Healing Heart

Mikie, my 98lb black Labrador, came into my life in March of 1990 when he was 3 months old. I was a single young woman, living alone, and I wanted a German Shepard or Rottweiler, some kind of big dog to protect me.

I recall walking down the hall in the animal shelter: a hall lined with cages full of barking and crying dogs and puppies. I looked into one that held a black puppy in it with huge saucer size feet. He was just sitting quietly. The tag on the front of the cage said he was surrendered because he was going to be too big. The animals were euthanized after 7 days at the shelter and this was his last day! I squatted down in front of the cage and looked into his deep, soft, healing eyes. He got up from the back corner of the cage and came over to me. He sat and licked my hand through the cold chain link fence. I asked one of the workers if I could spend some time with him and she allowed me to take him down a quiet hall. There I sat on the floor with this black velvet pup in my arms...I spent over an hour on that cold, hard concrete floor with this puppy...and I knew in my heart.... Mikie was to come home with me.

Everywhere I went Mikie was with me. He was my protector and my companion. Mikie became the child I never had. We went to parks twice a day where the children were drawn to him. He was like a big horse to them, yet gentle and calm. After school, the older children would throw sticks and balls for him to retrieve.

We also spent time with the elderly friends in the neighborhood and at nursing homes. When they saw Mikie coming, the smiles of the happiness on their faces was indescribable. His gentleness and healing touched all who crossed his path. He filled me with unconditional love and comfort, and taught me to give the same to all I met. There where many people I would never have met without him.

Mikie helped me go on in life during my darkest hours. He gave me a reason to get up every day, even the days that I felt I couldn't go on. He was there for me with his gentle, deep healing eyes; he understood. I knew I had to take care of him as he had me. He taught me to persevere in spite of illness or loss. For you see, Mikie had a difficult life physically as he grew. But in spite of physical limitations he was still full of life and happiness.

There came a day when the limitations for Mikie's physical body became too great. I knew that he was struggling and his body wasn't supporting his spirit. He was waiting for me to release him. I was horrified at the thought of this, but I knew I needed to love him enough to free him. I made this painful decision and released him from his failing physical body on August 29, 2002.

I was scared. I didn't think I could make it without him. I needed him. He was my guide, my teacher, my heart, my baby. I was numb, confused, grieving, angry and empty. My heart felt shattered and I knew there were pieces missing.

The days dragged in confusion and pain. My daily routine for 12 years with my Mikie was gone. I felt lost. I needed to know that he was still with me and I kept asking for a sign of some kind.

In the days that followed I kept having a dream of a pendant in which was enclosed a scroll and some of his hair. At first I didn't understand. I finally sat quietly out in the field where we had spent so much time and began to let the picture of the pendant flow out on paper. Through the tears and pain, I looked upon the picture and realized that this was his answer to me, his gift. With the help of a jeweler friend, I created the pendant, which I call withmeforever™ . When I wear my pendant I know that I can feel Mikie close to me. Once again, Mikie goes with me everywhere I go. I know that even death cannot separate us. His final gift has once again healed my broken shattered heart.

I realize there are many others who are also in pain and grieving over loss or death. The withmeforever™ products are available to those seeking comfort and a way to stay close. A gift of healing from Mikie.

For more information, contact KathyJo Laurro, the founder and owner of withmeforever™. KathyJo has dedicated her life to animal beings and is committed to supporting the human/animal bond. She lives in Weaverville with two rescue puppies.

www.withmeforever.com
Kathyjo@withmeforever.com