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Laura Thieme

Bizresearch President – 10 years - 2007

Fisher College of Business Lecturer on Search Marketing

OSU Russian Studies Grad – 1993

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2nd February 2008

Misha & Monroe Coping with Max’s Death

I fretted for months about how Misha would cope with Max’s death.  I knew that I would have a vet come here.  I knew I would have Max cremated and keep his ashes.  But what I worried about were my other animals and how they would handle Max’s death, especially knowing I was doing this at home.  What’s interesting is that Misha and Monroe crowded around Max in his last 24 hours, despite the fact that Max was feeling relatively well the last few days before he died.  Well, at least, to the best of my knowledge he was okay.  He was not eating much, but he was active, social, and in search of comfort all the time.  His search for comfort told me Max was in pain most of the time.  But he usually greeted me at the door regardless of how he felt, 90% of the time. 

I told Misha that his brother would go away in the near future.  Misha always looks like he knows exactly what I’m saying.  I didn’t think Monroe would be too affected, but I was concerned about him being in the same room with Max when his life passed into the spiritual world.  Yet, it was clear yesterday that Monroe and Misha wanted to be with Max in his final hour.  They came up to my room and stayed near Max.  So I decided that it was meant to be - that they should be present when the vet came and transitioned Max into the next world.

So how have they reacted?  Monroe was the sweetest - he said goodbye in the sweetest way.  I blogged about this yesterday, if you see the “he’s gone” entry.  Oddly, last night Monroe did not sleep at all.  He kept me up for a good part of the night, and then I began to cry again. 

But Misha today - seems remiss.  I wonder if my crying combined with having seen Max yesterday afterwards, has affected Misha.  I have a picture posted of Max in my room, and would you believe that Misha has stayed in my room all day, with his body pointed in the direction of the photo nearby?  Coincidence, I’m sure.  But Misha seems very sad today. 

The dogs have adjusted - well Lucky never needed to adjust - but Cody said her goodbye as well yesterday.  Today she seems to be pretty good. 

Tomorrow, at 11 a.m., I go to Schoedinger to have Max cremated.  They will let me witness him being cremated so I can ensure his body is treated with respect.  Apparently some funeral homes will combine animals and you only get “community” ashes.  Dreadful, eh?  But Schoedinger cremates one pet at a time, and enables you to witness everything if so desired, and feel safe that your precious pet is being treated with the utmost respect. 

Since Max and Misha have both been very Catholic cats and have inspired and taught me many spiritual messages, which I plan to blog about this weekend, I believe that Max will pass into the spiritual world.

I believe wholeheartedly in St. Francis, thanks to Max, and know that his spirit will pass on to help others.  I wanted his spirit to release in my room where we all sleep.  As I’m writing this and researching animal spirits, Misha just woke up and smelled something.  He lifted his head.  I just smelled it too.  I am overwhelmed with emotion.  Just when it seems my body is incapable of crying more, the dams open up and sobbing deep within occurs.

Yesterday a woman talked with me on the phone and mentioned a snow leopard.  Today, my shiatsu practitioner, during a shiatsu session worked on me and mentioned a snow leopard.  I was struck at how odd it was that two women in 24 hours would mention an animal to me that is rarely referenced by anyone.  I had planned to blog this weekend about how I feel a loss of my Messenger, as Max was truly a Messenger of St. Francis.  You have to read the animal totem below about the snow leopard.  I genuinely feel that Max in his spiritual world will lead me to a message.

I have talked a lot recently about feeling like my home was out of balance as three of my older animals have been sick for the past year and a half.  The snow leopard reference in the past 24 hours is quite interesting now that I am learning more.  See notes below.

Here are some online resources on the topic of animals passing on, and reaching into the spiritual world.

Mediums & Pets Who’ve Died

About.com’s Discussion of Religious Quotes On Animals, Dying and Spirits

A Great Cat Ghost Story That Will Surely Give You Goosebumps

Snow Leopards - Animal Totem Dedication to A Sign Sent to Me Today

More on Snow Leopards - the Soul That Moves Effortlessly Between the Physical & Spiritual World

Snow Leopards by Peter Mathiessen

NYT Book Review on Samsara Dog & Reference to Snow Leopard

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