Upon awakening, I heard the song, “You’ll Never Walk Alone.” When I received a call from a friend in Missouri a few hours later, I understood why. Tearfully my friend, Jane, explained her dear dog, Zoie, was slipping away due to kidney failure caused by cancer. But along with the sadness came beauty and hope. Jane mentioned her husband, Kurt and she were sitting on their porch with Zoie in one of her favorite places. There was a cool, comforting breeze and a serenity to the atmosphere even though they had experienced severe thunderstorms the night before. Jane noticed a black butterfly with orange and white polka-dots landed on Zoie’s face. Then a large number of the same type of butterfly surrounded Zoie. The other two dogs, Mitzi and Ears, began barking and romping in front of Zoie as if to entertain her. Kurt was very upset with the thought of the loss of the pal who had stayed by his side for so many years. To comfort him, Jane reminded him of what the Native American’s believe when a butterfly appears: the butterfly represents transformation and will teach one that growth and change do not have to be traumatic. The butterfly also represents that all change is good and can occur as gently and joyfully as we allow.

Jane also reminded Kurt of Sylvia Browne’s book, “Animals On The Other Side.”Jane reassured Kurt,”Zoie is going through a normal transformation and close loved ones from the other side are here to comfort Zoie and escort her spirit to the other side.” Jane asked Kurt to ask Zoie, “Do you see Mini (their dog who had passed a few years back)?” In answer, Zoie’s eyes enlarged and brightened. Then Jane ask Kurt to ask Zoie, “Do you see Daddy Ben (Jane’s dad who had passed a few years ago)?” Again in answer Zoie’s eyes brightened and became even larger than before with excitement and joy in seeing an old friend. A feeling of relief came to Jane and Kurt even though tears were flowing down their cheeks. Jane reminded Kurt, “See loved ones really do come back to visit.”

On Leap Year Day, one of our horses cut her leg so severely she bled to death before we could find her. About a week prior to the incident, the horse had come to me and been exceptionally affectionate and stood close to me for at least five minutes which was rare for her. I didn’t realize at the time, she was telling me good-bye. Like dealing with the loss of a human loved one, I was depressed and in mourning for a number of weeks. But I was consoled by my faith that I will see her on the other side. I hope these stories provide comfort for you in a similar situation.

These experiences have reminded me to love our loved ones and pets when the opportunity presents itself because we don’t know if that’s the last time. Each day I’m reminded by the loving creatures around me – “I’ll never walk alone.”

P.S. The tree was chosen for this story because the Native Americans believe the tree is a powerful symbol. In Ted Andrew’s Book, “Animal Speak” he describes the tree as “a natural antenna, linking the Heavens and the Earth.”

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