Adapted from Dr. Judith Orloff’s NY Times bestseller “Emotional Freedom: Liberate Yourself From Negative Emotions and Transform Your Life” (Three Rivers Press, 2011)
I love animals. They are powerful conduits of unconditional love. My editor wanted me to remove this story from "Emotional Freedom" about a dog's compassion because it wasn't between two humans. I disagreed and kept it in. Here is an excerpt from the last chapter of the book called "Facing Anger, Building Compassion." I hope you like it. I hope you know that love exists between all sentient beings.Judith
Compassion also provides the crucible for healing miracles to occur. One of my workshop participants told the following story. Two years before, she’d longed to get pregnant but she had a rare, serious type of kidney disease. Her doctor warned that pregnancy would overly stress her body, even endanger her life. Still, this woman’s desire for a baby was so strong she decided to risk it. Fortunately, she stayed well those nine months and her disease stabilized, which isn’t typical during pregnancy, a great relief to her, her husband, and the doctor. However, in that same period, her young Golden Retriever, her constant companion and ?soul-mate? with whom she was so attuned, was diagnosed with kidney failure. Soon after the birth of her daughter, this loving animal died, as if having held on just long enough to see her through.
Though cynics would dismiss as “mere coincidence” the fact that both contracted the same rare disease--especially when the dog had been perfectly healthy--I read this quite differently. For me, it seems rather to be a moving reminder of the interconnectedness of our hearts and the power of compassion. There was a special love between this woman and her dog. Could it be possible for one life to so empathize with another that it can sense, even assume illness? Certainly, something to contemplate. As a physician I know that love can create miracles that defy logical explanation. Selfless giving resonates with such mystery. How wondrous and far reaching compassion can be among all living beings. Each of us is capable of limitless love. The monumental implications of this fact continue to reveal themselves over the years, always giving me chills and re-clarifying my emotional priorities.
Excerpted from "Emotional Freedom" by Judith Orloff MD
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Judith Orloff M.D. is a psychiatrist and author of Emotional Freedom: Liberate Yourself From Negative Emotions and Transform Your Life. Her other bestsellers are Positive Energy, Second Sight, and Guide to Intuitive Healing. Dr. Orloff combines traditional medicine with intuition, spirituality, and energy medicine. More information at www.drjudithorloff.com.
Comments
Our faithful dog, Skippy who l always referred to as my 'right hand doggy', (l'm convinced) refused to die until his three favourite people (my two daughters and l)were with him. This was especially poignant because my eldest daughter had been away for two weeks. He held on and held on until she returned home and then died peacefully a few hours later as we supported him until his final breath. It was an honour and a privelege for us to be there with him up until the last with gratitude for the love and faithfulness he showed to us for 14 years.
others live a more fulfilled life. It my be judgmental on my part, but I have always been troubled by people who claim that they do not like animals. I take it as a sign of their inner lack of touch or inner emptiness. On the other hand, when I read stories
such as those you have shared, I am gladdened to know that there are others who do feel and who are connected to our animal friends. Thanks for the reminder.
had deep connections with other animals, I was surprised and profoundly moved by the sensitive and loving, healing energy I experienced from the horses on the weekend. Judith, do you think that this dog in this story 'wore' or took on the pathology for the
woman? I've observed various instances where a baby expresses some disease which seems to resonsate with an emotional crisis in the parent. This area of psychic/spiritual/emotional interaction is crucially important for us to know more about.
the bullet was stuck inside his left leg. From the day on, I could feel the pain in my left leg when walking. My mother took me to the doctor and did a thorough checkup, but the doctor said I was fine,and he didn't see anything wrong with my leg. I would said
to the turkey, "I know how you feel." Years later, after the turkey died, the bullet was removed, and the pain in my leg was gone. I don't know how to make of it.