by Pat Hennessy

Man’s relationship with domestic animals has evolved into a companionship — an interesting cross-species connection that has developed over thousands of years. It is a relationship that transcends time and a bond that is steeped in unconditional love. From our perspective, the pitter patter of paws that prance across our hearts take flight with angel’s wings at many points throughout our journey together.

Four-Legged Angels
So often our four legged family members are our angels, saving our sanity when we come home from a hectic and stressful day. They help us relax, give us love and undivided attention, and sometimes have alerted us to danger even saving us from death. Our lives would not be whole without them. I couldn’t imagine coming home to an empty house. These wonderful spirits in furry bodies bring comfort to us in so many ways and bring joy to our sometimes chaotic world. We have it within our power to return that favor.

We can be angels to our companions by building a relationship on trust, giving them love and companionship, and treating them with respect (communicating to them in species-appropriate ways). One way to honor your animal companion is to think of some characteristic that she has or some cute thing that she does, and keep that feeling close to your heart and carry it with you in your daily interactions. Use that feeling to bring you to a state of love when you are frustrated or a feeling of comfort when you are worried. Let that feeling inspire you to be a guardian angel in return. Find ways to reward your companion. Time spent with you is as high of value, if not higher, than toys and treats.

Someone Watching Over You?
If you have had a beloved companion cross the Rainbow Bridge then you know the feeling of someone watching over you. You can feel a furry presence when you enter a room or hear a soft meow down the hall. There may be an angel paw resting on your shoulder and keeping a watchful eye on you or her companion buddy left behind. You can honor her life by keeping her memory alive and by promoting kindness for the animal community.

Giving Back
It is a wonderful thing to give back to the animal community. If you can, adopt your next animal from a local shelter or rescue group. If you can’t adopt right now, you can help support the animals by donating some badly needed items to these organizations. These items may just be sitting around your house, such as newspapers, blankets, towels, cleaning supplies, trash bags; or you can pick up other items and drop them off, toys, treats, leashes, flat collars, office supplies, etc.

This time of year we get busy with shopping and celebrating. It is a time of year for giving and we will often participate in extra activities with church/charity organizations or at nursing homes and community centers, but we don’t always think about the animals that are without companionship.

This holiday season; give your pets some extra attention and TLC. If you don’t have pets, stop by your local animal shelter and take a few minutes to just spend some time with a homeless dog or cat. Gentle stroking and a soothing voice could put you on your way to being an angel for that animal. It is a small amount of time from you, but would mean a lot to a scared and lonely soul.

Angel Looking at You!
Angels come in many forms: short or tall on two legs, big or small with fur and tails. The next time that you look into the soulful eyes of your companion animal, know that you have an angel looking back at you... and let her know there is an angel looking back at her.

I Know A Few Angels
Just as we feel our animal companions are angels among us, we too can be the angels in their midst. It doesn’t take much looking around to know where you are needed. I am fortunate to know a few angels.

Gus
Gus was very tired, cold and alone. He was feeling every bit of his 70 years (dog years that is), and he knew he didn’t have much time left. It was all he could do to lift his head and roll those big brown eyes up at whoever was peering down at him. When he looked up he saw an angel. He thought he had been walked down that long hall to the cold and sterile room, where the door opens on one side and closes on the other. He thought, “Have I passed through that second door? Am I at the Rainbow Bridge? When he looked up, he was greeted by a soft and loving face looking down at him. She was there, this angel, ready to pick him up in her arms and give that gift of warmth and love, and respect for the years he had endured. This angel provides a home for the tired, fragile, ailing and aging animals that have been abandoned at the twilight of their journey.

Sophie
Sophie is curled up, shivering, and huddled around some squiggling tiny balls of fur — a big heavy chain wrapped around her neck. A dog house is sitting in the distance, barren and open to the wind, with a bowl next to it frozen over by a layer of ice. She looks up as three figures approach her. She curls up tighter into a ball to protect her tiny treasures. They come in peace and offer her gentle touch, some tasty tidbits, fresh water, and to line the dog house with thick layers of straw. They were very nice and she was glad they stopped to visit. She saw them talking to the people who live in the house. A few days later they returned. She recognized their angelic faces. This time they released the heavy chain, bundled up the puppies, gestured for her and off they went for a ride. Her journey took her to a warm house with a bed, food, water, and kindness. That was her sanctuary while she waited for a forever home. Had it not been for those three angels, her journey may have ended on a cold winter’s night.

Rudy
Rudy’s world was small. The view never changed; wire walls, wire floor, a lot of barking, pretty smelly, until one day he was plucked from the pile. The next stop was a loud and noisy affair, where he was handed over to a new face. A long ride awaited and when daylight broke he witnessed surroundings he had never seen — open grass with other dogs running freely. All seemed well but his little nagging cough just wouldn’t go away and he began to feel warm and just had to rest, as he was growing weary. He felt the touch of someone swaddling him. In a weakened state he could see the face of an angel and could hear her talking. Somewhere in the distance he could feel that someone was watching over him. “I must be really sick as it seems she has called on other angels,” he thought. He drifted off to sleep and when he awoke, he found himself surrounded by dogs and cats. “Am I in Heaven?” he wondered. His guardian angel came into the room and said, “How are you feeling today? Are you ready to go out and play?” Off he went, to another grassy area where he could run freely.

One of the best ways to honor your animal companion is to help another. If you have the time and capacity — take in a furry or feathered family member even if only to foster. If you can’t take in an animal consider offering support to organizations who rescue — through donating or volunteering (even things like transporting or walking dogs).

Pat Hennessy is the founder of N2paws, LLC, an organization that provides a holistic approach to companion animal care through behavior education, energy work, and positive training methods. Pat is a Level 2 TTouch® practitioner, CPDT and member of the IAABC, IAATH and AWA. You may contact N2Paws via email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , phone 816-522-7005, or visit the website www.n2paws.com