Helping our animals cross over

I get to work with a lot of animals that are severely ill or dying, and their humans are often in a position of having to make a choice: whether or not to help the animal cross over, or let them pass on their own time with palliative care, or pursue more invasive options for treatment. There is no one-size-fits-all answer: it's going to be very individual what's right for the individual situation. But I want to share my experience in talking to animals who are in this situation.

They are usually extremely understanding about the decisions you make and the reasons you make them. Remember, they are very in-tune with you and your thoughts, and they often know more of what's going on than you think. They are not mad at you for your choices. In animal communication sessions they show that they understand you're doing your best to help them.

In a lot of cases, that means helping them cross over through euthanasia. In other cases, the animal is on board with trying out different treatment options. Others feel like they have a lot of energy left to give. Again, it's very individual and I can't speak for all animals just through this one post. But should you decide to help them cross over through euthanasia, know that they understand their circumstances (being in pain or too ill, their quality of life being severely lowered etc). There is often a lot of gratitude for the difficult choice to help them cross over through euthanasia.


Animals are not afraid to die. They have a much bigger understanding of life/death/afterlife than we do (often already being aware of spirits on the other side). They might worry about you and how you'll do when they're gone. Or they might get unsettled or worried due to the strong emotions you are going through around all of this. They might worry because you are worried, but not because they're worried about death in and of itself. They're not mad at you. Towards the end of a sick animal's life, they might change their behavior, and sometimes we take that to mean they're mad at us, but that's usually not the case. They might be feeling so ill they can't interact in their normal loving way. I have never talked to an animal that was mad at their human companions for how they passed.


We often worry about the timing of our animal companion's death. Is it too early? Are they ready? Have I waited too long? Should I have helped them cross over sooner? Which day is best to schedule the euthanasia? In my experience there is no one second that is the exact right timing for their passing. It's more like a window of time: sometimes that window of time is months long, and anywhere within that window of time is an appropriate time.


One thing about euthanasia, is that you and the animal get to prepare in a conscious way for their passing. You can plan where you want it to be done (you can have a vet come to your home, so you don't have the stress of travel). You can plan meaningful activities and create a type of ceremony around it if that feels right.


If you are in the situation where your animal companion is close to passing, whether with help or on their own time, here are some things you can do to make it the best experience possible for everyone involved:


💛Be present with them
💛Talk out loud to them (they will understand the gist of what you're saying)
💛Tell them what's going on and why
💛Tell them how much you love them and appreciate them
💛Reminisce out loud about all the good times you've had together
💛Try to keep the energy uplifted and loving and calm (again, think about the wonderful things you've gotten to do together, and the wonderful things they'll get to do on the other side). It's also 100% OK if you're doing this all through tears and heartbreak.
💛Do their fave activities with them if possible
💛Give them their favorite treats and junk foods
💛Bring them to their favorite spot (if it can be done in way where they're still comfortable)


Think of this as an opportunity to help them have a little more joy and a little more ease before they go. And know that they hear and understand what you're trying to tell them.


A question I get alot is "Do they know how much I love them?" And the answer to that is always 100% of course they do. You do not need an animal communicator to tell them that for you. They know.


Sending lots of love to those who are going through this with their own animal companions

Thea