Artwork for podcast Animal Posse
The Spiritual Gift of Animals
Episode 42 • 14th November 2025 • Animal Posse • Unwanted Feline Organization
00:00:00 00:49:17

Share Episode

Transcripts

Dixie:

Welcome to Animal Posse, the podcast dedicated to the

2

:

people and rescues making a

difference in the lives of animals.

3

:

Today we're unlocking the profound,

often unseen spiritual power of animals.

4

:

Please help me welcome our expert

on this topic, Bonnie Poirier.

5

:

Hi Bonnie.

6

:

Welcome to the show.

7

:

Bonnie: Thank you.

8

:

It's a delight to be here.

9

:

Dixie: I'm excited about our conversation.

10

:

We are gonna talk about animals

as our spiritual directors.

11

:

Before we get started with that, can

you tell us a little bit about yourself?

12

:

Bonnie: Absolutely.

13

:

My name is Bonnie Poirier and

I live in southeast Louisiana.

14

:

I was ordained in the Congregational

Church back in the early nineties,

15

:

and it wasn't long after that I

became part of an ecumenical St.

16

:

Francis of Assisi Society.

17

:

And that's when I moved into the

ministry role with the Ministry of St.

18

:

Francis of Assisi.

19

:

I've been working pretty much

with the area of animals.

20

:

It started off more environmental

and then we had this storm

21

:

in 2005 that you will recall.

22

:

It was called Hurricane Katrina.

23

:

And prior to that we did have

people who, saw the spirituality

24

:

of having pets and with nature.

25

:

But it really came into the forefront

with Hurricane Katrina because

26

:

for years what we would do, when a

hurricane would come, we would evacuate

27

:

for a day, maybe two, but our pets

were not allowed to travel with us.

28

:

Katrina comes in and we are in a total

crisis to the point where there's this

29

:

place called Lamar Dixon that opens up.

30

:

And it made the national news.

31

:

Night after night, you would see people

going to Lamar Dixon looking for their

32

:

beloved pets that were left behind.

33

:

No one was ever blamed or at fault for

this, and the realization came about.

34

:

This can happen to us,

this can happen to me.

35

:

And people started looking at that time,

20 years ago it's more than the needs of

36

:

the working dogs or these just feeding

our animals They were part of our family.

37

:

And even though we had

known this for many years.

38

:

Just seeing this on the news,

just put it more clearly, these

39

:

pets are our family and as our

family they do everything with us.

40

:

They eat with us they sleep and they

live within our homes and they even

41

:

share, if you will, our spirituality.

42

:

And that's what I would like to

discuss with you this evening.

43

:

Dixie: Yeah, I'm very

interested in this topic.

44

:

I'm a very spiritual person myself.

45

:

I have some beliefs about animals and

spirituality, so I'm interested to

46

:

see what you have to say about it.

47

:

And I usually, do a lot of research

into a subject, when before I go in or

48

:

a rescue, I try to learn about them,

and in this case, I'm going in blind.

49

:

So we're just gonna see where

the conversation takes us.

50

:

Bonnie: I believe that our

animals are living reminders of

51

:

God's presence in all creation.

52

:

They reflect that gentleness,

that loyalty, that unconditional

53

:

love in a way that feels pure.

54

:

Uncomplicated.

55

:

And when we pause to notice their quiet

wisdom, whether it's that steady gaze

56

:

of our beloved dog, or we go outside on

our way to work and we're greeted in the

57

:

morning by the song of a bird, or maybe

we're traveling down a country road.

58

:

We notice that graceful stillness

in a deer, and suddenly in those

59

:

times, we are invited back into

awareness of the divine rhythm of

60

:

life that is sacredly established.

61

:

And animals teach us just how to

be to live in the present moment,

62

:

to trust, to love without words.

63

:

To forgive easily.

64

:

And in their innocence, they remind

us that spirituality isn't only

65

:

found in church pews or sacred texts,

but also in the living, breathing

66

:

world that God has made for us.

67

:

And their presence can open our hearts

to gratitude, compassion, wonder, all

68

:

spiritual practices in themselves.

69

:

Of course.

70

:

And many people find that caring for.

71

:

Or simply being near animals

softens our spirits and even quiets

72

:

our minds and can even deepen our

connection with God our creator.

73

:

Whatever name you may

have for the all being.

74

:

Through them.

75

:

We learn reverence for life.

76

:

We learn humility and creation

and the truth that all living

77

:

things are interconnected under

the loving care of our loving God.

78

:

And some years ago.

79

:

I wanted to know more

about the science of this.

80

:

How are we connected?

81

:

Because yes I had practiced for

years, the meditating with our pets.

82

:

If you've never done that, it's getting

into to that rhythmic breathing with them

83

:

and sitting in that quietness with them.

84

:

And I came across this Dixie,

that you're going to enjoy.

85

:

Some researchers at Northwestern

University's Department of Neurobiology,

86

:

they had found evidence that was

previously unknown in that there are

87

:

unknown neurons in an animal's brain,

especially our dogs that are activated

88

:

when the animal is in a, what they

call a waiting mode, those neurons.

89

:

Are located in the area of the brain's

temporal lobe where we know that spatial

90

:

memory is encoded in acts, if you will,,

like an internal pacemaker mechanism.

91

:

They think the study was set out to

prove that this area of the brain

92

:

might also encode time, memory, but

even with the discovery of those once

93

:

unknown neurons, they're still not sure.

94

:

How dogs tell time as this study

doesn't suggest that animals can

95

:

instinctively judge time, but I bet that

when our time changes that your dog.

96

:

We'll be waiting by their dog bowl at that

time that we had before the time changed.

97

:

They just, and like I said, they

think it's an like an internal

98

:

pacemaker, like a waiting mode.

99

:

And that's why our animals can

be our alarm clocks and so forth.

100

:

And what they have also with this

and this study came about, when

101

:

we had that great tsunami way

back, I believe it was in:

102

:

And what they noticed was all

of these animals were going up

103

:

into the hills of Sri Lanka.

104

:

And why are these animals just going

up into the hills this Christmas Eve?

105

:

Why are they just venturing

up there and even house pets?

106

:

Were going stir crazy people were saying.

107

:

And just hours later, a deadly

tsunami wiped out part of Sri Lanka.

108

:

And some of the things that we know is

wolves will howl before a storm or cows

109

:

ears will itch and twitch before it rains,

and they also lie down on the ground.

110

:

By the way, if you see cows

lying down on the ground, we've

111

:

got a pretty good storm coming.

112

:

We know that birds and geese and

roosters always give us warnings.

113

:

How do they know these things?

114

:

A rooster.

115

:

When it's noisy at night, we know

that storms are coming by morning.

116

:

We know that elk and deer go down

mountains before heavy rainstorms.

117

:

And this is interesting, when a

deer coats are grey, in October.

118

:

We can see that as a sign

of an upcoming harsh winter.

119

:

And they say that when a cat lies

in the sun in the winter, that

120

:

we're gonna have a delayed winter.

121

:

That may be the puncsatawny,

predicting the weather, the winter.

122

:

But we also know, and we can also

remember when we have hurricanes here and

123

:

we're, and we are no strangers to that.

124

:

When we hear birds and squirrels

outside, we know that we have

125

:

plenty of time to get ready.

126

:

This is the time to get ready

for the hurricane, but when

127

:

it's, when it gets quiet.

128

:

That's when we need to pay attention.

129

:

And how many times have we had a

rainstorm come through and we know

130

:

that it's over because we can hear the

frogs croaking or the birds chirping or

131

:

even the squirrels getting more active.

132

:

So people may think that, Hey, look,

that's just part of their biology.

133

:

It's also part of their spiritual

essence as well, and there is so

134

:

much for us to learn if we are

willing to sit in the quiet and pay

135

:

attention to our animals, whether

there are animals that we live with.

136

:

Or the animals in the wild.

137

:

As long as we're paying attention

to them and getting in tune with

138

:

them, I think that will help

deepen our own spirituality.

139

:

Dixie: Yeah, that's very interesting.

140

:

I know from my own observations that

like I can tell if I'm in an adoption

141

:

center looking at animals or helping

animals, or even for my own animals,

142

:

foster animals, pets, or whatever.

143

:

Somehow I can instinctively look

at 'em and I can know when they're

144

:

not feeling well, even though

they may appear to feel fine.

145

:

Yes.

146

:

And and so it's to me it's

something that they're signaling.

147

:

There's something that I'm picking up

with, and I'm really big too, on the

148

:

energy aspect of it, because I always

tell that to people, especially when they

149

:

come to look at my cats when they're up

for adoptions or my kittens because, it's

150

:

the type of energy that my household has.

151

:

Were very quiet.

152

:

So because of that energy.

153

:

My kittens don't tend to do good with

a very noisy and when I say noisy, I

154

:

don't necessarily mean like noise, but

it's just a different level of activity.

155

:

Just because of the way that we carry

ourself and we hold our energy so they

156

:

don't always do good with every person.

157

:

They do good with people that

have an energy that's similar

158

:

to ours, in my household.

159

:

Bonnie: And I can see that when you have

that frenetic energy that feeds so many

160

:

things, it's you can walk into a room

and you can feel the energy in a room.

161

:

Cats are really good about that.

162

:

They, I believe cats are very intuitive.

163

:

And some people will say, orange cats

are more into, cats are intuitive period.

164

:

And I do know that, I have a son.

165

:

I have several sons, but I

had a son who was who was

166

:

fighting in war in Afghanistan.

167

:

It was going really awful and I

kept watching the news and I was

168

:

trying to keep my energy within.

169

:

I was trying to keep myself calm and

at peace, and I was doing a really

170

:

bad job with it apparently, because

one evening I'm sitting in my chair.

171

:

And I just wanted to burst out crying,

but I had other people in my home and I

172

:

had to be the calm one, one of my cats.

173

:

And all of my cats typically come

from the street or adoption centers.

174

:

This one particular cat came up to

me, placed her chest against my chest,

175

:

placed an arm on each side of my neck,

and she put her head against my chin.

176

:

And when she pressed her chest

against my chest, she started purring.

177

:

And when she started purring, that's when

the tears started flowing out of my eyes.

178

:

And this cat I know for

certain picked up on my energy.

179

:

And knew that I needed care, and she

gave me that care that was healing the

180

:

energy she gave me, that healed me and

got me through the night and through the

181

:

next few weeks because she would come

in the evenings and always sit on my

182

:

lap just like she belonged right there.

183

:

I am here to protect you.

184

:

Dixie: Yeah, I've seen that

too with my cats as well.

185

:

If I'm not feeling well, it's like they

seem to know before I do sometimes.

186

:

'cause I'll get migraines.

187

:

And they'll all come lay with me and

they do the purring, they sit on me and

188

:

the purring, it is a healing frequency

and , I know a lot of people will probably

189

:

just think, oh no, it's just purring.

190

:

But it definitely is more than that.

191

:

They can definitely pick up on things,

especially I know like people that

192

:

might have problems with their pets,

when you think about it and , my

193

:

vet actually told me this too, that

she said Sometimes animals illnesses

194

:

will mirror the owner's illnesses.

195

:

And Yes.

196

:

Yeah.

197

:

And then not just that, but also

if you have an animal that is

198

:

misbehaving and they might be acting

crazy, they might be acting anxious,

199

:

you also have to go back and think

about what am I thinking right now?

200

:

'Cause you might be projecting that.

201

:

Out and your animal might

actually be picking up on it

202

:

and just going with that energy.

203

:

'cause I find they do feed off of

our energy, so they tend to act

204

:

like you act a lot of the times.

205

:

Bonnie: And I have to tell you, we, when

we look at animals and spirituality,

206

:

many times I will go to the Bible and

there is a couple of verses from the

207

:

Old Testament of job, and these words

resonate with me and it's ask the

208

:

animals and they will teach you the

birds of the air and they will tell you.

209

:

And I believe those verses

are so very true because if we

210

:

ask them, they will tell us.

211

:

And it goes on to say, even the

plants of the earth will instruct

212

:

us and they will instruct us.

213

:

The fish of the sea will inform

us and they will inform us.

214

:

So I do believe this, that if

we paying attention to them.

215

:

They pick up on our energy.

216

:

That's how we communicate with each other.

217

:

Yes, I do use words, do you wanna

treat, do you wanna go outside?

218

:

But by golly, they pick up on our

energy and you are so right with that,

219

:

that, they know us instinctively.

220

:

So yes, we're spiritually

connected with them.

221

:

And do we have time for a little story?

222

:

Sure.

223

:

Go ahead.

224

:

Okay.

225

:

It comes from the words of Second Samuel.

226

:

Now we believe that the story that

I'm about to tell you is based

227

:

on what is called a bummer lamb.

228

:

And you know what, these are lambs

that are rejected by the mom.

229

:

Once that baby is rejected, that

mother wants nothing to do with it.

230

:

And as a matter of fact, the mom

will even become aggressive and

231

:

even try to kill it , and they will.

232

:

The way that these lambs survive is

told in this story, and it happens.

233

:

To this day, in the words of Second

Samuel, again in the Old Testament,

234

:

the Lord sent Nathan to David,

and when he came to him, he said

235

:

there are two men in a certain

town, one rich and the other poor.

236

:

The rich man had a large number of

cattle and sheep, but the poor man

237

:

had nothing except one little lamb.

238

:

That he had bought.

239

:

He raised her and she grew

up with him and his children.

240

:

She shared his food, drank from his

cup, and even slept in his arms.

241

:

This little Yu Lamb was

like a daughter to him.

242

:

We are family.

243

:

We are protectors for one

another and we're playmates.

244

:

And when we read in the Bible

that this little You Lamb was

245

:

like a daughter to this man.

246

:

That says a lot because even to this

day, these little precious lambs

247

:

that are rejected by their mothers

they will get super depressed.

248

:

Their hands will hang so low

that they almost hit the ground.

249

:

And there are reasons that this

happened, but what saves them, and

250

:

like I said, it happens to this day, a

shepherd or a human has to intervene.

251

:

Because this lamb is gonna

die, rejected and alone.

252

:

How does that happen?

253

:

Those lambs are placed against the chest.

254

:

They hold it against the chest so that

lamb can hear our very heartbeats.

255

:

And those lambs have to be

hand fed, kept warm, wrapped in

256

:

blankets held close to the chest.

257

:

And as these lambs grow,

they become connected to the

258

:

humans that save their lives.

259

:

So here you are in rescue, and

you know these animals that you

260

:

are helping and rescuing some of

these precious cats that you have.

261

:

And kittens, they know that their lives

may be lost if something or someone

262

:

doesn't intervene, and I can tell you.

263

:

You are literally placing a

spiritual imprint on these precious

264

:

animals, and they will remember you.

265

:

I don't know if you have reconnected

with any of them, you know over

266

:

time, but they will remember you.

267

:

Our animals become imprinted, connected

to us spiritually because physically

268

:

when they were rejected and broken.

269

:

We save them, and by saving them,

they know that we are there for

270

:

them and as a result, they become

there for us and that we have so

271

:

many lessons to learn from them.

272

:

Like I said, regarding spiritual issues.

273

:

If we just sit with them and it's so easy.

274

:

That we can learn so much from them.

275

:

There is a book by Mirabai

Starr . It's a new book, fairly New.

276

:

And the title of the book is

Ordinary Mysticism and she has an

277

:

entire book dedicated to seeking

mysticism, to seeking that connection

278

:

with God within the ordinary.

279

:

And many times within that book,

she talks about being in nature.

280

:

And listening to all of

nature around us and our cats.

281

:

I can't tell you how many cats I have

had come into my life that I may have

282

:

rescued them from the street or, one

was from a dog fight one was from

283

:

a very bad situation that a human

had with this cat or even rescue.

284

:

And they know.

285

:

And once we have made that

connection, there is that

286

:

connection that sustains them.

287

:

But it also sustains us and

builds us up time and time again.

288

:

And you know that old Indian legend

which says that when a human dies,

289

:

you know that bridge, that they must

cross that bridge to get into heaven.

290

:

At the head of that bridge is

the animal that every human has

291

:

encountered in that lifetime.

292

:

And those animals, based on what

they know of us, decides which

293

:

of us may cross the bridge.

294

:

And which are turned away.

295

:

Dixie: Yeah.

296

:

Now I have a story too that kind of

goes to what you were saying about

297

:

the rescue and the fostering Okay.

298

:

Uhhuh.

299

:

I do bottle kittens sometimes I

have the moms with the babies.

300

:

So this one particular litter

I had the mom with the babies.

301

:

You still have a close attachment to

'em, but it's not like bottle feeding

302

:

them,, because they're mom's there, so

they're not totally dependent on you.

303

:

But you go in there to socialize 'em.

304

:

So when I went in there to socialize

them, it's the funniest thing.

305

:

There was this one little kitten in

the litter and he just learned to

306

:

walk and he was obsessed with me.

307

:

Needless to say, he became

my favorite out the litter.

308

:

He got adopted at eight weeks old.

309

:

And when he was about five or six months

old we got a call for him to be returned.

310

:

It was one of those situations, I

believe it was like the boyfriend or

311

:

the cat, and they chose boyfriend,

so we had to go pick him up.

312

:

And . I actually had him

back up for adoption.

313

:

And of course he kept getting

overlooked and overlooked.

314

:

And I was taking a meditation class, and

when I went and did this meditation class,

315

:

it was one of these ones where you're

gonna meditate and let's see if you have a

316

:

special animal that's connecting with you.

317

:

Who shows up in the meditation?

318

:

So at that point, I realized

he's meant to live with me.

319

:

Bonnie: Yes.

320

:

Dixie: I actually considered him

my soul cat because I truly believe

321

:

that, from the time he could walk,

he knew he was meant to be with me.

322

:

Bonnie: And , I have to tell you, I

believe that with every ounce of my

323

:

being that we do have soul animals.

324

:

There was a movie in a book

called A Dog's Purpose.

325

:

And I don't know if you saw it or read

the book, but it's about the evolution

326

:

of a soul that incarnates from dog after

dog, and I reconnect later in life.

327

:

I believe that to be true.

328

:

I believe that are animals

that have passed on.

329

:

Help lead us to the next animals that

we have to have within our lives.

330

:

And I will tell you this, that

as long as we have that spiritual

331

:

connection with them miracles, it may

be small, but miracles will happen.

332

:

I work a lot in death, dying and grief.

333

:

And I work a lot every year.

334

:

I go to Heaven's Pets in New Orleans

and we have a large pet blessing.

335

:

And this one woman would

come year after year.

336

:

And we've been doing

this for 15 years now.

337

:

And she has been grieving the the

loss of dogs and cats over the years.

338

:

And finally, a few years ago, she came

to a pet blessing and she brings pictures

339

:

and a couple of urns and I bless them and.

340

:

We got to talking and she said,

there is just no way that I could

341

:

bring another animal into my life.

342

:

It's just so hard losing them.

343

:

And I said, I understand that,

and I'm not asking to get another

344

:

animal into your home, but you

do live with nature, don't you?

345

:

And she sat there and she said, oh no.

346

:

Since my husband died, my

backyard is just awful.

347

:

I've not done anything.

348

:

My house is awful.

349

:

I don't have the energy.

350

:

I can't do that.

351

:

I can't deal with all of that nonsense.

352

:

And I said, just pay attention.

353

:

So one day she realized she

needed to go into her backyard.

354

:

And she starts looking around.

355

:

She says, oh, this place is a wreck.

356

:

So she started to go into one corner,

and as she moves some trash out of

357

:

the way, she startles a squirrel.

358

:

And she thought, wow, I

was not anticipating this.

359

:

So the next day she goes out

and there's the squirrel again.

360

:

So she thought maybe I need

to do something about this.

361

:

So she heads off and she gets

herself into a pet store.

362

:

I think it was called

Jefferson Feed and Seed.

363

:

She said, I have a

squirrel in my backyard.

364

:

I don't know how to

take care of a squirrel.

365

:

What do I do?

366

:

So the guy behind the counter thought

that she wanted to get rid of the

367

:

squirrel, and she says, oh no.

368

:

You're going in a different direction.

369

:

I need to know how to

take care of the squirrel.

370

:

So he says, oh, that's easy.

371

:

Here's a squirrel feeder,

and here's some food.

372

:

So lo and behold, she starts

realizing I need to clean my backyard.

373

:

Because this squirrel

isn't going anywhere.

374

:

So she starts feeding the squirrel

and taking care of this squirrel.

375

:

And lo and behold, more

squirrels starts showing up.

376

:

And then she finds herself

getting a bird feeder.

377

:

And these birds start showing

up and she gets a bird bath.

378

:

And then she.

379

:

Look, didn't realize this is gonna happen.

380

:

She starts getting raccoons that come

into her yard that are bathing in her

381

:

bird bath and bef when as she's cleaning

her yard and making it a little paradise,

382

:

really, in the back she noticed.

383

:

That she welcomed squirrels and

birds and raccoons, and even a rabbit

384

:

that has started burrowing under

the fence to come visit with her.

385

:

And every evening and every morning

she goes out there and she feeds.

386

:

All of these animals and cleans out the

bowls, puts fresh water in a bird bath.

387

:

And that's her life now.

388

:

And so I saw her just a few weeks ago

at the last Heaven's Pets event, and

389

:

she said, and she told me this story

and she said, I had a feeling that you

390

:

were telling me yes, maybe it's okay

that I don't have a pet in my house.

391

:

But I certainly have pets all around me.

392

:

They're wild animals.

393

:

They'll not live with me in

my home, but I care for them.

394

:

And that gives me such great purpose.

395

:

And I said, you just

hit on the right word.

396

:

Our animals give us purpose.

397

:

We think that we're caring

for them, and we do.

398

:

We think that we are providing

a safe place, and we do, but

399

:

they in turn give us purpose.

400

:

And you just simply can't buy that.

401

:

Dixie: Yeah, I agree with that.

402

:

That's a beautiful story too.

403

:

And on another note to that is I get upset

sometimes when little animals or even

404

:

adult animals will show up at a person's

house, and it's just like a single one.

405

:

It could be a, a dog, it could be a

cat, it could be a puppy, a kitten

406

:

a bird, any kind of animal needing

help even, or maybe not needing help.

407

:

And I always believed that animal

was sent there for a purpose.

408

:

Yes.

409

:

And it always is upsetting to me when

I see somebody like, oh, , this little

410

:

tiny animal that showed up at my house.

411

:

Can somebody take it?

412

:

And it's man, I'm like, I wish you would

just sit down and look for a second.

413

:

'cause that animal was

sent to you for a purpose.

414

:

Bonnie: Yes.

415

:

I believe that with

every ounce of my soul.

416

:

Yes.

417

:

And we live on three acres by a river and.

418

:

Over the years we have had several cats,

wonder in our yard and many times kittens.

419

:

And I believe that they come

to us for a purpose and.

420

:

It's our obligation.

421

:

That's our duty to take care of

them because, so many times I've

422

:

been asked, will I see my pet again?

423

:

The one that's passed,

will I see my pet again?

424

:

As I've said, I believe that our pets

are our greatest theologians and our

425

:

best spiritual directors, and those pets

that wander onto your property, they're

426

:

there to teach us and to connect us.

427

:

They're our link, our earthly.

428

:

Tangible link to the heavenly realm.

429

:

And when they wander onto our property

for our care and our welfare, they're

430

:

gonna provide us with so much about God's

creation and our own spiritual path that

431

:

will bring us back to the heavenly realm.

432

:

So just having them

wander onto our property.

433

:

Yeah I'm right there with you.

434

:

They're there.

435

:

As little angels, if you

will to help bring us further

436

:

along our own spiritual path.

437

:

Dixie: Do you think some

of them reincarnate?

438

:

Bonnie: I have to tell you, I do.

439

:

I do, I had not long after

Katrina I guess about a year after

440

:

Katrina, I found a puppy wondering

the parking lot of Walmart.

441

:

And I picked this puppy up and it, and

I did, look around, is anybody missing?

442

:

A puppy drove around

the parking lot a bit.

443

:

Nope.

444

:

And I realized this puppy was probably.

445

:

Not in a right place.

446

:

It was probably dumped out.

447

:

So I brought it home.

448

:

I bathed her, I named her she

started growing and I started

449

:

realizing this pet is not just a pet.

450

:

She's here for a purpose.

451

:

And Dixie, she became, with training,

she became an emotional support.

452

:

Animal, not for me, but for

groups that I had for grief.

453

:

And so she became a comfort dog,

if you will, and she lived with

454

:

me until her natural death, which

unfortunately was at the age of 11.

455

:

I was devastated.

456

:

I felt part of my voice passed

away and I, just that crying in

457

:

the night, what am I going to do?

458

:

So I.

459

:

I have a friend who is a vet and she

said Bonnie I need for you to come

460

:

to the shelter 'cause she works in a

shelter and I need you to bless this dog.

461

:

, This dog needs to go home

to a quiet place to die.

462

:

And so I said, sure, I'll do this.

463

:

So this was just about four or five

days after I lost my dog, Lagniappe

464

:

And so I walk into the shelter and

there is this pit bull that they had

465

:

picked up on the side of the road.

466

:

They thought it was dead.

467

:

She had heartworms.

468

:

She had obviously been

used as as a puppy machine.

469

:

And I just took one look at this

dog and I looked at my friend and I

470

:

said I think we had the quiet home.

471

:

We had the quiet, calm home.

472

:

Let me bring her home.

473

:

So I brought her home and I knew she was

gonna die, but she lived 18 more months.

474

:

And what this dog taught me

about grieving was enormous.

475

:

I learned so many lessons.

476

:

She restored herself back to a health that

I could take her for walks and we could

477

:

have fun together and just enjoyed life.

478

:

And what she did is she helped me

because my dog Lagniappe's death

479

:

, even though it was a natural death.

480

:

It was a very sudden death,

and I wasn't prepared.

481

:

But by bringing this dog, this foster

hospice dog into my home, I was able

482

:

to get through that grieving process,

and when she passed, I felt complete.

483

:

Now the story doesn't end there.

484

:

I went back to the very same shelter

after her name was Happy after

485

:

Happy died, and I said, I know

that I have to get another dog.

486

:

I know this, and I would have

dreams where it felt like Happy was

487

:

tugging me back to that shelter.

488

:

So I would go to the

shelter, I would look around.

489

:

Nope nope.

490

:

Then one day I sat down, I went

online and I found this dog who was

491

:

skin and bones, looked terrified.

492

:

It was curled up in a little sea,

and I called the shelter about this

493

:

dog and I said, where is this dog?

494

:

I've been to your shelter

twice or three times.

495

:

I've not seen this dog.

496

:

And they said oh, this dog hides.

497

:

It's terrified.

498

:

And I said, that's my dog.

499

:

I went back to the shelter.

500

:

I got that dog brought her home,

and she's still with me to this day.

501

:

I am convinced now when people

think of reincarnation, they think

502

:

of one dog being born into a puppy.

503

:

But I do believe that what I experienced.

504

:

Is my dog's way of leading me to my next

dog, which helps me believe that yes, I

505

:

believe it's possible that the souls of

our beloved animal companions will evolve.

506

:

And keep us going in this life.

507

:

And whether they stay with us until

we pass away and our souls travel on,

508

:

or if it continues on, I don't know.

509

:

But I do believe you were

talking about soul companions.

510

:

I believe that.

511

:

So what I experienced

with three separate dogs.

512

:

I believe it.

513

:

Yes, there is a great possibility,

and I do believe it's possible.

514

:

Dixie: Yeah I asked because personally

I believe that I have had the same

515

:

cat with me three times now because

the personality everything is exactly

516

:

the same as the one that passed.

517

:

So I think for like almost my

entire life, I've had the same.

518

:

Cat with me.

519

:

I know it sounds crazy, but I don't

care if people think I sound crazy.

520

:

Bonnie: But when you stop and you

think, you said this cat has the

521

:

personality and , how can we deny that?

522

:

Dixie: Yeah.

523

:

And it's in the eyes too.

524

:

Like the eyes are the same, when

you look into the eyes, you know it.

525

:

I know some people that might not

believe in this are gonna have a hard

526

:

time, hearing that, and they probably

think it's nonsense, but it's true.

527

:

You can look at 'em and it's

something in the eyes like you

528

:

can see to their inner soul and,

529

:

Bonnie: and I believe that, I truly

do, like I said, with this dog that

530

:

I found wondering in a years ago in

a parking lot, how did this puppy

531

:

get scrawny little puppy that needed

deep tender care and she got it Now?

532

:

Is it that she led me to another

dog that desperately needed a home

533

:

of love and peace so she could die?

534

:

And who taught me lessons about grief?

535

:

Mind you, up to that point, I

had spent several decades working

536

:

in death, dying, and grief.

537

:

I learned so much from this dog about

death, dying, and grief that textbooks.

538

:

Never taught me, and that

was at the soul level.

539

:

And that dog led me to this precious

dog that I have in my home now

540

:

who truly, desperately needed.

541

:

Again, love that deep committed,

unconditional love so that perhaps that

542

:

soul legacy that inspires us can live on.

543

:

But like I said, I don't know if

that animal is with us for the

544

:

balance of our lives or if it will

continue on after our soul transcends.

545

:

Dixie: Another thing that I would

like to touch on is I have heard that

546

:

animals in your house also protect

you from like negative energy.

547

:

Or even possibly negative things.

548

:

What do you think about that?

549

:

Bonnie: Oh, another story.

550

:

A deaf friend of mine this

is way back in the seventies.

551

:

A deaf friend of mine got

a cat from the streets.

552

:

It was one of those things

that she walked out and bloop.

553

:

There is a kitten in her path.

554

:

So she picks this kitten up, the kitten

grows up, and they're living together

555

:

in an apartment in uptown New Orleans.

556

:

So every time she went home,

she and her kitten companion

557

:

spent their evenings together.

558

:

One day she is sitting in her living

room and she said that she could feel it.

559

:

Her cat, she could feel her.

560

:

Her cat just bristling and she sees a foot

coming in a window, and when this person

561

:

got into her home and both feet hit the

ground of her home, her apartment, this

562

:

cat went wild and attacked this intruder.

563

:

So , as she's seeing this happen, she

had time to get out of her apartment,

564

:

go across the way, and the person was

a, they were able to call the police.

565

:

Now here's the thing, this cat did

such a whammy on this intruder that

566

:

intruder was still in her apartment

when the police showed up and

567

:

this guy needed medical attention.

568

:

So yes, I truly believe that

our pets can keep us from harm.

569

:

We hear these stories, but until you.

570

:

See it and experience it.

571

:

I have a dear friend whose dog kept

just literally driving her nuts.

572

:

He would put his nose in her

left armpit and push against her

573

:

armpit at the top of her breast.

574

:

Just kept doing it over and wouldn't stop.

575

:

And she's like, why is, it's

gotta be the smell of my armpit.

576

:

Lo and behold, she had a mammogram.

577

:

They found cancer in her left armpit

and at the top of her left breast.

578

:

Dixie: Wow.

579

:

Bonnie: And that's where her dog

putting his nose right in that area.

580

:

We, also hear, and I experienced

this myself with another friend

581

:

whose child had seizures.

582

:

Debilitating seizures.

583

:

And this child had several

surgeries, had part of her brain

584

:

removed to help with the seizures.

585

:

Nothing helped.

586

:

One day someone said, have you thought

about getting a seizure alert dog?

587

:

And she said, not really.

588

:

I'm not a dog person.

589

:

I know.

590

:

No, I hadn't thought about that.

591

:

She kept thinking about

it and she looked into it.

592

:

Her daughter was able to

get a seizure alert dog.

593

:

There is training involved

with this, so this child.

594

:

Has a seizure alert.

595

:

Dog alerts her prior to seizures, so

she's able to take her medication.

596

:

This child who was always told,

oh no, the seizures are so bad.

597

:

This child is gonna be on

disability the rest of her life.

598

:

This child graduated college

and is working now as a CPA.

599

:

She lives a good, vibrant

life because of a dog.

600

:

That's amazing.

601

:

If she didn't have a dog in

her life, she would not know.

602

:

So she's able to live, she was able to

go to high school, college, graduate,

603

:

get a job and all because of a dog.

604

:

Dixie: That is amazing.

605

:

Before we end our conversation,

what would you tell people who don't

606

:

believe that animals have souls?

607

:

Bonnie: I get that.

608

:

So very often I and I even get

people who will say, my pastor told

609

:

me that our dogs do not have souls.

610

:

And as I said, I believe with

all my heart that we are all here

611

:

to create good on this planet.

612

:

That includes our animals.

613

:

I believe that we're here to share our

kindness that includes our animals, and

614

:

when we look at the different verses in

the Bible, and the very first one that

615

:

people come up with is from Genesis.

616

:

Where it says, let them have

dominion over the fish of the sea.

617

:

Birds of the air over the dominion

is not the same as domination.

618

:

It comes from that Hebrew word rad,

which means to have communion with.

619

:

Can you imagine if all these centuries,

if we had read, let us have communion

620

:

with our stewardship, with the fish

of the sea and the birds of the

621

:

air and with the cattle, it would

have a whole other connotation.

622

:

So I believe.

623

:

A lot of it comes from the Bible itself.

624

:

When we read from the Book of Job, ask.

625

:

And we will be told when we read

that story that I just told you

626

:

about it with that bummer lamb.

627

:

And when we look at.

628

:

All these animals help us as therapy

animals when we're lonely, depressed, or

629

:

in, in nursing homes and other facilities

who suffer from PTSD, anxious, depressed,

630

:

suicidal, how do they know this?

631

:

And they help us with diabetes.

632

:

Our pets are healers.

633

:

And in order to be a healer

in order to restore that inner

634

:

health that comes from the soul.

635

:

We can talk about energy.

636

:

Yes, we, there is that energy, but

when we have that soul soothing health,

637

:

that comes from their soul as well.

638

:

So yes, I believe that our

animals are our earthly, tangible

639

:

link right back to heaven.

640

:

And if we just pay attention to them.

641

:

Sit down.

642

:

It could be outside, it could

be within your own home.

643

:

Sit with a sleeping cat, sleep.

644

:

Just pay attention to them as

they're sleeping, or just a dog.

645

:

You're gonna, you're gonna find out

that what job was talking about.

646

:

Go and ask the animals

and they will teach you.

647

:

They will teach us our listening

to our dogs as they react

648

:

to environmental signals.

649

:

When the weather changes,

how do they know this?

650

:

Yes, they can say it's environmental,

it's that pure energy, but I believe

651

:

that comes from that soul source.

652

:

So I believe that.

653

:

There is that moment when we read

everything that has breath has life,

654

:

and everything that has life has a soul.

655

:

And I can go on and say, Hey

look, our trees are Earth.

656

:

It knows how to restore itself.

657

:

And there is a soul

within all of creation.

658

:

Dixie: Thank you for having

this conversation with me.

659

:

It was very uplifting and enlightening

and I hope it helps some people too.

660

:

Bonnie: I thank you for allowing me

to share this with you, and thank

661

:

you for doing all that you do.

662

:

Thank you so much.

663

:

Dixie: That's it for today's episode.

664

:

I wanna thank everybody for

listening and supporting us.

665

:

If you wanna take that an extra

step, consider becoming a member.

666

:

We just added this to our

website, animalposse.com,

667

:

scroll down, look for the support tab.

668

:

Our membership program is going to

help us directly support animals

669

:

in need, whether that be through

vaccinations, food or spay neuter efforts.

Chapters

Video

More from YouTube