pet grief

Custom Candles to Remember Your Beloved Pet

Posted by Barbara Techel

I love the name of this new custom candle company, A Chosen Moment.  Started by Nadine M. Rosin, author of The Healing Art of Pet Parenthood, which I highly recommend everyone read.  It was the most honest and authentic book I have ever read.

About a month ago I won a free 1/2 hour consultation with Nadine, which I also highly recommend.  She is a very intuitive and caring woman.  She told me about her new candle company she was beginning and asked my thoughts.  She said they would be candles with photos of loved ones, human or pets on them in their honor or memory.  I loved the idea!  What a beautiful way in which you can connect with your beloved pet (or loved one) in a quiet time of reflecting on fond memories, with the light of the candle bringing out the spirit and glow of all your pet was to you.  The idea made my heart tingle.

So I submitted a photo of my chocolate lab, Cassie Jo, who passed away in 2005, for the contest she was running to introduce her company. I was thrilled when I learned that Cassie Jo was one of the photos that won and could hardly wait to see my candle.  So if you follow me on a regular basis, you know I believe in signs.  The photo I submitted was taken in April 2005, three months before Cassie Jo passed away.  I won the candle in April of this year.  Cassie Jo will be gone five years as of July 11th, so I plan on lighting my candle on that day.  Again this just makes my heart tingle.

So before revealing the photo I submitted I have to tell you why it is my chosen moment.  Cassie Jo was the first dog I had in my married life.  For some reason my husband and I decided that dogs did not belong in the living room, only the kitchen (as you know I’ve surpassed that stupid rule!).  Eventually she was “allowed” in the living room, then on our bed and before you knew it she was deeply embedded in our hearts.  The one “rule” I would not let her break was the rule of laying on the living room furniture.  My red chair was sacred to me.

Well in April of 2005 we realized Cassie Jo was not going to be with us too much longer. She was showing signs of declining.  One day I discovered her sitting on my sacred red chair.  In that moment I realized I would give anything to have her well again.  So what if she sat on the furniture?  It was only a material thing.  I’d live with shabby chic furniture the rest of my life if I could just have her with me a little while longer.

Though that was not meant to be, she did get to enjoy the sacred red chair any old time she wanted and I even fluffed up the arm of the chair with her favorite sleeping bag… so is the photo that is my chosen moment on my custom candle.


The sacred red chair became a place of comfort for me when Cassie Jo died.  It also became the place where I would sit with pen and journal in hand as I began my authentic search for who I truly was.  Cassie Jo lead me to that search and she continues to be with me in my heart as I live a life of joy that she taught me.

I also ordered a custom candle for my new friend, Erin who runs Amazing Grace Equine Sanctuaryin loving memory of her disabled horse, Moki who was put to sleep on May 26th due to extreme pain and mental anguish he was in.   Frankie and I truly enjoyed gifting her with the candle for her quiet moments of reflection.  As I finish typing this blog post Barbra Streisand is singing, “Memories.”  Must be a sign.  🙂

 

 

Occasional Paws Feature Story: Amazing Grace Equine Sanctuary

Posted by Barbara Techel

Erin and one of her beloved horses

On the outskirts of Elkhart Lake is an equine sanctuary with six horses, two dogs, and one horse loving woman named Erin.  Supporting Erin’s hopes and dreams is a gentle man beside her named John.

Originally the dream of Erin’s sanctuary was to have been built in Waycross, Georgia.  She had purchased a piece of land one hour away from where her mom lived, and Erin was ready to pursue her heart’s calling. 

Erin’s step-dad and mom both shared in the dream of the horse rescue.  Her step-dad planned to build the facility, and her mom would be the bookkeeper.  In late 2006 her mom, who was also her best friend, suffered a stroke.  As her mom slipped away in May 2007 Erin’s dream of the sanctuary went with her also.  She felt there was no longer a reason to move to Georgia.  With her mom now gone, Erin could not gather the strength to move forward.

Luckily for Moki, Storm, Skye, Nallah, Miss U and Trigger, all horses now under the tender care of Erin, she found the courage a year later to pursue her passion and began her sanctuary in Hartford, Wisconsin. 

It was Miss U that became the first horse to find Erin, which would put the dream of the equine rescue back in motion.  The first time Erin met Miss U she said, “My body tingled all over. It was so surreal.  I just knew this was what I was meant to do.” 

Erin began the work of completing the many pages of paperwork to become an official non-profit entity.  This task alone could make anyone not want to pursue this endeavor, but now Erin had Miss U, along with the spiritual presence of her mom, guiding her.  On New Year’s Day 2010 she and the horses moved to Elkhart Lake to be with John.

I asked Erin, “Why did you want an equine sanctuary?” 

She shared with me when she turned 40, she began some soul searching, wondering what her purpose was.  She was surrounded by horses her whole life, breeding, boarding and showing them for a living while her two sons were growing up. Though she loved being around horses, this was not the way in which she felt was her life’s calling.

It took a few years to figure out what it was that she felt she was meant to do.  She knew it had to be something around horses because of her deep love for them.  It was then that she realized she was meant to nurture, love and care for them, especially those who are neglected, abused or unwanted.

Having a sanctuary she felt could bring awareness to educating others about the care of these large animals, and the commitment it takes.  Just like dogs and cats, too often, they are brought into our lives without consideration of the time, money and caring it takes. Erin says, “Making a commitment should carry the same weight as marriage to another person.”

She also wants to be able to give back and help horses heal that have been through difficult and traumatic situations. Erin can relate because her childhood was filled with mental, physical and sexual abuse.  Through years of therapy, as well as being around horses, Erin healed. 

Though some family and friends have difficulty understanding Erin’s drive to have a sanctuary, she did not let that stop her.  Sure, now and then she would question if this was the right thing to do. But something in her knew this was meant to be.

Erin is woman of immense faith in God, though one morning she awoke to a dreadful case of the doubts when she was in the process of beginning the sanctuary.  The thoughts were looming large in her mind. 

She believes in signs from up above, and pleaded for reassurance that she was on the right path.  As she sat down to eat breakfast she opened up Hooved Animal Humane Society magazine.  She gasped as she saw a picture of the saddest and most soulful horse she had ever seen. Sadly, the horse was euthanized due to so many traumas.

Erin said, “It just took my breath away.”  She could not get the haunting image out of her mind as she drove to work.

Before going into work, she opened up her mail which she had picked up on the way.  Interestingly enough there was an envelope from her aunt Pat, who she rarely talked with or saw.  Inside was a letter with a full page editorial about a woman in Pat’s area who rescue’s horses.

Erin said, “I just cried because I knew this was my sign.”

The doubts have taken a back seat, as Erin moves full speed ahead with Amazing Grace Equine Sanctuary.  Before her mom passed away she never really believed you could connect with loved ones on the other side.  She has come to strongly know there is a higher purpose at work.  She feels her mom with her every step of the way. 

Understanding we are being guided, Erin named the sanctuary Amazing Grace, because it is so fitting for the invisible forces that are always at work around us.

Mascot of the sanctuary is Moki, a disabled horse, who was mentally and physically abused.  He came to live with Erin in November 2009.  Erin gave all of her heart and love to this horse, who stands prouder than any horse I have ever seen.  Much has been done to help Moki, but the answer to easing his suffering now lies in helping him cross to the other side. Erin is now gathering the courage to help Moki gallop free of pain. She knows her mom will be waiting with open arms to care for him until they all meet again someday. 

A piece of my heart is with Erin and Moki as they prepare to say their final goodbye.  But I just have to believe Moki found Erin because she is the angel who will give him the best gift of all in setting him free.

The sanctuary is slated to make its permanent home on the corner of Highway 57 and County Trunk FF in the upcoming weeks.  It is where Erin sees herself living life to the fullest, with fiancé’ John at her side, dogs Georgia and Synders as her furry companions, and the horses who she will continue to heal, nurture, and love with all her heart.

Watch for information on an upcoming open house and fundraiser in the fall of 2010 to see how you can help support Amazing Grace Equine Sanctuary.  Donations are appreciated to ensure the health of the horse sanctuary, and can be made on the website at www.amazinggraceequinesanctuary.com

UPDATE:  This story is dedicated to the memory of Moki.  On March 26th, 2010 Erin made the very difficult decision to release Moki to the other side. She asked me and two other friends to be there with her to give her the strength to say goodbye.  To be a part of Moki’s crossing over was more difficult that I had anticipated… but seeing him free of not only his physical pain, but mental anguish as well, made my heart happy for him. In my mind I see him galloping in the wind of eternal freedom where no one can ever hurt him again… and grateful that Erin helped him be the horse he always wanted to be…she set him free and I believe she was the angel he needed to give him that ultimate gift.

MOKI

Letter from a Frankie Fan Touches My Heart

Posted by Barbara Techel

I have “met” some very amazing people since embarking on my journey with Frankie.  Every day there is a new blessing that reveals itself.  Every time that happens it makes me feel incredibly grateful for the path I am meant to be on.


Luke with his dog Jake

Recently I received a very touching letter from a fellow dachshund lover.  We “dachshund people” are a breed of our own and I consider it an honor to be among these kind people.  Luke sent me the letter below, along with a poem he wrote about his dear Jake who passed away.  It especially struck me coming from a guy- who sometimes are not always so willing to share their feelings, so I was just so touched he shared this with me.  He also gave me permission to share with all of you and hopes his poem may help others.  I have no doubt it will.  Thank you, Luke.

My departed dachshund Jake had a similar story. When he was around 12 years old he ruptured a disc and after a good deal of money he thankfully recovered from surgery. He later became diabetic and eventually died from (I believe) a brain tumor. The last year or more of his life was very tough as he lost the ability to walk and eventually could not stand on his own. I had to carry him outside and hold him up to eat but I did not care. I loved that dog more than life itself and would had done anything for him.

When he passed it was very sad but looking back it was time as he was not enjoying life and was starting to have episodes due to the tumor. God bless you for pointing out to others that back disease does not equal a death sentence.

Poem written by Luke after Jake passed:

Goodbye To A Friend

There is no need to fight, or to hang on another day
Though I am sad to see you go, and I have always dreaded this day

I think back to the days when you were so young and so free,
You loved nothing more than to chase a squirrel up a tree

But the squirrel had no worries, about meeting his end
You were such a gentle soul you would had just made him your friend

But time took it’s toll, and you picked up some gray
The walks were a bit slower, but we made more friends that way

And when you could no longer walk, or no longer stand
I was there as your best friend, to lend you a hand

Now you no longer suffer, nor feel any pain
Goodbye my friend, until we meet again

Jake and Minnie (Luke lost both in the same year)  I like how Luke said, “until we meet again.”  I truly believe we all do meet again… for me personally that is what brings me peace about beloved animals I have had that have passed on.  So I’m sure Luke will see Jake and Minnie again… and how lucky those dogs were to have Luke while here on earth.