How does one let go of an old, gentle, kind, loyal, trusting, dear, beautiful, dog friend? There is no right answer for that, but I have to say that it always seems that I have to go into the letting go face forward, and heart wide open.  I feel the pain- the loss- deeply.  Every cell of my body vibrates with grief, and I sit in that space, despite its discomfort, as fully as I can.  My heart aches with the tenderness and depth of our love.  I know that love never changes, and I know the spirit of my boy is never far.

And so we say good bye, from this plane, to our dear beloved Tucker.  He is a guide and a light in my life always, and I am so incredibly honored to have shared almost 14 years with him.  Dear one, fly free and romp with endless joy.

 

Three years ago I worked on a dog who had a partially torn ACL, so she was limited in her movement and  in some pain.  Her owner decided to try Reiki as an alternative to traditional surgery, so we set up weekly sessions for about 8 weeks.  Hanna was a sweet, beautiful, healthy Rottweiler mix, who was very receptive to my offerings, and we all felt the sessions were bringing significant improvement to her condition. After the final session Hanna was allowed to start walking further and building strength, and returned to her normal life of a happy country dog.

Fast forward to 2021, she partially tore her other ACL, and I was again called in to work with her and offer my skills for her recovery.  I arrived at the door and when I knocked she barked, as all good dogs do. I was let in and she immediately started to wag, and fell into my arms with such a clear sense of joy for seeing  me again and gratitude for the help I had to offer.  3 years!  She knew exactly who I was, what she would be experiencing, and how to welcome me to her home.  I was, and am, touched and honored to know her, to work with her, and to be greeted by her full heart.

Mesa

Mesa, my beloved dog, was laid to rest last fall in our yard after a long and full life. Her days were filled with so much that she loved- swimming and playing at the lake, patrolling and protecting the gardens and barnyards, long walks through the woods, hanging out by the fire pit... these things brought her deep joy.

She also suffered from anxieties that made parts of life challenging and she and I spent 14 years navigating that rough road together. She willingly went into any unavoidable situation I asked of her, even if it wasn't comfortable, because she had total faith that I was there for her and would support her through the entire process. Her loyalty knew no bounds. Nor mine.

Mesa struggled with early onset arthritis in her spine which slowed her down and required a lot of attention to keep her mobile and comfortable. 

Our overall strategy was multi faceted: Reiki and massage on a regular basis supported both her body and her emotions. Switching her to a raw diet brought her body into optimum health. Essential oils, of the highest quality, offered support for her heart/mind in difficult situations. Turmeric, CBD, Green lipped mussels- all of these anti inflammatory supplements helped keep her pain levels under control. And of course taking her to her happy place, the lake, was the best therapy of all. Even as she aged and decided swimming was no longer what her body wanted, she would wallow and wade, taking the weight off her joints, and soaking in the healing waters of South Pond.  She was never happier.

I miss my dear Mesa and I am honored to have had her for a friend and a teacher. May her beautiful and sensitive heart shine on for eternity.

Corona Virus Support

In this time of uncertainly, we are all navigating myriad emotions: fear, grief, worry... we are feeling extreme levels of stress, and the uncomfortable impacts it has on our hearts, minds, and bodies. 

Does this resonate?  Then I have a suggestion for you- reiki!  Reiki offers a deeply relaxing experience; relaxation leads to endorphins and stress relief; stress relief leads to a boosted immune system and a calmer mindset. All of this results in a stronger, healthier, more balanced you!

So we all need reiki right now, right?! And yet, we are all wise to not be in close quarters, or share touch. So how can we get past that?

Because it is an energetic modality, reiki can instantly connect with you exactly where you are. Distance is not an issue at all. Reiki is, essentially, the power of divine love, transferred to the recipient, in exactly the way it needs to be received.

When we set up an appointment, you, or your loved one, would settle in somewhere comfortable and quiet. I would do the same here at home. We would talk on the phone to start, and then connect from the heart, and share a session that offers spaciousness, connection, calm, focus, balance. So much powerful healing, without touching or sharing physical space.

I would be happy to talk to you more about this- and accept payment at a reduced rate- so that we can all get the support we need, during this time of crisis. 

Please don't hesitate to reach out to me... I am here to help us all stay healthy. Meanwhile, stay home, stay safe, wash your hands, and take care of yourselves!

Great dog pictures!

A few of my favorite dogs over the years- oh, and Petey the cat:

street dog

I was blessed, recently, to spend a week in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.  A truly beautiful town, lovely people, great food, and stunning energy.  I had no specific purpose for this trip other than to experience, and be witness to, life in Mexico.  Between walking for miles every day, eating incredible street food, enjoying some local Mescal, and using my rudimentary Spanish, I did just that.

And then there was the street dog who's heart met mine.  I'll call him Coal.  Inky black, short haired, deformed, searching, hopeful, and loving was Coal- I saw him coming, I sat down on the sidewalk, and for the next hour and a half he sat in my lap and we shared love. He didn't hesitate about, or question, anything I had to offer, he simply accepted.  Reiki flowed easily, deep sighs, tiny stretches, eyes slowly shutting, and then finally, a reiki nap.  I couldn't change this dogs life- that was not a possibility, or the right thing to do for him.  His life was here, he was getting by, he knew where he was and, I am sure, had his daily routes all figured out.  But I could, and I believe I did, change his day.  Don't we all crave unconditional love?  The touch of gentle hands?  The opportunity to be held and cuddled when we need it the most?  When he had absorbed what he needed in that moment, I fed him a bit of food, and poured out some water.  I reminded him that our hearts are forever entwined, he looked me in the eye and said, "I know.  Thank you."  The whole thing was easy, clear, and sweet. Safe days to you, Coal, may your path be easy.

Finding the Divine

I have just returned from 10 days in northern Arizona, which is a land of raw delight and beauty.  My intention had simply been to have a vacation with a dear friend, to visit places that I haven't seen since I was 7, and to witness a few more that I had never seen at all.  Well, that all changed the moment we arrived at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.  We stopped walking, our jaws dropped, and tears started to flow. Holy Mother of God- I think were the exact words- how to explain the feeling of minuteness, of awe, of complete discorientation.  Was I important in the grand scheme of things?  Nope.  Was my heart breaking?  Yup.  Could I fly across?  Maybe! Could I jump?  Perhaps!  As Raven demonstrated so perfectly to me, feel free to free fall, there is always an updraft.  That is a metaphor, my dears, and an important one!

We travelled on to Sedona where I climbed Cathedral Rock, which is a female energy vortex.  It was quite a scramble for me to make it to the top, but I did so, and I am justifiably proud of my body for getting me up there (and back down)!  I have rarely been so "high" as I felt once there.  The view was expansive and broad, and was mimicked by my grin.  The energy was palpable: supportive, grounding, and nurturing, and my Hara and center connected even more deeply to the earth.  I felt opened, peaceful, and soft- a fresh, new, wholeness.

Then on to Canyon de Chelly- where the ancients have walked, and now the Dine (Navajo) do.  The stains of tears run down the walls of the canyon, the ruins of the homes and hearts are still in the caves- but some Dine have homes and livestock in the canyon bottom, and are making a living guiding tours of all types.  This is a place of perseverance, of grief, of hope, and of god.  Raven visited me again, encouraging me to take the left fork.  To follow him.  Yes!  I called back... I'm coming.  That is the road less travelled...

This may seem a rambling monologue, but I am changed by my time in these three places.  I have witnessed the divine in our Mother Earth, and I now feel that around me, swirling with love and power, holding with peace and calm.  Grateful is not a big enough word.  Feel free to free fall, there is always an updraft.  Take the left fork.