End of Life Offerings
Integral to our lives are our beloved animal companions. The heart connection we have with them is pure and deep, perhaps deeper than with the human beings in our lives. The compassionate, non-judgmental space they hold feels irreplaceable. Over the years they witness us through many life transitions, both challenging and those that come easier. They love us through it all, be it marriages, kids, breakups, moves or job changes, while bringing their own style and spice to the mix.
And now the years have caught up with this beautiful one. How to best care for this elder? We have to make a decision that may feel impossible–when to let them go. We struggle, cry and wonder. What do they want? Do they want to stay or go? Can they go on their own or do they need assistance?
Communicating directly with your animal can help create a transition process that leaves you both feeling peaceful. From this conversation you’ll gain an understanding of what they desire and how they’re feeling, and thus honor them and their life by helping them transition easily, gracefully and without fear. You’ll be able to release them to spirit knowing it’s not goodbye, but “See you later”.
What You Will Learn:
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What is their comfort level? Are they in pain? Ask specific questions to know details about how their body feels.
Do they want further medical treatment or other assistance to feel better? Or are they ready to join the spirit world?
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If they are ready to go into the spirit world, what are their wishes before they depart?
What is their timing? Can they give you a clear sign when they are ready to go? If so, what is the sign?
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Do they feel they will be able to leave on their own, or will they need assistance?
If the animal needs assistance, we will explore how they want this to happen. Sometimes an animal may have very specific and definite ideas about the way they want to leave.
Should the procedure take place at the vet clinic? If so, what should be brought along to make the setting more comfortable - favorite blanket, toys?
Would they prefer to be at home? Where? They might want to be outdoors under their special tree rather than indoors.
Who do they want to be present?
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What would they like done with the beautiful body they inhabited?
Would they prefer to be buried? Where? If home burials are not permitted, would they like a place in a cemetery?
Do they want to be cremated? If so, what do they want done with their ashes?
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Who do they want to see?
Where are the places they want to visit?
Requested treats to be devoured.
My dog Zoe had specific people she wanted to see before she departed. She and her special people shared memories and snuggled one last time. She spent time sniffing each person as if trying to imprint them on her soul. It was an emotional but beautiful time of remembering and sharing.
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With practicalities out of the way, you can now honor this last phase of your animal’s life by respecting their wishes and loving them enough to let them go. Bidding them a beautiful journey as you say your last good-bye.
One of the most important aspects of goodbye will be emotionally releasing your animal, consciously freeing them from feeling obligated to stay. It is important to mean it when you tell an animal it is okay to go. If you do not feel it in your heart, the animal may pick up on the confusion and know that you are not ready for them to leave. They may decide to stay on longer than they would like because they don’t want to see you suffer.
Animals often request that their people gather in their presence and hold a wake before they pass. As memories are shared and tears shed, you honor the beautiful being that they are. The animals report that often during the wake, a story will pop into someone’s mind to be shared and that these are the stories they want remembered. Tears and expressions of emotion prepare the way for the animal. These songs of the heart energetically free the animals to move on with ease. It’s a beautiful way to gain closure for all.
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I Have Traveled This Road With Two Elderly Dogs
“I know the heart-wrenching sorrow, the confusion and the desire for clarity of knowing what they want. I didn’t want to bestow a death sentence upon them. Zoe, my sweet 15 year old black lab, let me know that her spirit was frisky and vital. She wanted to be released from her old body riddled with pain. She longed to run in the wind, to swim and surf in the waves as she had done as a pup. Understanding this, I knew that I would be honoring her life by assisting her in crossing over. During the process of planning the passing the gates of grief opened and Zoe was there again, holding space for me to grieve and celebrate her at the same time. When the day came for her to cross over, she had said all her goodbyes. She had been cuddled, held, washed with tears and whispered to for days. She had visited the places she wanted to one last time and seen all her favorite people. She was ready, peaceful and grateful. I was more ready than I thought as well, for I had grieved during the process, shared my sorrow about her imminent departure with her and felt her sadness in leaving me behind”
-Neave