|
Hello!
As I am shaking out Leo’s bedding and getting it in the wash, I am struck by how much effort and time I put into having this little guy in my life. I don’t mean the daily interactions—the play, walks, or cuddles—but the training, researching what is best for his health, the daily and weekly washing of his bowls, toys, bedding, towels, teeth brushing, fur brushing, etc. The crazy amount of care and TIME it takes to share your life with a pet. I was sitting on easy street not being needed the same way around here before Leo came along, rather unexpectedly, last November. My daughter is grown and doesn’t live with us. I didn’t have a dog and didn’t need to clean the floors quite as often. My time was much more my own. I am pondering the “what was I thinking” story and the “I love him so much it is obsessive” story. Then ding, I remember soul contracts. In honor of Leo, whose first birthday is this month, let’s briefly touch on soul contracts from a pet perspective. If you are a pet parent, you know the struggles and the joy of loving a pet. A pet is basically a child who will never grow up and learn to do for themselves. We, as parents, will care for them always and make breakfast and dinner forever. Don’t forget the snacks – currently Leo is loving Greek yogurt and wild blueberries. Our pets are companions and some are soul mates. Soul mates being those animals that show up at the right time, in an almost magical way, and bring exactly what you need in that moment to your journey. This is not to say that it is all easy. Soul contracts can be with those animals that challenge us as much as they bring us joy and support. Pets are a part of your soul contracts, and you share a soul contract with them. For each of your pets ask yourself: how do they help me, what am I learning from them, what need are they meeting for me? You are there for them as well, so ask yourself the same questions but flip it to what am I doing for them? Leo was found in an abandoned mine with 10 other litter mates and no momma dog or people to be found. There is a picture of the pups when they were found in the dark, scary, remote place. He was only 2 pounds at 8-to-10 weeks old. Leo has a great personality and is a sweetheart, but he needs to feel safe and still has some challenges with that. He can be skittish and bark like mad if anyone is near the house or in the house until he knows for sure it is safe. He makes a great watch dog, but I know there is underlying fear there. From the mine, he was taken to a high-kill shelter, then fortunately transferred to a rescue here in Maryland, then to a foster family, then finally to us. Leo coming to live with us happened quickly and somewhat as a surprise. I applied to the rescue but not specifically for Leo. The rescue emailed and said come get your puppy. This all occurred in a day or two. It was so fast that there wasn’t even a picture of him to show my family. My husband took one look at this little puppy and took him in his arms. Our daughter even came home to go with us and meet him. It turns out Leo has all the qualities I would have hoped for and is a perfect fit for each of us in different ways. It was a lot for this guy to go through. I have worked on his confidence from the beginning, and he is doing well, but he is my “slow-to-warm-up” boy. He needs me to understand this about him and create an environment where he can take a few minutes to assess and then join in with others, happy and adorable, when he is ready, which is happening more quickly now. Fortunately, I am in tune to this need and able to fill it. I give him lots of love, of course, but I am meeting his need of how he takes in his environment and processes things. This is my way of helping him in our contract. That and literally no one can mommy him like I do I have convinced myself! Some of our pets join us throughout many lifetimes. Our beloved pets tend to stay by our side once they transition and greet us when it is our turn to transition. I sometimes see pets in Akashic Records as a loved one and pets have their own Akashic Records. Come to think of it, I have not peeked at Leo’s. . . I will be doing that. I am curious. Leo is helping me heal and open my heart again following the transition of our beloved family dog several years ago. He is helping me keep my heart open and express my mother archetype now that my daughter has moved far away. She is thrilled and somewhat relieved I have Leo as her “replacement!” He likes physical touch which is important for me to give as a love language expression. We are helping each other and I am thankful for him. What do your pets bring to your sacred journey? How do they help you? What are they teaching you? I just came across this blog entry from Authentica Pets about soul contracts with animals. I am not familiar with the organization or the people referenced, but I like the content and I think it’s worth sharing. I hear the dryer ringing me to fold Leo’s laundry . . . off I go.
With Love,
Andrea
|
