Trusting - What Animals Teach Us About Aging and Loss

Last Friday evening I was preparing to attend an essential oils convention the following day in Pennsylvania. Planning to turn in early, I took my dog out for a final “business.” As I approached a nearby intersection I saw a car come flying down the road and hit an animal that was trying to run across the street.

It was dark out and I could not see clearly. A neighbor came outside and we discussed what to do, as this animal appeared to be laying lifeless in the middle of a very busy road.

As I was calling the police, my neighbor and I heard crying. Then the crying stopped.

After the police came and I walked away away, I kept hearing those final cries. A little fawn, she had been saying,“help me, help me.”

It is a powerless feeling not being able to go back in time to do something different. As a social worker, I know very well that this, as humans, is often just how we think. Even if it isn't always rational. I have had several beloved animals pass in a sudden and shocking way with no time to say “goodbye” in a way that lends itself to some level of completeness in this physical world. It can leave us asking, “what was the purpose of this?”

Animals come into our lives to teach us. However, in present time, sometimes we don't know what the lesson is. As with this baby deer, I want an answer for why she had to die in such a violent way, in pain, crying for help? And also, why I had witnessed this awful event? I don't get to fully know the answer. At least not for now. So how do we deal with this lack of resolution?

For me, it helps to look back upon the other difficult losses I have experienced and to think about how they have been used for good. For instance, my dog Meesha, who passed suddenly and wasn't even with me when it happened. I can look back now, 2 years later, and clearly see how her passing was used to create connections and experiences that have been life changing. This includes the adoption of Cheyenne, a dog I would otherwise would not have sought out, who now is a certified therapy dog. Also, Meesha's passing provided further fuel for me to seek out and share with others, non-harmful solutions to support animals and people physically and emotionally. Therefore, her life continues.



Rocko is a very sweet 7 year old chihuahua mix who is looking for a home!

Last evening I had the pleasure of providing canine massages at an event to raise awareness for the need for homes for senior animals. Beautifully, the event was held at a senior care center. It takes a certain kind of understanding of the value of adopting a senior animal, knowing that you won't have this companion in your life as long as you might have a younger animal. Understanding that the loss is going to be inevitably painful but also knowing that there will be much gained by having had this relationship. The understanding that the pain of loss is worth the blessing.

If you are interested in this very special guy, Rocko is up for adoption at St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center in Madison, NJ. http://www.sthuberts.org/

Animal Wisdom: Re-Connect With Your Natural Ability To Communciate With Animals!