Our Animal Friends
This column is dedicated to the fur and feather angels who bless us and add joy to our lives. Look here for a collection of useful and inspirational content collected by our Spirit of Ma’at mascot Lily and her human Dani Lodes. Enjoy!
Lily
“Best Dog Ever”
The death of a beloved animal friend, whether furred, feathered or otherwise attired, whether a creature great or small, represents a very deep and significant loss to the loving human companion. This month’s article is dedicated to a very special canine friend, Lily Cooper-Lodes.
Often, pets come into our lives as Earth Angels to assist us in healing. A growing body of scientific research shows that our pets can also help us to become healthier. That helps explain the increasing use of animals — dogs and cats mostly, but also birds, fish and even horses — in settings ranging from hospitals and nursing homes, to schools, jails and mental institutions. Animals can even provide a level of social support in the institutional care of the mentally ill. Horses have also become popular therapists for people with disabilities.
Many years ago when I lived in Flagstaff, Arizona, I volunteered with an organization named FETE (Flagstaff Equine Therapeutic Enterprise) or “Medicine Horse” for short. Medicine Horse was a wonderful group of individuals who volunteered their time on the weekends to help children with physical disabilities-primarily Cerebral Palsy and Muscular Dystrophy. The idea was to create a safe obstacle course the children could navigate through on horseback. These ranges of motion helped strengthen muscles in the thoracic region, but in addition, these exercises were a wonderful tool in developing relationships with some amazing animals and discovering your best self.
Earth Angels are everywhere and mine came to me in the form of a chubby homeless, curious and loving canine companion….Lily. Everyone will say they have the “Best Dog Ever” and none of them would be wrong, likewise I am no exception…. and I was gifted with “The Best Best Dog Ever”. Many of you who have attended Drunvalo’s workshops over the years will remember her in attendance as a spiritual diva, a seeker, a healer and always a bagel surfer during the breaks… but, more importantly a catalyst for opening hearts in a workshop that assists people from all walks of life…with all kinds of stories, to expand their consciousness and learn to live from their hearts. She didn’t take her position lightly by any means. She always intuitively knew when it was workshop time and often skipped morning meals to sit by my back door to insure she would not be left behind. There definitely would be no leaving her behind…. Remember, she was my Earth Angel and now she was an Earth Angel for all who she came in contact with.
Lily came into my life at a time I was in need of great healing, though it wasn’t until a couple of years later that I figured this out. “Better late than never” as the saying goes… But it doesn’t matter that it took me time – what matters is that I finally figured it out – figured out that really only Kindness, Love and Gratitude matters.
The greatest gift we can give each other is our attention because when we give our attention we give our energy. So let that energy come from a Divine place… a place of unconditional love… to teach us the same way our fur friends are here to teach us.
Our Lily left the physical world earlier this month very peacefully and very beautifully. We were with her through the transition. My last words to her was “Best Dog Ever” …of course.
I want to personally thank Drunvalo, from the bottom of my heart for always allowing her to be a part of his workshops. His love and kindness for all animals great and small will never ever be forgotten. I also want to thank my partner Diane Cooper for the Love and extensive care she provided for our beloved Lily during her long illness… You are a Great Mommy!
And finally…Thank you Lily for finding me… and for all the valuable lessons you taught me… I’ll never forget you!
I’ll see you on the other side!
By Dani Lodes March 2015
There is a special poem written long ago that tells of a special place where our beloved four legged friends go after they pass. The place is called The Rainbow Bridge.
Just this side of heaven is a place called The Rainbow Bridge
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to the Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross The Rainbow Bridge together….
Author unknown….