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Greetings!
On June 12th, 2008, just six weeks shy of her 16th birthday, my dear sweet golden retriever, Ashley, finally lost her struggle with kidney failure and peacefully left her body, as I held her with my hands and with my heart.
For the previous month, I had been administering subcutaneous fluids, cooking anything I could think of to tempt her to eat, and taking her for acupuncture treatments in what was ultimately a losing battle against the ravages of time. Ashley maintained her quiet dignity throughout these procedures, and had many good days, but on that fateful Thursday morning, she clearly signalled that it was her time to go. It's hard to express how much I miss her, and how sad I feel at her passing.
Ashley came into my life as a spunky eight-week-old puppy in 1992, full of the fun and joy and mischief that golden youngsters are known for. She matured into an incredibly wonderful, level-headed companion who became a canine ambassador, embodying all of the nobility and goodness of her breed and her species.
Ashley had a wisdom and a demeanor that set her apart from other dogs, as was exemplified several years ago when she escaped from our house with my two other dogs in the middle of the day, when no one was home. The two other dogs, Lady and Sarah, promptly went on a murderous rampage, killing all but one of my bantam hens, who had been innocently free-ranging in the small pasture in front of the barn. Not Ashley. She just calmly wandered across the street and sat down next to the two little boys who were playing there, while my neighbors watched in horror as the blood-spattered Lady and Sarah ran out of control.
Ashley was an excellent telepathic communicator, and she taught me not only to hear but to trust the messages she conveyed. I feel blessed to have been able to spend almost 16 years with her, and look forward to the day when we will meet again.
From my heart to yours,
Maureen
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  Book Review
Animals in Spirit: Our Faithful Companions' Transition to the Afterlife
by Penelope Smith
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 Early on the evening that Ashley died, I saw her. I was looking down the hallway from my bedroom, and caught a fleeting glimpse of Ashley, calmly walking into the kitchen. And then she was gone.
There was a time in my life when I would have disbelieved that such apparations were even possible, but I now know that they are real.
So it was with great interest that I picked up Animals in Spirit: Our Faitful Companions' Transition to the Afterlife, by noted Animal Communication pioneer Penelope Smith. Penelope's book is one not so much of sadness, but of hope, and in recounting true stories of the deaths of departed animals and their people's subsequent contacts with them, she brings a new dimension to our understanding of the processes of dying, euthanasia, death, and reincarnation.
Her main message is that death is not an ending, but is simply another stage in the cycle of life. It doesn't always mean that our animal friends will be coming back to us in this lifetime, but it does mean that their spirits will continue on their own journeys, and remain accessible to us for as long as we want them to:
It might seem impossible, when we are wrapped in the throes of grief and loss
after an animal departs, but we can find joy again. So much depends on
communicating and really feeling the eternal connection with our animal friends.
This doesn't suggest that Penelope sloughs off the anguish of our human heartbreak when we lose a beloved animal friend. She acknowledges her own grief and anguish at the physical departure of the animals with whom she's been privileged to share her own life, particularly when she was not able to be present when their spirits left their bodies. But she finds great comfort in creating special ceremonies and rituals and remembrances, as a way of honoring an animal's spirit, and even of assisting his or her passage.
I took great solace in the many true stories of departed animals who appear in dreams or visitations, or who leave signs that they are still with us:
Animals want to comfort us and let us know that they still exist. They don't
want us to live with feelings of fear, despair, and isolation. They may take
the opportunity to contact us in our dreams at night, when our busy minds
relax and allow a receptive opening for their communication.
If you have ever grieved the loss of an animal friend, or if you are currently caring for an animal who may be nearing the end of his or her life, this collection of stories will help you to realize that your animal friend is much more aware of what is happening than you may know. While we may guiltily second-guess the end-of-life decisions we make on their behalf, our animals do not find blame. Their continued love and forgiveness and support is there for us, always, and Penelope Smith will show you how to tap into that blessed fountain.
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Animal Communication Tip of the Month
WHY ANIMAL COMMUNICATION WORKS
 Time and time again, animals have given me information that their human caretakers tell me they couldn't possibly have known.
How is this possible?
Animal communication can occur because the animals themselves are extraordinarily telepathic. They can literally read our minds and know our innermost thoughts, even when we haven't expressed them aloud for anyone to hear. And more often than we give ourselves credit for, we are able to know and understand in our hearts what our animals want and need.
The story of Cleo (pictured above) is a case in point. Cleo is suffering from cancer, and her person, Roberta, recently contacted me in an effort to get Cleo's perspective on what was happening, and how she was coping. I had no information (and still don't) about the specifics of Cleo's particular diagnosis, but only knew that she was ill.
In our first session, Cleo shared lots of details about how she was feeling, and also let me know that she was aware that some consideration had been given to amputating a part of her body, as part of her treatment. She was very clear in expressing her fear and distaste for that course of action and let me know that she would not want any part of herself to be cut off.
When I relayed that information to Roberta, she was astonished. She told me that she had been called by her veterinarian while Cleo was in the middle of surgery, and had been asked to make a decision, then and there, about whether to have Cleo's leg amputated. Roberta said, "I was conflicted about this but felt deep in my heart that she wouldn't want her leg cut off--I don't know why. So it really means a lot to me to get that information." Roberta subsequently assured Cleo that she wouldn't let anyone take any part of her body, and let her know that she has nothing to fear. I am sure that Cleo has understood.
In a followup session with Cleo, she beautifully described how it feels to be letting go of her body, and then mentioned the name, "Carol." Roberta told me that "the only Carol I know is from my prayer group at Church. I told them about Cleo and since then, Carol inquires often about her and says a few words of support after Church every week. She is an animal lover and I sense a lot of empathy from her."
Cleo has never met Carol, nor has she ever attended church services with Roberta. Yet she seemed to be aware that someone named Carol was offering comfort to Roberta on her behalf, and Cleo thought it was important to acknowledge these heartfelt wishes while we were communicating.
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A new line of original animal notecards
On the first day of this year, I awoke from a dream that I would create a line of notecards using actual animal models whose faces could inspire and depict a full range of heartfelt emotions.
Thus was Animal Empathy Imprints born, and brought to fruition by the delicate artistry of my colleague and friend Gail Bloom, a painter whose work I have long admired.
 Ironically, Gail's first portrait was of my golden retriever, Ashley, and my dear cat, Casey, both of whom would face serious health challenges within a few months after our fledgling project had begun. Gail's portrait is based on an actual photograph that I'd taken of them together last year, two longtime friends delighting in each other's companionship.
With great love and sensitivity, Gail has created a series  of richly hued original oil portraits that capture the dignity, thoughtfulness, caprice, and character of dogs and cats in a way that we hope will resonate with anyone who has ever loved or lost an animal companion. We have just published our initial five designs, and hope to be able to issue an equine series by the end of the year.
These reasonably priced and beautifully packaged cards make eloquent sympathy expressions and can also be used as special occasion notecards. They can be purchased individually or as a boxed collection.
 We are actively seeking new models to expand the Animal Empathy Imprints line, and welcome photos of your animals for possible consideration and stardom!
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 Last Issue's Survey Results
Looking for Lost Animal Companions
What do people do?
Everyone who responded to my last survey searched exhaustively for their lost friends and used several techniques to recover them, but only 50% were successful in ever finding them.
They circulated flyers, placed newspaper ads, contactacted local shelters and animal control officers, and in one case, hired an Animal Communicator, who unfortunately was not able to provide information leading to the animal's safe recovery.
One woman wrote:
I lost two cats when they jumped out of a second floor window. After a month of searching, I found one cat, but I never found the other one.
In another heartbreaking case, a woman shared her sad experience about her dog, Ida, who has been missing for nine months:
I was not able to find Ida. She has been gone for nine months, so hope has faded. For a long time, there were sightings, and I would get phone calls, but the dog would not go to anyone. I have not heard anything about her in such a long time that I am just praying that she is safe and sound and much loved.
I hope so, too. |
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 Participate in our New Survey As always, the results will be shared in a forthcoming issue.
DO ANIMALS GRIEVE?
I was recently contacted by a woman who simply wanted me to do a "check in" with her cat. When I tuned into the cat, the first thing she confided was that she was grieving for a male feline companion who had died. And sure enough, her person verified that they had lost a beloved male cat about six months earlier.
Have you ever noticed that your animal companions have mourned the loss (by death or distance) of a loved person or animal friend? Or have they ever shown demonstrable sadness when being moved into a new environment? What did you do to help?
I'd love to hear about your experiences and insights, and invite you to share them!
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Honoring the Animals Candlelight Vigil |
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To celebrate National Pet Memorial Day
 Chance's Spot, a nonprofit
online community offering pet loss and support resources, is sponsoring the second annual "Honoring the Animals Candlelight Vigil" at the Brown Forman Amphitheater in Louisville, KY on Sunday, September 14th, 2008.
Even if you cannot attend the candlelight vigil in person, there are opportunities to participate by adding the name of your beloved pet to the event program.
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UPCOMING
EVENTS
Delaware Park & Fair Hill Training Center
July 11-13, 2008
Louisville, Kentucky
Sept. 14, 2008
Wakefield, MA
July 19th, 2008
Worcester, Massachusetts
Sept. 14, 2008
Arlington, VA
July 19-21, 2008
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Bay State Equine Rescue
A Safe Haven for a Fortunate Few
 This filly*, foaled by a grossly neglected Appaloosa mare on a cold night last January, was not born lucky. Far from it. But her fate changed forever a few months later, when she was rescued by the Worcester Animal Rescue League and taken in by Bay State Equine Rescue in Oakham, Mass., along with her footsore dam, "T," and her sire, "Metro."
Now, after months of TLC and mounds of veterinary and farrier bills, these three hapless horses are beginning to thrive. And some day, if all goes well, they'll find loving adoptive homes and make it possible for BSER to reach out to save a few more horses who would otherwise have been doomed to suffering or death.
Founded in 2002 by Susan Sheridan and a band of dedicated volunteers, Bay State Equine Rescue is a nonprofit organization dedicated to rehabilitating horses who have been mentally or physically abused. Among its many successful graduates is my own mare, the 25-year-old Hayley, who BSER plucked out of the dreaded Agawam auction a few years ago, when she was in pitiful condition and literally at the end of the line. They recognized her gentle spirit inside of her hard-used body, and brought her back to life. For the last year and a half, Hayley has been relishing her retirement at a beautiful farm in Harvard, seemingly recovered from the maladies that had once threatened her very survival.
*They are currently sponsoring a "Name That Foal" contest, which anyone can enter, simply by sending a donation of any amount, and up to three suggested names for the flashy chestnut filly pictured here, who will now be able to grow up to enjoy a normal healthy life, thanks to BSER. But hurry! The deadline for entries is July 14th!
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| What's Up With Your Animals? |
 There are so many ways to communicate with animals, as these stories attest. Animals are natural telepathic communicators, and it's because they're so good at it that I can "hear" them.
If you think that you and your animal would benefit from a telepathic consultation, please drop me a note or give me a call.
Until Next Time!
Maureen Harmonay |
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Like Hayley, 
