At BrightHaven, we feel privileged to have provided animal hospice care for and shared the dying experience with over 600 animals who taught us so much. And they showed us time and time again that death is definitely nothing to fear!
How Animals Helped Us Release Our Fears About Death and Dying
As you can imagine, we’ve had a lot of experience around death and dying with animals. Here are few of the lessons that came our way and beliefs we formed over the years. They all have helped us to understand that death is nothing to fear:
- Animals are innately in tune with the seasons, rhythms and cycles of Mother Nature, including birth and death. In other words, impermanence. Perhaps that’s why they appear to not fear dying as we humans often do—they accept it as simply a normal part of the circle of life.
- We are all spiritual beings living a physical existence, and our body is the vehicle that allows our soul and spirit to navigate this lifetime, after which we will step out.
- To care for, love and appreciate the fur-body (the vehicle), while all the while developing a conscious understanding and connection to the actual timeless and immortal being within, turns out to be one of the most precious gifts we can receive.
- A being is fully alive until they die and must be treated accordingly. It’s important to help them feel as balanced, comfortable and at peace as possible, and surrounded by love, honor and respect.
- Death is not the end. This life is simply part of a longer, perhaps never-ending trajectory. We are all a part of all there is… and all beings are on similar journeys.
- We have faith that all is well as it is in this moment, and that everything is unfolding perfectly for the highest good of all concerned.
Another Comforting Spiritual Perspective
The content for this blog post had been percolating in my mind for a while, apparently even while I slept. One morning I woke up with the following insight: Fear of death occurs when a sacred spiritual, soulful event is viewed only with ego-based eyes…
I’m not sure I had previously thought of death so clearly or exactly in this way. I found these words to be very reassuring.
I immediately shared my perspective with BrightHaven President & Founder Gail Pope. She replied, “As I ingest your words, I realize that animals have taught me this, and over the years my actual fear of death itself has mostly diminished. And now my focus is mostly based around comfort for the transitioning soul and sorrow for the parting.”
And that’s why at BrightHaven, it is all about living well – and fully – through the last breath!
Fear of death occurs when a sacred spiritual, soulful event is viewed only with ego-based eyes… —Carol Howe Hulse
We recognize that spiritual beliefs, definitions and needs are unique to each and every person. And there are many different opinions and approaches regarding these sensitive issues. We honor and respect individual choice.
We invite you to discover and define your own beliefs around life, death and spirituality, which in turn may bring comfort and help to reduce any worries surrounding growing older and dying. In addition, we’ve found that understanding one’s beliefs is an important part of any decision-making process, including when considering your animal’s (or your own) health situation.
And if you’d like to learn more about what our wise and wonderful animals taught us about living well and fully through the last breath, check out our latest book titled GRATEFUL for Animals: Spiritual Comfort & Wisdom in Life’s Last Chapter, available on Amazon.
BrightHaven Caregiver Resources to Help Your Animal Live Well Each and Every Day!
ANIMAL WISDOM FOR LIVING WELL!
In a time of so much change and chaos, with old ways of being and doing undeniably falling away, animals can show us a much better and more authentic way to live. Find out what they’d like to share in GRATEFUL for Animals: Spiritual Comfort & Wisdom in Life’s Last Chapter, available on Amazon. (Authors: Gail Pope, BrightHaven President and Founder; Carol Howe Hulse, BrightHaven Education Program Manager)
(Photo by in joy photography)
- Do you have questions about how BrightHaven’s holistic healing or animal hospice care approaches can help your animal? Do you wish to discuss end-of-life concerns and options? We invite you to book a consultation for experienced and compassionate support.
- Follow Your Heart: Navigating a Terminal Diagnosis – helps you walk this often-challenging path with a deeper sense of peace, confidence and clarity. (Author: Gail Pope)
- The BrightHaven Guide to Animal Hospice – learn how to care for your animal companions in their Golden Years and through the end of life. (Author: Gail Pope)
- Soar My Butterfly: The Animal Dying Experience – a simple guide to the signs and symptoms you may encounter during the final stages of the natural dying process. (Author: Gail Pope)
- BrightHaven Online Learning – help your loved one live the best life possible each and every day! We share what we’ve learned about holistic healing, animal hospice and living and dying well by following the wisdom of the animals since 1990.
(Photo by Beth Shields)
- Walking with My Dog Through (End of) Life – an intimate look at a profound life passage, from terminal diagnosis through hospice care and a peaceful, gentle natural death. (Author: Carol Howe Hulse)
For more resources and information to help you help your furry family member, please visit BrightHaven’s Caregiver Resources & Education and Animal Caregiver FAQ.
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