Petey is a creature of habit. Like all cats she loves warmth on the cold days of winter and thus spends a great deal of time under the wood stove. As she has aged this has become her favorite wintertime den; a hard slate bed for sure, but with an abundance of radiant heat all around. And so I was unfazed when I came home at the end of a work day and saw her sleeping there. But it became noticeable, as I prepared all of our dinners, that she was not engaging as she normally did. When I bent down to wake her up and found she could hardly hold her head up I was filled with dread. Hoping to entice her I carried her to her food bowl but she showed no interest. It was clear to me that she was not at all well. She staggered her way back to the warmth of the wood stove and I sat on the floor, pondered, and listened carefully to my heart. Petey is 15. She has had a great life, from kitten hood on the coast of Maine to maturity in the mountains of Vermont. She has had freedom and love in equal parts, and has been an integral part of the life of our family.
After some time the decision became clear. Petey was not in pain and so no veterinary care would be asked for, and I would send her Reiki as she transitioned from this life. Out came the camping mat, sleeping bag, and pillow to make a pallet in front of the stove, also food, water and litter for Petey just in case. I lay down facing her and asked Reiki to flow through me and into my beautiful, tired, cat. After dozing for a bit I woke to discover she had come onto my bed and was curled up right against my belly. Reiki flowed, Petey slept, and I faded in and out, for a good part of the night. At some point she got up, walked the few steps to the water and drank heartily, she then peed in the litter and came back to my arms for more Reiki. Had a miracle occurred? Dared I hope? Was there possibility? With these new thoughts fluttering in my brain we both fell into a deep, uninterrupted, Reiki sleep. At dawn her appetite was back and she ate breakfast, gave herself a bath, and went for a well deserved nap in her favorite spot: under the wood stove.
6 months later Petey is a happy, healthy cat and, it being summer, she seeks out shady spots in the garden for her long naps. For me there is great peace of mind as I think back on that December night. I am so honored to have been witness, very grateful for her life, and deeply humbled by the power of Reiki. May the healing energy spread.
