LOSING MY BEST FRIEND; THE TRUTH OF IT ALL.

Confession:

Last night my significant other was feeling emotional about the remembered loss of a family member and he asked me, " Do you upset when you think about your dad?'  (I lost my dad many years ago when I was in collage.) I paused for moment and answered honestly, "No, but I still get very emotional about the loss of Griffin (my GSD)."

The Truth of it all:

The loss of my dad was a difficult experience especially because it was a shock, but that moment in time did not begin to compare to the overwhelmingly devastating loss of Griffin (almost 3 years ago) I honestly don't know if there are words to describe sorrow of that level. You would assume my position as an animal communicator and certified grief coach coupled with my pre-greiving, i.e. knowing because of his condition (DM) that the loss was coming, and being in communication with him throughout the entire process would have prepared me to manage my grief.

 It didn't. 

The grief hit me like a tsunami. For months the giant sea swell repeatedly toppled me over, dragging me under, churning me under the surface, with glimpses of air so faint and far between There were times I litteraly didn't know if I would make it. I was affected to the core of my being. The desolate pain and stress of it all showing up months later wreaking havoc on my physical and mental health. I would wake up at night in extreme panic thinking I was having a heart-attack. I would have these extreme panic attacks at the most random times even sitting in church. Because of that I became afraid leaving my house. Yes, you read that right. Outgoing, fun loving, me paralyzed by the fear that I would have a melt-down or panic-attack in public. I would cry all the time at random even when I thought I was happy. It was like I had no control over my body.  I became desolate, isolated, only reading out to the life raft those close to me in the most extreme moments when I felt I was grasping for my sanity. Looking back I'm lucky one of these panic attacks landed me in the ER giving me the opportunity to find support in managing my symptoms on every level. 

With the help of medication (I was on an anti-anxiety/depression medication for 9 months), a much need and focus on self-care, friends, family, and whole lot of soul searching I began to heal. So, why am I telling you all this...

I want you to know if your hurting, your not alone. 

The attached article that popped up in my feed this morning reminded me that I'm not alone in my loss. Many of us have experienced the loss of a beloved friend, family member, pet. We all experience, manage, live with and heal grief in our way, in our own time. I can't tell you how ashamed I felt that things got so bad I needed to be on medication for a time. Happy go lucky, blessed and grateful, fabulous me, medicated. It was surreal and a wake up call. I can honestly say now I don't think I could have truly seen where I was, or broke through the despair with out it. Here I am. Baring all. On the other side. Moments of grief still sifting through me at times, but carrying my grief in a healthier, manageable way. If I could only offer one sentiment of support to anyone out there in pain it would be this...

Be kind to yourself. 

You are where you are, and that's ok. If you need help, that's ok too. Be kind to yourself about where you are, the choices you make, and how you move through the present part of your journey in this time and space. Wether you know it or not what's happening right now is happening for you not to you. There is a light at the end of your tunnel. If all my years as a professional animal communicator and pet-loss grief coach have taught me anything, they have taught me this. You are not alone. The ones you love are loving you from the greater dimensions of life now and ALWAYS. 

Support/Resources:

If you are looking for support after the loss of a pet here is a link to my book, Beyond Companionship, It address supporting a pet through tradition and connecting even after s/he has crossed the rainbow bridge. Also a link to my services if you are seeking to connect with a pet who has passed. <3

Book: https://amzn.to/2xbR3O4

Services: http://amymillercoaching.com/services/


The mentioned article from my Facebook feed:
https://iheartdogs.com/why-losing-a-dog-can-be-even-more-painful-than-the-death-of-a-loved-one-2/

ANIMAL COMMUNICATION CHANGES LIVES

No matter what your reason for contacting an Intuitive Animal Communicator the out come for you and your animal companion is life changing. Here is a clients testimony highlighting the profound change she experienced with her dog Shaneeq (pictured) after just one intuitive communication session with me. 

I had a session with Amy b/c  I could tell that my dog, Shaneeq, was unhappy.  We've had some big changes to our pack dynamics with the loss of 3 elderly dogs in 4 years and recently, 3 new fosters.  

Shaneeq was withdrawn and was staying in the corner of the bedroom most of the time.  After my call with Amy, she is a new dog!  She is no longer staying in the corner of the bedroom.  She follows me everywhere, hangs out with the other dogs and even gives them kisses!  Now on our alone-time she and I play and play and play.  She is 10 years old but she has been doing that scoot/run with her butt tucked under her when we play.  

BOOK YOUR SESSION NOW! 

THE CALM OF LAVENDER

Using the Calm of Lavender with Your Companion.

Guest Blogger | Wendi Ell

One of the most widely-used and effective essential oils, beneficial for pets such as cats, dogs and horses, is Lavender essential oil. It can be used for a variety of reasons, but is most commonly used for its calming properties. 

Our pets are highly sensitive to aromatherapy and can benefit simply by capturing the airborne molecules to their olfactory system. While dogs can detect smells 50,000 times greater than our own, cats have an even more acute sense of smell. Horses, with their keen sensibility and intuition, oftentimes self-medicate by drawing in the molecules through each nostril individually, sending it to different systems within their body.

Keeping in mind that certain essential oils can be a bit overwhelming to pets, it is necessary to respect the nose space and "ask" first before forcing Lavender at their snouts. Hold the bottle with the cap on and ask your pet to come closer, allowing them to reach toward it, presenting the scent on terms they can handle and are comfortable with. Since they won’t know what to expect at first, It sometimes takes extra time or multiple tries to decide, but you should see clear signs either way. For dogs, subtle acceptance signs include licking the air, presenting a paw, lying down or being submissive. Horses show signs of approval by closing their eyes, dropping the head, chewing, reaching or sometimes grabbing the bottle. While cats, on the other hand, approve simply by not running the other direction.

Harley

I introduced Lavender to our American Mastiff, Harley (pictured right) because of her understandable insecurity issues after coming to us, as we were her third home.  With obvious traits of Anatolian Shepherd, we quickly discovered she wasn’t the typical laid-back, aloof mastiff – always on high guard, overly protective and easily allowed situations to escalate. The calming properties of Lavender essential oil absorb quickly, and help her maintain composure and control her anxiety levels in certain situations. 

Even though she is an extra large dog, only a small dab is needed, transferred to the underside webbing of each of her paws and on the tips of her ears. Harley loves Lavender essential oil so much that she insists on licking my hands clean before we’re done. Applying Lavender can be done with smaller dogs, too, by first diluting with a carrier oil such as fractionated coconut oil (liquid) or organic extra virgin olive oil.

Other beneficial uses of Lavender essential oil include grief, stress, minor skin irritations, surgery incisions, seasonal irritations, bug bites, bruising and muscle stiffness. If you are new to essential oils and pets, do your homework first – research proper dilution methods and learn which essential oils should be avoided altogether. And remember, quality and purity is the key to safe use and effective results.

For questions, more information or to purchase pure essential oils, visit my EIEIEOs – Essential Oils for Animals page on Facebook.

*Wendi Ell is not a trained medical professional and these statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. The suggested uses are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. Always consult your veterinarian for a professional diagnosis and treatment plan.