Sandra Larson’s Blog

Please read about the important job little dog Daisy lovingly provides for Jeanette in this heartwarming story about a woman whose left behind when her fiancé is deployed to Iraq. Notice the mysterious way Daisy arrives just when Jeanette needs her most. Then, notice the mystical way and timing of her departure. Sandra

My Army Angel from God
By: Jeanette Pape

Daisy came into my life a little over three years ago when I worked at a pet clinic in Dallas. One day, a lady called in and said she needed to bring in her neighbor’s two dogs to get vaccinated. So, I made the appointment for her. She came in and filled out all the required paperwork while I handled the dogs. After this, she said she needed to go get her purse out of the car. I told her it was not a problem and that when she came back, we would have the dogs waiting for the Veterinarian Doctor in the exam room. She left….5, 10 and then 15 minutes passed. However, she didn’t return. The staff called the numbers she gave us as I went to the parking lot to see if I could find her. But she was gone and all the numbers she had given us ended up being false. So we bought both dogs to the back kennel.

I tried calling adoption places about the dogs, but they were all full. Because we weren’t having much luck helping them, our Vet decided he would have to ask the Pound to pick them up. The next day was my day off from the clinic. When I returned, our Vet had put one of the dogs to sleep for reasons I have never understood. With this little female dog left alone, I knew I had to do something. There was something very special about her. She had the sweetest little pink strip down her nose that just broke my heart. I had talked to my fiancé, who was my boyfriend at the time, about taking her home with me. I decided to leave the clinic and the day after I resigned, he and I went there to bring her home with us. I felt an undeniable connection to her. I knew I could never forgive myself for leaving her there in that concrete box knowing what could possibly happen to her.

Bringing her home was a new experience for me since I’d never had a dog before. (She actually lived with my fiancé mom until he left for Army Basic Training in July.) So life began with Daisy. As a cat person, no one would have guessed I’d have a dog in my life. As time passed, I began to love this creature in a way I never could have imagined. Since Todd was gone, she and I began to have a strong, amazing bond. She had always been Daddy’s girl. However, when he was gone for training, she and I begin to have a loving understanding respect for one another I never thought possible with a dog. A year after Todd’s return from Basic Training, he received word that he would be deployed to Iraq. This was news I never thought I would have to deal with since Todd is in the National Guard. Learning he would be gone for 15 months was difficult, but because I had Daisy, it was comforting to know I wouldn’t be alone. So June came around and Todd had to leave. Daisy and I began our new journey together with Daddy in Iraq.

My mom was very helpful with Daisy and a great comfort during this time of deployment. We had a wonderful routine. My mom would often come by the house to check on Daisy and on other days she spent time at play camp. Every morning and night, Daisy and I would go outside. She even started to learn which days she went to camp and the days Grandma would come by to check on her. I loved coming home everyday to her smiling face. She was always happy to see me, and I felt her unconditional love. I loved making her pounce around doing her little “hi-ho-silver” move, snuggling with her on the couch and making her do her “Daisy look” when ever I would talk to her. With Todd being out of the country, having her around always made me feel safe. She was my protector. She would always stare out the patio window and watch to see who was coming up the way. I started letting her sleep in the bed with me. Todd had always been very strict about making her stay on the floor. I guess I decided to bend the rules. So, every night Daisy would hop up and sleep on Todd’s side of the bed. I always said she was keeping his spot warm until he got home.

Almost a year passed when Todd finally got to come back home in May for his R&R. I was so excited to have him home. I knew Daisy would be too, but I was almost a little nervous that she wouldn’t remember him. When he came back from Basic Training, it actually took her sometime to warm back up to him. So, I thought she may do it again since he was gone even longer this time. Well, I was wrong. The instant Todd was home, she jumped up to give him kisses all over his face. This was very out of character for her. She was so happy to be with her Daddy. So with her Dad home, I became second fiddle. But this was fine with me because they needed their time together. They were adorable.

When the day came for him to return to Iraq, Todd put on his ACU’s and got Daisy’s leash to get ready to take her to camp. As we walked to the car, I walked behind them. As I watched them walk together, I decided to take a picture of that moment. When we got to PetSmart, I began to cry. I knew I was sad about Todd saying good-bye to his daughter, but there was a little voice in my head. I ignored it until last Saturday when I started putting all the puzzle pieces together. I had a voice telling me that this was going to be the last time Todd saw Daisy. It wasn’t a feeling that this was the last time he would see her until he got back, but rather this would be his last time seeing her period. And the sad thing is I knew he didn’t know. However, I pushed the thought to the back of my mind.

Todd returned safely to Iraq. Daisy and I once again began our familiar routine. Now as time passed, I had my ups and downs. Living life with a deployed soldier is not easy by any means. My mind was constantly wondering about him and praying for his safety. I carried with me constant stress and worry. Sleeping was not as easy as it once had been, but having Daisy with me really helped out. As the deployment carried out, I have to confess, I had my bad days, but I always knew I had her with me. She was the one I came home to. I remember a day when I was really missing Todd and starting talking to Daisy. I asked her questions and she would turn her smiling head toward me like she understood what I was saying. I realized how lonely I was, but at the same time I also knew I had her with me. Whenever she was on my bed, I would stand at the foot of it and ask for a hug. She would always stand up in front of me, put her paws on my shoulders and bow her head so our foreheads would touch. We would stay like that for a couple of minutes just hugging. It was such a comfort to my heart. I began calling Daisy my “Army Angel”. I would look into those deep brown eyes and tell her that she was sent here to be with me during this time of my life. She was here to help me get through the deployment. She would just turn her head and smile.

Time went by and we were getting closer to the end of the deployment. The guys were getting ready to come home after nine months of being overseas. Last Tuesday night, we were all ecstatic when the guys landed on United States soil. We had made it through our long separation! Todd was on his way home. Wednesday morning our guys arrived in Texas! Wednesday was the first day I was free from the worry and stress that had been with me constantly over the past nine months. That night, Daisy was lying in the bed with me. I told her that her Daddy had arrived back in Texas and that in a couple of days he would be home with us!

Thursday arrived and we got up as usual. Today was going to be a little different. Mom was going to pick Daisy up around noon to take her to the groomers. We wanted her to be all pretty for Daddy when he got home. So I got ready for work, made my lunch and stood in the kitchen. I looked at Daisy as she just stood there looking at me. We shared a tender moment of staring into each other’s eyes. I don’t think I will ever forget that look. Then I put Daisy in her bed, gave her the cookie treats she liked so well and said, “I’ll see you later!”

Around noon my mom texted me to let me know she was on her way to pick Daisy up from my home. Then around 1:30 I got a phone call from PetSmart asking me where Daisy was. I immediately called my mom. When she didn’t answer the first time, I knew something was wrong. I called again and my mom said the words “Daisy is gone.” She had run away. She had made it to the grooming department, but had bolted out of her collar and then out of the store. What I have waited to mention until now is that on Monday night I had a vision or dream about this. It was as if someone was trying to tell me this was going to happen. I believe Daisy was trying to warn me. Everything that took place on Thursday also occurred in my dream. Although I know this may sound scary, for some reason, I had a feeling of peace in my dream. It was almost like she was telling me she would be okay, but that her time with me was up. When I heard my mom’s words about Daisy, it broke my heart and I became hysterical. I don’t think I have ever cried so hard. I found that I blamed myself for letting it happen. I immediately left work to go over to PetSmart because I had to look for her. As I got to the Pet Hotel, I noticed all of the employees were either making phone calls or else heading to their cars to help in the search. Many of them reached out to give me a hug. Some had already been driving around searching for her. One of the female employees actually clocked out and ended up driving around with me for about 3 hours. They all went way above and beyond their required duty to help. They said because we were family, they all had to do what they could to help. It was amazing and so appreciated.

As the hours passed, we drove around the neighborhood, but had no sightings of Daisy. We talked to everyone we saw, but with no luck. It was one of the most frustrating and helpless feelings I have ever had. I even had an Army wife friend come over to help, but still nothing. That night we had a huge thunderstorm.

Friday I went to work, but was in no state to be there so I left. Mom and I went driving around some more. Finally, we ended up going to the Pound. It was one of my most heartbreaking experiences. It was so difficult to be there, seeing all of those dogs with hope in their eyes. It actually hurt to be in there. From there, we went to the SPCA where I got the idea of holding a puppy. I never thought I could immediately love something so fast. It was unbelievable and so hard to put her down, but I had to because I had to keep thinking of Daisy.

Later, I spent some time with a friend who introduced me to her very intuitive Aunt. I told her about Daisy and my thoughts about everything. Because I sensed she would really listen, I honestly expressed to her my inner feelings also. I told her about my dream and the feelings I had when Todd was home. She told me what I needed to hear: Daisy was my angel. She said she was here to help me during this time in my life. I couldn’t believe it because that was what my heart had been telling me the whole time. I knew there was a reason why I called her my Army Angel.

On Saturday I called the Vet clinics, but with no luck. Mom came back over so we could go to the Pound again and drive around some more. The funny thing about all of this was that on both occasions of driving to the Pound, my heart was telling me that she would not be there, and of course, she wasn’t. Also, as we were driving, I had the feeling we were searching for something we couldn’t find. You see, in my vision Daisy ran and just vanished into thin air. That is how I felt when we were driving around, that we were looking for something that wasn’t there anymore. I felt that Daisy had moved on to something bigger and better, and that she was part of a higher power. It was not that she had died, and we would find her body, but that God had just taken her back to heaven. She was an Angel sent by God. Every time I thought about this, I would feel an absolute peace and calm that I couldn’t understand. I started to feel guilty for believing that, but this was what was in my heart. My head and heart were battling with each other. I got together with my girlfriends that evening and told them my experience and feelings. They absolutely agreed that God was working, and I needed to follow my heart. Daisy and God gave me the signs, and I was opened to listen to them both. That night I had a dream that a little kid came up to me and tugged at my shirt. He looked up at me and said, “Did you know that dog spelled backwards is God?” And that was it. It was so simple, but so comforting. One of my friends also had a dream about Daisy. She said that she was at a playground playing and having fun. She was okay. It was the affirmation I needed.

On Sunday, I finally started to have some peace. I think most of the grief had subsided, and I was really able to focus on the putting together the big puzzle. I finally told my mom everything that had been on my mind for the past couple days. She was comforted to hear this because she had been the one to bring Daisy to the groomers. She had been ‘beating herself up’ ever since Daisy had gone missing. After our conversation, she realized God does not have mistakes in his plan and I told her she was part of the plan for me. Daisy had found me and she knew when she needed to go. At least, I was lucky enough to have been warned. She may have gone to another family to help with a sick child, maybe she has gone to be with God, maybe she is out there still trotting around and she will show up at the doorstep in a couple of days or even weeks. I am not sure. I know I just need to be okay with what God decides. I know I am just incredibly blessed to have shared my life with her for some time.

If she does come back, I will know she was meant to be with me. I firmly believe that if you love something and let it go, it will come back. I have learned that lesson with my cat, Tucker. I experienced one miracle getting Tucker back, but I think just having Daisy in my life was a miracle in itself. There may not be a lot of people out there that will understand how I feel, but I know in my heart what she was for me. She was my angel and always will be. Even if she doesn’t come back, I know she will always be a part of my heart. I believe she completed her mission just as Todd completed his mission with the Army.

I have learned so much through this past weekend. I have definitely learned how many people are out there that care about me. I would have never thought people could pull together for a cause to help out as so many did. I know this little creature Daisy, had so many prayers coming to her and that is what made me feel she was okay. I also learned that there are still good people in the world. We live in a society that focuses so much on the negative, that we often forget there is good out there. People have often called to give me advice and others in the neighborhood said they would keep a lookout for her. It really has been amazing to realize how much people out there really do care.

This past year for me has been a huge year for self growth. I have learned so much about myself mentally, emotionally and especially spiritually. Daisy was here to make sure I would be okay. As this year has gone on, I have had so many wonderful people become a part of my life and Daisy was able to see that. My friend added a little more insight to the situation. She asked, “Have you ever noticed how Daisy would check us all out whenever we came over to your apartment. Once she realized we were okay people, she would then ‘love on’ all of us. She was making sure that you would be taken care of whenever she left the room. She said she wanted to make sure you would be okay. This way, Daisy knew you would be with all of us in your life.” She was absolutely right. When all this started, I never had anyone come over to my home, but by the end of this deployment, Daisy got to see all the great people that are in my life to give support and love. I don’t think I have ever realized how blessed I actually am. So as my prayers still go out to my Army Angel, I am getting ready to bring my soldier home tomorrow.

Regarding Love

The core of the CLARAC Approach is love. If you truly love animals, you’ll be able to communicate with them. In using the CLARAC Approach to animal communication, please spend time practicing this aspect more than any other. Love is the key to connecting with animals intuitively. Sometimes being loving is as natural as breathing in and out. Other times, it doesn’t feel so easy. Because of this, I would like to share with you some ideas of how to create that feeling of love with animals.

Notice

The first step to feeling love is to stop and take the time to notice the animal. If you enjoy writing, you can record what you notice in a journal. Scientists do this and call it observation. Often they are trained to keep their personal emotions and feelings out of this gathering of information. In animal communication, please feel free to do the exact opposite! You may start from this neutral place, but you do not need to stay emotionally detached from the animal you are observing. Really take the time to discover what is unique. Allow your mind to take in as many aspects of the animal as you possibly can. Relax and look without expectation. As I’m writing this, I’m observing birds on the sidewalk outside my window enjoying the birdseed I poured out for them to snack on. I smile and laugh as I notice the constant parade to and from the feast! So, to begin this process, you may want to watch birds or other animals outside your window. Or, perhaps you have an animal friend in your home. Nature is everywhere when we are open to seeing it. As you notice and observe, ask yourself some of these questions: Is the animal big or small and what color? What is age of this animal? Is the animal alone or with others? Do they seem to get along? If you are not physically with the animal, do this in your mind’s eye. Noticing will help you began to feel a connection with the animal.

Admire

Now that you’ve really noticed the animal, take the time to discover what characteristics you admire about the animal. What do you find appealing? Do you like the colorings? Do admire the big floppy ears? What about the disposition? Does this animal appear to be shy or outgoing? Take in the unique characteristics of this animal without judgment or criticism. Admire with a sense of wonder!

Appreciate

This admiration will usually grow into appreciation. When you appreciate, you begin to open yourself up to universal love. In this state of appreciation you become a clear receiving channel of the universe. Look at the animal and feel the smile form on your face. This appreciation begins to flood you with a sense of well-being. This is a wonderful way to release stress in your life. Once, I was standing waiting for my to-go order to be completed in a Chinese restaurant when I saw an aquarium filled with fish. I began to notice, admire and appreciate them. Knowing that it usually took about 15 minutes for my order to be completed at this restaurant, I allowed myself the luxury of connecting with these fish. I stood transfixed by them, loosing track of time and place. I can’t tell you what the fish said to me, I only know that when the waitress brought my food, I realized all the fish had come to the corner of the aquarium near me. I believe they were connecting with the love I was sending them. As soon as I stopped sending them love and focused on the waitress, the fish dispersed throughout the aquarium. I was amazed and filled with wonder.

Love

So now, you may easily move into the feeling of love. All love begins with appreciation. Love is not just a word. It is the feeling and an emotion that requires expression. Now find the love for the animal within you. It’s there! Give the animal your admiration. Let them know you appreciate, honor and respect them. Give them compliments. Tell them how much you love them. Often I say, “Hello Beautiful One. You are so lovely. I love you Sweetheart. I love you Lovely One!” Breathe in and out. Keep saying this or something like this until you really experience this feeling of love. The feeling of love will expand and grow in your heart. You may even feel sensations in your body. Love brings a feeling of peacefulness and well-being. Let this feeling of love saturate your body.

I remember, one time, I was trying to talk with a very shy kitten. She stood on a staircase step alone and appeared to be very frightened. This was a kitten that always ran and hid when people came to visit. My heart went out to her. I started to admire, appreciate and send her great love. This kitten, afraid of every one, except her human companion stood transfixed on the stairway, staring down at me. I continued to send her love. Finally, she could resist no longer. She raced down the steps toward me as if it pulled by a magnet! You’ll find true unconditional love is irresistible.

Continue to send the animal this feeling of love until you find you are ready to introduce yourself. Maintain this loving connection to the animal throughout the session. Approach the animal with honor and respect. Make a point of talking with the animal, not at the animal. Love is not a tool for manipulation. Remember, when we remove all the layers of who we are, the roles we think define us and the differences that divide us, what remains is love. And love, is the true essence of everything.

Before I knew without a shadow of a doubt I could actually receive messages from animals, I spent years loving them. I always found myself melting with love when I saw an animal. You are truly on the path to becoming an authentic, caring animal communicator if you allow yourself to love and be loved by the animals. The animals don’t speak the human language, but they do have a message for you and they’ve been sending these messages to you for a long time. Love is the common ground in this intuitive process. Go as fast or slow as you like, but allow love to guide you as you learn to speak and hear this intuitive language!

Written by Sandra Larson

One of the greatest jobs our animals do for us is to love us unconditionally. Here is a sweet short story of three dogs who are fully engaged in this Labor of Love. Since September is the Labor Day month, maybe with these wonderful roles models in mind we could change the name of this day to Labor of Love Day. Wouldn’t we all do our work differently if invested this much love into all we are called to do? Sandra

Hi Sandra,

Thought you would love this:

My partner of 29 years just lost her Dad. After a week away from home, she just came back from arranging the memorial service, and she had a melt down. Geri was upset that her Dad loved her unconditionally as no one else could. My heart was with her, and when she asked if I would love her unconditionally, my heart said yes. However, I could not respond since my head was calculating how that it is not possible since only parents and grandparents could truly love unconditionally; that I am human and therefore, prone to expect more than humanly expected. Well, in the matter of seconds (I am a fast thinker), I heard a cacophony of voices from our 3 dogs at our feet. Before I could respond, all three dogs were howling, talking (very clearly dog talking) or communicating in their own ways that she is loved unconditionally by each of them. I turned to Geri, and said I think you just got your answer. We both laughed and thanked our 4 legged children for their unconditional love.

Love,
Gloriana

All lessons are gifts, wanted, unwanted, desired or resisted, we choose. This has been a time of deep learning and acceptance for me, the greatest lesson has been one of Letting Go.

We want to hold close the things, people and expressions we love; we fear if we let go, we will be ‘less than’ we were before. This is a time of learning that as I let go, I receive even more, which if I had not risked finding out I would still be hanging onto the illusion that what I was grasping was real.

With each act of letting go, I am revealing more and more of what is True for me, what my soul most wants me to know, so this is true for me right now, and it is being received as a gift that will support me for the rest of my life.

Yes, I am saddened by my losses, and at the same time, I realize, I am not losing anything, but gaining: deep insights, closer connection to Oneness, understanding that I am a reflection of ‘What Is Now’, and that we are all eternal, and that there is no end, only expansion….

My beloved dog-friend Holly is leaving this earth plane today… She has lived a glorious 17 year life filled with adventure, joy and deep abiding love for her family and friends. As this time was approaching (deafness, lack of clear vision, loss of motor abilities, confusion, and dizziness), she has steadfastly maintained her status as “Goddess, Queen, Angel of the World” that I nicknamed her years ago. Holly has proudly attempted to keep her normal routines, but something has shifted. The Holly that I knew and loved was no longer present. Often times, I hold my head to hers and communicate with her in Theta state, and she sends me amazing messages.

Almost a year ago, she communicated to me that when she was ready to leave here, she wanted to spend eternity splashing in the waves of the ocean, her absolute favorite place to be. She spent hours gazing out to sea, as though longing to “go home’..

Just in the last couple of weeks, I have been witnessing the vitality and spark leave her body, and when I commune with her, I have been experiencing an increasing brilliant light that is her spirit. Last night I realized that once again, the problem with “Letting Go”, was all mine. My desire to hold close that which I loved was a selfish act, my fear of change, of ‘No More’….

I meditated deeply and visioned Holly’s pure Light and felt her unconditionally loving and sparkling spirit tell me that it was OK… She has not only accepted moving from this physical existence, she was merely waiting for me to accept and be ready to ‘Let her Go’… She showed me her brilliance and let me know, that she is not going anywhere, she will always be with me and stands beside my other guardian angels full of vitality, beauty and grace. She has been with me all this time, and is now offering me a final gift of her grace, and I am accepting and knowing.

My gratitude towards Holly and what she is showing me is absolute and forever. I thank her for her patience as I moved closer to this sacred space she has been holding for me. I honor her for all she has stoically sacrificed, with a deep and lasting Love that will remain in my heart forever. I thank her for giving me the gift of allowing and receiving. I thank her for showing me a way to connect with her every time I am at the ocean, or in my dreams.

Holly, you are a Goddess, Queen Angel of all worlds, and I will cherish my time with you here forever. Until we meet again, my sweet, I love you…..

Hello Animal Lovers,

Do you have questions about the animal companions who share your home and life? Would you like to improve your relationship and learn to understand them better? Good! I’ve loved, honored and appreciated animals all my life. As a professional animal communicator, this caring and concern as you know has led me into a profession where I can work as a liaison for animals and humans. This column is dedicated to helping humans to better understand their animal’s perspectives. I’ve been communicating with animals for a long time. They have been some of my most powerful and profound teachers. If you share your life with an animal, here is your opportunity to get some answers to your questions. Each month, I will share those animal questions and responses in this Question & Answer Column*.

Here are some typical questions I receive often as an animal communicator:

Q. Whenever my dog and I go for a walk, he lunges at other dogs. Why does he do this and how can I get him to stop this behavior?

A. To begin with, think about the messages you are sending when you are walking with your dog. Have you ever been frightened or attacked by an aggressive dog? In the past when I’ve asked this question, the individuals have often admitted that they were afraid of dogs because of a past encounter. The animals that live with us make it their business to understand us very well. If you have fears, your dog will pick up on that fear and do what he can to make you feel safe. On the other hand, if you exude confidence as you walk, he will feel like you have the situation in hand. He can therefore simply enjoy the walk and not worry about your fears. Now, this is not to say that you won’t need the assistance of a good dog trainer, but eventually know that your dog will mirror your fears or your feelings of confidence on a walk.

Q. Help! Suddenly, my cat is messing outside of his litter box. Is there anything I can do?

A. The first thing you need to explore is if your cat has a medical reason for not using the litter box. Nothing is a substitute for proper veterinarian care. In connecting with cats, I’ve discovered they are often very sensitive to their environment. Once you have eliminated a medical cause, ask yourself if there are any major or even minor changes to your cat’s environment, especially any involving the litter box. Have you changed the litter box, type of litter or moved it’s location? Have there been any major changes in the household including the addition of new animals or people? If your cat is not neutered, he may be spraying to mark his territory. Once you understand why he has not been using his litter box as usual, you can hopefully correct the upsetting problem. After you’ve fixed the problem ask him to please use the litter box properly. It’s also very helpful to send him visual pictures of your clear expectations.

Q. Every time someone walks by our house or comes to our home for a visit, our dog will not quit barking! How can we get her to stop barking and calm down?

A. Everyone, including animals, wants to feel like they contribute to the family unit. Often our animal companions will choose a job they can perform if they have not already been purposely assigned work by a family member. I’ve found dogs want to be appreciated for the job they are doing in the home. Just like children may tug on a parent until they are acknowledged, so it is with your dog. She will continue to bark until you recognize that she has done her job. Here’s something to try if she is a continuous barker. The next time your dog is barking, look at her and say this in a low, calm, authoritative voice, “Good dog! (Then, pause.) Thank you for letting me know. Good, I’ll take it from here.” Remember to expect your dog to announce someone’s presence and even remind her to do so if she forgets. When she barks to let you know someone is approaching, appreciate her instead of yelling at her to be quiet. If you do this consistently, your dog will most likely cease the continual barking and only bark appropriately, and at expected times.

*You can send your questions and along with a photo of your animal companion to Sandra Larson at:

Email: sandra@sandralarson.com

Or send your information by mail to:

Sandra Larson
PO Box 1651
Little Elm, TX 75068

The advice in this column is based on Sandra’s experience and training as an animal communicator. She is not a veterinarian and any of her suggestions are not intended to be medical in anyway. Be sure to seek proper professional advice and assistance for any of your animals’ physical or emotional needs.