Ask Your Pet

Dear Jennifer,

A few years ago, several turtles I loved very much were killed in a fire. Three of them were named Raphaela, Harry, and Lou. I’d rescued them and cared for them for years, but had placed them in a good adoptive home. I’m still grieving for them and feel guilty, because that wouldn’t have happened if they’d been with me. Are they happy where they are now? Are they upset with me?

Thank you,

Owen

Dear Owen,

I’m very sorry to hear about this tragedy! Please don’t feel guilty. James Van Praagh often says that no one crosses over a moment before or after they’re meant to, including animals. With the exception of suicide, I believe that he’s correct. Although it often feels too soon or senseless to us, I do believe things happen in Divine timing, with souls following their correct paths. The reasons often don’t make sense to us from our limited perspectives, but from a Higher perspective, they happen as part of a beautiful tapestry of life that never truly ends, simply changes form.

To give a concrete example, my father crossed over in 2019. The circumstances were very difficult for my family, as he had been successfully battling cancer, then suddenly developed something unrelated that caused his death. When the pandemic hit, my mom realized that the timing of my dad’s crossing made sense. She felt he would have been unable to cope with covid restrictions and any temporary inability to see his grandchildren. And, as many unfortunately found out, navigating chemo during the early days of the pandemic was difficult. With three years of reflection, I can also see that as valiantly as my dad fought, he wouldn’t have wanted to decline to the point of severe debilitation. I believe his Higher Self chose the time of his crossing with Divine knowledge his ego self did not possess.

As I can’t speak to all three turtles at once, I’ll choose Raphaela. When I connect with her, I feel a tremendous sense of love and gratitude. She shows me beautiful green grass, and an image of munching on a pink flower. There are wonderful, rich scents in the air. Raphaela says she loves being in this place, where she can roam wherever she wants without restriction, and without fear of injury or predators.

Raphaela wants you to know that she is happy. She doesn’t blame you or anyone for what happened to her, and wants you to release yourself from the guilt that you feel. She doesn’t feel that she is “dead”. She had time in her body, and is grateful for the care you gave her during the years she was with you. Now, she has her time in Spirit, where her consciousness has continued. It seems like a continuum to her, not separate “lives”. It’s like she was here in this world, and then went through a doorway to her current realm of existence. She says that she’s “still her, but different”. I hope this brings you comfort.

Many Blessings,

Jennifer Dickman

Jennifer Dickman is an Animal Communicator, Intuitive Coach, 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,

or her Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/healingpetlosswithanimalcommunication