animal human bond

Animal Wayshowers: The Lightworkers Ushering In 5D Consciousness – Features My Dog Gidget. Book Review.

I still recall when I finished reading Tammy’s first book, Soul Healing with Our Animal Companions. Reading that book, it felt like Tammy was inside my world and the healing journey I’d just walked with my dachshund, Gidget.  Gidget and I could have definitely been a poster human and dog duo for the book about two beings who healed their trauma together and went on to experience a profoundly life-changing and deeper connection because of it and which I’d end up chronicling in my own memoir.

Once you experience this type of profound and transformative shift within yourself and then witness the extraordinary positive change in your animal friend because of it, you want this for all humans and animals on this planet.

So when Tammy was writing this, her third book, Animal Wayshowers: The Lightworkers Ushering In 5D Consciousness I was deeply honored when she asked if the story of Gidget and me could be included.

Just into the first few pages of reading her new book, I felt welcome and familiar emotions stirring within my heart. Tears filled my eyes in recognition and understanding of this delicate dance that life is and how our animal friends give their all to help us shift into a more heart-opening way of being.

It takes just a shift in our perception to understand how energy works and how our animals are masters at reading the energy of those they love. All in an effort to help humans become more whole and at peace within themselves — this is what Tammy shares so eloquently with stories from other animal-human duos, personal reflections, and sound and simple advice of how we can all move into this more conscious awareness and do the inner work so that all beings can live together in harmony.

I believe at my core that animals are here on this planet walking with love beside us, wanting more than anything for us to heal. Tammy’s book really is one that everyone who shares a home with an animal should read. While the work isn’t always easy, it is deeply rewarding, and you will be left in awe of how so many have experienced this 5D reality because of the inner work they’ve done and the championing guides of the animal friends that cheered them on.

One thing, of many, I appreciate in Tammy’s new book is how she touched on one of the most difficult issues in our world – animal abuse. She tenderly shares how these animals have agreed to serve in this way to help evolve the deepening of compassion and empathy not only on an individual level but also as a collective too.

Embracing 5D consciousness through the eyes of our animal friends is brought into the light even more now because of this beautiful and beneficial book Tammy has written. I have no doubt it will help so many more beings who will then become part of this light that continues to expand and that will only continue to grow brighter and brighter as we all walk the earth with more peace within.

From Amazon and where you can pre-order a copy of Tammy’s book:

A guide to understand, support, and honor the soul missions of our animal companions

• Explains how animals that live alongside humans are lightworkers helping to raise the vibration of collective consciousness and aid in humanity’s ascension process

• Shares example stories of incredible animal Wayshowers from around the world whose actions and sacrifices on behalf of their human companions changed them all for the better

• Offers meditations, rituals, and transformational soul practices to embrace 5D frequencies, intuit heart intelligence, connect to the Higher Self, and heal the shadow

Animals are natural holders of 5D consciousness. The extraordinary animals who have chosen, at a soul level, to live alongside humans are lightworkers on the front lines of the animal kingdom’s mission to help people to heal, evolve, and attune to their divine purpose as well as assist in raising the vibration of the planet and collective consciousness to 5D.

As Tammy Billups reveals, once we become aware of the soul path of our animal companions, we are then able to connect with them soul-to-soul, not only supporting their soul missions but also finding the healing we need to let go of 3D reality and begin making the transition to 5D. Sharing example stories of incredible animal Wayshowers from around the world whose actions and sacrifices on behalf of their human companions changed them all for the better, she explores the many levels of service your beloved animal friends are providing you each and every day, including during disasters, storms, pandemics, and even from beyond the physical. She shows how they help shoulder the psychological and emotional burdens we are not yet capable of holding on our own and show us the way back to our own hearts. Presenting guidance to help animals succeed in their goal of raising consciousness, the author offers meditations, rituals, and exercises for applying the teachings of the animal stories shared, including transformational soul practices to embrace 5D frequencies, intuit heart intelligence, connect to the Higher Self, and heal the shadow.

Offering ways to embrace and emulate the soul teachings of our animal companions, Tammy Billups shows that, by honoring animals as courageous guides on our ascension to 5D consciousness, we too can become Wayshowers in our own right.

***

XO

Barb

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Cleo the Magical Dog

 

Cleo

For most of the summer now before John leaves for work in the morning, I have one important question I ask. “Are you working by Cleo today?”

About mid-way through this summer, I received a text from John asking if I could bring his shop vac to the job site as he’d forgotten it. It just so happened that the job site was where Cleo lives. I was more than happy to oblige.

I’d been hearing about this sweet dog from John and a photo or two he had texted me of Cleo hanging out with him while he remodels the family’s kitchen and living area.

Walking through the front door to deliver the shop vac one late morning, the sweet and graceful Cleo came prancing toward me. After petting her and rubbing her ears for a few moments she returned the love by totally leaning into my leg. She stuck there like glue for quite a few minutes while I chatted with the homeowner, Renee, and how Cleo came to be in their lives.

It’s hard not to be smitten with a dog and Cleo definitely wiggled her way right into my heart. Exactly why I’ve been asking the question most days of what job site John will be working at for the day. Though I have to say at times I’ve been a bit jealous when I know he gets to hang out with Cleo!

Even with the noise of a nail gun, hammers, saws, and a loud shop vac, Cleo stays close by watching John work. But when other subcontractors like the drywallers and plumbers have shown up, Cleo does not want to be near them. It’s almost as if her heart belongs to only one contractor. And that is John.

It got me thinking that perhaps Cleo is a magical dog.

Because it just so happens that the talk of bringing another dog into our lives began a few months ago. Well, for me, it began about two and a half years ago, but alas, that is another story I suppose. But the short of it is I have missed the companionship of a dog.

The other side to this though is that I’ve really appreciated the deepening of my relationship with John and the more time we’ve been able to spend together. That has definitely been a big bonus!

There have been many times my heart has ached for another dog. While I’m also grateful for the time I’ve been able to spend concentrating on myself also.

While staying at a campground in Florida for a month this past March there were dogs on just about every campsite. A few kitties too! So in one way, I got to be around dogs, but in another way, that ache would return again at times.

It was at this same campground that I began to open to the possibility of a larger RV – which had been a dream of John’s – and one thing led to another and we’d end up finding a great deal on a new to us motor coach we purchased a few months ago.

And that is when the talk of bringing another dog into our lives began. So we shall see. There are some days I’d really like a dog now, while there is another part of me that still wants to wait. So I continue to trust that when the time is right the stars will align and we will find the dog that is meant for us.

But for now. I think maybe….just maybe…Cleo is a magical dog who is opening our hearts to love again.

XO

Barb

    

Honoring the Life of Ivan the Beagle and All the Love He Provided to Cedar Bay Community

It was in 2005 after a series of life coaching sessions that I decided to pursue writing and writing about my all-time favorite subject: animals. It wasn’t long after that I landed a job writing a column for our local paper The Depot Dispatch.

One of the stories I was quite honored to write about was Ivan the Beagle who lived at our local senior assisted facility, Cedar Bay Community.

I learned today that Ivan passed away on August 5th. 

In honor of all the love and smiles Ivan brought to the residents, staff, and community, I’m sharing below the story I wrote about him in 2009.

Also as noted in the recent announcement from Cedar Community special thanks were given to Patti Zuelke and Jim and Lisa Jens who opened their homes to Ivan and provided wonderful care and attention to Ivan during his senior years when he no longer lived at the assisted living facility.

Even though I’d not seen Ivan in years, I must admit, his passing has brought tears to my eyes for the loss of such a dear friend to so many. He touched many lives and I’m honored to say he did the same for me. Happy Trails, dear Ivan.

Ivan

Quite Possibly the Most Beloved Resident at Cedar Bay

 Written by Barbara Techel and published in The Depot Dispatch in 2009

When I walked through the front doors of Cedar Bay recently, I was met by Ivan, the adorable 5-year-old resident beagle. He immediately sprang to his feet and jaunted over to see me. 

“Oh what a handsome blue bandana you are wearing, Ivan,” I said!  “He wore that just for you because he knew you were coming here to write a story about him,” said Monica Smith, Campus Director of the facility. “He wanted to make a good first impression.” Well, indeed he did make a heart-warming impression! I was head over heels in love.

Monica came up with the idea that a dog would be a wonderful benefit to the residents and staff of Cedar Bay. Having raised, trained, and shown golden retrievers for a good part of her life she truly understands the love and comfort a dog can provide.

Her idea of a dog as a permanent resident was initially met with apprehension from the administration, yet they trusted Monica in thinking all angles through, which she did with the utmost detail and care for all involved.

Adoring golden retrievers all her life those were of course, first and foremost a consideration. But as she thought about it she realized this had to be the right dog. Not too big, not too small, short-hair, good disposition, go with the flow, ready-made and ready-to-go sort of dog.

So she turned to rescue for those reasons, as well as wanting to give a shelter dog a good home. As she perused the humane society one day with her husband they noticed lots of dogs barking, with one sweet-faced beagle off to the corner just hanging out, almost oblivious to all the commotion. Now a beagle never ever crossed her mind, but they decided to take him outside to get to know him a little better.

Ivan did what he does best. Just hung out, looked cute, and accepted most willingly any affection you wished to bestow upon him. Monica was told that Ivan had been given up by an older gentleman who could no longer care for him. It seemed fitting that Ivan had previously lived with a senior and that he may be the right match for Cedar Bay residents.

Now, this was a risky undertaking. Monica knew if it did not work out that she and her husband would have another dog to care for in their home. But she was more than willing to take the risk. One thing she did not anticipate was the fact that beagles like to howl.  That is exactly what Ivan did for the first three weeks!

The administration commented one day that maybe a cat would have been a better choice. But Monica would not give up on Ivan. She knew he just needed a little more time to settle in.  He also needed structure. Just like a child, dogs thrive with a schedule.

Ivan’s Rules were established by Monica and are strictly adhered to by the staff. Just because Ivan’s bowl is empty does not mean he has not been fed that day!  Treats are limited because Ivan was plumping up quite quickly. A pat on the head or a hug is all Ivan needs to know he is loved. As the residents go to the dining room for meals, Ivan is let outside in the back to “do his thing.” This also helps with the rule of “no table scraps for Ivan.”

The benefits of having Ivan as a resident have been numerous. Inky, the facility’s first resident was blind. She found comfort in having Ivan sit next to her while she stroked his fur. Inky’s granddaughters Lucy and Sofie loved to visit and find Ivan waiting for them. Both girls formed such a wonderful bond with Ivan that they now stop to visit even though Inky has passed on.

Monica often meets family members who are making the difficult decision to place their loved one in an assisted facility. She said, “Ivan is the first thing they see. They ask if Ivan is my dog.”  “No,” she says. “Ivan lives here.” It helps to break down the stress of the situation. Ivan has become an ambassador of sorts for the facility, and all the comforting qualities of home it has to offer.

Ivan has truly become the community dog and is much loved. Residents of the cedar condos often take him for walks, as well as staff members, and local residents like Michelle and her lab, Maybelle. Paula, a cook for the facility is Ivan’s bandana designer. She has made him one for every season and reason. If you are a baseball fan like Ivan, you can join him where he hangs out on game day, which is in the living room.

When not meeting new arrivals, visiting with residents, or doing all the other many things Ivan does so willingly as ambassador, you will find him where he most loves to be. In his cozy bed, usually upside down, snoring loudly, oblivious to all the lives he touches on a regular basis.

Ivan is so special he has even changed the minds of the administration of Cedar Bay. They now lovingly bring him treats and spend time with him before doing any other business. Good dog, Ivan.  Good dog.

xxx