Touched By The Extraordinary Blog

Many of my patients have shared intimate and moving stories of their beloved animal family members, providing evidence that they truly do grieve deeply. Ellen*, the lovely, soft spoken mother of Lisa,* recently shared a poignant story with me which confirms animals’ awareness of significant and powerful moments and events in our lives. Their family’s horse, Fudge,* on which Lisa had been preparing to ride, and which she dearly loved, had suddenly galloped off, after being startled and frightened by a loud noise. This, tragically, resulted in Lisa’s death. Though Fudge had not done this deliberately, Lisa’s mom explained that for many months following the accident, it was difficult for her to be around Fudge.

However, one afternoon, Dave,*, Ellen’s husband, came to her and insisted she come and see Fudge. Though Lisa really did not wish to do this, Dave said, “Please, you must come. You simply have to see this.” When she entered the stable and approached the gentle, yet strong animal, Fudge immediately came over to her and deliberately put his face on her shoulder, while looking at her with eyes filled with pain and sadness. She said that it was as if he were trying to say, “I am so sorry.” Ellen, deeply moved by this gesture, could not help filling with tears, aware of both the pain Fudge was feeling, as well as her own heavy heart. Ellen knew Fudge was aware of his role in something happening to his little partner. She – and Dave – could see and feel his pain and his suffering. She said that what she had experienced in those moments with Fudge would stay with her forever.

If this has moved you in any way, and you have a story or comment you wish to share, please post it on this page.
Your doing this weaves the fabric of greater compassion and understanding for all our animal friends. Remember, we are pure energy - and capable of being one with all. Blessings, Susan

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We are all one. Furthermore, we are pure energy, as is everything in the universe. This belief, based on the research of quantum physicists (who include Albert Einstein and Erwin Schrödinger) helps us to understand how our beloved animals seem to know events taking place as well as our thoughts, without a word being spoken.. Furthermore, the quantum physicists tell us that our minds are nonlocal. This helps to explain how it is that animals seem to know what we know, without our verbalizing anything. Perhaps it is the exchange of mutual love that enables man and animal to be so perfectly in tune with one another; perhaps, it is nonlocal mind that allows for telepathic communication; and, perhaps, it is the intuitive wisdom or sixth sense with which we are born that engenders such connection. Whatever it is, we ought not to take this lightly. It is special and should be both honored and celebrated.

It is this precious connection that enables our animals to grieve for one another,and for their masters or owners. For example, when our precious golden retriever, Amber, died at nearly seventeen years-old, our sweet, seal point Himalayan cat, Sashi, who was Amber’s buddy for many years, began to grieve intensely. Accustomed to being near Amber through some of her most difficult times, Sashi was lost without her. We watched with great concern as he slowly stopped eating and began to steadily drop in weight.

Worried about the direction this was taking, we spoke with several individuals, including a wonderful animal intuitive and communicator, Marlene Sandler, in Warrington, PA, and our gifted veterinarian and dear friend, Louise Morin. Both advised adopting another cat for Sashi. Believe it not, both Marlene and I broke into great laughter, as she picked up Sashi’s wish; that is, in his words, his desire for a “hot Himalayan babe!” How about that! So, we brought a darling calico kitten , Sophie, into our home (another Himalayan sweetie, Emmie, would come later). Sashi, though annoyed initially by a scampering young, energetic little one, began to come around, eating more and returning to a healthy lifestyle. Grieving appeared to be significantly reduced.

We would love to hear your story or comments, especially if this has touched you in some way. Just take a moment to post it on this page. Many thanks, Susan

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HELLOS & GOODBYES VIA BUTTERFLIES, SQUIRRELS, OWLS AND DRAGONFLIES

My research has also yielded numerous accounts of animals such as cardinals, butterflies, dragonflies, owls and squirrels appearing after the death of a loved one, staying close to family members who are experiencing significant grief. Furthermore, many have told me that these animals took on familiar characteristics of some of their deceased loved ones.

I learned many years after the death of my wonderful Uncle Jules that when my cousin, Hope, his daughter, would come to visit her mom and brother in New York, a small, bushy silver-gray squirrel would make its presence known to the family. It would hurry, scurry and take a position on the patio, just outside the kitchen door and window. It remained quite persistent, not going away until my cousin left to return home. Even more significantly, on one of her visits, the little squirrel hovered near the door to the kitchen and, when the opportunity presented itself, scampered inside and up on the kitchen table! How about that! It was during this event that Hope said something to her mom about the squirrel reminding her of her father who loved to “squirrel away” gifts and items he had bought for others in the family. She even went so far as to express, “Do you suppose….?,” but did not quite finish the obvious thought. She intuitively felt that, on some level, there was a connection between the two.

After reading Touched by the Extraordinary, at least three patients shared with me that they found an owl sitting close to their window, sometimes for hours, sitting and watching the house. These owls had never been there before. Many others have reported butterflies hovering close and following them for relatively long periods of time. One of my favorite stories is that of a lovely woman, whose husband had died and whose touching story is in my book. It was while on a Fathers’ Day camping trip that she had arranged for her family, one large and beautiful butterfly came and perched itself upon the shoulder of each of her children and herself as they prepared to eat their lunch. Intuitively, she and her family felt this to be her husband. She felt this was confirmed when, hesitatingly, she got up to go to the bathroom (thinking it might be gone when she returned), and when she returned, she found it sitting atop the hamburger she had left on her plate. She knew this to be her husband because he could never turn down a good hamburger!

If this reminds you of a story about animal wisdom or grief, please consider posting it on this page. In this way, we can all benefit, learn and grow. Many thanks, Susan

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How are our animal friends healers, guardians and protectors? Some appear to be exceptionally intuitive about health issues of which we are not yet aware. A recent news report focused on a local woman whose chocolate Labrador Retriever would fling himself against her right breast. It happened so frequently, relative to a time when it had never occurred, that the woman went to see her physician. Sure enough, she was diagnosed with a malignant tumor in her breast. Her dog actually saved her life. Lucky lady!

In Touched by the Extraordinary there are stories of dolphins who swim close to females who are either pregnant or who may have cancerous tumors. By gently nudging the women, perhaps in the area of their bellies, chests, throats or spines, women become aware of possible problems and usually take themselves to physicians who, with the help of diagnostic tests, make the diagnosis of a significant problem which is treatable because it was found early.

An old friend of mine has spoken of Patches*, his cat, nuzzling itself into his wife’s throat area whenever she would be sitting and relaxing. The cat did this for well over a year, often licking or sniffing the area. His wife began to experience symptoms of malaise, noticing a change in her energy, well-being and appetite. When she went to her doctor, she was given diagnostic tests which indicated that she had significant problems with her thyroid (the area which her cat had been favoring for many months).

Do you have a special story or comment about animal wisdom that you would like to share with those visiting this site? If so, please take a moment to post it on this page so that we may all learn and grow. Gratitude & blessings, Susan

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THE STUNNING, SAVING POWER OF ANIMALS:
SIXTH SENSE OR SUPER SENSORY DEVELOPMENT?

One of my favorite means of communication and connection with deceased loved ones, angels, spirits and souls, is with the animal world, including your pets and those that live and roam freely. The Buddhists believe that all life is holy and deserving of our respect and empathy. I could not agree more.

I adore animals, perhaps because they are pure, genuine and lack the problematic duality of human beings, that of having both an ego and a higher self. They experience a pure and simple connection to and with Source or universal energy; I believe they are here simply for the joy of being. While they may not be endowed with the sophisticated cognition of human beings, they are usually blessed with sensory apparatus which allows them to hear, often see, and experience life and this planet in ways we wish we could, but we simply lack such ability. Dogs, for example, “have a sense of smell 10,000 to 100,000 times better than humans,” according to James Walker, director of Sensory Research at Florida State University.

Your pets, in particular, are here to bring you joy and love. They may also serve as your teachers, protectors and healers, if you listen carefully, that is! Extensive research has been taking place for years with regard to your pet’s ability to intuitively know or sense danger (both internal and external) before it occurs. Also, much has been written about the fact that, despite the incredible loss of human life when the tsunami hit in Thailand and various parts of Asia, there was no loss of animal life. In fact, there are numerous accounts in the media which describe people hearing the loud and unusual cries of animals, including the elephants, monkeys and birds, minutes and hours before the tsunami actually arrived in Sri Lanka. It has been generally agreed the animals knew, on some level, of the impending danger. Consequently, because they listened to their inner knowing, be it intuitive or a highly developed sensory system, they fled the area. Thus, no animals were found dead in the flood area. Scientists continue to be impressed by this occurrence.

Do you have an experience or comment you would like to share with others who visit this site? If so, please take a moment or two to post it on this page. In this way, we all benefit from the gifts of our animal friends. Many thanks for taking the time to do this. Warmly, Susan

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