Ask Your Pet

Dear Jennifer,

My dog Zeno recently passed away at fourteen. He had been the best, most loving, intelligent and protective companion until his health began to fail, causing personality changes. Over the past year, he had a lot of trouble getting up and down and walking, and seemed to be in pain and getting weaker. I tried to help him as much as I could but he was frequently snapping at me and drawing blood and, towards the end, bit me so badly that I ended up in the ER. While I knew that it was his failing health that caused him to bite me, it had become dangerous trying to take care of him. Because his bite sent me to the ER, he needed to be quarantined at home for ten days, which I did, caring for him while trying not to get bitten. When the quarantine was over, I made an appointment with the vet to have him “put to sleep.” He died on his own two days before the appointment. Was Zeno ready to die, or did he die thinking he was a burden to me? Does he know I love him very much, and that I didn’t mind taking care of him and only made the appointment because his sickness had made him dangerous to me?

Sincerely,

Mary

Dear Mary,

Zeno wants me to reassure you that he’s not upset with you. He says that he had dementia, and never would have bitten you if he was in his right mind. Towards the end, he didn’t know who you were some of the time. He was simply in pain, and defensive like any sick or injured animal. He wants you to think of the bites as times when his Spirit wasn’t in his body. He loves you so much, and wants you to know he would never have intentionally hurt you.

Zeno absolutely knows how much you love him. He says he always knew, and that you had a partnership based on love and respect. He tried to take care of you, just as you took care of him. He wishes that he could sort of wipe the last year from your memory, because he doesn’t want you to remember him that way. It simply wasn’t him. He was the loving, protective, loyal dog you described, and still is. He will always love you and look out for you.

Zeno was ready to cross after that final bite. It seems that there was a karmic/soul contract reason for that final year. But, the point of “enough” was reached. Zeno was ready to leave his body, and his Soul chose to leave on its own as an act of protection and love for you.

(Readers: I wish it was always possible for animals to make the choice to leave on their own. Sometimes they just can’t, and helping them cross when they’re suffering excessively with no hope of recovery is an act of compassion and love.)

Many Blessings,

Jennifer Dickman

Jennifer Dickman is an Animal Communicator, Intuitive Counselor, Reiki Master-Teacher, and Animal Reiki Specialist. She conducts sessions worldwide via phone and email. Please contact her at  jennifer_dickman@ymail.com  www.jenniferdickman.com , and follow her on Instagram @jenniferdickmanone, and on Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/AnimalCommunicatior/