In Memoriam - Flora

It is with extreme sadness that I write to tell her loved ones of dear Flora's passing, in the early hours of this morning, after a short illness.

It was in July of 2010 I heard of Flora's plight from local veterinarian, Dr. Carrie Corvin, who called to recount the story of an old lady feline who found herself left to cope alone after her beloved family had moved away.

It turned out that Flora was actually much loved and her human companion, Peter, was forced to leave her behind as he had to move away after foreclosure of his property left him with no ready options. Flora had often spent time with the small feral community that Peter helped feed, and so after his departure she simply moved in to live with them.

Two kind ladies continued feeding the community and when they noticed one day that the old lady with them was clearly looking unwell, they contacted mobile veterinarian Dr. Carrie to see what could be done. After a trip to the veterinarian, followed by a short stay in foster care, where she did not do very well, Flora came to BrightHaven to see if we could help her back to better health.

Happily, our dear Dr. Pat Bradley stepped forward to be her veterinarian and Flora soon began to flourish again. She settled down well and gradually her health improved, although apparently her temper did not, as expressed in her dealings with our other family members, who were quite perplexed when confronted by a hissing, puffed up Flora!! Happily though, Flo adored her new BrightHaven raw meat-based diet and waited eagerly for each and every meal—such a delight to see.

Flora soon was able to sample the wonders of Animal Reiki energy healing at seminars given by the delightful Kathleen Prasad of Animal Reiki Source, and it was then that we saw her blossom beautifully to become a sweet, gentle and receptive BrightHaven ambassador. Flora adored all manner of energy healing and would lie happily in a lap, or roll over contentedly on her chair to feel that divine energy coursing through her body.

Flora's journey to the other side started very slowly, and at first we were only aware that she was just not quite as hungry as she usually was…..actually that was not a bad thing as she really loved her food and often ate just a little too much for a lady of her size and stature!! Over a one week or so period her appetite gradually lessened, until I realized something was just not right.

Flo was still waddling to the food prep room to request an early—bird serving, but then her appetite would vanish after a few bites. Pat prescribed and we saw a little flicker, but not much change. We ran a blood panel and that revealed nothing amiss. A little digestive upset perhaps?

That night, and shortly before 1am Richard awoke suddenly with the "knowing" that he should go check on Flora. He found her en route to the bedroom to seek me and called quickly. I rushed back from my vigil next door over my mother, in hospice care here with us and together, Richard and I sat with dear Flora for the very short time she had left with us.

She died very easily and perhaps that was in part, due to the extraordinary atmosphere of peace and healing created at our previous weekend's Reiki seminar—I am just happy her passing was easy for her, albeit a great shock for us all as we are left to wonder why and what if...and then try to let go of all those human feelings that arise when one loses another so quickly.

Dear, sweet Flora—we wish you well in your travels and are left to wonder if maybe your mission here was complete and it simply became time for your next life's adventure.

Unexpected travel plans are
dancing lessons from God.

-Meher Baba.

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