Our Sacred Loving Companions

Endorsements

"Our Sacred Loving Companions is just that, many stories about human animal experiences, each with its unique interaction between people and their loving, trusting animals. Sharon Lund has found a way to bring many examples of heartfelt stories in one book to touch the reader’s spirit. With each story, you will learn a new lesson about the important role animals play in enriching our lives. So curl up with your loving pet and share each story or poem in the book together."

Dennis Brown, DVM

Animal Care Hospital & Wellness Center, Kula, HI

Past President of the Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association

and friend to some of the people and animals in this book

"Our Sacred Loving Companions is a compendium of compassionate stories offering proof to every human being that animals are not only our sacred companions and extended family members, they are our teachers; and they teach best by example. If you are willing, this book will connect you with an aspect of yourself that every animal already knows about itself; you are one with life. Sharon Lund has done a beautiful job of showing us that we are all connected, far beyond our wildest imagination. Read this book with a glad heart, knowing how blessed you really are—especially if you have, or have ever had, a four-legged furry teacher in your life."

Dr. Dennis Merritt Jones, award winning author of

The Art of Uncertainty: How to Live in the Mystery of Life and Love It, and Your (Re)Defining Moments: Becoming Who You Were Born to Be

"Our Sacred Loving Companions is a heartwarming compilation of stories from people who have deeply loved their companion animals as family members. Each story provides a glimpse into the depth and beauty of the human-animal bond and celebrates how companion animals fill our lives with unconditional love." 

Allie Phillips, Esq. Attorney, award winning author of

Defending the Defenseless: A Guide to Protecting and Advocating for Pets, and Founder of Sheltering Animals & Families Together (SAF-T)™

"Our Sacred Loving Companions is the title and message of this heartwarming book. Animals are complete, while people are not. We have a great deal to learn from them about how to live, and these stories will help you to start your education by filling and healing your heart. Loving companions become our teachers and healers. Read and learn; and, when in doubt, ask yourself, WWLD? Or What Would Lassie Do?"

Bernie Siegel, MD award winning author of

Love, Animals and Miracles and, for children,

Smudge Bunny and Buddy's Candle

Back to Contents

Our Sacred Loving Companions

Sharon Lund, DD and Friends

Our Sacred Loving Companions

Smashwords Edition

Copyright © 2016 Sacred Life Publishers

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Cover design: Miko Radcliffe

Sacred Life Publishers™

SacredLife.com

To all the sacred animals, past, present, and future,

who teach us unconditional love.

Thank you for gifting us human beings with

your teachings and blessings.

You have brought us joy, laughter, healing,

and a deep connection of love and Oneness.

Back to Contents

Contents

Endorsements

Dedication

Introduction

Sharon Lund, DD

Our Sacred Loving Companions Stories

Maggie, Abigail, Carol and Dean

Carol Lem

The Rescue

Miko Radcliffe

MacGyver and Samantha

Dorothy Mahrie

My Loving Goats

River Penner

Turtle Times

Cheryl King

Saved by a Soldier

Hero

Chins!

Beverly Brodsky

Sugar, an Angel in a Dog’s Body

Jeaneen Lund

Replacement Cat

Andrea Susan Glass

Sherman, my Shaman

Dea Allen

My Life Was Spared!

Dorothy

My First Mate

Meg Sterns

The Mountain Family

Beverly Brodsky

Chester Speaks

Liz Fernandez, DVM, CVA

Bringing Hope and Love to Those in Need

Debbie LaChusa

Java and Skip

Diane Banks

Little One

Lois Dietrich

The Majestic Swans

Dee Paturzo

A Dog With No Shoes

Bob Luckin

Tiger Calls Me Mama

Judy Villanueva

Bailey

Chris Waterton

Humphrey Bogart, Rabbit Ambassador

Debby Widolf

I See for a Blind Person

Golden Ray

No Quitter!

Miko Radcliffe

Sugar, the Hummingbird

The Vailencour Family

My Dog Kids

Mike Wildberger

Matthew, My Wonderful Pussycat

Joan Priestley, MD

I’m Charlie, the Muscovy Duck

Charlie

My Spiritual Companion

Liana Carbón

My Boys, Lavender Blu and Earthquake

Mary Worthington

A Lucky Bunny

Liz Fernandez, DVM, CVA

Mimis

Kim Camacho

Spot, the Gentleman

Bill McGuire

Magic

Marlena Shell

Dery, the Healer and His Best Friend, Bushie

River Penner

Elephants in Captivity

Sue Walsh

Bachamoto

Patricia Mazingo

Melody’s Melody

Beverly Brodsky

With Riley by My Side, I Feel Young Again

Sharyn

Blackie’s Gift

Liz Fernandez, DVM, CVA

Blue Boy

Judy Winkler

The Three Lives of Joe Joe

Dorothy Mahrie

Bobo and Caleb Saved a Veteran

David Campbell

Sadie, Sam, and Dave

Jacki Gethner

Bailey, the Street Dog

Dali Colorado

Rex, the Parrot

Denise Strenkowski

My Lucky Day

Carole Binford

Makamae

River Penner

Daze, the Gato Mama

Debra Wennett

The Siegel Zoo

Bernie Siegel MD

Now I Can See

George

For the Love of Annie

Cherie Attix

Sweet Charity, Forever Remembered!

Carol Klink

Animals Help the Injured

Victor Holmes

Three Moms for One Little Dog

Summer Richardson

Companions on a Difficult Road

River Penner

The Love of My Life

Rashid

Life of a Service Dog

Amber Clausen

ODE to Don Juan (also known as Donnie)

Bern Davis

Buddy, My Best Friend

Phillip Bonham

Busted

Patricia Mazingo

Li’l Moon

Beverly Brodsky

Willow’s Story

Sue Walsh

Be the Dog

Dennis Merritt Jones

With Deepest Appreciation

Sharon Lund, DD

Introduction

Sharon Lund, DD

In one of my past Sacred Living Sacred Dying newsletters, I talked about how animals can become part of our family, and how we can honor them in the time of their death. After sending out the newsletter, a lot of people responded back to say how much they valued the message I wrote.

Then I Divinely heard, Compile various animal stories from people and organizations, and publish a book about the sacred animals, for a fundraiser.

What you are holding in your hands, Our Sacred Loving Companions, is what was created. These are heartfelt short stories from animal lovers, animal owners, service/therapy dog handlers, and advocates for animals; stories from veterinarians; poems about animals; and even stories where the animals share their own experiences. (Please note that the people who wrote the stories from the animal perspective personally have the animals or are associated with them, and the stories are true. However, the authors wish their own names to remain anonymous). Most of the animals have been rescued.

The stories are inspirational, healing, and funny. They will touch your soul, put a smile on your face, warm your heart, and bring you to tears. We are connected to the animals, and there’s so much we can learn from them. May these stories open your heart wide as you feel a deep connection to the animal kingdom.

All the proceeds from the sales of the book, Our Sacred Loving Companions, will be distributed to two nonprofit organizations: Sacred Living Sacred Dying, Inc., and Doorway Into Light, as well as various animal organizations.

The people who wrote their stories said it brought them a lot of love, joy, comfort, and healing as they reflected on the precious memories of their beloved and sacred animals. Growing up, I had a deep love for my dogs, Blackie and Cuddles, and later, Jeaneen’s amazing dog, Sugar and our cats Jade, Polarity, and Golden Ray, and our cockatoo bird, Spice.

I believe another book of this kind will be published sometime in the future; so if you’d like to share a story, please send it to Sharon@SacredLife.org, and I’ll keep you posted.

For now, sit back and enjoy the journey and experiences with these beautiful and amazing animals.

* * *

I feel blessed and honored that I was guided to bring forth this book. However, for over thirty years of my life I have been Divinely guided. Since 1986 I have been passionately working to change and awaken people’s perception of death and dying.

In the early 1980s I overcame an abusive relationship, which led to my becoming anorexic; and I attempted suicide and encountered my first near-death experience, where I heard I would become a healer, teach around the world, and write books. In 1983, I became infected with HIV (called GRID and ARC then) by my bi-sexual husband. By 1986 I started educating people in the AIDS and cancer communities about various mind-body-spirit healing modalities. I also assisted gay men as they prepared for their end-of-life journey and death.

In March 1997, I died in the hospital due to AIDS complications. My spirit lifted out of my body, and I immediately felt healed and had a deep sense of peace. Two Spirit Beings came toward me and said they wanted to show me a review of my life. I had a bird’s eye view of my past, where I taught AIDS education throughout the United States, in Canada, Europe, Russia, and Japan. After viewing each scene, I heard, Look at the difference you’ve made in these peoples lives.

Then I went through the tunnel of Light and became one with the brilliant, loving, bright Light of God. I experienced an immense love, like I had never felt before. God telepathically spoke to me and said I needed to see one more thing before deciding if I wanted to stay or return.

Instantly, I relived, not reviewed, but relived precious times with my daughter, Jeaneen. We shared moments, not only as mother and daughter, but as friends, companions, and spiritual teachers. I relived our deep love for one another, holding hands, kissing, cuddling, laughing, and playing, as well as the challenges through our life’s journey. I also relived times in the United States and Russia where together we educated people about HIV/AIDS.

Then a spark of Light hit me and I was back in the tunnel. Telepathically, Infinite Spirit/God asked me, What is your decision?

Even though I felt healed, and felt the immense love of God, I expressed with sincere love, I have to return to my daughter. Immediately, and without warning, I was back in the hospital bed, feeling more alive then I had been in two years. I could see every cell in my body vibrating with Light.

After this experience, I asked Infinite Spirit/God, What is my life purpose now?

I clearly heard, Break the silence about death and dying, and bring back the sacredness of life and death.

I was Divinely guided to write three books and produce a documentary on healing, dying, and death, and started Sacred Life Publishers.

In 2014 I heard, You will help create a green burial cemetery where everything will be earth friendly. I know it’s time for a paradigm shift regarding how we bury our loved ones. The old way of doing it just doesn’t work.

Shortly after this Divine inspiration, I was guided to move back to Maui to start a nonprofit organization, Sacred Living Sacred Dying, Inc., to promote and share my passion for green, sustainable burials on land and at sea. On Valentine’s Day, 2015, I stepped off the plane, back home and ready to continue my life’s purpose.

An eco-friendly cemetery is designed for multiple purposes—nature preserve, walking trails, picnic areas, agricultural projects, greenways, ceremonies, and areas for meditation and reflection. Trees and plants replace headstones. Those choosing a green burial cemetery for themselves or a loved one have the security of knowing the deceased will be buried in all-natural materials that are biodegradable.

Green cemeteries can be a special and sacred place for the living and the dead, helping to heal both the soul and the earth. Sacred Living Sacred Dying, Inc., is working with Rev. Bodhi Be at Doorway Into Light to develop the first green cemetery on Maui, Hawaii. We’re all going to die, and each of us needs to do our part to help create a legacy that will leave a positive impact on the environment for centuries to come.

We are all connected. We are all One. Everything is sacred—the plant kingdom, animal kingdom, mineral kingdom, and human kingdom. There is no separation.

Back to Contents

Maggie, Abigail, Carol and Dean

Carol Lem

Once upon a time, two young sister cats lived in a feral colony on the island of Maui. They realized they were not competitive enough to stay in the colony. So they wrapped their belongings in red checkered napkins and tied them to small branches. They put the branches over their shoulders and set off to find a better life on the other side of the road.

That’s my illustrated fairy tale version of how they came to appear in the bushes outside our lanai in 2004. Dean, my husband, saw them first and called my attention to the two scared and skittish, mostly white young cats. First I set out water, then milk. Of course, then followed kibble and soft food treats from time to time. Then a couple of boxes for them to curl up in whenever they chose.

Our lives were without pets until they appeared. I would have welcomed a cat, but Dean was, shall we say, disinclined?

As they became regular visitors, I moved their dishes closer and closer to the door and gradually into our home office inside the sliding door leading to the lanai. It only took about six to eight months! My patience was rewarded. I earned their trust and was allowed to gently touch the feathery clouds they were!

They were both mostly white with some tabby and calico markings on their heads and had calico tails. The smaller one had a calico spot on her port (left) side and a tabby spot on her back. The calico spot was on the starboard (right) side of the other one.

I had them spayed so as not to contribute to the cat overpopulation on the island. The Vet was surprised that neither had had kittens. Their ears were notched so that if they decided to move on, it was a sign to others that they need not be trapped again.

I asked their names. The slightly smaller one informed me she was Abigail. Her sister was not so forthcoming. She seemed a self-appointed guardian, so I named her Zena, after the popular warrior princess of the time.

Both girls were quiet, oh so quiet. I’ve been told this is not uncommon among feral cats. At mealtime they would appear and sit side-by-side and radiate silence, just sitting with their tails wrapped around their front paws as proper ladies should. Abigail created a mealtime trick for herself. She stood on her hind legs, put her paws on her dish, and gently guided it to the floor. Not to be outdone, Zena remained sitting but raised one paw (like the Japanese Good Luck Cat) as her dish was being put down. We had a ritual!

Several years before the girls arrived, my husband was diagnosed with a progressive disease that gave him a life expectancy of about ten years. About a year after the girls arrived, we moved to a single-story residence. I was pleasantly surprised when Dean included them in our moving plans. Then it occurred to me: I had not previously included a pet in our lives out of deference to him. Now he was seeing to it that I would have the girls as companions when he was gone. I was very grateful and touched by this realization. He also happily announced that when we moved, Zena would have a new name. Maggie. It suited her ever so much better!

When we moved, the girls remained outdoors during the day and slept in the garage at night. Maggie curled on the floor at the center of the garage door and Abigail on top of the car near the back—near each other, but not snuggled. Each girl seemed to keep her own independence. They would be near and aware of each other, but I seldom saw them play together. Perhaps it was learned behavior from their feral time.

I used to pull weeds in the front yard as it let me be outside a bit but still nearby if my husband called to me. Maggie would pass by, sometimes close enough for me to brush her fur. More often she sat on a corner of the front walkway, like a guardian, like a quiet watchful sentinel.

Then one day in 2008, there was a knock on our door. Our neighbor told me one of my cats had been struck and killed in the street in front of our house. He couldn’t tell me which one. I don’t remember moving or breathing. My tears were so afraid they couldn’t leave my eyes. My heart stood still. He told me that he had picked her up,