News from Animal Paradise - Communication & Healing

By Janet Dobbs

Reiki Master Teacher

Animal Communicator

Have you ever been deeply affected by an animal? Merry the office cat reeled me in, hook, line and sinker the first moment that our eyes locked.

I arrived late one fall afternoon to meet the office manager and the animals of my local humane society. There she was, the most beautiful white and black kitty, lying on the couch in the conference room. I was led to the door and we were introduced. I was told to keep my distance because Merry the office cat would bite me! I was left alone with her.

Merry looked up and checked me out. I introduced myself and asked if it was alright to join her on her couch. She sized me up and said, "feel free". I asked her if she would like some Reiki today. "I don't know. Just sit with me for a while. I will let you know", she said.

I gently sat on the very old couch, trying not to disturb her too much. It was a late fall day and the sun was low in the sky casting a soft light in the room. I sat there with her in the stillness and just took some deep breaths. The office manager was on the phone as the sound of cars passing by came through the walls. Merry was checking me out, wondering what my agenda was. With my hands gently in my lap I began the flow of Reiki. Merry looked up at me and sighed. She was snuggled in a light colored fleece cat bed that was just barely big enough for her to curl up in. She would use the walls of the bed to 'walk' on, to change her position. It was quite a funny and sweet sight.

Reiki is a gentle yet powerful Japanese system of healing. Reiki is energy work similar to Healing Touch where the practitioner channels energy from the universe through their hands. It supports self-healing on all levels by balancing energy, working on the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual levels of the body. Reiki is not massage. Reiki is practiced in major hospitals all over the world to assist cancer patients, help with pain management, pre- and post-surgery to speed healing, etc. Reiki is being applied more and more to animals and compliments both allopathic and holistic medicine. Reiki is perfect for animals since you do not have to touch the animal.

Reiki is based on the concept that all living beings are made up of universal energy (the life force) that flows through them. When this energy becomes blocked, stuck or slows down, you or your animal companion will feel less energetic, easily stressed, and more susceptible to disease. When this energy is flowing with no obstructions you and/or your animal companions feel strong, healthy and relaxed.

Reiki originated in Japan and was taught and practiced by Mikao Usui in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Mikao Usui practiced and taught the system of Reiki as a form of spiritual development that later included hands-on healing. It is now taught all over the world as a system of healing for both humans and animals.

Animals love Reiki healing energy. There is no issue or condition that Reiki cannot help. It is important to note that Reiki is not a 'miracle' cure-all. Reiki will always support the animal in the way that he needs the most, always working for the animal's highest good. Reiki is never a substitute for good veterinary care, but does compliment all forms of veterinary medicine.

As we sat in the silence, I asked Merry how she was feeling since her surgery that removed her cancerous breasts. "I am a survivor", she announced to me. "Don't I look great to you? I am so much more than the cancer. I wish that they would all stop introducing me as the cat with cancer. I don't have cancer. I feel so much better. They need to learn to focus on the positive things in life and not dwell on my past." I told her that I understood what she was saying. I knew that I was in the presence of a very wise soul.

She gave me permission to place my hands on her body. I placed one hand on her hip and another on the shoulders. She just soaked in the Reiki. She began to purr and bliss out as her eyes rolled back and closed and the biggest smile filled her face. She moved several times in her bed as she sat to the left of me and then she rolled onto her back and I heard her say, "It is time for you to place your hands here." I gently placed one hand on her heart and the other hand close by. This was the area that had been filled with cancer. She requested Reiki to make the cells happy, healthy and to sing for joy. My heart filled with so much love and compassion.

The Reiki energy became even more intense than it had been on the rest of her body. The heat under my hands was like a little heating pad. I was sitting there in this peaceful meditative state, enjoying the energy flow when out of the blue I felt a very sharp pain. She bit the heck out of me! She was done. The session was over. Merry got up and walked away, but not before she turned and said, "thank you". "Thank you for listening to me. Not many people have actually taken the time to listen to what I want or have to offer. Thank you for respecting my wishes and for understanding that I am cancer-free. I have work to do here. I am the greeter of this shelter. I am here when people are sad as well as happy. Tell the staff that they need not fear my demise. I will be around for a long time to come."

I thanked Merry for allowing me to be with her and to share in the Reiki energy with her. She connected with me heart-to-heart on a deep level. I will not soon forget her. I talked to the office manager and shared some of what Merry had told me. Two years later she is still the office kitty, greeting people and listening to all that they have to say.

Reiki deepens the bond between animal and human companions. Anyone can learn to give Reiki. All that is required is to take a class from a Reiki Master Teacher. Teachers are located all over the world so you will be able to easily locate one in your area. The level one Reiki class teaches you to do a Reiki self-treatment, as well as hands-on healing for family members and friends. You will also be able to begin offering healing Reiki to your animal friends as well. I encourage you to find a Reiki teacher in your area to begin deepening your connection with your animal companions. The animals can't wait for you to begin this wonderful journey of healing and connection with them.

There was something very special about Merry the office cat. This wise teacher taught me so much in the short time we were together.