Advocating: Mowgli's Final Moments (Reflexology)

Solar PlexusSandwich (Fall 2018)

This has been difficult to write, it has been nine months: 
Mowgli's final formal reflexology session became a demo for a veterinary nurse I had never seen before.  
We can advocate for our pets the way we (have to) advocate for our human family; we know them best, we know what generally comforts them.  This may be  important in times of crisis or at end of life; it may make a difference in terms of QoL (quality of life) and may support our own grieving process. 

Away from home: We were in a different state - away from home on October 23, 2018 far away from our support system, such as Mowgli's vet, our pet parents friends.

With shaky voice-I somehow managed to advocate for Mowgli and
thus ourselves (after tossing the idea frantically back and forth in my head for a bit, no as a practitioner, I am not prepared for this; yes as a mom, then yes as both).  
And that is exactly what has helped me a bit coming to terms with his passing: 
I demoed the One Minute Reflexology for Animals on Mowgli to the veterinary nurse while Mowgli was hooked up to IV getting prepared for invasive surgery that could possibly prolong his life (or not!), it did not.  In addition, the fact that my partner and I did not take him for granted, that he was given a voice in a way, helped me as well, he was a much loved family member. 

Paw! 

And then there are many doubts as well; most of life are not necessarily smooth experiences I find and I can also accept that now.  Remember the saying life is a rollercoaster or at least a journey and not a destination... 

"This may provide him with some normalcy surrounding this", I said, "he likes it, we have a daily routine" being very aware of the fact that there were protocols to follow by the veterinary professionals and that there is still not enough understanding of Reflexology and that trauma-sensitivity is not wide-spread unfortunately either when it should be the base we operate from especially in times of crisis.  
Back to Mowgli; the kind nurse was open to it, however I expected her to end our conversation at any moment.  No, there seemed some extra time.  Throughout being at the facility, we were given some space by two to three staff which provided relief (I have had my share of very bad experience, of course, but I admit I also take responsibility for some of it; communication is important and lots of pain is caused by silence).  

Ember: Reflexology, Belly Rubs for Newly Adopted Canine Family Member

Ember's favorite ear reflexes

Ember found a home; I am Ember's mom and her live in reflexologist if you will. Her exact age is unknown but she is young, and yet has a complex past.

Ember has been getting Reflexology ever since we adopted her one rainy November day and we have come a long way:  

- Dien Cham/Facial Reflexology 

- also some Ear Reflexology.  How can anyone resist these ears, they have a life of their own and are so inviting!  Bionic, a friend called them;- )

- She also gets a bit of Paw Reflexology on all four paws, (hands and feet if you will) (Central Nervous System, diaphragm, lung/heart reflexes).  She has webbed toes like her late brother Mowgli, she swims.  

 The daily practice has been rewarding in many ways and was quickly extended to the booty rub which she asks for already and it is great for red lights when I feel we (yes, we!)are not grounded enough and/or it's a bit too noisy (sirens, construction, etc.).  And I wish I always remembered. 

Her absolute favorite for now seems to be the belly rub.  She gets it clock and counter clockwise in multiples of nine.  Ember very clearly demonstrated one afternoon out on the street that she needed some of that, by throwing herself on her back and thus exposing her belly.  I at that moment remembered that we had rubbed her belly when we met her and how calm she was.  Ever since it has been part of the daily routine.  Luckily, she loves being touched in general, and I picked up on the significance of the belly rub.  (Mowgli as he got older was obsessed with the booty rub and found ways to even ask strangers for it, and loved the morning dien cham ritual).  How do I know that he did not just endure it?  Well, he might have yawned or stretched and did not pull or walk away.

Ember's morning sessions last probably between 3-10 minutes, often she also gets a little something at night, or possibly during the day, too, at least when I am with her, and she also gets kisses and hugs.    

Ember loves touch.

Acclimating/integrating the new family member requires creativity and tips from many of our friends/trainer Bruno with respect to Ember and has been a journey.    What has worked for brother Mowgli (not biological siblings of course) was a great start, but Ember needs much more, we are also 10 years older, and 2019 is more complex than 2009, that is the big picture. 

 Healing is an ongoing process and she is not an adult yet, so she is still developing.  She has made a lot of progress very quickly considering she now lives in a very busy New York City neighborhood, and is exposed to dogs of all ages, breeds, temperaments daily, people, people, people, sometimes coming from all directions at the same time cars, bicycles, strollers, walkers, and sirens, etc.., you get the idea daily life in NYC, or any other big inner city.   

Healing is never quick enough, is it?  We tend to want convenience at all times, including the perfect pet - we may want them low key when we are tired, engaging when we want to engage, etc. 

Dien Cham Calmed Overly Excited Puppy almost Immediately

I was spending time at the Taitung train station on October 25, waiting for the train to Taipei after Gina Stewart's RVP Program that followed the International Reflexology Conference hosted by the ICR and Father Josef (aka Father Hu) and his Taiwanese team.

I noticed a young friendly male dog.  He was very playful; actually he was too too playful and excited.  A young woman fed him white bread after she noticed that he was bothering someone who had food.  He ate some of it.   

He was adorable and I played with him, too, but he jumped up and started tearing on my clothes.  I was a bit worried about this getting out of control, but somehow I forgot all about the One_Minute Facial Reflexology for Dogs. I had not had an encounter like this, and I had only given sessions to dogs that seemed calm to protect myself.

HAPPY NEW LUNAR YEAR; Year of the Dog!

Ringo (Sean Casey )

HAPPY NEW LUNAR YEAR.
The Year of the Dog begins on February 16, 2018. 

I am taking this as an invitation to continue to raise awareness about the subtle, yet powerful benefits of Reflexology for our canine friends and to spread positive vibes all around.   

I recently found out that there are 600.000.000 strays (SOURCE: ZEROSTRAYPAWJECT) worldwide!  Please consider adopting an animal looking for a home once you are ready.