Maggies column May 2006
Transformative Practices..........On Living and Dying
Maggie’s Musings On Living and Dying
I came to live with Lora about three years ago because of a dream. She saw me in dreamtime and found me effortlessly in Tucson where she was living at the time. I was ten weeks old and wouldn’t get off her lap. In spite of all of that she wasn’t going to take me home with her because of all of her imagined obstacles. She said, “I travel too much, I work most weekends, I don’t know how to raise a dog, what will I do with her when I’m gone?” Well, the truth is all of those “obstacles” where of her own making and came from some made up place inside her. It is so weird that humans do that. They just don’t let life live itself naturally through them. Anyhow-she went to work and her boss at the time said, “How wonderful you are thinking of getting a puppy, we would love to have a therapy dog at the retreat center. People volunteered-and still do to care for me if I can’t travel with her. Anyhow, get the point? Do you listen to your dreams??? Pay Attention! Angels come in disguise. So all of this is a way to introduce myself.
We moved to MN a little over a year ago because of another dream message. In addition to the work that Lora and Michele do with Transformative Practices, Lora is working for a new hospice in town. AND guess what? They heard she had a little dog that was used to working with her, so do you think I’m sitting home? No way! They thought it would be wonderful for hospice to have a therapy dog for some of the visits she makes and trainings she does. So I spend some of the days a week visiting very sick and dying people in homes and nursing homes. It makes my little heart sing! It was what I was created for.
One day recently, we were visiting a woman in a coma and I just had to get on Lora’s lap and get close to Hazel. Finally, Lora paid attention to my signals and put me up close. I reached in between the side rails and licked Hazel’s hand. Guess what? She slowly woke up and just began to pet me like she had known me forever and it was the most natural thing in the world. I knew that would happen because I could feel the energy of her. I then wanted to get on her bed because I knew she needed to touch me all over, but Lora had put me on the floor. It took some time and convincing of this human companion of mine. Hazel couldn’t talk, but could squeeze Lora’s hand once for yes and twice for no. Finally, Lora understood what I wanted and asked Hazel if I should get on her bed and she squeezed a really hard, yes. So that day, I got to lay really still while Hazel, who was just coming back into her body laid and pet me smiling for all she was worth and making me smile inside.
Another day, a woman with Alzheimer’s disease, who hadn’t talked in a really long time, stopped Lora in the hall and said, “That is the cutest little thing I have seen in a long time.” Lora asked her if she would like to hold me. Do you know she sat and told Lora the story of every dog she had ever owned and talked about love that day.
I have also been present at death. People think that it is supposed to be scary or something, but that is because people think too much, and beliefs and stories people tell themselves get in the way of seeing what is really occurring. I don’t think I do that as much as humans do. For me, I’m just content being of a little comfort and service in the world. Lora is getting better at listening to my intuition and subtle language. It’s important that we all remember what Pablo Neruda said, “In the end, everyone is aware of this: nobody keeps any of what he has, and life is only a borrowing of bones.” If we remember this maybe we can all remember that Life is living through us all of the time and each and every sentient being is an expression of Life ITSELF. Pay attention to your dreams, to the little things in life and begin to see all of the ways that you try to control life and don’t fully live it or appreciate it. We are just borrowing these bones—so be sure and take good care of them, eat well, sleep, relax, meditate and be sure and play and appreciate the four- legged creatures in your life, or better yet maybe get one.
You can contact me with your own stories or questions by visiting the Blog
We moved to MN a little over a year ago because of another dream message. In addition to the work that Lora and Michele do with Transformative Practices, Lora is working for a new hospice in town. AND guess what? They heard she had a little dog that was used to working with her, so do you think I’m sitting home? No way! They thought it would be wonderful for hospice to have a therapy dog for some of the visits she makes and trainings she does. So I spend some of the days a week visiting very sick and dying people in homes and nursing homes. It makes my little heart sing! It was what I was created for.
One day recently, we were visiting a woman in a coma and I just had to get on Lora’s lap and get close to Hazel. Finally, Lora paid attention to my signals and put me up close. I reached in between the side rails and licked Hazel’s hand. Guess what? She slowly woke up and just began to pet me like she had known me forever and it was the most natural thing in the world. I knew that would happen because I could feel the energy of her. I then wanted to get on her bed because I knew she needed to touch me all over, but Lora had put me on the floor. It took some time and convincing of this human companion of mine. Hazel couldn’t talk, but could squeeze Lora’s hand once for yes and twice for no. Finally, Lora understood what I wanted and asked Hazel if I should get on her bed and she squeezed a really hard, yes. So that day, I got to lay really still while Hazel, who was just coming back into her body laid and pet me smiling for all she was worth and making me smile inside.
Another day, a woman with Alzheimer’s disease, who hadn’t talked in a really long time, stopped Lora in the hall and said, “That is the cutest little thing I have seen in a long time.” Lora asked her if she would like to hold me. Do you know she sat and told Lora the story of every dog she had ever owned and talked about love that day.
I have also been present at death. People think that it is supposed to be scary or something, but that is because people think too much, and beliefs and stories people tell themselves get in the way of seeing what is really occurring. I don’t think I do that as much as humans do. For me, I’m just content being of a little comfort and service in the world. Lora is getting better at listening to my intuition and subtle language. It’s important that we all remember what Pablo Neruda said, “In the end, everyone is aware of this: nobody keeps any of what he has, and life is only a borrowing of bones.” If we remember this maybe we can all remember that Life is living through us all of the time and each and every sentient being is an expression of Life ITSELF. Pay attention to your dreams, to the little things in life and begin to see all of the ways that you try to control life and don’t fully live it or appreciate it. We are just borrowing these bones—so be sure and take good care of them, eat well, sleep, relax, meditate and be sure and play and appreciate the four- legged creatures in your life, or better yet maybe get one.
You can contact me with your own stories or questions by visiting the Blog
XOXO Maggie
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