A Peaceful Passing

Animal Story, Blog, Wolves | December 18, 2009

 The chance to die peacefully, in our own time, is not granted to every being.

Stardance stayed with us for five days, lying quietly on the living room floor, moving only to reach water. She seemed at peace. Every now and then she would look up, fully alert and intelligent, then sink back down to rest position. We offered her food, treats, homemade chicken soup. She would take some a few laps of the soup but actively sought the water, drinking with some vigor. It reminded me of a story I read of an old grandfather in Appalachia who one day decided he was ready to die. He lay in his bed attended by his loving family, refusing all food, drinking only water, as he slowly, peacefully, slipped away. Most of the time she did not seem to be with us but every now and then, right to the end, she would look up, eyes bright with intelligence.

The evening of the fifth day I caressed her and lay down next to her to sleep. She had still had those moments of alertness all day. I awoke four hours later to find she had left her body, probably just after I had fallen asleep. She had been such a strong presence in our living room, it somehow did not feel right to bury her immediately, as if part of her had not yet gone. We honored her body and buried her the next day in our graveyard, where all the Earthfire animals are buried. Whatever one makes of it, to all appearances her face looked as if she were laughing for joy.

While I personally am on the conservative side on these things, I know there is more going on than I understand, so I consulted with Penelope Smith, the founder of the interspecies communication movement. She has dealt with thousands of animal passings. She wrote “Stardance went peacefully. She is grateful for the expansion of her passage allowed by the natural death. She tells me that she spent two days before her departure with the Great Wolf Council, going over her life and all the wisdom she encompassed. When it was her time to go she was embraced by the Elder Spirits and went in grace, peace and light.”

For those to whom it may bring peace, she has written a book called Animals in Spirit, Our faithful companions’ transition to the afterlife.

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