Category: Pet Loss

As an animal communicator, I have the honor of helping pet owners navigate the emotional and spiritual journey of their beloved companions’ final days. Recently, I had a session with a client and her 16-year-old dog, Woody. Woody’s journey is a reflection of what many senior pets experience—a slow, natural withdrawal from their physical body while still feeling deeply connected to their humans. This session provided valuable insight into how animals perceive their transition and what we can do to support them in their final stage of life.

Woody’s Physical State: A Natural Slowdown

When I tuned into Woody, I immediately sensed a feeling of heaviness in his body. He described a sensation of wanting to tip over, not due to dizziness but because of fatigue and physical decline. This isn’t uncommon for senior dogs, as their muscles weaken and their body starts preparing for the transition ahead.

Woody also showed me a sensation in his throat, as if it were irritated or swollen. He kept swallowing as if trying to clear something. Additionally, I felt a slight tightness in his chest, a feeling similar to a “stitch in the side.” These sensations may indicate age-related discomforts that, while not urgent, are signs of his body slowing down.

Interestingly, Woody directed me to a specific spot in his mouth—lifting his upper left lip and asking, “Did she look here?” This was a reminder of how intuitive animals are about their own bodies. He wanted his owner to check for any issues, reinforcing how important it is for pet owners to stay observant to even small changes in their pet’s health.

Emotional and Spiritual Readiness

Despite his physical state, Woody’s emotional presence was lighthearted and peaceful. When I connected with him, I didn’t feel overwhelming pain or distress. Instead, his energy was content, as if he had just enjoyed a long, fulfilling day and was ready for a nap. This is an important distinction—many pets aren’t afraid of death in the way humans are. Instead, they experience it as a natural part of their journey.

Woody was fully aware of his owner’s concern. He reassured her that he knew she was watching over him and that he wasn’t in distress. His attitude was one of acceptance, not urgency. He essentially communicated: “For now, let’s just let it be, shall we?”

Adjusting Woody’s Care Plan

Through our conversation, I was able to offer Woody’s owner some adjustments to his care that could help make his days more comfortable:

• Gentle Physical Therapy: Woody expressed discomfort with certain manipulations during his therapy sessions. He enjoys passive treatments like cold laser therapy but finds hands-on manipulations to be too much for his aging body. Adjusting his therapy sessions to be more about comfort than mobility might be the best approach moving forward.
• Supportive Touch: Instead of deep pressure massage, Woody responds best to light, slow circles with a flat palm, allowing his body to relax while still benefiting from gentle touch.
• Harness for Mobility: As he becomes weaker, a soft harness with a handle could provide an easier way to help guide Woody without straining his body.

Recognizing When It’s Time

One of the hardest questions pet owners face is knowing when to let go. Woody was clear that, for now, he is still content and enjoying his days. However, he also acknowledged that this is a temporary state. His body is gradually slowing down, and his time is coming—but it’s not quite here yet.

For pet owners, recognizing this phase means watching for changes in their pet’s behavior, energy, and ability to enjoy life. Visit my recent blog, A Final Gift, to see the signs your pet may be nearing end-of-life.

A Peaceful Journey, One Day at a Time

Woody’s session was a beautiful reminder that animals live in the present moment. They don’t dwell on the “what-ifs” like we do. Instead, they take each day as it comes. Woody’s parting message was clear: “I trust you. I know you’re watching over me. For now, let’s just be together.”

For anyone navigating a pet’s end-of-life journey, the most important thing you can do is be present. Offer comfort, observe their needs, and, when the time comes, give them the gift of a peaceful and loving transition.If you’re facing this journey with your own pet, I invite you to download my End-of-Life Guide for compassionate guidance on helping your animal pass with dignity and peace.

Saying goodbye to a beloved pet is one of the most difficult experiences a pet owner can face. Our animals are more than companions—they are family. As they near the end of their journey, they rely on us to provide comfort, love, and understanding. End-of-life counseling can help ease this transition, not only for the pet but also for the human who must navigate the emotions of loss.

Each species experiences their final moments differently, and by recognizing their unique needs, we can ensure they pass peacefully, feeling safe, heard, and deeply loved.

How End-of-Life Counseling Varies Across Species

Dogs: Seeking Reassurance and Emotional Connection

Dogs are deeply attuned to their human’s emotions and often mirror their energy. They may seek comfort in their final days, staying close to their people or demonstrating subtle signs that they are holding on for their owner’s sake.

• Emotional Support: Dogs often need reassurance that their humans will be okay without them. Expressing gratitude, love, and permission to pass can help a dog feel at peace.
• Physical Comfort: Dogs may display pain or discomfort more visibly, making it easier to recognize when adjustments are needed to improve their quality of life.
• Signs of Readiness: No longer eating and drinking, withdrawal, restlessness, and labored breathing may indicate that a dog is preparing for their transition.

Cats: Independence and Subtle Cues

Cats have a unique way of processing their final days, often maintaining their independence while subtly signaling their needs. They may retreat for solitude or seek comfort in ways that differ from their usual behavior.

• Respecting Their Boundaries: Some cats prefer to be alone in their final days, while others seek more affection than usual. Paying attention to their shifting needs is crucial.
• Unseen Discomfort: Cats are masters at hiding pain, making it essential to observe changes in behavior, eating habits, or interactions to assess their well-being.
• Spiritual Perspective: Many believe that cats have a strong spiritual connection, and their passing may be viewed as part of a greater journey rather than an end.

Horses: Legacy and the Role Within the Herd

Horses have a unique relationship with their humans, often serving as partners in work, sport, or therapy. Their end-of-life needs include both emotional and physical considerations, especially given their size and herd instincts.

• Understanding Their Role: Horses often develop deep connections with their owners and herd members. Recognizing and honoring their role can help them feel acknowledged and at peace.
• Physical Needs: Ensuring a horse’s final days are comfortable means considering their mobility, pain levels, and whether they feel safe in their environment.
• A Sense of Completion: Expressing gratitude and acknowledging their contributions—whether in companionship, service, or sport—can provide emotional closure for both the horse and the human.

Insights from My Session with a Client and Her Dog Woody

In a recent session, I connected with Woody, a 16-year-old dog, to help his owner understand his perspective on his final days. Unlike humans, animals do not carry the same fears, expectations, or emotional burdens surrounding death. Many see it as a natural progression—a transition rather than an end.

Woody shared with me an analogy to describe his view of his physical body. He likened it to an old, beloved coat that has served its purpose but is now worn out. He understands that stepping out of this body is not an end, but rather a freeing experience, similar to shedding a heavy garment.

As I tuned into Woody’s energy, I felt peace, lightness, and even joy. He is not afraid—only tired. He reassured me that he still enjoys his days but also recognizes that his body is preparing for the transition. This is the moment where pet owners can give their animal the greatest gift—permission to go when they are ready.

Signs Your Pet May Be Ready to Transition

Each pet will communicate their readiness in different ways. Some common signs across species include:

• Loss of Appetite: A gradual or sudden disinterest in food and water.
• Withdrawing from Interaction: Seeking solitude or showing less interest in usual activities.
• Seemingly Unresponsive: Extended periods of deep, unresponsive sleep or a vacant, detached expression in their eyes, as if they are beginning to withdraw from their surroundings.
• Changes in Breathing: Labored breathing, excessive panting, or irregular patterns.
• Physical Decline: Increased pain, difficulty standing, or noticeable weakness.
• Seeking Comfort: Some pets may become more affectionate, needing reassurance from their humans.

Observing these signs can help pet owners make compassionate decisions about their pet’s end-of-life care.

Creating a Peaceful, Loving Environment for Your Pet’s Final Moments

As difficult as it is, ensuring a pet’s passing is as peaceful as possible is a final act of love. Here are some ways to provide comfort during their transition:

• Remain Present: Your presence can offer immense comfort, even if your pet seems withdrawn. Speak to them softly, reassure them, and let them know they are not alone.
• Provide Familiar Scents and Sounds: Surround them with their favorite blanket, a beloved toy, or calming music to help create a sense of safety.
• Communicate with Them: Whether verbally or through silent understanding, let them know how much they are loved and that it is okay for them to let go.
• Consider Support from an Animal Communicator: If you feel uncertain about your pet’s needs or emotions, an animal communicator can help provide clarity and connection. Pets are often able to express their final wishes, such as, seeing a friend one more time or a final walk in the park.

A Final Act of Love

Choosing to assist a pet in their transition is one of the greatest acts of love we can offer. It is never about giving up on them but about ensuring they leave this world with dignity, peace, and comfort. The journey through grief is natural, but as Woody showed me, it is also meant to be a passage back into light and healing.

Our pets don’t want us to suffer in grief. They want us to continue sharing love, to honor their memory by caring for another, and to move forward with lightness instead of sorrow. They are not gone—they simply exist in another form, watching over us, bringing comfort in ways we might not immediately recognize.

Though the pain of losing a pet is deep, the love shared remains eternal. By focusing on their comfort, validating their emotions, and ensuring they know they are cherished, we can offer them the most beautiful gift in their final moments—peace.

Download My End-of-Life Guide Here

As I mentioned in Part 1, Marjorie’s animal communication helped me with Buddy’s anxiety and other things. I was really happy that I had her as another tool I could use to give Buddy the best life.  

About a year later, I was in my newish apartment, and Buddy started acting oddly. He wouldn’t use his hind legs and was really lethargic. This episode went on for about 10 minutes or so, and I called my veterinarian to get some help. I was living in DC at the time, about 1 hour and 20 minutes from my vet, so I was sending videos and pictures as I described what was happening, and he told me to go to an emergency vet and suggested one in DC. I let Marjorie know, and once again, she came to the rescue! As I sat in the waiting room, never having been in this situation before, Marjorie offered a great deal of comfort. She gave me some suggestions on what to ask them to ensure that everything was being considered and that we got the best care possible. She suggested asking for certain blood tests to ensure the proper follow-up. I felt like I had someone on my side who was not only consoling me but was helping me keep a level head. Marjorie also checked up on me after our visit and kept checking on Buddy. Everything ended up being okay, and the emergency vet chalked it up to him getting into something he shouldn’t have. That wasn’t the Buddy I knew, so I knew something else was going on.

Buddy’s Health Started to Decline

In September of 2023, Buddy had his one-year check-up. We went to see Dr. Ahalt, and after a quick exam, he said, “Casey, I think his heart is getting worse, and I think he has some fluid on it. We’re going to do some blood tests and exams to see what exactly is happening.” My eyes started to tear up as they took my sweet Buddy back for testing. They brought him back in not too long after, and I anxiously waited for the results. His heart was, in fact, getting worse. It was enlarged, and he had fluid in his lungs and around his heart. He also had some other things going on with his kidneys. Long story short, he had to go on 7 medications to help his heart beat better and to reduce the fluid. My heart was broken. I wondered, “How did things start declining so quickly?” We were advised to come back in 30 days to see how he was doing.

Buddy Had Another Episode

One day, Buddy and I were in the car, and he was in the back seat. Before, he would stay in the back seat but in recent months, he became more anxious and just wanted to be on my lap. So I attached his leash to the headrest so that he couldn’t get up front. We were driving along, and I looked back to notice that he wasn’t moving. I immediately pulled over, and he was having another lethargic episode where his body was pretty limp. I held him and reassured him he was going to be okay. I gave him some water and got him comfortable on my lap for the rest of the ride home. I called the vet and took him in. He ended up going on another medication to help with his blood pressure. So now, he was on 8 medications a day, and I was told that there was not much else we could do. He was on all the medications he could be on with the highest dosages for his size. 

It Was Time for More Animal Communication

Given Buddy’s recent medical exam, I connected with Marjorie again, and we chatted about Buddy’s new state. I really wanted to get some reassurance that he wasn’t suffering because his symptoms were getting worse. He was gagging a lot more when he drank water and just didn’t seem very comfortable. Marjorie reassured me that she didn’t sense that he was feeling any pressure or discomfort. This was a relief. The last thing I wanted was to be selfish and keep him here for my own benefit when it was his time to pass on.

Preparing For The Loss of Buddy

With the changes in Buddy’s health, I had to come to terms with the fact that his time was limited. His symptoms were much worse starting in February of 2024. It was almost like he was trying to cough the fluid out, but it wasn’t coming out. Seeing this on a regular basis broke my heart even more. It felt like there was really nothing more I could do. I did little things like give him his favorite treat, buy more of his favorite “Gumby” toys, and even let him sleep in the bed if he wanted to. This was my way of making sure he was most comfortable and enjoyed his last days. Thankfully, I work from home, so I was able to spend the majority of our waking hours together. Well, my waking hours because Buddy slept a lot! 

Despite giving him his best days in preparation for the day when he would pass, I never would have imagined that those days were so numbered. Like Marjorie said in her Pet Loss and Animal Communication: Part 2 blog, death does not read the calendar, and boy, was she right! One day, I scooped Buddy up and put him in the car, and we went on a ride. He wasn’t anxious; he just sat in the back seat and stared…until he didn’t. I was talking to him, telling him we were about to stop and usually I could hear his name tag jingling when I would talk to him. I heard nothing, so I looked back and he was gone. He had laid on the seat and passed. I couldn’t believe it. I needed more time. More time with him and more time to prepare. 

Marjorie brought up so many great points in her blog. She mentioned doing some inner reflection to determine how you’ll bring this chapter to a close in a way you can live with, knowing how you would handle the remains, and so on. I didn’t do any of this. It came way too fast. 

My Suggestion for Your Healing

While I was able to figure things out, I struggled with guilt for quite some time. I did until I had another consultation with Marjorie, during which we talked with Buddy after his passing. As I wasn’t ready, I learned that Buddy wasn’t ready either. His heart stopping caught him by surprise as well, and his spirit was still hanging out in my apartment, making sure that I was okay. My call with Marjorie gave me the closure I needed with him. She comforted me by reassuring me that he was where he wanted to be when he passed, and that was with me. He wasn’t in chronic pain, and I didn’t have to make the decision to put him down. This really was the best case scenario for me and for Buddy. So, my suggestion is to take the time to think through what will happen when your beloved pet passes and be sure to utilize Marjorie before, during, and after the process. You will not regret it!

In April, I had the pleasure of reading Marjorie’s blogs about pet loss. I knew I would be facing it at some point, so I was curious to see her perspective. Little did I know that within a month, I would be experiencing the loss of a pet, which is what inspired me to write this guest blog. Here’s my story, and I hope it helps you find healing if you’re experiencing this, too.  

In August of 2022, I decided it was time for me to adopt a dog. Long story short, I had been working on some self-healing for about 3 years and for once I was alone and felt that I could love something now that I learned to love myself. Looking back, those who are close to me would say, “who rescued who?”While I’ve heard many people say this before, they weren’t kidding. “Buddy”, an adorable beagle mix, was on his second time at the Frederick County Animal Control Shelter, and I just couldn’t understand why anyone would give him up, especially when he had a heart murmur. Knowing that he was viewed as a “misfit” hurt my heart even more. Him being there didn’t make any sense to me at all – other than it was so that I could love on him. 

Buddy’s First Months In His Furever Home

When I adopted Buddy, I was a bit nervous. I hadn’t had a dog since being a kid and I was in my mid-30s at the time. While nervous, I couldn’t have been more sure that he was for me when I had him. He was sweet as can be, quiet as ever, house-trained, didn’t need a crate, could care less about other people and really just wanted to be around me. He was the perfect dog for me with where I was in life. Buddy was laid back. He had a playful side and was smart as ever but I never wanted to overexert him because I knew he had a murmur and with the little medical knowledge I have, I knew getting him all worked up could be harmful to him. So Buddy and I became best friends and just palled around and took it easy. My friends grew to love him and learned quickly what I meant when I’d say, “I’m really not biased, he is the best dog ever!”. We would go to cookouts and all kinds of things together. He was my road dog!

Understanding Buddy’s Health

When I first adopted Buddy, I got thim established with Dr. Ahalt at Jefferson Veterinary Care. He was a long-time friend of my stepdad, and I knew he would take good care of Buddy and be honest with me about anything going on. During our first visit, he made sure that I knew he had a murmur and informed me that it was at a 3 out of 5 but not a “strong” 3. He said we should keep an eye on him and stay aware of any changes in behaviors or symptoms. He told me to watch out for things like heavy breathing, gagging when drinking, and being lethargic. Other than that, I could bring him back for a year check-up.

Buddy and I Tried This Animal Communication Thing

I felt good about Buddy’s physical health at the time but not his mental health. My apartment had a fireplace and when I would light the fire, Buddy would literally climb on top of my head and shake like a leaf. He was scared to death. He also wouldn’t walk on a certain area of the grass when I would take him outside. I had gotten familiar with Marjorie’s services and decided to give her a try to see if I could figure out what was going on with him. My first consultation with her was the best 20 minutes! She was compassionate, kind, and very intuitive. I didn’t really know what to expect since, before her, I didn’t even know that animal communication was a thing. She explained to me that with the fire, Buddy had possibly witnessed a large fire with a lot of chaos, so it gave him bad anxiety. With the area he wouldn’t walk in, she sensed that something was covering the ground that he didn’t like the smell of. Well, pine needles had covered that area, and it was so pungent that it turned Buddy off. It was fascinating to hear these things! I simply stopped taking him to that area, and as far as the fire went, Marjorie gave me some tips.

To help acclimate Buddy to fire, Marjorie suggested that I put a fireplace screensaver on my TV since it was mounted above the fireplace. As I got him used to the site and noise, she recommended that I put some ash near his food and water bowl since he associated those two things with pleasure/happiness. Once he got used to that, she suggested I start a small fire with half of a log and then build it from there. I gradually did all of these things, and it worked! Buddy was no longer scared of the fire. 

Another tip that she gave me to help with his anxiety when I left him was to look at him and then envision me leaving and coming back happily, greeting him. I used to do this, and it worked like a charm. She told me that dogs have no concept of time, so no matter how long I was gone, this trick would work and give him reassurance that I was coming back. 

Using Marjorie to communicate with Buddy really enhanced my care for him. Little did I know, I would need her more than ever in the upcoming months. Stay tuned for Part 2.