Twinkle of Appreciation
“mom” singing
child’s
spirit over
peaceful
swift
passing spirit
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As many friends and readers know … my eldest fur-child, Tippy crossed over to the spirit world this morning. It was an incredible experience.
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Tippy, the matriarch in our canine-family in our household, was a rescue from neglectful neighbors. We had her since she was 9 months old, and she was ten days shy of her 15th birthday. Her spirit was sweet and gentle. She would have made a wonderful Peace Ambassador. She exemplified gratitude in its full status. Tippy was perfectly content living with us, and did not ask for anything other than love.
When we discovered two weeks ago she was in liver failure, exacerbated by not eating – I made up my mind I would provide her with hospice care. She would lead the way … with the timing and end-of-life decisions … and it would be done at home, in her surroundings.
She allowed me the honor of maintaining her dignity through the arduous end-stage journey. With amazement and awe, Tippy lasted much longer than expected … expressing to me … there still were lessons for her to teach and energy work to complete.
Yesterday, knowing the time was imminent; I used a homeopathic remedy to calm her. I made a palette near hers, and held her through the night. It was important for me and for her that I was present; providing the reassurance it was “all right” to continue with the final segment of her journey … to assure her the lessons she came to teach would not be forgotten … her mission was complete … to comfort her in the guarantee she was a “good girl” and well loved.
A wise friend of Native American descent reminded me of the significance of singing to her … using any melody or toning I wanted to choose. I remembered the gentle flowing music, but had not remembered the personal aspect of this music. Knowing I do not sing, but keeping the important ritual in mind, I sang (or I should say I toned) a melody to her in the last hours. When I first started – she nudged her head back to look at me … as if she was waiting for me to give her a concert. It was a simple melody that came to me at the moment. I repeated it over and over between reassurances and comfort until she saw the Divine Light and relaxed in permanent physical slumber.
It is interesting to observe the engagement and approach of our other fur-children in handling Tip’s passing. The “puppies” handled it completely different than the inside fur-children (the “kittens”).
At the moment, she is on a palette, partially shrouded. I have a candle at her head. I am intrigued watching each one. Remember, there are eight of them. Like humans’ resolution after transition, I observe eight different means of paying their final respects. Some have come and gone in a flash, others have approached to sit with her body, and others gingerly investigate, pausing for a few moments before turning away. The fur-children to whom I am particularly close have made repeated visits … Watching Mother Nature and God’s Divinity magnificently at work is yet another lesson for me.
Have I ever done this before? Never!
Would I do it again? Probably! However, I pray it is a long time before I must.
The sacredness of the last 24 hours is a lasting “Twinkle of Appreciation”.
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Other Twinkles of Appreciation
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© by rgb for “On Dragonfly Wings with Buttercup Tea”, 2011 – 2012
"On Dragonfly Wings with Buttercup Tea" 
Blessings, Love and Light to Tippy for her new Journey; a candle was lit in recognition of Who She Is as soon as I learned of her passing. It was truly my pleasure and an honor to work with and get to know Tippy over her final weeks. Know that you have my Love, and strong but gentle hugs to you as well. How very blessed your final physical hours and moments together were. How poignant and touching that you could support her with such loving and gentle energies as the toning, and physically touching her through her final shift and transition, Becca. Your sharing this experience with us, and your animals’ various reactions to Tippy’s body afterwards, are read with great appreciation for your candor and your very observant way of Be-ing and Do-ing Who You Are. Thank you for sharing this sacred time with us. Blessings, Love and Light, Kat
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Thank you, Kat, for teaching me so many lessons in animal communication work. It assisted in shifting my perspective and focus. I felt truly blessed and honored to have been Tippy’s caretaker/guardian over these years; with the chance to return special love and dignity, along with the special bonding in the last segment of her earthly journey! 🙂
She is greatly missed — but I know she is happy, healthy and frolicking in the green grass with previous loved ones.
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stopping in to leave more hugs. take care Becca.
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Thank you, Geraldine … I appreciate it very much! Namaste ~~
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I am feeling a little teary-eyed as I read this. What a very special thing to do. Poignant. I have a sweet companion,Molly, my chocolate lab, and I don’t want to think about losing her. Thank you so much for sharing this post.
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Enjoy Molly … each moment is precious and full of lessons!
Thank you ~~
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Thank you, my beautiful sister, for sharing this with all of us. My own Apollo is nearing that age of his life. We watch as he struggles to get up sometimes but still tries to be the “puppy” and greet us when we come home with jumps and kisses. Then as I sit in my room he will come and lay down in front of me as if to say “I am here guarding my mother”…. Our four-legged relatives are so precious. How could anyone ever harm them?
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Thank you for teaching me and reminding me of its timing and importance … it made such a difference for both of us.
Much love, RB ~~
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Sorry to hear of your loss. No matter child or pet we care so very much for them and hurt when they leave us.
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At the moment – it seems so empty here without her. All of the animals are adjusting ~~
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A beautiful post. Blessings on your for your kindness and understanding for Tippy, and thanks for being willing to share the story with us.
I am reminded every time I read a story like this of how easily we becaome caught up in our “human” activities, and easily neglect the animals – not in the sense of not providing the basic necessities for them, and at least basic play time, but in the sense of not really being “with them” when they desire our presence.
I’m going to be better at that – after all, my dear Dixie Rose won’t be with me forever.
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Please treasure your time with her ~~ thank you for taking the time to leave your kind remarks! 🙂
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The faucet is busted and won’t turn off.
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Ohhh, thank you! Mine too ~~
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I am on my knees just reading this utterly worshipful and awe-inspiring post, dear Becca! My life with my own dogs and cats is so very sacred to me. “Toning” to Tippy as she breathed her last is so very comforting to us, as well as it was to Tippy! Thank you dear sister for the sacred trust you place in us, your readers, with sharing these truly holy moments here!
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I surprised myself in writing and revealing this … but it IS a twinkle of appreciation!!
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