The Other Side of Air

First Published in The Santa Barbara News-Press

2019-01-16

Jinx was a 16-year-old Jack Russell terrier. He died in April of 2017. In March, at the end of his life, his person asked me to speak with him. She wrote, “Jinx is very old. I don’t have your gift, but I am sensitive to my critters. Jinx is giving me mixed signals. I want to know how he is feeling in his advanced age.”

During our session, Jinx said, “I am feeling a little more distant lately. There seems to be more sunshine on the other side of air. It’s a soft feeling. Dogs are running there: some small Jack Russells like me and a big one too. The big one rolls in the tall grass. He is smiling. I also see a man that says he will take me walking. He is throwing a stick.

“Sometimes I feel happy inside of myself,” Jinx continued. “My mom is sweet and tender to me. She has been feeding me really well. I have times where I am happy in my legs. But when I am feeling sick, I feel confused on what time of day it is. I love my life, but I am spending more time in the sunshine on the other side of air. It is getting close to that time where I will cross the bridge to the other dogs. That rainbow bridge is really fun-looking. I would love to see grass. I am not scared because there is love in that world. I know you can feel your mom hugging you there because sometimes when I am in that world, I have mom hugs and dad smiles. It’s like a peaceful place. When I am awake, I get anxious and my legs start to get anxious too. I think I need to eat a lot of chicken pieces and lick some ice cream. That would be great. Maybe I could eat a hamburger.”

The reason why Jinx’s person was sensing mixed signals is because the veil between dimensions was starting to blend. When Jinx would awake from his dreams or from visiting the afterlife, he would seem briefly renewed, and then, as he stayed awake, he became more aware of his pain and decline of health.

Jinx died peacefully a few weeks after our first conversation. A week after his passing, I connected with him again.

He said, “Tell my mom that Heaven is really beautiful. I can run fast again, leaping over the couch in our living room and spin around. My mom’s dad is here. He met me over the bridge, took me in his arms, wrapped me in a blanket, stroked me like my mom does and said, ‘You are home, Jinx. You are not sick anymore.’ Just then, full of energy, I got up, ran outside and all around the grass. My breathing is really easy now. My mom’s mom is here too. She kisses me, makes sure I eat well, and brings me water. We have been on beach walks! I want to tell my mom that I am relieved that I am not in that body anymore. It was dying on me. Now I am all my spirit and all the love my family
has for me. I am still with her. I visit all the time. I sit on the couch with her and snuggle up beside her. I prance into the kitchen with her and sometimes I sit on the passenger seat of the car. I love it here. I had the best life with my mom. I still feel her here. I don’t feel I am missing her, because we are all one.”

We often struggle when our loved ones pass over, but they have transitioned to a world filled with love. Our loved ones will visit us in spirit, placing a memory in our minds while wrapping their spirit around us. Oftentimes that memory comes with intense emotion — love, laughter, joy or sorrow. The mind may have a hard time understanding it and fall into a sense of longing. Take a moment to be present when you are overcome. Speak out to your loved ones and then notice how you feel. You just may feel a comforting love surround you — a visit from what Jinx calls “the other side of air.”

First published in the

Santa Barbara News-Press

03*18*18

Maia

My animals have never had a problem going to the vet. Sure, it’s not their favorite thing to do, but they stay calm and attentive. They don’t exhibit a high-level stress by panting, barking or meowing. They don’t shake or stiffen their body. They don’t refuse to go into the vet clinic or snap or bite while we are in there.

Let’s face it, veterinary hospitals are scary places. They have a strong sterile smell. Other animals are fearful. People do things to the animals that are unnatural and against animal instincts. Without realizing it, people are exhibiting dominant, somewhat aggressive, behavior by leaning over the animals, evaluating them, staring into their eyes and palpating their abdomen. They put cold things up against their heart and make strange faces while doing it. They stick instruments in places no one wants to hear about and swab their sensitive ears. They poke animals with needles that can make the animals feel pretty yucky for some time.

So how do we make these visits better for our pets? If you have an animal that travels well, bring him or her to the vet just for a visit. Let the staff give your pet treats and a warm welcome.

You can also talk with your animal. Explain to your pet what the vet is all about. Take a breath. Clear your thoughts and explain to your pet that a visit to the vet’s office is to keep your pet healthy. Something cold held to the body is to hear the heart beat to make sure it has a healthy rhythm. A light in the eyes is to gauge the pet’s vision. A needle is to pull blood to test how all the organs are working or to administer a shot to keep the pet healthy. A needle in the bladder is to see if the pet has an infection. And so on.

If your pet is at the vet’s office because of illness, tell your pet the doctor is trying to find out why he or she is throwing up or having seizures or whatever the ailment is. Tell your animal you know that the people act strange, but it’s to help your pet live longer. Tell your animal that if there’s pain anywhere to inform the vet over and over in his or her mind and to physically exaggerate the pain to let the vet know. If you are in the examining room with your animal, you can explain what is happening and why in real time. You can do this out loud or you can do it in your head, sending it to your pet’s heart center.

Remind your animals how to calm themselves. Tell them to lick, yawn, stretch, blink their eyes. Remind them they are OK. Tell them you like your vet and you trust him or her. Remind your animal he or she will be going home with you. Whatever diagnoses or news you hear, be sure to tell your animal either at the vet’s office or when you get home. Talk to your vet about something personal. What animals do they have? What do they like to do in their free time? Make them a real person instead of someone who is just poking and prodding your animal.

Even if the visit becomes chaotic, stay positive. If you are nervous, your animal will be nervous. Sometimes your animal’s relationship to the vet office is all about your attitude. Choose a safe and confident vet and your animal will learn to deal with a visit to the office maybe even enjoy it!

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