matter what’s going on in your life.”*
Nancy discusses how the animals we choose as companions can help heal the wounds of addiction. I would like to share another truth to this concept. We don’t actually pick our guiding animal companions on our own. We pick each other. The Animal Universe is always part of us. Once we allow ourselves to find breath again by opening windows in an unhealthy lifestyle, we, too, must learn to listen to the animals. They will come in droves to catch the human they are assigned to, just as Sophie did to Nancy.
Listening to pets will guide humans toward believing in themselves—the addiction to substances weakens and the self-strengthening begins. And so the addict embarks on the journey back to self-awakening while holding a paw, hoof, claw, wing, fin, or whatever.
May I remind you of the true animal saviors that came to live with humans so both could survive—sheep, cow, dog, camel, horse? Today, we call this domestication.
*From Animal Spirit Guides: An Easy-to-Use Handbook for Identifying and Understanding Your Power Animals and Animal Spirit Helpers, by Stephen D. Farmer. © 2006. Used with permission of Hay House, Inc., www.hayhouse.com.
All animals speak. They communicate with the mind’s eye (along with body posture and vocal sounds). They also teach us their language so we know when they are hungry, when they desire a walk or a hug or kiss, when it’s time for bed, or when it’s time to attend to their bathroom needs. The pet owner knows animal language. Trust in yourself to follow your pet.
When humans are not in control of their lives due to alcohol or chemical dependency, all connection to life is blurred and distorted. This is a fatiguing and destructive path addicts travel on. Hopefully, this path of degradation and hopelessness is the end that’s needed to change an out-of-control downward spiral to a healthful awakening.
Because addiction causes so much damage, many addicts begin to isolate. Isolation results from addicts’ efforts to retreat into their addiction, while their friends and family disassociate from them in an attempt to shield themselves from the destruction they witness on a daily basis, sometimes for years. Their response to addiction is designed to ensure their continued survival. However, friends and families are not to blame; living with an addict is one of the hardest things a human can do. But there are others—not humans—that often have the strength to stay with addicts until the bitter end, especially after everyone else has been driven away.
Look at your feet, on your lap, in your bed. Who is still there and not worried as your family and friends are? They still put you first in their heart and still believe in your soul. They are screaming this message to you; however, your addiction may render you incapable of hearing their pleas. Your pets know you can hear them. They must wait for the moment when you want to hear them; that moment of human clarity found right at the precipice of giving up. When you feel there are no more options available, your pets stand ready to lead you where you need to go.
No judgment, no lectures, no reprimands. They know who you are. Your pet is saying, “You are someone important. I need you just as you need me.” Your pet will never question their dependency on you, why should you question your need for them? You are a team of survival through love and belief.
But how do addicts who have burned bridges all around them return to life? How do addicts return from self-mutilation and utter self-destruction? This is simply a chapter of life and the addict the author. Turn the page and begin to exercise, read, and snack together. You are now meeting other human-pet couples living healthy lifestyles. Animals bring us together.
Accept this book with peace in your heart and your Animal Totem standing beside you. These journeys are far more common than have ever been discussed—until today. This book is a bird’s-eye view of changes from a world of darkness and unending sadness to that of survival and forever forgiveness. The animals travel, at times, a frightening journey; never wavering in the love and belief they have for their humans. They simply stay by the side of the human who needs them most.
Drug dependency in this country has grown to epidemic proportions. This book proves that the inner desire to succeed and become healthy, coupled with the love of a pet, as well as proper treatment, will help life renew itself.
I am not (nor are any of these written encounters) suggesting that pets be used during times of dangerous situations, for they are the innocent children of this planet. However, they are here to teach, when humans are ready to listen. The lesson is that of endurance, the will to live, and solidarity.
I, too, once lived in a world of shadows, years ago. I truly was saved by those that believed in my spirit and inner strength the most—my dogs! Read this book and pass it on. Spread this word, for we must save the animals by saving the humans!
I thank those who have shared these journeys. You have opened the door to human-animal unity. Know, after reading this book of hope, we can call this pet-human relationship a forever lasting kinship.
Ask your pet, “What would you most like humans to know?” Your pet may say, “Know thyself.”
Dr. Dolittle did not just speak to the animals; he listened.
Amy Herzlich, MT, PTA, IPT AMCP IPT Owner, Instructor, and Animal Spirit Believer Innovative Pet Therapy www.animalmassagecare.com
The concept for Tails of Recovery came to me one day while I petted my sweet Sophie, a Labrador and pit bull mix my partner and I rescued in June 2006. Her unconditional love and visible gratitude for being saved from certain death was unmistakable. She knew we saved her, and I think she knew she saved me as well. Sophie didn’t care that I once struggled for fifteen years, battling an incurable disease. She didn’t care that I found recovery from the disease of addiction and had been clean for twenty-three years. She didn’t care that I was consumed with shame and guilt for the things that disease caused me to do. She just wanted to feel the warm touch of my hand and hear the gentle cooing of my voice. And I just wanted to feel those wet kisses and scratch between her ears.
Today I am light-years away from the wasted 109-pound shell of a human being I was when I experienced my third and, mercifully, final overdose. I am one of the few fortunate enough who, through trust and determination, found a new life in recovery. Addiction is a horrific disease. Throughout this book you will find facts about addiction and the terrible toll it inflicts upon our society. Many people view addiction as a lack of willpower or evidence of a morally weak character. Nothing could be further from the truth. Addiction is a brain disease that can affect anyone regardless of socioeconomic status, gender, race, religion, or celebrity. My hope is to not only inform you about this disease, but also offer insight into its effects on all creatures that come in contact with someone who suffers from addiction.
I wanted to write about how the spirits of animals, especially those we choose as our companions and pets, can heal and help mend souls wounded by addiction, by other disease, and by life’s trials. While physical trauma and abuse undoubtedly destroy one’s spirit, I believe the emotional and spiritual trauma that burrows deep into our souls is what often
