinarian was not sure what had caused the pneumonia and wanted to find out. Further testing may have given more insight into this, but it was quite likely that in his present condition, Sydney would not survive. So Elizabeth hoped the Reiki would be beneficial. If there was no improvement, the vet had already discussed the option of euthanasia within the next few days.

Elizabeth asked if I would meet her at the clinic to give Sydney a Reiki session. I met her there and was appreciative that the staff was accepting of a holistic practitioner coming in to work with the parrot. In fact, they had graciously set up a small, unused exam room that we could use. The parrot was in a glass habitat that kept the temperature comfortably warm for him in order to aid his ability to breathe and hopefully recover.

I explained to Elizabeth that since energy knows no bounds, it would flow to Sydney even if I did not touch him. She was understanding of this. Elizabeth stayed with me. We each sat in a chair nearby. I spoke softly to the sweet Quaker parrot and explained that I would be offering him Reiki, which was healing energy for his Highest Good. I let him know he could take as much or as little energy as he wished.

He seemed very open and receptive to the energy, and stayed on his perch, calmly watching and soaking up the Reiki. He kept an eye on me, and relaxed into the session. He appeared to be dozing, yet still his eyes would curiously blink open to check on me. At one point, he became more alert and did a bit of grooming with his feathers, but then relaxed again. That first session was quite powerful, and I could feel he was drawing in so much energy.

There was a time toward the end of the treatment that I felt as if my heart was suddenly connected to his. Tears welled in my eyes as I felt an intense surge of emotion. It was a beautiful sensation. I thanked Sydney for allowing me to connect with him in this way, and for being a partner in the healing process.

As I stood up to leave, Elizabeth played a bit of “peekaboo” with the parrot and he happily replied, saying “peekaboo” back to her. I could see that he was a little more energetic. Later on that day, Elizabeth reported that Sydney had shown definite improvement, was playing and dancing, and had taken a very exhilarating bath.

I went back the next day, and Elizabeth stopped by to give me an update and set me up in the same room. She had to return to work so it was just Sydney and me for this session. Sydney seemed happy to see me. As soon as the energy started flowing, he became quite relaxed and receptive. He snoozed while still keeping an eye on me. I believe he almost went into a meditative state, and I could clearly feel that he was drawing in much healing energy.

Toward the end of the session, Sydney became more alert and began to eat several edamame beans that had been provided for him. Then he went back to his relaxed pose. When I stood up to leave and say good-bye, he became more awake, and I spoke to him for a few minutes. He seemed quite intent and focused, almost as if he understood my words.

Elizabeth called me the next morning, relieved that Sydney was going to be able to come home! She asked me to come to the house that same afternoon for an additional session. You can imagine my astonishment and delight to find that Sydney had a feisty, youthful female parrot partner named Coco. Coco is about three and is quite exuberantly vocal with parrot calls and communication. Elizabeth had explained that prior to my arrival, the two had just shared a warm and joyful reunion after this week apart. It was clear that they were extremely bonded, nuzzling and grooming each other, and chattering happily.

A spare bedroom had been optimally set up climate-wise at a temperature of 80 degrees with a humidifier providing moisture. There was even some soft, new age music playing! (Elizabeth is such a devoted and loving parrot parent.)

I sat on a chair near the cage, my hands palms-up in my lap. I called in the flow of Reiki energy, and then imagined myself in a sunlit jungle sitting amidst the trees with these beautiful birds perched nearby, and went into a light state of meditation. Both parrots watched me intently. Sydney was knowing and welcoming to the energy, confidently coming to the front of the cage. Coco was curious but stayed up on the perch further back. She was screeching loudly every few seconds.

At one point Elizabeth removed Coco from the cage, thinking the session would be more focused and peaceful for Sydney with Coco downstairs. But the amount of squawking that took place let us know in no uncertain terms that the Quakers wanted to be together. So Coco was returned to the cage.

Sydney relaxed into the Reiki, staying at the front of the cage. After a little bit, Coco joined him and for the last part of the session became calmer, gently nuzzling Sydney and relaxing by his side. I could feel the energy flowing particularly strongly.

Overall, I felt such a sense of peace and happiness emanating from the pair of parrots that my own spirits were uplifted and soaring on light, joyful wings!

After the session, Elizabeth helped Sydney onto my finger so I could hold him for a moment, and I was delighted with this little physical connection. She then took him and asked him to give me a kiss. As she brought him close to my face, I received the sweetest little parrot kiss and was so touched.

I heard from Elizabeth at the end of the week and she was concerned because Sydney was again having some breathing difficulties. Since it was near the weekend, she brought him into the animal hospital (her regular vet was closed) so he could receive additional oxygen and get his injections of antibiotic for the weekend.

On Sunday night, I offered Sydney a distant healing session, which I felt him strongly accepting. The next morning he was able to actually go back home with Elizabeth, and she requested that I come for a fourth in-person session. However, at this time, Elizabeth kept him in his own cage because Coco’s youthful exuberance seemed to be too much for him. So, Sydney was in his cage on top of a dresser and Coco was in her cage on the floor. Sydney was happy to see me. Though he seemed a little weak, I sensed his very strong and joyful spirit. Elizabeth had informed me that he was not eating or drinking very much, but he did eat a little bit toward the end of his session. He accepted much healing energy, remaining at the front of his cage, very calm and relaxed throughout. Afterward, Elizabeth offered him some berry juice, which he sipped quite eagerly.

The next day, Elizabeth wrote to me with some good news: Sydney was much improved and eating and drinking normally. She had taken him to the regular vet to continue with the vaccine antibiotic, and the vet was quite amazed with how energetic and talkative Sydney was, compared to the previous week. He still detected some congestion in his lungs.

Elizabeth had already been interested in learning Reiki herself, and had planned on taking my Reiki Level I class the previous Saturday. However, since Sydney had ended up on oxygen, she had postponed it. She now wished to take it as soon as possible so she could continue helping Sydney on her own. After I had shared the teachings and attuned her, we both worked with the parrots. We sat on the floor in their room and offered them healing energy.

Elizabeth continued with daily Reiki sessions and even sent me some uplifting videos she took of Sydney happily playing and building with little wooden sticks! It is remarkable the way Reiki helped Sydney rally for several weeks to have some additional quality time with Elizabeth and Coco. Though Elizabeth was secretly hoping for a miracle of complete recovery, I also know that in her heart she was preparing for however Sydney’s journey might unfold, as I think she suspected it might be his time to pass.

At one point Sydney began to be in distress again. The regular vet was not available so Sydney was sent to an avian specialist in New York City, where an X-ray revealed that he had an extremely enlarged heart, a congenital physical condition that was not curable, and minutes after the X-ray, Sydney made his transition. While there, Elizabeth made the acquaintance of a recently rescued male Quaker parrot, who had been found in very bad shape somewhere in Manhattan. He had been nursed back to health by the veterinary staff, and was now ready to be adopted. His story touched Elizabeth’s heart, and she decided that she would be his new mom, and that Coco would benefit from the companionship of another parrot to help ease her sorrow about losing Sydney. Though Elizabeth knew she would grieve for Sydney, she felt it would be a special tribute to him to give another parrot a loving home.

Elizabeth shared with me that she truly felt that having Reiki in her life at this particular point in time helped her handle this challenging end-of-life stage of Sydney’s with greater ease, understanding and peacefulness. For me, this entire odyssey of offering healing energy to a sweet winged creature showed me once again that Reiki works in such remarkable, mysterious and heartwarming ways.

Sheryl Schlameuss Berger

Feral Cats Appreciate Reiki Too!

For several days Cinnamon, a semi-feral cat, had a high-shrieking hacking cough like he had a stubborn hairball wanting to come out; yet at the same time he was rapidly losing weight, becoming lethargic, and drinking lots of water. After several days, I finally asked his persons if I may offer Animal Reiki to him. They replied, “Please do!”

CinnamonWith Cinnamon’s permission, I offered him Reiki from a short distance while he lay on the grass. He continued to cough throughout the entire fifteen minute session. The following day his person commented that he seemed to be doing better. Cinnamon asked for hands-on Reiki this time. His coughing was only intermittent throughout the fifteen minute session. He shared with me that his stomach was feeling poisoned as well as he was being poisoned. I silently acknowledged his statement. While offering Reiki for him, I noticed a strong pull of energy from my back to the Diamond T truck behind me.

When Cinnamon was finished, I went to investigate to see why. Cinnamon’s feral sister, Sassy, was sitting upright behind the front left tire with a stream of fresh blood coming out of her left nostril. YIKES! She shared that she was being poisoned too!
It was also apparent that she had lost her unborn kittens. I thanked her and ran inside to Google my findings: cats and bloody nose and poison. Every link came up with “rat poison” and “take to a vet immediately” as well as a listing all of the symptoms that I have observed from the two. With this information, I told the persons that it is highly recommended to take them to the vet right away.

Cinnamon and SassyAs I was speaking, I noticed that both cats were lying together in the grass. I sat down a few feet from them to offer Reiki again. I could get a sense that their bodies were literally merging with Mother Earth’s energy to become one. I also felt a tremendous sense of grounding energy for myself as I sat in the Reiki space with them. It was a very humbling and powerful sensation.

The following day, Sassy was walking around, clearly feeling better. Her eyes were bright as well as her walking gait was stronger. What was even more amazing, she wanted me to sit less than a foot away to offer more Reiki while she merged with Mother Earth’s energy within minutes of us starting. Cinnamon came over with his eyes shining and head held up high and sat down to join us. He only coughed twice during this fifteen minute session.

A couple days later, Cinnamon wanted to sit on my lap for direct hands-on Reiki around his throat. Again, the session only lasted fifteen minutes. Each time I offered them Reiki, I let them lead in how long they want the session.

I’m happy to report that both cats are doing well. They have gained their weight back and Cinnamon’s cough has completely disappeared. Sassy has returned to her happy feral self. No one can get nearer than two feet from her. Cinnamon can be picked up and be held for a few minutes; yet his new favorite thing is to lay by your feet. They continue to pass time lying on the grass together which brings a smile to me knowing how close to death they were; yet here they are…loving their time together.

Camille Pukay
SARA Teacher
Animal Reiki Teacher
Animal Communicator
Animal Reiki Divine, LLC

BrightHaven: Home for Special Animals, Invaluable Resource for the Rest of Us

Brighthaven HorsesI recently had the pleasure of spending a weekend doing Reiki with rescued horses at BrightHaven Animal Rescue.  Located in the Northern California town of Santa Rosa, BrightHaven is an amazing place, and I find myself wanting to tell everyone about it.  First and foremost, it is a home for senior, disabled and terminally ill animals.  All the animals there are at least 16 years old; the horses are all over the age of 26.  Founded by Gail and Richard Pope in 1990, BrightHaven is their home also.  Indoors you will see many senior cats and dogs – some partially paralyzed.  Some of the dogs can be seen tearing around the back yard on their “wheels,” almost as fast as any dog you’ve ever seen.

There are over 25 horses at BrightHaven.  Some are direct BrightHaven rescues.  Others were rescued by Sadie’s Haven, a nonprofit horse rescue and sanctuary.  All would have ended up sold for slaughter if it weren’t for Sadie’s Haven and BrightHaven.  Instead, they will live out their natural lives in this wonderful haven, surrounded with peace and love.

Brighthaven GoatA goat also makes her home at BrightHaven, as well as some ducks, geese, and I just don’t even know who else.  It is truly a safe haven for all.

All animals at BrightHaven are provided with a natural diet and holistic health care…including Reiki!  As a result, animals tend to have unusually long life spans – up to 30 years for cats and 23 years for dogs.

In addition to a home for the animals, BrightHaven is also a healing arts center and is an amazing resource for those of us interested in holistic and natural animal care.  They offer seminars, consulting services and educational events on the subject of holistic and natural care for animals.  Their website includes an extensive library of articles on an amazing variety of subjects around holistic healthcare, alternative healing therapies, and hospice care for animals.  They even have holistic healthcare products for sale.

Brighthaven CatAs someone who has been struggling with health issues of my aging cats for the last several years, I am amazed and humbled by the efforts of Gail and Richard.  I know first hand how difficult it is when your animals get older and have special needs.  I’m sure many of you do, too.  How they care for so many “special needs” animals through the end of life transition is beyond my capacity to imagine. And the care and love that the animals at BrightHaven receive is beyond description.

I encourage you all to visit the BrightHaven website for more information on their sanctuary, their educational programs, and the vast array of information available there.  (Website information given below.)  If you are interested in visiting, they are having an Open House on Sunday, September 23 from 1-4 p.m.  I also encourage you, if you are so inclined, to make a donation to BrightHaven and/or Sadie’s Haven.  They are doing amazing work that is only possible through the generosity of people like you and me.

By the way, if you are interested in learning Reiki for Animals, my teacher, Kathleen Prasad, teaches classes at BrightHaven.  I guarantee you this will be an experience you will not forget.

For more information:

BrightHaven:   www.brighthaven.org
Sadie’s Haven:   www.sadieshaven.com

Cathy O’Brien
SARA Reiki Practitioner

Riri – A Very Different Perspective on Using Animal Reiki

Wendy & PepeA lovely, beautiful tanned coloured American Pit Bull had just been delivered to the shelter where I volunteered.  She had been found wandering the streets, and the person who found her, delivered her to us.  She was named Chloe and it was obvious “Chloe” had recently had pups but she was in excellent condition.

Unfortunately that week I was too busy to have a Reiki session with her but I worked with her the following week and during this Reiki session I discovered she hated the name Chloe and was, in fact, refusing all attempts at interacting with the shelter staff due to this.  I picked up that her name started with the letter “R” and said this to a lovely New Zealand vet who worked at the shelter then.  She renamed Chloe “Riri”, which was a New Zealand name.  Riri loved her new name and began to interact with the shelter staff.

I had also picked up that Riri had been used as a breeding dog and had continually had her pups taken from her.  The last litter was taken away at birth and disposed of due to the bad publicity American Pit Bulls were receiving in Australia (the breed was being illegally imported into Australia for dog fighting and also a number of children had been badly savaged by them).  Riri was devastated by the loss of her puppies and had been looking for them when found and delivered to the shelter.

I continued to work with Riri and found her to be a beautiful, intelligent dog but she could not stop looking for her puppies.  There was also another, horrible problem.  Riri did not get on with any of the other shelter dogs, in fact, whenever Riri was walked passed the dogs, the other dogs would lunge and bark profusely at her and of course Riri would retaliate.  This was not a good sign and it continued to get worse.  Riri began to lose weight and would sometimes be aggressive to some shelter staff but Riri was always the perfect lady with me as well as the New Zealand vet.

After a couple of months of working with Riri, unfortunately due to her aggressiveness with other dogs/shelter staff and because of her breed, it was decided Riri had to be PTS (Put To Sleep).  This decision is not taken lightly as we try very hard to rehabilitate all animals that come to us.

I was asked to assist in putting Riri to sleep and this I did readily.  Riri was brought from her pen into the clinic and she behaved in such a lady-like manner.  As the injection was prepared, I held Riri and told her what a beautiful girl she was and what a privilege it was to know her as I gave her Reiki one last time.  Very gently she fell asleep while receiving her Reiki, which she loved, and then I “saw” a small, darkish, male puppy come to her.  He was the same colour as her ears and I knew it was one of the puppies she had so longingly looked for.  At last Riri was reunited with at least one of her pups, which is all she ever wanted.  I knew she was finally at peace.  Although Reiki was unable to rehabilitate Riri into a new home, it gave Riri the most important thing to her, her beloved puppy.

Wendy Williams
SARA Practitioner

In Memory of Harley: Reiki Hog, Teacher and Ambassador of Joy

Harley, BrightHaven’s beautiful 800-lb. black and white pig, passed away on July 11, 2012. He will be so missed by everyone at BrightHaven, by me, and also by so many of my students. My sincere sympathy and love to Gail, Richard, Fray and all the BrightHaven family. He was such an amazing soul; I wanted to write a little about him for those of you who didn’t get the opportunity to meet him in person.

Reiki With HarleyYou may remember Harley from his appearance in my first book Animal Reiki. When I first met Harley, in 2005, he was still up and walking around, but a bit unstable on his feet. For the last few years he has been a paraplegic. So many students would come to work with him and think, “Oh that poor pig can’t walk.” But over and over again after sitting with him for a Reiki treatment they would come back and say, “Oh this may sound a bit strange but I feel so happy after sitting with that pig. Something about him, he is just so joyful.” Yes so many people felt so happy after being with Harley. This was one of his biggest gifts to this world, I think.

Harley and IndigoI’ll never forget the day when I brought my daughter Indigo to visit Harley (she was then about 2 and ½).  We went out into his pasture, and of course when he saw us he began his series of welcoming oinks and snorts. He was always so social and happy to have visitors! Indigo was just enthralled! She immediately sat down a few feet away from him and began singing. I had never heard her do this before—she just made up a long song with lovely lyrics such as, “I love you Harley,” “You are such a nice pig,” “It’s fun to sit here with you Harley.” She would sing her lyrics and then take a break—and Harley would oink back to her appreciatively, as if he too were singing to her some special pig lyrics. We sat there for over an hour together with him that day; it is such a beautiful memory, I will never forget it. To see his beautiful heart touch a child so much; what an amazing pig!

I have been offering Harley Reiki treatments since we met (oh he just LOVED Reiki treatments!), and I have to say that each time I came away wondering who offered whom the healing??!! Sitting with Harley was like sitting in a joyful space with a good friend who showers you with gratitude, who laughs at all your jokes, who listens to all your concerns and who is never in a hurry.

Another fond memory I have is of watching BrightHaven staff member Fray with Harley. Feeding time was something else! Harley ate a healthier diet than most people, I think—the variety of fruits, veggies and other healthy foods he ate was quite impressive, and, I admit, looked delicious even to me! His favorite treat, though, was red apples, and every morning Gail would go out and feed him one for the day.

Over the past few years, Harley has slowed down very gradually. In early June I sat and offered Reiki to Harley and felt him saying goodbye to me. Felt that he was ready to let go. Although it was another 6 weeks before he passed, I think he was beginning the journey to transition already back then. But even in that weakened state, his energy was so peaceful, so gentle, so loving.  Ready for whatever challenges the future held.

Countless Reiki students over the years have practiced Reiki with Harley—for some students it might have been their first Reiki treatment ever, or at least their first ever with a pig. And over and over again they would describe the feeling of joy and happiness that they experienced while connecting with him.

For this pig, whose energy was bigger than life—it’s amazing how far he came from being a simple 4-H project meant for slaughter at age 1, to becoming an 11 yr. old Reiki teacher who touched so many lives, an animal friend to so many.

Thank you Harley for serving as a model for love and joy in this world.  It’s my wish that pigs and humans all over the world can share love, joy and compassion with each other. Let’s create a new vision for the future—pigs as friends and teachers, how about that?

 

By SARA President Kathleen Prasad

Connecting with the Animals at the C.A.R.E. Foundation

An Awakening to the True Essence of Reiki

Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.
— Anatole France

The animals at the C.A.R.E. Foundation in Apopka,Florida opened my eyes to a deeper meaning of this quote by AnatoleFrance.  These sweet animals offered me the opportunity to experience a true connection with them, a heart-to-heart connection that was very powerful.   When we truly connect or bond with an animal, we open or awaken our hearts and minds to the many teachings and lessons about life that the animals have for us.  I have read this and heard this many times from my Animal Reiki teacher, Kathleen Prasad, but it was the animals at C.A.R.E. that offered me the opportunity to experience the power of this deep connection with the animals.  I will be forever grateful to these animals (and to Kathleen) for helping me to understand the true essence of Reiki.

My Reiki journey has taken me down a path of growth which began in 2002 when I had my first Reiki treatment.  This path has been like building a puzzle. After I completed my Reiki Master Teacher training in 2005, I lacked confidence and felt that I was missing some important pieces to this puzzle called Reiki.  Many of these missing pieces became clearer to me when I began studying Animal Reiki with Kathleen in 2007, and again when I completed my Karuna Reiki© Master training in 2009.  The puzzle began to fill in even more when I joined the Shelter Animal Reiki Association (SARA) in 2010, and learned the Japanese energy system and traditional Japanese Reiki meditations.  But, I still felt that there were some missing pieces of the puzzle that I needed to be a more effective practitioner and teacher of Reiki for Animals.

One day, I received an email from Kathleen introducing her Shinpiden and Animal Reiki Teacher class at the C.A.R.E. Foundation.  After some consideration, I was inspired that this class would be important for me to advance my Reiki journey.  Not only would I have first-hand experience learning the traditional Japanese approach to Reiki, I would also have the opportunity to experience offering Reiki to wild animals.  And my intention was that I would learn to be a better Animal Reiki teacher.  I did experience all of these things as expected.  But I gained so much more from this experience than I could ever have imagined; I finally understand Reiki.  The animals at the C.A.R.E. Foundation taught me valuable lessons just by allowing me to share Reiki with them.

Lesson 1:  Reiki is about creating a “connection” with the animal(s)

So often, I hear people ask “My animal has this or that issue going on; will you give him or her some Reiki?”  I also hear many practitioners talk about “doing Reiki” on an animal (or a human).   When I speak to a group about Animal Reiki, I am often asked if I will demonstrate Reiki on an animal.  And for our Reiki Shares, we often talk about “Reiki trades”, where I give you some Reiki and then you give me some Reiki.

The lesson I experienced with the animals is that Reiki is so much more than these things.  I have learned over the years that Reiki is not about “give” (practitioner) and “take” (client), and that we are not “doing Reiki” on an animal or human.  Instead, we want to “Be Reiki” with the animal.  As we sit with the animal, we are sharing a space of Reiki energy, a space of balance and harmony.   This is not something we can demonstrate; it is something we must experience. It is like a two-way partnership.  The more we invite animals in and connect with them, the more we can assist our animals and the more we can learn from them.

Famous Amos

Amos is a fun and amusing Spider Monkey whose role is to provide entertainment at the sanctuary and at various shows.  He shares an enclosure with another monkey named Rosie.  Our exercise was to sit with the animals while doing one of the traditional Japanese meditations.  So, I sat facing the enclosure with my chair at a slight angle.  I invited both Amos and Rosie to join me in the space of Reiki energy.  While Rosie did everything she could to disrupt what was happening, Amos expressed an intense curiosity in me and in the energy.

Amos started by coming to the front of the enclosure near where I sat, pushing himself into the fence and reaching out as if he was trying to touch me.  After a few minutes he moved towards the back of the enclosure, and then moved forward again playing with his toys and showing off.  He then moved back to the fence, leaning out and chattering at me. This ebb and flow of movement continued for 10 or 15 minutes.  Towards the end of our time together, as I was sitting in meditation with my hands over my Hara, I suddenly felt a shift in the energy and looked up.  There was Amos sitting on top of one of his toys with his legs crossed and his hands over his Hara staring intently at me.  He was mirroring what I was doing.  I looked at him, and felt this intense sense of warmth come over me, as we shared a space of harmony, of oneness, of Reiki.   Amos created for me an amazing experience in connecting with an animal through Reiki.  Thank you Amos!

Macaws and Cockatoos

Before C.A.R.E., I had not yet had an opportunity to share Reiki with birds.  A grouping of macaws and cockatoos were most happy to provide me with this experience.  I sat next to their enclosure with my chair pointed away at a slight angle, and then invited all of them to join me in a space of Reiki energy.  My intention was to clear my mind, remove all expectations and just “Be Reiki” with these lovely macaws and cockatoos for 20-30 minutes.  A couple of the cockatoos came forward right away and sat on the perch nearest me for the entire time while the other cockatoos moved forward and then flew back taking turns connecting with me and the energy.

At the same time, the green macaw Zazoo was climbing up and down the fence right beside me.  Each time he was at about eye level with me, he would quietly say “hello” to get my attention.  As I sat there “Being Reiki” with these sweet birds, the ebb and flow of their movement in the Reiki space was so peaceful; it felt like a well-choreographed dance.  Their movements were so smooth and balanced; they were in perfect harmony.  As we came to the end of our time together, I realized that all of the birds had settled into their chosen spot in the dance formation.  We were all “Being Reiki” together, sharing a space of harmony and tranquility.

Lesson 2:  Always invite the animals to join us in Reiki

When we experience Reiki I, we learn about the importance of self-treatments, and we learn to offer Reiki treatments to other humans.  And those of us who experience Animal Reiki learn to offer Reiki treatments to animals.  Self, humans, and animals – each treatment is distinct.

The lesson I experienced with the animals at C.A.R.E is that our daily meditations and practice and our treatments with other humans will be so much more powerful if we invite the animals to join us in Reiki.  The animals are so much more deeply connected to the energy than we are, and they are so open to connecting with us and helping us.  All we need to do is invite them in.  If we sit with an animal and connect with an animal during our daily meditations, self-treatments and treatments with other people, the animals will help us to more deeply connect with the energy.  When we regularly connect with animals by inviting them to join us in Reiki, we are not only assisting ourselves and/or another human, we are also supporting the animals in whatever they need.  And to bring this full circle, the animals are helping us and teaching us valuable lessons.  This really is a win-win-win!

Lola

One of our assignments was to pair up with another class member, sit with an animal and offer each other a head and shoulder Reiki treatment.  My partner and I sat with Lola, a sweet North American Black Bear.  As I began to offer Reiki to my partner, I invited Lola to join us in the energy.  At first Lola sat back against a wood box in the middle of her enclosure checking us out and deciding if she wanted to be a part of what we were doing.  Over the course of the treatment, as Lola slowly inched forward, I could feel her beginning to connect, the energy becoming warmer and warmer as the connection deepened.    Lola eventually moved up closer and sat on a metal tube that was next to the fence in the corner.  At some point, my partner and I traded places.  As we continued, we could feel the energy becoming stronger and more intense.  By the end of our time, Lola had climbed on the fence while sitting on the edge of her pool to get as close to us as possible.  She was sprawled out almost as wide she could get and moving her head back and forth in delight.  She had truly relaxed and let go; she was very content and at peace.

Thank you to Lola for this beautiful experience. By connecting with my classmate and me as we offered Reiki to each other, Lola helped us create a more open space of healing, of harmony, of balance that we were all sharing together.  As our connection with Lola deepened so did our connection with the energy and with each other.  By inviting Lola to join us in Reiki, we not only enhanced our human-human treatments, we also assisted Lola in whatever healing she needed at that moment.

I had so many similar experiences over the three days at C.A.R.E.; there were the tigers Pumpkin and Tigger, Sheene the cougar, Quinn the black bear, the red foxes Butch and Sundance, the tufted capuchins Andy and Dolly, the barnyard animals, the alligators, the pigeons, the tortoises and many others.   My heart is filled with gratitude to all of these sweet creatures for being so open to connecting with me, and for teaching me the power of connection through Reiki.  My heart and mind have awakened to the true essence of Reiki, and to the many ways that animals are our partners in our Reiki journeys.

Ann Noyce, Animal Reiki Teacher

Fun With Labs

For ten days I have been hired to be the lead dog.  The other dogs in question are two big, black labs named Auggie and Oslo.  They are in my care whilst their people are basking in the sunshine on the sunny beaches of Florida.  In the course of our time together I am engaging in an un-scientific experiment to see what changes ten days of Reiki might bring to two goofy dogs.  I have the blessing of their people with the suggestion that Auggie may be beyond help.

Being a cat person, I am observing very interesting canine behavior.  They love to play fetch, for instance.  Even when my cats want to play, “fetch” is not in their repertoire.  Neither is “come here” for that matter.  Basically, I do the fetching (food, treats and such).  I also have to go to them if I want to give them attention.  Dogs are just the opposite.

Anyway, I embarked on my experiment with evening sessions of Reiki and little short sessions when appropriate.  One can never have too much Reiki and, in my estimation, these guys can certainly benefit. No judgment here, just observation.

On the first night I sat in a chair near their beds and set my intention.  I let them know they could have as much Reiki as they would like.  I told them they didn’t have to have it if they didn’t want to.  Then, I began my Joshin Kokyu Ho breathing.

Oslo, the older dog, was curious right away while Auggie, the bigger dog moved farther away.  As the energy flowed, Oslo came over and checked out my hands.  Then, he went to his bed and rolled over, showing his belly and wagging his tail.  Auggie stayed away.

Day 2

Auggie won’t let Oslo near me, though he comes over and smells my hands and abdomen.  He engages Oslo in wrestling and the session ends so they can go outside before they break something.

Day 3

While I am throwing the ball (outside) endlessly for Auggie, Oslo sits at my feet.  I crouch down and put my hands on his shoulders and feel the heat right away.  I stay with him like that for a while, tossing the ball for Auggie.  Eventually, Oslo runs off to join his buddy.

That night I sat in the chair again and Oslo was immediately asleep.  Auggie kept trying to get him to play but he wasn’t having it.  Auggie roamed around then came over to me.  He sniffed at my hands and then began to snap at the air in front of me.  He swung his big old head like a polar bear, back and forth, back and forth.  Clearly he was noticing something.  Then he left the room.

Day 4

A repeat of day 3.

Days  5 through 10

I begin my breathing and Auggie immediately drops to the floor and is out like a light.  Finally!!

Each evening from then on both Auggie and Oslo settle down right away for their Reiki session.  Auggie gets up in the middle of it to have a big dose of water, then lays right down again.  They are so quiet!

When I see my friend a couple of days after his return he asks, “What did you do to my dogs???!”  He tells me Auggie was perfectly calm when they came home. No jumping.  Completely out of character!

Auggie and Oslo post-Reiki

 

Kelly McDermott-Burns

Argus

My bestie, Laurie, had posted on Facebook that her friend, Greg, had been in an accident and flipped his SUV. His Husky puppy, Argus who was with him in the vehicle, had bolted out of a broken window and ran away from the scene. Greg was taken to the hospital to make sure he was okay and had no idea where Argus had gone.

When I received Laurie’s message, I assumed she was saying the accident had just happened or at least not too long before her call. Later I found that it had been hours. Since the accident supposedly happened near an intersection behind my neighborhood, Laurie was alerting me in case I happened to run across Argus on the loose while I was out and about.  After hearing from her though, I felt compelled to go looking for Argus.  The accident occurred on a highway that is very busy and would be extremely dangerous for any animal on the loose.

As I started driving towards that intersection, I felt like I really needed to have the point of origin where the accident happened; there were so many possible places to start looking. Laurie texted me back: “fence road.” Well, I thought she was telling me the accident was near a fenced road. So I thought maybe the airport — there is a lot of fencing around there.

I told my neighbor and fellow animal lover about the situation. She also began looking and alerting others too. As we were both driving around searching, we started to think this is like looking for a needle in a haystack…lots of potential ways he could have gone…lots of wooded areas.

Although I was out there searching and desired that he be found by someone, anyone, I really had no expectations or even hope of finding him myself. I didn’t even do all the things mentally I know to do like visualizing finding Argus, surrounding him in light or anything like that, but because my life IS my Reiki practice, the “heat” was automatically on. Something I did do once I began driving around was say aloud, “Argus, where are you?” Right after I said that, I felt a sensation across my chest – like a sensation of what it would feel like to wear a harness. I do not to this day know what that meant — if anything. I told the Universe *if* I was going to be of service and find Argus, I was going to need A LOT of help because I do not have much skill at hearing and understanding intuition and the unseen helpers /guidance. My mind takes over and I usually do the exact opposite of any intuitive hits I may get, or I don’t understand the messages at all. I really thought the only way I was going to find Argus was if he just walked out in front of me. Everyone following the story hoped he would be found of course, but it seemed like a shot in the dark. I felt that way too.

I drove out to the airport area – farther and farther from the intersection behind my neighborhood. At that point I was feeling like I would need to give up and go on to a pet sit I was scheduled to do. I proceeded to drive behind the airport and circle back around to the highway. As I got back on the highway, I saw “Fence Road!”  This was nowhere near the area behind my neighborhood incidentally. I thought that would be too odd to be a coincidence and then I also saw some debris from an accident. I thought: THIS IS IT!! I found the point of origin! For some reason that seemed very important.

I got Laurie on the phone as I stopped and got out of my car. I felt the strong compulsion to yell: “Argus!!!” So I did, though I felt silly. No, nothing happened. Laurie said she felt Argus would be no where near the accident since he is a Husky and would be miles from there by then. She also felt if he was nearby he would be stuck in the woods somewhere wrapped up around a tree because he had a retractable leash on. I continued to drive around anyway. I found a dog park nearby. I stopped there twice and asked a few people about seeing Argus. I found out later that is where Greg and Argus had just come from before the accident.

I had been driving around up and down Fence Road when I saw a cemetery and thought I would drive through there before REALLY giving up. Laurie kept telling me to give up and go on pet sitting. As I was driving to the cemetery, I missed my turn and had to cross the highway to turn around and come back.  My neighbor and I both ruled out looking in the direction across the highway for some reason. Fence Road ends at the highway and across from that intersection behind some woods was a driveway that led to an office building of some sort – not a public road.  Argus would have had to survive crossing four fast moving lanes of highway traffic to get there. That seemed unlikely.

I decided I still needed to look in that area.  Well, I couldn’t believe my eyes!! There he was in the driveway as I pulled in!!! Right in front of me! It turns out the “needle” was on TOP of the haystack after all!! He was directly across from where the accident happened but could not be seen from the highway. Argus started to shy away from my calls so I knelt down and called him over.  He dropped his head, wagged his tail, and hopped in my car! I was told later that he doesn’t get in vehicles on his own. He usually has to be lifted into them. Argus must have been SO ready to go home! It was truly amazing!!! And that’s SUCH an understatement! I was SO happy and grateful not to mention completely surprised! I kept saying to the Universe: thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou!!!

After that, it was a little anti-climatic for a bit because I could get a hold of NO ONE to tell! Argus’ people were not my personal friends, so I didn’t have a way to contact them and didn’t know exactly where they lived. As it turned out they had left the hospital at about the time I found Argus, but their cell phones were dead, and no one could reach them to tell them their boy was found and safe. They immediately went looking for Argus upon leaving the hospital. Laurie disappeared from contact for about an hour. So here I am with the prize and no one to give him to! I finally reached Laurie and ended up taking Argus to her house until his people could be reached. It seemed as though Argus knew Laurie was the catalyst to his being found. He very warmly greeted her with lots of high fives. Really – high fives! So cute!!! Argus’ people got home after giving up the search to hear Laurie’s message on their answering machine that Argus had been found and was safe at her house getting a nice Reiki treatment. Tears of joy!!!

Though it was “me” that found Argus, I totally felt like I was merely being moved into play from unseen forces. At no time did I ever feel like this was my will, actions, or choice. It was the oddest experience of my life. I wish I could convey the exact feeling more accurately… Everyone wanted to thank me over and over, but it was me that felt like *I* needed to be the one thanking the Universe or whatever / whomever for being a part in this story. And I did – and do. THANK YOU!!!

I’ve recently had to witness a slew of hard, very hard, animal tragedies. I will not share those stories here as they would be too hard to hear for any animal lover. Being an animal lover and Reiki practitioner, when thrown into these kinds of “dark” experiences, I want the suffering to immediately come to a stop. Reiki usually does such a good job of doing just that. It’s usually very obvious that Reiki provides peace, comfort, or relief of some kind, and if they are close to passing, they go more quickly. But for these animals I could see none of that with my human eyes. It’s always possible that more goes on than any of us can see, but suffering is hard to bear witness to. These experiences left me reeling and doing A LOT of soul searching and questioning because there were so many of these tragedies – one after the other.

Getting to participate in Argus’ journey helped ME in so many healing ways. It was just what I needed for my tattered and broken heart. Contrasting and comparing the two kinds of experiences (light and dark; happy and sad) shows me that really NONE of it is up to me. Honestly, I don’t know for sure what IS really up to any of us – even our own experiences. Sometimes we’re part of the story, puzzle, or experiences of others. Sometimes maybe we are just the witness – no participation or action allowed or required, not just from the animals or ourselves, but from the Universe.

Laurie also tells me that the many people that followed the story on Facebook (with their breath held) were uplifted in many different ways. Argus being found in such a seemingly miraculous way was like an elixir for their souls too. Healing took place far and wide. Many people have told me different things that they personally have gotten out of this story. Some say it’s about never giving up hope. For some it’s about asking for guidance, or it’s about listening to intuition. Others say it’s about prayers being answered and Divine intervention. It is about all of these things. True. But for me personally it was being able to experience the light and dark, the happy and sad experiences of life realizing though we have every right to be happy or sad with those experiences, we may not have as much say in the outcomes or the process as we tend to think and hope. We have to let go of our preconceived notions of what we think ought to happen, keeping always in mind that Reiki helps bring about the highest good – whatever that may be. “Letting go” being the operative phrase.

Humans always want to know the “whys” and like to feel that we have some control over our world. These experiences tell me that it’s ALL really still a big mystery. Maybe the answers are like finding a needle in a haystack, or maybe the answers are right out in the open, right on top of the haystack, like Argus was, waiting for us when we get there. “Let go,” as Kathleen Prasad says, “even if we have to do it over and over again.” Thank you, Argus, for shining the light on all of our hearts. Animals are the best healers and teachers. This I DO know for certain!

Kay Robinson

Bootsie Teaches Me Important Reiki Lessons

My relationship to Bootsie has also been especially close ever since we first made eye contact while I was mall walking almost fourteen years ago. There she was in the pet shop window, an adorable 8-week-old tuxedo kitten, playing with half a dozen or so other kittens. When I stopped to look at the kittens, she stopped playing to gaze at me and I gazed back. We bonded in that moment, like Super Glue.

Bootsie enjoys snuggling up next to my head at night and curling up on my lap during the day. When I need to be away home for several days, she develops separation anxiety. She is very much a one-person cat, although she been developing more trust in my Partner.

So when Bootsie suddenly became quite ill a week ago and had to be admitted to the animal hospital with a fever of unknown origin, I was upset and realized how frightening this experience must be for her. I regularly offer Reiki to my cats, dogs, and chicken flock. Now I turned to Reiki to complement her medical treatment. I didn’t know how it would help, only trusted that it would. At first.

When the fever broke the second day, her recovery looked promising. But Bootsie continued to refuse to eat or drink, even when I tried bringing her home for the weekend. She became dehydrated and lethargic, leading to emergency readmission Monday morning. Now my trust in Reiki was put to the test. I was becoming the proverbial basket case, worried sick about Bootsie.

Just as the team of veterinarians was doing a “differential diagnosis” to rule out some conditions and consider others, I realized I needed to take a look at my Reiki practice, how I was making myself sick and what I could do about it.

First, I realized that I had my own agenda: Reiki SHOULD cure her illness and according to my time table. I wasn’t trusting the intelligence of Reiki to work where it was most needed. Second, my worry was incapacitating me and wasn’t helping Bootsie. How wise Usui Mikao was to make “Do not worry” one of the Reiki precepts, and I saw and felt the fear that was at the root of my worry. Fear that I would lose Bootsie. In fact, I was acting as if I had already lost her, a superb example of how fear is an illusion.

With these insights, I was able to let go of my baggage and offer more effective Reiki. The veterinarians and staff at the animal hospital have been receptive to letting me visit Bootsie in a treatment room during the office lunch hour, offer her Reiki, feed her by hand, and reassure her with my presence.

Gradually Bootsie is showing progress. Today they are going to try her on a small insulin because of elevated blood sugar. This morning I did a distance treatment. This afternoon I’ll visit, offer Reiki, feed and love her.

My lovely little tuxedo cat may be home in a couple days. Meanwhile, I trust she is getting excellent medical care. And I trust Reiki as a beneficial complementary treatment that works in often mysterious ways. Thank you, Bootsie, for being such an excellent Reiki teacher. I have learned some valuable lessons in becoming a better Reiki practitioner.

Diane Anderson