Lucy Gabrielle

One of the loveliest books I’ve read is The Good Good Pig by Sy Montgomery.

The Good Good Pigis a memoir about the extraordinary life of Montgomery’s pet pig, Christopher Hogwood.

Christopher came to Montgomery’s life as a sickly runt that the farmer just couldn’t bring himself to kill. (“Christopher Hogwood came home on my lap in a shoebox.”) But with much love and attention, he grew to an astonishing size and much of the humour in this book comes from Montgomery’s descriptions of trying to entice the enormous pig (who was fond of escaping) back home by leading him along with a bucket of slops. One of the ways she could calm the wayward pig was to rub his belly while crooning “Good good pig, fine fine swine.” The descriptions of pig spa days, the ways that Christopher became a celebrity in his hometown, and the way he repeatedly touched and changed people’s lives create beautiful images not easily forgotten. Although it’s been several years since I last read The Good Good Pig, I think of Christopher (and Montgomery’s) life often.

This is a wonderfully charming story that I highly recommend for any animal lover.
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Come along and see me and say hello tonight at the Enoggera Memorial Hall, Trundle Street, Brisbane at 6.30 pm for an information evening on animal communication and oracle cards.

Natural Animal Care is running monthly information sessions, covering topics such as holistic medicine for animals, dog listening, holistic veterinary care, acupuncture and animal communication. I’m attending as this month’s guest. I’ll be covering what I do, what animal communication involves, how we communicate with animals, what oracle cards are, and how to use oracle cards. We’ll finish the evening with question time tea and biscuits.

Hope to see you there!

St Francis of Assisi is known as the patron saint of animals, the environment and Italy. Catholic churches often hold celebrations around his feast day, October 4, which is also World Animal Day. Surely a leader of his times in the 12th and 13th century, St Francis is known for his kindness to animals and nature.

The prayer of St Francis of Assisi, also known as the peace prayer, has long been one of my favourites. I read it out to my horse, Hercules, in a celebration of his life not long before his passing, and is understandably very emotional. For me, this prayer encapsulates what it means for us to be in service to the world, including to our animal friends.

One of the most beautiful interpretations of this prayer can be found in Sarah Maclachlan’s musical piece Prayer of St Francis. Click here to view it in YouTube.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

where there is sadness, joy;

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;

to be understood as to understand;

to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Amen.

I have recently returned home after another few days away teaching Reiki. It’s always such a beautiful weekend and I always get so much out of them. This time, I came home laden with fruit, vegetables, nuts and wholemeal spelt pasta, enthused by the Reiki energy to commit to another detox.

And to find this, a lovely testimonial and offer of thanks from a student who came to our Reiki weekend last month on a scholarship basis. I believe Reiki should be available to all, so always hold a place open to assist those in financial need.

Since being attuned to Reiki I and learning about animal Reiki i find i am able to help the people and animals in my life a lot more. I had always felt like there was more i should be able to do to help people, and Reiki has allowed me to fulfil this desire.

In my own personal life I am calling on my Reiki guides to answer questions regarding which direction my life should be going, and each day I am receiving answers.

The first person I gave Reiki too was a special needs boy, and while he was not able to thank me verbally, knowing that I was able to use the Reiki to help give him a peaceful night’s sleep was awesome.

Thank you so much Lucy and Eileen for allowing me to learn Reiki on a scholarship, and I look forward to seeing you again for Reiki II.

Carlye

From the bottom of my heart, Carlye, you are very welcome!