Conscious of their spiritual nature and living fully and happily in their current animal form, animals generally do not fear a natural death. Nearing their physical demise, they often leave their bodies gradually, relatively painlessly, and peacefully if they are allowed to do so. Dying can get painful and prolonged if they feel obligated to stay in their worn-out bodies for the sake of people they love who do not want to let them go.
Acknowledging Animals’ Feelings - A Game Changer A woman called me for a phone consultation about her aging standard poodle. He had refused to eat for a week after a series of veterinary treatments for various ailments. She realized that her dog was dying and that she could probably do no more for him. She was gravely concerned that for several months, her formerly affectionate canine companion avoided her and seemed morose. The dog communicated to me about his frustration. He didn't want any more veterinary treatment, nor did he want his person to incessantly worry over him. Her desperate attempts to medicate him and her pleading for him to get better were very painful for him.
I acknowledged the dog and relayed his feelings. While we were still on the phone, the poodle went over to his person, and for the first time in months, put his head on her lap and nuzzled her affectionately. He was so relieved that his person understood that even his physical energy improved enormously for a few weeks before he suddenly got worse again. Then, with his person’s understanding, he was able to make a gentle transition.
They Know When It’s Time to Go A woman with five cats called when one of the cats was severely ill. The cat told me he felt he was dying. He wasn't able to relate any emotional upheavals that might have contributed to becoming ill but communicating his feelings to his person made him happier.
I advised the person to get whatever veterinary treatment she felt he might need but also to prepare to let him go. She needed to let him know that although she would like him to get well that she would not try to hold him back if he really felt it was his time to go.
The cat slowly started to get better, responding well to gentle bodywork and veterinary treatment. Then another of her cats became ill. This cat was trying to absorb the emotional stress in the family and to relieve the other cat's illness. While she appeared even worse than the first cat, she assured me that she would get well. She survived a fever of 107 degrees through willpower, good veterinary care, and healing energy treatments. Her person had the realization that this ordeal was a test of her own willingness to let go and emotionally clean house, allowing death to be an accepted, natural part of life.
Another person was concerned that her fifteen-year-old arthritic dog was suffering so much that he should be euthanized. The dog told me that she was not in severe pain but that she only felt stiff and sore when she first got up. She wanted to be her person's close companion as long as she was able. She would let her person know when it was her time to go.
Almost six months later the dog, then almost unable to move, told her person that it was time to help her die. They both were prepared for the transition.
Listening to What Animals Want It's always vital to regard what the animals feel. If they are fighting to live, want to get well, and are willing to undergo potentially helpful treatments, then that's the way to travel. Some animals who can't even move without human assistance still want to go on and feel they are being of service to their people. The inspiration, love, and growth the animals and their people derive from each other can't be measured.
Other animals want to be helped to depart when they see their bodies irrevocably deteriorating.
One dog had lost bowel control and was losing rear end coordination. The person wondered when she should have the vet put him down. In discussing the alternatives with the dog, he decided that he did not want to continue to wake up lying in his own excrement. He was not afraid of the injection that would release him from his body.
I told the person to have an outing to celebrate with her dog the wonderful life they had together before taking him to the vet. The dog was very grateful and had a peaceful death.
Always Connected - The Bigger Perspective Even with the sadness of losing their physical presence, it's possible to maintain spiritual connection and communication with your departed friends. This helps to put the whole process in perspective. Then death, like life, can be full of richness and realization.
