You may be familiar with the idea that our animals choose to be with us.
I believe this is very true.
They choose us.
If I think about how each of our animals has come into our lives, there have been many different paths, some completely unplanned, but all worked out to be the best happenstance imaginable.
For me, it started when my grandfather found a puppy who had wondered into our backyard and gave it to my brother and myself (much to my parents’ initial dismay…) Dodger was our first dog who took me on this life-long “dog loving” journey.
In my 20s, a kitten walked up to a group of us when walking in a neighborhood near the woods in New Hampshire. I was the only one who had the ability to take him in (I was renting a cottage on a horse farm property in Westchester County New York) and that is how I got my beloved kitten Musashi. We had many adventures together including Musashi going to graduate school with me in Seattle.
After getting married, our first two dogs were supposed to go to “other people”, however the two different people that were responsible for each dog decided that Bruce and I should have each dog instead.
In one case, our dog Petey was actually placed with 2 prior families. Each family returned Petey to his foster care home because they both said that he just looked "sad" once he was at their home. His foster home was also our doggie daycare place, and I kept asking about Petey each time he was placed. I wasn't consciously looking to add another dog, but I was always so interested in what was happening with him. On his final return, Petey made it VERY CLEAR to everyone that he wanted to go home with us, so there was really no turning back on that. And we were thrilled about the idea of adding him to our family.
And the list of serendipitous events goes on with each animal afterwards as well…
Take a moment and think about how each of your animals has come into your life over time.
You may find some interesting happenstances around how everything fell into place.
I totally suggest writing down notes about it somewhere. Because over time, you may remember more and more details about how it happened, and they may all point to some incredible "coincidences".
Now the next question, is Why?
Why is that animal in your life?
Whether your animal chose you, or you chose your animal… Why did that animal come into your life at that particular time?
Each animal has a myriad of gifts to give us. …and I believe there are no accidents regarding this.
Take a moment and think about, and/or write down, maybe how each animal helped you learn something. (and most likely that animal taught you something about yourself.)
Maybe they taught you how to have fun and play!
Or encouraged you to exercise and get out when you really would rather skip the walk and just sit on the couch or sit at your desk.
Or maybe they taught you how to stand up to or endure a very difficult situation.
Check out these books on the topic
There are a couple of books which present this idea in a more structured and in-depth way to help uncover these possibilities.
One book is “Animal Lessons – Discovering Your Spiritual Connection with Animals” by Danielle MacKinnon. https://www.daniellemackinnon.com/animal-lessons/
Another is “My Animal, My Self: A Breakthrough Way to Understand How You and Your Animal Reflect Each Other” by Marta Williams. https://www.martawilliams.com
Both of these amazing women are professional animal communicators (people who telepathically have back and forth conversations with animals). However, you don’t need that skill to utilize these books. You might consider picking up one of these books if you are curious about this idea.
Each story is unique
There are endless possibilities as to why our animals are in our lives, but I believe it is worth considering and honoring. I am very confident that each animal we encounter comes into our life for a definite purpose.
When we stop and consider “the why”, our lives are much enhanced and our hearts will continue to open to how amazing their and our lives are intertwined on this journey together.
xox, Gina
written by,
Gina Anderson...
founder of Good Paws Bakery and Gifts, LOVEs to make dogs and their people HAPPY! Prior to starting Good Paws, she was a human factors engineer making software easier for people to use. She is a fine artist, loves metaphysical studies as well as learning all things dog. She also enjoys helping people understand things from a dog’s perspective. Connect with Gina on Linked In