How do animals view death? Are they afraid of death? The answer here is no. Animals do not see death as we do. As humans we are very afraid of the unknown and so death for us can be a terrifying thought. Animals live very much in the moment and are very attuned with their own bodies and with the cycles and rhythms of life. They understand that death is a part of this cycle.

They understand that as soul beings, they are eternal and that it is just the physical body that dies. They understand that the soul never dies and when transitioning over they are moving from one plane to another. They are returning home so to speak.

Very often animals hold onto life for their humans. They will do whatever they can to help us and for us not to feel grief or pain so they will hold on as long as they can or until they know that their humans are emotionally ready to deal with their transition.

Another thing that animals do not want from us is pity and sympathy. They want us to hold them in empathy. If we are constantly feeling sorry for our animals, we are not being present with them in this space and time.

By preparing ourselves emotionally ahead of time we can honour our animals during this time, we can be supportive and caring and we can embrace the time that we do have with them.

So often we as humans carry a lot of guilt about the death of their beloved animal friends. We wonder if we did the right thing by euthanising the animal, if the time was right, did we do it too early or should we have waited. By asking our animals, through intuitive animal communication, what they would like we can alleviate the pain and suffering that we go through. Our animals do not want us to have regrets. they do not want us to carry guilt and blame.

The best way to approach the process is to be prepared, have an open heart and have an open mind.

Remember that it is the soul choice of the animal as to whether it stays in its physical form or decides to leave to cross into the world of spirit. However, you can make the transition process easier and more comfortable for your animal while at the same time honouring their life, their choices and their death.

Sit quietly and find your center. Make the connection with your animal and sit in that space of reverence and love with them. you can then ask them the following questions:

• How will I know when it is time for you to leave? What signs can and will you give me so that I know for sure?
• Would you like to go on your own or would you like assistance? If they say they would like assistance, ask them how they would like this to happen. Very often they know exactly what they want.
• Do you want me to be present? Who would you like to be present?
• Would you like to be buried and if so where? What would you like us to do with your body?
• Do you want to be cremated and if so what would like us to do with your ashes?

To most animals after they leave their physical body these wishes are expressed because they know that it will help the humans and just as in life even in death they will continue to do what they can to help their humans.

Once this has all been established it is then time to honour what the animal has given to you. It does not help to ask these questions and then to do something different.

This is where unconditional love comes in. We have to love them so unconditionally that we are willing to let them go and this also means releasing them emotionally. This consciously frees the animal to let go and not feel that he has to stay because you are not ready.

After they have gone

Grief is very real and you must express, acknowledge and feel your grief. Talk about it with people you know will love and support you during this time and if need be seek out the services of a bereavement or grief therapist.

There are various stages to grief and these go from shock, denial, anger, guilt, depression, sadness and acceptance. These stages do not always happen in this order and you may fluctuate between them.

The grieving process is different for each person and is unique. There is no wrong or right and it can take as long as it needs to. The death and loss of an animal friend can often be more traumatic then the loss of a human friend or relative and one of the reasons for this is because they love us so unconditionally. There are never expectations and you are given the freedom and the encouragement to be exactly as you are. This is one of the great lessons that they teach us and part of the grieving process is to love them unconditionally enough to let them go.

The Rainbow Bridge – Author Unknown

By the edge of a woods, at the foot of a hill,
Is a lush, green meadow where time stands still.
Where the friends of man and woman do run,
When their time on earth is over and done.
For here, between this world and the next,
Is a place where each beloved creature finds rest.
On this golden land, they wait and they play,
Till the Rainbow Bridge they cross over one day.
No more do they suffer, in pain or in sadness,
For here they are whole, their lives filled with gladness.
Their limbs are restored, their health renewed,
Their bodies have healed, with strength imbued.
They romp through the grass, without even a care,
Until one day they start, and sniff at the air.
All ears prick forward, eyes dart front and back,
Then all of a sudden, one breaks from the pack.
For just at that instant, their eyes have met;
Together again, both person and pet.
So they run to each other, these friends from long past,
The time of their parting is over at last.
The sadness they felt while they were apart,
Has turned into joy once more in each heart.
They embrace with a love that will last forever,
And then, side-by-side, they cross over… together.