dawn brunke

Opening to All Animal Wisdom. Not Just the Cute and Cuddly.

Opening to All Animal Wisdom. Not Just the Cute and Cuddly.
Gidget posing with my new intuition doll made by artist, Maria Wulf

It isn’t my intent to creep those out who are a bit squeamish.

But here’s the thing. I’m really grateful for being willing to open myself to the wisdom of a creature, who I thought would be one of the least likeliest ones that I would have.

This creature, according to Animal Speak by Ted Williams, is one of rebirth, resurrection, initiation and wisdom.

He also says that out of maybe even all the animals, this is the one of great controversy and paradox.

But a series of events happened to me which really started last winter and escalated this summer.

I’m going to share the last event that happened, because I was somewhat surprised to have felt compassion for this animal that many do not care for (including myself and my fear of them).

I was strolling down my driveway early one evening to take Kylie and Gidget for a walk after dinner.

About two feet off the end of my driveway was the most brilliant emerald green snake. She was coiled up and dead.

For some reason, I wasn’t afraid to approach her, though I kept the dogs at a distance.

There were two baby snakes beside her, and two further away from her. They were all dead.

I was overcome with sadness. It felt so tragic that this whole family was wiped out in a matter of what may have been seconds.

Then I felt awful, being that they were just feet off the driveway, behind my car, that perhaps I had hit and killed them. I don’t recall hitting them, but yet, I really don’t know.

I couldn’t get it out of my mind and ended up sharing this with my friend, Dawn, who is an animal communicator.

It was with her skillful and gentle guidance that she taught me to approach this as if a dream, and to dance within the wisdom of what this may be trying to convey to me.

Most interesting is that she is writing a book about snake and the wisdom snake has for us if we are open to it. Again, I realize this may be difficult for some and I understand.

I hesitated writing about this, only because of my own fear that others may judge me and think I’m weird or have gone off the deep end. But I also realize I don’t wish to judge others who are still afraid of snakes.

But the dance I was able to do with Dawn seeing this as perhaps a dream which made it easier to approach and look at, offered some profound gifts for me.

When I think about snakes wisdom of rebirth, this has been very much a place I’ve been moving toward for the past three years or so. I’m in the process of birthing a new book I’m currently writing and also birthed a new role as a SoulCollage(r) facilitator which helps to encourage others to listen more often to their own intuition.

But I’ve also birthed a new awakening of understanding and the willingness to open myself to opening to all of the animal world. I’m also birthing myself as a woman now in my mid-life years and all that that brings.

While I feel excited about these new ventures, some of these teachings haven’t been easy to look at. But I will say, it has been very healing. I’ve definitely felt a shift within that wasn’t there before.

It has now led me to more curiosity of what other animals may have to offer me and which I want to continue to be open to.

Then just the other day I saw an intuition doll, which artist Maria Wulf makes. I knew I had to have it.

There are no coincidences and that doll was meant to be mine. She’s a reminder of the wisdom gained this summer and wisdom yet to come.

I welcome it. I welcome it all.

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Chinese Medicine, Dr. Andrea and Gidget: Update

Chinese Medicine, Dr. Andrea & Gidget: Update

Gidget getting her second acupuncture session

Today Gidget had a follow-up appointment with Dr. Andrea of Anshen Veterinary Acupuncture. She practices both Western and Chinese medicine. She is working with us to see if we can’t help Gidget with seizures she has had.

You have to look very closely at the photo above to see the needles along Gidget’s spine. Because of her coloring, they almost blend right in!

Gidget didn’t sit as still during this session as she did the first time three weeks ago. Though it could have been because this time we had a morning appointment verses last time we were there mid-afternoon.

But after reviewing everything with Dr. Andrea since our last visit, I’ve decided to try her on some Chinese herbs to see if that will help with the seizures and imbalances she has.

gidget and dr andrea

Gidget with Dr. Andrea

Gidget’s body being out of balance likely a long time since her diagnoses of IVDD before I adopted her, I feel, is definitely something that needs to be considered.

There are so many reasons why seizures can occur.  Oftentimes there is never a distinctive cause found, though I still have a theory with Gidget. But it’s really still a wait and see.

In the meantime, I’ve heard and read many good things about Chinese herbs helping with seizures so I want to give this a shot. I also incorporated a reading with my animal communicator, Dawn. From that reading I’ve incorporated massages I’m giving Gidget twice a day.

This has been an interesting journey to travel. From the beginning, in January, with her first seizure I just didn’t feel right putting her on medication should her seizures continue.

While she has had a total of six so far and two in April, I’m hopeful we are on the right track and she will be seizure free with the different modalities I’m trying.

I’m a believer in treating myself as a whole person when looking at when something is off in my own body and what could be contributing to an imbalance. And I feel the same way with animals.

Dr. Andrea has discussed Gidget’s diet with me, her personality, her habits, her environment, and so much more. All in an effort to try and determine the best way in which to try and help Gidget.

I’m not opposed to medication, but I also want to be sure that is the best and right route specifically for Gidget. While many drugs have come far in not being as toxic when treating for seizures, I have to follow what my gut is telling me right now.

It’s been difficult at times as I don’t want to cause any harm to my sweet girl. But in my heart I truly believe I’m doing the right thing for her for now.

If and when we need to add a drug, well then, I will surely do that.

But treating her as a whole dog is something I’ve leaned into over the years growing stronger in what I believe and being able to express that.

This is, at times, just as much about me as it is about her. I’m learning once again to stand in my truth and have faith I’m doing the right thing.

Meanwhile, in Gidget’s world, she is curled up under her blanket snoring away as I write this post. This is a good thing.

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The Animals are Talking!

blue-jayI’ve made more of a conscious decision to pay attention to the messages from all the animals in our world. Though I really believe dog is one of my spirit animals, I also believe all animals have much to teach me.

As I’m opening myself more to this I think I should perhaps change my website/blog name from Joyful Paws to Joyful Paws wings, hooves, etc. GRIN.

The more I understand and read about how animals try to get messages to us, the more I smile in complete wonder. You don’t have to live in a place full of animals around you to pay attention to their messages for you. They can come to you in images you see on TV or in a magazine or book, something you’ve heard, or an animal that appears before you.

Yesterday I posted on my Facebook page an image of Owl and Butterfly together that touched me. In learning to understand all their messages, I  turn to “The Animal Wisdom Tarot” cards by Dawn Brunke and Dr. Steven Farmer’s book, “Animal Spirit Guides.”

When I read about each animal I read and listen carefully to what resonates with me and find my lesson in their offering.

So this morning as I was doing my yoga practice, a bluejay landed in the tree outside my window. I’ve not seen a bluejay in a long, long time. He flitted back and forth for a time being and then flew off.

I smiled and could hardly wait to get done with my practice to hear what message he had for me.

As I picked up Dr. Steven Farmer’s book and began to read, I got tears in my eyes from these thoughts from Bluejay that feel right for me right now:

Rather than just dabbling in the spiritual/metaphysical realm, choose a path to explore and go as far as you can with it.

Whatever the situation that has triggered some fear, attack it boldly and courageously.

You’re feeling threatened or intimidated by someone, particularly someone you see as stronger or more capable that you are.

You have an interest in a number of subjects and want to explore them all to a degree.

Bluejay had other thoughts to offer, but the above resonated with me at this time.

What really fascinates me about being more open to the teachings of all animals is how they really speak to us of where we are at in our lives and what we are working through.

I want to know more, and it’s why I welcome being as open as possible to hearing and understanding what they have to share with me.

We shall see who arrives next to share another teaching with me!