| A Time for Faith by Marilyn Tokach First of a three-part series I wasn't always an animal communicator. Or was I? I have always loved animals and cared very much about their comfort. My understanding of how animals should be cared for and treated has evolved over the years. When I was growing up, we had family dogs that lived outside. In college, I had aquariums filled with fish and reptiles. We learn about animals from our family and from society. If we listen, we can learn from the animals themselves. When I first met Gretta, she scared the bejeebers out of me. I didn't see her when I first let myself into the back gate to my parent's house. Gretta waited until I was fully in the gate with it secured behind me before she stood up and barked deeply and confidently. My heart skipped a beat as I almost jumped out of my skin! She was bigger than any 3-year-old German Shepherd Dog that I'd ever seen -- two inches over breed standard with a broad chest, dark muzzle and huge feet -- quite an imposing figure. After the initial panic, I slowly got the courage to introduce myself and tell her that I was her new person. After accepting a management position in New Mexico that would require extended travel, I told my parents I wanted to get a German Shepherd puppy for companionship and protection. My father acquired Gretta for me. Her people had to surrender her because they were being transferred to Hawaii and couldn't bear putting Gretta in the required six-month quarantine. Interesting how it all fell together; divine intervention, one might say. I hadn't expected her to be in the backyard. I thought it odd that she didn't bark until I was inside the gate. Most dogs would've barked their warning in advance. Perhaps she was just saying, "hello." Gretta was the constant in my life. We lived in six states in a five-year period, and aside from moving, we traveled extensively. Adaptable, unwavering, gentle -- that was Gretta. Together we learned obedience and other dog sports. We hiked the mountains on weekends. I took her with me everywhere, gave her the best care and all the love my heart could give. She taught me the responsibility of living with a dog, she taught me patience, she taught me humility; she showed me unconditional love. For ten years Gretta and I were best friends. She passed away on New Years Eve day 1998. I cried for six months every time I thought about her. I swore I'd never get another dog. I'm a levelheaded person, so I dismissed the times I thought I heard her collar jingling after she passed. I couldn't have possibly seen her out of the corner of my eye when I came home. Or could I? I think it's fair to say she "haunted" me -- in a good way. Though my mind reached for that word initially, to my delight I would soon realize the dialogue could actually work both ways, not just one way. With the revelation would come a shift that changed my entire life. One morning, I heard an animal communicator on a local morning radio show. I was skeptical. VERY SKEPTICAL. This woman not only talked to animals, but also claimed she could talk to those that have died. Was it possible? I doubted it, but I wrote down the number anyway. I was still skeptical even through my first three consultations with Jane. She said Gretta would come back to me. Don't look for her, she would find me. We all want our animals to come back to us. We are so attached to them. Who wouldn't be? They give us unconditional love -- and for some of us it's the only love we let ourselves truly experience. Looking back, I see that one of Gretta's many gifts came after she died. Had I not loved her so much, I might not have called an animal communicator from a radio morning show. Her death opened my heart and mind to new possibilities that I did not consider before she passed away. As Gretta's student, I opened my heart and mind to the possibilities of a life lived through a deeper connection to Spirit. I learned to interpret animal's needs and desires through heightened indicators of my physical senses and intuition. Today, I am a professional animal communicator. I am able to communicate with animals and guide people and their companion animals through behavior disputes, spiritual inquiries, and direct communication with their pets. Now, as a teacher, I help people strengthen their own intuitive abilities through expanded communication with their pets. I've also come to understand -- or perhaps my Spirit has come to remember -- that we all have a purpose when we come into this life -- and for animals it is no different. Sometimes they come to assist us or teach us. Sometimes they come with their own lessons and things to work through. Often it is a unique combination of both. It is possible that all the lessons are completed in one lifetime and it is not necessary for the animal to come back to us. If this is the case, we should take comfort in knowing that we have graduated beyond another life lesson. Perhaps the lesson is in the grieving for the passing of a dear friend. For six months after Gretta died, I swore I would not get another dog. After another few months I decide another dog might be OK, but not another German Shepherd. And yet, Gretta would return to me. Next month: The journey continues. Marilyn Tokach is an Animal Communicator, trainer and behaviorist and a certified energy practitioner. She will be teaching animal communication classes in Kansas City and at several locations in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Marilyn is available for phone consultations and private training lessons. For more information e-mail marilyn@Pure-Spirit.com or phone at (952) 226-2622. Copyright © 2004 Marilyn Tokach |
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JUNE 2004 |
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