Haley’s Heart

Haley and her brother were left on the side of the road as pups.
While her brother was adopted right away, Haley went into foster care
with the Nelson County, VA SPCA.
Haley couldn’t use one of her hind legs.

At 4 months, the person fostering her brought her to me to see
what I could do to help her regain the use of her hind leg.

It was a precipitous day when Haley came to the farm.
One of our other dogs, Jetta passed away later that afternoon.
Jetta got to pass along her torch.  We all fell in love with this incredibly
soft and kind hearted pup.

Her short leg has remained just that -  and, she learned how to get around just fine!

As a 3 year old, we almost lost her.  Fortunately, the 3rd vet visited knew what was ailing Haley,
figuring out quickly that her pancreas was not working… just in time to save her life.
Then, a few years later, she was diagnosed with Stage 2 Mast Cell Cancer.

Meanwhile, everyone who meets Haley has gotten to know the softest, kindest being.
As the resident Therapy Dog she’s been an amazing companion in my healing practice
offering her insights, wisdom and assistance not only to me, but to many people and their dogs.
So many of us have learned deeply and softly from this gentle soul.

Often people come to me when traditional medicine has little or nothing left to offer.
I hear it all the time, the vet, or the doc said they can’t do anything else.
And they ask if I have anything that can help their animals, or themselves,
be more comfortable during an illness, injury or for end of life care.

Now it’s my turn with the tables are turned…
I have been using all kinds of complementary care throughout Haley’s life over the 13 blessed years she has been with me.

She has needed a lifetime of careful nutrition with a prescription level of enzymes,
therapeutic grade essential oils, acupuncture, Chinese Herbs, TTouch, Brennan Healing
Science Energy Healing, Animal Communication and flower essences…

And now, at 13, drugs are the name of the game to help her be more comfortable.
There is a place for everything at the right time and right dosage.

This week we had a surgical consult to see if this very suddenly quickly growing,
now huge, growth could be surgically removed, safely… and if we could keep that good,
one and only hind leg very workable.  Haley and I were quite impressed with the surgeon.
Haley  was listening as attentively as I was, watching him carefully the whole time
he spoke with us.  He didn’t notice her rapt attention, but I sure did.  That’s my girl.

After 24 hours on Prednisone and Benydryl,
her good hind leg is a bit stronger again,
and the rapid amount of growth has ceased.
This morning she was carefully checking out what
critters have been visiting around the yard.
These are good signs.

I know that the Prednisone and antihistamine are not a cure.
The drugs are picking up the slack and giving us some buffer time,
helping to make my girl more comfortable for sure.

The things that are in my control, things that I can work with,
are all actively being pursued.

And, not everything is in my hands, or in Haley’s paws…

…caring for the elderly, caring for anyone, is always a mix of,
“What is it that I Can do to help, and what is out of my hands/control.

Comfort is of the highest priority, and sometimes at the right time,
a little bit of drug therapy is in order…

Clearly all the wonderful herbs, oils, acupuncture, essences and healing
modalities have helped her live a full and adventurous, healing life for a
long time so far and are continuing to be an important part of her daily care!

When you picture or think of Haley,
know that your thoughts and heart felt concern matter.

How we ‘see’ someone when we think of them
does indeed effect the other.
Please see / picture/ feel/ think of Haley with healing light, ease and grace.

Animal Wisdoms:  Haley’s Heart
Haley Speaks about the
language that goes beyond words
between animals and people.

“Notice all the exchanges that happen between us without words.
We are communicating together all the time.
Notice, pay attention to what and how much exchanges
between us all the time.

You (humans) pay so much attention to words and you stay in your mind.
You forget, overlook, don’t enter, or are afraid of your heart.
I’m here to show you gentle compassion. 

• Notice how putting your hand on my head and
  stroking me lends you support.  
• Notice what is conveyed when my muzzle pushes into
  your hand and nudges you to pet me.
• Notice how much you calm and are soothed when you feel
  my soft coat and soft gentle ways.
• Notice how much is exchanged between us without words.
• Notice how much softer your heart becomes and how much less
  in your head you are when you stroke my soft coat.

We communicate all the time and we learn together.
This is how we talk.
You do not always need to hear words.

Our hearts meet and exchange heart energies.
This is what we are saying.

Trust this,

      Trust your heart.

            Trust us together.”

Animal Wisdoms: Haley’s Heart © Sandy Rakowitz 2013