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.

It takes a village

Loulu is a beautiful 4 year old Pomeranian, with an exuberance and joy for life that is contagious. Her fluffy red coat, her sparkling dark eyes, her dancing feet, and her gentle being- all of these make it impossible to be with her and not feel an expansion of my heart and a smile on my face. 

She has not always looked this bright!  Over a year ago she started showing signs of GI issues, with nausea, coughing, vomiting, and gagging.  Her dedicated human partner stopped at nothing to try to find out what was going on with her beloved Pom. Her team did ultrasounds, X-Rays, GI scopes, medications, and although there was not a clear cut root cause for all of these issues, it was discovered that she had a narrowing (perhaps weakening) of the trachea, and obvious signs of GI inflammation and acid reflux. Loulu was put on hyper allergenic food, probiotics, Omeprazole and several other supportive supplements. There was some improvement, but not enough.

Visits to a holistic Veterinarian added in acupuncture, chiropractic adjustments, and Chinese medicines.  Again, this was all supportive and further improvement was seen for Loulu, but she was still unhappy much of the time and struggling more than she should.

Her mom decided to not accept this as the new normal, and to explore an additional path.  She called me to come and offer Reiki to Loulu.  I immediately felt like I was coming in at just the right time, with the perfect backdrop of information and modalities already in place.  Upon arrival, Loulu climbed right into my lap and sniffed me all over.  She was fascinated by the energy that I was putting out, and was very comfortable with me in her home. 

Reiki offers a peaceful, healing vibration, through a form of meditation, that works within the body of the recipient to release any fears, blockages, pain, etc. and allow their being to heal in the way that is perfect for them right in the moment.  This may not be a cure, but it will always offer relaxation, ease, balance- all with the intention of supporting the body/mind/spirit for healing, in whatever way is needed.

Well Loulu needed this Reiki energy!  She soaked it up, and showed significant improvement immediately.  I have been seeing her for several months now, and although she has had some setbacks, and still has spells where her body is challenging her, over all she is much better!  She is still taking some medications as well as receiving periodic chiropractic adjustments, but we are now able to spread the Reiki sessions out to every 2-3 weeks.  Her eyes are bright, there is a spring in her step, and a great willingness to go for walks and explore.  

It is a pleasure to arrive at Loulu’s and be greeted with such anticipation and joy!  To watch her become calm and balanced, to witness her trust and openness, and receive her gratitude as we finish up is deeply humbling for me. 

It really does take a village to do this kind of work- a passionate and dedicated guardian, conventional and holistic viewpoints and skills, energy healing modalities that complement the whole picture.  I am honored to be part of Loulu’s team, and to share this Reiki energy with her.  May her healing path continue and her inner light expand even further.

March madness- my style

March is a challenging month for those of us who live in the frozen northeast.  We are craving warmth, turning our faces toward the bits of sunlight, yearning to move free of the constraints of coats, boots, mittens.  For some it is possible to get away to someplace where the sun shines, where we can get sand between our toes, where shorts, suits, and sunblock, are all that is needed for covering our skin.  For others we must create and nurture that feeling of opening and unfurling from home.
May I suggest you throw an armload of logs on your fire and get your living room toasty warm, put on some dancing tunes, and move your body?  Pull out your blender and blend up a collection of fresh fruit and juices and feel the influx of healing energy and vitamin C. Run a warm bath with epsom salts and essential oils that make you feel invigorated and hopeful.  Perhaps Lemon and Rosemary?  Or Lavender and Frankincense if you are in search of relaxing oils?
What a fabulous way to spend an afternoon or evening and I assure you that you will feel like you had a mini vacation. Shall we make a plan to do this each Sunday until the crocuses bloom?  Works for me... see you on the dance floor!

Rosilita

It is snowing lightly, and my heart and soul turn inward for the final winter preparations.  I seek quiet time, healthy foods, sitting by the fire with my beloveds.  Many of those dear ones have been with me for a long time- I have shared a home for 38 years with my partner and best friend Mark.  Mesa, my ultra soft and sweet hound dog, has been with me for 11 years.  Tucker, the exuberant and kind Red Healer (spelling intentional), has been my velcro for 8.  My newest love is a green eyed gray beauty of a kitty- Rosie.  As winter descends she is discovering the joys of watching birds at the window, sitting near the stove to absorb the extra heat, sleeping next to me with motor on full throttle.  To have cat energy in my life again was something else I had been seeking, and I couldn't have found a more perfect teacher than miss Rosie.  She loves the simple life.  She does not ask for more than her share.   Observing while sitting quietly is a goal unto itself.  Her needs and mine are the same, really: quiet time, healthy foods, sitting by the fire with beloveds.  Oh, and for me, a glass of wine at the end of the day.

Being Reiki on Horseback

I am gearing up for a trip to Iceland this summer, where I will spend 5 days riding Icelandic horses through the country side and staying in huts and farmhouses along the way.  To say this is the trip of a lifetime is an understatement.  As a child that grew up bombing around on horses throughout the mountains of southern Vermont, working ranches and stables throughout my teens and 20s, and then taking a hiatus from riding in my middle years, it is a dream come true to be spending time in the saddle again as I prep for this adventure.

But how do you prepare for this kind of a thing?  I can work on core strength, I can re-up my riding skills, I can read and learn about the culture and landscape, and none of that will actually prepare me for whatever comes.  It will help, but it won't be enough.

And so I get to go to this enchanted island and simply be.  I get to live each moment.  I will breath into my belly and find my grounded nature.  Open my heart and experience love for those around me.  Clear my mind and welcome in all that I witness.  Expand my field to incorporate the amazing animal that will carry me along with such grace.  Ah- there may be pain with the joy, there may be loss with the gifts.  But this is being.  This is being whole and full.  This is being Reiki!  Being Reiki on horseback.  Yes!

Now IS the Time!

I don't have time!  I am too stressed!  I don't feel well enough!  I'm too vulnerable! Too busy!  Too tense!  These are just a few of the excuses I hear as to why someone can't come for Reiki.

It is so easy to think that Reiki is a feel good experience that should be added to other feel good times, such as vacations, spa days, days off, etc, but really when we are stressed, sick, sore, worried, upset, sad- these are precisely the times that we need Reiki the most.  We carve time our of our crazy schedules to go for a walk, to sit and have a cup of tea,  to talk to a friend (and if we don't do these things, we should!) and I suggest we do the same for Reiki.  Commit to the 1- 1.5 hours that you would spend with me to calm your spirit, ease your heart, center your mind, balance your body.  You will then be able to go off and address the potentially overwhelming aspects of reality with a more grounded, peaceful approach.  You will be healthier on all levels, and thus able to function clearly and calmly, move with ease and purpose, and breath deeply throughout your day.

These times on our earth call for actions of all kinds, and I honor you for acting to support your own sanity, growth, and healing.

Photo by Diane Heileman.

    

       

Transition

Life has thrown a lot of challenges at me in recent months, not the least of which is the loss of my father.  He was a brilliant, kind, quiet, gentle, man, who lived a long and productive life doing exactly what he loved. Dreaming. Teaching. Solving. Building. Tinkering. Fixing.
I never seemed to get what I wanted from him as a girl, or as a young woman, or even as a middle aged woman.  But as his transition time came near all of the perceived faults came to matter not a whit, and the love that we shared rose to the surface.  We talked about memories and the hard things, we trusted each other completely, we laughed and cried, and I helped to ease him from this life in as gentle a way as possible. He came to visit me in owl form for several days after his passing and I was moved to see how he watched me with kindness and wisdom,  to witness his effortless, silent, flight.  So observant!  So quiet!  So incredibly calm and patient!
The grief in my heart is permeated with the gifts that come from these experiences with him: the love, the sweetness, the magic, the bonding, the realization that he is with me always.  He lived his life just as he wanted it to be- he never stopped learning, he shared his many gifts, and held close to his heart those he loved.  May we all be so blessed.

A Year of Growth

There is nothing I love more than stretching my mind. Granted, it helps to have a genuine interest in the topic; for example I don't love learning about our political system (too terrifying), or the science behind climate change (too depressing).  But when I am on a path such as I am now, that fills my soul so deeply, it seems options for growth appear in front of me and I gladly immerse myself in the topics at hand.  I integrate them into my heart and thus into my life purpose of offering healing to animals and people.

Looking back on 2016 I have had the occasion to work with a great number of astounding teachers, and I am extremely grateful for the opportunities, the learning, the heartfelt teachings that have been shared.  They are a part of who I am today.

Linda Tellington-Jones, Tracey Vroom, Kelly McDermott-Burns, Marta Williams, Sarah Root, Lourdes Gray, Dendria McLaughlin, Bob Murray, Patrick MacManaway-

Broadening my mind and heart around subjects such as animal communication, massage, T-Touch, dowsing, earth energies, crystals, reiki, soul activation... how can I help but be shifted and expanded??

A blanket of Reiki

Each morning, these last few weeks, as I come to consciousness, I wrap my arms and heart around a childhood stuffed animal and use it as a body to send Reiki to.  In her body I put the spirits of many I know who are suffering.  A client who has been in and out of the hospital with emergency abdominal surgeries.  A dear friend's dog who is transitioning to spirit.  My 94 year old dad, who is in rehabilitation with a broken hip. Nosey the elephant (google her- she is sweet, kind, tired, sore, sick, and in need of our help), a client who has lost his life partner to cancer, a pup with a particularly nasty spider bite.

I also fill my hands with Reiki energy, ask it to expand and grow, and watch as it settles as a gentle, loving blanket over this entire continent, and indeed the whole world.  Offering some peace to our mother earth who holds us so firmly and shares so generously, and to all beings, in all forms, who inhabit here.  Offering peace to the people fighting for their lives, those living in fear of persecution, those standing strong to preserve the waters, those unsure of the future.  And even to those with hardened and shriveled hearts who are seemingly dis-connected from the fact that we are all the same, that we are all one.  Yes, a Reiki blanket for all.

This is a heartful practice, and my day is made better for it.  I am made better for it.  And I have to hope that our world is made better for it.

Mamacita

I have started each day, this glorious summer,  by ducking under a spider web as I go into or out of my chicken coop.  Mamacita is a large grey and black gal with a stunning sense of natures geometry, dedication and commitment, and acceptance to change.  I have admired her, chatted with her, and although I have done my best to do no harm to her dew-dropped world each morning, she has gracefully fixed the occasional damage without judgement.

At least I don't feel any judgement coming from her.  She could have chosen a spot between trees where deer or other animals  travel through; higher up there would certainly be bird activity. And of course every time an unfortunate bug struggles in her web she moves quickly to receive the sustenance needed to continue.  So I think it is in her very nature to rebuild each night with anticipation of the miracles tomorrow may bring.

Would that we could live that way!  What if each night we set to work in our dreams to cleanse, re-frame, cultivate and perhaps even entice, a miraculous new morning.  How would our days be different with dew-drops on a pristine web of intention, with a faceted spiral of faith radiating out from our hearts, with serenity and patience as our guides for how to be, and of course with moving with precision and clarity to embrace all nourishment that enters our fields!

Mamacita's life, this time around, is coming to a close.  The corner has been turned, with the Fall equinox, and frost tickled the garden the last 2 mornings. My friend has not re-built in several days, and although I understand, it is with a bit of a heavy heart that I talk to her each morning to say my good-byes. She has been a notable pleasure to share my summer with and my wish is for her babies to read my heart and hear my voice and know they are welcome here, always.

the times they are a changing

It pleases me so, to be part of the changing face of how people care for the animals in their lives. No longer does everyone assume that pharmaceuticals are the 1st line of defense. No longer do all people blindly trust the western medical field to have all of the answers. 
With this shifting tide it becomes clearer that the work that I, and so many other alternative healers, do is an important complimentary supplement to western medicine. We offer modalities that support and enhance the health and well-being of animals from a holistic (whole being) mindset. Not to deny the value of good veterinary care, indeed, it is critical in some situations. 
But to support and care for an animal with Reiki or massage, or a myriad other fabulous options, is a wise and forward thinking choice. The healing power of hands and heart; these connect us back to our ancestral roots, and lead us on a loving path to a healthy future.

Dog Days of Summer

These glorious days of summer are just as they should be.  Hot, dry (albeit too dry for the garden's taste), and even a a tad lazy!  I am able to get some projects done in the cool of the day, and certainly meet up with any people or dogs that need my services, but when the afternoons roll around I am called to the water.  I load up the dogs, and sometimes the husband, and we head to one of several nearby lakes to refresh ourselves in the blissful waters. The swimming is so divine and cleansing... the kayaks often get called into action, and yesterday it was a sail on our catboat (ironic, isn't it?  Dogs on a cat?), all of which sooth our heat soaked souls.  And make for a good night's sleep at the end of the day!

Yesterday, Tomorrow, and Now

Yesterday, Tomorrow, and Now

                         Caught in my head

                              Swirling and twisting thoughts

                                   Of this, or that - the news, to do,

                         Forgotten, regrets - they consume

                              My peace, my calm

                         Fragments touching down and taking off

                                    Replaced by the next

                         Then clear eyes catch me - steady

                               And firm, my heart pulses and I see

                                              - Acceptance

                                                   - Faith

                                                       - Love

                         I am drawn to soft fur; a tail wag

                                And I breath anew

                          Slowing, finding space for

                                  This moment, and this 

                         A lightening, an opening, a shift

                                               - Acceptance

                                                     - Faith

                                                         - Love.

A Truly Amazing Circle Around the Sun

May 1st is traditionally a day of hope, regeneration, and celebration.  Yes, spring has fully arrived and it's glories are apparent everywhere.  However I did not do a May pole dance to celebrate the ripening to come, instead I chose to sit quietly (alright, I did surround myself with daffodils) and contemplate how this last year has fed my heart and soul, my dreams and ambitions.
End result-  I am completely flooded with gratitude! My spirit is uplifted from the flow of loving energy in and around me!  Every being I meet, every session, every touch of skin or fur, these moments become my guides and teachers, and I live in a state of perpetual learning and growth. I bow down in thanks for the unexpected insights that come when I work, for every person and animal that trusts my heart and hands, to the power of my struggles to cultivate change, and to the sweet, healing beauty of my gifts.  Happy Birthday Lady Moon!