animals

How We View Death in Our Society… and What Animals Teach Us

Posted by Barbara Techel


I was just blown away by a post I found on the blog Hospice 4 Animal’s and one vets life changing experience she is having regarding hospice and death.  It struck such a chord with me that I had to share.  Being involved with hospice work with Frankie has opened my eyes and my heart to view death as not something dreadful or scary, but a time of transition.  And for me, personally, I don’t believe animals fear death… and wow, as you know me by now, I believe they teach us about living.  So without further ado, I share a portion of the blog post that blew me away and at the end invite you to read more at their blog, as well as invite you to share your thoughts.

“I have learned in our culture , especially in the USA, we AFRAID of death.  Sharen Myers quoted Margaret Mead who said “When someone is born, we rejoice.  When someone marries, we celebrate.  When someone dies, we pretend nothing happened.”  Death IS the equal and opposite process of birth.  If we want to live well, we need to die well and vice versa.  We may try to ignore this for ourselves, but we are faced with death full force with our pets.  We love them so much and they love us so purely.  We are responsible for them, feed them and take care of them, but in reality  they take care of us. I know there is an amazing spiritual, pure love connection with our animals.  I know I am being loved when I look into a kitty like Zoomi’s eyes.  There is a message there, and now I am not afraid to admit that, and thrive in that knowledge.  The Hospice Symposium has validated the path and the truth that I feel in my gut.  I have found the courage to change my life from that knowledge.  Something about dealing with the moment of death teaches us how to well live our lives.  There is the very kernal of sacredness here, and the lesson is to experience it. ”

Read more… and please do share your thoughts.

Columbus Hospice program cares for patients’ pets

Posted by Barbara Techel

I recently came across the following article about a hospice program that has put into place caring for patients' pets.  And honestly, it brought big tears to my eyes.  What a wonderful program!!  Animals are such a big part of our lives, and I for one, know my animals keep me going some days.  I can only imagine what they do for hospice patients.  Taking care of all the needs of a hospice patient is vast and wide, including the well being of their families, and for this program to include the well being of their pets as well, no doubt provides them with peace of mind.  What a beautiful gift.

Here is the article as it appeared in Ledger-Inquirer:

Columbus Hospice serves more than 300 patients and for many of them, Terri Roberts says, “their pet is all the family they have.”

That’s why Roberts, the organization’s director of volunteer services, is excited about the new program that Columbus Hospice will begin in January.

It’s called Pet Peace of Mind and is being financed by a $5,000 grant from Banfield Charitable Trust, a public charity that focuses on pets.

The idea for the program came from Delana Taylor McNac, who began a similar program at the Green Country Hospice in Tulsa, Okla., where she is the chaplain. McNac is a former veterinarian.

“I know one of our patients has a cat, and it’s everything to him,” Roberts said. “With this program we can make sure the pets are cleaned, groomed, get their shots, are well fed and any medical problems can be taken care of.”

She added that many patients are physically or economically unable to take proper care of the animals.

Roberts said that PAWS Humane will be assisting, as will local veterinarian Susanne Seward, who is discounting fees. Pet groomer Klazi Kritter Kutz also is donating services.

Volunteers will transport pets to a veterinarian or groomer and deliver pet food and cat litter to homes.

She said the program will give patients the assurance that someone understands the role of their pets in contributing to their well-being.