My Animal Muse, KC

Valentine’s Day is a bittersweet day for me because it’s my beloved KC the Keeshond’s birthday. I don’t really know when he was born; I rescued KC close to Valentine’s Day in 1993. It seemed fitting that this exceptional dog, who was so full of compassion, wisdom, and love would be born on Valentine’s Birthday.

I find it hard to believe it’s been 18 short years since we said “goodbye.” My KC was an incredible partner and old soul in a beautiful fuzzy Keeshond body. A bright spirit, he had a fantastic way of opening peoples’ hearts, especially mine!

When KC died, it was hard for me to move forward given the vital role he played in my life. He was a catalyst that catapulted to me where I am today. I will always be grateful for setting me on my current path.

It was a cold sunny January day by the San Francisco Bay when I initially heard KC calling to me telepathically. I heard a voice say to me, “It’s time for you to have a dog. Come find me.”

At the time I didn’t know what I was receiving was called Animal Communication. Yet, I knew it was time to find a dog to assist me in my life. After a brief two week search, I found KC in Placerville, Ca at the Keeshond rescue shelter.

From the moment I laid eyes on him, I knew KC was the one calling out to me. It was love at first sight. Finding him felt magical.

KC worked tirelessly to open up my intuition and telepathic abilities. His divine guidance and inspiration led me to become an Animal Muse.  His steady and wise presence nurtured me as he guided on my journey of self-discovery of my true self. I credit KC for many good things in my life.

KC accompanied me to graduate school while I earned my Master’s degree in Counseling and Education. My school awarded KC his own honorary Master’s degree: Conscious Canine because of his loving and compassionate participation in my classes. KC is the first and only dog to receive an honorary Master’s degree from John F. Kennedy University.

As we worked on our Master’s, KC  telepathically communicated to me his desire to teach children about being kind and responsible to animals. While I liked the idea of doing Humane Education programs, but I never lost sight of my desire to become an Animal Communicator.

After graduation, KC and I became volunteer Humane Educators. Together, we planted seeds of kindness and respect about all living beings in the web of life in classrooms around my county. 

We loved doing school programs. I particularly enjoyed watching KC as he was a masterful teacher and skilled partner who always put smiles on the faces of our students.

KC was right by my side while I did my Animal Communication training. His loving support and encouragement helped me develop my telepathic abilities. KC made sure I didn’t give up on my dream of being an Animal Communicator.

One of the hardest lessons my best friend and constant companion taught me was how devastating grief could be when he transitioned home to Spirit way too soon in 2001. 

Losing KC was earthshattering and life-altering to put it mildly. It was hard coping and dealing with the pain of his loss. It took me months to recover. Always wise, KC’s death inspired me to become a Pet Loss Grief Counselor. 

KC told me, 

“Now that you understand how hard it is to lose an animal companion, I urge you to help others. No one should grieve the death of a pet alone. I want you to offer them solace.” 

Besides bringing solace to people around pet loss, KC encouraged me to give hope to humans when their animals are going through the dying process with Hospice and Euthanasia Counseling. 

While I miss his physical existence, KC’s ongoing Spiritual Presence in my life continues to teach me about unconditional love, self-acceptance, mutual respect, and compassion towards all living beings in the web of life.

Thank you, my dear KC, for all that you continue to do for Mother Earth and me.

Every day I’m grateful for your loving Presence, Guidance, and Love.

Happy Birthday my Sweet Angel!

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A good example of how Animal Communication and Animal Reiki work together was when my sister, Stefani, received the devastating news that her eleven-and-a-half-year-old rescued Keeshond, Mugsy, was terminally ill from a failing gallbladder.

From the moment Mugsy bounced into our lives with a rubber basketball in his mouth, I frequently communicated with him from California where I lived given he lived in New York with my sister and her family.

Mugsy the Keeshond came from a horrific puppy mill to change my family’s life.

After receiving the devastating diagnosis that he was suffering from irreversible gallbladder disease, Stefani depended on regular telepathic communication with my assistance to validate what she was sensing and feeling from Mugsy.

Besides Animal Communication, frequent Reiki treatments also became a valuable part of Mugsy overall hospice plan.

Kathleen Prasad, President of the Shelter Animal Reiki Association and my Animal Reiki Teacher, explains that “Reiki helps us to connect more deeply with the animals we love. Within this energetic connection, we often understand more fully what they are going through or how they are feeling. This can be a great support in communication.”

When Mugsy’s veterinarian suggested Stefani consult with a surgeon about the possibility of surgically removing Mugsy’s gallbladder, Stefani didn’t know what to think, feel or do. She loved Mugsy with her entire heart and wanted to give him the best shot at life. Her gut told her that surgery wasn’t the right option for Mugsy due to his age. Plus she couldn’t shake the vision of Mugsy dying on the operating table. Neither could Mugsy.

Stefani felt it was important to know how Mugsy felt about the surgery. If he had said yes, she would have been surprised given his fear at the veterinarian.

When I asked Mugsy telepathically what he’d like do, he sweetly replied, “While I’m not afraid of dying, I am scared I will die while in surgery. I want my beloved Stefani by my side when I transition. Therefore, I’m willing to forgo surgery and wait it out until my gallbladder fails, if Stefani is on board with me.”

When I conveyed Mugsy’s message to Stefani, she felt a huge sense of relief. She said it felt like a huge burden had been lifted because Mugsy’s words validated her strong intuition about surgery. Once Stefani felt she was on the same page as her dog about his treatment options and subsequent hospice care, a wave of calm washed over Stefani and Mugsy.

“Communication with Mugsy was paramount in helping me feel less anxious and stressed about his deteriorating health. This, in turn, helped Mugsy to feel safe and supported so he could enjoy whatever time he had with us,” Stefani explained.

Mugsy is my “Fuzzy Nephew” and Angel Dog

For the next few months, I offered Mugsy Reiki on an as-needed basis. As his disease progressed, he received more frequent treatments. After each treatment, Stefani reported that Mugsy seemed more relaxed. She seemed surprised when he’d perk up and become more animated. He even walked with a spring in his step that was noticeably absent before receiving Reiki. He approached his daily walks with more enthusiasm and seemingly less pain. Mugsy, a true “chow hound,” consistently exhibited an increased appetite after each Reiki treatment which contributed to him feeling better overall.

Stefani said, “Reiki gave me hope and something positive I could offer Mugsy when I felt anxious and hopeless about his future. This was especially true when my Mugs was having a bad day.”

One of the hardest aspects of Mugsy’s illness was the fact that no one knew when his gallbladder would fail, which produced tremendous anxiety for my sister and me. The vet’s diagnosis made it clear his gallbladder was a ticking time bomb since it was only a matter of time before it would rupture and end his life.

Mugsy’s regular Reiki treatments, while not a cure, did bring more balance and peace to Stefani and Mugsy during his long eight-month journey receiving hospice care.

Stefani credits both the Animal Communication and Animal Reiki for bringing more peace and understanding throughout Mugsy’s life, his illness, hospice care and dying process.

I feel honored to know Mugsy. He was an amazing dog who came from auspicious beginnings, at one of the worst puppy mills in New York state, to becoming a dear friend and valued family member. Despite being In Spirit, I continue to communicate with Mugsy.

This is a collage I made through my tears when I heard that Mugsy had transitioned. Thankfully my sister and her family were not dogless for long. Within a few days of Mugsy’s departure, our family was blessed with another bouncing Keeshond, Fozzie Bear. Fozzie Bear arrived after Mugsy soared with the Angels.

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