Animal Communication and Energy Healing Sessions

 

Animal Services: 

I have been able to communicate with animals since I was a little girl and began doing it professionally almost 20 years ago. That was around the same time that I studied energy healing and became a Reiki practitioner so my services include both energy healing sessions and animal communication sessions. 

Since both types of sessions can be done from a distance, I don’t need to be in person with the animal. I have learned over the years that because of how sensitive I am to energy, working with animals this way (from a distance) actually provides a greater depth of information as I can tune into just them and not other animals or people in the house. I work off of a picture and tune into their energy field that way. Communication is mainly telepathic, with the added benefit of my ability to literally feel inside my body what an animal is feeling inside of theirs (both physical and emotional). 

I primarily work with dogs, cats, horses / donkeys - and have also had the pleasure of working with other animals as well, such as birds, ducks, rabbits and elephants. So basically, I can communicate with all animals - it is just more common for me to work with dogs, cats and horses.

Details of Animal Communication sessions:

Animals communicate in a multitude of ways: by sending images / pictures telepathically, through sensations that I feel in my body (both physical sensations and emotions) as well as words and phrases that come through. I put all of that together in order to get a clear "answer."

A lot of people think communicating with animals works the same as human communication where I could say, "Can you tell me why you have been throwing up?" and the animal says "Well it all started after X so I suspect that is probably the reason." or "Yes, I think I am allergic to Y which is in the new food that my mom has been feeding me." LOL. 

Since animals don't speak in full sentences, time is spent during the session ensuring they feel safe and comfortable with me and then tuning into what I am feeling / receiving from the animal. It also involves delving deeper into some areas and then piecing the information together to understand the response they are giving me. 

Because of all the above mentioned, I set a limit on the number of questions I can do per session. In one session, I can do up to 3 questions. So 1-3 questions is considered 1 session, 4-6 questions would require 2 session sessions and 7-9 questions would need 3 sessions. 

Sessions are not done over the phone, as it is important for me to be fully present with the animal and their energy in order to receive the clearest information. We pick a time where the animal is likely to be calm/quiet and I connect with the animal at that time. 

Immediately afterwards, I type up notes of everything the animal shared with me and send that to the guardian via email.  That way, the guardian has a record of the session and the answers provided by their pet, which they can refer back to whenever they want.

I can also communicate with animals who have crossed over the Rainbow Bridge so if you have questions for a pet that has passed away, that is also an option.

Fee is $100 per session

Details of Energy Healing sessions:

The pet guardian shares what their concern is regarding the animals physical or emotional health. During the session, which lasts about 1 hour, I tune into what I am picking up (physical and emotional information). The session focuses on sending healing energy to those specific areas of concern - to clear areas where energy is blocked and to provide energetic support to areas that are weakened, etc. 

I also work with the animal to allow them to bring the energy to any other area of their body that they feel could use support. I share this information with the guardian afterwards so they are aware of what else might be going on with their animal, both physically and emotionally.

Additionally, I provide information to the guardian if I sense that the animal may need to have a check up with their veterinarian (i.e. I can sense when an animal might have a bladder infection or something that feels off or concerning, where a trip to the vet may be in the animals best interest.) 

Immediately after the session, I write up a detailed summary of everything I picked up and send it via email. A lot of people refer to my sessions as a "reading" because I usually pick up more information than someone expects to receive. i.e. a guardian may expect a sentence or two response from me but it often ends up being multiple paragraphs. Since animals communicate in such depth and complexity, there is a LOT of information that can come through. 

Fee is $150 per session

What I need before either type of session: 

Picture: I will need a clear picture of the animal, preferably once where I can see their eyes, as that is the easiest way for me to connect with their energy. (sent to me via email)

Permission: Animals are more open to working with me if they know that their guardian supports the session. Their loyalty is with their guardian so if you tell your pet that you have asked me to work with them, the session will be much more successful. Animals also appreciate being respected so it is important that they know ahead of time that I will be connecting with them and why their guardian wants to have the session. I find that sessions are much richer / helpful when a guardian shares this information with their animal ahead of time. (and you don't have to be an animal communicator to do this - just talk to your pet and they will understand)  :-) 

What are my hours?

I typically book sessions between 12 noon and 5pm. I do my best to be as accommodating as possible so I have availability 7 days a week and when necessary I can find additional time slots.

Why I sometimes ask for more information:

Often times I ask guardians for additional information about their questions before a session with their pet. It isn't because I am not good at communicating with animals.  :-)  The reason I do this is so that I can communicate more specifically with their pet. For instance, a guardian may have a question like "Do you like your pet sitter?"  I will ask the guardian why they are asking, as it is helpful for me to know what they are seeing/sensing that inspired the question. Is their pet acting strangely before the pet sitter comes? or afterwards? Does the guardian have concerns about the pet sitter? If so, what are those concerns? I am able to then use that information to more quickly address the guardian's question.

This is the case with many questions guardians have such as: Do you like your new food? or Do you like the veterinarian we are seeing? Do you like your new dog/cat sibling? Do you miss going to dog shows? How are you feeling? etc.  The more information I have, the easier it is for me to get specific answers from their animal. For me, the more open a guardian can be with me, the better information I can get from their pet. I view the relationship between myself and the guardian as a partnership - one where we work together to provide the best assistance possible. 

Are you ready for a session? Have questions?

If you are interested in a session (animal communication or energy healing), or have questions not answered here, please email me at: maureenburkley@gmail.com 

More "Lucky For Me" Book Reviews

 

I have been blessed with 5 more reviews of my book Lucky For Me and want to share them with those of you who read my blog. I am so grateful to the people who have taken the time to write such heartfelt words to describe what their experience was to read my book and so beautifully articulate what it meant to them. 

As you will see from these reviews, some of the folks who wrote them were actually part of the journey that Lucky and I were on and had first hand knowledge of what we were going through. It was a delight to receive their feedback and see how they reacted to our book from their perspective. 

Each one of these reviews touched me in a different way and they all showed me that the book is doing exactly what Lucky and I hoped it would do . . .  to be of support to anyone who read it, in whatever way they might need some support  - no matter how big or small.

Being shown that the book had provided a myriad of confirmations, inspiration, self-reflection, a deepening of appreciation of what animals have to offer us as well as just plain enjoyment is such a treat for me. I know Lucky is pleased as well. 

I hope you enjoy reading these sincere, wholehearted reviews about Lucky For Me. 

If these reviews inspire you to buy the book or gift it to someone you know, paperback copies can be purchased directly from River Sanctuary Publishing here: River Sanctuary Publishing and ebook purchases can be made via Amazon here: Buy e-book edition

***

Lucky for Me is a beautiful story of healing, love, and the bond between Maureen and her dog, Lucky. I was lucky enough to spend time with them during swim therapy. Even though Lucky had trouble walking, she came alive in the water—joyful, free, and full of spirit.

That experience completely changed how I see quality of life in senior dogs. My family used to believe it was time to say goodbye when mobility was lost, but Lucky showed me how much life and happiness is still possible.

Thanks to Maureen and Lucky, I was able to share a deeper connection with my own dog, Leo, until he transitioned peacefully on his own. This book—and the time I shared with them—will stay with me forever.

Karen, Milpitas, CA

***

“Lucky For Me” is a heartwarming and insightful read that I couldn’t put down. It’s beautifully written and incredibly easy to follow.

Through Maureen’s journey with her pup, Lucky, I gained a deeper awareness of the subtle cues in my own animals’ behavior and the importance of truly observing our surroundings. While the story centers on her dog, Lucky, the lessons and reflections shared throughout are universal—applicable to animals of all kinds, including horses and donkeys!

I happened to read Lucky For Me just before bringing home one of my own dogs, who turned out to be a very sensitive soul. The timing couldn’t have been better. This book gave me tools, reassurance, and even a few “aha!” moments—not just about animals, but about myself as well.

I’ll be recommending this book to everyone. Whether you’re going through a transition, deepening your bond with your animals, or simply looking for a meaningful and uplifting read, Lucky For Me is a true gem.

Andrea Koch

***

A wonderful story about a loving bond between Maureen and Lucky and their ability to learn from and heal each other.

Mary Ellen, Monterey, Ca

***

“Lucky for Me” 

May 2025

I recently lost “FLB” (favorite little boy)!  He was actually my neighbor’s 16 year old,  5lb cockapoo.  But his 2^nd home was with me as his “part-time nanny”, especially during the last several years of his decline, I would hear his cries over the fence and go to comfort him.

So, I felt compelled to reread “Lucky for Me” and it had the same impact on me as the first time – 3 years ago.  I was inspired, in awe, laughed and cried all at the same time!

We were fortunate to know Maureen and Lucky. We knew their backstory so when we saw them walking in the neighborhood, we would stop, check in and get updates on their progress. We knew how dedicated Maureen was to Lucky but her book truly reflected their day-to-day struggles and the incredible bond they had!  And it was only through her strength and perseverance did they successfully heal together. 

Maureen also helped us when our Natalie, 12 yr old Aussie was declining and with Shasta, an adult Aussie mix, who unfortunately was an unsuccessful rescue after 9 months.  We saw first hand – her connections with animals.  

Through Maureen’s courageous writing of her journey with Lucky, we were uplifted, reassured about moving forward and in believing in yourself and your heart.  “What happened in the past does not make your future.”  But most importantly . . . the power of loving animals.  

Anne Y

***

This seemed like it was going to be a simple Happy Ending story, but it was so much more involved than that. It has such a heart wrenching start concerning what to most would be a hidden aspect to our society’s involvement with pets and the way people treat them.

With the author’s commitment to Lucky’s wellbeing, and her constant care and searching for answers to the many unknowns on how to make Lucky feel cared for and loved again, it turns into a heart warming story that will touch every reader. The All-In attitude of the author and the care she provides without compromise will have the reader reflecting on their own life and choices they have made. 

It is endearing to see how the author took a very difficult situation and not only made the best of it, but touched the lives of so many others in a positive way along the way. Maureen not only found security and happiness for Lucky but found out ‘who she is’ along the way; something we all tend to search for while we navigate our way through life. I tend to not think of life as a journey, but more of an endless series of challenges that we have to deal with to become who we are going to be. The author bares her soul as she describes dealing with those challenges for both Lucky and herself. You feel both for Maureen and Lucky throughout this tale and are pulling for them at every turn. Luckily, happiness is everybody’s reward in the end.

I can’t help but think that anyone who reads this heart warming story will be changed by what the author was able to accomplish, with limited means, by the dint of her own personal convictions.

Matthew, Silicon Valley, CA

Choosing How We Will Respond

It's probably no surprise that I hold the belief that we should treat all living things with kindness and respect. I guess it kind of goes hand in hand with being an animal communicator and an empath. Yet I am still delighted when I receive a sweet little piece of confirmation that my approach is appreciated.

Many years ago, I was sitting at the kitchen table, working on my laptop when I heard what sounded like yelling outside the house. Kino heard it at the same time as me and began to bark. With his barking drowning out the commotion, I couldn't distinguish exactly what the sounds were so I got up to look out the kitchen window.

Much to my disappointment I saw three kids bothering a crow that was on my front lawn. They were flapping their arms and lunging towards him aggressively, while yelling "Caw Caw." When they got close to him, he flew up over my house. I felt so bad for the crow. I don't ever like to see anyone (human or animal) be teased or frightened and I knew I needed to say something. 

I'm not going to lie - I DID have the thought that I'd like to run outside and yell at the kids for being unkind to the crow but I knew doing that was just going to create more negative energy and likely not change their behavior. I decided the best thing I could do in that moment was speak to the crow.

Walking out the front door, I got to the edge of the walkway where the driveway begins but couldn't see him anywhere. I had no idea if he was still around but I hoped that he would be able to hear me and I began speaking to him. I told him that I was very sorry he had been treated that way and I hoped he knew he was always welcome in my yard.

I questioned for a moment whether or not I was crazy to talk to a crow that may be long gone but then I heard a sound above my head. When I looked at the top of the garage there he was, walking to the edge of the roof line so I could see him. He looked at me for a moment, with what felt like a complete recognition of what I had just said. Telling him again that I was sorry about what happened, I reminded him that I appreciated his presence and hoped that he was ok. After a few more seconds of intense eye contact, he turned around and flew off the roof of the garage. 

Satisfied with the outcome, I went back inside the house and explained to Kino what had occurred. It made me realize how well the situation illustrated the very thing that many people have been grappling with lately - which is around the importance of focusing on what we CAN control when a situation causes us to feel frustration.

In that moment, what I DID have control over was speaking to the crow and showing him some kindness and respect.  Coming from my heart in that conversation, the energy I put out was more positive and loving, which is an energy I would prefer to be in and around.

The experience highlighted something that feels even more important today than when it first occurred - We all get to choose, in each moment, how we are going to react and respond to things.  

Are we going to respond loudly and aggressively to people who are being loud and aggressive? Or can we find another way to respond? Will we focus our energy on complaining about what we think other people should be doing differently - when it likely won't have any impact on the person? Or put our attention on something / someone who could benefit from some kindness.

I'm certainly not perfect in my responses but I do know that each time I can respond from a place of love instead of judgement, kindness instead of frustration, I feel much more peaceful inside. 

In recent years, I am even turning that kindness towards myself . . . for instance when I am in the car and another driver does something that startles me or nearly causes an accident. Rather than complain about the person's awful driving (which they aren't going to hear anyway), I now offer myself kindness, reassurance and some words of encouragement. It may sound a bit crazy but it has helped me immensely - as it can move me out of adrenaline rush and into a state of calm rather quickly.

We always have a choice - and we get to decide in each moment what we want to focus on and how we would like to respond. Just a little something to keep in mind . . . :-) 

Our Acts Of Kindness CAN Make A Difference

 I am resharing this blog post from July of 2022 because I still have these same hopes. It is still my hope that this blog will somehow reach the man who made such a difference in my life, that it will help people see how impactful acts of kindness can be and that it will inspire others to keep helping others. No action is too small. I believe every bit of kindness can create ripples of positivity.

When I was in college, I was on the rowing team. Practice was at 5am, which was brutal enough but the closer it got to finals and the later into the evening I had to study, the harder it was to get my sleep deprived body up with that morning alarm. One particular morning, I woke up to see I had less than 5 minutes to get myself dressed and to the bus stop around the corner where our team bus picked up those of us in the surrounding dorms. I don't know if I forgot to set the alarm or if I set it and slept through it - all I knew is that I had to get MOVING. I managed to get sweats on, several layers of shirts and my socks when I heard the sound of the bus down the street. 

Grabbing my jacket and my tennis shoes, I went running out of my dorm room, flying down the steps outside hoping to make it in time. Luck wasn't on my side, as the bus pulled away from the curb before I could even make it across the grass in front of my dorm. The thing was I HAD to be at practice. Coach had been very clear - if we missed a practice that week, we would not be able to participate in the Regatta that weekend - so I needed to get to practice. Running behind the bus, I screamed and wildly waved my right arm, while my left hand clutched my tennis shoes and my jacket. There was half melted snow on the ground so my wool socks were quickly becoming very wet and very heavy but I refused to let that slow me down. I just kept running . . . yet when I heard Fr. Siconolfi shift the bus into a higher gear, I could feel my heart sink. There was no way I'd catch the bus now.

Just then a man pulled up in a small blue truck. He rolled down the passenger window (which he had to do by hand - this was in the 80's after all) and yelled "Do you need to catch that bus?" Gasping for air, all I could do was nod my head yes, so he opened the door from the inside and motioned for me to get in. Diving into the front seat of his truck, we were on the move before I had even pulled the door all the way closed. He quickly shared that his sons had played football and he knew how important it was to never miss a practice. 

I'm pretty sure he ignored all the posted speed limit signs as we flew down the road, making a hard left, then a hard right at the next corner. We were then on the two-lane straight part of the road. I remember this kind man had a very hot cup of coffee in a paper cup wedged between his legs so he could keep shift gears to keep pace with the bus and I also recall worrying several times that it was going to spill on him. 

Fortunately for me, he seemed as determined as I was to not have me miss practice so he did his best to stay lined up with the bus. Continuing to flail my arms wildly while yelling to get his attention, Father Siconolfi remained oblivious to the girl hanging out the window of the small blue truck. Fortunately one of my teammates, in their hazy sleep deprived state, finally noticed me and got him to pull over. Quickly thanking the man, I grabbed my tennis shoes and jacket and made a beeline for the bus. 

Over the years whenever I shared this story, hoping people would understand why I believed in the good side of humanity (and why I loved Spokane so much), most of the time they didn't get it. The part that most people latched onto was that "I got into a stranger's truck." They responded with things like "He could have been a serial killer" and "Maureen you are just way too trusting." (Geez, what if I was the serial killer? He would have been the one putting his life in danger by stopping to help me!!) LOL

I have continued to share the story though - in an attempt to illustrate my belief that there are wonderful people everywhere - people who are willing to lend a hand - showing up when we need them most and going the extra mile. At times we may have to pay more attention to notice these genuine acts of kindness but they are out there and they are in more places than we might see reported on mainstream media. 

I have thought of the kindness of this man so many times in the last thirty some odd years and I still feel so much gratitude for his help that day. What he did for ME has inspired me over the years to keep offering kindness and support to others. Sometimes when my faith in humanity wobbles a bit, all I have to do is pull up the memory of that morning and I am instantly reconnected with the remembrance of what he did for me that morning and the faith that it instilled in me. I believe that there are people like him all over the world - quietly making a difference without any expectation of accolades - merely doing these things because they feel inspired to take action. 

My only regret from that morning was that I never got his name so I was not able to thank him properly or as profusely as my heart wanted to. So this post has three purposes:

1) To encourage people to look for the good in humanity. If you take the time to look, you will see examples and it will likely result in you noticing even more of the ways people are being there for each other. (And let's face it, how can that not put a smile on your face and in your heart.)

2) To inspire people to stay open to the opportunities where they can support others and be the illustration of the goodness that exists in the world. You may never know how many ripples of kindness it will create yet I have seen evidence time and again where someone's act of kindness inspired someone else to do something kind. We have the power to make our humanity a force to be reckoned with and I believe that every effort we make can and will make a difference.

3) That someone who lived in Spokane back in the 80s might know a man who drove a small blue truck and would have been on his way to work at 5:00 in the morning, who has sons who played football. My hope is that by some miracle he will somehow end up seeing this. It would make me so very happy if he knew how grateful I was and still am for his help that morning and how much he has inspired me over the years. The funny thing is that I don't think we even did all that well in the Regatta that weekend but I got to be there and I got to row because thanks to him I didn't miss practice that morning. 

If you feel moved to share actions - either witnessed or done by you - that have restored your faith in humanity, please feel free to write about them in the comments. I'd love to see them and I bet others would too. 

ps: I keep thinking about the movie Powder (1995) and how a line in the movie gave me such huge goosebumps that I wrote it on a post-it note and placed it on the refrigerator so I would see it every day (and it was there for decades). If I recall correctly, Jeff Goldblum's character said something like "My hope is that one day our humanity will surpass our technology." That was and still is something I hope to experience as well . . . and I truly believe that we have the ability to create it.

Animal Communicator and Guardian Partnerships

Working off a blog I wrote in April of 2015 that has been getting a lot of views lately, I thought it would be good to revisit this topic of how important it can be for me to partner with the guardian of an animal to provide the best possible answers to their questions.

As I have explained many times, when I am working with an animal I get information in a variety of different ways--physical sensations in my body, emotions, pictures and images, words and phrases. There is often some interpretation required to understand how everything I am picking up fits together. When I am communicating with an animal, the guardian is often the key to "solving the puzzle" as we work together to make sense of what I have picked up.

Several years ago, I had an experience that showed how all of these pieces work together.  I was asked to do a session with an older dog who was whining / crying all day long.  For months, the only time he stopped crying was when he fell asleep. His guardian was very concerned and given that all blood work came back normal she was at a loss and was looking for additional help. She asked me if I could help them figure out what was making him so unhappy.

When I first connected with his energy, my stomach began to hurt. It felt inflamed and irritated but I couldn't get a sense of why, so I asked this sweet boy if he could tell me why his tummy hurt so much. He showed me the sensation I feel when an animal is dealing with allergies. I explained this to his guardian but after reviewing what he eats and how long he's been eating his particular food and treats, it didn't make sense to her. We couldn't figure out what he could be allergic to, as nothing new had been introduced.

My stomach still really hurt, which told me that we hadn't identified what was going on yet.  (Once I "name" or "identify" what is going on, the sensation will go away, so when the sensation lingers, it indicates to me that we haven't figured it out yet).

His guardian asked me if he mentioned his skin, as he has some pretty severe skin allergies. From what I was picking up, his itchy skin didn't bother him at all in comparison to how bad his stomach hurt. And then, Boom! Like a major light bulb going off in her head, she explained that she had been spraying something on his skin to stop him from itching but that he was constantly licking it off.  She asked if that could be the cause of his stomach pain. Because of the way my stomach hurt just talking about the spray, I knew we were on the right track.

Together, we began putting the pieces together. She realized that his constant whining / crying started about the same time she started putting this particular spray in his skin. Now it made sense why my stomach hurt and he gave me the "allergy sensation." I had interpreted it as food allergies because it was obviously something he was ingesting but since I didn't know about the spray, it wasn't something I could ask him about directly. Now with this new piece of information, I could see he had been trying to show me how the tummy issues and discomfort were connected to his skin allergies.

His guardian vowed to never use that spray again and we talked about some things she could do in the short term to not only help soothe his stomach but also some options to address his skin allergies. We were both so relieved to put all the pieces together and figure out what could be done to help her sweet boy feel better. I am also happy to report that within the next few weeks, he was feeling much better and was no longer whining / crying throughout the day.

Animals do the best they can to communicate with us and this was a wonderful reminder that partnering with the guardian is the best way to ensure an Animal Communicator can help them get resolution for their animals.

Many people are afraid to tell an Animal Communicator too much, either because they are skeptical of Animal Communication (and want to "test" them) or because they think that offering too much information will interfere with the process, but for me and how I work with animals, I find that the more information a guardian can share with me and the more willing they are to work WITH me, the quicker we can get answers and more profound the resolutions can be. 

Just a little something to keep in mind if you decide to work with an Animal Communicator. It is also important to note that not all Animal Communicators work the same way - but for me, the partnership / open communication with the guardian is the best path forward. Not just for the animal but also to empower the guardian, which is part of my personal mission.

What Are You Focusing On?

 It is my belief that as long as we hang on to our differences to such a degree that we don't like other people or we blame them for what's happening in the world, we can end up perpetuating those types of experiences. Conversely, if we can accept that others hold a different view or belief and focus instead on what we DO agree on or what we DO appreciate about each other, we can have relationships that are much more peaceful and freeing.

This blog I wrote a few years back offers some more thoughts on the options we have to navigate the road ahead. There might be some nuggets in here for you to ponder on.

Some of my best friends from college and I were sharing our most favorite song at that particular time and while I was writing the previous blog post, a response came through from one of them mentioning U2's "Love Is Bigger Than Anything In Its Way" which couldn't have been more perfectly timed for what I was writing.

My other friend said that his current favorites were both by Cody Jinx . . . "Hippies and Cowboys" and "Somewhere in the Middle" . . . I laughed and said "So basically songs about the 3 of us?" 

From our original gang of eight close knit friends, I have remained the closest to these two guys. Our friendship is just as strong now (maybe even stronger) than it was back then. Interestingly enough for as long as I can remember, the three of us have held different positions on a lot of things . . . . whether it was politics or religion or the music we listened to. As an example, one of us would only listen to country music, one of us would only listen to alternative music, one of us was willing to listen to both . . . One of us was a hardcore Catholic, one of us was a semi-present Catholic and one of us was raised without any religion at all. And yet, it didn't stop us from being really close friends.

While reflecting on our connection, I've realized how much things have shifted over the years. Where we used to argue and debate our stance back in the day, we've moved to a place of accepting that we have differences and it doesn't stop us from appreciating each other and the friendship we share. If we DO talk about those topics, it is usually with a desire to understand where the other is coming from, rather than looking for an opportunity to pounce and tell the other one why they are wrong. 

I've also been fascinated to observe that we've often changed positions over the years. The one who wouldn't listen to country music now loves it and the one who would only listen to country music now listens to a whole variety of music. The one who was raised without any religion ended up converting to Catholicism, while another one has moved away from religion completely. There is a fluidness to it all. I can see that nothing is ever cast in concrete and we shift and change when we want to, not because we got beat down by the opinion of others. We are free to keep shifting and changing who we are. Granted, the three of us aren't perfect so occasionally we slip back into old ways and tease each other over a difference here or there but the majority of the time, we allow for those differences to be there.

The reason I am sharing all of this is because I can sense that this is something that will help us all navigate the road ahead. As long as we hang on to our differences to such a degree that we don't like other people or we blame them for what's happening in the world, we can perpetuate those types of experiences. As long as we ridicule and shame others for their beliefs, the more unhappiness and upheaval we will likely experience . . . and the more difficult it will be for everyone on the planet.

Conversely, if we can accept that others hold a different view or belief and focus instead on what we DO agree on or what we DO appreciate about each other, we can have relationships that are much more peaceful and freeing.

It's important to remember that accepting is not the same as agreeing. We don't have to all AGREE on every single issue in order to have a respectful relationship. If we can accept that we are going to have differences and focus instead on what we have in common, where we have shared beliefs or shared hopes for the future, it will go a long way toward shifting and uplifting our relationships. If we are able to accept that everyone is on their own journey, learning and growing in their own time and their own ways, the opportunities for peace and building bridges can present themselves even more rapidly.

I feel blessed that these two guys are still in my life. Regardless of where we are different, I know that any interaction we have is going to include a ton of laughter because we seem to bring out the best in each other when it comes to wit. I also know that no matter what, we will always show up for each other because we see each other with our hearts first. 

We have that choice every day. To use our hearts to help us see. To use compassion to help us connect. To hold space for others who are on a different path. At least for me, taking that approach makes life a whole lot sweeter. 

Another Review of Lucky For Me

This past week, my book Lucky For Me was reviewed by Readersfavorite.com. I was delighted to find out that they gave it 5 out of 5 stars! 

I have shared the review below in case anyone reading my blog is still unsure if they want to read my book. Maybe this will inspire you to make a purchase.  :-)

And for those of you who HAVE read my book, if you feel compelled to write a review I would definitely welcome that! You can post your review directly onto my book's page at Amazon.com Amazon ebook or send it to Riversanctuarypublishing.com  https://riversanctuarypublishing.com/shop/lucky-for-me/ - or both! 

Since there are many people who like to read reviews before making a purchase decision, every review is helpful. I am grateful for every bit of support! 

While book sales are always welcome, for me this is more about Lucky For Me reaching the people who it can provide the most assistance to. That has been my heartfelt wish all along - for our journey to provide support to others. In the prologue I shared a bit about why I wrote the book. Here is that paragraph from the prologue: 

I know I am not the only person who has had an intense bond with their animal, nor am I the only one who has gone to extremes to help an animal recover from the abuse they suffered or heal their own trauma. My intention in sharing our journey is to light a path for those who find themselves with similar challenges. Whether you are someone who is extremely sensitive and feels things very deeply or you are trying to heal the past or you are in a process of self-discovery, my hope is that you’ll experience some “aha” moments and points of connection through this book that can assist you on your own journey, and maybe even inspire you to find your way to a deeper understanding and appreciation of all you have to offer too.

Review by Foluso Falaye for Readers' Favorite:

Maureen Burkley's Lucky For Me is the author's story about her tough but highly rewarding journey with her dog. The author's German Shepherd, Lucky, went from a traumatic experience as a puppy to being rescued by a caring human. As Maureen drew closer to Lucky, she found out about the dog's health challenges and other signs of the lingering effects of trauma. However, she also saw herself discovering similar battles as she strived to be the best human friend to her dog and attend to Lucky's needs. From hospital visits to water therapy and chaotic encounters with other dogs, Maureen's journey with her dog is captured in a very compelling tale. Get ready to meet a resilient and caring human and her playful and adorable German Shepherd in this deeply poignant memoir.

The many profound deductions in the book are quite enlightening. I found myself pausing to reflect on the author's thought-provoking observations, such as her belief that animals "come into our lives to help us reconnect with our true selves." Maureen Burkley's determination not to give up on Lucky, despite being advised to, and the dog's multiple challenges inspires you to tackle any situation life throws at you. Lucky's recovery process and struggle with trauma are depicted well alongside Maureen's challenges with her family and other personal issues. The author's experiences in difficult moments and being on edge when she took her dog outside reveal that her dog rescuer role was far from easy. This soulfully written memoir will make animal lovers feel deeply emotional and captivated from start to finish. I feel very fortunate to have read Lucky For Me.

Trust vs. Suspicion - repost.

 Reposting this blog that I wrote in June of 2016. I noticed that it has been getting a lot of interest via the stats on my blog so I thought - what the heck - I will share it again!  Kino taught me so much about finding balance between our two "styles" - strengthening the attention I gave to HIS reaction to people and places and being even more mindful of the energy that I feel. So, in honor of my sweet furry teacher, here is the blog again! 

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One of the big differences I have noticed between Kino and I is that I tend to be friendly to everyone I meet, while Kino always has his guard up. A perfect example of this was the other day when we stopped to get gas in the car.

As I got out of the car to start pumping gas, I gentleman was getting out of his truck on the other side of the pump.  We smiled and said hello to each other and Kino promptly began barking in his most vicious sounding bark.  It is just what Kino does (bark first, ask questions later) so I am used to it but not everyone else is as comfortable with his vicious barking, so smiling at the man, I said, "He's just letting you know that he's here to protect me." He laughed and told me he had three dogs at home and that they were equally protective. 

As I filled my tank and washed windows, the man and I continued to chat.  He told me more about his dogs and we chatted a bit about animal behavior. At one point, I realized Kino had calmed down and was sitting in the back seat as quiet as a church mouse, just listening to us so I pointed to my now quiet dog and smiled.  Laughing, the man said, "Well, he put me on notice and once he was sure I heard him, he must have felt his job was done." We had a good chuckle, then wished each other a pleasant rest of the day. 

The truth was, I knew the man had "passed muster" so to speak. Kino issues a "warning" to anyone who gets close to me, but if their energy is good, he will back off and become very peaceful. I have learned to only be concerned if his barking continues because that is Kino's way of letting me know that something about the person's energy is making him uncomfortable.

I was thinking about this while we were on a walk the other day and I recalled classes I used to teach in the corporate world on trust. There was a model we used as part of the curriculum to help people understand our different approaches to trust. There is a whole lot more behind the model, but at a high level, it covered the following:

Roughly 45% of the population is "Trust Until" which means they go into each new encounter trusting until the person gives them a reason not to.  Another roughly 45% of the population is "Suspicion Until" which means they go into each situation with suspicion until the person gives them a reason to trust.  Then there are 5% of the population that are "Trust Still" in that they stay in trust no matter what the person does and 5% of the population that are "Suspicion Still" meaning they continue to be suspicions no matter what the other person does. 

As we continued walking, I contemplated this difference in Kino and I . . . I am a "Trust Until" and he is definitely a "Suspicion Until." We are wired differently and since I don't think it is possible for either of us to change the other, all I can do is accept and honor our differences. This means that instead of getting mad at him when he barks at strangers, I'm better off accepting that he is going to do it. It doesn't mean I have to be any less friendly to people I know or strangers, because it is who I am as a person. I've decided my best strategy in dealing with strangers may be to inform them that Kino means no harm, he just feels compelled to put people on notice.  :-)

So, are you a Trust Until? or a Suspicion Until? How about your pets? Are you wired the same? or wired differently? How about your friends? Your co-workers? Family members? 

It's important to remember that one is not better than the other, as there are pros and cons to both. Sometimes, understanding how we are wired makes it easier to navigate in this world (and at home and in the work place, etc.) 

Accepting instead of judging those who are wired differently can create some pretty amazing benefits as well and show us new paths forward. We can look at our relationships with people who are Suspicion Until and ask ourselves "How can I help this person feel more comfortable?" or we can ask them "What do you need to have a higher degree of trust?"

I think the key is to not only be very clear on who you are, but to love and accept that aspect of yourself. It then makes it easier to love and accept others for who they are and how they are wired. Could be fun to start observing this in your relationships - not just with animals but with all the people in your life too!