tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76247364122003166752024-03-13T20:38:43.248-07:00Jack McAfghan: A Dog's Memoirs on Life and the AfterlifeIf you've ever lost someone you love, you know what it's like to seek comfort and understanding in your grief. Join Jack McAfghan on his journey to Rainbow Bridge and back where he gives glimpses of the world to come and teaches us about the power of healing over grief. Jack's stories are the story of life, love, loss and renewal. All of the books in the Jack McAfghan Series are available at Amazon Worldwide and wherever great books are sold! Our story is your story too. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05313353033997731073noreply@blogger.comBlogger272125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624736412200316675.post-83192888036900542662024-03-02T10:52:00.000-08:002024-03-02T10:59:29.430-08:00Our Story is Your Story Too: How Jack's Books Came About<p><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;"><span style="color: #020104;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;"><span style="color: #020104;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnXUzZO0WGyQB51UjUs9gC-C8gBqkQ0K4zSnQAO13kqnwgkD6v-DjZ68BQCXkHDXLA_WTyJ667xoqCLzeuMIyaoPCIEjjwvJtZ5gsMhlF8kdih3nSRTUyRpAqfI6C5oczywFPFp60iQRCOb_cIRAdJa3K3oQW8EpUzJzd0ddLeD0Oyc3LZSZMiuRlbfOk/s960/pen-4163403_960_720.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnXUzZO0WGyQB51UjUs9gC-C8gBqkQ0K4zSnQAO13kqnwgkD6v-DjZ68BQCXkHDXLA_WTyJ667xoqCLzeuMIyaoPCIEjjwvJtZ5gsMhlF8kdih3nSRTUyRpAqfI6C5oczywFPFp60iQRCOb_cIRAdJa3K3oQW8EpUzJzd0ddLeD0Oyc3LZSZMiuRlbfOk/w374-h249/pen-4163403_960_720.jpg" width="374" /></a></div><span style="color: #020104; font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: large;"><p>Message to you from Kate: </p></span><p></p><p><span style="color: #020104; font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: large;">I rescued Jack at the age of 12 weeks and had the privilege of training him and shaping him into the dog he was destined to be. We started with Obedience, moved into Agility, pressed forward as an uncertified therapy dog. We worked for hospice and Jack spread joy everywhere he went. They say a therapy dog brings much healing and love, but we were one dog and one master and we were the ones who were loved; we had the love of thousands. Jack and I worked the world together side by side until one fateful day when the vet discovered a rectal mass that needed removal. Jack did not recover despite my doing everything and anything to keep him alive. Four days later, Jack died on our kitchen floor. </span></p><p><span style="color: #020104; font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: large;">Then the pet loss adventure began. I was grieving so much that I couldn't hear him. I couldn't see him, blinded by the grief over the loss of my four-legged best friend. He continually sent me messages from where he was. A lightning bolt came out of a clear blue sky. Birds and butterflies would land on me or dive bomb me. He sent all kinds of messages and signs when I was grieving; when I was crying. There were no pauses in between my tears and his messages fell on deaf eyes and ears. I could not listen. I could not be quiet. All I could do was grieve and grieve and grieve. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM3AdL5xoWPx3xBb09kcGtg7iHNj8baYd4v8QckogFztX9JIiXrmMvspohP2ZBpVLoROlAX078cpkLkFbkqhHCT9CzvB_mN96r1kK3kEa2t1WRtQX23pIWTOHhxAAdKp-jzKivpb1-fovVfESwUsO1GfVOa10U0Mfs_Flr2_jDrnnrjVwkr1dtWeTONWA/s960/dead-1205269_960_720.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="559" data-original-width="960" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM3AdL5xoWPx3xBb09kcGtg7iHNj8baYd4v8QckogFztX9JIiXrmMvspohP2ZBpVLoROlAX078cpkLkFbkqhHCT9CzvB_mN96r1kK3kEa2t1WRtQX23pIWTOHhxAAdKp-jzKivpb1-fovVfESwUsO1GfVOa10U0Mfs_Flr2_jDrnnrjVwkr1dtWeTONWA/s320/dead-1205269_960_720.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="color: #020104; font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: large;"><p>One day a friend helped me to realize that I was still clinging to Jack. In all my grief work with hospice and teaching people to let go, I was still hanging on to it. Exactly six months from the day he crossed the Rainbow Bridge, I was able to scatter his ashes into the air on our favorite wilderness trail. I set him free and set myself free at the same time. I came to realize that I had identified so much as being "Jack's Mom" that when I lost him I began to identify as "Death's Victim". Victim no more, it was time for me to recreate my life without Jack, without being a victim of anything. </p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #020104;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgk6uKzMBd8J-tus8F-rOCb5MgpN0uQfR0V1Kz4-zR-3tmO6tEEJMx5WVrQ7qH3YlRWy6mxJtqIzWo8iMdV44queAgx3jqdNZFa3qpRhZMUoj3Ed2OHDzB4KQ7ClPNBgZ26DexF6I9XXvGNyUzsPQNmBFRX1SeJzDaWi6x8Huzoy7CA-XciExHc5MtPTTU" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="499" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgk6uKzMBd8J-tus8F-rOCb5MgpN0uQfR0V1Kz4-zR-3tmO6tEEJMx5WVrQ7qH3YlRWy6mxJtqIzWo8iMdV44queAgx3jqdNZFa3qpRhZMUoj3Ed2OHDzB4KQ7ClPNBgZ26DexF6I9XXvGNyUzsPQNmBFRX1SeJzDaWi6x8Huzoy7CA-XciExHc5MtPTTU=w241-h348" width="241" /></a></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #020104; font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span><span style="color: #020104; font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">One night - just a few days after I'd spread his ashes, I dusted off my journal and Jack's words came out of my pen. They were in the first "person" and they spoke to me about truth and spoke it in a way that commanded me to listen. They commanded me to write. He was always the more outgoing of the two of us. He would always pull me forward to meet new people and to interact in new ways with the community. He pulled me forward this particular night because he started something that would not stop. He helped me to write a book called "<span style="caret-color: rgb(2, 1, 4);">Jack McAfghan</span>: REFLECTIONS" and he comforted me through the process of writing it. He wanted me to write it, not only to work through my own grief, but to comfort, inspire and support others working through theirs. This would come to be the first book of many in the Jack McAfghan Pet Loss Series. </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #020104; font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #020104; font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #020104; font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhalZZSkOxyG08TyafCfBJzYDhL10-fziudK50gpkKgV_GrVT5uSRdHkroiyjyKRmXbuFAT5Kcdj6kkAUue4axZmg1z8yBtY1nKOrFDv64BbFh01wVXwNkn0NntiLWuVXCiU7Qii54_FdayflKD_VC-15UGKXsBBqnJ7zXQMdfXam0d_llrgIGC3wkKFCI" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="978" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhalZZSkOxyG08TyafCfBJzYDhL10-fziudK50gpkKgV_GrVT5uSRdHkroiyjyKRmXbuFAT5Kcdj6kkAUue4axZmg1z8yBtY1nKOrFDv64BbFh01wVXwNkn0NntiLWuVXCiU7Qii54_FdayflKD_VC-15UGKXsBBqnJ7zXQMdfXam0d_llrgIGC3wkKFCI=w208-h320" title="All the books in the Jack McAfghan Series are available on Amazon Worldwide" width="208" /></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><span style="color: #020104; font-family: Book Antiqua, serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://amzn.to/49ySSCs">All the books in the Jack McAfghan Pet Loss Series are available on Amazon Worldwide</a></span></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #020104; font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://amzn.to/49ySSCs">or through your favorite bookseller.</a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #020104;"><span style="font-size: large;">In honor of Jack I wish to share our story with others who need to believe that love never ends and that life goes on long beyond one's earthly death. Our story is your story too. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #020104;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #020104;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jack will tell you: "I am not dead. I am awake.... You want me to wake up but in my death I did wake up and I saw you were still sleeping." Love never dies.</span></span><i><o:p></o:p></i></p>Kate McGahanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18412809880279901783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624736412200316675.post-42183939692079675142024-02-29T14:29:00.000-08:002024-02-29T14:31:54.607-08:00You Are Not Guilty - of Anything <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>I'm unhappy to see your Stoic grief.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>After all, </b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>You can only heal what you can feel.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>When you don't express, it stays trapped inside</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>With no way out. </b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>It turns into anger; it turns into guilt.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>Do you love me? </b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>For if you do, if you really do, <br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><u><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>YOU ARE NOT GUILTY of ANYTHING.</b></span></u></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>Love and guilt simply cannot coexist. </b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>Let your love rule and overcome the guilt that you think you have.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>Don’t be afraid to feel,</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b> For only what you feel can you heal.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>Don’t be afraid to cry for not all tears are evil.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>I wait for your smile but I want you to cry;</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>Setting grief free brings you closer to me.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>Don't you see? Don't you see?</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>Set it free. Set me free. </b></span></p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>Set us free.</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b> Love, Jack 🐾</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">(Rainbow Bridge representative)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm-j2-8k6Gc_mV7ejy9oFChnh9A-5PJgN2BaeE2_XOBiwqwqjlVGZWbh6IUZ5FWuY8GbQnKw74UU_y6EAtFeawaiiBdadHl2JsxKWQmtAxpaOHucEtN4R8xphVzYID_OPoSrPz9Xz8YfjRkpH9EyHouu-BTE8o7NSvX0TF_GyiGfg2WQd9OG2uia4VjEc/s1093/100063725_3093677254059123_7159407382294953984_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Jack" border="0" data-original-height="1093" data-original-width="973" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm-j2-8k6Gc_mV7ejy9oFChnh9A-5PJgN2BaeE2_XOBiwqwqjlVGZWbh6IUZ5FWuY8GbQnKw74UU_y6EAtFeawaiiBdadHl2JsxKWQmtAxpaOHucEtN4R8xphVzYID_OPoSrPz9Xz8YfjRkpH9EyHouu-BTE8o7NSvX0TF_GyiGfg2WQd9OG2uia4VjEc/w356-h400/100063725_3093677254059123_7159407382294953984_n.jpg" width="356" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jack </td></tr></tbody></table><p></p>Kate McGahanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18412809880279901783noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624736412200316675.post-91902359488366586552024-02-07T11:14:00.000-08:002024-02-07T11:14:16.526-08:00Postcard from Rainbow Bridge 🐾<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv0PXsFVQa-Qb0Yi61XUF9Q1JIJ-esbposnH2tPd0tqsLTirHjZY-mfSbncDLayk3Giebot_GCgjEOOuKGKWutE8ExXJy5ai4mBnGofR-fXjk1gffngw0KSR4ZhT7VpM_mefSIQOB-XA7RWbmWyxAO2xCGUZEHGgklIBLNRCznfd4nu6YmqF04zjsDTmQ/s960/rainbow-5324147_960_720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv0PXsFVQa-Qb0Yi61XUF9Q1JIJ-esbposnH2tPd0tqsLTirHjZY-mfSbncDLayk3Giebot_GCgjEOOuKGKWutE8ExXJy5ai4mBnGofR-fXjk1gffngw0KSR4ZhT7VpM_mefSIQOB-XA7RWbmWyxAO2xCGUZEHGgklIBLNRCznfd4nu6YmqF04zjsDTmQ/w403-h268/rainbow-5324147_960_720.jpg" width="403" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d;">I walk along the edge</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Of the bridge of many hues,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d;">The Rainbow Bridge which brought me Here</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Where I behold the views</span></div></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">Of the one I hold most dear to me</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">The one who loves me so...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">The one who gave my life to me,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">The one who let me go.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">You walk along the lonely streets </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">Remembering our love</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">Not knowing I watch over </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">From my roost in skies above.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">A love like this can never die</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">It's Only Gone from Sight.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">I watch over you, the one I love...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">Protect you day and night.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">And someday when your time has come</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">I'll make my way back Here</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">To welcome you with kisses</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">You, the one I hold so dear. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: right;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #20124d;">-Kate McGahan</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #20124d;">2024</span></span></div><p></p>Kate McGahanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18412809880279901783noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624736412200316675.post-42917494770785469592024-02-04T10:39:00.000-08:002024-02-04T13:20:04.008-08:00The Importance of Sleep - The Healing Power of Dreaming<p><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></p><p><i></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUryddzJ_kY73mxFAj1gx1BMT4sbqerdOAYoDEDm23_H_1O_gcDmS33DoCSgkPvd-681aM1PQjVev-CAE8DsASEOQMuKjslHRgj8XMEI33gDz01zquX5nLN-ivkIDy0PwfPU55cJF8O80vAAYCbdu8A9i9eOekqv3_raoz2sxQmDKLjpelSufWRD2xIPY/s640/ai-generated-8547045_640.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUryddzJ_kY73mxFAj1gx1BMT4sbqerdOAYoDEDm23_H_1O_gcDmS33DoCSgkPvd-681aM1PQjVev-CAE8DsASEOQMuKjslHRgj8XMEI33gDz01zquX5nLN-ivkIDy0PwfPU55cJF8O80vAAYCbdu8A9i9eOekqv3_raoz2sxQmDKLjpelSufWRD2xIPY/w370-h370/ai-generated-8547045_640.jpg" width="370" /></a></i></div><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">“I’ve been watching over her one year six months in Earth Time. I have witnessed her tears, her rage and the depths of her sadness. For nights on end I have endured her loneliness and despair in the times when she felt I had forsaken her. In vain I have reached out to her when she felt most alone. She thought she’d never be happy again. She didn’t believe she could go on living. But she did. Humans do. She is only human after all.” (<u><a href="https://amzn.to/3OxfbQq" target="_blank">Jack McAfghan: Letters from Rainbow Bridge </a>- Chapter</u> 7)</span></i></div></span></i><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Grief is a very personal thing, but it has a fairly predictable course. First she had to go through the Denial phase. She was in shock, much like someone who has been involved in a serious accident or trauma who keeps saying, ‘this can’t be happening. This can’t be happening to me’. It’s part of grief. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">When someone experiences a great trauma, they go into shock as a survival tactic. Everything goes numb. The person is overwhelmed and the details of life seem meaningless. The mind when it is in this state is not capable of learning, understanding, grasping. The emotions remain submerged, hidden away until the person is ready to start feeling them again. It is the body’s way of healing itself, by protecting the one grieving from the full awareness of the hurt, the pain, the suffering, the change and the devastating loss.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Typically the person goes into hibernation – living life on a type of autopilot until enough healing has taken place to resume somewhat normal functioning… Often this time is filled with restlessness; perhaps even insomnia. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Healing cannot take place without deep sleep, for the greatest healing takes place when we shut our awareness down and let our natural innate healing abilities take over. Dreams are an important part of sleep and only in our deepest sleep can the dreams come. Dreams are the meeting places of the soul and it’s where we meet with you to work through things. You don’t actually need to remember the dream for it to help you. Some of you are still waiting for the dream that will change your life. Ask for it, you might get it. Be sure, also, to ask to remember it too, for it is quite possible to have a dream one night and not be able to remember it the next morning. Keep in mind that your subconscious mind is processing and learning even when your conscious mind is asleep. As Kate taught me, I now teach her. Don’t beg! You need to relax about it to have the space to let it in. Just have faith and I will come to you in a way that means something to you and me. Don’t forget to breathe.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh36qQpT4Dc89E0XNFBCwvMLxQDvNd8OXmCWjNSH7kirSvloReYxiu-7SVQuliqOMunDvntO1-4ioi6CwbXvJkBlzIMn7Tb8Sugyu0rKFcuTEM6-6q63qkOrIR8YCd72NNC34v_joQBwZag4sgR-NgW80EJJAnlzRc8yoxZb8MkW9gWQklQKqBxrRc6hQg/s960/beyond-1063297_960_720.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="633" data-original-width="960" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh36qQpT4Dc89E0XNFBCwvMLxQDvNd8OXmCWjNSH7kirSvloReYxiu-7SVQuliqOMunDvntO1-4ioi6CwbXvJkBlzIMn7Tb8Sugyu0rKFcuTEM6-6q63qkOrIR8YCd72NNC34v_joQBwZag4sgR-NgW80EJJAnlzRc8yoxZb8MkW9gWQklQKqBxrRc6hQg/w403-h265/beyond-1063297_960_720.jpg" width="403" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Love, Jack 🐾</span></div><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/MyJackofHearts"><b>Follow us on Facebook for daily inspiration and support! www.facebook.com/MyJackofHearts</b></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">♥️</div>Kate McGahanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18412809880279901783noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624736412200316675.post-6399692862354041552024-01-01T12:17:00.000-08:002024-01-01T12:21:38.445-08:00One of the Secrets to Healing Pet Loss<p data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;">H</span></span><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;">olidays can be challenging at best when one grieves. Sometimes you lose someone in your life and many years later you look back and, well, they are someone you used to love. Once in a while, however, you lose someone very special; someone you have had an extraordinary relationship with. Someone like no other. These are your soulmates and it doesn't matter how many legs they have! Soulmates live in the hearts of each other forever. They always did; they always will. Their love surpasses all time, distance, and circumstance.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;">It's normal to grieve. It's normal to cry. You cannot heal without the tears. There is a battle between the head and the heart. The head tells us that they are gone, that they are "dead". The heart in its eternal wisdom knows that </span><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;">WE ARE STILL CONNECTED</span></span><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;"> to them. The heart knows that we knew each other before this life and that we will know each other again when this life is over. The heart always knows.</span></span></p><p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-weight: bold;">The end of this life is not the end of life.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5y3bC89kCnBUjceORI1keRNJ0BgOFuvgRNBacmimnzkaHodPIcJYKg8jVt0VRS1VCxBlNpzODseAvfi4N-8XTFUwN8Icgxp72MSRWtYStCVmyMGhnuapZJ9NQy58yUbeVX2PWtILkA4AjCdq7OgQFIYxPlGS6XLefS4e19Ft-kh_3M9rAPvuqulX63jA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5y3bC89kCnBUjceORI1keRNJ0BgOFuvgRNBacmimnzkaHodPIcJYKg8jVt0VRS1VCxBlNpzODseAvfi4N-8XTFUwN8Icgxp72MSRWtYStCVmyMGhnuapZJ9NQy58yUbeVX2PWtILkA4AjCdq7OgQFIYxPlGS6XLefS4e19Ft-kh_3M9rAPvuqulX63jA=w284-h284" width="284" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;">If we are to heal this wound, we must accept their passing from this life and learn how to communicate with them in a whole new way. If we don't learn a new way of being with them, we will grieve them forever...such a tragedy, for they are not even "gone"! They are </span><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;">Only Gone From Sight.</span></span><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;"> We MUST stay in the power of our hearts and out of the chaos of our minds. It takes practice. The common quote, "My mind knows that you are gone but my heart will never accept it" is incorrect. Our hearts know everything and it's our thinking that denies, struggles, and fights the acceptance of the loss. </span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium;">Our upcoming book is going to discuss in detail how to connect with your loved ones. One way is by bringing your focus into your heart. You can practice even now, by quieting yourself and placing the weight of your hands on your heart. You will feel the power and comfort there. The heart will reassure you that they are very much alive and well on the other side of the supernatural veil and they are eagerly waiting for you to find them there. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgLWwWasCTc1lAMUkoiK94ZdjeDNn4PmnJmAiYyefsYpVgc5K-de-Of_diaL9yQYptHGIcwzXYsN_2Dm4ACORvUk0VUOGOdWsgPShQ1sATgyZVmqQnAzNhE4cBZbVuOSgBP_Hl5dkGb685a-RduHqioYVCkm8whRrgGek_ygJWwB_kCcJjqLq8dmIIWIQo" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="720" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgLWwWasCTc1lAMUkoiK94ZdjeDNn4PmnJmAiYyefsYpVgc5K-de-Of_diaL9yQYptHGIcwzXYsN_2Dm4ACORvUk0VUOGOdWsgPShQ1sATgyZVmqQnAzNhE4cBZbVuOSgBP_Hl5dkGb685a-RduHqioYVCkm8whRrgGek_ygJWwB_kCcJjqLq8dmIIWIQo=w305-h305" width="305" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium;">Your best friends are waiting patiently for you to grow in the faith that they have never left you. Jack will show you how. They are waiting in the "wings," in the pages of our books. Keep the faith<span style="font-weight: bold;">.</span> True love never dies.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium;">Get to know Jack and you will find yourself in a whole new state of mind - and heart - as you enter this new year. Do it for you. Do it for your best friend who waits for you to be happy again when you think of them. Any and all of our books will help you to see things from a new point of view and will forever affect the way you view life and death and loss and love.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium;">Prayers to all of you in this New Year. You're not getting older, you're getting better. Because Grief is your Teacher. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium;">Love, Kate and Jack 🐾</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiedcQ-CVEyPwvMzigfigINzuzXLoYr7Q6VV_y3UV9Eyut9OAxIy73vw9XRr4cd6HAo_6xb5ACpn32ZhF3JmlwyEEiVIKB926k01IEY_lEDnf-RqZ_HjT7i1r6shK9Oz7gCswd93wH_TV_ejd98DVeQi1zyH_0nDzDz6ZszSpMJpOqkMgLl3ED60Jk5-kQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiedcQ-CVEyPwvMzigfigINzuzXLoYr7Q6VV_y3UV9Eyut9OAxIy73vw9XRr4cd6HAo_6xb5ACpn32ZhF3JmlwyEEiVIKB926k01IEY_lEDnf-RqZ_HjT7i1r6shK9Oz7gCswd93wH_TV_ejd98DVeQi1zyH_0nDzDz6ZszSpMJpOqkMgLl3ED60Jk5-kQ=w331-h331" width="331" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;">(Book 7 in the Series, "<span style="font-weight: bold;">PawPrints from Heaven,</span>" is due for release this Summer. It will teach you how to cope with not having your loved ones physically present and help you learn to interact with them in a whole new way.) </span></span> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;">Find all of our books on Amazon Worldwide. </span></span><span><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><a href="https://amzn.to/48xHPbC" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Click here to view all of them.</a></span></span></span></p><p></p>Kate McGahanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18412809880279901783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624736412200316675.post-45732429827268805482023-10-15T16:00:00.009-07:002023-10-15T16:07:35.044-07:00So Do Pets Go to Heaven or Not? <p><i><span style="font-size: medium;"> Dear Jack, </span></i></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>I have been reading your books. I saw something today that said God only loans our babies to us for a short time to enjoy on Earth. Also, then, that they won't be in Heaven and we won't see them, again. Thoughts?</i></span></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://amzn.to/46qQ3Se" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="326" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZUsuVpph9nIHSSWzgjaUDd2yLU2FYWgfmBePcFZI1sOpAg0W-BLrt2rZPYn-sV1PAsInZSDZZ5R645lZds2LZL7oj3MDU88EYiMMkTZ4PDcfR_M40NlWIeL7j8uDbK1yE3hfilkFJmNI1D8FWuxz-3Fuxh4GHmRII3Jf3uwGQYqggmufgk4OUIg8hRpsA=w196-h302" width="196" /></a></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://amzn.to/46qQ3Se" target="_blank">www.amazon.com</a></span></b></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;">Dear One, </span></div><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Thank you for reading the books, for they are the key to healing from your loss. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">People come from all walks of faith and all walks of life and belief. This person sounds like they have been convinced that animals don't go to Heaven. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I have many thoughts on the topic. I've been to Heaven firsthand and Kate has been studying these things for 40+ years. We are currently writing an entire book on this very subject as we speak. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">It's mostly strict religious people (they can't help it, it's what they've been taught) who will tell you this kind of thing but there is much evidence to the contrary. Pets have souls just like you do. Pets have the Spirit of God in them, just like you do. That Spirit is what brings all of us back to God when it's time to leave this physical world. That Spirit is the love of God that joins each and every one of us together and Him to us... some are bonded more than others (known as soulmates)... God brings all of us Home when our work and learning on earth is completed. Life is the school, love is the lesson and we all "graduate" into the realm of Heaven.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">We tell you all about how this happens in Book 3 ("Return from Rainbow Bridge") in my story that I write from Heaven - where I found I would have some very important decisions to make. </span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Do keep reading. We are working to answer all these questions and remove all doubt from your mind. Believe! You will meet again one day. You'll see. 💗</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Love, Jack 🐾</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsKGif1RSYnl8r6EqccIBsGUO-sC2Om26XMWtRlJTmynDIgGvSngN-8Yt_SmbM3HRY9WsXxG0rpKOZAwJ3_pgTiaLwQx1cw0bXUSDwJenjMgImR1-fjGtNwk8rC0OiE07BaBKfuo4f5wa9dj30f-vQeBKcZD4Z7Kd_E71sPyu5hsg4Dj4TmoD6PFt273s/s640/received_597757865694675.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="361" data-original-width="640" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsKGif1RSYnl8r6EqccIBsGUO-sC2Om26XMWtRlJTmynDIgGvSngN-8Yt_SmbM3HRY9WsXxG0rpKOZAwJ3_pgTiaLwQx1cw0bXUSDwJenjMgImR1-fjGtNwk8rC0OiE07BaBKfuo4f5wa9dj30f-vQeBKcZD4Z7Kd_E71sPyu5hsg4Dj4TmoD6PFt273s/w524-h297/received_597757865694675.jpeg" width="524" /></a></div><p></p>Kate McGahanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18412809880279901783noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624736412200316675.post-30867494773361434382022-08-16T10:35:00.004-07:002022-08-16T10:36:56.826-07:00A 10-Step Guide to Being with Someone You Love Who is Dying <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2h0cNgscsWKPr0YfSQxVlmaX2AgCrUnVJ2kwkgeH3ZgiSpATy2KG_7NP-l2gTdHjatHQUi5JnORX9u-QNXTS8d_S5zsC5Yh1xmp7rNRlMZEkZi2-NWDlskQXn35reu0xXF-rcNEiqBq5dKz6jEv-73QWHHlThufZaNOXtS4TDiElB5OAb7eKdt02u/s720/299436292_472322164901171_8816701087980054391_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="524" height="592" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2h0cNgscsWKPr0YfSQxVlmaX2AgCrUnVJ2kwkgeH3ZgiSpATy2KG_7NP-l2gTdHjatHQUi5JnORX9u-QNXTS8d_S5zsC5Yh1xmp7rNRlMZEkZi2-NWDlskQXn35reu0xXF-rcNEiqBq5dKz6jEv-73QWHHlThufZaNOXtS4TDiElB5OAb7eKdt02u/w431-h592/299436292_472322164901171_8816701087980054391_n.jpg" width="431" /></a></div><p><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;">#11 - Read our books whenever you can. It will help you on both sides of grief. </div><div style="text-align: center;">It will help you with both sides of the Rainbow Bridge. </div><p></p><div dir="auto" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Jack McAfghan Pet Loss Series</div><div dir="auto" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;">A Dog's Memoirs on Life and the Afterlife</div><div dir="auto" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;">Available on Amazon <span style="font-family: inherit;"><a class="oajrlxb2 g5ia77u1 qu0x051f esr5mh6w e9989ue4 r7d6kgcz rq0escxv nhd2j8a9 nc684nl6 p7hjln8o kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x jb3vyjys rz4wbd8a qt6c0cv9 a8nywdso i1ao9s8h esuyzwwr f1sip0of lzcic4wl gpro0wi8 py34i1dx" href="https://amzn.to/3c2tnks?fbclid=IwAR2KeH0xOM5Fg3h8ey_Oo9f0kKqcYt_vgqBf4z0QXVBOfBPXiStsYDfNV-o" rel="nofollow noopener" role="link" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--blue-link); cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0" target="_blank"><u>https://amzn.to/3c2tnks</u></a></span></div><p> </p>Kate McGahanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18412809880279901783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624736412200316675.post-13048506412346740932022-08-12T09:28:00.000-07:002022-08-12T09:28:31.872-07:00Religion Versus Spirit<p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_ibZItRdypBfINdqVdViThvduGBtOUUzM3NvfU_kyrqq-UhJZdeIuXPYXiftzjZFQ1mgmo5qFQYRes4v47augfi7e182XMh7x4TeWgEN8F9A7_Qm5vITOEEK4l-qhoFc2SNeSXvQEcCx7VrTir2LJiNepZhNFqHXsnt4Rl82p1kTb8-FWFoGf2kfG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="206" data-original-width="192" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_ibZItRdypBfINdqVdViThvduGBtOUUzM3NvfU_kyrqq-UhJZdeIuXPYXiftzjZFQ1mgmo5qFQYRes4v47augfi7e182XMh7x4TeWgEN8F9A7_Qm5vITOEEK4l-qhoFc2SNeSXvQEcCx7VrTir2LJiNepZhNFqHXsnt4Rl82p1kTb8-FWFoGf2kfG=w286-h306" width="286" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;">Toula</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fce5cd; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Dear Jack, </i></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fce5cd; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>First, I want to thank you and Jack for somehow coming into my life this summer though now I believe it was all by Design and a gift from my Toula. You have helped me tremendously and I am finally finding peace that I haven't known since my Toula passed on 11/26/20. </i></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fce5cd; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>I am however hung up on 2 things. I am a Greek Orthodox Christian and I feel as though I have sinned. First in taking the life of another living creature (I. E. Toula's euthanasia decision) and second in her cremation, (I. E. Destroying God's temple). How do I get past these things to continue my healing? </i></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fce5cd; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>-Dina</i></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfCHzF6alaZV3BXZTtFPMamyuDyiuN-hiGf_Dckq6Z4tp62r46ug1dCyJ5zJUIzxbGbdiC1UB9-M5YfbXu_wlrXFXfo2BLVDD-Mbdn0Vi89Iq8SM6_wTCnz9NzcSL1-xCwzoqKROSPPK4mwl3K2TptfNEJ-sfkeqnSyBD8SJQpdVxaLDOgc3B-OaOg/s960/greek-orthodox-2293919_960_720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfCHzF6alaZV3BXZTtFPMamyuDyiuN-hiGf_Dckq6Z4tp62r46ug1dCyJ5zJUIzxbGbdiC1UB9-M5YfbXu_wlrXFXfo2BLVDD-Mbdn0Vi89Iq8SM6_wTCnz9NzcSL1-xCwzoqKROSPPK4mwl3K2TptfNEJ-sfkeqnSyBD8SJQpdVxaLDOgc3B-OaOg/w358-h238/greek-orthodox-2293919_960_720.jpg" width="358" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: #fce5cd; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">Dear Dina,</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: #fce5cd; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">Those rules were written a long time ago before we had euthanasia and pet cremation. Things can change over 100's of years. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: #fce5cd; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">#1) If you looked at the situation from the eyes of God, you would not want a creature to suffer unnecessarily when it can be brought peace. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: #fce5cd; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">#2) God's temple is only our body <u>as long as our spirit lives in our body</u>. So at the time of cremation, it was no longer Toula's "temple". Toula vacated the moment she passed and she went straight to God, her spirit joining with His. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: #fce5cd; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">I hope this helps somehow. I know religion can run deep but I do not see any sin anywhere. I see only love and compassion and those are the things that God values most in His people.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: #fce5cd; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">Love, Jack 🐾</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #050505; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1MLYKmtOo5kHF-3cc7ye7oyBhYJfuGR6iB_gLfqiM3LkCEr4s8Y3BdMAKfwd-_W_1f7ml5KgBTLr9weYH0trpXK-dmFOwWEVHhBAAJxLCIp6QF-yX5lEhMpsi9D-giWN7JiltXYF6sx1ZIwajkQS6ephOzHmswT88RbJtBW46mlJRJqrjEEIVCwpA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1MLYKmtOo5kHF-3cc7ye7oyBhYJfuGR6iB_gLfqiM3LkCEr4s8Y3BdMAKfwd-_W_1f7ml5KgBTLr9weYH0trpXK-dmFOwWEVHhBAAJxLCIp6QF-yX5lEhMpsi9D-giWN7JiltXYF6sx1ZIwajkQS6ephOzHmswT88RbJtBW46mlJRJqrjEEIVCwpA=w422-h281" width="422" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #050505; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></p>Kate McGahanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18412809880279901783noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624736412200316675.post-77934091730073328122022-07-10T17:50:00.001-07:002022-07-12T08:34:20.569-07:00Dear Jack...Many of My Friends Just Don’t Seem to Care<p><span style="font-family: AmericanTypewriter;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This is one of the many things your pets come to teach. Many of you have found out who your truest friends are as you work through your grief. Who can you turn to? Are you surprised who is there? Are you surprised who is not? One of the things we teach you in our departure is to open your eyes to see Who Is Really There for you. Who loves and supports you through it all? This is a true friend. Meanwhile, we still love you from the other side with a love that never dies.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: AmericanTypewriter;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Love, Jack 🐾</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: AmericanTypewriter;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtjxwghQRwU1ljFXuS5PrAjm9XEqMMMc7c6rxq0SLHG0hvJjH_0qC8ft9brBc14n29bKqkGL87JPLjPzBOM6zdrnsDaaADC_8VauU5_kIsXOVrksbJiweRm4coZLQXpj8p3oFgWfUQt8lwaH4l63xxqiqhcZwIlDMLULVPi4naGcb6wFDjKr45crS8/s720/13502702_1023865421040327_5050157594026548986_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtjxwghQRwU1ljFXuS5PrAjm9XEqMMMc7c6rxq0SLHG0hvJjH_0qC8ft9brBc14n29bKqkGL87JPLjPzBOM6zdrnsDaaADC_8VauU5_kIsXOVrksbJiweRm4coZLQXpj8p3oFgWfUQt8lwaH4l63xxqiqhcZwIlDMLULVPi4naGcb6wFDjKr45crS8/w380-h285/13502702_1023865421040327_5050157594026548986_o.jpg" width="380" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">From the book: <a href="https://amzn.to/3aqvuxu" target="_blank">Jack McAfghan: Letters from Rainbow Bridge</a></span></div><p></p>Kate McGahanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18412809880279901783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624736412200316675.post-37458809540415320882022-05-07T09:30:00.002-07:002022-05-07T10:07:00.996-07:00Is There Life After "Death"? Will You Welcome in Another Pet? <p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i style="background-color: #fce5cd;">Note from Kate: </i></span></p><p><span style="background-color: #fce5cd; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>I didn't want another dog after Jack. But I had Joey who became quite the handful (!) after Jack passed. There was a time in my early grief I thought of giving up Joey. I was in so much pain! When I realized it was the complications of grief that made me want to give up Joey I got myself on a new path. It was worth the ride. Keep your heart and mind open and try not to make irreversible decisions when you are going through the stages of grief. Once you ultimately accept your loss, you can make better decisions for yourself and for the ones you love. </i></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #050505; font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: #fce5cd; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Love, Kate</i></span></span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAbfRCipOGBlLougYvY1nHq2tzcDRi7VuTYWCFH3NaOleVyAO2tkGZfspAFvpH2PRyyrBOgAWgmc1wLB--NOmqdm_o917C8D9LrTGnJEe_um1bO0i4FB-StA3TObikL8nuKTesZ-M6qIMYE8tdW1bi4DUlRKUeMzgJZT5i_lvHbKl1hc9Cikbcn5zy/s935/279613617_5162290580531103_7330975796001403411_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="935" data-original-width="526" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAbfRCipOGBlLougYvY1nHq2tzcDRi7VuTYWCFH3NaOleVyAO2tkGZfspAFvpH2PRyyrBOgAWgmc1wLB--NOmqdm_o917C8D9LrTGnJEe_um1bO0i4FB-StA3TObikL8nuKTesZ-M6qIMYE8tdW1bi4DUlRKUeMzgJZT5i_lvHbKl1hc9Cikbcn5zy/s320/279613617_5162290580531103_7330975796001403411_n.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><p></p><div class="kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;">This is Immy.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">It was about 6 months after I had passed. Kate didn't really want another dog, for she already had little Joey. The fact of the matter was that the Universe planned on her getting another dog and It made sure she knew it. After I passed, Joey exhibited terrific separation anxiety. He destroyed the house, chewed electrical wires and pens and highlighters, and his screams from being left alone could be heard from one end of town to the other. Kate had no choice. She began the search (you can read the synchronistic story in Book 3, "Return from Rainbow Bridge") which led her to Immy.</div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">The relationship was far from perfect. She had had a very well-adjusted dog (Yours Truly <span class="pq6dq46d tbxw36s4 knj5qynh kvgmc6g5 ditlmg2l oygrvhab nvdbi5me sf5mxxl7 gl3lb2sf hhz5lgdu" style="display: inline-flex; font-family: inherit; height: 16px; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle; width: 16px;"><img alt="🐕" height="16" referrerpolicy="origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/t70/1/16/1f415.png" style="border: 0px;" width="16" /></span>) and ended up with a dog with many insecurities. But on Day 1, snuggled in next to Immy, Joey was happy and content when Kate went off to work. Mission accomplished!</div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">It would be a very long time before Immy could handle social situations but in the process, Immy grew and Kate grew and Joey was happy and everything turned out okay. Just the way it was Meant To Be.</div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Loving again can be messy. You can never replace a Beloved friend. But know that that Friend is working behind the scenes to give you what you need to grow and to become a more loving human being.</div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Is all about the Love. Good girl Immy!</div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>“I love you because the entire universe conspired to help me find you.” –The Alchemist</i></b></div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3P2cBjX" target="_blank">Jack McAfghan: Return from Rainbow Bridge</a></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a class="oajrlxb2 g5ia77u1 qu0x051f esr5mh6w e9989ue4 r7d6kgcz rq0escxv nhd2j8a9 nc684nl6 p7hjln8o kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x jb3vyjys rz4wbd8a qt6c0cv9 a8nywdso i1ao9s8h esuyzwwr f1sip0of lzcic4wl gpro0wi8 py34i1dx" href="https://amzn.to/3P2cBjX" rel="nofollow noopener" role="link" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--blue-link); cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0" target="_blank">https://amzn.to/3P2cBjX</a></span></div></div><p><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p>Kate McGahanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18412809880279901783noreply@blogger.com0Tucson, AZ, USA32.2226066 -110.9747108-21.60223723087357 178.7127892 86.047450430873567 -40.6622108tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624736412200316675.post-69396849678950493222022-03-23T10:05:00.004-07:002022-05-07T10:17:39.679-07:00Holding On and Letting Go vs Love and Commitment <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> <span> </span><span color="var(--primary-text)" style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">How? How do I stay with something when I want to leave? </span></span><span color="var(--primary-text)" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">How? </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span color="var(--primary-text)" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;"> How do I let go of something when I don't want it to go? </span></p><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="ecm0bbzt hv4rvrfc ihqw7lf3 dati1w0a" data-ad-comet-preview="message" data-ad-preview="message" id="jsc_c_8n" style="font-family: inherit; padding: 4px 16px 16px;"><div class="j83agx80 cbu4d94t ew0dbk1b irj2b8pg" style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: -5px; margin-top: -5px;"><div class="qzhwtbm6 knvmm38d" style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql oi732d6d ik7dh3pa ht8s03o8 a8c37x1j fe6kdd0r mau55g9w c8b282yb keod5gw0 nxhoafnm aigsh9s9 d9wwppkn iv3no6db jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v b1v8xokw oo9gr5id hzawbc8m" color="var(--primary-text)" dir="auto" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; display: block; font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Two words: Love & Commitment. Those of you who are making progress know this -- and there are so many of you, I'm so proud of you. It takes love. That's all. LOVE heals the grief. It takes making love stronger than your grief. Being a hero of love instead of a victim of loss.</span></div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Make the commitment to feel better again -- for your sake and theirs. It just takes starting at page one in "Reflections". For so long as you cry and weep and grieve, your best friend will mournfully be waiting to see you smile again. When they walked this earth with you they did not like to see you unhappy, did they? They still walk the earth with you, beyond the thin veil that separates, and they still look at you with mournfulness, waiting to see you happy again. Once you start smiling and living life again they can truly be free. </span></div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span color="var(--primary-text)" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">If you've read my books, you'll learn how to get from here to there. If you haven't read my books, they wait patiently for you to begin your journey out of grief -- and back into love. </span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="pq6dq46d tbxw36s4 knj5qynh kvgmc6g5 ditlmg2l oygrvhab nvdbi5me sf5mxxl7 gl3lb2sf hhz5lgdu" style="display: inline-flex; font-family: inherit; height: 16px; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle; width: 16px;"><img alt="💗" height="16" referrerpolicy="origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/t6a/1/16/1f497.png" style="border: 0px;" width="16" /></span> </span></div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Jack McAfghan Pet Loss Series</span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A Dog's Memoirs on Life and the Afterlife</span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Available on Amazon <span style="font-family: inherit;"><a class="oajrlxb2 g5ia77u1 qu0x051f esr5mh6w e9989ue4 r7d6kgcz rq0escxv nhd2j8a9 nc684nl6 p7hjln8o kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x jb3vyjys rz4wbd8a qt6c0cv9 a8nywdso i1ao9s8h esuyzwwr f1sip0of lzcic4wl gpro0wi8 py34i1dx" href="https://amzn.to/3BVjoFO" rel="nofollow noopener" role="link" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--blue-link); cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0" target="_blank">https://amzn.to/3BVjoFO</a> </span></span></div></div></span></div></div></div></div><div class="cwj9ozl2 qbxu24ho bxzzcbxg lxuwth05 h2mp5456 ue3kfks5 pw54ja7n uo3d90p7 l82x9zwi goun2846 ccm00jje s44p3ltw mk2mc5f4 frvqaej8 ed0hlay0 afxsp9o4 jcgfde61 tvfksri0 ozuftl9m" style="border-bottom-left-radius: 8px; border-bottom-right-radius: 8px; border-radius: 8px; border-top-left-radius: 8px; border-top-right-radius: 8px; border: 1px solid var(--divider); margin-left: 12px; margin-right: 12px;"><div style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(28, 30, 33); color: #1c1e21; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><div class="hqeojc4l" style="font-family: inherit; margin-top: -1px;"><div class="l9j0dhe7 jxk88fls rops0bsn n851cfcs" style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: -13px; margin-right: -13px; position: relative;"><div class="l9j0dhe7" style="font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><a class="oajrlxb2 gs1a9yip g5ia77u1 mtkw9kbi tlpljxtp qensuy8j ppp5ayq2 goun2846 ccm00jje s44p3ltw mk2mc5f4 rt8b4zig n8ej3o3l agehan2d sk4xxmp2 rq0escxv nhd2j8a9 mg4g778l pfnyh3mw p7hjln8o kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x tgvbjcpo hpfvmrgz jb3vyjys rz4wbd8a qt6c0cv9 a8nywdso l9j0dhe7 i1ao9s8h esuyzwwr f1sip0of du4w35lb n00je7tq arfg74bv qs9ysxi8 k77z8yql btwxx1t3 abiwlrkh p8dawk7l lzcic4wl a8c37x1j tm8avpzi" href="https://www.facebook.com/MyJackofHearts/photos/a.280764592017084/1362800563813476/?__cft__[0]=AZV1tbGCWtjdOHAWQygE2kgi_8xo4JzQOt4n1RjAO3N9PEtBtIClD7UWxBHxCwXSvAGYlQMRa0aoJFQwj7BgNObv_joSolVrGt7mLQQ6zR_quTkdMdSbAD6CYb_7NcQ-Mxkp2inTX9JoMjiMj_vftd1syJZzTY85WZDOvlAGD6tZzgFrsSXxyH6WlaalgH2F0snu43IZL6lypS0cZKS0CnmD&__tn__=EH-y-R" role="link" style="-webkit-user-select: none; align-items: stretch; border-bottom-left-radius: inherit; border-bottom-right-radius: inherit; border-radius: inherit; border-top-left-radius: inherit; border-top-right-radius: inherit; border: 0px solid var(--always-dark-overlay); box-sizing: border-box; color: #385898; cursor: pointer; display: block; flex-basis: auto; flex-direction: row; flex-shrink: 0; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-height: 0px; min-width: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: inherit; text-decoration: none; touch-action: manipulation; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><div class="bp9cbjyn cwj9ozl2 j83agx80 cbu4d94t ni8dbmo4 stjgntxs l9j0dhe7 k4urcfbm" style="align-items: center; background-color: #90949c; display: flex; flex-direction: column; font-family: inherit; overflow: hidden; position: relative; width: 500px;"><div style="font-family: inherit; max-width: 100%; min-width: 500px; width: calc(-434.94423791821566px + 133.8289962825279vh);"><div class="do00u71z ni8dbmo4 stjgntxs l9j0dhe7" style="font-family: inherit; height: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding-top: 373.609375px; position: relative;"><div class="pmk7jnqg kr520xx4" style="font-family: inherit; height: 373.609375px; left: 0px; position: absolute; top: 0px; width: 500px;"><img alt="May be an image of text that says 'It takes love to hold on when you want to let go It takes love to let go when you want to hold on. from the book "Jack McA fghan: Reflections όη Life with my Master"'" class="i09qtzwb n7fi1qx3 datstx6m pmk7jnqg j9ispegn kr520xx4 k4urcfbm bixrwtb6" height="239" referrerpolicy="origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.18172-8/18837075_1362800563813476_5207277952113178309_o.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s720x720&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=9267fe&_nc_ohc=icTeAz1-wNkAX_Y50SR&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AT90FCwKCd4sscLaOmxE2t_yqahDMF-Hm6hHq65IfcU40g&oe=62620FFA" style="border: 0px; height: 373.609375px; inset: 0px; object-fit: cover; position: absolute; width: 500px;" width="320" /></div></div></div></div><div class="linmgsc8 opwvks06 i09qtzwb n7fi1qx3 hzruof5a pmk7jnqg j9ispegn kr520xx4" style="border-bottom: 1px solid var(--media-inner-border); border-top: 1px solid var(--media-inner-border); font-family: inherit; inset: 0px; pointer-events: none; position: absolute;"></div><div class="n00je7tq arfg74bv qs9ysxi8 k77z8yql i09qtzwb n7fi1qx3 b5wmifdl hzruof5a pmk7jnqg j9ispegn kr520xx4 c5ndavph art1omkt ot9fgl3s" data-visualcompletion="ignore" style="border-bottom-left-radius: inherit; border-bottom-right-radius: inherit; border-radius: inherit; border-top-left-radius: inherit; border-top-right-radius: inherit; font-family: inherit; inset: 0px; opacity: 0; pointer-events: none; position: absolute; transition-duration: var(--fds-duration-extra-extra-short-out); transition-property: opacity; transition-timing-function: var(--fds-animation-fade-out);"></div></a></div><div class="stjgntxs ni8dbmo4" style="font-family: inherit; overflow: hidden;"></div></div><div class="dati1w0a hv4rvrfc osnr6wyh" style="font-family: inherit; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 16px; padding-right: 16px;"><div class="btwxx1t3 j83agx80 cwj9ozl2" style="background-color: var(--card-background); display: flex; flex-direction: row; font-family: inherit;"><div class="j83agx80 cbu4d94t ew0dbk1b irj2b8pg" style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: -5px; margin-top: -5px; text-align: center;"><div class="qzhwtbm6 knvmm38d" style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql oi732d6d ik7dh3pa ht8s03o8 a8c37x1j fe6kdd0r mau55g9w c8b282yb keod5gw0 nxhoafnm aigsh9s9 d9wwppkn iv3no6db jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v b1v8xokw oo9gr5id hzawbc8m" color="var(--primary-text)" dir="auto" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; display: block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">This photo captured one of the moments we lay with our hearts together. I told her that I would be leaving soon but she didn't hear me, for by then she was back in her head again. The head can confuse things, the heart always knows the truth. The next time you have a choice to make, tell your head to be quiet. Put your hands on your heart and listen to the wisdom there. This is where your intuition lives. This is where we speak to you. This is where you know everything there is to know. Hanging on. Letting Go... </span></div></span></div>Kate McGahanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18412809880279901783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624736412200316675.post-32853028107821527332022-03-19T12:29:00.000-07:002022-03-19T12:29:08.511-07:00Does it Really Matter What Breed My Dog is? <p> <b style="font-family: Cambria, serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter", serif;">Dear Jack, </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter", serif;">Does it really matter what breed my dog is? Isn’t every dog, cat, pet just love? Isn’t that all that really matters? Isn’t that what you tell us? Not to label, that love is all that matters? <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter", serif;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEih0VhqVRBZkvHFmicViGtmuZ6GT22TZqNZzY9SMeZMkmm-14wc-rFY3hji1TNEynLqSuHwnVjIrSM5RVnbk_eN7USyTtzd2JxEpp-LReqzZHJ9yiz019M4epgk2CnNABx7-5qbnUaf9T4E2koG6Diy0kb1lJbNFOXAeffQPmy6TV_nwArZ2MeF3upj" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEih0VhqVRBZkvHFmicViGtmuZ6GT22TZqNZzY9SMeZMkmm-14wc-rFY3hji1TNEynLqSuHwnVjIrSM5RVnbk_eN7USyTtzd2JxEpp-LReqzZHJ9yiz019M4epgk2CnNABx7-5qbnUaf9T4E2koG6Diy0kb1lJbNFOXAeffQPmy6TV_nwArZ2MeF3upj=w441-h331" width="441" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter", serif;">Does it really matter what I was? She always said it didn't. I was advertised as a Collie-Poo and that's what she came to accept. If it was any different than that, she said it didn't matter. She loved me no matter what I was. She loved me.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter", serif;">They said my mother was a Bearded Collie. They said my father was a Standard Poodle. Some people would argue with her. "No," they'd say, "I can tell he has Afghan Hound in him from the curl in his tail... the length of his hair." <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter", serif;">"It doesn't matter," she would reply, "Whatever he is, I love him." <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter", serif;">But it turns out that it did matter. Genetic inheritance cannot be denied in humans or in pets. One day she took me to the vet when I was about five years old. I had a small tumor growing on my eyelid that was bothering me. They scheduled surgery with general anesthesia to remove it. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter", serif;">"Come back for him at 1 p.m," they said. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter", serif;">At noon they called. "We've had a delay. Come back for him at 5 p.m." <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter", serif;">Eagerly she went to pick me up at 5. They had to tell her what happened. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter", serif;">"He must have sighthound in him," they said. "He is definitely an Afghan Hound." <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter", serif;">Sighthounds are a certain group of dogs who have keen eyesight because of the way their eyes and noses are formed. In a puppy, the sense of smell develops first, but in a sighthound pup, the sense of sight comes first. The nose is long and thin and allows for a greater peripheral vision for hunting and targeting. This is one of the things that makes sighthounds unique. They also have lean forms and can run faster and longer than most other breeds.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter", serif;">Sighthounds metabolize medication differently than other breeds. This is in part due to a lower percentage of body fat. Sighthounds also have a unique liver function and cannot process drug substances as quickly as other breeds. It takes them longer to recover and it is part of good veterinary care to manage this. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter", serif;">I had a very bad reaction to the level of drugs they gave me. What started out as a routine surgery turned into an emergency. They almost lost me! But they didn't. They saved me and they documented in my permanent record that I am Afghan Hound; sighthound. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter", serif;">For under $100 you can order a Pet DNA testing kit. It may not matter to you what your dog is or how it came to be bred genetically through the years. As more and more people are adopting pets with unknown histories, it is not a bad idea to check it out. The more you know about breed-specific issues, the more empowered you are, the more you will be ready to handle them if and when they arise. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> Love, Jack</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /></p><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in 0in 0in 2.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter", serif;"><span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter", serif;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjpbAWw6NxUdOv0fqbXrZgZ55kTzwdzhNw8WlSu-Efz1vpwNSJMEt4SV0xSfPMiYodKI0u9TKQa1OB__c_uYcf1QPPKXd-ZT4JyiwNE-w2KQl6Kh5Lkq3X-nbyRnQarbEL86sBWXmz_ZOv60_bA2XUFI0eHKT7h0qVRYjKplkm87ghrP4dEQwAUVl2g" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="857" data-original-width="1175" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjpbAWw6NxUdOv0fqbXrZgZ55kTzwdzhNw8WlSu-Efz1vpwNSJMEt4SV0xSfPMiYodKI0u9TKQa1OB__c_uYcf1QPPKXd-ZT4JyiwNE-w2KQl6Kh5Lkq3X-nbyRnQarbEL86sBWXmz_ZOv60_bA2XUFI0eHKT7h0qVRYjKplkm87ghrP4dEQwAUVl2g" width="320" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter", serif;"><span><br /> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><o:p></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in 0in 0in 2.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></p><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter", serif;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in 0in 0in 2.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter", serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in 0in 0in 2.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter", serif;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><p></p>Kate McGahanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18412809880279901783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624736412200316675.post-72694419544580515612022-03-13T13:02:00.001-07:002022-03-13T13:10:11.257-07:00How Do I Know When to Put my Pet to Sleep?<p> <b> <span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;">Dear Jack,</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><b>Tomorrow I'm sending my dog to Rainbow Bridge. I'm so hurt, confused, and guilty. Yesterday morning he could hardly walk. His arthritis is bad. Been on painkillers for years. He also has prostate cancer and a tumor on his adrenal gland...They gave him morphine at the vets. What a heartbreaking evening and night. He cried so much. Confused from the morphine. But today he is great. Walking playing eating. He hasn't been this way in days. I know it's because he's not in pain but it'll wear off. Is it worth giving him more morphine and putting him through nights like last night again just to keep him around? I don't know what to do....He's up every hour crying to go out to pee, difficulty pooing... Oh God, I guess I'm looking for someone to say it's time that I'm doing the right thing. This is the hardest thing I've ever done in my life." </b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><b><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5w25kL1lBzT_4w_HulIP5hJWY0T8dTh_KLefuMUjWuAuHTgMSZaED5IAddmSYjDttmAvSQ8inaXbKDXN9V4L54mEGs0yAPs3vhzMSh43OAovco0iivRRhvrp-iRUVAbdAmV-K2_9-N_OnEuNdRjNahtrfO_7pFY61eQXhbzGeh4pfqfjq04wHnVTPhQ=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5w25kL1lBzT_4w_HulIP5hJWY0T8dTh_KLefuMUjWuAuHTgMSZaED5IAddmSYjDttmAvSQ8inaXbKDXN9V4L54mEGs0yAPs3vhzMSh43OAovco0iivRRhvrp-iRUVAbdAmV-K2_9-N_OnEuNdRjNahtrfO_7pFY61eQXhbzGeh4pfqfjq04wHnVTPhQ=w371-h247" width="371" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Dear One: </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">First of all, you can FEEL guilty, but YOU ARE NOT GUILTY. (Guilt is something the human mind created. Heaven does not know of such things). He has struggled for a very long time and weighing his quality of life with his pain and his condition is imperative. Do not hold him to you with your love because the love won't die when he does. You need to look at everything else that is going on. How would you feel if you were him? <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">It is such a hard decision but the loving thing to do is let him go. Our Grady suffered for several years with chronic pain and was deaf and blind. We made the appointment to put her to sleep on a Monday. Sunday night and Monday morning she was better than she had been in many months. We thought of it as a final gift for all of us. Later when it was over, we wished we had done it sooner for her. She was so at peace. You will see and you will know then that you did the right thing. </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Remember, "It's Not Putting Me Down, It's Lifting Me Up". (Get your FREE copy of our little book here: <a class="oajrlxb2 g5ia77u1 qu0x051f esr5mh6w e9989ue4 r7d6kgcz rq0escxv nhd2j8a9 nc684nl6 p7hjln8o kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x jb3vyjys rz4wbd8a qt6c0cv9 a8nywdso i1ao9s8h esuyzwwr f1sip0of lzcic4wl gpro0wi8 py34i1dx" href="https://bookhip.com/DCSAKN?fbclid=IwAR3NAkR4BvJtIfINlWnTGreJxjvLjbPP_nXQoBgODvZea-ZAYsC1PTuSjik" rel="nofollow noopener" role="link" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--blue-link); cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0" target="_blank">https://BookHip.com/DCSAKN</a> ) <span style="font-size: 11pt;">Wishing you strength between here and there. <3</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Love, Jack<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgrscxQNvovNbiim0BLw8yrBZiK0ZiwjD4iMj0fCuKGA5DIEc9YWJebsY6wtCknVNKKBxQ3qL6H6F9i9NA0_y85mtS4mDB6IyV5uSlgl6bMPdxzp8WTvLvm63Kt8nt_Q9I8Ovm_XuTQt9MIVYsu_2gfdTxJ9b1pPX4ko5XGPPncLWabZdzIjrQJOsEVsg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgrscxQNvovNbiim0BLw8yrBZiK0ZiwjD4iMj0fCuKGA5DIEc9YWJebsY6wtCknVNKKBxQ3qL6H6F9i9NA0_y85mtS4mDB6IyV5uSlgl6bMPdxzp8WTvLvm63Kt8nt_Q9I8Ovm_XuTQt9MIVYsu_2gfdTxJ9b1pPX4ko5XGPPncLWabZdzIjrQJOsEVsg=w387-h258" width="387" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><i>…How many of us have watched someone we love suffer for too long? They have spent weeks, months, years, declining and then, right after we make the decision to let them go, they surprise us by having a really good day? It can knock us for a loop. <o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><o:p><i> </i></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><i>One night Grady pee-ed all over our bed. Our bed was also our "den," and any dog knows you don't dirty your den. This is how sick she was, to not be able to honor that. She was 14. She had been incontinent (and arthritic and going blind and deaf over the years). Kate said to her that night, "I can't keep doing this." Kate was so tired from cleaning up after her and carrying her everywhere. Nonetheless, she did it for another two years. It was all because she was waiting for God to call for Grady because she didn't want to have to make The Decision. <o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><o:p><i> </i></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><i>She ultimately contacted the vet and scheduled euthanization for Monday. Sunday night we all slept on the floor with Grady instead of bringing her up onto our bed like we always did. It was the first time in many nights that she didn't get up every hour. She slept the whole night through! She got up in the morning, went outside with me with a wag in her tail! She gave a playful little awkward jump when I teased her... and she ate all of her breakfast! We couldn't believe it. Our hearts were full. <o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><o:p><i> </i></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><i>It would be easy to second-guess whether we were doing the right thing, to move forward with the plans for the day. Maybe if we just slept on the floor with her every night she'd sleep through the night.... maybe this, maybe that, maybe, maybe, maybe...<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><o:p><i> </i></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><i>Fortunately, our experience working with people on hospice reassured Kate. We had seen it over and over again in our therapy work. Many times people linger on their deathbeds; their breath is slowing, their feet are turning blue... and then all of a sudden one day, they rally back! Where they were confused they are now lucid. Those who were lethargic are miraculously alert and clear for the first time in a long time. They give us the impression that they are not dying after all! Oh everyone is so excited! They are clearly turning a corner and they will be well again! Our prayers have indeed been answered! <o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><o:p><i> </i></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><i>Then, in 12 or 24 or more hours, they pass peacefully. It is not this way for everyone, but this has happened often in Kate's thirty years of experience. It matters not the age or the condition or the setting. I think perhaps it is one final chance for the body to have its Swan Song. When we know we can never do something again that we've always done, we always want to do it one more time. Sometimes that's what the final day is for. It gives us a chance to have one more time around before we transform into something else. </i><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><i><br /></i></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><i></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgPAIWIUZfJMFJsTXPsiHnHuKiMZ_wUihqk7Pp11EGF2OravoayCKeuYCCNnZiPra-bVJ8SZ7azSAYI5OwiwVF9MNTE_IfAbxSNsfYEEeKX52C3KlD8kYwtcIeNV_eu7HNEtgwmqz799qp0b1gi53r051lp5f-1lQbuUR-HV-XUE34VFpIp-HVgA7UEIg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="960" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgPAIWIUZfJMFJsTXPsiHnHuKiMZ_wUihqk7Pp11EGF2OravoayCKeuYCCNnZiPra-bVJ8SZ7azSAYI5OwiwVF9MNTE_IfAbxSNsfYEEeKX52C3KlD8kYwtcIeNV_eu7HNEtgwmqz799qp0b1gi53r051lp5f-1lQbuUR-HV-XUE34VFpIp-HVgA7UEIg=w395-h263" width="395" /></a></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgDk6foIsp6UHIG2ELfKkK1eEoTG70P9z1jl10r0EH2qX9C15xLaTzgnI2uqknNCCJ8vRAZYLTefz3iv3M5Nui5OaJ-CLp4ey8FPVg0R1L3SqzfGjg1ydUKO-bqG0IaqXNgmzeC0XO-75HQQ72vvHUhazoBjaPjHDxDxn_mepCK7qMgHOvw4Gbj1w1B" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgDk6foIsp6UHIG2ELfKkK1eEoTG70P9z1jl10r0EH2qX9C15xLaTzgnI2uqknNCCJ8vRAZYLTefz3iv3M5Nui5OaJ-CLp4ey8FPVg0R1L3SqzfGjg1ydUKO-bqG0IaqXNgmzeC0XO-75HQQ72vvHUhazoBjaPjHDxDxn_mepCK7qMgHOvw4Gbj1w1B" width="160" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a class="oajrlxb2 g5ia77u1 qu0x051f esr5mh6w e9989ue4 r7d6kgcz rq0escxv nhd2j8a9 nc684nl6 p7hjln8o kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x jb3vyjys rz4wbd8a qt6c0cv9 a8nywdso i1ao9s8h esuyzwwr f1sip0of lzcic4wl gpro0wi8 py34i1dx" href="https://bookhip.com/DCSAKN?fbclid=IwAR3NAkR4BvJtIfINlWnTGreJxjvLjbPP_nXQoBgODvZea-ZAYsC1PTuSjik" rel="nofollow noopener" role="link" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--blue-link); cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0" target="_blank">https://BookHip.com/DCSAKN</a><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;"> </span></div></div>Kate McGahanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18412809880279901783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624736412200316675.post-89992225120382714452021-12-21T11:58:00.000-08:002021-12-21T11:58:11.679-08:00Letters from Rainbow Bridge Holiday Tips: You're Going to Get Through This<p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjnf3WLeU4CucFj8GDhD6lVFvpVkT7hSEMTKePfH0d0XxHUWpFS_OnWmzT1xUBeaD0_0sIspAw4AavzX3tK4fWiMoUTk2_8OG9VU4pnn6nCYVuh9DfusgrEqpwMsP0ZhdhBCuGAOMMZC2FZdj7yMMKMzTQfJmie15QnSVw4qATL0crlXBisD2MYFt8iow=s960" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjnf3WLeU4CucFj8GDhD6lVFvpVkT7hSEMTKePfH0d0XxHUWpFS_OnWmzT1xUBeaD0_0sIspAw4AavzX3tK4fWiMoUTk2_8OG9VU4pnn6nCYVuh9DfusgrEqpwMsP0ZhdhBCuGAOMMZC2FZdj7yMMKMzTQfJmie15QnSVw4qATL0crlXBisD2MYFt8iow=w448-h298" width="448" /></a></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: AmericanTypewriter; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: 700;">Dear Jack,</span></p><div class="page" title="Page 146"><div class="layoutArea"><div class="column"><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: AmericanTypewriter; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: 700;">As the holidays draw near, I </span><span style="font-family: AmericanTypewriter; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: 700;">find </span><span style="font-family: AmericanTypewriter; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: 700;">myself terri</span><span style="font-family: AmericanTypewriter; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: 700;">fied </span><span style="font-family: AmericanTypewriter; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: 700;">of listening to old songs or following normal traditions like putting up the tree and buying presents. I seem OK to my family and friends because I pretend that I’m OK. I want to do these things, but at the same time, I’m terri</span><span style="font-family: AmericanTypewriter; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: 700;">fied </span><span style="font-family: AmericanTypewriter; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: 700;">of all they will remind me of. My baby was always the happiest when we did these things. We now have a new furry angel in our lives but I still miss him so much. How do I get through the holidays without breaking down into a million pieces?</span></p></div></div></div><div class="page" title="Page 147"><div class="layoutArea"><div class="column"><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: AmericanTypewriter; font-size: 12pt;">Dear One, </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: AmericanTypewriter; font-size: 12pt;">I normally suggest that you Stay in Your Truth most of the time. However, if you have to pretend a bit to get through the upcoming holidays, you have to pretend. It can actually help to “Fake It ‘Till You Make It”. Going through the motions is far better for healing than not facing the reality of it at all.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: AmericanTypewriter; font-size: 12pt;">Sometimes having something subtle, perhaps a comfort stone or a piece of jewelry, a crystal, a tattoo, something tangible helps to defer the anxiety and nervous energy. It’s okay to talk about your grief too, but not too much to those who simply don’t understand. It can also be quite handy to excuse oneself and go to bed early. That’s okay to a point. Balance is the key. Balance the holiday and balance yourself as you move forward to the next anniversary without your friend. Balance is a key to all healing. Time and faith will take care of the rest.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: AmericanTypewriter; font-size: 12pt;">Creating new traditions is also a very good way to move forward and to honor us at the same time. Just try to keep it positive. Keep moving forward. Find some kind of joy in the season, even if you have to put a gift under the tree to you from your fur angel.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: AmericanTypewriter; font-size: 12pt;">Love, Jack</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: AmericanTypewriter; font-size: 12pt;">From our latest book "Letters from Rainbow Bridge" which you can find <a href="https://amzn.to/3qjmTjY" target="_blank">here. </a></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><u>Click here to </u>r<a href="https://read.amazon.com/kp/embed?asin=B08X9JYQQX&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_VEH4S1PHRJH7QZDD71G6&tag=katemcom0d-20" target="_blank">e</a></span><a href="https://read.amazon.com/kp/embed?asin=B08X9JYQQX&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_VEH4S1PHRJH7QZDD71G6&tag=katemcom0d-20" style="background-color: #fff2cc;" target="_blank">ad the first few chapters for free</a>.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj7S0BcPRBvU595-ZXwr7hQ0bg85WkQd_W1IaCL5JgFU3Rbn15v4Qq9ZdEmomLZ9ivRs37FvVY1WTM2a-zQ4drew8as7zPMqbgsjNmTDs5WKc_GLsghaB8P-D8kZWHoAP1MNucEsr9emPSPPJIrsBRMbarN5NFS5qndO37aM9_wYfzj1fImopwLCBrq1w=s960" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj7S0BcPRBvU595-ZXwr7hQ0bg85WkQd_W1IaCL5JgFU3Rbn15v4Qq9ZdEmomLZ9ivRs37FvVY1WTM2a-zQ4drew8as7zPMqbgsjNmTDs5WKc_GLsghaB8P-D8kZWHoAP1MNucEsr9emPSPPJIrsBRMbarN5NFS5qndO37aM9_wYfzj1fImopwLCBrq1w=w480-h320" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p></div></div></div>Kate McGahanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03932640276157578416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624736412200316675.post-85718153393818200142021-10-25T05:12:00.005-07:002021-10-25T05:17:54.848-07:00The Blind Will See Again...<p> <b style="font-family: Cambria, serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter", serif; font-size: medium;">Dear Jack, </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter", serif; font-size: medium;">We got our girl at three weeks old. She lived to be 13. She went everywhere with us. She went blind and I was her sole caregiver. She got cancer; we went to the vet every other month. It all caught up with her and she ended up crossing over at the Emergency Vet because she was hurting. While driving to the Emergency, she looked at each of us in the car as if she was no longer blind. It was weird. She took several minutes to stare at us. Could she see? Did she see us?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter", serif; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter", serif; font-size: medium;">Dear One, </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter", serif; font-size: medium;">Your girl was letting you know that she was preparing for her leaving. She was already on the way to being restored to perfection. The closer we get to leaving this cumbersome earthly body the more able we are to show you who we really are. The immortal healthy beautiful shining spirit that is seen through the eyes. As they say, "The Eyes are the Windows of the Soul" and it is no mistake that you saw this clearly in her eyes. She was and is in communication with you all the time. She knows what a beautiful life she has had with you. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter", serif; font-size: medium;">Life is always teaching us through change and loss. When we’ve grown from it, when we have faith and when we learn to convert fear to love, we know we have learned the lesson that loss came to teach us. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter", serif; font-size: medium;">You may find this hard to believe, but our story does not end. Life does not end. The end of this life is not the end of life at all. It is impossible to describe how beautiful this is, this experience of death and dying. If I could hold a pen to write the words, and if there were words in existence that were beautiful enough to describe this place called Heaven, I would strive to find the words so that you would never be afraid of it again.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span><span><span><span>Love, Jack 🐾</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter", serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in 0in 0in 2.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="509" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2IGgE03x5rYZy6xHmxPbkAmMe978Wu6ihaw2JecAfoftB4D60deTZGv91chFJiRycm_w6PL1xGdw2u51HKT3SrpqiXn5Mf4rTAYk14t9-8bnBYFaz3_-jeSAE7ohqE-7lqu8Y34xQ_tBaCb-3l8tmGW7Thj-6VvT8gzkv3CBmF2G8uif3sle3agVZ=w400-h268" width="400" /></div><br /><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter", serif;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in 0in 0in 2.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter", serif;"><br /></span><p></p>Kate McGahanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03932640276157578416noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624736412200316675.post-77935689838830807612021-03-15T12:32:00.001-07:002021-03-15T12:32:59.449-07:00Gone Only From View: A Love Poem<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsRJ8kYCLVDBv9-5-XfT0xWiInK6I8VrO0pjZlK-34IFJDuLiMNsc4ANAhAbeM_Q9EEGNv0XeTfS3SOb_WKH1WsyYh1RrUZfDhPr5wqR9-K3_1OLNjNQNT6WRypbhDS3_DOskb_4KNOq92/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsRJ8kYCLVDBv9-5-XfT0xWiInK6I8VrO0pjZlK-34IFJDuLiMNsc4ANAhAbeM_Q9EEGNv0XeTfS3SOb_WKH1WsyYh1RrUZfDhPr5wqR9-K3_1OLNjNQNT6WRypbhDS3_DOskb_4KNOq92/w379-h252/rainbow-937042_960_720.jpg" width="379" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763; font-size: medium;"> Do you think that I am far from you?</span></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763; font-size: medium;"> I feel your thoughts, I know your heart.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763; font-size: medium;">I am not far away at all. I'm closer than you would believe! </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763; font-size: medium;">You think if you stop grieving that you will somehow lose me.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763; font-size: medium;">You're afraid that if you love again,</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763; font-size: medium;">That you will grow away from me.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763; font-size: medium;">You can never lose me!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763; font-size: medium;">Your soul has grown right into mine.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763; font-size: medium;">Spun together; </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763; font-size: medium;">A tapestry of our life and love. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763; font-size: medium;">You cannot lose what has become</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763; font-size: medium;">A vital part of you. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763; font-size: medium;">Someday you'll see that I was with you all along the way.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763; font-size: medium;">You'll then regret the time you spent</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763; font-size: medium;">Wasting many thoughtful tears</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763; font-size: medium;">And grieving for so many years!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763; font-size: medium;">But while you cannot see that now,</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763; font-size: medium;">You'll find out what you think you lost</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763; font-size: medium;">You never lost at all.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763; font-size: medium;">I am merely gone from view. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763; font-size: medium;">I am here;</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763; font-size: medium;">I'm here beside you</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763; font-size: medium;">Waiting for the Chosen Time</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763; font-size: medium;">When you will see and touch and feel me</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763; font-size: medium;">As I run into your arms again. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #073763;">by Jack McAfghan and Kate</span></p>Kate McGahanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03932640276157578416noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624736412200316675.post-85801144029368022562021-02-22T09:37:00.004-08:002021-02-22T09:37:43.637-08:00About Our Books <p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXwnFF9mkt3QE2BbYDUeVmA1NaMWV26FOES1fz0RdJgc1AgiZ_bGVAZWiGaV8EwQYsCR0MXVyhqzu_ZbC8B5gkKpZTT2WsFvz9ZdEkmxSbYdnEO2ur83LtlX4LJ0UbZ8H5NCeqjXegxCVP/s1728/124806326_709748913001029_7037967353823339034_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1728" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXwnFF9mkt3QE2BbYDUeVmA1NaMWV26FOES1fz0RdJgc1AgiZ_bGVAZWiGaV8EwQYsCR0MXVyhqzu_ZbC8B5gkKpZTT2WsFvz9ZdEkmxSbYdnEO2ur83LtlX4LJ0UbZ8H5NCeqjXegxCVP/w640-h400/124806326_709748913001029_7037967353823339034_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>No one would ever believe that a dog can heal someone's grief and even bring someone back into having faith in God again after pet loss, but Jack can. The books in <a href="https://amzn.to/3pIx6Ev" target="_blank">the Jack McAfghan Trilogy</a> are not "How To" books. They are true stories based on real events. Each book tells a different story with pearls of wisdom and morals in each chapter. Chapters are short and typefonts are large to allow the reader to process the lessons in each chapter. </p><p>Book 1, <a href="https://amzn.to/3pKrDgg" target="_blank">"Reflections: A Dog's Memoir on Life and the Afterlife"</a> makes it easy to heal your grief. Read along with Jack and Kate -- take a little walk together through the grief process -- and you will find that as Kate heals you will heal too. It's that simple. </p><p>Book 2, <a href="https://amzn.to/37FfZ0d" target="_blank">"The Lizard from Rainbow Bridge"</a> teaches you how to recognize signs and angels when they make themselves known in your life -- and also teaches the power and importance of love and forgiveness.</p><p>Book 3, <a href="https://amzn.to/3aEFz7j" target="_blank">"Return from Rainbow Bridge"</a> revisits a bit of the grief and then opens your mind to the possibilities that exist on both sides of the Rainbow Bridge which connects those on earth with the ones they love on the Other Side, in Heaven. Each one of Jack's books has a happy ending. </p><p>If you prefer a non-fiction Guide to Healing Pet Loss, Book 4 <a href="https://amzn.to/3qJ9lO3" target="_blank">"Only Gone From Your Sight"</a> will walk you through all the stages of grief and bring you out the other side of it. It is written as a love letter from your best friend to you about all facets of grief, loss and living again. </p><p>Each book is carefully crafted to heal your heart, open your mind and teach you new ways of looking at life, love and loss. Life is the school love is the lesson and Jack and Kate are your teachers in this Class of Love and learning to live with loss. </p><p>All books are available on Amazon Worldwide in paperback, Kindle and always free on <a href="https://amzn.to/37CNX5q" target="_blank">Kindle Unlimited</a>. Printed copies are available through your favorite bookseller. Book 1, "Reflections" is also available in<a href="https://amzn.to/37ycTuT" target="_blank"> LARGE PRINT.</a> We don't want anyone to miss out on the healing power of Jack!</p><p>Join Jack on a journey to Rainbow Bridge and back again. Heal your heart, learn to recognize the signs and strengthen your faith beyond anything you knew was possible. Our story is your story too. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK9RS-zxkQJaw1MdLpY_AhHgCvdQGiHYQWctahCIoAI-j47V_1K5fyBn50Hus33wDSWqUnB4Fcj0_GnqgRcccKKiqX6hS9KZJjoqkP4v0sVnWb-71QOkHkCzqgj17LSG4cZ300VxMpNnmX/s257/153603400_223338286195105_8108021434503183828_n.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="206" data-original-width="257" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK9RS-zxkQJaw1MdLpY_AhHgCvdQGiHYQWctahCIoAI-j47V_1K5fyBn50Hus33wDSWqUnB4Fcj0_GnqgRcccKKiqX6hS9KZJjoqkP4v0sVnWb-71QOkHkCzqgj17LSG4cZ300VxMpNnmX/w400-h321/153603400_223338286195105_8108021434503183828_n.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Kate McGahanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03932640276157578416noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624736412200316675.post-24099081151635078322021-02-20T11:34:00.005-08:002021-02-20T11:36:18.592-08:00How Do I Know When To Get Another Pet? <p> <span style="text-align: center;"> </span><span class="s1" style="text-align: center;">How do you know when a new pet is right for you? Have you found one and are now agonizing over the decision? </span><span style="text-align: center;">Agonizing over it probably means the time isn't right, or the pet isn't the right one. </span></p><div class="p1"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eyPMCZd93Uk/WAICISHdnjI/AAAAAAAAF5g/zIO6uXZbbH8e0pu9KP7sbquhHCKtaQsCQCLcB/s1600/13690768_1043849542375248_6969505027665562214_n.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eyPMCZd93Uk/WAICISHdnjI/AAAAAAAAF5g/zIO6uXZbbH8e0pu9KP7sbquhHCKtaQsCQCLcB/s320/13690768_1043849542375248_6969505027665562214_n.jpg" width="180" /></span></a></div><div class="p1"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gC9ozVnCu3Q/WAICAyZ-9JI/AAAAAAAAF5c/zxWt-yXzWMcGaI8Dyi0z06g19xIklivYACLcB/s1600/12096142_880565775370293_7398462559909874919_n.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gC9ozVnCu3Q/WAICAyZ-9JI/AAAAAAAAF5c/zxWt-yXzWMcGaI8Dyi0z06g19xIklivYACLcB/s320/12096142_880565775370293_7398462559909874919_n.jpg" width="278" /></span></a><span class="s1"><div style="text-align: center;">Remember that everything feels right when a new pet is right for you. You will be put in the right place at the right time. The process is smooth and easy. Sometimes the pet will come to you without your having to do anything. You usually feel it in your heart when its right. The price is always right because you want that pet and you will pay the price. </div></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p1" style="text-align: center;"><span class="s1">Read <a href="http://amzn.to/2gZJWLI" target="_blank">Chapter 4 in my book.</a> Kate went through the same dilemma. There is nothing worse than regretting this kind of decision. Of course you will have the normal What If's and perhaps some fear of commitment but there will be an underlying confidence that this is the pet for you. </span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p1" style="text-align: center;"><span class="s1">Try not to be too stressed about it. There are many many pets available out there and there will always be another opportunity. The timing will always be right. Let your heart and soul lead you to the one that's meant for you. Let your heart lead the way...not your head... or what someone else thinks.</span></div><div class="p1" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="p1"><div style="text-align: center;">Thank you for wanting to love again. We love you the way we do so that you will miss the love when we are gone (from your sight) and so that you will seek it again. After all, love is what makes everything else worthwhile. </div><span class="s1"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><span class="s1"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://amzn.to/2gZJWLI" target="_blank">Jack McAfghan: Reflections on Life with my Master</a> can be found on Amazon Worldwide.</div></span><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6lx9HRm5iYo/WAIB6mBTaCI/AAAAAAAAF5Y/8qY4ky9ErLcJeIhoxWjReoK4jUvAnTgXACLcB/s1600/howdoyouknowpeace.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6lx9HRm5iYo/WAIB6mBTaCI/AAAAAAAAF5Y/8qY4ky9ErLcJeIhoxWjReoK4jUvAnTgXACLcB/s400/howdoyouknowpeace.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Kate McGahanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03932640276157578416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624736412200316675.post-81287778487404268932020-12-19T09:25:00.000-08:002020-12-19T09:25:01.199-08:00Holidays and Grief: The Anniversaries of the Heart<p><br /></p><p class="so-global-p2" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://shoutout.wix.com/so/55NPeNtBc/c?w=_nBKu3gxQtzbxwZFJO_QjIx6V4HHtITddSwVcwd9DFM.eyJ1IjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9hbXpuLnRvLzJJVmZEdGEiLCJyIjoiYTFiM2YwNDctY2IxYy00MDRkLWJhYjktOTY2ZGNlODhjYTNmIiwibSI6ImxwIn0" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">ONLY GONE FROM YOUR SIGHT: </span></span></span></a></span></p><p class="so-global-p2" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://shoutout.wix.com/so/55NPeNtBc/c?w=_nBKu3gxQtzbxwZFJO_QjIx6V4HHtITddSwVcwd9DFM.eyJ1IjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9hbXpuLnRvLzJJVmZEdGEiLCJyIjoiYTFiM2YwNDctY2IxYy00MDRkLWJhYjktOTY2ZGNlODhjYTNmIiwibSI6ImxwIn0" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">A PERSONAL APPROACH TO HUMAN GRIEF & LOSS</span></span></span></a></span></p><p class="so-global-p2" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"> </p><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 22pt; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #274e13;">Chapter 38 </span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #274e13;">HOLIDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES </span></span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #274e13;"> </span></p><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #274e13;">Every grieving mother knows how old her child would be today. You probably know how old I would be now and how long I’ve been gone. The heart remembers everything. You are connected to me by the love that we share, a love that tugs at your heartstrings at special times. You might find yourself thinking about me continuously one day. You just can’t get me out of your mind! Maybe you even have a dream of me or receive an extraordinary sign. You look at the calendar and realize that it is the anniversary of my passing or my birthday. The heart remembers everything. </span></span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #274e13;"> </span></p><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #990000;">“One day without him...” </span></span></span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #990000;">“He was still here this time last week.” </span></span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #990000;">“I’ve made it through the first two weeks.” </span></span></span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #990000;">“I can’t believe she’s been gone a month.” </span></span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #990000;">“It’s been 2 months, 2 days, 7 hours, 35 minutes.” </span></span></span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #990000;">“3 months have passed now.” </span></span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #990000;">“4 months.” </span></span></span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #990000;">“5 months...152 days” </span></span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #990000;">“I’m coming up on 6 months.” </span></span></span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #990000;">“It’s my first holiday alone.” </span></span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #990000;">“This would have been her birthday.” </span></span></span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #274e13;"> </span></p><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #274e13;">We’ve been through one round of all the anniversaries of the heart. 365 days of “first times.” Oh, but it’s still complicated isn’t it? Leaving the first year behind, it’s like we lose that too.</span></span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #274e13;">The anniversaries will keep coming. There will be days when you just aren’t feeling so strong. Maybe you go a park or a restaurant where we used to go and even though you might have a new friend with you, you are filled with tears and memories of our days together. It’s okay. Let them come. Those were the days my friend... </span></span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #274e13;"> </span></p><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #274e13;">Creating new traditions is a very good way to move forward, to honor me and to honor the special days of the year. Sometimes you need to create new traditions for yourself when you are faced with loss---or if you are struggling with family issues and disappointments. </span></span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #274e13;"> </span></p><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #274e13;">Anniversaries and holidays can be difficult at best when your life feels empty or incomplete. One of the things you can do for yourself during these times is to celebrate the life we shared. Do not mourn my loss. Celebrate my life. Create a lovely altar, light a candle. Say your prayers. Invite me to visit you. Talk to me. Tell me about your hopes and dreams. Reflect on the good times. Tell me you love me over and over again. Soak in the happy times of being blessed by someone in your life who loved you and who loves you still. Someone who taught you the meaning of love, not fear. Celebrate our love. Know that love never dies. </span></span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #274e13;"> </span></p><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #274e13;">When you are visiting people over the holidays who might not understand what you are going through, take something tangible and subtle with you; something that you can wear or hold in your hand when you are you are longing to be with me instead of them. It's okay to talk about it if it feels like the right thing to do for you. It’s okay to not want to talk about too. Just tell them that. It can also be quite handy to excuse yourself so you can go to bed early. That's okay to a point too. You have a very good reason and you are learning at last to take care of yourself. Balance the holiday and try to stay balanced within yourself as you move forward to the next anniversary without me. </span></span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #274e13;"> </span></p><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #274e13;">Balance is the key to all healing. Time and support will take care of the rest. </span></span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #274e13;">When you are surrounded by joy and celebration it can actually make you feel worse when you feel worse. If you want to avoid parties and celebrations altogether you can volunteer at a soup kitchen or some other charity event. It often helps one to feel better when they help people less fortunate. You can also opt to stay home, but I will be hoping that one day you will be willing to share the holiday with someone you love and trust. Someone who lets you be you. Go easy on yourself. </span></span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #274e13;"> </span></p><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="color: #990000;">"The first of every month would loom ominously. She braced herself every time a new month approached. The August 1 anniversary was tough. Then a funny thing happened. December 1 arrived; sixteen months. The day came and went. On December 2 she realized she had not noticed. She felt guilty at first until she realized it was a sign of her healing. My life was the important thing and our relationship, now on new terms, was all that mattered. She forgot February 1 too! And March! She didn’t remember until after a whole week had passed! Who knew what would happen on April Fool’s Day? Well! She fooled me and remembered! This is how it will happen for you too, in your own time and in your own way."</span></i></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><a href="https://shoutout.wix.com/so/55NPeNtBc/c?w=pK60vEEWowH_Ert_CdE8FMjk6lvKzs-NY0Jm_iVe2Z8.eyJ1IjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9hbXpuLnRvLzNucnljVVciLCJyIjoiYTFiM2YwNDctY2IxYy00MDRkLWJhYjktOTY2ZGNlODhjYTNmIiwibSI6ImxwIn0" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #274e13; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Return from Rainbow Bridge, Chapter 62</span></span></span></span></a></span></p>Kate McGahanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03932640276157578416noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624736412200316675.post-84772626976884722852020-11-13T10:11:00.001-08:002020-11-13T10:11:00.600-08:00Michelle Has a Poppy and Then Finds Another Poppie from Another Woman Named Michelle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg99EhBnFcPXC4Jz8Xm4yJVXjj1Ur2G7d_BtLGWpKOVTbR4jEZq9pMSjBh-gGJS9XKjkp52mtOMA-GpHP91j9pLreyOP9b91YfSZCzao8s5wx-NjxJZYGr2JYsutfhzyrR_nJ_GPUev4EY/s1600/69da7642-bd62-447c-a61b-5763b005f2f9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg99EhBnFcPXC4Jz8Xm4yJVXjj1Ur2G7d_BtLGWpKOVTbR4jEZq9pMSjBh-gGJS9XKjkp52mtOMA-GpHP91j9pLreyOP9b91YfSZCzao8s5wx-NjxJZYGr2JYsutfhzyrR_nJ_GPUev4EY/s640/69da7642-bd62-447c-a61b-5763b005f2f9.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I got Poppy from a farm not far from me; from a really old couple who were farmers. Her mum, he herded sheep. They said "Don't go for the quiet pup at the back," but I did. I just loved her. We went back to get her two weeks later and bought her back home aged 8 weeks old.</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />She was a very destructive puppy, walked terrible on her lead, but when I took her into the fields, she was a different dog, she became my best friend, she understood the whistles I did. One whistle for stop, two to come back etc. She grew into a dog that sat by me all day , if I went to the bathroom she would wait outside the door. She was my shadow.</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">At age 11 she developed a limp, I had it checked out, which disturbed her as she had to stay at the vets, because she fretted for me. I got the dreaded call , Poppy had bone cancer in her front leg, she was given 5-6 months to live. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">To cut a long story short, I gave Poppy Golden Paste(turmeric) & coconut every day. She lived for two more years. Her limp disappeared. But one day her nose started to bleed , it was secondary cancer. The bleeding became more frequent, I was scared she would choke on the blood.</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8QsJYRwaWhiJ7nfJ0jLvQvYrTaBuWislbHpBG5Tl-mw0oaA514h0gM08pRN8pXplRH6WRULnbLWeBdjQujG-_t8sv5FWIZY982roJU_P_FbGetfhk6wFIoLcU8VZbnF1JBnAdDGv-e8U/s1600/3775e392-caa0-410c-90cc-01037edfaf8e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8QsJYRwaWhiJ7nfJ0jLvQvYrTaBuWislbHpBG5Tl-mw0oaA514h0gM08pRN8pXplRH6WRULnbLWeBdjQujG-_t8sv5FWIZY982roJU_P_FbGetfhk6wFIoLcU8VZbnF1JBnAdDGv-e8U/s400/3775e392-caa0-410c-90cc-01037edfaf8e.jpg" width="388" /></span></a></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This photo of Poppy in her bed was her last photo, that same day I held her head, told her I loved her and that I will miss her. She did not lay down while the vet put her to sleep, she stood proud, facing me , looking straight into my eyes, our eyes never left each other.</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />My poppy was gone. My shadow.</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As you can see <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1662010000700112/">on Facebook </a>I share a lot of pictures to help dogs get their forever homes. That's how I saw another "Poppie", in a terrible state, bought over to the UK after being rescued. A lady called Carmen in <span class="il">Romania</span> went & fed her over three nights to get her to trust her. Poppie lived in a graveyard all on her own, in the snow, the wet, the cold. Carmen knew she had to save her, it was now or never. The dog catchers were out just up the road catching a male dog. They catch them & destroy them.</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4NH80JJkFDvToKCt7kyxASwc1rFSdzUUbjM1KL5YW7pcNqT8gn2tGVY6GZWfrPMVmgv-Cdfo9inlY0GFHg-oiK4kPaFJu04SSbJ0FCOerWgIZJhRkuO8u3bELEOWyEAbhjI6RGEaGUO4/s1600/POPPIE+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4NH80JJkFDvToKCt7kyxASwc1rFSdzUUbjM1KL5YW7pcNqT8gn2tGVY6GZWfrPMVmgv-Cdfo9inlY0GFHg-oiK4kPaFJu04SSbJ0FCOerWgIZJhRkuO8u3bELEOWyEAbhjI6RGEaGUO4/s400/POPPIE+Collage.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />Poppie was taken to the vet. She had a rope embedded in her neck. Her skin was terrible. She was malnourished. She was fed, spayed, got her passport to come to Foster in the UK. The journey took 3 days in a truck.</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />She was fostered in Derbyshire by a lady called Michelle. I went to see her , it was a two hour drive.</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />I saw her eyes, her soul....I just had to have her, although I couldn't take her then. We paid the charity money for her that then goes to saving another dog. We brought Poppie home and she ran and jumped around with Daisy & Rosie. She loved it , it's like she truly knew this was home. She lays in the garden where my old Poppy used to lay.</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7qZ8GYK2qCib3pQqUg2LmUMDb9oo0lUuw3V9biBKEYbv7t4dDgd0ZVxjlC6TXSPJARNXPVcDw41CAS-L_qrL3b8J7U2KHx1K5QTGxRggActOiIcrkiSEDzxOilJnoVuUaD2Dxys3ZW6w/s1600/ccb818ae-63e4-40d9-b333-5da56d5654ad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7qZ8GYK2qCib3pQqUg2LmUMDb9oo0lUuw3V9biBKEYbv7t4dDgd0ZVxjlC6TXSPJARNXPVcDw41CAS-L_qrL3b8J7U2KHx1K5QTGxRggActOiIcrkiSEDzxOilJnoVuUaD2Dxys3ZW6w/s320/ccb818ae-63e4-40d9-b333-5da56d5654ad.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7tGsmk3bEU5Hjsi77GkpSX7OAwIBkGAYdFizSnINbkpxuph0TVtqkjMKyJ277BotLO92U9bVPGupgvXTzWPptnxO8K-1cL7nVFor2XgI30L7QHZdsPtAu7txDBiVWnkfsKZ3oiYpXdPk/s1600/fe9de4b0-66fd-4e27-919c-8086bbd4dc5d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7tGsmk3bEU5Hjsi77GkpSX7OAwIBkGAYdFizSnINbkpxuph0TVtqkjMKyJ277BotLO92U9bVPGupgvXTzWPptnxO8K-1cL7nVFor2XgI30L7QHZdsPtAu7txDBiVWnkfsKZ3oiYpXdPk/s320/fe9de4b0-66fd-4e27-919c-8086bbd4dc5d.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />I swear Poppy sent her to me . X</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj69IDR38JDYuM97hfPP48trS3hEupPr8Nd5oHbWyMP-kukOK5CdNyPC2SpWL5DEgS8qhbz4nNcaPtgrdCTD67rYq6fisXc1GzQAkbRKe3vGYQuNvmLgILS3Q4fStbSDDrVLJ23HOKidoo/s1600/21a4f4cf-9057-4366-8820-ba44b723e379.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj69IDR38JDYuM97hfPP48trS3hEupPr8Nd5oHbWyMP-kukOK5CdNyPC2SpWL5DEgS8qhbz4nNcaPtgrdCTD67rYq6fisXc1GzQAkbRKe3vGYQuNvmLgILS3Q4fStbSDDrVLJ23HOKidoo/s400/21a4f4cf-9057-4366-8820-ba44b723e379.jpg" width="261" /></span></a></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As the holidays approach, we embrace Poppie as well as the cherished memories of Poppy. Represented by doves on the tree, it is so important to continue to honor the relationship of those we have loved. Surrounded by the colors of the Rainbow on the holiday tree, this is the perfect example of how to move forward in faith and in love. </span><br /><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">God love the Poppies! </span><br /><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWvhsm9WI5vy0cCA_p2kzd67heOQ6q6tuIa0ZD8Chk-Yb8A4Ct5e7c9FxETFFqS5rU-c6r7H33tzim9MzrpaPWfEIt_vGKinZ6TGqAUESr7zwnAic1d_dTU6N-saHKm-S3ECoBuRBSs6U/s1600/12347906_994764727258120_1794499708934871946_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWvhsm9WI5vy0cCA_p2kzd67heOQ6q6tuIa0ZD8Chk-Yb8A4Ct5e7c9FxETFFqS5rU-c6r7H33tzim9MzrpaPWfEIt_vGKinZ6TGqAUESr7zwnAic1d_dTU6N-saHKm-S3ECoBuRBSs6U/s400/12347906_994764727258120_1794499708934871946_n.jpg" width="227" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwUow7mRdTT74zVcy42AGU7eqNmhdQevHVKJKaYLBIvopKM8yUdSOBaDdQjeC-wrlt9q6EEv4Hy4ubmW8JWnz29BObBPp2GQ72Q1uejSpXyPJC91Oak8kV5rzHCI9BsFa7M9LRcWeU5eo/s1600/12346332_994764687258124_2817758982549380028_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwUow7mRdTT74zVcy42AGU7eqNmhdQevHVKJKaYLBIvopKM8yUdSOBaDdQjeC-wrlt9q6EEv4Hy4ubmW8JWnz29BObBPp2GQ72Q1uejSpXyPJC91Oak8kV5rzHCI9BsFa7M9LRcWeU5eo/s400/12346332_994764687258124_2817758982549380028_n.jpg" width="226" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Contributed by<a href="https://www.facebook.com/riselymichelle"> Michelle Risely</a></i></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Are you the UK and interested in adopting a Romanian Miordic Shepherd? </i></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Contact Michelle through her group on Facebook at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1662010000700112/">Miortic Shepherd Dogs UK</a></i></span></div>Kate McGahanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18412809880279901783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624736412200316675.post-49351533251147106262020-08-30T13:01:00.007-07:002020-08-30T13:11:11.175-07:00How to Go Home to the Home in Your Heart<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw6pfX7J-4m47_IJlHeunsbCPGbVWR1sdmdmG5NX5c7ZQRM1javZC47nxZvqMO2_Xb9sqnVo14CgCJtFVn5VtWI11LDzaap__0AHH1CQw_1mnAqnHTo1CZXByzoYlK0VcShrNcCxmC2y17/s640/The_Wizard_of_Oz_Judy_Garland_Terry_1939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="485" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw6pfX7J-4m47_IJlHeunsbCPGbVWR1sdmdmG5NX5c7ZQRM1javZC47nxZvqMO2_Xb9sqnVo14CgCJtFVn5VtWI11LDzaap__0AHH1CQw_1mnAqnHTo1CZXByzoYlK0VcShrNcCxmC2y17/s0/The_Wizard_of_Oz_Judy_Garland_Terry_1939.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>No doubt you are familiar with the popular old movie The Wizard of Oz. A movie filled with so much information, insight and truth. </p><p>Do you remember how Dorothy was able to return home? She had to quiet herself. She closed her eyes, clicked her heels together three times (meditation + faith) and focused on what she wanted. Next thing she knew, she woke up at home in her bed in Kansas. </p><p>She had to get herself out of her head and into her heart. She had to have faith and confidence and trust in the guidance she was being given. This is how you learn to connect with your loved ones on the other side until it's time for you too to cross over back into our Heavenly Home. </p><p>Quiet yours. Close your eyes. Believe in the power of your intention. Ask for what you want. Believe. </p><p>It will come. </p>Kate McGahanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03932640276157578416noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624736412200316675.post-55558498154258299552020-05-20T15:21:00.000-07:002020-05-20T15:21:00.782-07:00Life Is A Highway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJUYYd9HD3hpdFEGGjUqNW6fnrjAYqChHtPeopXbqrljnUYa_Tg22WKlJpPxUry4LSVZPGQexP-glsIIlwlN70b34AWRVpbXR0WS0fMII2XUeASigKgoRJnBSrOe8iYZ5p1a7A7zCTSxH0/s1600/country-893231_960_720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="960" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJUYYd9HD3hpdFEGGjUqNW6fnrjAYqChHtPeopXbqrljnUYa_Tg22WKlJpPxUry4LSVZPGQexP-glsIIlwlN70b34AWRVpbXR0WS0fMII2XUeASigKgoRJnBSrOe8iYZ5p1a7A7zCTSxH0/s400/country-893231_960_720.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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"...Our Master can see it all. If you drive down a long curvy road, you don't see the twists and turns until you are on top of them. But when you see things from a higher perspective you can see the whole road and the twists and the turns and the beginning and the end. In Heaven we can see where you are in relation to where you're going and we can make things happen at the intersections of life. We can create the right time and the right place and we can already see how it all ends. We can see the whole story of your life while you live it in little bits and pieces..." </div>
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"Jack McAfghan: Return from Rainbow Bridge"</div>
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https://amzn.to/3cPKCAl</div>
Kate McGahanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03932640276157578416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624736412200316675.post-12001984463044495552020-05-17T11:51:00.000-07:002020-05-17T12:04:31.984-07:00How To Help Others in Their Grief<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIGSwj-q6x3BW34CB0Is4IW0sFMr0musu1KOTkk-lt2T1wwdvJJ4apa0cxmJdFgpvXtFn02jb0AgCmnCQyM7HNmOXR-4e3mEAmQWI8ulTEHTk-YFo40tVwSU5EXFLb5v_qJxJ1hHbOKfxc/s1600/girl-447701_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="859" data-original-width="1280" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIGSwj-q6x3BW34CB0Is4IW0sFMr0musu1KOTkk-lt2T1wwdvJJ4apa0cxmJdFgpvXtFn02jb0AgCmnCQyM7HNmOXR-4e3mEAmQWI8ulTEHTk-YFo40tVwSU5EXFLb5v_qJxJ1hHbOKfxc/s400/girl-447701_1280.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">How do we help others in their grief? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Give the gift of understanding. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Don't offer advice. Don't tell them what to do. Just be fully present with them. Just like we taught you to be. Don't tell them how they should be feeling or how to "behave." Just give them permission to feel whatever they need to feel and to express it. All feelings are accepted and appropriate. Validate them. Reassure them that their grief will not last forever even though it feels like it will. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Tell them, "You're not crazy at all, it's the grief." </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Grief is a temporary state. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You're going to be okay once you work through this." </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Let them know you're there for them </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and say your prayers for them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This too shall pass...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp5BQuupSP_jFxfwE2Ah4OGpyQuvnYbgUNhbdo6sx_JNycfBsl6V3sD4b0yuCtkhJCBiYKsygj4QpspJHGVsmKsu1fMrj3ZlSiw5cZgDlnUkKVI1-BxkzbWmHCr3u7v_pwxwZ8M4Yq0Xe0/s1600/woman-1958723_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="772" data-original-width="1280" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp5BQuupSP_jFxfwE2Ah4OGpyQuvnYbgUNhbdo6sx_JNycfBsl6V3sD4b0yuCtkhJCBiYKsygj4QpspJHGVsmKsu1fMrj3ZlSiw5cZgDlnUkKVI1-BxkzbWmHCr3u7v_pwxwZ8M4Yq0Xe0/s400/woman-1958723_1280.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Kate McGahanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03932640276157578416noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624736412200316675.post-32662454663034214562020-02-18T07:50:00.001-08:002020-02-18T07:51:34.159-08:00The Spirit that Moves Us to Love Again<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">It's okay to get another pet if the spirit moves you. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">Don't you know, I am the spirit that moves you?</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OfIoRfzqLxA/VcfR-bF93eI/AAAAAAAADf8/0sx-wzOhLKg/s1600/11811307_839850959441775_3523565917323355910_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OfIoRfzqLxA/VcfR-bF93eI/AAAAAAAADf8/0sx-wzOhLKg/s320/11811307_839850959441775_3523565917323355910_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"><br /></span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px;">You can't replace me, but you can bring in a new kind of love. You've had her now for almost three months. You see her healing. You feel yourself healing too. It has taken this long for you to trust each other. She no longer runs from you. She comes to you seeking love. You are healed enough now, to give her everything and more. But I know. I know you still love me. I still see you cry when you don't think you have everything, but you do. You do have everything.</span></span>Kate McGahanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18412809880279901783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624736412200316675.post-26122252436788758452019-10-05T09:47:00.004-07:002019-10-05T09:48:47.171-07:00CRUZ: One Month in Heaven: Learn the Secret to "Mom's" Healing! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLYZElq6okDFs__h-698wWR1kO-4P4i4dXJYhwOMAh_xu9zzW0pRVMwPWMdM8dZMeRGXxwGo8BeiwsjMlxWOzGDT9_Kkj8Of0PT928ZYBfAPnoR1edLrXxlwAsdZUGyqvqXDi0qDoqKQOD/s1600/72219495_10216720338254118_8365223779973988352_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="860" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLYZElq6okDFs__h-698wWR1kO-4P4i4dXJYhwOMAh_xu9zzW0pRVMwPWMdM8dZMeRGXxwGo8BeiwsjMlxWOzGDT9_Kkj8Of0PT928ZYBfAPnoR1edLrXxlwAsdZUGyqvqXDi0qDoqKQOD/s400/72219495_10216720338254118_8365223779973988352_n.jpg" width="357" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">Today is one month since my baby Cruz was lifted up. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">I wanted to share here because a little over 3 years ago my baby Timmy was lifted up and one month after that I was in a different place. I was in pain, never thought of getting another pet and just sad all of the time. Completely heart broken. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">Then I read Jack's books. I cried as I read the book because I felt Timmy was telling me the story whi</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">ch led to me smiling with tears in my eyes. I started to see signs of Timmy and I Knew he was always with me. Now here I am today. I have read all of the Jack McAfghan books and I know Love Never Dies. I have seen cardinals, butterflies, seen Cruz in my dreams. I have felt her with me, rub my leg as I walked into another room. I even see her sister Beckham look up to the ceiling and I say out loud to Beckham do you see Cruz? Knowing she does. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">I have even seen Beckham laying on the couch then she darts upstairs like she is chasing after Cruz like they always did while playing. </span></span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">I wanted to share here for those who haven't read Jack's books. Please do. I know how you feel and I know your babies want you to heal too. I will forever love Cruz and miss holding her, (she Always wanted to snuggle and gave the best hugs<span class="_5mfr" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0px 1px;"><span class="_6qdm" style="background-image: url("https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/tdd/1/16/1f63b.png?_nc_eui2=AeHiYSI5mle_pBjGysVglqnTeOUHZ4263YS2vpPvU8dUjZOwd-wZPFHDHgIoOp9GfTllT5QvkfKic5_fOndAvCr7ykoab_NaNW9RV9nbzH80EQ"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: contain; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; height: 16px; text-shadow: none; vertical-align: text-bottom; width: 16px;">😻</span></span><span class="_5mfr" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0px 1px;"><span class="_6qdm" style="background-image: url("https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/tde/1/16/1f43e.png?_nc_eui2=AeGca7xyM_5VyKHK-gmeAOXoHUT0r9VK_eKsbKM1Jz6sZYjVkCkXr6MwR9mjShUpXnapkhgkZmvOuWXKYhzluq9ZO6RhuK9eDii7-BBb-KOSuA"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: contain; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; height: 16px; text-shadow: none; vertical-align: text-bottom; width: 16px;">🐾</span></span>) but thanks to <a data-hovercard-prefer-more-content-show="1" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=1067605009&extragetparams=%7B%22__tn__%22%3A%22%2CdK%2AF-R%22%2C%22eid%22%3A%22ARBgFmHYWQjIEhBgPl8wxlzJhDjnJvs634BWFAhpSQ_kKqWz1rH7AxSH9TCuPAgNpKA4MGuzqz-Vc8Pw%22%2C%22directed_target_id%22%3A684654934994800%2C%22groups_location%22%3Anull%2C%22fref%22%3A%22gs%22%2C%22dti%22%3A684654934994800%2C%22hc_location%22%3A%22group_dialog%22%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/KateMcGahanAuthor?fref=gs&__tn__=%2CdK%2AF-R&eid=ARBgFmHYWQjIEhBgPl8wxlzJhDjnJvs634BWFAhpSQ_kKqWz1rH7AxSH9TCuPAgNpKA4MGuzqz-Vc8Pw&dti=684654934994800&hc_location=group_dialog" style="cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">Kate McGahan</a> and Jack for sharing their story I Know Love Never Dies and l know Timmy and Cruz are Always with me. Please just read the books. You and your babies will be so glad you did. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8nCXqRCOt6zRiCHPv3yiCIOuem_PChOJwHUdHRpD3GRJ33FJkqO6-2q_Oz48CeiVviYL0BvZj0f7Dz2XvSJjR-KzM5stWrcSwFmyafyLxzvMhedYE06J-eCT6mcOBsOMVM8Gjg5Y4IH7K/s1600/BooksInOrder1-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="337" data-original-width="851" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8nCXqRCOt6zRiCHPv3yiCIOuem_PChOJwHUdHRpD3GRJ33FJkqO6-2q_Oz48CeiVviYL0BvZj0f7Dz2XvSJjR-KzM5stWrcSwFmyafyLxzvMhedYE06J-eCT6mcOBsOMVM8Gjg5Y4IH7K/s640/BooksInOrder1-5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3350sBZ" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; font-size: small;">Find Jack's Books HERE</span></a></td></tr>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; display: inline; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span class="_5mfr" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0px 1px;"><span class="_6qdm" style="background-image: url("https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/tde/1/16/1f43e.png?_nc_eui2=AeGca7xyM_5VyKHK-gmeAOXoHUT0r9VK_eKsbKM1Jz6sZYjVkCkXr6MwR9mjShUpXnapkhgkZmvOuWXKYhzluq9ZO6RhuK9eDii7-BBb-KOSuA"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: contain; color: transparent; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; height: 16px; text-shadow: none; vertical-align: text-bottom; width: 16px;"><br /></span></span></span>Kate McGahanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03932640276157578416noreply@blogger.com0