Grace, Gratitude, & Peace

This morning as I was reflecting on the many things I have to be thankful for, my thoughts drifted to three amazing teachers I recently had the pleasure to learn from. What I learned from them will be with me forever.

I met these beautiful teachers on a dark, cool Arizona night. There is no way I would have ever been prepared for what I saw or experienced that night, or the days that followed. Alex, Daisy and Velvet had survived months of neglect. The kind of neglect and abuse that if they were human would have had the whole city in an uproar and the people who did it to them in jail immediately. However this evening all of them were safe and secure at Luv Shack Horse Rescue, under the vigilant care and love of Joey Ogburn . These were three of the six that had been rescued that day, and were the three in the most critical condition. Actually, they were beyond critical. The text message that called me to this scene had read, "I'm exhausted and have two skeletons that appear to be horses and a third that is trying to die. Can you come over?"

Each of these amazing horses has a story of their own. And on this evening their individual stories became part of a larger story. A story filled with unconditional love, acceptance, peace, calm, gratitude, and stillness. You see, over the coming days Alex, Velvet, and Daisy would each make the decision to leave and transition beyond this life. And in doing so share a lot of wisdom and love with those of us eager to make what time they had left the best it could be.










You knew that what they had endured the past several months was very unpleasant to say the least. And because each of their physical conditions had deteriorated so badly pain and discomfort was part of their day-to-day life. Yet, unbelievably, they did not harbor any anger, hatred or fear. They were filled with love, gratitude, peace, and calm.

I'd never worked with animals in such condition and was not sure what to expect. Unbelievably I encountered love, gratitude, peace and calm where I thought there might be anger, hatred or fear. Over the years I have experienced the amazing ability of animals to move beyond fear, abuse and neglect, and was amazed they were not holding any of these energies within them. Nor, did they want to go that place of feeling those negative energies. Rather, they wanted to live in the moment. The moments where they were surrounded with the care and unconditional love that fills a soul on all levels - physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.

While I had the incredible opportunity to connect and work with them through Reiki on many different levels, some of the most amazing moments to me were the grace, peace and calmness that each experienced and shared with their caretakers. They soaked in every bit of love and attention that was offered. Enjoyed the hugs, brushing, and soothing hands running across their heads, necks and backs. And each gently stood and soaked up our human tears when the emotions were overwhelming. And never once did you feel sorrow or sadness expressed by them, simply because they didn't feel it.

Each decided on her own time when she was ready to go. Alex left quickest, leaving the following morning. Joey said you could see the smile on her face and feel the gratitude in her heart as she closed her eyes for the last time. Velvet's body couldn't keep up with her spirit. She left the next day with grace, diginity, and a quiet stillness that all was well. Daisy hung on the longest and at one point we all thought she would pull through. Three days after her rescue the effects of her neglect were more than her body could bear and she was ready to go. Again there was that familiar feeling of peace, calm and gratitude as she laid down for the last time.

These three beautiful horses taught me lessons I couldn't have learned anywhere else or from anyone else. There was not time or space in their lives for anger, hate or fear. They put that behind them the moment the stepped off the trailer at the rescue. They had no need to keep reliving the past or carry the energy of abuse and neglect with them. Nor did they have a desire to put that energy on to anyone else. Each freely gave as much love to others as was given them. There was not judgment placed on "humans" as a whole due to what they had experienced. They were open to experiencing each person as an individual. And death was simply the next step to take. No fear, regret, or resistance.

I often think of them and continue to learn from them. There is much more that we shared over the days we had together, and I'm grateful to be able to share some of these things with you today.

Being Flexible

Raph is a 28 year old flea bitten gelding who is a favorite at Luv Shack Horse Rescue. He even likes to kiss! He has melanoma and has more good days than not. However, there are times he needs a little help.

I've worked on and off with Raph over the months. He is particular about receiving Reiki and openly communicates his desires. Sometimes we work together and other days we don't. A while ago, during my regular Reiki day at the ranch, he was having a down day and I was asked to work with him. He was standoffish so I made the rounds of the others and waited until last to see Raph. When it was his turn he made it known he wasn't interested. So I thanked him and moved off. I hadn't taken 10 steps when I felt a nudge from behind. I turned around to see Raph softly looking at me. He requested that I connect with him later for a distance treatment. Which I gladly did! It was a great session.

Last Monday was again one of my regular Reiki volunteer days and Raph had been taken out of the herd and was in "sick bay". He was not feeling good and having a difficult time pooping. And yes, I do realize this is the second poop post in a row. :) We had a nice long session and about half way through the session the tummy noises started up with a fury and lots of food and energy were moving around. I asked him if he would poop and he replied with a little impatience "Yes, but it takes time". I couldn't help but smile and love him for his direct way! We continued working and just as things were wrapping up he had a normal bowel movement - the first in a while. I couldn't have been happier!

Early the next morning, around 4:30 a.m., I was gently but firmly brought out of my sleep by Raph. He wanted another distance session. As soon as I connected I felt his discomfort. We worked for awhile and by the end of the session I could feel the fluid movement of his energy from head to tail. Much more natural flowing and free than yesterday. Amazing!

Later that morning I send Joey a text to let her know about our morning session and check on Raph. She said he was doing much better and going back out with the herd. Great news!

A couple days later I was at Luv Shack and standing with my back towards the herd. It was lunch time and everyone was focused on their pile of hay. I was talking with several people and one of them said "Look who's coming up to the gate." I turned and there was Raph quickly walking up to the gate to say "Hi". This was not a normal behavior for Raph and we knew he was coming to see me.

To me there is nothing more rewarding! It's in moments like these that my heart over flows with love and appreciation for Reiki and the animals I have the opportunity to meet and work with.

I learn something from each animal. Raph has taught me to be flexible. Some days we work together in a hands-on session, other days it will be a distance session, and there are times we won't work together at all. It is all about the animal and working with them for their highest and best good.

Diesel Quickly Responds

Diesel is a very large, handsome Great Dane. He had a rough start to life, but has found a safe and happy home where he is now thriving. However, that was not always the case. Due to a health condition and life threatening side effects of the medication he was on his human companion Karen was just about out of options and facing a tough decision. The only procedure left they hadn't tried was a blood transfusion, which unfortunately due to the cost was not an option. He was going down hill fast. He was not eating, drinking, or pooping and hadn't for days.

You could tell when talking to Karen her heart was broken and she felt helpless. I asked her if she would like me to do a Reiki session with Diesel, to which she answered "Yes!"

That afternoon I knocked on Karen's door and heard a deep throaty bark in reply. Having Great Danes myself I couldn't help but smile, realizing how intimidating it sounded from the this of the door. Karen and Diesel greeted me and Diesel and I settled into a Reiki session.

It took a little bit for Diesel to relax into the treatment. When he finally did he rolled over on his side and you could see the tension drift out of his body. It was a deep and focused session, and I mostly worked hands-off until the very end. There was much to feel energetically with areas that were slow and stagnant, and areas that needed to be built up. It never ceases to amaze me how open animals are to Reiki and how easily they accept the energy. An hour flew by before I felt the energy begin to subside. I finished by lightly brushing his legs from the shoulder/hip to the pads of his paws. When I got up to leave Diesel stayed in his deep Reiki sleep.

I shared with Karen and her husband information about the session and some things to watch for over the coming days. And asked her to call me if she saw any changes or had questions. I hadn't been home more than 20 minutes when the phone rang and it was Karen. When she had gone back into the house Diesel got up, stretched, drank water, ate some food, and went outside and pooped. Not once, but several times. That was great news!

A little over a week later I received another call from Karen. Diesel had again stopped eating, drinking, and pooping. Could I please come back? Her husband was a bit skeptical about all this Reiki stuff, and figured it was merely a coincidence that Diesel improved within minutes of his session. However, Karen believed.

This time Karen stayed in the room with us during the session. Reiki can't be the most exciting thing to watch, but I find that the comfort and support of the animal's person greatly adds to the session. This time Diesel quickly relaxed into the session and it proceeded much like the first one. I could feel the energy working at very deep levels, strengthening and building those areas that were depleted. The flow of his physical energy was compromised, but didn't seem as severe as the first session. And he quickly responded to the Reiki.

Karen reported a few day later that again after the session was complete and I left, Diesel headed for the water bowl. This time it wasn't just a good drink, it was a huge drink! He ate a some food and then headed outside to poop. And he has been going strong since. The latest blood work shows he is healthy!

As far as Karen's husband...the weekend following the second treatment they went camping and he openly shared with friends and family the incredible results he saw from Reiki.