“If having a soul means being able to feel love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals are better off than a lot of humans.” – James Herriot

Today my heart is heavy because I had to say goodbye to a loyal companion and soulmate – my little dog, Maisey Mae. As a medium, I know that she is not really gone. In fact, I feel her presence right beside me, as if she never left. I’m comforted and blessed to have her with me in spirit – but the human side of me misses her physical presence.

Pets are a blessing, and the fact that their lives are so much shorter than ours seems unfair. But think of it like this…we humans are put on this earth to learn lessons of kindness, compassion, and empathy. Is it any wonder that it can take us 80 or 90 years to master those lessons? Animals, on the other hand, are pure, natural sources of unconditional love. Maybe because they are born knowing those lessons, they don’t need to linger here so long.

The Healing Power of Love
Maisey was a rescue, but there’s no doubt in my mind that she was the one who rescued me. A few weeks before I got Maisey, I had witnessed the most horrible thing. I was driving down the street when I saw a little girl with a puppy in her arms. “Oh, I wish that puppy was on a leash!” the thought flashed through my mind just as the little dog jumped out of the child’s arms and ran into the street. To my horror, a car rolled over the poor animal. It was as if time stood still. A policewoman had seen the whole thing and rushed over, as traffic stopped. I jumped out of my car to see if I could help – but there was nothing anyone could do. The little girl kept crying, “I want to say goodbye to him!” and I thought my heart would break.

I couldn’t get the horrible events of that day out of my head, and every time I went to sleep, my mind replayed the experience. Then one day I had a dream, and my guides came to me. They told me that I should go to the humane society, and I would find a dog that would help me heal. I wasted no time going to the humane society, but as I walked through the cages, I knew that these dogs were not the ones I was meant to see. Then, in the last cage, a little white dog raised her head, and came over to me. I opened the door and she climbed into my lap and licked my face. And that’s how Maisey rescued me! We had many years together, and she was my constant companion and a limitless source of love and joy.

A Tribute to Maisey
I often find that writing helps me to work through grief and sadness, so with my house feeling emptier than ever before, I sat down and wrote this poem for Maisey. As the words flowed, I could feel her love encircling me like a blanket. If you’ve ever loved and lost a pet, I know these words will resonate with you.

Maisey Mae
I looked over to see you tucked in your bed on the right, then remembered, you are not there, and I will be all alone tonight.

I love your every look, every twinkle in your eyes, I will miss that now that I have to learn how to say goodbye.

The morning would start with a lick or two to announce a brand-new day, “hurry-up, and come along” your tail would always sway.You jumped down the hall with excitement and grace and ran out the door to begin an entire new race.  

You raised your nose to smell the air and felt the warm sun gently touch your hair. The journey began with a dash or two to fine the perfect tree so you could sit with a pleasant glee.

You ran up the stairs and all around exploring each crevice and space, your muzzle matted and colored with leaves as you showed your curious face. We walked together step by step, sharing the earthly ground, exploring, and observing life with each and every sound.  

Now the summers are gone, and I am left alone, for you have taken a piece of my heart and buried it like a bone. I still feel you next to me sharing each step along the way and can hardly wait for that glorious day, when you come running toward me in your heavenly glow, as you guide us back to our heavenly home, where together we will eternally roam.