Spirit—Celebrating the joy that animals bring to our lives including animals as teachers and healers, communicating with your pet, emotional wellness and the spirituality of
horses, animals and energy, the cycle of life and death, the
human-animal bond, etc. "There is much to learn, grasshopper..."
Note: Before starting any new program please contact your primary veterinarian or a holistic veterinary clinic.
QUESTION: My partner, son and I have recently moved from my mother-in-law’s house. I have 3 lovely cats that I have left behind and miss very dearly. I have now moved to a ground floor flat with only a communal garden. Can you please tell me if it's kinder for me to leave my cats at my mother in laws? And would they miss me?
ANSWER: Transitions like this are very difficult, as we all want the best for our furry families.In making your choice, many questions come into play:
· Are your cats very active outside? E.g. do they love to go out and hunt rather than sitting on your knee when you are on the computer or reading?
· Are they older and more sedentary?
· Are they getting the attention they need where they are?
· Which is the safest yard away from cars, predators?
Many cats are happy to go out into a smaller garden so long as they are safe and then are able to come in for lots of love and play in the house.
It’s hard to know for sure, but one thing I can say, is that you know your cats the best. If you feel that the amount of love you can provide for them is more than they are getting now (even with a smaller garden), they will adapt just fine. Being with their family will be the most important. Animals are such energetic creatures - they always seem to know when we are doing our utmost to provide them with the best life we can, and they have a remarkable ability to fit right into almost any situation. Wow, I wish we were all as adaptable! In the end, you are a parent – listen to your instincts, and I know you will make the right choice.
LETTING GO
QUESTION: We have a 13 year old dog that has been with us since she was a puppy. She has started having trouble holding her pee and getting up from laying down. She also struggles with the stairs, although we installed a ramp to make it easier for her. She still likes her walks but her hearing and eyesight are both significantly diminished, and we've noticed that she's become impatient and aggressive with the neighborhood kids. The vet says there is nothing we can do for her health-wise...she's just getting on in years. My question is not an easy one: How do I know when it's time to let her go? It breaks my heart to think of not having her here with us, but it also breaks my heart to see her struggle. What is the right thing to do?
ANSWER: This is one of the hardest decisions of an animal guardian's life. There are many parts to this puzzle, but in the end you must trust your gut feeling. Here are some thoughts that might help guide you.
It sounds like she is still interested in life if she wants to eat and go for walks and this is positive. Some dogs lose their sight, hearing, and smell as they age and they can become fearful, which results in aggression that may not have been present before. The last thing you want is your beloved, aging pet to be scolded or reprimanded, and you certainly don't want anyone to get hurt. Avoid situations where this could happen at all costs. Let visitors and those you meet on walks know that she needs her space and privacy and not to approach her unless they are known to her.
If friends or relatives are judging you or suggesting you are being cruel for keeping her alive too long, just take a few deep breaths and let that go. Friends and family need to recognize the difficulty of letting go of a beloved pet - and you need to know that you're not alone in your feelings of anguish.
Many of the incontinence and low limb weakness issues can be related from a homeopathic and acupuncture point of view, so if you would like to try one more thing, we would suggest a visit to a homeopathic animal practitioner or acupuncturist.
If that is not an option for you or you see she is getting worse every day and that her quality of life is diminishing, it may be time to let her go. Make it special by spending a few quality days with her. Make her a favorite dinner, sit outside with her - do whatever she has loved, but do it in small pleasurable doses. Honour your dog's feelings by asking your vet to do a home euthanasia so her last minutes will be spent in the comfort and safety of her own environment. Many vets will now do this, and there are also special services available that will assist with this process.
Finally, we'd like to commend you for doing what you have to support her in her old age - by doing so you are giving back some of the unconditional love that she has given to you. She will leave knowing she was truly loved and you will know it's okay to say goodbye.
Healing Place Veterinary Clinic
Do you have a question you'd like answered? Click 
Some people (including scientists) believe that animals don't have feelings,
especially the ability to feel pain and empathy. What do you think?Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to 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 Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown