A few nights ago a neighbor called and asked me to come over. I sensed distress in her voice and my first thought was that something was up with her dog. When I arrived, I found a small gray mouse on her kitchen floor.
The mouse seemed to be struggling to walk and had a gash on his head. He was only a couple of weeks old and not yet steady on his paws. After waiting to see if his mom would return, I took him home and began syringe feeding and treating his wound.
While I have always loved animals, there was a part of me that felt squeamish when it came to mice. The more that I held him and felt his life force within, the less important that seemed. As I looked at his tiny body, I was amazed at “Nature’s Miracle”. All of his life functions were contained in a being that fit in the palm of my hand.
Gazing into the black piercing eyes of this creature, I felt his soul. I understood just how precarious life is and the value in treasuring each moment. The past only exists in our minds and the future is not yet a reality. When we let go, we free ourselves up to accept the gifts that can only come our way in the present moment. It is in the now that life unfolds and that we can experience joy, peace, whatever we choose.
Walking into the room to feed or check on Miracle, I prayed for his highest good. It did not take me long to learn that mice sleep very deeply and can appear to be dead while in slumber. I was pleased to see his condition each time, until last night when after my usual ritual of gently stroking his belly with my index finger, he did not wake up.
Miracle passed over safe, warm and loved. While I feel a sense of sadness, I know that his life and death were of divine timing. This fragile being left me with a greater appreciation for each moment of life. While I do not know what my future holds, I can say that in this moment I am a more grateful human being for having had this experience of Healing With Animals.
jill, Did U Have This EXPERIENCE W This Baby mouse? What an incredible experience, I too am an animal lover so any creature, I understand what you were expressing in that letter if it was you, if not whoever was expressing it I certainly got it cause I love all creatures, we recently took in a cat and it had 4 babies and it’s amazing that we were there to help her give birth and to watch her babies grown now and take care of her it’s amazing to see life bloom
Barbara, yes I did have the honor of caring for Miracle. Thank you for midwifing the cat and providing for her and her kittens. Watching life bloom in all of its many forms is truly amazing.
Very touching and brought a tear to my eye Jill.. He was blessed to have past feeling your love and caring … As yes, I do believe the smallest of creatures have feelings.
I meant “passed”…
Randi, our attachment to the “past” shows up in many ways. While we can experience memories in the present,any pain/suffering from the past only exists in our minds.
Jill, when I asked you to come over that night I was just hoping you’d put the little mouse outside. I didn’t want to touch him. You picked him up with such care. He was no longer “just a mouse”. At that moment until he passed you became his nurturer, his Mom. You gave him a warm bed, warm food and lots of love. I’m grateful to you for showing me how precious every living thing is, big or small!
Anita, it was an honor to care for Miracle. We have both grown as a result of our experience with him.
Very Nice Jill and a miracle it is.
Thank you, Danny. Miracles truly do come in many shapes and sizes.
Very touching story
Embracing the present is a practice that takes reminders like your story to keep it in perspective
Jean, animals have wisdom to impart to us, if we are are open and willing to listen.
Always a blessing to give love to any being when they are ready to leave this world! Everyone, even a tiny mouse, knows when they are surrounded by angels. You obviously are one!
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Thank you for the loving words, Randy. They are particularly meaningful coming from you, given the wonderful work you do in providing healing products for animals at Whiskers. Love is at its best when expressed through action.