human animal bond

Max the Yellow Labrador Mirrors a Beautiful Teaching on Aging

Posted by Barbara Techel

It’s animals and nature that I continue to lean into for comfort during these uncertain times. So today I want to share with you a tender story about Jessica and her dog, Max. I hope it will touch your heart as much as it did mine.

It was during a reading session I facilitated for Jessica and her dog that Jessica shared with me that the sight of her aging yellow Labrador, Max, and his legs giving out often unnerved her.

I could certainly empathize with this as it was over fourteen years ago when my dachshund became paralyzed in her back legs from a fall and a diagnosis of Intervertebral Disc Disease. Watching her scoot and pull herself along the floor was heart-wrenching to witness. But in time I’d come to understand this as a reflection of what I needed to heal within myself.

Jessica was seeking guidance on how she could help Max with aging gracefully and how she could best support him. I was more than happy to see what I could do to help to mutually benefit both her and Max.

Using the ancient wisdom of oracle cards to gain insight into what would serve as a road map for both her and Max, I pulled four cards from the Wisdom of the Oracle.

The first card was about helping Jessica with her internal challenges and navigating the daily tasks of caring for an aging dog. The card pulled was inviting her to be with going the distance even when she didn’t think she could and about embracing uncertainty even when it felt difficult.

Next, we looked at where Max was at this stage of life. No surprise here really, as animals often adapt with much more ease than we humans do. His card was ‘Serendipity’ and it fits perfectly with his easy going and sometimes goofy personality. It was also a beautiful reflection for Jessica to not only embrace being more in the present moment but to also go with the flow.

Next, we looked at the relationship between both of them. I felt a tug on my heart when the card pulled was ‘Yin.’ This is all about embracing the feminine and again, about being fluid – not forcing anything – but just allowing what is unfolding at the moment and being open to the gifts of it all.

The next two cards pulled we looked at what could help Jessica move forward and how she could stay connected with Max. This revealed they still had much joy to take part in and this time of Max slowing down would present more opportunities for just this— a pivotal time for them to deepen in their relationship, to just be with each other, and to celebrate the road they’ve traveled together instead of wishing things could be different.

It was a palpable moment when Jessica had the realization that Max was mirroring the struggles she was personally having with her aging process. She’d been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease the previous year and was learning to move through her days in new and mindful ways that best support her well-being. This is something that can feel challenging at times as she is raising a young family and is also running her own small business.

As I do with my reading sessions, the last card I pull is one that has a message specifically from your animal friend. And Max had the most meaningful message to share with Jessica. The card drawn was from the Divine Dog Wisdom Cards and read, “Acceptance – Loving What Is.”

While this was so touching to both Jessica and me and we took a moment to let it seep into our hearts, it was a few moments later that we also chuckled and echoed, “You can’t make this stuff up, right?”

Leave it to our animal friends to sum it up into something so poignant you feel it vibrate throughout your whole being!

It was recently that I received another touching note from Jessica that prompted me to ask for permission to share her and Max’s story with you today.

It read:

“I just wanted to send you a note. Your session (for her and Max) helped so much. Max’s health issues have been ebbing and flowing for the last two weeks and honestly, this is the most relaxed I’ve been about them. I realized there isn’t any fear and I don’t see him as struggling. I’m sure this shift is a relief to him as well. Thank you so much for the gift of peace.”

While I’m honored to have held space for both Jessica and Max to arrive at this new place within their relationship, I also tip my hat to Jessica for being open to what she couldn’t at first see, but now understood about her fears that helped her arrive at this new space of peace within.

And I, of course, continue to be in awe of the wisdom of animals and their gift of walking selflessly beside their human friends as a way in which they serve to help us heal. Way to go, Max!

P.S. I think the smiles on both of their faces says it all, don’t you?!

xo,

Barbara

Dear Gidget: We Did It.

Posted by Barbara Techel

Dear Gidget,

I completed the final page— the dedication page— of my manuscript, I’m Fine Just the Way I am.

I know you heard my words of dedication to you as I typed them because I felt your presence all around and within me.

Do you have any idea how often I’ve thought of you in the last six months? My favorite picture of you still sits on my altar. I look at it often and talk to you.

While at times it has been an ache of missing you physically, it has also been a time of deepening in gratitude that has filled and expanded my heart for all you taught me and helped me through.

I look out the window next to my writing desk and the heart-shaped stone marker that marks your resting place is buried underneath the snow.

But I know it’s there. Just like I know you will always be a part of me.

The other morning on my walk I witnessed you as a crow. I knew it was you because as I watched the crow walk along on the grass with the most endearing wobble, giddy-up in his gait, I thought of you and my heart smiled.

I watched as you then flew up to the top of the building and I felt you with me as I continued on my journey back home. This is what you did for me when you were here on earth – you guided me back home to myself.

I’ve been thinking about what others often say and that when we lose someone we feel like they took a part of our hearts with them. I understand what they mean.

But I’ve also come to believe and feel in my heart this expansion and deepening from the love I was so blessed to share with you. My way of honoring you is to continue to do my best to live in that space of expansiveness.

I wouldn’t be who I am today without you and all I learned from you as my Master Teacher and Healer.

I still marvel at moments at how such a tiny dog in stature as you were carried the depth of wisdom as you did.

Our destiny was written in the stars, this I know.

For walking beside me through the darkest of times, your devotion to me never wavered. And though I now walk alone without you, I’m truly never alone as your spirit resides within me. And it is that essence of you that I’ll always be grateful for. 

XO

A Man and His Dog

Posted by Barbara Techel

Each and every time I see this scene play out in front of my house it causes a swirl of loving emotions in my heart. Often times, I will stand at the kitchen window or front door and take the time to watch this man and his dog walk by – it’s such a sweet moment that brings me so much joy.

For many years, having two dogs of my own, I didn’t interact with this man and his dog if I was outside. It was hard to do so because both my dogs were often barking at the ‘intruder’ walking by.

About three months ago I was putting something away in my car when I saw them coming down the street. I waited. I wanted to catch a closer glimpse of this tiny dog who is often decked out in either a purple polar fleece coat or this red jacket she is wearing in the photo.

I also wanted to know her name. I enjoy finding out the names of dogs and so often they seem to fit just perfectly. Not having a dog of my own right now, it makes me happy when I can interact with another dog if even for only a few short moments.

The man shuffled toward me and was chuffing on a cigarette as he often is. I suspect that when he walks the dog it’s also his smoking break and perhaps he’s not allowed to smoke in the house.

I said, “Your dog is so cute. What’s her name?”

The man’s face lit up as he excitedly said, “Her name is Ruby!”

“What kind of dog is she?”

“She’s a min-pin. She’s our second one. We rescued her.”

“She’s adorable. I love seeing you walk by with her.”

“She’s a good girl,” he said.

“I can see that.” Crouching down to the dog’s level I said, “It’s nice to meet you, Ruby.”

She wasn’t so sure what to think of me and hid behind the man’s legs. So I let her have her space.

The man bent over and picked her up. I could then see her face which was as tiny as could be with her dainty ears that bent forward and her soft black eyes. This endeared her to me even more.

“What a sweetheart,” I said.

And off he shuffled, inhaling another puff of his cigarette as Ruby’s spindly legs paced beside him.

I smiled watching them walk away. Her name fit her just right, I thought. Ruby with her red coat quite magical is she as she just does her thing being a dog and this always impacts my heart with so much love.

XO,

Barbara