A Life Cycle Complete, Saying Goodbye
Author: Karen Elise Nowak
In the domestication of animals and the taking of them into
our lives, our homes, and our hearts, we take on the
responsibility of meeting their daily needs. When we ask
them to be part of our lives, they try their best to
understand us and integrate. In this process, animals gave
away complete reliance on themselves, and gained
restrictions. They no longer roam or forage for food, Some
animals spending their lives primarily in a stall, kennel,
or cage. What we ask of our companions, often, but not
always, is done for our convenience. They are the ones who
have to fit into our world, to what we think is necessary.
Animal companions who live in loving, caring homes, and
whose essence is honored, still give something up.
Chris, an Appaloosa mare, became my companion in the fall
of 1987. She gained and lost in coming to my home. We
found a balance and navigated the road of our relationship.
We grew to become each others companion. On the morning of
December 18, 2002 I said goodbye to my mare Chris. I
awoke to hearing her thrashing. My heart froze. Chris was
28 with Cushing's disease. The time we had spent together
was not long enough. I wanted her with me forever. I tried
hard to think of her needs. In the few hours we had left I
realized I had to set my pain aside, and with an open
heart, fill her last moments of breath with nothing but
love and honoring the process of death. I could do nothing
else but support her. Was it hard to separate that I too
was dying in those moments? Yes. Looking into her eyes I
knew taking on the role of the predator was the only gift I
could give her. Walking the fine line of balance in both of
us, giving and receiving was a challenge. In all her pain,
she had decided she wanted to stay. Yet again, she was
giving so selflessly her love. I had to ask her heart and
mine if that served her best. The answer was "No." The
veterinarian came and we said goodbye. Her time in this
body was over.

The decision we make with our own animals as to when their
time on earth is through becomes part of our
responsibility. Chris gave up living and dying as her
ancestors once did, she could not wander off and die. I
chose to become a predator, and release her from her pain,
her physical situation would not have improved. Her giving
would have come at to high a cost. Her death would have
been excruciating. For some that is not the case, and they
are able to die on their own.

From one perspective, our animals gained longer life spans.
From another perspective, they have begun dying from
diseases related to living in our world. There are pros and
cons in both directions of their coming to be our
companions and living in our world. We created a life
removed from nature and its cycles.

In our daily life many of us have become removed from the
balance and cycle of life. We work inside buildings, only
being outside on weekends. We have access to all types of
fruits and vegetables 12 months a year. We fear death,
pain, and loss. We are no longer tied to the rhythm of
nature and the earth. The cycle of prey/predator is
foreign. We are not part of the food chain. Our role in
life and death is not something we consciously are aware
of. We have come to believe we are superior in the life
cycle process and not part of it. As did our animals, so
we too gave away and gained in urbanization. We are all a
part of the life cycle of the earth, not superior to it,
not separate from it, but a part of it.

Our animals view leaving their bodies differently than many
humans do. Domesticated animals retain a closer acceptance
of death than their human companions do. They accept,
living, and dying in the balance of nature, and knowing
they are part of the "cycle of life." With understanding as
well as release, and acceptance on the part of the care
giver, the animal leaves the earth with and from an open
heart.

When we know in our hearts it is time to say goodbye to our
dearest friend, it is human nature to try and change it,
grieve it, and even deny it. I selfishly wanted Chris with
me forever. No one wants to say goodbye. No one wants to
let go of a best friend, a confidant, a selfless companion.
Grieving is part of the emotional process. It is part of
the cycle

Releasing what is best for us, and embracing what is best
for them, is always a choice. Knowing the answer to what
that choice is, is found in the heart. When the time came
for me to say goodbye to Chris, I could have prolonged it,
but that would have been for me. But each dying process is
different. There is no rule to follow, or formula to gauge
when to let go, or even how to let go. Each situation
brings different choices.

My mare, Chris, let me know she was grateful I assisted
her. That the cycle of love could not be broken, it would
go on forever. Loving to the depths of our mutual being,
to the places we traveled and grew, will forever be a part
of our spirits. I experienced the purity of love with
Chris. It was worth it all.

Each animal in our life brings lessons, challenges, and the
purity of their love and spirit. What a gift we give to
each other and to ourselves, when we say goodbye, filled
and surrounded by love.


About the Author:

Karen Nowak is a Telepathic Healer/Communicator for animals
and their human companions. She is a Master/ Teacher in
Seichem, Reiki, and Shamballa Multidimensional Healing.
Karen offers private sessions in healing and communication
for animals and humans. She also teaches energy clinics for
horse and rider. Karen can be reached at 406-326-2192,
406-321-2786, freedomreins@earthlink.net, and
http://www.freedomreinsllc.com