Our Sweet Biscuit
Hello, Stephanie!
I hope you can help us to make a very difficult decision about our sweet, loving Biscuit. Biscuit has bone cancer.
She got up one morning, about 2 months ago, limping. We took her to the vet, had X-rays, etc. and nothing is broken. . It does not appear to hurt her, but she cannot use the front right paw. She hobbles around on three legs. She tires very easily and spends almost the entire day sleeping. We love her so much. I believe that Biscuit will somehow tell us when her time is up. One day I think she is saying so when I look into her beautiful big brown eyes. But then she gets a little spurt of energy and I think…..no she still loves life. Can you please tell us –
Is it time for us to let Biscuit go?
Does she want to stay with us for a while yet, or does she want to close her eyes and go to sleep?
Please, please, please, contact me.
Thank you, in advance,
Barbara Wyatt
Dear Barbara
Biscuit has a very strong spirit, I wanted to just bask in the love she has for both of you. Her main message to you is that she is excited and looking forward to her transition and wants you to be happy for her. I sensed she was ready for her spirit to be free so that she could do her “work” on the “Otherside.”
Biscuit also doesn’t want you to feel guilty or sad or that anything is missing. She is indeed grateful for the love and life she has had. She showed me the image of a spiralling circle and sent me the message that her life has come full circle.
There is no beginning and no end. She wants you to accept her transition and to create a letting go ceremony for yourselves. She feels complete with her life and her spirit will be with you always.
Animals are not attached to their physical bodies in the same we appear to be. They see their bodies as a vehicle for their spirit to do it’s work in. Letting go is much easier for them than it is for us.
I also recommend giving her and yourselves Walnut Bach Flower remedy as this is great for assisting beings in times of transition whether great or small. This is never an easy decision to make and I know that you will find the strength in your hearts to do what is needed.
Blessings to you all, Stephanie
Falkor’s Cysts
My dog, Falkor, has fairly recently, within the past year or so, developed at least 3 lumps the size of peas, 2 are beneath his skin, and one is raised above the skin. I had them all tested this past March, and the results came back fine, but I still have concern as to why they manifested. My question is to know the reason why these lumps have manifested, and what we can do to get rid of them.
Here’s the information you requested:
AGE: 6.5
BREED: German Pinscher
SEX: Male
Markings: Black and Tan
Sincerely,
Falkor’s Family
Hi Janet
Cysts in dogs are usually easily treated and in most cases they are simply a collection of fat cells or cellular debris under the skin. They can manifest for several reasons, most commonly after vaccinations, diets too rich in fats and or environmental toxicity. Most physical ailments though manifest due to an underlying emotional issue. Our pets can often take on our illnesses and or they can mirror for us what it is we may need to look at in ourselves.
Here are a few suggestions as to what cysts can relate to on an emotional level, anxiety or fears, feelings of being threatened by old “stuff” or hanging on to old hurts and not releasing or having boundaries.
There is something that occurred in Falkor’s environment a year or so ago that has triggered this response in his immune system. I kept receiving images from him of eating something out of his food dish and sniffing around what looked like a cement floor, possibly in a garage. I also felt a bit of sadness from him even though he is naturally a happy dog. I sense this may be a concern he has for you.
I would recommend eliminating any toxins from his environment such as cleaning agents, perfumes, air fresheners and food or treats that have any chemicals in them. You could give him Milk Thistle for aiding his liver to cleanse out toxins and the Homeopathic Thuya 30ch for his skin. Good for you for having the cysts tested. Please also check with your Vet before giving him any of my suggestions. Dr. Pritcairn’s book Natural Health for Dogs and Cats has excellent suggestions for diet and natural remedies.
Blessings to you both, Stephanie
Letter from Jillian
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Dear Dena
I am a 73 year-old female who has been on anti-depressants for about 30-35 years with no possibility of ever getting off of them. I am single with a small dog for company; not a lot of support from my family. I have no goals and nothing to get excited about. I just take it one day at a time. Thank you. Jillian
Dear Jillian
I understand that deep depression requiring anti-depressants has a physiological basis, and is most likely genetic. And I feel for you. I know it hurts, and hurts those around you. But I also believe that one’s attitude and belief system can worsen or lessen the depression.
I couldn’t tell from your letter if you were just stating a “hopeless fact” or if you meant for me to read between the lines—to answer a question you haven’t asked. Therefore I sent you an e-mail asking for a question, but have not received an answer.
Time has passed, and I am guessing you want me to analyze the writing to give some clue about your personality for better understanding of the depression. This I can do; I can tell you what your unconscious tells me from your handwriting, and maybe that will be of help. Here goes:
You’re intelligent (rounded and angular “m” and “n”), and could work well (fluency stroke in “f” in “of” and “t” in “just”) in any of the helping fields such as teaching, nursing or secretarial where you deal with people (medium size letters, right slant), for you are generous and give of yourself (ample finals to the right). You have a strong desire to have or achieve either material and/or spiritual (large beginning hooks); you know your abilities—you have confidence in yourself (t-bars showing realistic goals) and good determination to carry out those goals (good down-strokes on “g” and “y”)—as well as initiative (ending on “t” in “lot”, “not”, “about”, “just” and “at”—a combination of traits spelling the very likely achievement of goals.
These strengths are a lot to be proud of. Not many women especially of your age group show such talent and belief in themselves, or such an independent spirit (short “t” stem). So why the depression (drooping lines)?
What stands out are the large right margins (fear of people and the future); the large space after “a” fifth line, signifying fear about the next two words “small dog” (fear of when your pet finally passes away?); the large space after “my” followed by the word “family” (fear of rejection by family?—lower loop of “f” swings far left, ending in strong downturn (feeling of hopelessness and self pity);and finally the key words after the large space after “goals” which are “and nothing”—meaning fear of having “nothing” (with its ending hopelessly downturned).
But you also blame yourself for whatever (whip-like ending to “to”). I think you are aware that you can be indecisive (feathery endings to words), a little too sensitive to criticism (loop on “d” and “t”), stubborn (wedge in “t” in “take” and “just”), defiant (buckle on “k”); and have a temper (t-bar to right of stem in “excited”)—all somewhat self-controlled (slightly convex t-bars). Also, there are times when you are not completely honest with yourself (left loop on “a” and “o”) and others (right loop on “a” and “o”); communication with loved ones could be better.
People who give of themselves in time and effort, as you do, often feel imposed upon, resulting in a feeling of resentment (inflexible initial beginning stroke to “s” in “single”, “small”, “dog”, “company”, “of” and “support”). Note that some of the strokes begin far below the baseline, indicating the resentment is from childhood and is affecting your relationships today.
Finally, the long upturned endings in “a”, “you”, “years”, “ever” and especially “Jillian” tell me you have a strong yearning for love you feel you didn’t get long ago or are not getting now. And the lower loop in “J” in “Jillian” that slashes through the upper loop of your initial or name, suggests self-defeating behavior. Something to think about.
I assume that you receive therapy under the care of the psychiatrist who prescribes your anti-depressants. As for my advice (besides seeing your doctor)… Perhaps long walks; you like physical activity (lower loop on “p” in “possibility”); I understand it can at least temporarily replace depression—with a feeling of thankfulness for all your blessings.
Letter from Renee
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Dear Dena,
I seem to have a conflict when it comes to female friendships. I long for a close dear friend or friends who value my friendship yet it never seems to happen. I tend to have friends that are very introverted and emotionally sensitive. Consequently they are very shy and tend to be selfish. When I meet women who are more social and extroverted, I get shy!
I never trust that they really want to be my friend. Any insight on this matter would be appreciated. Thank you. Renee, age 39.
Dear Renee
You’re artistic and creative (simple capitals and stick “I”) with cultural interests (figure 8 “g” in “insight”. You’re intelligent (rounded and angular “m” and “n”), and you work efficiently (fluency stroke of “t” crossing to next letter), aided by intuition (some breaks between letters).
You’re independent (short “t” stem) but quite open-minded (many wide “e”) except when it comes to women (very narrow “e” in “female” and “never”) resulting in mild ongoing depression (drooping key words “friendships”, “very”, “this matter” and “Renee”).
But you’re not quite honest with yourself. You rationalize why you don’t have the friends you like (large left loop in “d” in “friend” and “a” in “have” in first and fifth lines, and “a” in “Dena”, “female” 2nd line, “emotionally”, “happen”, “really” and “thank”). I’m not sure from what you wrote if you actually do see that when you are with “extroverts” you become shy just like the friends you don’t like.
The dictionary says “an introvert is a person who is concerned more with his own thoughts and feelings than with the people and things around him, a shy person.” You say you can’t believe they’d want you as a friend; and the handwriting shows fear of the relationship you want. The word after the large space after “my” third line (what you fear)— meaning, in a way you somehow fear friendship with the kind of women you prefer to have as friend (they don’t always turn out the way you expected—or you fear you can’t measure up, be equal.)
I think it’s the latter; you have weak and low t-bars in the key words “conflict”, “it”, and “trust” (low confidence or belief in yourself). As you yourself say “I never trust they really want to be my friend.”
Also the hesitation before the word “appreciation” written with large left margin, tells me it has meaning for you. Not being appreciated growing up could explain the feeling of not measuring up to those women you admire, and might explain the holding onto the feeling of resentment (hooked inflexible beginning stroke in key word “women”)—as well as less often feeling of being imposed upon (inflexible beginning stroke in “seem”, and key words “social”, and “shy”).
My unasked for advice? Simply relax when you meet some woman you’d like as a friend. Forget about yourself and show a real interest in that person. You’d be surprised at the result. I guarantee the shyness will disappear. I was once extremely shy. Now you can’t shut me up.
Letter from Jenn
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Dear Dena
I am going back to school for a career change. I’ve been a forester, a baker, and I am now striving to be a health care assistant. I feel like I really want to do this but I am afraid that I won’t be able to handle the not so nice parts of the job.
I am investing a lot of time and money into this. How can I be sure I am doing the right thing?—Jenn, Female 29 years.
Dear Jenn
You’re intelligent (angular and rounded “m” and n”) and can work efficiently (fluency stroke on “k”). But more importantly, you are a warm, kind, open and honest person (rounded “m” and “n”, no loops on “a” or “o”, medium size writing, mostly right slant);—so I can see why you have chosen to go into the health care field. However, there are signs of conflict.
There is variable space between words, larger in “but I am afraid I won’t be able” and “be sure I am”—meaning you feel you need your own space (like being a forester away from people, or a baker working at night?). Could it be because you are self-conscious about something (last hump of “m” higher), and independent-minded (short “t” stem in “that” and “right”)?
Furthermore, though you use diplomacy (tapering of words e.g. in “assistant” and “investing”) you stubbornly (wedge in “t” in “right”) like to do things your own way (many t-bars slanting down with feathery end), making it difficult to work with people.
Other possible hindrances to your success and happiness in the new field are the following: you procrastinate (many t-bars left of stem), can give up when the going gets rough (concave t-bars in “want”, ”the”, and “right”), and have a tendency to depression (falling key words such as “career”, “feel”, “won’t” and “into”).
With weak will power (light and weak t-bars) in setting your goals, and weak determination (curved down-strokes on “g” and “y”) to carry out your goals, the chances of success and happiness in your new venture are not great.
That is, unless you raise your confidence and belief in yourself, which is at present quite low (low t-bars in key words “that”, “want”, “right” and “lot”)—and come to terms with the “not so nice parts of the job” (perhaps working with body excretions and ornery patients), or the responsibilities that go with it, which you would rather not take on (narrow loop in “I”). You may decide that the positive aspects (financial security for your later years) could balance the negative. But it seems that with your traits you are unsuited to this particular field.
However, if you’re already in the course for some time, my advice is to complete it, even if you want to quit and do other work. If nothing else it could discipline you, and even come in handy some day, when you feel differently.
Letter from Tanya
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Dear Dena, I am writing in regards to my work in Kenya. Three years ago my husband and I travelled to Kenya with my 15 year old son. I was deeply moved by the richness of the surroundings, by the sights, the music, the children, and by the struggles that the people there meet with such dignity everyday.We plan on returning at the end of this year. My question is how I can best serve the epeople there.. I am fundraising for entrepreneurs training for women & youth and am wondering if I should actually bparticipate in the training or bif my role will be more as fundraiser and storyteller. Any insight you can offer is greatly appreciated.—-Tanya
Dear Tanya
In my opinion, rather than train, and finally become an entrepreneur (which I understand to be the business of making a profit), you should do what gives you emotional satisfaction—and I think it’s writing and communicating (figure 8 “g”. You have artistic and creative interests (simple printed capitals, except in the capital “I” and capital “T” of your name) which tells me you have a conflict about using those creative talents in a serious way.
This being a website, I will not go into great detail to show my reasons. I will make it short.
There are things in the way of your being successful as an entrepreneur, as well as a creative writer or artist: procrastination (t-bar to left of stem), a tendency to give up (some weak concave t-bars), and less than strong determination (downstrokes on “y” slightly curved).
On the other hand, what could be useful positively in writing, bringing passion to it, is your stubbornness (wedge in “d” and “t”), temper (t-bar to right of stem), as well as your anger (temper tick on the first upstroke that joins the downstroke in capital “I”—but by adding another stroke to make a kind of loop you take responsibility for it.)
Becoming an entrepreneur, I believe, is rationalizing (many large left loops in “a”) why you don’t write about your experiences in Kenya, why you are beginning to lose faith in achieving your dreams (endings on “y” beginning to turn down).
There is much to being a fund-raiser (it’s a kind of entrepreneurial business) and much to being a good story-teller (a speaking writer ). I just think you would be more emotionally satisfied with concentration on writing and giving talks.
Letter from Colleen
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Dear Dena
I have been a self-employed writer and PR consultant for over 15 years. For some time I’ve found the type of work I do no longer challenges me. I would like to refocus my business into more creative and lucrative areas. As part of my information gathering strategy I wonder if your analysis of my script might reveal a hidden talent or unrecognized skill I could develop into work that jells more with my personality. You may also see characteristics I am unaware of that are holding me back.
Any facts you can glean from this sample will be most valuable. Thank you, best regards, Colleen, female 56.
Dear Colleen
Please forgive me for taking so long to get back to your letter. I have been swamped with work. So instead of a full Dear Dena I will give you a quick answer to your question, and if it’s all right with you it can go on the website. Otherwise it will take a long time to get into the magazine. Let me know.
If you want to refocus your business to be more lucrative and at the same time more creative, you are asking a lot. You would be lucky to find them together. Chicken sexing is lucrative but not very creative. You wouldn’t want to be a chicken sexer. You are very meticulous in everything you do, and you’re very good with detail. Some of the things you might do that come to mind are:
Writing ads for products of large corporations (lots of money)
All forms of editing for writers.
Researching for writers
Indexing for authors.
Librarian assistant
Forgery expert.
Write children’s books –demand for them, so easier to publish
Write romance novels—demand for them, so easier to publish.
Not Connected to Writing:
Working with anthropologists and archeologists
Restoring paintings, photography retouching, etc.
Working in a museum
Work in a kindergarten.
Work as a certified public accountant
Any work that requires a great deal of patience, accuracy, as well as loyalty. You’d be good with children. And you could undertake any of the above suggestions, because you have ambition (many beginning hooks to words), pretty good will power and goal setting (t-bars mostly high and firm), as well as good determination (good downstrokes on “y” and “g”).
However, you are not suited to any business that requires a lot of risk (you are too careful), nor one that requires being “on stage” selling yourself. You prefer to work behind the scenes whether for yourself or others. So this rules out some careers.
You’re good with your hands (flat-topped “r”). Are you an artist? You also have an aesthetic sense (balance on the page).What kind of writing do you do? You like people (right slant) but you’re a little self-conscious (last hump on “m” higher), and quite selective of friends (small loop on “y”).
Let me hear from you, Dena.
Dear Dena
Thank you so much for your analysis; much to think about. I have no objection to its being used on the website; I won’t have to wait several months to see it in the magazine.
As to your questions about my art and writing: I paint when I can and have studied art in the past. Professionally I write non-fiction and do public relations (degrees in journalism and public relations). I do editing for authors and love any type of research project. I have 15 years experience in medical administration, and 15 years as anentrepreneur. Archeology is also an interest. I love to travel and explore new places. Writing need only be a component of the work.
Hard one to nail down, isn’t it? I look forward to anything more you can tell me. Any more questions, please be in touch.
Yours truly, Colleen.
Neon’s Aggression
Hello Stephanie,
Neon is a very sensitive dog, sensitive to the most subtle of energies. He was originally slated for euthanasia with the reason of dog aggression when I rescued Him. For whatever reason, it was my calling to rescue him. He was in the shelter close to a year and was taken from a house as the owners went to jail. He lived with other dogs and story goes that he has a fracture on his head from a human breaking in the house and hitting him over the head.
My question is this~ why does he get so fixated on other dogs?
My goal is to have him calm around other dogs and be able to walk by without reacting.
I am also well aware that the issue can be generating from me so I would love to know how to help him achieve a calm energy with all dogs from the calmest to the most unbalanced.
Sincerely,
Melissa and Neon
Hi Melissa
You are mostly right when you say that the issue with Neon of fixating on other dogs may be generating from yourself. Dogs that have come from a history of traumas quite often can develop behavioural issues such as his and it is very important to be aware of our own energies when we are relating with them. Neon needs to know that you are in charge at all times. He is looking to you to be the alpha dog. As soon as you notice him starting to react or become tense this is the time to correct his behaviour. Stop what you are doing and put yourself between him and the other dog and have him sit. Also the calmer you remain the calmer he will remain. Send him the image of him sitting beside you and staying calm. He will pick up your mental image and respond to this. When he behaves in the way in which you want him to this is the time to give him praise or a reward.
He may be fixating on other dogs partially because he is in protection mode and he is sensing that you are afraid and not taking charge of the situation. He sees it as his duty to protect and be the alpha dog. Because of his high sensitivity he will naturally become excited when he senses other dogs with high energy. Here again it is important for you to correct his behaviour immediately. I would also recommend giving him Impatiens and Vervain as these remedies will assist with his fixations and sensitivities. Vine and Star of Bethlehem may also be helpful for his wanting to dominate over other dogs and to help him to heal from his past traumas.
I commend you for the work you have done with him. He is a beautiful spirit and well worth the effort. I sense that he is also very grateful to be with you and loves you very much.
Blessings to you both, Stephanie
Contest Winners from VOLUME 3 ISSUE 6
The cover Photo in Volume 3 Issue 6 was taken of
Percé Rock, Gaspé Peninsula, Québec
It was a toss up on the winner for the subscription. One reader had the name of the rock and the province, whereas another had the name of the peninsula where the rock was located, as well as the province. So the following two readers will each receive a one year subscription!
Gaspé Bay, Québec
Debbie Whitburn
and
Percé Rock, Québec
Karen Sweigard
The spiritual connection to the cover photo brought about deep emotions -
Be the rock of calm and clarity in the midst of the emotional tide. The sun rises each day as a reminder of the ever constant Light that shines and guides.
Linda Backes
And…The winner of a True Blue Spirit Notebook and Pen wrote the following poem as her spiritual connection to the cover photo -
Silent Spirit in Us!
Universal creator
it’s spirit of the universe,
silent peace in all of us
same in you and me.
We are His love,
in our hearts,
and our love is in Him,
vibrating in our hearts
throughtout the universe.
He creates everything,
and we create through Him.
We are oneness through Him
only one beloved sons
and daughters,
abide us for eternity.
You are me, and I am you.
The spirit of silent rock,
it’s in everything and everyone,
because creator gives all to all.
I am Us.
Stefica Sladecek
