I would like to share a story that gave me confirmation that Reiki is very beneficial in helping in the transition from this life to the next. It is a story of a cat named Whiskers. Whiskers was an amicable, easy going, long haired cat who was diagnosed with kidney and liver failure in July 2002. His sole purpose was to provide love for his person whose only company was Whiskers. I started to administer Reiki with him at that time with his permission (about two times a week). Each time I arrived I would lay on the couch and he would jump up on my chest and place his paw in my hand. The sessions were about 20 minutes at first and gradually increased to an hour.

In March of 2004, Whiskers, now 20, started to show a significant decline in his health. Suddenly, in the course of a week, he lost weight and became weaker. I knew it was his time to pass, and so I increased his Reiki sessions to once a day. He would still hop up on top of my chest and lay across my heart for the session. I began to feel his areas of most pain as he guided me to them. I communicated with him throughout the week. He expressed concerns of his owner being all alone. He expressed his need for warmth. Whiskers continued to purr throughout the sessions. I would start with his paw in my palm and then later stroke up and down his spine to his hind legs and paw pads. I told him through my thoughts that it was okay to leave for the other side where he would be without pain. I told him I would look out for his person.

On the third day Whiskers fell asleep and went into a coma. I continued Reiki with light hands only, and through the last three hours of his life he was comfortable with no respiratory distress or signs of pain. He never groaned or twitched or was restless at any time. He passed away peacefully on my chest. I felt a great deal of love as he passed on and a thank you. The following week was difficult for his human companion.

Three days later, I had a dream where Whiskers came to me and told me of a cat he had chosen in the shelter for his companion. Although it seemed too early for his person to get another cat, I went to the shelter with his person. I looked at all the cats and out from under the cages came a large Himalayan cat named Smokey, aged ten years old. He immediately came and sat on my lap, and I knew he was the one Whiskers had arranged. He looked at Whiskers' companion, making direct eye contact. We brought the carrier into the area and I told Smokey that if this was his chosen home then he was to walk into the carrier. Without hesitancy he went in and sat down. I learned afterwards that Smokey had been in the shelter for a month and that he had never shown his face to anyone.

Today, Smokey and his human companion, Ken, are doing wonderfully. Smokey eats when Ken eats, sleeps when he sleeps, and provides humor on dark days. Smokey keeps a routine: waking Ken up, laying by his side when he is resting, sympathizing when he has pain, and greeting him at the door when he comes home. Ken feels alive with Smokey. I feel that Whiskers' spirit is in the house and has guided Smokey.

About the Author: Nada Rodgers started practicing Reiki on people and animals 3 years ago on a part time basis. It was not until she met Whiskers that she received a personal confirmation that Reiki was beneficial for animals. She writes, "Animals have a natural connection with the spiritual world and a natural ability to love unconditionally. Whiskers instinctually recognized the power of Love with Reiki and reaped all the benefits. I watched Whiskers' courage and strength to survive until his owner was taken care of. I felt privileged to share his world and provide Reiki to help him pass away peacefully. Since that experience I have been able to communicate with the animals I meet and understand their world a great deal more." She currently lives in Ontario, Canada.