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
