Is This The Same Dog?

Bingo is Tracy’s soul companion and a retired agility dog. At nearly 15 years old her body is tired and she’s eased into a comfortable retirement. Like many dogs her age one can see the spirit and strength of the soul encased by an aging physical body. To support Bingo in this phase of her life Tracy thought she’d enjoy and benefit from energy work. The day Bingo and I met she greeted me at the door for the formal sniff down and then quietly found her spot on the floor to observe and interact as she felt necessary.

During my first session with Bingo I experienced the energy working directly to support her aging physical body with ease and grace. It was one of those sessions where during the hour I experienced the space Bingo and I shared was timeless and endless; yet also felt it was over in an instant. She easily relaxed into the energy flow, released several deep breathes during the session, and soaked up every vibration of the healing energy. Afterwards she was content to simply lay and rest while Tracy and I talked about her session, especially the insights and picture that Bingo had shared with me.

We scheduled another Reiki session for Bingo one week later. The Bingo that greeted me that day was a completely different dog. There was a lightness and sparkle in her eyes that had been dim the week before. Tracy had noticed she had more energy and brightness about her. Her incontinent episodes where much less, she seemed happier and the wart between her eyes had fallen off. (The wart was something Tracy had addressed with the veterinarian and told not to worry about, yet found it was persistent and continued to grow. You can plainly see it in Bingo’s picture.) That day rather than one long intense Reiki session, Bingo and I shared two short sessions. Bingo directed the length and intensity of each of these sessions.

Our second Reiki treatment began when Bingo her spot on the floor to lay. Rather than Bingo going into a deep relaxed space, she relaxed and was more alert and interactive. We worked together for about 15 minutes and then she got up and moved away. She went to find Tracy, take a drink, and wander around the room. Tracy and I thought she might be done, yet Bingo lay down once again and we shared Reiki for another 25 minutes or so. Again, when she was done she got up and moved away. This time I knew she had received all that she needed.

As always, I learn from each animal I work with. Here are some thoughts from my session with Bingo:

• No two Reiki treatments are ever alike. Leave any expectations at the door and allow the animal and the Reiki energy to work in harmony together for the highest good of the animal.
• Allow the animal freedom to move at their will. (An exception to this would be when the freedom of movement would endanger the animal or you. Set up your treatment space accordingly.)
• An animal moving away during a Reiki treatment may mean they are done, or may indicate they are simply taking a break and will return. Watch and listen to the animal to understand which of these are true.
• Reiki energy continues to work and flow within our bodies after the session. The effects of this are often subtle. Often as the subtle changes compound one will see a big change in the overall picture, just like I saw in Bingo just a week later.
• Re-occurring Reiki treatments are beneficial. They support us in the moment for our highest and best good. One session builds upon the other.

Many people report great results from one Reiki treatment. More people experience longer lasting results and bigger overall life changes with regular Reiki treatments. Depending on the situation subsequent sessions could be days, weeks or even a month apart. I recommend a series of at least 3 treatments to experience the power of Reiki, and then a maintenance schedule thereafter. Consult your Reiki practitioner, as well as your own intuition, for the best follow up treatment schedule.

Know What's In Your Heart

The time had finally come after 40 years of dreaming to finally find a horse of my own. Because of my work with rescues, it was no surprise when I got a call from Joey at Luv Shack Horse Rescue. She said she’d found my horse. He was being fostered not too far away and we set up a date to meet him. In the meantime, I received pictures of Butler, and of course fell instantly in love.

Prior to meeting him, I wanted to connect with him and offer distance Reiki. I settled in for a distance treatment and asked to connect with him. Nothing. I tried several times and didn’t once receive a spark of a connection. And then the questions and uncertainty crept in. Hmmm, was it me? If I couldn’t connect was this really meant to be? Was I doing something wrong?

Realizing I had put myself in a state of doubt and uncertainty I took a few minutes for a self-treatment, re-centered and cleared myself. When ready I tried again. Still nothing. Realizing for whatever reason it was not meant to happen I offered thanks for the experience and looked forward to meeting him in person the next day.

Meeting Butler was a wonderful experience that filled me with joy as well as a strange feeling of not wanting to hope too much in case it didn’t work out. However, you couldn’t wipe the smile off my face for days afterwards.

That night I again wanted to connect with Butler and offer Reiki. Thinking that meeting each other would change things I again settled into a quiet space and sent out the offer. The next thing I heard stopped me in my Reiki tracks and brought a lump to my throat. Butler, in his direct and wise manner which I’ve come to appreciate, simply let me know that if I was not willing to commit myself 100% then he wasn’t either. He wasn’t interested in another half-hearted relationship.

I couldn’t believe it. How did he know? Did he really understand my how much I wanted this, yet was afraid that something might happen to take it away? Right then and there the first of many personal lessons facilitated by Butler began. It didn’t take more than a split second to realize I was guarding my heart, just in case it didn’t work out, and to decided then and there to release it and move forward. Once I made the commitment, we entered into one of many Reiki sessions since that time.

Animals know what’s in your heart. They sense when your outside actions aren’t congruent with your inside thoughts and feelings. Why is this important when offering Reiki? Simply because we’re working in partnership with the animal, which means they must be comfortable with our state of mind, the feelings in our hearts, and our intentions.

Prior to connecting with an animal simply check yourself for emotions, feelings, thoughts, or physical discomforts that may not be conducive to a Reiki session. If they can be cleared and removed, simply do so. Here are a few suggestions to assist you:

• Imagine a white light (or whatever color feels right to you) entering through the top of your head, filling your body and washing away the “stuff” that is ready to leave.
  
  
• A brief meditation connecting you to the energies of the earth (a stable, nurturing foundation) and the sky (divine energies). This will help clear and ground you.
  
  
• Before entering the animals space deposit all that is troubling your mind and heart in a container (real or imaginary) outside the animal’s space. When you leave you can decide whether to pick these things back up or simply release them.
  
  
• Open your heart and share with the animal who you are at that moment – both the good and the bad. Let them understand you’re not projecting this onto them, yet want them to know what’s in your heart. Then let the animal decide if they want to proceed.

Animals are very forgiving. Likely, when you come to them from a place of love, honesty, and integrity you will be welcomed into their lives. And of course, if like me you discover personal issues you’d like to work on, Reiki is the perfect tool to help you heal and become whole.

Good Grief

Reiki works at very personal, physical, mental, emotional and spiritual levels. It’s common for my human clients to seek Reiki during times of grief or loss, whether that be a loved one, a job, or an abrupt change in life. It’s important to remember that animals feel grief and loss too.

Rose and Stella are two horses who arrived at Luv Shack feeling a great sense of loss and grief at the abrupt ending of their human companions life. Joey Ogburn, founder of Luv Shack Horse Rescue, instantly recognized what these two horses were experiencing and knew Reiki would help them find peace and comfort in transitioning to their new home.

Hungry and wary Rose and Stella watched me from a careful distance as I entered the arena where they were eating lunch. You could sense their gentle sweet spirits, as well as see their concern for each other as they settled into this new place. As I talked softly to them from a distance and opened my heart to listen I could feel the heaviness that was in their hearts. It brought a lump to my throat and tears to my eyes on this otherwise bright and sunny Arizona afternoon.

The Reiki shared with them that day was from a distance, and usually Rose was standing between me and Stella. Regardless I could feel the strength of three spirits connecting and the energy of Reiki filling the space between us. It was a session of understanding; releasing and experiencing peace at a very intimate level deep within our hearts. They continued to eat, move in close now and again for a sniff of my hands, and would occasionally stop and bask in the warmth of the sun as we shared Reiki that afternoon. When done, a definite feeling of calm and hope was shared by all.

Today, Rose and Stella are an intricate part of the herd. Enjoying the company of the other horses and the volunteers who eagerly care for them, they’ve made the transition from grief and concern to peace and harmony.

Fievel's First Round Up

Just like Fievel the mouse in An American Tale, Fievel the horse had a big adventure in the Wild West. At only a few weeks old he wandered into a cattle roundup without his Momma. Knowing he wouldn’t make it on his own he was taken in and eventually made his way to Luv Shack Horse Rescue. Despite being small, thin, and malnourished he has a strong spirit and is curious about the world around him.

Upon arriving at Luv Shack he is estimated to be only 3 – 4 weeks old. After settling Fievel into his new penthouse suite at the Luv Shack Hilton, and a thorough exam by the vet, I went over that evening to work with him.

Due to the unique circumstances of his age and condition I was reminded of several things as I worked with him. Special considerations should be kept in mind when sharing Reiki with animals who’ve recently experienced trauma, young or old. While this is no means a complete list of things to consider it is a start:

• Remember you’re there to work with the animal, not DO anything to them. It’s human nature to rush in to aid a helpless being. If the animal is safe, stop for a moment and consider whether your actions are based on doing something to the animal (picking it up, hugging it, petting it, etc.) or based on working with the animal in a manner that is comfortable and acceptable to them. Are your actions going to be more of a comfort for you than the animal?
  
  
• Respect the animal’s physical space. As much as we would love to scoop them up and cuddle them this often creates more fear than comfort. Be careful not to corner them. Always leave the animal room to move around, including moving away from you.
  
  
• Check your emotions at the door. No, I don’t mean to become unfeeling. Rather put your personal feelings and emotions aside and bring only positive, healthy, supportive energy into the animal’s space. And to a lesser degree keep your positive emotions in check. We can smother and overwhelm an animal easily with our emotions, both positive and negative.
  
  
• Be mindful of the length of time an animal is comfortable in receiving Reiki. Not all animals, are going to be open to receiving Reiki, despite our best intentions. If the animal moves away from you, refuses to connect, or lashes out in some way (snarl, nip/bite, kicking, stomping feet, etc.) stop immediately. These may be signs they do not wish to receive Reiki at that moment, or you may also consider changing your approach. Consider offering Reiki from several feet away. Or maybe a distant session would be more acceptable if you’re a Reiki II practitioner or higher. Lastly, this may not be what the animal wants. Thank them and leave them alone.
  
  
• As is often the case in a rescue facility, the newest arrival gets a lot of attention from attending to his physical needs to volunteers eager to great and comfort them. If there is a lot going on in the animal’s space consider waiting until a quiet time to offer Reiki. Your Reiki session will have a much greater impact when the animal is not overwhelmed with a lot of activity around them. And, you are less likely to become frustrated due to interruptions and distractions.

When I first arrived to work with Fievel there were just a couple of us and I was able to share some Reiki with him. He preferred short treatments, then we’d take a break and start a gain in a few minutes. Later as he needed to eat and volunteers came to greet and comfort him there was a lot more activity going on around him, sometimes with 4 – 5 people in his stall. I decided to stop offering Reiki and come back the next day when things would be quieter. Another option would have been to step back and offer Reiki to the situation as a whole.

The next day there were only the two of us, me and Fievel. I sat in his stall and let him come near me and move away as he desired. Like the night before he took the Reiki in small sessions and moved freely around his stall. Several times he moved and positioned his body near my hands where he wanted Reiki. The reward at the end of our time together was a soft nuzzle on the cheek. While the few moments of Reiki we shared the first night were good, going back at a quieter time was much more productive and rewarding for both of us.