In Alan Cohen’s long list of great books is one of my all-time favorites, Are You As Happy As Your Dog?
For most of my life, I’ve owned a dog. Or maybe the truth is the dogs owned me.
Dogs, and all animals, can be great teachers for us humans. Even though humans are supposed to be the “superior” species, it’s often the other way around.
Spirit
There’s a dog story—a deeply touching true story—Johnny loves. It’s about Shep, a shepherd dog who lost his master.… Read more
Over the years, we’ve talked many times about animals. It’s a popular subject with you, our readers.
So in this time of worldwide stress and anguish, Spirit suggested we talk about animals’ roles in human lives. They certainly have played a large role in my own personal life over the years.
There’s even a relatively new term, “emotional support animals.” People often bring their emotional support animals with them in stressful situations. For example, we have several people among our family and friends fearful of flying.… Read more
Recently, I read an amazing and heart-warming story of an Alaskan husky. You don’t have to be a dog-lover to appreciate this dog’s dedication to service.
Amelia Milling, a 21-year-old deaf student, was on a three-day solo trek in the Alaskan wilderness. She took a brutal 600-foot fall. When she finally came to a crashing halt, she was dazed and bleeding. At that moment, Nanook, an Alaskan husky appeared seemingly out of nowhere.… Read more
There is no faith which has never yet been broken, except that of a truly faithful dog. ~ Konrad Lorenz
I know many of you, our readers, love dogs as much as I do. They truly are messengers from spirit. The following is a true story I wrote years ago about Shep, an incredible dog angel in Fort Benton, Montana.
In April 2001, I found myself wandering through remote northern Montana. I was writing an article on Lewis and Clark, and following their epic trail of discovery across country that remains nearly as remote and unspoiled today as it was in their time.… Read more
It was two days before Christmas many years ago, my senior year of college. In my parents’ home, I stood staring out the window at the gray winter landscape. The bleak scene mirrored my own inner bleakness. I felt none of the joy of the Christmas season.… Read more
Last night I had the strangest dream.
I was walking down a deserted, dimly-lit street at dusk. In the fading twilight I spotted a scared, skinny little dog with a bloody gaping wound on the left side of his head.… Read more
Today we’re doing something a bit different. I hope you enjoy it.
The following is an excerpt from a book by the late Reverend Diane K.… Read more
Shep, Fort Benton, MontanaImage Copyright © 2007 by Montanabw
I’ve loved dogs all my life. My family and I have been blessed to have many of them as beloved members of the family over the years.
My spirit guides also have a fondness for dogs (and all animals). Here are a few words from them, taken from an article we wrote a few years ago:
“Your domestic pets, especially dogs and cats, are one of the greatest gifts humanity has ever received.… Read more
The artist alone sees spirits. But after he has told of their appearing to him, everybody sees them. ~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Caesar
Copyright © 2013 by John Cali
I’m getting ready to return home from this past Thanksgiving week. So this is a short post, perhaps the shortest we’ve ever done.
You may remember a post we did last year, Farewell To Caesar, about the death of Caesar, a cat in my family.
Since he died Caesar has come to me quite a few times.… Read more
Do not ask Spirit to heal the body. Ask rather that Spirit teach you the right perception of the body. ~ A Course in Miracles
Two days ago I was out for a walk in the beautiful fall weather we’ve been having. Suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere, a snarling dog hurled himself at me, taking a chunk out of my leg. As I defended myself, he bit me on the wrist. Finally I managed to chase him off. With my leg and wrist bleeding, I painfully limped back home.… Read more
Dogs are our link to paradise. They don’t know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring—it was peace. ~ Milan Kundera
Image Copyright © 2006 by Noël Zia Lee
Our good friend of many years, Dan Beck, sent us the following letter a few days ago. He’s given me permission to publish it here.
Hi John,
Just had a sudden death of one of our pets.… Read more
“The only creatures that are evolved enough to convey pure love are dogs and infants.” ~ Johnny Depp
Image Copyright © 2009 by Greg Holland
In our last post, “The Healing Power of Animals,” we talked about animals helping humans to heal.
An article I came across yesterday ago talks about the way a boxer named Romeo helped people heal while he was in the final stages of a fatal illness. His mistress, Riina Cooke, did her best to make his final days as easy and as much fun as possible.… Read more
Copyright © 2013 by Barbara Clark
Yesterday morning another one of our furry family crossed over to the far side of the Rainbow Bridge—that place where we will all meet again some day.
Here are some of Spirit’s comforting words to soothe us in those times when our loved ones cross over:
Image Credits
In our last blog post, He Was Just a Dog, I talked about taking care of my brother’s and sister-in-law’s elderly cat Caesar while they were travelling last week. Caesar died two days ago.
He was not my cat, but we all considered him part of our family for nearly 20 years. That may sound strange to folks who do not resonate with pets. But those who do will understand.
Caesar’s death was not unexpected, as he’d lived so long and was ill the past few years.… Read more
As I looked at our website statistics this past weekend, I was a bit surprised to see among our most popular articles and posts are those about animals. In our latest blog post, He Was Just a Dog, we talked about the spiritual aspects of animals, domestic and wild.
Today we’re continuing that subject. This will be a shorter article than normal, as I’m away from home again (unexpectedly) for the next couple weeks.
Here are some of my spirit guides’ thoughts about our sometimes-confused feelings toward animals—especially when it comes to deciding to be a meat-eater or a vegetarian.… Read more
Image License
This week I’ve been “babysitting” my brother’s and sister-in-law’s elderly, ailing cat Caesar while they’re travelling. I had to take Caesar to his veterinarian for a checkup a couple days ago. While in the waiting room I spied a book called Animals Are Soul Too! As I scanned through the book I realized it was filled with stories of animals acting more like humans than, well, animals.
When the vet’s assistant carried Caesar back into the waiting room she looked sad.… Read more
One of our clients asked us that question a while back. It’s a great question.
While I realize many people do not believe animals have souls or spirits, I know they do. My spirit guides have convinced me of that, beyond any shadow of doubt.
Spirit
Those who love you, whether they were human or animal in their physical form, never leave you. They often have a desire, beyond the grave, to help you and to continue loving you.… Read more
My spirit guides have often said animals are our teachers and healers. Here are some of their thoughts:
Animals, especially dogs and cats, are often your teachers. And your healers too. They have little to learn from you. But you have much to learn from them. One difference between animals and humans is animals are uninhibited. They know who they are. All they want to do is simply be who they are. Nothing more, nothing less.
And so in their naturally uninhibited, unlimited being, they radiate an energy, love, and joy that can touch even the most hardened human hearts.… Read more
We received quite a few comments on two of our recent articles, The Power of Animals and The Power of Animals, Part 2.
Pat, one of our readers, left the following comments and questions. With her permission I’m including them here:
John – first of all I wanted to say I just watched and enjoyed your participation in the May 2012 YouTube version of the documentary Spirit Channelers in America. The information is truly enlightening and sychronistic with my personal growth right now.… Read more
In our last two blog posts, The Power of Animals and The Power of Animals, Part 2, we talked about the relationships between animals and humans. This week we’re talking about another incredible animal, this one a dog named Shep.
I’m having a very busy week, as I’m away from home. So actually we’re just revisiting Shep in an article we wrote a few years ago, Forever Faithful.
I know some of you have read the article before, and some have not.… Read more
In our last blog post, The Power of Animals, Spirit talked about animals as our teachers. Here is another touching animal story, this one about a delightful little dog who loves everyone.
I was shopping recently in a local store. Just after I arrived, one of the young ladies who works there came in with her dog. Life is pretty informal here in this little Wyoming town. As in Europe, people don’t mind if you bring your dog into a store.… Read more
Animals, especially dogs and cats, are often your teachers. They have little to learn from you. But you have much to learn from them. One difference between animals and humans is animals are uninhibited. They know who they are. All they want to do is simply be who they are. Nothing more, nothing less. And so in their naturally uninhibited, unlimited being, they radiate an energy, love, and joy that can touch even the most hardened human hearts.
If there is one major lesson animals have to teach you, it is this: Live in the moment.… Read more
I’ve loved animals all my life. When I was growing up in a rural area of New York State we were surrounded by animals—wild creatures, farm animals, household pets. Although we loved our pets, we saw wild and farm animals differently, more as resources to serve us. They were not part of the family, as pets were.
A friend, Barbara Clark from Scotland, visited me in Wyoming this past summer. She’s also an animal lover and a talented animal communicator.… Read more
I thought we’d follow up our last blog post, Talking To Animals, with some of Spirit’s thoughts on animals, specifically domestic household pets.
Spirit
Pets are not in your lives solely for your entertainment, though they certainly do entertain you. More importantly, pets are here as your teachers and, often, your healers.
You have a phrase bandied about much – “dumb” animals. By “dumb” you generally mean “stupid.” Or at least something less than human intelligence.
Nothing could be farther from the truth.… Read more
One of our readers sent us this question (which I’ve edited slightly):
Hello John,
I have been reading your posts on animals that grieve. Our house is been very active with pets for many years. In January, my daughter passed away, leaving her 3 pets for us to love. Not knowing much about the details of each one, we all took on new roles as caregivers.
My youngest son, who has Asperger’s (syndrome), adopted her dog, Twix. Twix is about 13 years old.… Read more
