As I got up to leave Gill’s office I noticed the photo of a dog above her desk. For some reason, I was compelled to mention the photo. Gill acknowledged it was her “darling” and that she had recently had an operation for cancer. Gill had treasured her dog Jackie, who was now 13, ever since she’d been a puppy and there was an obvious concern in Gill’s voice about the operation.
We talked briefly about how much animals mean in our lives, and I mentioned in passing that I could do some healing on the dog if Gill wished me to. She was very grateful for the suggestion and said she’d get me to come to visit the dog at some stage.
Not long afterward, I got an urgent email asking if I could come and visit the dog because her recovery from the operation had stalled. Gill was struggling to encourage the dog to eat.
When I arrived I sat down on the veranda with Jackie and put my hands on her. Gradually, some information came to me. I told Gill that the dog was feeling guilty. This news stunned Gill until I explained that Jackie was feeling guilty that she actually felt too tired and worn out to continue battling. As it dawned on Gill that the dog was trying to hang on for her sake, she let go of that energy and consequently the stress the dog was feeling. I encouraged Gill to express her feelings and to tell Jackie that she understood she was ready to leave this world and that she, Gill, could let her go.
The shift in energy was palpable not only to me but also to Gill. Immediately, Jackie felt more peaceful and calm. She licked Gill’s hand in acknowledgment and thanks for her release. Jackie stayed with Gill through the weekend and then died peacefully.
It was a poignant experience to feel the dramatic shift in energy when the dog’s owner realized what her dog wished for. While it was not easy for Gill to let her dog go, it was easier to do so at the dog’s request.
Banter
Banter’s mum rang me as she was worried about the dog’s behavior. He was no longer playful, preferring to run to his bed and chew on the blanket for long periods of time. I felt that Banter was very sad and asked him why. It emerged that Banter was very worried about the impending separation in his family. He had been absorbing his mum’s concerns about how the husband would cope when he left the family home. I was able to help Banter see that it was not his concern. I advised processes which Banter’s mum could work through to relieve his anxiety.
